IU and Byun Woo-seok's '21st Century Grand Lady' Captivates Viewers with Rising Ratings and Buzz

The MBC Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Lady,' starring IU and Byun Woo-seok, is proving its unique popularity by capturing both ratings and buzz. The show, which had high expectations even before its broadcast, quickly rose to prominence on the small screen after its premiere.

The first episode, which aired on the 10th, started with a 7.8% viewership rating, ranking third in the history of MBC Friday-Saturday drama premieres. The second episode saw an increase to 9.5%, raising expectations for a double-digit breakthrough. The third episode, aired on the 17th, recorded a slight drop to 9.0% but maintained an upward trend compared to Friday. The fourth episode, aired on the 18th, achieved an 11.1% rating, breaking into double digits in just four episodes.

This performance holds significant meaning in the history of MBC Friday-Saturday drama ratings. '21st Century Grand Lady' currently ranks 7th, just 0.3 percentage points behind the 6th place 'Wonderful World' (2024), which had a peak rating of 11.4%.

In addition to ratings, the drama has also stood out in terms of buzz. '21st Century Grand Lady' became the first to top the TV-OTT drama category in buzz surveys before its broadcast, drawing attention. It also achieved a complete sell-out of advertisements, showcasing its potential as a hit. The drama was named by Time magazine as one of the "Most Anticipated Korean Dramas of 2026," confirming its global interest.

However, there have been mixed reactions regarding Byun Woo-seok's acting in the early episodes. Some viewers praised his fit with the exaggerated settings and tone typical of romantic comedies, while others criticized his expressions as somewhat stiff. Nevertheless, his striking visuals and overwhelming physical presence, including a shower scene from his first appearance, received a hot response. Byun Woo-seok's visuals, fitting for the grand character, were deemed irreplaceable.

The third episode's ending featured a wall kiss scene between IU and Byun Woo-seok, sparking further buzz. Although some found the development sudden, it successfully garnered high interest. Industry insiders analyzed that "from the beginning, this drama drew attention based on the popularity and visuals of its lead actors." They added, "The project focused more on character and image rather than acting skills from the casting stage."

Indeed, '21st Century Grand Lady' garnered significant attention as soon as news of IU and Byun Woo-seok's casting was announced last year. While various evaluations have followed the first broadcast, the overall response has been positive. The simultaneous rise in ratings and buzz indicates that the drama meets the conditions for a hit.

Compared to Byun Woo-seok's previous work, tvN's 'Seonjae Up and Run,' which remained in the 5% range despite high buzz, '21st Century Grand Lady' has captured both buzz and ratings, making it significant. As a result, there is a high possibility that '21st Century Grand Lady' will become Byun Woo-seok's new representative work, according to broadcasting circles.

IU's presence as the female lead is also noteworthy. Her unique acting skills and vibrant character portrayal are said to enhance the overall completeness of the drama. The anticipation created by the combination of IU and Byun Woo-seok is translating into actual success.

'21st Century Grand Lady' is proving its presence with the star power and buzz of its cast, along with a steep rise in ratings. Despite diverse opinions in the early stages, the drama is clearly continuing its successful trajectory, and there is keen interest in what records it will set in the future.