IU And Byun Woo Seok’s K-Drama Trailer Hit With Scathing Criticism
IU and Byeon Woo Seok’s upcoming K-Drama Perfect Crown has drawn major attention online, but early reactions to the trailer are not positive.

The first ever look into the show was revealed today during the 2025 MBC Drama Awards.
The first teaser for “Perfect Crown,” starring IU, was just released during the 2025 MBC Drama Awards!!!#아이유 #IU #21세기대군부인 #PerfectCrown
pic.twitter.com/ITN72ptPOc— 아이유 에델바이스 (@iuedelweiss) December 30, 2025
The series is set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy South Korea and follows Seong Hee Joo (IU), a wealthy woman limited by her commoner status, and Grand Prince Ian (Byeon Woo Seok), the king’s son who can’t claim anything beyond his royal title.

Determined to change their fates, the two enter a contract marriage, challenging social boundaries while navigating their personal ambitions and desires.

The trailer gave K-Drama fans a solid glimpse into the show’s characters, sets, costumes, but also the leads’ acting.

- Unfortunately, the reactions haven’t been the most positive. Byeon Woo Seok — the rising actor that turned into a sensation in Korea during 2025 — is facing scathing criticism in particular. Many have called his acting “cringy” and slammed the star for not improving.
Both leads’ chemistry has also been deemed average so far.

- “His acting is so cringy.”
- “Hmm… feels like it might be popular overseas.”
- “When is the male lead going to improve his acting…”
- “Acting hasn’t changed.”
- “Wow, kinda looks like a palace lol. Should be fun.”
- “IU’s tone fits perfectly, but Byun Woo Seok only has a nice voice, no sense of authority at all…”
- “Chemistry is so-so, but the story concept seems interesting.”
However, with this just being a short glimpse given by the trailer, netizens’ opinions may change once the show officially airs in 2026.