Will IU‘s Proposal Lead to a Royal Marriage? Discover the Drama in ’21세기 대군부인'!

[TV Daily reporter Choi Hana] In MBC’s Friday–Saturday drama 21st Century Grand Lady, Byun Woo-seok’s character finally accepts IU’s offer of a contract marriage.

In the second episode, which aired on the night of the 11th, Seong Hee-ju (IU) proposes to Ian Daegun (Byun Woo-seok).

Ian asks what terms she expects. Seong Hee-ju answers that she’ll be his shield—essentially a scapegoat. Ian bluntly refuses, insisting he wants to marry for love.

Undeterred by the rejection, Seong Hee-ju uses her office to map out his schedule and routines, then shadows him closely.

Despite repeated rebuffs, she escalates her pursuit, following him from appointment to appointment and urging him to marry her. Ian is taken aback by her persistence.

That night Ian wakes from a nightmare about the day his older brother, the late king, died in an accident. He predicts King Lee Yun (Kim Eun-ho) won’t be able to manage an upcoming event alone. As expected, Lee Yun asks for Ian’s help, and Ian goes to the venue despite being on leave.

Seong Hee-ju receives the official inspection badge (eosahwa) directly from Lee Yun. She then teases Ian, asking if he has a gift for her. Ian replies, “Isn’t the gift already on your head?”

Offended, Seong Hee-ju shoots back, “That was a gift from His Highness. I want a present from you.”

Min Jung-woo (No Sang-hyun) invites Seong Hee-ju to dinner to celebrate the eosahwa. She ribs him, saying, “At least you did well in school. You’re lousy at everything else—are you running the country properly?”

Later, Seong Hee-ju learns from Ian’s aide Choi Hyun (Yoo Su-bin) that Ian is ill and confined to bed. Secretly, she summons a physician she knows and asks that the exam be logged under her name.

After the checkup, Seong He-ju and Choi Hyun share a snack. Queen Dowager Yoon I-rang (Gong Seung-yeon) then visits Ian’s residence. Spotting a bag on the sofa, she realizes an outsider has been there and discovers Seong Hee-ju with Ian. To Choi Hyun she says, “At dawn, prepare an official explanation for today’s mistake and deliver it,” then exits.

The next day, rumors of a scandal between Seong Hee-ju and Ian spread. Yoon I-rang, appearing unruffled, warns that the royal dignity will be damaged and that the woman will be torn apart by public scrutiny.

Prime Minister Min Jung-woo seizes on the scandal to deflect public outrage over the frozen minimum wage. Ian retreats to his private residence rather than the palace. When he meets Seong He-ju there, he apologizes for the uproar and asks what she wants.

She coyly replies that what she wants might be difficult, then makes clear she wants to marry him. Ian tells her to prepare to become the Grand Lady—her partner, he adds, will be the entire nation.

[TV Daily reporter Choi Hana news@tvdaily.co.kr/photo=MBC '21st Century Grand Lady']