As IU confidently predicted, it achieved the industry's No. 1 spot, but as actors the results are not something they can simply smile about. The numbers are No. 1, but the acting evaluations left IU and Byeon Woo-seok both disappointed. The most important task the successful "Perfect Crown" must solve in the remaining second act.
MBC Friday-Saturday drama Perfect Crown (written by Yoo Ji-won, directed by Park Jun-hwa and Bae Hee-young) is enjoying great success. Since its first broadcast on Apr. 10, it has raised viewership from 7.8% to 11.2% (Nielsen Korea), and it has been at the center of attention each episode. In many ways it is currently the hottest drama.
Perfect Crown ranked first in TV-OTT drama buzz for the fourth week of April, according to the Fundex released by Good Data Corporation. It has held the throne for three consecutive weeks since the first broadcast. The lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok also swept the drama performer buzz rankings at No. 1 and No. 2 for four consecutive weeks.
Moreover, according to FlixPatrol, it holds No. 5 globally and No. 1 among non-English shows in the Disney+ top 10 TV shows category, continuing its popularity. It has consistently held the No. 1 spot in Korea as well as Japan and Taiwan since its premiere, and it ranked No. 1 in 16 countries and territories including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and Venezuela. In addition, it entered the top 10 in a total of 39 countries and territories, including the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, achieving global box-office success.
Perfect Crown has claimed the industry's "top" spot as IU promised, leading in ratings, buzz and global success. Earlier, at the Perfect Crown production press conference, IU said, "I have never lost the industry's No. 1 title," and added, "Our Perfect Crown team will also aim to create the industry's No. 1."
However, it is clear that for the two lead actors the work is disappointing despite being No. 1 by numbers. In the first week of broadcast, Perfect Crown drew attention in a different way as both leads IU and Byeon Woo-seok faced criticism for their acting. Byeon Woo-seok was criticized for a somewhat stiff and awkward tone, and IU drew mixed reactions as some viewers said it felt contrived and reminded them of Hotel Del Luna. It was an uneasy start in which the performances of the lead actors received mixed reviews side by side.
Not receiving passing marks for their acting is a particularly bitter point for them as lead actors. Especially because both IU and Byeon Woo-seok had received good evaluations for their previous works, this result left an even more bitter aftertaste.
In her previous work When Life Gives You Tangerines, IU splendidly handled two roles and led the project's success, and she previously gave impressive performances as a lead in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, My Mister and Hotel Del Luna. Byeon Woo-seok likewise established himself as a leading actor by gaining a syndrome-like popularity through Lovely Runner. Because both delivered such strong characters and performances in their previous works, expectations for Perfect Crown were high, but their acting fell short of satisfying viewers. This reaction, separate from the No. 1 ratings and buzz, inevitably leaves disappointment about them as actors.
As episodes progressed, IU and Byeon Woo-seok gradually embodied Seong Hee-ju and Grand Prince Ian respectively, and the polarized reactions have substantially decreased. But now some viewers are voicing disappointment about the two actors' chemistry. As the romance between Seong Hee-ju and Grand Prince Ian intensifies in the story, viewers criticized that IU and Byeon Woo-seok's chemistry fails to stir excitement. In particular, many reactions expressed disappointment with the direction over the physique difference shown in the episode 5 ending "arm-linking scene." Given that romance as a genre succeeds when the chemistry works, ultimately IU and Byeon Woo-seok need to make up for directorial shortcomings with their acting.
With the first act finished and the full-fledged second act of the romance ahead, attention is focused on whether the two can cover the lack of chemistry through their acting. The shoulders of IU and Byeon Woo-seok are heavy.
[Photo] Provided by MBC.
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