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The upcoming drama Wife of a 21st Century Prince (tentative title), featuring Byeon Woo-seok and singer-actress IU, is creating a buzz as one of the most highly anticipated productions of the year.
According to a report by OSEN on January 8, the production team is currently in talks with MBC to secure a year-end release, possibly following Kang Tae-oh and Kim Se-jeong's new series The Moon Flows on the River.
Despite high expectations, Wife of a 21st Century Prince was notably absent from MBC’s 2025 lineup announcement on January 8, leading to speculation about its schedule. However, insiders revealed that the series is being considered for a Friday-Saturday evening slot on MBC at the end of the year.
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This coveted timeslot has been home to several of MBC’s recent hits, including The Red Sleeve, The Lover, and When the Phone Rings.
More about Wife of a 21st Century Prince
Written by Yoo Ah-in, Wife of a 21st Century Prince is gaining attention for its unique storyline and star-studded cast. Produced by Kakao Entertainment, the drama explores a modern-day romance set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy.
Wife of a 21st Century Prince will reportedly follow Prince Ian (Byeon Woo-seok), a royal with little power, who crosses paths with Sung Hee-joo (IU), a wealthy heiress with beauty, brains, and fiercely competitive nature.
In a 21st-century constitutional monarchy in Korea, a romance unfolds between Sung Hee-joo, a successful woman from a powerful family, and Prince Ian, the second son of the king.
Despite Hee-joo’s privileged life, she remains a commoner, while Prince Ian, born with only his royal title, faces a different struggle. Their paths cross, leading to a transformative journey for both in Wife of a 21st Century Prince.
As per Osen, the production of Wife of a 21st Century Prince is currently focused on selecting the right director to helm the project, which originated as a winning script in an MBC contest. According to MBC and Kakao Entertainment, finalizing the director is the top priority, after which casting for supporting roles and preparations for filming will begin.
MBC's K-drama line-up for 2025
MBC's line-up for this year includes Motel California, Undercover High School, Bunny and Her Boys, Labor Attorney Noh Moojin, Mary Kills People, Let's Go to the Moon, The Moon Flows on the River and Wife of a 21st Century Prince.
Motel California
Motel California, the first MBC drama of 2025, is set to premiere on January 10. Written by Lee Seo-yoon and directed by Kim Hyung-min and Lee Jae-jin, the series stars Lee Se-young as Ji Kang-hee, a woman born and raised in a countryside motel, and Na In-woo as Cheon Yeon-soo, her childhood love.
The story follows Kang-hee's return to her hometown after 12 years, where she reconnects with Yeon-soo.
Undercover High School
Undercover High School, written by Lim Young-bin and directed by Choi Jung-in, is a comedic drama about an NIS agent on a mission to recover Emperor Gojong's missing gold bullion.
Seo Kang-joon stars as Jeong Hae-sung, a top agent who goes undercover as a high school student after a botched operation. Jin Ki-joo joins as the female lead in this unconventional story, set to premiere in February.
Bunny and Her Boys (or Crushology 101)
Noh Jung-ui leads Bunny and Her Boys, a drama adaptation of the hit Kakao webtoon with 170 million views. She plays Ban Hee-jin, aka "Bani," a top student at Yein University with a bright personality but a "love fool" reputation after a failed first romance.
The story follows her romantic adventures as she meets a group of charming men, including Hwang Jae-yeol, a charismatic art student portrayed by Lee Chae-min.
Labor Attorney Noh Moojin (or Oh My Ghost Clients)
Labor Attorney Noh Moojin is a comic fantasy drama about a laborer who helps resolve workplace issues for ghosts. Jung Kyung-ho plays Noo-jin, a hardworking but socially unaware man who unexpectedly begins assisting ghosts with their labor grievances after a near-death experience while trying to cover his office rent. Seol In-ah also stars in the drama as Na Hee-joo.
Directed by Lim Soon-rye, the drama's crew includes Kim Won-jung and Yoo Seung-hee, and is set to premiere this spring. The series promises a mix of humor, heart, and supernatural elements.
Mary Kills People
Lee Bo-young and Lee Min-ki lead the Korean remake of Mary Kills People, a black comedy about a doctor secretly aiding euthanasia and a detective investigating the illegal practice.
Lee Bo-young plays Woo So-jung, a dual-life leading emergency doctor, while Lee Min-ki portrays Cho Hyun-woo, a terminally ill patient whose life changes after meeting her. The drama blends dark humor with emotional storytelling.
Let's Go to the Moon
Starring Lee Sun-bin, Ra Mi-ran, Jo A-ram, and Kim Young-dae, Let's Go to the Moon promises to captivate viewers with its refreshing take on everyday desires.
The comic drama, developed by Jang Jae-hoon, directed by Oh Da-young, and written by Na Yoon-chae, explores the everyday challenges of financially struggling young people with big desires, bringing a story full of relatable and humorous moments.
The Moon Flows on the River
The Moon Flows on the River, an upcoming historical romance fantasy drama from MBC, is set to continue the network's success in 2025. The drama, directed by Lee Dong-hyun and starring Cho Seung-hee, centers on a crown prince who has lost his joy and a woman with no memory. Kang Tae-oh will portray Lee Kang, the crown prince of Joseon, in this intriguing love story.
Meanwhile, Wife of a 21st Century Prince is expected to be released later this year.
