Latest news with #Wifeofa21stCenturyPrince
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Korean actor IU on her global fanbase: I had no idea I was popular in India
"One Fine, Ordinary Day,' IU says, would be the title if a film were ever made about her life. But there's nothing ordinary about IU. A genre-bending force in both music and drama, South Korean superstar IU continues to blur boundaries with ease and elegance. IU's evocative dual performance in the critically acclaimed series When Life Gives You Tangerines has left an enduring impression on audiences as she enters yet another transformative chapter in her career. "I feel like I'm busier than ever, but I'm enjoying life. Recently, I've begun filming for a new drama called Wife of a 21st Century Prince (working title), and I have a feeling that 2025 will be a packed and fulfilling year. I'm very happy and grateful for all the love and interest that people have shown for When Life Gives You Tangerines, Flower Bookmark, and the next project," she tells us. When asked about the success of her series, When Life Gives You Tangerines, IU shares, "When I was first given the script, it was only for the first six episodes, but my heart raced as I read through it. From that moment, I was already someone who was wholeheartedly rooting for Ae-sun's life more than anyone." We further quizzed her about her approach towards portraying the mother-daughter duo, and the 32-year-old actress shares, "It was clear in the script that Ae-sun and Geum-myeong both had shared aspects and stark differences. From my perspective, Ae-sun felt like a character whose sacrificial spirit was greatly influenced by her inherently kind nature and the era she lived in." IU also praised her co-star Park Bo-gum, who plays the role of Yang Gwan-sik in the series, saying, "He is a very trustworthy partner and friend. Sometimes we would be in perfect sync even without discussing things in advance, as if we had already rehearsed them together. I believe it was thanks to Bo-gum's kind and cheerful personality that we were able to build such great chemistry." Since making her acting debut with KBS drama Dream High, IU has worked with several directors. "I've been very fortunate to have had many opportunities to work with truly amazing writers and directors. The writers have always crafted the scripts in a way that allowed me to immerse myself in the story from the moment I read them, and once on set, the directors gave me clear feedback to help me act and speak in the character's voice." With a filmography that boasts diverse projects like "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo," "Hotel Del Luna," "My Mister," and others, IU's evolution as an actor is evident. "I don't really choose roles with a specific story in mind," IU revealed. "It's more like fate — somehow, certain projects appear in front of me almost magically at the right time, and I end up taking them on," she says. She adds that while working with renowned writers or directors is a consideration, her decision ultimately comes down to the story resonating with her in the moment. "I think I clearly land on a decision when it's a story that I want to tell right now in this moment of my life," shares IU. Adding to her stream of thoughts, IU shares the kind of roles she aims to do now: "Something that steps away from the dopamine-rush settings, revenge and death, heart-wrenching emotions, fiery romances, dramatic lines, life lessons — a story that deals with simple, everyday feelings." When asked about striking a balance between her dual career, she says, "When I'm a musician, it feels like the world exists inside of me, and when I'm an actor, it feels like the world exists outside of me. With music, I enjoy digging deep introspectively and having a conversation with my inner self, while with acting, I find joy in being part of a team, the sense of belonging, and being all in it together to accomplish a shared goal." With the rise in K-pop culture in India, IU enjoys a great fan base. "I had no idea I was popular in India, but I did hear that my show 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' received a lot of love in India. I've been enjoying learning about India's beautiful landscapes, watching Indian films filled with dance and music that brings joy to its audience, and reading books about the country," says IU. Ask her how does she manage her immense popularity and public presence and maintain a balance between private and public life and she replies, 'To be honest, I don't feel a huge sense of pressure or feel overwhelmed. On the contrary, I don't feel like I'm immensely popular. All of this feels like it's mine, but also not entirely mine at the same time. I think I'm also somewhat prepared to pack up and move on if at some point my popularity fades, and life says, 'It's time to check out of the celebrity life!' I'm genuinely and deeply grateful to the fans who have been sending me so much love and support, but to receive a question like this, it makes me wonder if I truly am living that much of a glamorous life. If I think about it, it feels pretty surreal. I'm just working hard and living my life! We're all special, but also ordinary, aren't we? I'm just another person who's both special and ordinary.'
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Everything we know about IU and Byeon Woo Seok's Wife of a 21st Century Prince: Cast, release window, plot, and more
It's an exciting time for K-drama fans, with many promising dramas with fresh casts lined up for release. Among the sea of K-dramas headed our way, Wife of a 21st Century Prince (working title) is already making waves as one of the most eagerly awaited titles. This royal-meets-modern romance pairs up two of Korea's hottest names right now: IU, still basking in the glow of When Life Gives You Tangerines, teams up with Byeon Woo Seok, fresh off stealing hearts in Lovely Runner. On April 21, it was officially announced that Wife of a 21st Century Prince will air on MBC as a Friday-Saturday drama. The drama also revealed its main cast, alongside IU and Byeon Woo Seok. Scroll ahead to know everything we know so far about this upcoming royal romance drama. Confirmed cast of Wife of a 21st Century Prince The cast of Wife of a 21st Century Prince features some amazing talent. IU plays Sung Hee Joo, a smart and competitive chaebol heiress who enters a contract marriage to gain noble status. Byeon Woo Seok stars as Prince Lee Wan, a prince with royal status but no real power, who changes after meeting Hee Joo. Non Sang Hyun and Gong Seun Yeon are the new additions to the cast. Noh portrays Prime Minister Min Jung Woo, an intelligent and eligible bachelor who is friends with the prince and has ties to Hee Joo. Gong plays Yoon Yi Rang, a woman born to be queen who will do anything to protect her royal future. Wife of a 21st Century Prince: Release window The drama is slated to premiere in 2026 as an MBC Friday-Saturday series, bringing its unique love story to prime-time weekend television. Wife of a 21st Century Prince synopsis Wife of a 21st Century Prince is set in an alternate version of modern Korea, where the country is still governed by a constitutional monarchy. The story follows Sung Hee Joo (IU), a smart and confident chaebol heiress who has everything except noble blood. When her commoner status becomes a problem, she enters a contract marriage with Lee Wan (Byeon Woo Seok), a quiet and reluctant prince who holds the title but none of the power. Hee Joo wants nobility, and Lee Wan is searching for an identity beyond being a prince. What starts as a strategic alliance soon becomes more complicated as they navigate palace politics while dealing with emotions they didn't sign up for. Is there a trailer for IU and Byeon Woo Seok's drama? No, details related to the drama, including a trailer, have not yet been shared. The first look of characters has also been awaited, as fans eagerly anticipate what IU and Byeon Woo Seok have in store. IU and Byeon Woo Seok set the record straight about their drama Last month, some reports suggested the drama was cancelled and that Byeon Woo Seok and IU had backed out of the project. However, both actors' teams have denied these claims, confirming that the stars are fully committed and actively preparing for their roles. Fans can rest easy knowing the highly anticipated drama is still on track!
