K-drama fans, get ready to mark your 2026 calendars—IU and Byeon Woo Seok are officially teaming up for a highly anticipated new drama titled “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” (working title), set to air as an MBC Friday-Saturday drama.
Confirmed on April 21, 2025, the drama has already generated massive buzz with its unique premise, star-studded cast, and a high-profile director.
With IU and Byeon Woo Seok in the lead roles, alongside rising stars Noh Sang Hyun and Gong Seung Yeon, the series is set in an alternate reality of Korea—one where the country operates as a constitutional monarchy, blending modern life with royal hierarchy and age-old traditions.
At the heart of the drama is Sung Hee Joo, portrayed by IU, a chaebol heiress who has everything—beauty, intelligence, wealth, and influence.
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She’s the second daughter of Korea’s most powerful conglomerate family and is used to winning in life.
However, the one thing she doesn’t have is noble status. In a society that still values royal blood, her identity as a commoner becomes the one obstacle in her otherwise perfect life.
Determined to obtain the final piece of the puzzle, Hee Joo enters into a contract marriage with Prince Lee Wan, setting the stage for a dramatic and emotional journey.
Byeon Woo Seok takes on the role of Prince Lee Wan, the king’s second son, who lives a life of quiet sadness. Despite his royal lineage, he lacks power, prestige, and freedom.
Having spent much of his life hidden from the public eye, Lee Wan is emotionally guarded and deeply lonely.
When Hee Joo enters his world, she challenges his quiet existence and forces him to confront both his past and his place in the palace.
Their marriage, born out of convenience, gradually evolves into a deeply moving and transformative relationship.
But their story doesn’t unfold in isolation. Noh Sang Hyun joins the cast as Min Jung Woo, a young and powerful prime minister from a long line of political elites.
A close childhood friend of Lee Wan and a former senior of Hee Joo at the royal academy, Jung Woo’s feelings begin to stir as he watches the pair’s marriage unfold.
Handsome, brilliant, and composed, he suddenly finds himself caught in a tangle of loyalty, rivalry, and romantic conflict.
Gong Seung Yeon brings elegance and intensity to the role of Yoon Yi Rang, a woman believed to be destined to become queen.
From a lineage that has produced four queens, Yi Rang has built her entire life around fulfilling this legacy.
She is poised, calculating, and completely devoted to her destiny—even if it means losing herself in the process. Her battle to maintain her rightful place in the monarchy will bring further emotional and political tension to the palace halls.
Bringing this multi-layered story to life is director Park Joon Hwa, best known for his work on acclaimed dramas like What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, Let’s Eat, and Alchemy of Souls.
His ability to mix heartwarming romance with stylish storytelling and complex character arcs promises a visually rich and emotionally immersive experience.
“Wife of a 21st Century Prince” is not just a romance—it’s a commentary on power, legacy, identity, and the personal cost of ambition.
With a cast full of chemistry and a plot that balances fantasy with relatable struggles, the series is already poised to be one of the standout dramas of 2026.
Stay tuned for more updates as teasers, trailers, and behind-the-scenes content are expected to drop in the coming months.
Until then, fans can catch IU in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Byeon Woo Seok in Lovely Runner to get a taste of the magic to come.
