The drama "21st Century Grand Lady" has been confirmed to be scheduled as an MBC Friday-Saturday drama. The main and supporting cast lineup, including IU, Byun Woo-seok, Noh Sang-hyun, and Gong Seung-yeon, has also been finalized. Filming will begin soon with the aim of broadcasting in the first half of next year.

"21st Century Grand Lady" is set against the backdrop of a constitutional monarchy in the 21st century. It depicts a romance marked by class reversal between "Seong Hee-joo" (played by IU), a commoner with a chaebol background, and "Lee An-daegun" (played by Byun Woo-seok), the son of the king.

IU will portray "Seong Hee-joo," the second daughter of a chaebol family and a capable businesswoman. Possessing perfect looks and intelligence, she finds herself frustrated by her commoner status. To gain status, she chooses to marry "Lee An-daegun."

Byun Woo-seok plays "Lee An-daegun," the second son of the king. Although he is a beloved royal, he is someone who cannot possess anything. He is a cold character with deep inner feelings who undergoes change after meeting Seong Hee-joo.

The supporting cast is also impressive. Noh Sang-hyun takes on the role of Prime Minister "Min Jeong-woo." From a politically prominent family, he is a friend of Lee An-daegun and a senior to Seong Hee-joo at school, experiencing subtle emotions between the two.

Gong Seung-yeon plays "Yoon I-rang," who comes from a royal family. She defines her destiny as "queen" and constantly struggles to become a queen regardless of the circumstances.

The direction is handled by veteran director Park Jun-hwa, known for directing "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim," "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim," and "Alchemy of Souls." He has been loved by viewers for his sensuous visuals and delicate romance direction.

MBC's Kang Dae-seon EP stated, "'21st Century Grand Lady' is a recipient of MBC's script competition in 2022," adding, "It is a captivating work characterized by a fresh concept, attractive characters, and a solid storyline."

The planning stage alone took three years. EP Kang also remarked, "Just hearing the names IU, Byun Woo-seok, Noh Sang-hyun, and Gong Seung-yeon makes me feel genuinely fortified, as if we’ve been given wings."

<Photo courtesy of MBC>