"Don't Bend," IU♥Byun Woo-seok Overcome Breakup Crisis... '21st Century Grand Duchess' Tops Ratings [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Trust between IU and Byun Woo-seok has grown even stronger.

According to Nielsen Korea, a ratings survey company, the fifth episode of the MBC Friday-Saturday drama "21st Century Grand Duchess" (script by Yoo Ji-won; directed by Park Jun-hwa, Bae Hee-young; planned by Kang Dae-seon; produced by MBC, Kakao Entertainment), which aired on the 24th, recorded 10.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area, 10.6% nationwide, and 4.3% among viewers aged 20-54. This represents an increase compared to the same day last week, achieving a "triple crown" by topping all Friday programs in the Seoul metropolitan area, nationwide, and among the 20-54 demographic. Among these, a scene featuring Prince Lee An (played by Byun Woo-seok) appearing at the Na-jin-yeon banquet reached a peak of 13.7% per minute, sending shivers through viewers.

On this day, Prince Lee An, bolstered by Seong Hee-ju's (played by IU) encouragement, gathered his wavering resolve and took a bold step to overcome the wall of reality.

Following a car accident involving Seong Hee-ju and a young king, a secret investigation into the cause of the accident was conducted under the leadership of Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo (played by Noh Sang-hyun). As a result, it was revealed that someone had tampered with the car, and it became clear that threats targeting Seong Hee-ju were lurking everywhere.

Prince Lee An became overwhelmed with anxiety due to a series of incidents that had occurred to Seong Hee-ju since they met. Having lost his mother in a past traffic accident and suffering from trauma ever since, Prince Lee An decided to call off the contract marriage in order to protect Seong Hee-ju from people's attacks. He then declared the breakup to Seong Hee-ju, citing the need to protect the royal family from her, who disregarded royal rules and had many enemies.

However, Seong Hee-ju could not accept Prince Lee An's decision. Furthermore, she repeatedly refused his invitation to the Na-jin-yeon, a major royal event, suspecting it was merely a performance to maintain the dignity of the royal family in anticipation of the breakup news becoming a sensational topic.

Eventually, Prince Lee An explained to Seong Hee-ju that everything was an unavoidable choice made to protect her. However, for Seong Hee-ju, who had fought fiercely to get what she wanted, Prince Lee An's choice felt like a powerless evasion. Therefore, Seong Hee-ju provoked Prince Lee An with a bow and arrow, conveying the courage to face reality by saying, "This is how you protect. You fight attacks with attacks."

Prince Lee An claimed that Seong Hee-ju's boldness was because she did not know how to bend, but Seong Hee-ju retorted, "You only know how to bend, so you lose even to opponents you can beat," adding, "Don't bend. Do not retreat, and do not yield." Seong Hee-ju's dignified attitude sparked a small flame in Prince Lee An's heart.

Through their private conversation, Seong Hee-ju came to understand Prince Lee An's heart, which had been powerless after losing precious people, while Prince Lee An understood Seong Hee-ju's desperation, who had to stand firm against the harsh wall of reality without retreating. Additionally, Seong Hee-ju reached out to Prince Lee An again, telling him, "You can walk with me," after he mentioned that he didn't know how to stand in front of others because he always walked from behind.

Amidst this, the day of the Na-jin-yeon event, which attracted the attention of the entire nation, arrived. Seong Hee-ju, invited to the Na-jin-yeon, chose a suit from the prepared party, revealing her presence. Seong Hee-ju's unconventional move, rejecting old-fashioned formalities, was more than enough to capture public interest.

Then, Prince Lee An appeared and stood by Seong Hee-ju, drawing everyone's attention to the two of them. Prince Lee An said, "Teach me a thing or two, junior, since I've come to your side," and took Seong Hee-ju's hand, to which Seong Hee-ju replied with a faint smile. As the two moved forward fearlessly toward a future together, the sincerity of Prince Lee An, "I will fight without holding back, just as you do," was added, and the fifth episode concluded.

"21st Century Grand Duchess" Episode 6 will air at 9:50 p.m. on the 25th.

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*This content was translated by AI.