MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama Perfect Crown has sparked controversy, with lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok facing criticism over their acting performances.

The drama, which premiered on April 10, had already generated intense buzz even before its release. IU, who gained recognition not only for her music but also for her acting in projects like My Mister and When Life Gives You Tangerines, joined forces with Byeon Woo-seok, who rose to fame through Lovely Runner. Their pairing, along with visually striking couple photos and promotional videos, heightened anticipation among viewers.

However, perhaps due to these high expectations, criticism quickly followed after the first episode aired. Various online communities and social media platforms were flooded with comments pointing out issues with their acting.

One netizen wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Neither of them should get complacent please take acting lessons. As someone who has watched Lovely Runner and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, both actors have very distinct habits in their acting.” Another comment read, “They feel like they’re acting in completely different styles. They don’t match.”

Criticism toward IU, who plays Seong Hui-ju, also continued. Some viewers said, “No matter what she does, it still feels like ‘IU’ rather than the character,” “She was great in My Mister, but this role doesn’t seem to suit her,” and “It feels like she’s trying too hard to act.”

Similarly, reactions to Byeon Woo-seok’s portrayal of Prince Ian were mixed. Comments included, “It feels like he’s reading from ChatGPT,” “The role seems too big for his current acting level,” and “His facial expressions are hard to read.”

On the other hand, there were also positive responses. Some viewers commented, “It was actually fine maybe expectations were just too high,” “The roles themselves seem difficult to portray,” “Their visuals together are enjoyable to watch,” and “It might just feel awkward because it’s still early in the series.”

As one of the most anticipated dramas of the season, Perfect Crown is now receiving divided opinions right from its premiere. Attention is focused on whether IU and Byeon Woo-seok will show improvement and win over viewers as the story progresses.

Meanwhile, episode 3 of Perfect Crown will air this Friday (April 17) at 9:50 PM on MBC and will also be available on Disney+.

Sources: Nate