IU and Byeon Woo-seok's Romance in '21st Century Grand Prince' Captivates Global Audience

The romance between IU and Byeon Woo-seok in '21st Century Grand Prince' is capturing the attention of viewers both domestically and internationally.

In MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Prince', the deepening romance between Seong Hee-joo (played by IU) and Lee An Grand Prince (played by Byeon Woo-seok) is drawing increasing attention from audiences worldwide.

Thanks to this, '21st Century Grand Prince' has maintained its position at the top of Good Data Corporation's FUNdex for TV-OTT drama buzz for three consecutive weeks since its first broadcast, as of April 28, 2026. The drama ranked first in all categories, including news, VON, SNS, and video, while IU and Byeon Woo-seok also secured the top two spots in drama actor buzz for four consecutive weeks. Additionally, it has held the number one spot in search responses for two consecutive weeks in the TV-OTT drama category.

The 6th episode achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 11.2% and 5.9% among viewers aged 20-54, setting a new personal best. It also topped the list of Saturday programs in the metropolitan area and among viewers aged 20-54, proving its popularity.

The show's performance on OTT platforms is also noteworthy. According to FlixPatrol, '21st Century Grand Prince' ranked 5th globally and 1st among non-English TV shows on Disney+. It has maintained the top spot since its debut in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, and ranked first in 16 countries and regions, including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, and Venezuela.

Episodes 5 and 6 depicted Seong Hee-joo and Lee An Grand Prince overcoming a contract marriage crisis, strengthening their bond and thrilling viewers. Notable scenes, such as the proposal event and a romantic kiss on a yacht, have been widely discussed in online communities.

In the upcoming episodes 7 and 8, the couple, now officially engaged with the king's approval, will begin preparing for their wedding, intensifying the romantic atmosphere. As they blush at each other's touch and smile at the memories of their time together, anticipation for their wedding ceremony is building.

Episode 7 of '21st Century Grand Prince' will air on May 1 at 9:40 PM.

Reporter: Jung Se-yoon, Ten Asia yoon@tenasia.co.kr