"Perfect Crown"'s woomance couple IU and Lee Yeon have come together.
IU and Lee Yeon play Seong Hee-ju, the head of Castle Beauty with glamorous looks and extraordinary intelligence, a confident and ambitious woman, and Do Hye-jung, her chief secretary who supports her closely and becomes her greatest source of strength, in the MBC Friday-Saturday drama.
They show an exceptional close partnership "chemistry" in the drama and have been receiving viewers' love since the first week of broadcast. Cosmopolitan's May issue cover also focused on capturing IU and Lee Yeon's lovely chemistry. IU and Lee Yeon perfectly pulled off a variety of looks on set, completing a highly polished cover photoshoot. In particular, they carefully looked after each other's shooting poses and photos, keeping the atmosphere on set warm throughout.
IU and Lee Yeon's chemistry continued in the interview after the photoshoot. IU said, "We recently have had many schedules together and have spent a lot of time together, and today's shoot was so much fun," and Lee Yeon said, "This shoot is meaningful to me. It's special that we can work on a project together and leave our images in a photo spread," sharing her thoughts on the photoshoot.
Regarding choosing the drama "Perfect Crown," IU said, "After reading many scripts, I felt I had to do this project the moment I read it. I think my body and mind were waiting for a new project that had cheerful and comic elements and a compact amount of screentime," she said. Lee Yeon said, "This is my first time in a romantic comedy. I've done so many genre works that I always wanted to try it someday. With the help of the director and senior actors, I'm excited to be able to sow seeds in fertile ground," showing her affection for the project.
In "Perfect Crown," Seong Hee-ju (IU) and Do Hye-jung (Lee Yeon) are a representative and her chief secretary, but sometimes they are like friends, and Seong Hee-ju fully reveals her inner feelings and relies on Do Hye-jung, showing an unusual bond. IU and Lee Yeon also introduced episodes of becoming closer while filming together on set.
IU recalled, "Before we became close on set, there was a scene filmed inside a car. It was just the two of us in the car, and Lee Yeon kept trying to make conversation to be considerate. She asked, 'What do you do on your days off? Do you prefer when there is sun or when there isn't?' showing curiosity about me. Then I would ask, 'How about you, Lee Yeon?' and so on. Lee Yeon naturally created opportunities for us to learn about each other a little at a time."
Lee Yeon also expressed affection, saying, "When senior Ji-eun is on set, I really lean on her. She leads the set well and helps actors perform well, so I felt very comfortable acting. There are shooting days when I don't meet the senior. Then I think to myself, I wish Ji-eun were here. It would be more fun!"
Beyond their relationship in the work, IU and Lee Yeon became close friends who traveled to Jeju and spent time together in daily life. They also talked about how they have changed by influencing each other positively.
IU said, "Thanks to Lee Yeon, there have been many changes in my daily life. For one, I walk more. Considering it as part of life, that's such a good direction. I rarely walked with friends under the sun in daily life, but to meet this friend I have to go outside and walk. (laughter) It changed my life for the better. When I spend time with Lee Yeon, I feel like I become more innocent."
Lee Yeon said, "We became so close that I greet my senior every morning when I wake up. Also, Ji-eun senior really helps me get myself together. Whether on a drama set or today's photoshoot, it's so busy that sometimes it gets overwhelming and I blow a fuse for a moment, but then my senior grabs my soul! I received a lot of help from her at moments when I couldn't lose my concentration or tension," she said.
Asked what they would expect if they reunited in another project after meeting as a representative and chief secretary in "Perfect Crown," IU said, "In this project we are very close and can open our hearts to each other. It would be interesting if in the next project we met as opposing characters. Even if someone isn't a villain, it could be fun to play opposing roles because their thoughts or values are so different." Lee Yeon added, "I've thought I'd like to shoot a genre piece with senior Ji-eun. Whether we're on the same side or opposite sides, it would be great to meet in a genre work," expressing her anticipation.
Meanwhile, "Perfect Crown" (writer Yoo Ji-won; director Park Jun-hwa, Bae Hee-young; planned by Kang Dae-seon; produced by MBC, Kakao Entertainment) recorded nationwide ratings of 10.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 9.5% nationwide for episode 2, ranking first in its time slot. Not only did it surpass double-digit ratings in the metropolitan area by the second episode, but it also drew attention by ranking first overall on Saturday with a 5.3% rating in the 20-54 demographic, a key indicator of channel competitiveness reflecting changes in media consumption.
[photo] provided by Cosmopolitan
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