It all started with a bed, a duke, and one hell of a hangover, but then “The First Night with the Duke” webtoon launched one of the most unexpectedly massive Korean IPs. So, how did that happen? And why is the webtoon still everyone’s favorite years after it ended? Today, we’re going to guide you deep into “The First Night with the Duke” webtoon, where to read the story, and why fans are going crazy over this hilarious satirical story.
“The First Night with the Duke” Webtoon: A Bed, a Duke, and a Hangover That Launched a Universe
At first, “The First Night with the Duke” webtoon looks like a typical rom-com wrapped in corsets and fantasy ribbons. You’ve got a feisty heroine, a cold Duke with emotional trauma, and one hilariously scandalous mix-up. Just like another day in those regular isekai-romance webtoons.
But if you’ve read past the first few episodes, you already know this story doesn’t behave the way you expect. It spins, stumbles, and spirals—just like its protagonist.
And yet, somehow, it’s still going strong.
Originally launched as a web novel by Hwang DoTol, then adapted into a webtoon illustrated by MSG and adapted by Teava, “The First Night with the Duke” has done beyond just entertaining. This project has now joined Korea’s successful Web Novel IP franchises.
From web novel turned webtoon, then a visual novel game, then a live-action Joseon-era drama on KBS2. Dozens of international translations. Volumes in print. And an audience still re-reading it like comfort food.
But really, how did one chaotic one-night stand grow into one of Korea’s most enduring fantasy properties? And why does Ripley’s mess still feel so personally familiar—even in 2025?
Why We Keep Escaping into Ballrooms, Dukes, and Fake Nobility
Let’s be honest: don’t you agree that most of us, especially avid readers, just LOVE titles. Like, REAL royalty titles: “Duchess,” “Princess,” “Crown Prince.” Right? Maybe it’s the clothes. Maybe it’s the illusion of control. Or maybe it’s the fact that in these fantasy worlds, status isn’t just inherited—it can be stolen, faked, or earned through luck, timing, or sheer chaos.
And chaos is exactly where Ripley thrives.
When the webtoon opens, Ripley de Liverpool is way far from those classic Cinderella characters. She’s not the original heroine. Well, not at first. She’s also not that graceful and brave princess. Heck, she was not even sober.
Ripley’s just… tired. Like many readers, she enters the story trying to coast. Her only goal is to survive quietly in a book she’s already reading and maybe enjoy the soft pillows and rich food while she’s at it.
And yet, she wakes up next to the male lead instead.
One mistake, one night, and suddenly, she was in the center of the plot she was trying to avoid—with a dangerously handsome Duke, a jealous villainess, and a royal court watching her every move.
It’s hilarious and humiliating. But somehow, it’s uncomfortably relatable.
“The First Night with the Duke” Webtoon: A Franchise Born from Fantasy Failure
“The First Night with the Duke” webtoon didn’t just go viral because of its premise—it exploded because Ripley didn’t play by genre rules.
She isn’t a picture of virtue or martyrdom. She’s impulsive, lazy, often self-serving, and totally unequipped to deal with the aristocratic soap opera she’s fallen into. But she tries. She fails then apologizes. She jokes, and she claws her way through every twist the story throws at her with panic, sass, and a surprising amount of heart.
That kind of heroine rarely leads a franchise. And yet, Ripley did.
The original web novel (2019, Naver Series) started it all. Then came the webtoon adaptation in 2020—serialized in Korean and translated into over eight languages including English (First Night with the Duke webtoon), French (Virginité volée), and Indonesian. It became a global favorite on WEBTOON, with over a hundred episodes and thousands of reader comments per update.
But the real surprise was how far it went after that.
- A visual novel game on Maybee (interactive romance app) expanded the IP to choice-based storytelling
- The 2025 live-action drama on KBS2 reimagined the setting into Joseon Dynasty Korea, starring Seohyun and Ok Taecyeon.
- The drama adaptation tweaked names and settings, but kept Ripley’s emotional DNA intact—chaotic, clever, and painfully sincere
What began as a rom-com mistake became a blueprint for cross-media fantasy done right.
Why Ripley Still Feels So Real in a World of Ballgowns and Banquets
It would’ve been easy to turn Ripley into a perfect duchess. But “The First Night with the Duke” webtoon keeps her grounded. She doesn’t want power, and she doesn’t want revenge. She just wants the plot to leave her alone long enough to take a nap.
And that’s part of the appeal.
Unlike other isekai heroines who rise to power through strategy or suffering, Ripley moves with…well..blind luck and messy emotion. Her journey isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about surviving as herself.
And in a world where women are often asked to be exceptional just to earn respect, Ripley’s bare-minimum approach to survival feels refreshing.
Even the Duke—Zeronis de Inglid—is way different from those aloof/ruthless typical male isekai leads. Well, yes he may start as one in the beginning, but then this handsome Duke slowly unravels into a deeply broken man learning to trust.
And for once, it’s not the heroine who gets rewritten to fit the romance—it’s the man who softens, learns, and adapts to her.
Their dynamic isn’t perfect. In fact, the early chapters sparked controversy over implied non-consent and obsessive behavior.
But by the end, the growth is unbelievable and undeniable. The characters evolve. The tone matures. And the readers who stick with it are rewarded with something rare in fantasy webtoons: emotional payoff that actually feels earned.
Where to Read “The First Night with the Duke” Webtoon
Curious where to start? Here’s where you can read The First Night with the Duke webtoon:
- Korean: Naver Comic & Naver Series (Completed, 103 episodes + extras)
- English: WEBTOON
- Web Novels: Wattpad, YONDER
Disclaimer:
If you’re reading scanlations while waiting for access, remember to support the official versions once they’re released in your region. Buying chapters, leaving reviews, and watching official episodes help creators and platforms continue producing the stories you love.
“The First Night with the Duke” Webtoon: Why This One-Night Stand Still Matters
Finally, it could’ve been just another webtoon. It could’ve been just a joke—the one where the girl accidentally slept with the male lead. But “The First Night with the Duke” Webtoon built something bigger.
It gave us permission to be messy. It gave us fantasy without perfection. And it gave us a heroine who—despite her panic, her flaws, her hangovers—kept going.
And that’s why, years later, readers still find their way back to this story. Not because it’s polished. But because it reminds you that you don’t have to be polished to be loved.
Especially not in a corset.
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