IU, Byun Woo Seok's 'My Dearest' Hits Top 10 in 44 Countries

MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' is receiving a heated response, topping charts in viewership, buzz, and global rankings since its premiere. The drama is proving itself to be the most anticipated work of the first half of 2026.

Before its first broadcast, it ranked No. 1 in TV-OTT drama buzz and sold out all advertising slots. It was also named one of 'The Most Anticipated Korean Dramas of 2026' by TIME Magazine, and its cast members IU (as Sung Hee-joo) and Byun Woo-seok (as Prince Ian) secured the 1st and 2nd spots in the buzz rankings, garnering significant attention even before airing.

The first episode's viewership ratings recorded 8.2% for the Seoul metropolitan area and 7.8% nationwide, ranking it first among Friday-Saturday dramas. The second episode's ratings rose to 10.8% for the Seoul metropolitan area and 9.5% nationwide, securing the No. 1 spot in its time slot for two consecutive episodes.

According to Good Data Corporation's Findex survey results, it ranked No. 1 in TV-OTT drama buzz for the second week of April 2026, with its buzz share for Friday-Saturday dramas exceeding 90% and its share among all content surpassing 50%. It particularly achieved No. 1 rankings in community reactions, social media, and news.

IU and Byun Woo-seok are maintaining their 1st and 2nd positions in drama cast buzz, showcasing great synergy. Following the broadcast, communities have been flooded with positive reviews such as, "I love the female lead who charges forward like a bulldozer," "The entire nation loves Prince Ian, and I love him too," "I really love the Grand Prince couple," "This is a place where relationships are a delicacy," and "The plot is so refreshing."