Byeon Woo Seok is set to take on a new career-defining role as a lonely royal prince.

He will star in MBC's upcoming Friday–Saturday drama The Crown Princess of the 21st Century, playing Prince Ian, the second son of the royal family who must live without drawing attention or shining too brightly.

The project has already drawn major attention as his next work following the global success of Lovely Runner, where Byeon Woo Seok rose to stardom with his role as Ryu Sun Jae.

"I'm excited and thrilled to greet viewers with a new character after a long time," he shared. "Thank you for all the interest."

Why He Chose Prince Ian

Byeon Woo Seok cited the character's narrative and the unique setting as key reasons for joining the drama.

"I was drawn to Prince Ian's story as the royal family's second son, as well as the constitutional monarchy backdrop," he explained. "When I read the script, I could clearly picture myself playing him. I felt emotionally connected and knew I had to take on this role."

He described the character with three keywords: "loneliness, dignity, and being loved by the people," highlighting Ian's inherent limitations despite his royal status.

"In public, he maintains the integrity and grace expected of royalty," Byeon Woo Seok said. "He seems to have everything, but he has no one he can truly rely on."

A Delicate and Layered Performance

Portraying such a complex figure required subtlety. "He's a character who cannot show weakness," the actor noted. "Within that, I focused on expressing delicate emotions."

He also emphasized the depth of the romance storyline. "Even from the script alone, I believed Prince Ian's romance would be portrayed in a deeply compelling way," he added.

The drama promises not only evolving character relationships but also rich visual elements, including detailed art direction and set design.

The Crown Princess of the 21st Century is set to premiere on April 10 at 9:40 PM (KST).