'Grand Duchess' Byun Woo-seok, from costumes to living spaces, 'cultural heritage-level visuals'.. How was it created? [★FOCUS]

*This content was translated by AI.

MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Duchess' (script by Yoo Ji-won, directed by Park Jun-hwa and Bae Hee-young, planned by Kang Dae-seon, produced by MBC and Kakao Entertainment) is enjoying a box office run, topping the non-English TV shows on Disney+ and drawing global attention to every move of Prince Lee An, portrayed by Byun Woo-seok. From palace attire and daily wear to his private residence and vacation spaces, global fans are pouring their interest into these details.

'21st Century Grand Duchess' has climbed to a peak viewership rate of 13.8% per minute within two weeks of broadcast, consistently maintaining double-digit ratings. It also ranked fourth globally in the TV show category on Disney+, gaining popularity not only in Korea but among international viewers as well. Following high anticipation and buzz before the broadcast, the drama has continued to satisfy viewers' expectations with a steady rise in ratings through its third week. As Seong Hee-ju (played by IU), who appears to have everything but hides a painful backstory and struggles to gain attention, and Prince Lee An (played by Byun Woo-seok), who seems calm but hides himself to avoid shining, come to understand each other and embark on a full-fledged romance, interest in the series continues to intensify.

In particular, global viewers are showing great interest in the character of Prince Lee An, portrayed charmingly by Byun Woo-seok. In the drama, Prince Lee An is a beloved royal figure with striking looks and exceptional abilities, captivating both the public and women's hearts. Byun Woo-seok believed that costumes could effectively express the character, and he has drawn attention by mastering a variety of outfits, from modernly reinterpreted hanboks to daily wear. At the young king's birthday celebration, he appeared not in formal court attire but in a modernly adapted cheolrik, exuding a cool charisma. He also stylishly handled outfits reinterpreting traditional ceremonial robes and, during his time at the royal school, showcased another side of his charm in a blue national archery uniform representing the Cheongryong Palace.

Moreover, his everyday outfits also blend elements such as silk fabric, sashes, and collars with suit styles like shirts and jackets, creating soft and luxurious color palettes that harmonize modern and traditional aesthetics, reflecting the elegance of royalty. Whether visiting theaters, jogging along the Han River, or taking evening walks with Seong Hee-ju, he styles himself in hoodies and sportswear, or light shirts, respectively, captivating audiences with his unique fashion sense. Viewers have praised the show, saying, "Cultural heritage-level visuals and max-level hanbok mastery," "Modern suits with a Korean vibe, it feels unique and refreshing."

Not only Byun Woo-seok's costumes in the drama, but also the spaces where he stays have captured fans' attention. Prince Lee An's private residence features large glass windows offering clear views of the outside, exposed wooden pillars, and a blend of props such as calligraphy tools and white porcelain with modern furniture, creating an interior design that harmonizes tradition and modernity. Additionally, the traditional house where Prince Lee An stayed during his vacation, with its open floor and natural scenery, has also drawn interest. Viewers have responded positively, stating, "The filming locations of '21st Century Grand Duchess,' filled with Korean charm, are beautiful and provide visual pleasure," and noting that even just seeing Prince Lee An in such spaces creates beautiful imagery.

Byun Woo-seok previously gained explosive popularity in the 2024 broadcast 'Yumi's Cells' by playing Ryu Sun-jae, a character who was both the leader of a popular idol group and a pure, devoted lover, captivating women's hearts. In this '21st Century Grand Duchess,' he transforms into the perfect royal, Prince Lee An, from his costumes to his living spaces, displaying a unique chemistry with Seong Hee-ju (played by IU), who attempts to enter into a contract marriage with him. Especially after accepting Seong Hee-ju's proposal, he fully embarks on the contract marriage, gradually deepening the romance by genuinely worrying about Seong Hee-ju and showing jealousy over others' attention, eliciting smiles from viewers. As forces seeking to counter them are expected to take action, interest is also growing in the romance narrative and emotional journey of the two as they face a challenging path together.

'21st Century Grand Duchess' is a drama set in a 21st-century constitutional monarchy in South Korea, depicting the fate of a woman who is a chaebol with everything but is frustrated by her commoner status, and a man who is the king's son but cannot possess anything, exploring a romance that breaks through class barriers. The drama airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM.

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*This content was translated by AI.