The highly anticipated drama of early 2026, ’21st Century Grand Princess,’ has finally unveiled its script reading session.
Set to premiere in April, MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama ’21st Century Grand Princess’ is a romance about overcoming social status. It tells the story of a woman who has everything but is frustrated by her low status and a prince who is saddened by having nothing despite his royal birth.
With a cast including IU, Byeon Woo-seok, Noh Sang-hyun, and Gong Seung-yeon, the drama has attracted significant attention. As one of the most anticipated productions of the first half of 2026, the recently revealed script reading session has heightened interest in this work.
Director Park Joon-hwa, writer Yoo Ji-won, and the entire cast and crew bringing ’21st Century Grand Princess’ to life attended the session.
IU stated, “I will work hard so ’21st Century Grand Princess’ can dominate the drama scene in 2026,” while Byeon Woo-seok expressed his ambition to create a global sensation. With determined hopes and cheerful smiles, the script reading began amid a warm atmosphere.
IU confidently portrayed Seong Hee-joo, a chaebol who has everything but status, with her confident gaze and speech. Her character’s bold proposal to marry I-an Daegun (played by Byeon Woo-seok) brought laughter to the scene through witty gestures and a wink.
As I-an Daegun, who possesses nothing but royal blood, Byeon Woo-seok displayed regal composure. His nuanced vocal changes during emotional moments with Seong Hee-joo allowed the audience to sense I-an Daegun’s transformation.
The endearing chemistry between IU and Byeon Woo-seok as they navigated their characters’ emotional journey sparked even more anticipation for ’21st Century Grand Princess.’
Noh Sang-hyun, playing Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo, added vitality to the drama. His interaction with IU showcased a warm school alumni synergy, while his trustworthy friendship with Byeon Woo-seok’s character promised engaging developments.
Meanwhile, Gong Seung-yeon, portraying Yoon Yi-rang, a woman destined to be a queen, infused the session with tension, maintaining elegance through her speech and gestures.
The script reading showcased the actors’ passion, promising an exciting journey ahead in ’21st Century Grand Princess.’
Featuring a mix of romance between seemingly mismatched characters and intriguing relationships among Min Jeong-woo and Yoon Yi-rang, ’21st Century Grand Princess’ promises both excitement and laughs. The drama is scheduled to premiere in April 2026, and viewers eagerly await its first broadcast.
Image source: MBC
