REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

Developments across The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 verify something many have come to expect from its genre —when things don’t follow predestined plots, they will try to find a way to right themselves in ways we least expected. Expectations set at the beginning of the series are upended in these latest episodes, and the introduction of new characters twists things around. One thing remains clear, though. The love between K/Cha Sun-chaek (Seohyun) and Duke Yi Beun (Taecyeon) remains strong and adorable.

Episode 7 covers the aftermath of the suspended marriage selection, culminating in Sun-chaek getting pushed into the pond. She scratches the assailant, which later proves to be relevant after she’s rescued by Yi Beun. After episodes were spent solidifying Do Hwa-seon’s (Ji Hye-won) villainous nature, she is instantly suspected by Sun-chaek. A matching cut sustained from breaking things earlier in the episode does little to assuage Sun-chaek’s suspicions when she confronts Hwa-seon. But the set-up is far too convenient when another person is also vying for Yi Beun’s hand.

Still, Sun-chaek can’t focus on the attempt on her life for too long. She has Yi Beun to think about. Across The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8, the two spend time getting to know each other, with occasional moments of scandalous intimacy. From earnest, yet failed attempts at cooking to an adorable date on the town to just quiet moments in each other’s arms, the two are so incredibly adorable that it ends up being gross. This isn’t a bad thing, by the way. It simply means that someone or something is going to try to intervene soon. 

Our main couple in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 are so cute, it’s gross.

One such obstacle is Sun-chaek’s father, Cha Ho-yeol (Seo Hyun-chul), who is adamant that the two don’t get married. He spends the bulk of The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 keeping the lovebirds apart, with the entire family and staff helping him. This results in some funny moments of comedy for actors Seohyun, Taecyeon, and Seo Hyun-chul, as their characters try to achieve their goals. And, while this plot development hits all the tropey checkmarks, Ho-yeol’s reasoning offers depth. He knows Yi Beun has many enemies, and Sun-chaek presents a weakness to get at Yi Beun.

One such enemy emerges not only to cause problems for Yi Beun and the kingdom, but also to set the plot of the “novel” straight. The exiled Prince Yi-gyu (Lee Tae-sun) has returned and is set to stir up trouble, some intentional and some not so intentional. As revealed in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8, he has a past connection with Sun-chaek, one that K is unaware of, being an avid fan of the novel. Since previous episodes revealed that the novel is being rewritten, the inclusion of Yi-gyu and K’s lack of knowledge indicates that he is new to the world.

It also looks like his presence finally sets the stage for the novel’s love triangle. Initially, a love triangle was intended to be between Jo Eun-ae (Kwon Han-sol), Yi Beun, and Jung Su-gyeom (Seo Bum-June). Since Sun-chaek took the original heroine’s place in Yi Beun’s heart, these dynamics have shifted. Su-gyeom still likes Eun-ae, meaning the love triangle has yet to fall into place. Yi-gyu’s introduction starts up the love triangle scenario, and offers a natural enemy for Yi Beun to butt heads against. However, Yi-gyu is a more dangerous upgrade.

Happiness is temporary, while unknown enemies surround the Duke.

Another more dangerous upgrade for our lovebirds is Eun-ae. She was originally destined to be the heroine, yet her actions are becoming increasingly suspicious over time. The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 presents different sides to her. With her father, she’s a disappointment. With Su-gyeom, she teeters the line between acquaintance and friend, with Su-gyeom the more invested of the two. However, a new side to her has emerged, and Sun-chaek has brought it out of her. 

With different distractions to keep Yi Beun at bay and Sun-chaek’s embarrassing lack of forethought venturing out alone, Eun-ae concocts a plan targeting the young woman. It’s a surprising revelation, one in which Su-geyom witnesses after following Eun-ae’s tracks. The heroine has revealed herself to be a villain under the plot’s changing circumstances, offering up new possibilities for how the novel’s characters will continue to evolve. The catalyst for these changes remains Sun-chaek and her choices. Well, some of her choices.

A surprising revelation in Episode 8 reveals that K and the original Sun-chaek have made choices that have led to this point. We, of course, are aware of how K (in Sun-chaek’s body) has influenced what’s been going on in the story, but where the original Sun-chaek has gone has yet to be discussed. A discussion with a shamaness opens the door to some cryptic clues, with the mention of Sun-chaek coming to a crossroads to decide what happens next. When this moment occurs at the end of the episode, the story shifts to the real world, and we see K—or at least, who we think is K. 

Revelations emerge regarding what might have happened to the original Sun-chaek.

Disregarding the most blatant product placement ever, despite Seohyun’s best efforts, this moment elicits a comment from K that reveals who she actually is. She mentions how cool this world is, hinting that she may be the original Sun-chaek. Did the two switch bodies? That would make the most sense, and it’s all we have to go on for now. With only four episodes left, though, the clock is ticking to put all these pieces together. 

There are, of course, some problem areas in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8. As the series has progressed, it has struggled with its erratic pacing. These two episodes probably feature the most chaotic pacing seen yet. Chaos is okay, but too much can be distracting. There’s also the inclusion of a sports match between Yi Beun and Yi-gyu that lasted longer than necessary. It’s not an entirely unusual setup for these novel-based plots, but as we start racing to the end of the series, how time is spent in episodes becomes more important.

Pacing issues aside, The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 show how much has changed and that more drama is set to come. Still, there are so many questions popping up, with no idea how any of this will end (unless you’ve read the webtoon) with each new inclusion. As long as the series continues to maintain this momentum, it may end up finishing with a bang.

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 1-8 are streaming now exclusively on Viki, with new episodes dropping on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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