South Korean singer and actress IU will star as a chaebol heiress in MBC's upcoming romantic drama "Perfect Crown," premiering April 3, 2026.
The series is set in an alternate version of modern-day Korea where a constitutional monarchy still exists, creating a world where royal titles and class divisions remain powerful. 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 a Top Entrepreneur Award—Sung Hee-joo faces significant social barriers due to her illegitimate birth and commoner status, according to Soompi.
In the drama, Sung Hee-joo devises a strategic plan to overcome these limitations by proposing a contract marriage to Grand Prince Yi An, played by Byeon Woo-seok. Prince Yi An is the king's second son who holds a royal title but lacks real power and autonomy, facing constant surveillance and pressure from the royal family. The series follows how their contract marriage evolves 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 from 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, where IU expressed her commitment to making the drama successful. At the event, she showcased the confident personality of her character through self-assured delivery and witty gestures that brought laughter to the set.
"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 premier dramas for the first half of 2026. Principal photography commenced 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.
