MBC ‘21st-Century Grand Prince’s Consort’

IU and Byeon Woo-seok revealed their tender feelings for one another even on the brink, as their prenuptial contract was leaked.

In episode 9 of MBC’s FridaySaturday drama ‘21st-Century Grand Prince’s Consort’, airing today (the 8th), Seong Hee-joo (played by IU) and Grand Prince Ian (played by Byeon Woo-seok) face a do-or-die crisis as the fact of their contract marriage, once kept secret, is laid bare before all.

MBC FridaySaturday drama ‘21st-Century Grand Prince’s Consort’

Previously, while the two were carrying out their first official schedule as a couple with a visit to the royal school, they were hit by a major headwind when the prenuptial contract they had written themselves was reported by the press. Seizing this perfect chance, Queen Dowager Yun I-rang (played by Gong Seung-yeon), who has kept Grand Prince Ian in check unrelentingly to protect her young son, bares her claws. On the grounds that they betrayed the public’s trust and tarnished the royal family’s honor, she summons Seong Hee-joo, Grand Prince Ian, and even the aides who knew of the plan to a clan council hearing and unleashes a ferocious all-out offensive.

Amid this fierce storm, the video pre-released on the 7th captures in full the two, driven to the defensive ahead of the queen dowager’s summons, and their complex, tender state of mind, drawing keen attention.

In a heavy, subdued mood under the looming pressure of the hearing, Hee-joo opens up calmly when Grand Prince Ian asks, “Aren’t you scared?”, replying, “You must have honor for dishonor to be frightening. I am fine, because I do not have such a thing.” It is a barbed line that alludes to her own situation, having gone through with a contract marriage to obtain status.

Then, looking toward Byeon Woo-seok, who gazes at her with a hardened expression, she asks as if probing Grand Prince Ian’s heart, “Are you okay? All you have is your honor, right? Are you scared?” After a long silence, Byeon Woo-seok answers calmly, “Yes. I am a bit scared that my honor might harm you, junior.” Even as fierce criticism from the clan council and the public pours down, it is a deep, sincere feeling in which the fear of possibly hurting Hee-joo outweighs concern for the safety of the royal family or damage to its honor.

Whether the two, dragged to a cliff-edge hearing, can break Queen Dowager Yun I-rang’s fierce momentum and escape the massive aftershock, their emotions growing stronger amid crisis are driving expectations for the broadcast to a peak. Episode 9 of ‘21st-Century Grand Prince’s Consort’, which will depict the aftermath of the prenuptial contract leak, airs at 9:50 p.m. on the 8th.