According to Korean outlet New24, IU reportedly earned 500 million won per episode for the series. With the drama consisting of 12 episodes, her total appearance fee allegedly reached approximately 6 billion won. The enormous figure immediately sparked heated debate across Korean social media platforms and online communities.
The controversy became especially explosive on the forum Pann, where viral posts questioned whether the actress truly deserved such a high salary.
One trending post reportedly read:
“If this is true, then Korea really has no future. ₩6 billion for IU and her terrible acting?”
In Perfect Crown, IU plays Seong Hee Joo, the daughter of a wealthy conglomerate family who marries royal prince Lee Ahn, portrayed by Byeon Woo Seok. Her character is described as ambitious, intelligent, fearless, and highly skilled in business, eventually influencing the prince to abandon the constitutional monarchy system and live as an ordinary citizen.
However, despite the drama’s strong ratings, many viewers criticized both the storytelling and performances of the lead actors. A large number of online comments claimed IU and Byeon Woo Seok lacked chemistry and failed to create convincing emotional tension throughout the romance narrative.
Some viewers argued that her facial expressions felt exaggerated, certain emotional scenes appeared stiff, and her eyes lacked emotional depth. Others claimed her portrayal of a wealthy chaebol heiress lacked the elegance and charisma expected from the role, with some viewers even saying the supporting Empress character appeared far more impressive visually.
Several Korean netizens additionally attacked the drama’s creative direction, historical presentation, and costume styling. Online debates intensified after some viewers accused the production of mishandling Korean cultural imagery, including controversy surrounding palace scenes, costume choices, and styling elements some felt appeared overly influenced by Chinese aesthetics.
One of the most viral reactions reportedly came from Korean history lecturer Choi Tae Sung, who criticized the entertainment industry’s salary imbalance by stating:
“Actors receive hundreds of millions, while historical consultants are paid only hundreds of thousands of won.”
The backlash has reignited larger conversations in Korea surrounding celebrity salaries, idol-turned-actors, and whether star popularity is being prioritized over acting ability and production quality.
Despite the controversy, IU remains one of South Korea’s most influential entertainers, maintaining enormous commercial power across music, drama, and advertising industries. However, the heated discussions surrounding Perfect Crown demonstrate how public expectations for top-paid stars continue rising alongside their massive paychecks.
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