IU’s instincts and Byeon Woo-seok’s growth paid off… The box-office hit of the “Queen Dowager of the 21st Century” [★Report ②]

April 24, 2026 820 views Updated: Aug 20, 2026 Source: 스타뉴스 Translated and reviewed by the KOTourLive Editorial Team

[Star News | Reporter Choi Hye-jin]

Actors Byun Woo-seok and IU are posing at the production press conference for the MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife,' held at the Josun Palace Gangnam Hotel in Seoul. /Photo = Kim Hwi-seon hwijpg@ It is not simply because of the popularity of the cast members. The overwhelming figures that 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' is recording cannot be explained only by the fandom firepower of leads IU and Byun Woo-seok.

According to Nielsen Korea, a ratings research company, after starting with a 7.8% rating in its first episode (nationwide basis), the drama recorded 9.5% for episode 2 and 9.0% for episode 3, then surged to a new series high in episode 4. In just four episodes, it surpassed 11.1% and quickly broke through the dreaded 10% barrier.

Its performance on domestic and international charts is also unrivaled. According to Good Data Corporation, a K-content competitiveness analysis agency, 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' ranked first not only in drama buzz, but also in search response across all age groups.

Its standing on global OTT platforms is equally remarkable. Based on FlixPatrol, it ranked No. 4 globally in the Disney+ Top 10 TV Shows category and No. 1 among non-English titles, and has maintained the top spot since release in five Asian countries, including South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. Furthermore, it has secured top-tier positions in North and South American and European markets such as the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Singer and actor IU is posing at the production press conference for the MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife,' held at the Josun Palace Gangnam Hotel in Seoul. /Photo = Kim Hwi-seon hwijpg@ There is a reason for this syndrome. The exceptional role-selection instinct of IU, a 'reliably watchable actress,' and Byun Woo-seok's growth, which has proven his presence through skill beyond merely being the 'hot trend,' have truly hit the mark.

IU has built an irreplaceable career by achieving both box-office success and artistic merit in every project she has appeared in, including the dramas 'Dream High,' 'Producer,' 'My Mister,' and 'Hotel del Luna.' In particular, last year she received praise from both the public and critics for flawlessly handling dual roles in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines.'

Her eye for scripts was also proven by award show results. At the '10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025' last October, IU swept six trophies, including the grand prize 'Artist of the Year,' as well as 'AAA 10 Legendary Female Solo,' 'Best Artist,' 'Fabulous,' 'Hot Trend,' and 'Best Couple.'

IU's script choices are by no means a coincidence. 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife,' chosen as the result of thorough analysis and intuition, is also proving through the numbers that her judgment was correct.

In a well-chosen work, IU is soaring. Playing Seong Hui-ju, who dreams of rising in status and boldly proposes to the grand prince, she is maximizing the drama's immersion. She delicately portrays the pain hidden behind her confidence as an illegitimate child. She is also delivering a standout performance, naturally pulling off the striking line, "Please marry me."

Actor Byun Woo-seok is posing at the production press conference for the MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife,' held at the Josun Palace Gangnam Hotel in Seoul. /Photo = Kim Hwi-seon hwijpg@ Byun Woo-seok's dazzling rise is also a major part of the show's success. Having sparked a syndrome with his previous work 'Lovely Runner,' he takes on the role of Grand Prince Ian, Lee Wan, in this follow-up project, a prince's son who can possess nothing, and completes a richer narrative.

While outwardly maintaining the solemn bearing of royalty, he three-dimensionally portrays the inner side of Lee Wan, who suffers from insomnia and struggles with conflicts within the royal family, proving his ability goes far beyond visual appeal.

In particular, in episode 4, Byun Woo-seok earned praise for the scene in which he broke away from his past of passively submitting to fate and declared to Seong Hui-ju, "Prepare to become the grand prince's wife," creating one of the drama's greatest scenes by combining his masculine appeal with his growth as an actor.

Byun Woo-seok has grown beyond a simple youth star into a leading actor who commands the entire drama. The emotional depth he shows through the complex character of Grand Prince Ian draws viewers in and deepens their immersion.

Currently, 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' is sweeping domestic and international indicators and writing a new chapter in K-dramas. With IU's sharp eye for projects and Byun Woo-seok's growth creating the right synergy, anticipation is also growing for the next record they will set.

Poster for The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife/Photo = MBC