IU and Byeon Woo-seok will star in MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama, "21st Century Grand Princess." The drama is scheduled to premiere in the first half of 2026. It is set in a constitutional monarchy of South Korea in the 21st century. The protagonist, Seong Hee-joo (played by IU), is the second daughter of a conglomerate family, possessing immense wealth and ability, but she is looked down upon because of her commoner status. Lee An Daegun (played by Byeon Woo-seok) is the king's son but a sad man who cannot become king, and his very existence poses a threat to the current king.

The drama centers on the romance between Seong Hee-joo and Lee An Daegun as they break social barriers. Seong Hee-joo aims to elevate her status through marriage and proposes to Lee An Daegun. At first, Lee An Daegun responds lukewarmly, but Seong Hee-joo tries to win his heart by saying, "I missed you." This process raises curiosity about how their relationship will develop.

A special teaser video for the drama has been released, showing Seong Hee-joo's bold and straightforward approach toward Lee An Daegun. In the video, Seong Hee-joo confidently approaches Lee An Daegun, and Lee An Daegun is seen spending warm and friendly moments with her. At the end, Lee An Daegun orders, "Prepare to become the Grand Princess," signaling the official start of their story.

IU and Byeon Woo-seok appeared as presenters at the "2025 MBC Drama Awards," displaying exceptional chemistry. This event marked their first public appearance together, attracting attention. IU said, "We often meet wearing fancy clothes, but today it feels like we put in special effort." Byeon Woo-seok said, "It's my first time at the MBC Drama Awards, so I was nervous and formal," and told IU, "You look even more beautiful today."

The drama's trailer has also been released, capturing fans' cheers. In the trailer, IU approaches Lee An Daegun mentioning marriage with lines like, "You want to elevate your status through marriage?" and "Marry me." Byeon Woo-seok's character responds with curiosity, saying, "You want to marry me just to gain a nominal status?"

Fans are expressing high expectations for the drama. Comments such as "I'm watching just for Grand Princess," "I'm so excited, and the trailer makes me even more excited," and "The trailer is crazy, I can't sleep" continue to appear. These reactions show that the drama is generating great buzz even before its broadcast.

"21st Century Grand Princess" is a work that announces the birth of a perfect couple with wealth, ability, and status. The drama is expected to break societal taboos through the thrilling romance between Seong Hee-joo and Lee An Daegun. MBC plans to offer viewers new entertainment through this drama. Interest is growing even more as the premiere approaches.