IU and Byeon Woo-seok's '21st Century Grand Prince' Debuts Strong, But Acting Critiques Emerge

The new MBC drama '21st Century Grand Prince,' starring singer-actress IU and actor Byeon Woo-seok, has made a strong start with impressive ratings and buzz. However, debates over the lead actors' performances have emerged. Meanwhile, supporting actress Gong Seung-yeon is being praised for her stable acting, earning her the label of a 'rediscovery.'

The drama premiered on October 10th with a 7.8% viewership rating, which rose to 9.5% by the second episode. This places it third in MBC's Friday-Saturday drama ratings history, demonstrating high interest and anticipation. Not only did it perform well in ratings, but it also trended on social media, showcasing its strong buzz.

Set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy, '21st Century Grand Prince' tells the story of Seong Hee-joo (played by IU), a wealthy commoner, and Lee An-dae-gun (played by Byeon Woo-seok), a prince who cannot have anything. The drama explores their journey to break free from societal constraints. Royal Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo (Noh Sang-hyun) and Queen Yoon Yi-rang (Gong Seung-yeon) add vitality and intrigue to the plot.

Despite the strong ratings, some viewers expressed disappointment with the lead actors' performances. Byeon Woo-seok has not completely dispelled pre-broadcast concerns about his acting skills. Some viewers found his speech and pronunciation somewhat unnatural. In particular, during a confrontation scene with Gong Seung-yeon in the first episode, her detailed emotional expression and stable tone heightened the tension, while Byeon Woo-seok's facial expressions and dialogue delivery left something to be desired, leading to comments that their chemistry was not fully in sync.

Reactions to IU's performance were also mixed. Some critics felt her acting tone seemed somewhat artificial, even considering the genre's characteristics. The repeated emphasis on specific angles and visuals was seen as overshadowing the narrative flow, leading to the perception that IU's performance did not blend naturally into the scenes. However, some argue that these elements are intentional, aligning with character settings and directorial intent.

Both Byeon Woo-seok and IU have not faced significant acting controversies in their previous works, making the reactions to this drama more noteworthy.

Byeon Woo-seok has previously worked with well-regarded actors like Kim Yoo-jung in '20th Century Girl,' Lee Yoo-mi in 'Strong Woman Kang Nam-soon,' and Kim Hye-yoon in 'Run On,' maintaining a balanced performance throughout these projects.

Similarly, IU has co-starred with established actors such as Lee Joon-gi in 'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,' Yeo Jin-goo in 'Hotel Del Luna,' and Park Bo-gum in 'You Have Done Well,' where her performances were well-received without much controversy.

However, the dynamics are different in this drama, where Byeon Woo-seok and IU are at the center of the narrative. Their acting shortcomings are more noticeable, according to some viewers.

In contrast, Gong Seung-yeon is receiving significant praise. As the only main cast member with a traditional acting background, having studied at Sungshin Women's University and debuted in 2012, she has steadily built her filmography. Despite having less screen time as a supporting lead, her nuanced emotional expression, stable voice, and natural acting have expanded her presence.

Gong Seung-yeon's performance from the first episode has been credited with enhancing the drama's quality. Even in scenes with Byeon Woo-seok, where acting reviews were mixed, she maintained her composure, showing the most stable performance among the four lead actors. This has led to reactions calling her a 'rediscovery.'

However, the drama is still in its early stages, with only the first two episodes aired. Ratings are on the rise, and the buzz remains strong. The key point to watch will be how IU and Byeon Woo-seok enhance their acting credibility in future episodes.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr