IU returns with ‘Perfect Crown,’ aims to revive MBC dramas with bold royal romance

A scene from "Perfect Crown" / Courtesy of MBC

It is, once again, IU. IU has returned with a new project following the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” joining hands with Byeon Woo-seok in a high-profile attempt to revive struggling ratings at broadcaster MBC.

MBC’s new drama “Perfect Crown,” which premiered April 10, is set in a fictional 21st-century constitutional monarchy. It follows the romance between a wealthy heiress who has everything but social status and a royal prince who has status but little personal freedom.

The first episode depicted how Sung Hee-joo (IU), a chaebol heiress, comes to propose marriage to Grand Prince Ian (Byeon Woo-seok). Despite her wealth, Hee-joo faces discrimination for being a commoner, while Ian, as the king’s second son, lives under constant pressure and limitations within the royal family.

Both characters, pushed into arranged marriages by their families, cross paths at a royal birthday banquet. Determined to change her fate, Hee-joo seeks an audience with Ian and, upon meeting him, boldly proposes marriage — setting the tone for the drama’s unconventional romance.

From the moment casting was announced, the series had drawn significant attention. IU had reaffirmed her acting credentials through her previous work, while Byeon rose to prominence with the drama “Lovely Runner.” The addition of a constitutional monarchy setting — reminiscent of the hit series “Princess Hours” — further fueled early buzz.

The anticipation was reflected in data from FunDex, where the show ranked No. 1 in drama buzz rankings for the fourth week of March, even before its premiere.

Now on air, “Perfect Crown” presents polished cinematography, lively characters and a fast-paced storyline that is easy to follow. The two leads, both portrayed with layered personalities, appear set to rescue each other from their respective struggles as their relationship develops.

IU, in particular, is seen as successfully shedding the image of her previous roles and once again appealing to a global fan base. Meanwhile, Byeon brings a darker, more complex presence to his role as Ian — a character some viewers have dubbed a “21st-century Prince Suyang,” referencing a historically ruthless royal figure.

Expectations are especially high for MBC. The broadcaster has faced a string of underperforming dramas in recent years, making the success — or even a breakout phenomenon — of “Perfect Crown” particularly crucial.

According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode recorded 7.8 percent nationwide viewership, ranking No. 1 among Friday-Saturday dramas and topping all Friday programs in the Seoul metropolitan area. The peak rating reached as high as 9.3 percent, raising expectations for how far the series might go.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.