Ahead of its premiere on the 10th, “Perfect Crown” held its press conference on 6 April 2026, where leads IU and Byeon Wooseok appeared alongside fellow cast members and director Park Joonhwa to introduce the project. The event offered an early glimpse into one of 2026’s most anticipated releases, as the team shared their thoughts on bringing the story to life and their excitement ahead of its debut.
“Perfect Crown” unfolds in a modern-day Korea governed by a constitutional monarchy, following a chaebol heiress who has it all but remains dissatisfied with her roots, and a prince who, despite his status, finds himself with little freedom. As their paths intertwine, both struggle with the limits placed on them and begin to take bold steps to change the course of their lives.
| Q: Please tell us about your characters and why you chose the show. |
| IU: My character, Hui-ju, has everything except the noble status she desires. We are in a constitutional monarchy, and she feels deep frustration at not possessing that status. Frustration is a key word that defines her. She is very driven and full of yearning for many things, which makes her somewhat endearing. She is a very three dimensional character. As I was reading the script, I found Hui-ju incredibly fascinating, and it felt like an obvious choice. I strongly wanted to take part in this project as Hui-ju. Byeon Wooseok: Grand Prince I-AN is a beloved royal of Korea, yet he occupies a position in which he cannot outshine others. The reason I chose this project is that, when I read the script, I felt it was important to be able to clearly envision it, and I could vividly picture every scene. I was also able to strongly connect with Grand Prince I-AN’s backstory, which made me want to further develop and bring depth to this character. Noh Sanghyun: Min Jeong-woo is the Prime Minister of Korea, and he carries a great deal of responsibility on his shoulders. He knows how to control himself; at times, it feels as though icy cold water flows through his veins, making him appear very cold. However, over the course of the story, he undergoes significant emotional development. As the narrative progresses, you can see how he changes, which makes him a very three dimensional character. That was something I particularly appreciated about my role. Gong Seungyeon: She plays the Queen Mother, and she believes the royal family is very important, often putting herself behind them. What she prioritizes above all is the royal family and the country. As a result, she may appear very cold on the outside, but she is working extremely hard to ensure that nothing falls apart. This does not mean she wants to protect the royal family blindly; rather, she has great faith in and love for them. The reason I chose this project is because I trust the director, the script, and the cast members. I also found it very interesting that the story is set in a 21st century Korea under a constitutional monarchy. I was very curious about how that would unfold, and I wanted to work together with these wonderful people here. Yu Subin: My character, Choi Hyeon, is a royal aide who is devoted entirely to the Grand Prince. He is extremely loyal to him. Director Park is well known for romantic comedies, and I have great trust in him. With such a wonderful cast involved, there was no reason for me to decline this project. Lee Yeon: I play Doh Hye-jeong, the secretary to Hui-ju, the CEO of Castle Beauty, and I am a highly capable assistant. This is my first venture into romantic comedy, and I was eager to take on the challenge, as I believed it would help me grow in my career. With such an incredible cast, it felt like an obvious decision for me. |
| Q: This is a series that is incredibly highly anticipated, with a great deal of social buzz. I am sure that also comes with its share of pressure. What are you hoping for in terms of viewership? |
| IU: Speaking in character as Hui-ju, I would say that I have never done anything below number one, so our “Perfect Crown” team is aiming only for the very best, which is the number one. Now, speaking as myself, as we spend time promoting the series, I feel very happy to see how excited people are about the drama. As cast members, we will do everything we can to promote it. I am truly enjoying this promotion period, and I hope you will continue to show us a great deal of love and support. |
| Q: Since Lovely Runner, there has been a great deal of speculation about your next drama project. What was it about “Perfect Crown” that really captured your attention and made it your next project? |
| Byeon Wooseok: I just want to say that I am extremely grateful. I would not say I feel much pressure; rather, I hope that you continue to show love and interest. I will do my absolute best to repay all of that support. The fact that so many people are excited about what I do next does not feel like pressure to me. I think of it as a mindset I want to carry with me as an actor. |
| Q: There is also a great deal of anticipation surrounding the series, especially because the two of you, IU and Byeon Wooseok, are the main characters. Could you tell us about your chemistry? |
| Byeon Wooseok: We have worked alongside each other before, and I feel that we have chemistry that stretches over a decade. You can really see that chemistry flourish in this series. IU is such a great scene partner, she makes you feel at ease instantly and she gave me a lot of advice. I really enjoyed it. IU: I think this time around, he was very determined to make up for the hurt from ten years ago. In that previous project, his character was my boyfriend who cheated on me. Now, ten years later, we are working together again, and as Wooseok said, it almost felt like he had been waiting the entire decade to make up for that. |
| Q: In order to play this character, how did you prepare, since you have never been a Prime Minister? |
| Noh Sanghyun: Exactly, I have never been a Prime Minister before, so it was quite difficult. I had to express a sense of burden and responsibility, as if I were carrying a great weight on my shoulders. At the same time, there are also aspects of myself in the character. It is not just a flat character, and I was able to still find enjoyment in it while working closely with my fellow actors. |
| Q: The story is set in a constitutional monarchy, where you have to move between tradition and the modern world. Could you tell us more about that? |
| Gong Seungyeon: For me, the writer told me that she wanted my character to be a symbol of the palace. If I became too traditional, I might not blend well with the other characters, but we were able to find that balance through discussions with the other cast members. I wore many beautiful hanboks, so I was very grateful to the wardrobe team. I would just sit there and already look like the Queen Mother because the costumes are so beautiful. |
| Q: You are paired with each other in the series, with Wooseok and Subin working closely together, and IU and Yeon also paired together. What was it like working together? |
| Yu Subin: It was fantastic. Working on the series with Wooseok was such a great experience. He is a great person to be around, both on and off camera. I became very attached to him in real life, and I think that created very natural chemistry between us, so I really enjoyed working with him. Byeon Wooseok: I am happy to hear that. I also feel that I became very attached to Hyeon while in character. Lee Yeon: I am wondering what I can say to top that. I have always been a huge fan of IU, and I went into character with that admiration in mind, so I had no trouble getting into the role. She was just as incredible as I expected, and I learned so much from her. I enjoyed every moment we spent together. IU: I have also been a fan of hers as well, so before we met again on this project, I met her once at an awards ceremony and told her that I was a huge fan and hoped we could work together. That was about a year before filming began. I feel like it was destiny that brought us together. She really led me through the process, she is very well prepared and full of incredible ideas, so I think we can beat any other duo. |
Remember to catch “Perfect Crown” on Disney+ from 10 April!
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