IU and Byun Woo-seok's '21st Century Grand Duchess' Drama: Popularity and Ratings Analysis

The drama '21st Century Grand Duchess,' starring IU and Byun Woo-seok, has garnered significant attention in Korea. This MBC Friday-Saturday drama is set in a unique 21st-century constitutional monarchy in South Korea, where a royal family still exists, and explores a romance that begins with a contract marriage. The fact that it marked the reunion of the two actors after 10 years, combined with its fresh premise, captivated viewers.

'21st Century Grand Duchess' aired for 12 episodes from April 10 to May 16, 2026, starting with a 7.8% viewership rating and concluding with 13.8%, showing a consistent upward trend. IU played Seong Hee-joo, a commoner and CEO of Castle Beauty from a top chaebol family, while Byun Woo-seok portrayed Lee Ahn, the second prince. The drama was noted for its unique twist where the female protagonist initiates the contract marriage, differentiating it from typical romance plots. It also achieved global success, ranking first among non-English content on Disney+.

Bloggers highlighted the exceptional chemistry between IU and Byun Woo-seok as a major draw of the drama. They praised IU's portrayal of the proactive Seong Hee-joo and Byun Woo-seok's nuanced depiction of Prince Lee Ahn, which enriched the romantic narrative. The progression of their relationship from a contractual arrangement to genuine affection provided significant entertainment and immersion for viewers, with many positive comments on the storyline extending beyond a simple romance.