The pairing of Byeon Woo-seok and IU was enough to spark excitement when it was first announced in 2024. But with MBC’s upcoming drama “Perfect Crown,” the anticipation goes beyond star power as the two actors are finally reuniting to bring what they describe as decade-long chemistry to full bloom on screen.

“We have actually worked together twice before,” said Byeon, the breakout star of “Lovely Runner” (2024), during the show’s press conference in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Monday. The two previously crossed paths in “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” (2016), where Byeon made a brief appearance as IU’s cheating boyfriend, as well as in a teaser for IU’s song “Between the Lips” (2013).


“So, there was already a sense of chemistry between us,” he continued. “Because of that, it meant a lot to be able to finally showcase our 10-year-long connection through a full-length project.”

Singer-actor IU echoed the sentiment, saying she easily felt comfortable working with Byeon. “It felt like we were people who had been preparing together for 10 years,” she said. “And personally, since we ended up working together after 10 years, it made me feel like I’d love to collaborate again in another 10 years. That’s how well we clicked.”

Set in an alternate Korea where a constitutional monarchy exists, the show centers on IU's Seong Hee-ju, a commoner from a wealthy conglomerate family who has everything but status in a monarchy, and Byeon's Lee Wan, the King’s second son, whose royal status constricts his potential.

Directed by Park Joon-hwa, who was behind “Alchemy Souls” (2022-23), he described the project as a series offering “a slightly more unique kind of excitement compared to others you’ve seen so far.”

Actors Noh Sang-hyun and Gong Seung-yeon are also in the cast.

Prince Lee Wan is described in the series as a “21st-century Prince Suyang [1417–1468],” as his older brother, the crown prince, dies in a sudden accident, leaving him to ascend the throne.

The comparison, however, drew a qualification from Byeon, as Prince Suyang is currently viewed negatively in Korea, largely due to the portrayal of him in the film “The King’s Warden,” which depicts him as a ruthless uncle who torments his nephew, King Danjong (1441-1457).

The actor emphasized that Lee Wan is fundamentally different once his backstory is taken into account.

“Although the other characters in the series refer to him as Prince Suyang, I’ve never personally thought of him that way,” Byeon said. “On the outside, he may seem very tough and a bit twisted, but on the inside, I saw him as someone quite lonely and [emotionally] hurt.”

IU is set to showcase a completely different side of herself from her last project, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (2025), where she portrayed a more grounded and humanistic character.

She said that she genuinely enjoyed stepping into Hee-ju’s world, although it took some time at first to fully immerse herself in the role.

“While there’s definitely a focus on her being from a conglomerate family, with her glamorous outfits and accessories, Hee-ju also has this influencer or celebrity-like vibe,” IU said. “She’s someone whose every move draws attention and becomes the talk of the town wherever she goes. That added a lot of fun to the role.”

“Also, she’s not the refined, elegant figure we typically associate with a conglomerate. Instead, she’s a mix of different qualities, which made her all the more enjoyable to portray.”

Despite its fictional premise, the production team placed strong emphasis on realism, particularly in imagining how a monarchy might exist in modern-day Korea, according to the director.

“We put a lot of thought into the sense of realism, such as what kind of attire members of the royal family would wear, and what kinds of spaces they would inhabit in that context,” Park said.

The show will also be streamed worldwide on Disney+. The cast emphasized that the show depicts the beauty of Korea that many global viewers will find interesting.

“The mix of modernity and tradition really comes through beautifully in the show,” said Noh, who is well known for Apple TV’s “Pachinko” (2022-24).

“It is seen in various aspects, from the architecture, the costumes and even the traditional ceremonies. The drama presents Korea in a more refined and visually striking way, and I truly hope viewers around the world will enjoy it.”

Although it has traditional Korean aspects, the director added that the story itself is universal, asking viewers not to fear.

“While there are many distinctly Korean elements on the surface, the relationships at its core are highly relatable and something audiences around the world can connect with,” Park said.

MBC’s “Perfect Crown” will be released on Friday and will air every Friday and Saturday. It will also be available on Disney+ worldwide.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]