Ratings and buzz both 'all-kill'.. IU♥Byun Woo-seok prove their presence in '21st Century Grand Duchess' [★Report ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

MBC Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Duchess' (script by Yoo Ji-won, directed by Park Jun-hwa and Bae Hee-young) continues its 'all-kill' streak, capturing both ratings and buzz. The work is drawing attention as proof of the presence of lead actors IU and Byun Woo-seok.

In the currently airing '21st Century Grand Duchess', IU and Byun Woo-seok deliver performances as Seong Hee-ju and Prince Lee An, respectively. The drama had already emerged as the most anticipated work of 2026 based solely on news of the two top stars' casting last year.

IU, who has received recognition for her acting through Netflix original 'I Am Not a Robot', tvN 'Hotel Del Luna', 'My Mister', KBS 2TV 'Producer', and SBS 'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo', and Byun Woo-seok, who rose to stardom overnight with tvN 'Backstreet Rookie', have drawn significant interest not only in Korea but also overseas.

The drama, unveiled amid high expectations, lived up to its reputation as a 'famous feast'. IU and Byun Woo-seok, who have captivated audiences with sometimes intense and sometimes poignant expressions in their previous works, showcased their chameleon-like acting skills to full bloom in '21st Century Grand Duchess'. Their flawless character synchronization and exceptional romantic chemistry have played a major role in heightening the drama's immersion.

They are also proving a strong response through objective metrics and figures. The drama continues its box office momentum by sweeping ratings, buzz, and OTT performance.

According to ratings research company Nielsen Korea, '21st Century Grand Duchess' broke into double digits in both the Seoul metropolitan area and nationwide within four episodes, securing the number one spot in the same time slot across the Seoul metropolitan area, nationwide, and among the 2054 demographic for four consecutive episodes, achieving a triple crown. In particular, the fourth episode, which aired on the 18th, reached a peak national rating of 13.8% per minute, surpassing its own previous record.

In the April third-week TV and OTT drama buzz ranking surveyed by Good Data Corporation, a K-content competitiveness analysis firm, the drama also ranked number one in news, VON, SNS, and video. This marks two consecutive weeks of 'all-kill' results. IU and Byun Woo-seok also dominated the top two spots for actor buzz for three consecutive weeks.

They also received a positive report card in OTT. According to Disney+, which streams '21st Century Grand Duchess', the drama ranked number one among the most-watched Korean series worldwide. Additionally, based on the OTT ranking aggregation site Flix Patrol, it reached fourth place globally and first place among non-English titles in the Disney+ Top 10 TV Shows category.

Furthermore, it has maintained the number one position since its premiere in Asian markets including Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. It also recorded fourth place in Canada and Australia, and fifth place in the United States. Moreover, it is achieving remarkable results in major markets in Latin America and Europe, including first place in Brazil, second place in Chile, Costa Rica, and Mexico, fourth place in Argentina and Italy, eighth place in Germany, and ninth place in the United Kingdom.

Whether it's buzz, ratings, or acting skills, no matter what standard is set, IU and Byun Woo-seok are easily proving their value. Their presence, confirmed by meaningful metrics, is expected to continue in the future.

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*This content was translated by AI.