The heart-fluttering romance between IU and Byeon Woo-seok is officially heating up screens everywhere!
In the MBC Friday-Saturday drama ’21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’, Seong Hee-joo (played by IU) and Grand Prince Ian (played by Byeon Woo-seok) started as business partners with a clear goal: social climbing. However, they are now discovering their true feelings and evolving into lovers. Let’s look back at the dramatic shift in their relationship that has viewers totally hooked.
Looking back at their school days, Seong Hee-joo, who fought tooth and nail to stay ranked first in her school, saw Grand Prince Ian as someone who had everything handed to him because of his background. But Hee-joo decided to use that very status to break through the walls of discrimination she faced, proposing a shocking contract marriage that Ian eventually accepted.
The wedding preparations became a time for Hee-joo to break her prejudices. She encountered the deep loneliness of Grand Prince Ian, who had lost several loved ones. Witnessing the harsh rules and pain hidden behind the glamorous royal walls, Hee-joo empathized with Ian’s helplessness and became a strong supporter, giving him the courage to face the world.
Hee-joo’s protective instincts sharpened as threats closed in on Grand Prince Ian, including the blatant hostility of Queen Dowager Yoon Yi-rang (played by Gong Seung-yeon) and a shocking attempted poisoning on their wedding day. Her determination to protect her husband at any cost is a key element that ramps up the tension in the series.
Grand Prince Ian also had a special interest in Hee-joo. He was previously fascinated by the grit and competitive spirit of his junior, Hee-joo, who once said, “It’s better to win by any means necessary than to lose cowardly.” This is why he wore an intrigued smile when they reunited at the palace and when she proposed the absurd contract marriage.
Simple curiosity soon turned into deep affection. Hee-joo’s sincere attitude, healing his inner wounds and giving him strength, ignited an unquenchable flame in Ian’s heart. Through their marriage, she became his only ally in the palace and precious family he must protect even at the risk of his own life. All eyes are now on whether he can protect Hee-joo amidst the onslaught of external attacks.
Although it started as a calculated contract, the two can no longer hide the longing looks they share. As they transform into partners and family navigating a harsh reality together, more trials are predicted. Fans are eagerly awaiting what tomorrow holds for them. The journey of these two becoming more honest with each other will be revealed tomorrow (the 8th) at 9:50 PM in ’21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’.
