On December 2, 2024, Kakao Entertainment confirmed that IU and Byeon Woo Seok will star together in the highly anticipated romance K-drama Wife of a 21st Century Prince. The show, set in an alternate Korea governed as a constitutional monarchy, is expected to capture the hearts of viewers with its intriguing plot and star-studded cast.
General Information
Drama Title: Wife of a 21st Century Prince
Release Year: 2025 (Late)
Cast: IU as Sung Hee Joo, Byeon Woo Seok as Lee Ahn
Director: (Not specified)
Platform: (Not specified yet, likely to be released on a streaming platform)
Plot Summary
Wife of a 21st Century Prince takes place in a world where Korea is still governed by a constitutional monarchy. The story revolves around Sung Hee Joo, a chaebol heiress, and Lee Ahn, a prince, who are from two worlds that seem destined to never meet.
Sung Hee Joo, played by IU, is the second daughter of Korea’s wealthiest conglomerate family. Brilliant, competitive, and beautiful, she enjoys a life of privilege and luxury. However, her world is turned upside down when her commoner status becomes a significant barrier to her dreams and expectations. This is where she crosses paths with Lee Ahn, a prince who lacks wealth but is burdened with royal lineage.
Lee Ahn, portrayed by Byeon Woo Seok, is the second son of the king. Having spent his life concealing his royal identity, he lacks the power and wealth usually associated with royalty. His chance encounter with Sung Hee Joo sets his life on a new, unexpected course, changing everything he thought he knew about love and status.
Why You Should Watch
This drama combines a compelling romance with themes of status, wealth, and identity. What makes this K-drama unique is the twist of having two characters from contrasting worlds—one with everything except noble status, and the other with royal blood but no wealth or power. The chemistry between IU and Byeon Woo Seok, both renowned for their acting, promises to deliver an engaging and heartfelt narrative.
IU, known for her roles in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Hotel del Luna, and more, brings her remarkable acting skills to this dynamic role.
Byeon Woo Seok, who gained popularity through his role in Lovely Runner, also brings his charm to the character of Lee Ahn, ensuring an interesting on-screen relationship.
The drama’s setting in a monarchy provides a rich backdrop for exploring themes of love, social status, and personal growth. With its promising cast and intriguing premise, Wife of a 21st Century Prince is shaping up to be a must-watch romance for K-drama lovers.