IU, Byeon Woo-seok tease ‘extreme’ fashion contrast in ‘Perfect Crown’
IU, left, and Byeon Woo-seok / Courtesy of MBC
Singer and actress IU and rising actor Byeon Woo-seok are already drawing buzz ahead of their new drama — not just for the story, but for their sharply contrasting fashion styles that fans say feel like a “visual couple preview.”
The two lead the upcoming MBC series, “Perfect Crown,” set to premiere on April 10, where a fictional modern constitutional monarchy reshapes South Korea’s social hierarchy. The drama blends romance with class conflict — a wealthy heiress with no royal status meets a prince who has status but no real power.
IU, who plays Sung Hee-joo, said her character is both a chaebol heiress and a public figure who constantly attracts attention.
“Sung Hee-joo is someone who draws attention wherever she goes, not just as a member of a wealthy family but also as a celebrity-like figure,” she said. “Her default style is a sharp CEO look with tailored suits, but I also tried bold colors that intentionally break TPO, light dresses, or even jeans with red sneakers to keep things visually interesting.”
IU / Courtesy of MBC
Her styling reflects a character who has everything — money, influence and visibility — and isn’t afraid to stand out.
Byeon Woo-seok, who plays Grand Prince Ian, said his approach started with a key question: what if Korea still had a royal family today?
“I began with the idea that royalty continued into the modern era,” he said. “I wanted to blend traditional beauty with the advanced world we live in now.”
He said he worked closely with the costume team, trying on outfits and refining details to shape the character’s look. The actor also reportedly took part in costume production to better realize the drama’s fictional monarchy setting.
The contrast between the two characters is most visible in their wardrobe.
IU appears in bold, colorful suits that project both elegance and authority, while also experimenting with casual looks like jeans paired with bright red sneakers. She also incorporates modernized everyday hanbok — traditional Korean clothing — styled with playful details.
Byeon Woo-seok / Courtesy of MBC
Meanwhile, Byeon's character reinterprets royal attire through a contemporary lens. His outfits combine hanbok elements such as the “cheollik” robe and “durumagi” overcoat with Western-style tailoring. Traditional fabrics like silk and details such as “otgoreum” ties are preserved, creating a refined yet modern aesthetic.
The production team said the two actors’ detailed character styling will help immerse viewers in the drama’s unique world. Online, fans are already calling them a “want-to-be royal couple,” with anticipation growing over how their contrasting looks will evolve in each episode.
With its mix of romance, class tension and a reimagined monarchy, the series is positioning itself as a visually driven drama aimed at younger audiences and social media buzz.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.