SOUTH Korean celebrities IU and Byeon Woo Seok will team up anew in a forthcoming romance drama. Now, the question is: will they be the endgame this time?
On Monday, Kakao Entertainment confirmed that the two stars will lead MBC’s romance series, “Wife of a 21st Century Prince.”
According to reports, “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” is set in a constitutional monarchy, the “alternative version” of Korea.
IU, whose real name is Lee Ji-eun, will give life to the character of Sung Hee Joo, the second daughter of a wealthy family who owns the biggest conglomerate in Korea. While she has the beauty and the brains, Hee Joo is only considered a “commoner” in status, an obstacle to her perfect life.
She will get entangled with Prince Lee Ahn, portrayed by Woo Seok, the king’s second son who has nothing but his royal status.
“Wife of a 21st Century Prince” is reportedly scheduled to air in the second half of 2025.
IU and Woo Seok first teamed up in the hit period drama “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” in 2016.
Woo Seok’s character in the series is the ex-boyfriend of IU’s role, Go Ha-jin, before she is transported to the Goryeo Period and becomes Hae Soo.
Hopes for OST collab
Many fans were elated by IU and Woo Seok’s reunion project, as some of them shared Woo Seok’s cameo in “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” where Ha-jin caught him cheating with her best friend.
Meanwhile, several netizens hope IU and Woo Seok will collaborate for their forthcoming drama’s original soundtrack (OST). The two are also known for their vocal prowess, aside from their acting chops.
IU has released five studio albums, with “Lilac” being the latest. She recently dropped her extended play (EP) “The Winning,” which includes “Love Wins All” which featured V of K-pop powerhouse BTS in its music video.
Woo Seok, on the other hand, brought his iconic “Sudden Shower” performance from the 2024 fantasy drama “Lovely Runner” to reality when he performed it live at the 2024 MAMA Awards.
The actor played the role of Ryu Sun-jae in the series, a top-tier celebrity who ends up facing his untimely death.
Philippine visit
IU and Woo Seok flew to the Philippines in June 2024 to meet their Filipino fans in their respective events.
IU brought her “HEREH” world tour to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, where she serenaded MAENAs with her rendition of “Pasilyo” by Filipino rock band SunKissed Lola.
This was her first visit to the country, four years after “Love, Poem.”
Woo Seok held his “Summer Letter” fan meet at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City, where he re-enacted the iconic photo booth and cherry blossoms scenes in “Lovely Runner” with lucky Filipino fans.
“Summer Letter” was Woo Seok’s first fan meet in Asia.
