Wife of a 21st Century Prince – Everything We Know So Far
Wife of a 21st Century Prince is an upcoming South Korean romantic drama that reunites IU and Byeon Woo Seok, marking a full-circle moment for the pair after nearly a decade. Their first on-screen interaction was in the 2016 time-travel historical drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, where Byeon Woo Seok briefly portrayed IU’s unfaithful modern-day boyfriend. Now, they take center stage together in a story that blends royal lineage with contemporary romance.
Drama Overview:
Main Cast:
- IU as Sung Hee Joo – The second daughter of a wealthy chaebol family, Hee Joo is intelligent, elegant, and bold. Though raised in extreme privilege, her status as a “commoner” by royal standards causes friction when love crosses social lines.
- Byeon Woo Seok as Lee Ahn – The melancholic second son of the reigning monarch, Prince Lee Ahn holds a royal title but little real-world influence. When he meets Hee Joo, his long-suppressed desire to define his own destiny awakens.
Director: Park Joon Hwa (Alchemy of Souls, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim)
Writer: Yoo Ah In
Episodes: TBA
Network: MBC (with streaming rights still under negotiation)
Genre: Romantic Drama, Alternate History, Modern Monarchy
Expected Release: Originally planned for late 2025; now rumored to be delayed to 2026
Synopsis:
Set in a fictional version of present-day South Korea, where the monarchy still exists under a constitutional system, Wife of a 21st Century Prince tells the story of two people caught between privilege and powerlessness. Chaebol heiress Sung Hee Joo has everything but royal blood. Prince Lee Ahn has a noble title but no real authority. As their paths cross, sparks fly—but tradition, politics, and public scrutiny threaten to tear them apart. It’s a romantic tale of what it means to rewrite destiny in a world where social standing still dictates personal choice.
Behind the Scenes & Trivia:
- Contest-Winning Script: The drama’s screenplay was selected through MBC’s competitive drama scriptwriting contest, highlighting its compelling premise and dialogue.
- Director’s Reputation: Director Park Joon Hwa is known for skillfully balancing emotional depth and visual elegance in romantic dramas, heightening expectations for this project.
- Anticipation Around the Leads: Following Byeon Woo Seok’s breakout success in Lovely Runner, his chemistry with IU—a veteran of emotionally nuanced roles—has become a major source of fan excitement.
Controversies & Rumors:
Production Delays
Although initially announced in December 2024 with a tentative release date of late 2025, industry insiders have reported that Wife of a 21st Century Prince may now be pushed to 2026. The reason cited is scheduling conflicts among cast and production members, as well as ongoing negotiations over international streaming rights.
Casting Rumors
In early 2025, rumors spread online claiming that both IU and Byeon Woo Seok had quietly stepped down from the project due to creative disagreements or conflicting schedules. These claims sparked panic among fans and speculation in entertainment circles. However, both actors’ agencies swiftly denied the rumors, stating that their involvement remains unchanged and that they are still on board for the project. No official changes have been announced by the production team.
Platform Disagreement
Another internal issue reportedly involves a dispute over the global streaming platform. IU and Byeon Woo Seok are said to prefer the drama to be released on Netflix, due to its established global reach and simultaneous release model. Meanwhile, the production company and MBC are allegedly leaning toward Disney+, which has aggressively expanded its K-drama slate but has been criticized for delayed and inconsistent international rollouts. As of now, the official streaming partner remains unconfirmed.
Despite the swirling rumors and production hiccups, Wife of a 21st Century Prince remains one of the most anticipated Korean dramas in development. The combination of a high-profile cast, an alternate-history love story, and the reunion of two beloved performers has created strong buzz across fan communities. With both IU and Byeon Woo Seok still reportedly attached, viewers are eagerly waiting for filming to begin and for official updates to put the speculation to rest.
