'Chaebol' IU and 'daegun' Byeon Wooseok meet to unleash an unprecedented romance that will shake the 21st century.
On the 13th, MBC released still cuts of the new Fri-Sat drama '21st-century daegunbuin' (written by Yoo Ah-in, directed by Park Jun-hwa).
'21st-century daegunbuin' is a romance drama about forging destiny and breaking social status, set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy Korea, about Seong Hee-ju (IU) — a chaebol who has everything but is frustrated because her status is commoner — and Ian daegun (Byeon Wooseok) — the king's son who is sad because he can have nothing.
All-rounder actress IU (as Seong Hee-ju), who has Korea buzzing, and the ever-trending Byeon Wooseok (as Ian daegun) are meeting and are being counted among the most anticipated works of 2026. They play, respectively, Seong Hee-ju, the second child of a chaebol family who has everything except social status, and Ian daegun, a royal who has nothing except his status, and will portray a different kind of romance that defies status and destiny.
With the chemistry of the two, as beautiful as a painting, highly anticipated, preview photos that offer a glimpse of Seong Hee-ju and Ian daegun's combined visuals have been released and drawn attention. First, Seong Hee-ju captivates people's eyes with a strong presence and elegant charisma under the pouring spotlight. From a red suit to a dress with a flashy pattern, she perfectly pulls them off, revealing the grace of a second-generation chaebol who possesses beauty, intelligence, and ability.
Meanwhile, Ian daegun shows off a handsome bearing against the backdrop of a hanok that exudes an antique atmosphere. Even with a suit in calm colors and simple design, he conveys the dignified majesty and upright spirit befitting the epithet 'the royal most loved by the people.'
In particular, a shot capturing the two standing side by side — whose clothing styles and ways of dealing with people are exact opposites — draws attention. Seong Hee-ju looks at Ian daegun, who offers to escort her, with a strange expression, making their relationship even more intriguing.
Even from the preview photos alone, Seong Hee-ju and Ian daegun, who are realizing visual delight for the Korean public, each carry out a contract marriage for their own goals, heralding the birth of a perfect couple who possess both wealth and status.
'21st-century daegunbuin' is the work of writer Yoo Ah-in, who won overwhelming support from judges in MBC's drama script competition that produced standout works such as 'Black Sun' and 'Doubt.' Director Park Jun-hwa, who has shown trendy visuals through works including the 'Makdwae-meokneun Young-ae' series, 'Let's Eat' seasons 1 and 2, 'What's Wrong with Secretary Kim', and 'Alchemy of Souls', will direct, and MBC and Kakao Entertainment will co-produce. With this, a solid production team and a golden combination of trending actors that make audiences eager for the first broadcast are complete. First broadcast in the first half of 2026.
[Photo] Provided by MBC.
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