IU & Byeon Woo Seok: 21st Century Royal Couple?

MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Prince's Wife' is continuing its box office success by breaking its own viewership ratings records. The 10th episode, aired on the 9th, recorded nationwide viewership of 13.3% and 13.5% in the Seoul metropolitan area. The 2054 target audience rating was 5.6%, ranking it first among all Friday-Saturday programs. (Based on Nielsen Korea)

The drama's buzz is also overwhelming. According to Good Data Corporation's FUNdex survey, '21st Century Prince's Wife' has maintained the number one spot in TV-OTT drama buzz for six consecutive weeks since its premiere. It topped all sub-categories including news, videos, and VON. In the cast buzz category, lead actors Byun Woo-seok and IU secured the first and second positions, respectively, dominating the top ranks. (As of May 12, 2026)

It is also receiving a heated response in the global market. According to FlixPatrol, a global OTT ranking site, '21st Century Prince's Wife' ranked third globally in the Disney+ TV show category and first among non-English content. It achieved number one in 15 countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, and Mexico, and successfully entered the TOP 10 in a total of 47 countries, spanning Latin America, North America, and Europe. Notably, it has maintained a top position on US Disney+ for 29 consecutive days, recording sustained popularity. (As of May 11, 2026)

'21st Century Prince's Wife' is drawing significant domestic and international attention with its story centered on Seong Hee-joo (played by IU) and Prince Ian (played by Byun Woo-seok) as they move forward to change the future. The drama achieved an unprecedented feat by simultaneously holding the No. 1 spot in TV-OTT drama buzz and the No. 1 and 2 spots in cast buzz starting two weeks before its premiere, and has continued its box office success by selling out all advertising slots.

Meanwhile, MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Prince's Wife' episode 11 is scheduled to air this Friday, the 15th, at 9:50 PM. With its solid buzz and established global fandom, '21st Century Prince's Wife' is increasingly likely to establish itself as a representative hit drama of this year's television market.