Byeon Woo Seok’s Next Drama & Upcoming Project
As the K-drama wave continues globally, fans are eagerly anticipating the next big releases. From romantic comedies to historical epics, 2025-2026 promises exciting new projects starring your favorite actors. In this article, we'll spotlight the most anticipated upcoming dramas, including Byeon Woo Seok's highly-anticipated new series with IU, and other noteworthy productions coming soon.
1. “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” – Byeon Woo Seok and IU’s Royal Romance
Release Date: 2026 (MBC)
Genre: Romantic Drama, Alternate History
Director: Park Joon Hwa (“What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim”, “Alchemy of Souls”)
The most talked-about upcoming drama is undoubtedly “Wife of a 21st Century Prince”, starring Byeon Woo Seok (fresh off his “Lovely Runner” success) and multi-talented superstar IU.
Plot Overview:
Set in an alternate version of Korea that remains a constitutional monarchy, the drama tells the love story between:
- Sung Hee Joo (IU) – A chaebol heiress who has everything (beauty, brains, wealth) but lacks noble status
- Prince Lee Wan (Byeon Woo Seok) – The king’s second son who has royal status but nothing else
Their worlds collide in a contract marriage that promises to deliver both romantic tension and royal intrigue.
Star-Studded Cast:
Why It’s Anticipated:
- Byeon Woo Seok’s first lead role after global fame from “Lovely Runner”
- IU’s return to romantic dramas after “Hotel del Luna”
- Unique alternate history premise blending modern and royal elements
- Director Park Joon Hwa’s proven track record with hit romances
Other Highly Anticipated Upcoming K-Dramas
- “The Whirlwind” Season 2 – Political thriller starring Sol Kyung-gu and Kim Hee-ae (Expected late 2025)
- “Deaths Game” Spin-off – Follow-up to the hit survival drama (Early 2026)
- “Hong Rang” – Historical drama with Kim Tae-ri as Joseon’s first female detective (2025)
- “S Line” – Mystery romance starring Lee Dong-wook and Kim Ji-won (Mid-2025)
What Makes These Next Dramas Special?
The upcoming slate of K-dramas shows several exciting trends:
1. Alternate History Boom
Following the success of “The King: Eternal Monarch”, more dramas like “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” are exploring “what if” scenarios of modern Korea with monarchies.
2. Strong Female Leads
From IU’s chaebol heiress to Kim Tae-ri’s Joseon detective, complex female characters are taking center stage.
3. Genre Blending
Expect more unique combinations like royal office romances (Wife of a 21st Century Prince) or historical crime procedurals (Hong Rang).
Conclusion: Mark Your Calendars
With big names like Byeon Woo Seok and IU returning to our screens in innovative projects, 2025-2026 promises to be another golden year for K-dramas. “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” stands out as the most anticipated royal romance, but keep an eye on all these upcoming releases as they’re sure to dominate conversations among global K-drama fans.
Which upcoming drama are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!