IU and Byeon Woo-seok Star in MBC’s Upcoming Blockbuster Romance Drama ‘Wife of a 21st Century Prince’
MBC and Kakao Entertainment are teaming up to produce one of 2026’s most anticipated romance dramas, Wife of a 21st Century Prince, set to premiere in the first half of the year. Set in an alternate modern South Korea under a constitutional monarchy, the drama follows the entangled lives of an ambitious commoner heiress and a melancholic prince in a uniquely structured royal society where status remains a defining factor.
IU (Lee Ji-eun) returns to the small screen as Seong Hee-joo, a fiercely intelligent and charismatic businesswoman who has everything—except noble status. Despite being born into a wealthy conglomerate family, her commoner background keeps her from the societal heights she desires. To change her fate, she enters a contract marriage with Prince Lee An (played by Byeon Woo-seok), a royal who symbolizes charm and nobility but lives shackled by his rank and lack of personal freedom.
Byeon Woo-seok portrays the deeply complex Grand Prince Lee An, the second son of the current king, whose role prohibits him from living as he pleases. Highly adored by the public for his grace and image, his arranged partnership with Seong Hee-joo awakens a new inner turmoil and slowly reveals emotional vulnerability hidden by years of restraint.
The drama further deepens its storyline with a political edge through Noh Sang-hyun, who plays Min Jung-woo, the young, dashing Prime Minister and childhood friend of Lee An. Coming from a generations-old political dynasty, Min is also an alumnus of the same royal academy as Hee-joo, complicating the love triangle even further as he harbors unspoken thoughts about both leads.
Actress Gong Seung-yeon steps into the regal shoes of Yoon I-rang, a woman born with the destiny to be Queen. Coming from a family legacy that has produced four royal brides, I-rang has always believed her path was set. Her journey explores the tension between personal identity and imposed destiny, adding layers of introspective drama to the royal tapestry.
Behind the camera is acclaimed director Park Joon-hwa, known for his nuanced storytelling and sharp visual style in hits like Let’s Eat, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, and Alchemy of Souls. Scripted by Yoo Ah-in (screenwriter), Wife of a 21st Century Prince is the result of MBC’s 2022 drama script competition, hailed for its rich character development and modern twist on royal romantic tropes.
Executive producer Kang Dae-sun expressed high confidence, noting, “This series combines a groundbreaking premise with star-studded casting and three years of dedicated development. Audiences can expect a refined, emotionally resonant drama that updates the traditional romance genre for a new era.”
Production is set to begin soon, and anticipation for its weekend primetime slot continues to build. With a gripping storyline, dynamic characters, and an all-star cast, Wife of a 21st Century Prince is poised to enchant viewers around the world.
