Byeon Woo-seok Cast Opposite IU in Bold New Romance Drama ‘21st Century Lady of the Grand Prince’

Actor Byeon Woo-seok has officially confirmed his next drama—and all eyes are on his much-anticipated return in ‘21st Century Lady of the Grand Prince’, set to air in the first half of 2025 on MBC.

On April 22, MBC announced the upcoming Friday-Saturday drama ‘21st Century Lady of the Grand Prince’ (written by Yoo Ah-in, directed by Park Joon-hwa), a modern romance set in a fictional constitutional monarchy Korea. The story follows Sung Hee-joo, a chaebol heiress who seemingly has it all but struggles with her commoner status, and Grand Prince Lee Wan, the king’s second son who is beloved by the people yet feels powerless in his role. The cast includes IU, Byeon Woo-seok, Noh Sang-hyun, and Gong Seung-yeon.

Byeon Woo-seok’s Return After “Lovely Runner”

This marks Byeon Woo-seok’s first drama since ‘Lovely Runner’ (Korean title: 선재 업고 튀어) aired nearly two years ago. In that breakout hit, he played the lead role of Ryu Sun-jae, capturing hearts as the ultimate romantic—a loyal man devoted to one woman. The show sparked what fans dubbed the “Sun-jae Syndrome,” firmly establishing Byeon as a top-tier star.

With that success came pressure: his next project would be key in proving he’s more than a one-hit wonder. Byeon took his time choosing a follow-up, carefully reviewing offers even as media and fans eagerly waited.

Playing Royalty—With a Twist

In ‘21st Century Lady of the Grand Prince’, Byeon will take on the role of Lee Wan, a royal prince who lives quietly in the shadows, unable to shine or speak freely. Though he’s lived suppressing his true self, he’s adored by the public for his natural grace and charm. That emotional wall begins to crack when he enters a contract marriage with Sung Hee-joo, a woman who both mirrors and challenges him.

This marks Byeon Woo-seok’s first time playing a royal, and fans are already buzzing over his return to the romantic comedy genre, a space where he truly shines. Notably, the drama is based on a script that won MBC’s 2022 Screenwriting Contest, which adds even more anticipation for its quality and storytelling depth.

A Dream Pairing with IU

His co-star? IU, fresh off her acclaimed performance in the Netflix original ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’. Known for her versatility and emotional depth, IU’s pairing with Byeon Woo-seok is already generating intense buzz, with fans eager to see what kind of chemistry the two will deliver on screen.

As Byeon Woo-seok returns to TV after two years, fans and industry watchers alike are wondering:

Will he solidify his “leading man” status with this modern royal role?

Expectations are sky-high as he steps into ‘21st Century Lady of the Grand Prince’, a project that blends fantasy, romance, and political intrigue—all set in a bold alternate version of modern-day Korea.

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