IU's Rise: 21st Century Power Player

IU and Byun Woo-seok will star in the drama 'The Grand Princess of the 21st Century' as a romantic couple for the first time in 10 years. After a past relationship that ended on bad terms, the two are set to portray a romance where they forge their own destinies. 'The Grand Princess of the 21st Century' is set in a constitutional monarchy in 21st-century South Korea and depicts the romance between a commoner, Sung Hee-ju (played by IU), and the king's son, Prince Ian (played by Byun Woo-seok). The drama will premiere on the 10th at 9:40 PM.

The production presentation, held on the 6th at the Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, was attended by director Park Joon-hwa and actors IU, Byun Woo-seok, Noh Sang-hyun, Gong Seung-yeon, Yoo Soo-bin, and Lee Yeon. Director Park stated that the unique setting of a constitutional monarchy will deliver excitement and an engaging storyline different from other dramas.

IU shared that she was so captivated by the characters and plot that she read the script in one sitting. She specifically mentioned that Sung Hee-ju, a commoner, is an irritable character with a lot of anger and greed, but becomes more endearing and complex the more you get to know her, which led her to decide to appear in the drama without hesitation. Byun Woo-seok said he wanted to act as Prince Ian, the king's second son who is loved by the people but should not shine, because the narrative resonated with him.

Regarding the costume design, where hanbok and modern attire alternate within the setting of a 21st-century constitutional monarchy, Director Park explained that he considered the characters' status and convenience to harmoniously express the traditions of the royal family and the lives of modern people.

When asked about viewership ratings, IU expressed her expectations by saying, "I've never lost the title of number one in the industry," and confidently stated that she would make the team number one in the industry as Sung Hee-ju. She added that she is also putting all her effort into promoting the drama, which is currently in post-production. Byun Woo-seok drew laughter by emphasizing his best effort, saying, "​The Grand Prince uses informal language," and expressed that while he would humbly accept the results, he hoped for a good outcome.