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Lee Jae-won Joins Cast of MBC's New Drama '21st Century Grand Duchess'
Set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy in South Korea, '21st Century Grand Duchess' tells the story of a wealthy woman frustrated by her commoner status and a prince who, despite his royal lineage, finds himself unable to possess anything. The drama, featuring a star-studded lineup including IU as Seong Hee-joo and Byun Woo-seok as Prince Ian, is already gaining attention as a highly anticipated release for the first half of 2026.
In the drama, Lee Jae-won will play the role of 'Seong Tae-joo', the eldest son of the Castle Group and Hee-joo's half-brother. Tae-joo is portrayed as a devoted husband and romantic, having married Da-young (played by Chae Seo-an) after a passionate romance. He will also depict the quintessential 'real sibling' dynamic, frequently clashing with Hee-joo over the successor position. This project marks a reunion with Byun Woo-seok, with whom he previously worked in the drama 'Record of Youth'.
Last year, Lee Jae-won appeared in JTBC's 'The Tale of Mrs. Ok' as 'Man-seok', a loyal and comedic character, delivering both humor and heartfelt moments. Recently, he made a special appearance in Disney+'s 'City of Pieces' as a cold-hearted prosecutor who challenges Ji Chang-wook, leaving a strong impression and showcasing his wide acting range.
Lee Jae-won expressed his excitement, stating, “I am thrilled to work with a solid script, a fantastic production team, and talented actors. I am especially excited to work with IU, whom I have long admired.”
Known for his ability to seamlessly embody diverse characters, Lee Jae-won has built a reputation for reliability among viewers. Anticipation is high for what new facets he will bring to his role in '21st Century Grand Duchess'.
'21st Century Grand Duchess' is set to premiere in April 2026.
Reporter Tae Yuna, Ten Asia youyou@tenasia.co.kr
