Men of the Harem K-Drama: Suzy, Cast, Story & 2027 Release
A popular Korean fantasy romance is making its way to the small screen. Men of the Harem (하렘의 남자들), based on the web novel by Alphatart, is being adapted into a live-action Korean drama starring Bae Suzy. The series is expected to arrive on Netflix in 2027, bringing its story of imperial power, palace intrigue, and unconventional romance to a wider international audience.
Directed by Lee Eung-bok, known for dramas such as Goblin, Mr. Sunshine, and Sweet Home, the adaptation combines a fictional imperial setting with a heroine who chooses to build a harem of male consorts rather than follow traditional expectations of royal marriage.
Here is what is known so far about the story, cast, production, and expected release.
What Is Men of the Harem About?
Men of the Harem is a palace romance fantasy set in the fictional Tarium Empire.
The story follows Latil, who rises to power as empress after the mysterious assassination of her father. To secure her position on the throne, she needs to establish a royal consort arrangement. Instead of choosing just one man, however, Latil decides to bring five men from different backgrounds into her harem.
As she navigates relationships with her consorts, Latil must also deal with political tensions, palace rivalries, and the mystery surrounding her father's death.
The story combines romance with questions of trust, loyalty, and the responsibilities of ruling an empire. Its central twist is that the woman holds imperial power and makes the decisions about her romantic relationships, reversing the familiar setup of many traditional palace romances.
Bae Suzy Stars as Empress Latil
Bae Suzy takes the lead role of Latil, the empress at the center of the story.
Suzy first gained recognition as a member of the K-pop girl group miss A before establishing a career as an actress. Her previous screen roles include While You Were Sleeping, Start-Up, Anna, Doona!, and Genie, Make a Wish.
Latil is a different kind of heroine from the conventional romantic lead: she must balance her personal relationships with the political realities of maintaining power. The role places Suzy at the center of both the drama's romance and its imperial intrigue.
Men of the Harem Cast: Who Is Appearing?
The drama has attracted attention for its ensemble of actors playing characters connected to Latil and the imperial court.
The cast reported for the project includes:
- Bae Suzy as Latil, the empress and central character.
- Shin Seung-ho, known for Alchemy of Souls and Weak Hero Class 1.
- DEX (Kim Jin-young), known as a television personality and entertainer as well as an actor.
- Kim Dan, who has appeared in recent Korean dramas.
- Yoo Jung-hoo, known for Bitch X Rich and My Girlfriend Is the Man.
Additional supporting and guest appearances have also been reported, including Lee Gyu-hyun, Noh Min-woo, and Ji Chang-wook.
What Happened to Lee Soo-hyuk’s Casting?
Lee Soo-hyuk was originally reported as part of the cast, but he withdrew from the project in August 2026 because of scheduling conflicts, according to his agency.
Following his departure, actor Lee Jong-won received an offer to take on the role and was reported to be in discussions. His participation should not be treated as confirmed unless a subsequent official announcement establishes that he has joined the cast.
As casting information can change during production, viewers should check new announcements for the latest confirmed lineup.
The Original Web Novel and Webtoon
The drama is based on Alphatart’s web novel of the same name. The story is also available as a WEBTOON adaptation, illustrated by Yeongbin and adapted by HereLee.
The English-language WEBTOON version is published under the title Men of the Harem. Its official description introduces Latil's struggle to secure her sovereignty, investigate her father's murder, and maintain peace among her five royal consorts.
Readers who want to explore the original story before watching the drama can find the English-language comic here:
Read Men of the Harem on WEBTOON
The web novel and comic provide the foundation for the television adaptation, though specific changes to the story, character portrayals, and plot details in the drama have not been fully disclosed.
Men of the Harem Release Date: When Can You Watch It?
The drama is expected to be released in 2027, with Netflix reported as its international streaming platform. However, a specific premiere date has not yet been officially confirmed in the available announcements.
Here is a quick overview of the current information:
- Title: Men of the Harem (하렘의 남자들)
- Genre: Fantasy, romance, palace drama
- Lead actress: Bae Suzy
- Director: Lee Eung-bok
- Screenwriter: Hwang Jin-young
- Production company: Studio Dragon
- Expected release: 2027
- Streaming platform: Netflix, as reported
- Exact premiere date: Not yet announced
Reports indicate that filming began in May 2026, including production in Kazakhstan. Netflix's final release schedule and further details about the episode count and international availability should be checked against future official announcements.
Final Thoughts
Men of the Harem brings a different perspective to the palace romance genre by placing a powerful empress at the center of the story. Latil's effort to protect her throne while managing relationships with five male consorts creates room for both romantic tension and political intrigue.
With Bae Suzy in the lead role and Lee Eung-bok directing, the adaptation is an upcoming title for fans of Korean fantasy dramas. Until Netflix announces a premiere date and more details about the finished series, the original WEBTOON is a good place to discover the story behind the upcoming drama.