MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama Perfect Crown, which premiered on April 10, has quickly garnered attention, though not entirely for the reasons the production team had hoped. The show, which had been generating significant buzz even before its release, has now sparked controversy, with lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok facing backlash for their performances.

Before the drama aired, there was significant excitement surrounding the casting of IU, who had already earned praise for her acting in previous works such as My Mister and When Life Gives You Tangerines, in addition to her successful music career. Her pairing with Byeon Woo-seok, an actor who gained recognition through his role in Lovely Runner, was highly anticipated. The promotional materials, including striking couple photos and videos, further heightened the excitement and set the stage for what was expected to be a standout drama.

However, after the first episode aired, the high expectations quickly turned into criticism. A variety of online communities and social media platforms were filled with comments pointing out perceived flaws in the acting performances of both lead actors. The tension surrounding their portrayals led to a wave of disapproval from some viewers, especially those who had been eagerly awaiting their debut on-screen pairing.

One of the criticisms directed at the two actors was that their acting styles felt inconsistent and didn’t seem to complement each other. A netizen on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “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.” This comment pointed out that while each actor had previously built a reputation for their roles, the way they approached their characters in Perfect Crown felt out of sync. Others echoed similar thoughts, suggesting that their acting styles were mismatched and created a disjointed viewing experience.

The criticism directed at IU, who plays the character of Seong Hui-ju, was particularly harsh. Some viewers felt that no matter what she did, it still felt like she was playing IU rather than embodying her character. “She was great in My Mister, but this role doesn’t seem to suit her,” wrote one user, pointing out the difficulty in seeing the actress as anything other than her real-life persona. Several others also mentioned that she appeared to be trying too hard in her performance, making it difficult for her to truly inhabit the character. For many, this marked a noticeable departure from the subtlety and emotional depth that had previously earned IU acclaim in her previous roles.

Similarly, Byeon Woo-seok’s portrayal of Prince Ian faced mixed reviews. Some viewers commented that his performance seemed unnatural, with one remarking, “It feels like he’s reading from ChatGPT,” suggesting a lack of authenticity in his delivery. Others criticized his portrayal of Prince Ian, saying that the role seemed too challenging for his current acting abilities. One comment noted that his facial expressions were difficult to interpret, which made it hard for viewers to connect with his character. His performance was compared to the depth expected from someone portraying a royal figure, and for some, his acting didn’t meet these expectations.

Despite the criticism, there were also viewers who defended the actors and offered a more nuanced perspective. Some people suggested that perhaps the negative reactions were more a result of overly high expectations rather than actual flaws in the performances. “It was actually fine maybe expectations were just too high,” wrote one supporter. Another viewer mentioned, “The roles themselves seem difficult to portray,” pointing out that the characters were inherently complex and not easy to portray convincingly. The pairing of IU and Byeon Woo-seok, though somewhat polarizing, was still appreciated for its visual appeal. “Their visuals together are enjoyable to watch,” one fan stated, acknowledging that while the acting may not have hit the mark for some, their on-screen chemistry remained engaging in terms of aesthetics. Some others believed that the awkwardness viewers were picking up on was simply due to the early stages of the drama, suggesting that the actors might improve as the story progressed.

The drama, Perfect Crown, continues to generate divided opinions as one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season. The tension surrounding IU and Byeon Woo-seok’s performances is only adding to the drama’s intrigue, and many are wondering if the actors will be able to improve their portrayals and win over more viewers as the series moves forward. Whether they will rise to the challenge and meet the expectations of their audience is yet to be seen, but all eyes will certainly be on the upcoming episodes.

As the drama progresses, viewers will have to decide whether the actors can grow into their roles, or whether their initial performances will define their characters for the rest of the season. The next episode, episode 3, will air on April 17 at 9:50 PM on MBC, and will also be available to stream on Disney+.