Every time a two-shot of actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok is revealed, it becomes a hot topic. On the 1st, MBC Drama released a video on its official SNS featuring New Year's greetings from the protagonists of the dramas airing in 2026. The video included cast members from , , <21st Century Grand Royal Consort>, , and , who delivered New Year's greetings and heightened anticipation for the dramas. In particular, IU and Byeon Woo-seok caught attention by appearing in white dress and suit attire. The two are currently busy filming <21st Century Grand Royal Consort>, a drama scheduled to air in the first half of this year.

IU and Byeon Woo-seok made their first official public appearance together as presenters at the MBC Drama Awards on the 30th last year, revealing their two-shot. They showed exceptional chemistry in the drama teaser video, drawing enthusiastic responses from viewers. MBC's new drama <21st Century Grand Royal Consort> is set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy Korea, depicting the fate-defying romance that breaks social status barriers between Seong Hee-joo (played by IU), a chaebol who has everything but is of commoner status, and Lee Wan (played by Byeon Woo-seok), the king's son who has nothing.

As Byeon Woo-seok's first romance comeback work, his meeting with IU is attracting even more attention from fans. The two attended the '2025 MBC Drama Awards' held on the afternoon of the 30th at the MBC Media Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, as presenters for the Drama of the Year award. On that day, IU greeted, "We have been meeting often these days because of drama filming." Byeon Woo-seok said, "It's my first time at the MBC Drama Awards, so I was so nervous that I tried to be a bit more formal." IU added humor by replying, "You look especially handsome today, Grand Royal Consort." Byeon Woo-seok responded, "You look even prettier today," proudly showing off their chemistry.

IU conveyed New Year's greetings, saying, "Since next year is the Year of the Horse, I hope good energy spreads, so I put on a horse-shaped hairpin." She continued, "This is also my first time greeting through an MBC drama, so I hope you will kindly watch our drama coming out next year." IU expressed her wish, "I hope our <21st Century Grand Royal Consort> can be nominated for the Drama of the Year award at next year's Drama Awards." Byeon Woo-seok added, "I will do my best in filming so that it can happen."

MBC's new drama <21st Century Grand Royal Consort> is directed by Park Jun-hwa and written by Yoo Ah-in. Director Park Jun-hwa has created empathetic characters through delicate direction in works such as , , , and . Writer Yoo Ah-in won the Excellence Award in the long series category at the 2022 MBC Drama Script Contest.

The drama unfolds around the complex relationship between Seong Hee-joo and Lee Wan, delivering social messages through the unique backdrop of a constitutional monarchy. The two protagonists experience conflicts and grow within their respective statuses and environments. IU plays Seong Hee-joo, a strong female character who overcomes hardships and adversity in a chaebol family. Byeon Woo-seok portrays Lee Wan, a male character who endures sorrow and hardship, drawing attention to how their romance will develop.

<21st Century Grand Royal Consort> has been garnering high expectations even before its broadcast, and the combination of IU and Byeon Woo-seok is anticipated to elicit strong reactions from viewers. Filming is already underway, and the two actors are enhancing the drama's quality by harmonizing on set. The drama is scheduled to air in the first half of 2026.