Anticipation is building for one of 2026’s most talked-about dramas as IU and Byun Woo-seok prepare to make their first official appearance together.
According to industry sources on December 21, the two stars are confirmed to attend the 2025 MBC Drama Awards as presenters. The ceremony will be broadcast live on December 30 at 8:50 p.m. KST, marking their first joint appearance at a formal event since being cast as the leads of MBC’s upcoming drama The 21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife.
As the main actors of what is already being called MBC’s next flagship series, IU and Byun Woo-seok’s side-by-side appearance is expected to be one of the night’s biggest highlights. Interest has been intense since the casting stage, and fans are eager to see the pair’s chemistry in person before the drama officially premieres.
The 21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife is set in a fictional modern-day South Korea under a constitutional monarchy. The story follows Sung Hee-joo, a wealthy heiress who has everything except noble status, played by IU, and Lee Wan, the king’s son who possesses royal blood but lacks real power or freedom, portrayed by Byun Woo-seok. The drama explores love, identity, and the challenge of breaking social boundaries in a contemporary royal setting.
Both actors are enjoying peak popularity. IU recently reaffirmed her status as a top-tier actress with Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines, while Byun Woo-seok rose to superstardom through Lovely Runner, becoming one of the most in-demand actors of the year. With expectations already high for their on-screen romance, their appearance together at the awards ceremony is set to further heighten excitement.
Meanwhile, the 2025 MBC Drama Awards will celebrate the network’s standout productions of the year, honoring dramas that brought laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments to viewers. Veteran host Kim Sung-joo will return as MC, joined by actress Lee Sun-bin, promising another memorable night for MBC drama fans.