The meeting of actress IU and Byeon Wooseok has drawn public attention and anticipation for '21st century great madam', which will be released in 2026.
'21st century great madam' has confirmed it will premiere on Disney+ in the first half of 2026. '21st century great madam' is a drama set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy Korea that depicts a destiny-defying, status-breaking romance between Sung Hee-ju, a woman who has everything but whose status is merely commoner and thus is vexed, and Lee Wan, the king's son who is sad because he cannot have anything. Director Park Jun-hwa, who created exceptional empathy for characters through delicate direction in What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, Alchemy of Souls, Alchemy of Souls: light and shadow, and Love Your Enemy, is directing, and writer Yoo A-in, who won the 2022 MBC drama script contest excellence award in the long-form series institutional sector for this work, wrote the script. In particular, at the time of the award, it received praise for its dramatic entertainment based on progressive characters and a solid story, raising further expectations.
Above all, with expectations centered on the currently most watched pairing and synergy of actresses IU and Byeon Wooseok, they are expected to present a new look, each hinting at another career-defining role.
First, IU, who swept awards ceremonies with Best Actress at the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards for When Life Gives You Tangerines and Best Actress in K-drama at the 20th Seoul Drama Awards, and whose works such as My Mister and Hotel del Luna have delivered deeply moving performances that touched the public, will play Sung Hee-ju, a woman who has everything but is vexed because her status is a commoner. She is a capable executive with outstanding looks, sharp intellect and a competitive streak, and is a bold character who chooses a contract marriage to overcome the limitations imposed by her status.
Next, Byeon Wooseok, who became the hottest rising star after making everyone's heart race with Lovely Runner, plays Lee Wan, the sad royal prince who can have nothing except his royal status. He is the second son of the royal family, who must neither shine nor make a sound, and lives hiding a fiery heart.
Because of their individual pains and the walls they have faced, the two are in similar circumstances but have lived making different choices; through each other they meet a turning point in life, confront new inner selves and experience extraordinary feelings. IU and Byeon Wooseok are set to portray these characters' multi-layered changes delicately, showing a weighty presence and an exciting chemistry at the same time.
Based on a solid story and generating expectations with the legendary pairing of actresses IU and Byeon Wooseok, '21st century great madam' will be released on Disney+ in the first half of 2026.
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