South Korean actress Lee Ji-eun (IU(and the South Korean actor who became a sensation across Asia last year with the hit Korean drama "Running Away from Sun Jae") Byeon Woo-seok The first episode of "The Great Lady of the 21st Century," starring her, aired on MBC on Friday night (April 10th), and not only did it take the top spot in Friday-Saturday drama ratings, but it also topped the overall ratings for family programs in the Seoul metropolitan area that night, making a brilliant start.
According to Nielsen Korea, the episode achieved a viewership rating of 8.2% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 7.8% nationwide. Among the core 20-54 age group, the episode also garnered a 3.8% rating, securing the top spot in both Seoul and national household ratings, as well as in the viewership of this age group, achieving a triple crown at the start of the season.
The first episode is set in a fictional "21st-century constitutional monarchy" world, depicting the intertwined fates of Sung Hee-joo (IU), a chaebol heir, and Lee Wan (Byun Woo-seok), a member of the royal family, and laying out the class and identity dilemmas they face.
Although Sung Hee-joo is the representative of the beauty group Castle Beauty, she is always limited by her background and class labels. Under the pressure of family and external expectations, she gradually faces the erosion of her self-worth. On the other hand, as the second son of the royal family, Prince Ri'an has long been in a situation where power and responsibility are intertwined. Even though he is responsible for assisting in political affairs, he must always face the highly magnified interpretation of his actions by the outside world.
As their life choices and pressures intertwine, the two characters' fates gradually become intertwined. Through elements such as marriage, identity, and power, the plot presents the characters' attempts to break through established frameworks and reveals their struggles between reality and the system.
The overall story is presented in a style that blends modernity and tradition, constructing a unique worldview through the fusion of court scenes and fashion elements. The second episode will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Saturday night (11th).
