South Korean singer and actress IU will star as a chaebol heiress in MBC’s upcoming romantic drama “Perfect Crown”, premiering on April 3, 2026.
The series is set in an alternate version of modern Korea, where a constitutional monarchy still exists, creating a world where royal titles and class divisions remain potent. IU plays Sung Hee-joo, the second daughter of Castle Group, a major conglomerate, and CEO of Castle Beauty.
Despite possessing wealth, beauty, intelligence and proven business acumen, including an award for best entrepreneur, Sung Hee-joo faces significant social barriers due to her illegitimate birth and her status as an ordinary person, according to Soompi.
In the drama, Sung Hee-joo devises a strategic plan to overcome these limitations by proposing a contract marriage with Grand Prince Yi An, played by Byeon Woo-seok. Prince Yi An is the second son of the king who holds a royal title but has no royal power and autonomy, faces constant surveillance and pressure from the royal family. The series follows the evolution of their contractual marriage as both characters navigate palace politics and pursue their individual ambitions.
“Perfect Crown” is written by Yoo Ji-won and directed by Park Joon-hwa, known for hit dramas including “Alchemy of Souls” and “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.” The supporting cast includes Noh Sang-hyun as Min Jung-woo, a confidant of a prominent political family, and Gong Seung-yeon as Yoon Yi-rang, Kdrama stars reported.
The script reading session took place in late January 2026, during which IU expressed her commitment to making the drama a success. During the event, he showcased his character’s confident personality through a confident performance and witty gestures that had the set laughing.
“Perfect Crown” will air every Friday and Saturday on MBC starting April 3, 2026 and will stream simultaneously on Disney+ for global audiences. The 12-episode series is positioned as one of MBC’s top dramas for the first half of 2026. Principal photography began in April 2025.
This marks a reunion for IU and Byeon Woo-seok, who previously appeared together in “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.” IU recently received the Daesang Award at the 2025 APAN Star Awards for her performance in Netflix’s “When Life Gives You Tangerines”, as per GMA Network.
