Actor Byeon Woo-seok has completely captured the hearts of viewers with his heart-wrenching tears and deep, soulful gaze.
With only two episodes left of the MBC Friday-Saturday drama ’21st Century Daegunbuin’ (written by Yoo Ji-won and directed by Park Jun-hwa), Byeon Woo-seok is perfecting the role of Grand Prince Ian in a way that makes it impossible to imagine anyone else in the part. In the unique world of a modern constitutional monarchy, he brings the character to life with realistic details, driving the immersion of the show. From his styling to his deep gaze and intricate emotional range, Byeon Woo-seok’s detailed expressions make the character feel vividly real.
To complete the character of Grand Prince Ian, Byeon Woo-seok actively participated in the styling process. He shared his ideas with the style team during the creation of over 40 outfits, building the details of Grand Prince Ian’s look to blend royal dignity with modern sophistication. Combined with his overwhelming visuals, physique, and unique aura, he has created a multi-dimensional character who commands attention the moment he appears.
His nuanced gaze toward Seong Hee-joo (IU) has maximized the flavor of the romance. The process of his gaze shifting from curiosity in the early episodes to tenderness and longing is expressed through his signature “gaze acting,” adding a layer of persuasion to the story. It’s been noted that Byeon Woo-seok conveys the feeling of falling in love just by looking at his counterpart, deepening the romance.
Above all, Byeon Woo-seok captivated viewers once again through his emotional acting. In the episode aired on the 9th, after being notified of a divorce by Seong Hee-joo following the leak of their marriage contract, Grand Prince Ian left a lingering sadness with only his trembling gaze and welling tears. The sight of him crying quietly in the East Palace while thinking of his brother moved viewers to tears as well. This has led to the description of tears being his “personal color,” clearly highlighting Byeon Woo-seok’s strengths.
Beyond the visual implementation, Byeon Woo-seok is completing the character of Grand Prince Ian both internally and externally by meticulously building his inner world and narrative. With anticipation and interest peaking as the finale approaches, ’21st Century Daegunbuin’ airs Fridays and Saturdays at 9:50 PM on MBC.
