IU♥Byun Woo-seok Kiss, the Whole World Watched [21st Century Grand Duchess]

*This content was translated by AI.

'21st Century Grand Duchess' has captured the attention of overseas viewers beyond Korea, focusing on the romance between IU and Byun Woo-seok.

MBC's Friday-Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Duchess' (script by Yoo Ji-won, directed by Park Jun-hwa and Bae Hee-young) has aired up to episode 6, with the romance between Seong Hee-ju (played by IU) and Prince Lee An (played by Byun Woo-seok) deepening, while reactions from viewers worldwide, including in Korea, continue to grow increasingly passionate.

In fact, '21st Century Grand Duchess' has held the top spot for three consecutive weeks since its premiere as the number one TV-OTT drama in terms of buzz for the fourth week of April 2026, according to FUNdex, a report by Good Data Corporation. The drama ranked first across all indicators of buzz: news, VON, SNS, and video. Additionally, IU and Byun Woo-seok secured the top two spots for actor/actress buzz for four consecutive weeks (as of the 28th, 2026). Furthermore, the drama has maintained the number one position in the TV-OTT drama category of the top 20 search results for two consecutive weeks.

Moreover, on the 24th, episode 6 achieved a national viewership rating of 11.2% and a 2054 demographic rating of 5.9%, surpassing its own previous record and proving itself as the undisputed strongest program in the entire Saturday schedule for both the metropolitan area and the 2054 demographic (based on Nielsen Korea data).

The drama continues to burn brightly on OTT platforms as well. According to FlixPatrol, it ranked fifth globally and first among non-English programs in the Disney+ Top 10 TV Shows category. It has consistently held the number one spot since its initial release in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, and has reached number one in 16 countries and regions, including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, and Venezuela. In Italy, Mexico, and Chile, it ranked second; in Australia, New Zealand, and Paraguay, third; in Canada and the United States, fourth; in Switzerland and Belgium, fifth; and in the United Kingdom, sixth. As of the 27th, 2026, the '21st Century Grand Duchess' fever has spread across North America, Latin America, and Europe, with the drama entering the top 10 in a total of 39 countries and regions.

In particular, episodes 5 and 6, which aired recently, depicted Seong Hee-ju and Prince Lee An overcoming a crisis in their contract marriage, showing their bond growing even stronger and leaving viewers thrilled. Among these scenes, the proposal event that concluded the earthquake scene and the romantic kiss on the yacht heated up online communities.

Consequently, in episodes 7 and 8, which mark the halfway point, Seong Hee-ju and Prince Lee An, now an engaged couple approved by the king, will begin formal wedding preparations, intensifying the pink-hued atmosphere. With their faces turning red at the mere touch of each other's hands and frequently recalling memories of the day with smiles, the two are deeply in love, and their wedding ceremony is already eagerly anticipated.

Episode 7 of '21st Century Grand Duchess' will air on May 1 at 9:40 p.m.

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*This content was translated by AI.