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What We Loved About IU and Byeon Woo Seok's K-Drama "Perfect Crown"

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<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779348614899Perfect Crown iu byeon woo seok.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">IU and Byeon Woo Seok for <em>Perfect Crown</em> | Photo courtesy of Disney+</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p><strong>Disney+</strong>’s hit Korean romantic comedy <strong><em>Perfect Crown </em></strong>recently concluded, with the final episode scoring an average nationwide rating of 13.8 percent, its highest throughout the series&#x27; run. Starring <strong>IU</strong> and <strong>Byeon Woo Seok</strong>, the 12-episode <em>Perfect Crown </em>also reportedly became the most-viewed Korean title premiere of all time on Disney+ globally and outside of APAC. <em></em> </p><p><em>Perfect Crown</em>, set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy, <em></em>stars Byeon Woo Seok as<strong> Grand Prince I-AN</strong> and IU as conglomerate heiress <strong>Seong </strong><strong>Huiju</strong>, whose<strong></strong> marriage of convenience evolves into a love-against-all-odds romance amidst royal power struggles.<em></em><br/></p><p>However, what was supposed to be a celebration for the buzzworthy series turned into a series of apologies from the lead stars, director, and the production team over a historical inaccuracy controversy stemming from a scene in episode 11. </p><p>In the coronation scene with Byeon Woo Seok&#x27;s Grand Prince I-AN, audiences highlighted that the royal costume and the ceremonial language used reflected the protocols of a state subordinate to imperial China, rather than those of a fully independent empire. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-28" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYWyJX6FlPD/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A28%2C%22os%22%3A19067346%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-28" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>&quot;We take the criticism that we have undermined our nation’s sovereign status very seriously,” said the production team. Part of IU&#x27;s apology, on the other hand, read: &quot;As a lead actor of the drama, I feel I failed to show a responsible attitude and ended up causing great disappointment, and I am deeply sorry. Even now, my heart feels very heavy. Regarding the various issues of historical verification in the drama that viewers pointed out, I sincerely reflect and apologize—without excuse—for having gone into my acting without thinking more deeply about them.&quot; </p><p>Byeon Woo Seok shared IU&#x27;s sentiment, writing, &quot;With a heavy heart, I am writing this to those who have felt discomfort and concern because of the drama. In the process of filming and acting in this drama, I did not think enough about what the historical context and meaning contained in it were and how that might be received by the viewers.&quot; </p><p>In a post-finale interview, director Park Joon Hwa stated, &quot;I feel nothing but sorry. I wanted to bring excitement, joy, and brightness to viewers. The actors also put in a tremendous amount of effort and were truly hardworking people. While we were thinking things through and working together, I am sorry for causing hurt that should never have happened because of ignorance regarding historical interpretation, my own shortcomings, and problems in the way things were expressed.&quot;</p><p>While the drama is fictional, as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/noonasnoonchi/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Korean-American therapist and K-drama expert <strong>Jeanie Chang</strong></a> (aka Noona’s Noonchi) pointed out, &quot;Many Koreans still view those portrayals connected to history as being influential in shaping public understanding and cultural narratives on a global scale.&quot; It&#x27;s important to draw attention to history and cultural identity and understand why the depiction did not sit well with some viewers. But Chang also emphasized several noteworthy points that acknowledge both sides: &quot;Cultural sensitivity and appreciation can coexist. Disappointment and enjoyment for the drama can coexist. Accountability and empathy can coexist. All or nothing thinking, black or white thinking can lead to cognitive distortions. You can definitely be upset about the historical inaccuracies while also showing appreciation for what the drama brought enjoyment on a global scale, and it did very well. It&#x27;s very popular. And appreciation for the actor&#x27;s hard work. That&#x27;s the healthier step forward. Not condemning people and not downplaying cultural concerns, but understanding and actually grasping, giving grace to the collective discomfort here, the complexity, and understanding overall how this can bring about humanity and more conversations that can be productive moving forward.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-32" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXHdxzqmiwk/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A32%2C%22os%22%3A19882920.10000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="566" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-32" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>I&#x27;ve always loved how K-dramas can go beyond a mere form of entertainment to serve as a source of comfort and healing, not something mindless but actually mind-enriching. While understanding and acknowledging the root of the issue, it&#x27;s also worth highlighting the strengths of <em>Perfect Crown </em>that appealed to a global audience. </p><div><strong>Here&#x27;s what we loved about <em>Perfect Crown:</em><br/></strong></div><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>The twist to a familiar story</strong></div><p><strong></strong><strong></strong>K-drama fans are all too familiar with the contract marriage plot. But what&#x27;s exciting about that narrative is the deals the characters make for each of their own benefits. In the case of Grand Prince I-AN and Huiju, the marriage of convenience almost felt like an excuse to get closer to each other because their connection was established way back in their university days. Huiju is after social status on the surface, and I-AN was avoiding her because he said he would &quot;only marry for love.&quot; Even so, it was clear they liked each other from the beginning, and it was nice to see them grow apart before coming together as mature individuals with their own goals and sense of purpose. From the school to the palace, their relationship beautifully led to a royal wedding that was truly one for the books (a fairytale book, at that). <em>Perfect Crown</em> has familiar rom-com elements, layered with political drama, overall delivering a binge-worthy series that isn&#x27;t hinged on the star power of the lead actors alone.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-30" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXqW7cEG9Dg/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A30%2C%22os%22%3A19625215.400000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-30" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px" spellcheck="false"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>The perfect casting</strong></div><p>The characters are a perfect fit for the actors. The radiant IU, no damsel in distress, portrayed her empowered lady boss role excellently. She blended sophistication, fierceness, and irresistible charm (oh, how we love how stylish she is, too; we want to raid her closet!). The tall, handsome, and dashing Byeon Woo Seok had the commanding aura and stance of a Grand Prince in a modern fairytale; there was intensity in the subtlety of his acting and his character&#x27;s nuances. IU and Byeon Woo Seok perfectly matched the energy and vibe of their characters, and their chemistry is off the charts.</p><p><strong>Noh Sang Yun</strong> as Prime Minister <strong>Min Jeong Woo </strong>was <strong></strong>plausible as a politician and a devoted man struggling with unrequited love. With her on-point performance, <strong>Gong Seung Yeon</strong> as Queen Dowager <strong>Yoon Yi Rang</strong> delivered much-needed depth and complexity to the storytelling; her character is torn between protecting the position of her son, the current King (portrayed by the adorable <strong>Kim Eun Oh</strong>), and ultimately, the greater good. </p><div><strong></strong></div><p>Then there were the supporting cast, and how they infused doses of fun into the story:<strong> Yoo Su-bin</strong> as Choi Hyeon, Grand Prince I-AN&#x27;s loyal aide; <strong>Lee Yeon</strong> as Do Hye Jeong, Huiju&#x27;s chief secretary; <strong>Lee Jae Won </strong>as Seong Tae Ju, Huiju&#x27;s older brother;<strong> Chae Seo An</strong> as Han Da Yeong, Tae Ju&#x27;s wife; and the rest of the people in the palace (that sense of community is a K-drama signature that always manages to draw people in). </p><p>The cute couples (Choi Hyeon + Do Hye Jeong and Seong Tae Ju and Han Da Yeong) were a welcome addition. Though subtle, the love quadrangle (I-AN, Huiju, Jeong Woo, and Yi Rang) provided further context for the conflicts that challenged I-AN and Huiju&#x27;s relationship. </p><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177937465655920260406151918_11 a.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo via MBC and Disney+</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>The grandness: from the settings to the cinematography</strong></div><p>Despite the political tones, power struggles, and conflicts within the royal family, <em>Perfect Crown</em>&#x27;s story isn&#x27;t that complicated or hard to grasp at all. The rom-com aspect was what stood out for me. It was a simple depiction of an against-all-odds type of love story, balanced by the stunning visual storytelling. The cinematography was spectacular—you need that spark to fuel viewers&#x27; interest, and this series had lots of that. </p><p>From the royal banquet, the royal proposal with fireworks, and the epic royal wedding to the evening date on a yacht and the daytime baseball stadium date (with the kiss cam!) to IU and Byeon Woo Seok horseback riding and driving sports cars, there was no shortage of bigness in this small-screen masterpiece. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><em></em><em></em></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-34" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DW9BcL1FboZ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A34%2C%22os%22%3A35584944.60000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-34" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-36" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXjLgoEEx7y/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A36%2C%22os%22%3A36796283.900000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-36" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-38" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXjdQZ8k5NI/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A38%2C%22os%22%3A37329767.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-38" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>The right pace and length</strong></div><p><em>Perfect Crown</em> told its story with an exciting beginning and a satisfying ending over 12 episodes. If it were shorter at eight or ten episodes, scenes could feel rushed and wouldn&#x27;t have enough opportunity to build momentum. On the other hand, if it had 16, the number of episodes K-dramas typically have, it could also feel dragging and stretched too thin somewhere in the middle. 12 episodes were just right to get to know the characters and be attached to them. The scenes flowed smoothly, slowing down and picking up at just the right moments, making it remarkably entertaining from start to finish.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779380152829684685102_18093854270520916_4602070144326903508_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>BONUS:</strong></div><p>The kissing scenes were insanely beautiful and romantic.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-40" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYHJ940j3e5/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A40%2C%22os%22%3A38552615.8%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-40" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The OST enhanced defining moments and pivotal scenes, especially &quot;My Pace&quot; by Bibi and &quot;Fate Line&quot; by Byeon Woo Seok.</p><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3wjCZxNPtXE?si=FbqPnrsXqMlMUSZa" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p><em>Perfect Crown </em>may not have been perfect, but it had the right elements for a great love story—a classic K-drama with a modern fairytale spin that&#x27;s worth watching <em>and </em>rewatching. <em></em><em></em><strong></strong></p><div><strong></strong><br/></div><div><strong>Binge all episodes of <em>Perfect Crown</em> on Disney+.</strong></div><div><br/></div><p><strong></strong>Lead photos from <strong>@disneyplusph</strong><em></em></p><div><em></em><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>Korean-American therapist and K-drama expert <b>Jeanie Chang</b> put it perfectly: "Disappointment and enjoyment for the drama can coexist... You can definitely be upset about the historical inaccuracies while also showing appreciation for what the drama brought enjoyment on a global scale."</p>

Korean-American therapist and K-drama expert Jeanie Chang put it perfectly: "Disappointment and enjoyment for the drama can coexist... You can definitely be upset about the historical inaccuracies while also showing appreciation for what the drama brought enjoyment on a global scale."

Why IU and Byeon Woo Seok's "Perfect Crown" Is Worth Binge-Watching Despite the Controversy

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Why IU and Byeon Woo Seok's "Perfect Crown" Is Worth Binge-Watching Despite the Controversy

Grace Libero

Published May 21, 2026 10:00 PM PHT

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Updated May 22, 2026 12:47 AM PHT

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