South Korean stars IU (Lee Ji-eun) and Byun Woo-seok are set to headline a new romance drama set in a fictional 21st-century constitutional monarchy in South Korea.
Kakao Entertainment confirmed that IU and Byun Woo-seok will star in “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” (working title), a forthcoming MBC drama co-produced by MBC and Kakao Entertainment.
The series is set in an alternate modern-day South Korea under a constitutional monarchy, weaving a romance that defies social hierarchies. At its heart is a woman who appears to have it all—beauty, intelligence, and relentless ambition—as the second daughter of the nation’s most powerful chaebol family. Yet, her status as a “commoner” becomes a source of frustration, holding her back from achieving her dreams. Starring opposite her is the king’s second son, a man whose royal title grants him status but leaves him with nothing he can truly call his own. The script, a winner of the MBC Drama Script Contest, marks a significant collaboration between MBC and Kakao Entertainment.
IU will take on the role of Sung Hee-joo, a woman born into luxury, armed with stunning looks and intellectual prowess, as well as an unrelenting drive to succeed. When her identity as a commoner becomes a hurdle in her life, she finds herself intertwined with Prince Lee Ahn. Byun Woo-seok will portray Prince Lee Ahn, the second son of the king in this reimagined monarchy. Though his royal lineage affords him a title, he leads a life of deprivation, hiding his true feelings until he encounters Sung Hee-joo, a meeting that transforms his perspective.
“Wife of a 21st Century Prince” (working title) is slated to premiere in the second half of 2025.