While it might be disappointing for a 30 billion won production, IU remained a highlight. She closed this chapter by opening new possibilities as a “savior-type female lead.”
MBC’s Friday-Saturday drama ’21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’ came to an end on the 16th. The final episode hit a rating of 13.8% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide). While it reached a new series high, the results were somewhat disappointing given the hype.
The show received massive attention, becoming the first drama to rank #1 in TV-OTT buzz (via Good Data Corporation) even before its premiere. With the “hit-maker” IU and Byeon Woo-seok, who hit his peak with ‘Lovely Runner’, a massive 30 billion won budget, and a constitutional monarchy setting returning for the first time in decades since ‘Goong’, it had everything to attract viewers.
However, once it actually aired, there were many disappointments.
Due to a script and direction that failed to build solid character narratives for IU and Byeon Woo-seok from the start, there were unnecessary controversies regarding their acting. Some viewers, who initially found the performances forced, later expressed regret for their hasty judgments, noting that the acting would have been more understandable if the backstory had been revealed sooner.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the plausibility and historical accuracy were “a mess.” Things like royal family members using taxes for personal gain or Prime Minister Min Jung-woo (Noh Sang-hyun) being loved despite such behavior are unrealistic, but in this drama, those were the minor issues.
Problems piled up. Before airing, the official website used the term “Hongseo” (a term for vassal states), leading to accusations of Northeast Project distortions. Then, scenes showed Chinese-style tea ceremonies instead of Korean ones during a meeting between Seong Hui-ju (IU) and Queen Dowager Yoon Yi-rang (Gong Seung-yeon). Other issues included the Queen Dowager kneeling in white mourning clothes before the Grand Prince and being confined for three days, the use of “Hwijong” (the temple name of Northern Song’s worst monarch) for the real-life Crown Prince Munhyo, calling Seong Hui-ju “Gunbuin” instead of “Bubuin,” depicting the coronation according to vassal state etiquette, and shouting “Cheonse” instead of “Manse.”
The production team eventually apologized, stating, “We sincerely bow our heads in apology for the concerns caused by the world-building settings and historical accuracy issues.” They pledged to quickly edit the audio and subtitles for “Cheonse” in reruns, VODs, and OTT services, but they couldn’t explain every problem.
Perhaps due to the repeated controversies, IU became emotional during a mini fan meeting held on her birthday (the 16th), the day the show ended. She said, “It is all my fault that I showed an insufficient and disappointing side. I am sorry for not fulfilling my responsibilities when there were many things to take responsibility for.”
In reality, without IU, ’21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’ likely would have drifted away, unable to overcome the aforementioned problems.
IU acted as a shield amidst harsh criticism. With her overwhelming influence, ranking in the top 3 for cast buzz for eight consecutive weeks, and her reputation for being diligent and kind, she helped calm the controversy.
Her visual chemistry with Byeon Woo-seok was also great. From sophisticated office looks as the CEO of Castle Beauty to lovely looks as her chemistry with Byeon Woo-seok deepened, she provided a visual feast with her diverse fashion.
Her acting was flawless. By portraying the deep void of Seong Hui-ju, who was discriminated against as a second daughter born to a concubine, through restrained emotional acting, the absurd plot of a contract marriage to “break social status” felt justified, and the extreme development of “abolishing the royal family” in the final episode became persuasive.
Specifically, IU showed a perfectly independent side by personally providing huge funds to fight Min Jung-woo, who pressured Ian with capital, and flipping the script by releasing a recording of Min Jung-woo’s plot to assassinate the Grand Prince. This is an evolution beyond the Cinderella character who relies on a prince on a white horse, or even a standard independent female lead. She exploded her “girl crush” energy as a “savior-type female lead” who not only carved her own destiny but also saved the male lead and his family.
’21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife’ is certainly a confusing work that is hard to call “well-made.” However, like a lotus blooming in the mud, IU’s acting skills and star power shone even brighter.
