IU Cast as Lead in MBC’s Upcoming Drama ’21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’
South Korean singer-actress IU has been confirmed to play the female lead in MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama ’21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’ (working title: ’21세기 대군부인’). The drama is set to premiere on April 10, 2026 at 9:40 PM KST.
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IU will portray Seong Hee-joo, the talented yet frustrated second-generation chaebol heiress who leads Castle Beauty. Despite her wealth, beauty, and intelligence, Hee-joo is dissatisfied with her commoner status in a 21st-century Korea that still maintains a constitutional monarchy. Determined to attain the nobility she lacks, she enters into a contract marriage with Prince Lee Wan (played by Byeon Woo-seok), the royal family’s second son who, despite his prestigious lineage, possesses no personal wealth or freedom due to royal restrictions.
The drama explores their class-defying romance as Hee-joo seeks social advancement while Prince Lee Wan yearns for autonomy beyond palace walls. Their arrangement sets off a chain of events involving their respective circles: Prince Lee Wan’s longtime friend and political ally, Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo (Noh Sang-hyun), and the traditionalist Queen Dowager Yoon Yi-rang (Gong Seung-yeon), who upholds royal customs and questions the union between royalty and commoner.
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Directed by Park Jun-hwa (known for ‘My Secretary’ series and ‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim’) with co-director Bae Hee-young, the series is written by screenwriter Yoo Ji-won, whose script won MBC’s 2022 drama writing competition. Planning is headed by Kang Dae-sun, with production by MBC and Kakao Entertainment.
The supporting cast includes veteran actors Noh Sang-hyun as the composed yet emotionally conflicted Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo, and Gong Seung-yeon as Yoon Yi-rang, a woman born into a queen-producing lineage who struggles with her predetermined destiny.
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’21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’ promises a fresh take on the romantic drama genre, blending modern settings with historical monarchy elements to examine themes of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness beyond societal constraints. Filming is expected to commence soon ahead of the April premiere.
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