South Korean singer-actress IU and ‘Lovely Runner’ star Byeon Woo Seok had been cast as leads in an upcoming drama from MBC, Kakao Entertainment announced on December 2.
‘Wife of a 21st Century Prince’ (a working title) is a romance drama set in an alternate version of Korea that is a constitutional monarchy. The drama will revolve around the love story of Sung Hee Joo (played by IU) and Lee Ahn (played by Byeon Woo Seok).
IU’s character, a commoner, will become entangled with Byeon Woo Seok’s character and will undergo a major life change after meeting one another.
Social media users on X (formerly known as Twitter) expressed their excitement over the announcement.
“’Sad ending’ princess 🤝🏻 ‘dying character’ prince negative × negative = positive,” one X user said.
Another social media user said, “#IU and #ByeonWooSeok starring in a Kdrama together? The casting gods have spoken🙌 #Wifeofa21stCenturyPrince just became my most anticipated K-drama of 2025!”
“The way IU hasn’t acted in years and byeon wooseok is … well I don’t even know how to describe his immense popularity rn . this kdrama’s going to break records,” a third social media user said.
It is worth noting that Byeon Woo-seok and IU once portrayed a “couple” when the actor made a cameo at the beginning of IU’s 2016 drama, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.
Byeon Woo-seok has garnered international attention following the success of his drama, “Lovely Runner,” this year. He has since announced his next romance drama, though he has remained mum about his leading lady.
The anticipated drama is set to air in the second half of 2025.
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