Will IU’s Bold Proposal to Lee Wan-seok Change the Game in ’21st Century Grand Lady’?

21st Century Daegunbuin / Photo: MBC capture

[Sports Today reporter Jung Ye-won] In MBC’s new Friday–Saturday drama 21st Century Daegunbuin, IU’s character makes an unexpected proposal to the grand prince played by Byun Woo-seok.

The April 10 premiere centers on Seong Hee-ju (IU), the heir to Castle Group, who boldly asks Grand Prince Lee An (Byun Woo-seok) to marry her.

21st Century Daegunbuin / Photo: MBC capture

In the episode, Seong Hee-ju establishes herself as a hard-charging executive. She publicly calls out rival companies over sliding sales and orders a background check on a commercial model — a cold, exacting display that underlines her business-first persona.

She then makes a showy entrance at the king’s birthday ceremony in a red dress, a move meant to prove she knows how to command attention. The crowd splits: some openly criticize her behavior, while others are taken by her looks.

Murmurs follow: guests whisper that she was raised by a mistress and sent to the chairman at about age 10, questioning whether she’s a commoner or even illegitimate. They sneer that she lacks honor, dignity, manners and common sense. Seong Hee-ju responds by smashing a cup and smiling as if nothing happened.

Later, while wandering the palace grounds, Seong Hee-ju runs into Grand Prince Lee An. She offers an apologetic, “Sorry, I got lost,” but he asks for her name and affiliation.

At that moment a sudden explosion and smoke erupt inside the palace. Lee An rushes over and finds people evacuating from a fire. Yoon I-rang (Gong Seung-yeon) slaps him in anger and accuses him, “Are you trying to kill our king again?” Fortunately, Lee Yoon (Kim Eun-ho) emerges uninjured.

Riding back with Do Hye-jeong (Lee Yeon), Seong Hee-ju doesn’t hide her hostility toward Lee An. When Do Hye-jeong asks why she dislikes him so much, Seong He-ju snaps, “He’s obnoxious.”

A flashback shows the pair as students. Seong Hee-ju is practicing archery before a friendly match when Lee An catches her. He recites the rules and penalties; she pushes back, complaining that he holds her to a higher standard.

21st Century Daegunbuin / Photo: MBC capture

The next day, Yoon I-rang offers an apology for the previous incident. When she suggests the prince’s actions serve regency interests, Lee An fires back, “Politics is for politicians. The royal family’s job is to stay out of it.”

He recalls that even as a child, scoring 100 on a test never earned him praise — a lesson meant to enforce loyalty and to ensure no one outshines the crown prince.

Yoon I-rang presses him to hold a wedding and publicly back her and Geum-sang; Lee An agrees, saying it won’t be difficult.

Meanwhile, Seong Hee-ju grows furious over her father’s push for an arranged marriage. She complains that the suitors are far beneath her and accuses her father of trying to hand the company to her half-brother, Seong Tae-ju (Lee Jae-won).

In a fit of anger, she fixates on the royal family and decides she will marry Lee An. Her first request for an audience is denied. She assumes he’s playing hard to get, reapplies and is rejected again.

She then drafts a carefully written plea and tries a third time. Lee An keeps refusing, so Seong Hee-ju claims they’re alumni and frames the visit as seeking advice from a senior. Unable to refuse a junior asking for help, Lee An relents.

Finally granted an audience, Seong Hee-ju wastes no time. “I came to propose. Marry me,” she declares.

[Sports Today reporter Jung Ye-won ent@stoo.com]
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