Riding the buzz around stars IU and Byeon Woo-seok, the new drama sparked an explosive response from its very first broadcast.
According to Nielsen Korea, the MBC Friday-Saturday series Perfect Crown, which premiered on the 10th, posted 8.2% in the Seoul capital area and 7.8% nationwide, instantly ranking No. 1 among Friday-Saturday dramas in its time slot. It also scored 3.8% in the key 20–49 demographic.
In Episode 1, chaebol heiress Seong Hee-joo (played by IU) boldly proposes to the royal family’s second son, Grand Prince Ian (played by Byeon Woo-seok). Having endured constant discrimination as an illegitimate child born to a commoner, Seong Hee-joo sets her sights on marriage with Grand Prince Ian—who boasts flawless status and background—to overcome her limits and climb the social ladder.
After repeatedly requesting an audience with him, Seong Hee-joo finally meets Grand Prince Ian and, without missing a beat, declares, "Marry me," leaving a powerful impression on viewers.
Right after the broadcast, viewers reacted passionately: "Both characters are incredibly compelling," "IU’s projection and acting are overwhelming," and "The cast chemistry is beyond expectations."
Set in a unique world where a royal family exists in 21st-century Korea, Perfect Crown airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:40 p.m. and is also available on Wavve and Disney+.