The first teaser for the highly anticipated MBC romance drama, "Perfect Crown," starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok, has been released, offering a glimpse into a world of modern monarchy and contract marriages. The drama, previously known as "Wife of a 21st Century Prince," is set in an alternate present-day South Korea that maintains a constitutional monarchy.
IU plays Sung Hee-joo, a chaebol heiress who, despite her wealth, is frustrated by her commoner status. She is portrayed as intelligent, ambitious, and blessed with beauty, yet yearns to overcome the limitations imposed by her social standing. In pursuit of this, she decides to enter a contract marriage. Byeon Woo-seok stars as Grand Prince Yi Wan, the king's second son, who, despite his royal lineage, feels he lacks any real power or identity. Restrained from outshining the crown prince, he lives a subdued life, concealing his passionate spirit.
The teaser, unveiled at the 2025 MBC Drama Awards, showcases the initial encounter between Hee-joo and Yi Wan, highlighting the chemistry between the two leads. It opens with Hee-joo questioning the possibility of climbing the social ladder through marriage, followed by her bold proposal to Yi Wan. Yi Wan questions her motives, asking if she merely seeks a title. Hee-joo's sincere response, "I missed you," piques curiosity about their relationship. The teaser concludes with Yi Wan's commanding statement, "Prepare to become the Grand Princess Consort," setting the stage for a captivating story.
"Perfect Crown" explores the romance between two individuals from vastly different worlds, each carrying their own emotional scars. As they navigate their contract marriage, they find themselves at a turning point, confronting their true selves and experiencing unfamiliar emotions. The series is directed by Park Joon-hwa, known for his work on "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim" and the "Alchemy of Souls" series. The script is penned by Yu Ain, who received an Excellence Award at the 2022 MBC Drama Script Competition for this work. The cast also includes Noh Sang-hyun, Gong Seung-yeon, Yoo Su-bin, Lee Yeon, and Chae Seo-an.
While the teaser has generated significant buzz, initial reactions have been mixed. Some viewers have criticized Byeon Woo-seok's acting, deeming it "cringy," and have expressed concerns about the chemistry between the leads. However, others remain optimistic, citing the interesting storyline and the potential for the actors to improve as the series progresses.
"Perfect Crown" is scheduled to premiere in Spring 2026 on MBC and will also be available for streaming on Disney+.
