In ’21st Century Grand Prince and Consort,’ the relationship between IU and Byeon Woo-seok solidified.
The fifth episode of MBC’s weekend drama ’21st Century Grand Prince and Consort,’ which aired on the 24th, depicted Seong Hee-joo (played by IU) and Lee An Grand Prince (played by Byeon Woo-seok) growing closer after overcoming a crisis.
During the episode, Lee An Grand Prince saved Seong Hee-joo from a serious accident caused by brake failure, even undergoing surgery himself.
Upon learning this, Seong Hee-joo visited Lee An Grand Prince and exclaimed, “Are you crazy? Why did you intervene?” She then scolded him, saying, “Don’t ever do that again. You need to be fine to cover for me,” feigning anger.
Lee An Grand Prince responded, “Don’t create situations I need to cover for,” to which Seong Hee-joo grumbled, “Anyone would think you really love me.”
Prime Minister Min (played by Noh Sang-hyun) accidentally learned that Seong Hee-joo and Lee An Grand Prince were planning a contract marriage and asked Seong Hee-joo for the reason.
Seong Hee-joo replied, “I have everything except status. Money, ability, ambition – I have it all but not status.” Prime Minister Min then confessed, “Is that all? Then marry me. Let’s get married,” leaving Seong Hee-joo flustered.
Later, Seong Hee-joo was expelled from the mansion. Unaware of the reason, she questioned Lee An Grand Prince.
Lee An Grand Prince informed her, “Someone tampered with your car, which is why the accident happened. We need to change the plan. Let’s call off the marriage.”
He added, “Ignoring the rules and marrying you, who has more enemies than a mountain, would lead to the royal family’s downfall,” uttering words he didn’t mean.
It turned out that Lee An Grand Prince was convinced bad things kept happening to Seong Hee-joo because of him, and he decided to break off the engagement to protect her.
Lee An Grand Prince told Seong Hee-joo, “We’re being attacked even before the marriage. I’m trying to prevent attacks — is that so hard?” Seong Hee-joo called him a “coward.”
She continued, “This is how you protect: Fight back when attacked,” to which Lee An Grand Prince replied, “You haven’t learned how to bend.”
Seong Hee-joo replied, “I only learned how to bend, which is why I lose even to adversaries I can beat. I asked for status, not a comfortable cradle.”
She advised, “Don’t bend. Don’t retreat or concede. That is how both of us get what we want.”
After the crisis, the two became more steadfast. Lee An Grand Prince declared, “Don’t bend. Don’t retreat or concede. I’ll fight without holding back, just like you,” and reunited with Seong Hee-joo.
