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So, when I heard about Perfect Crown joining Disney+\u2019s line-up of K-dramas for 2026, I couldn\u2019t be more excited, especially when they\u2019ve also got IU in the leading role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I do have to preface that while Perfect Crown may sound similar on paper to the iconic Princess Hours of the 2000s, it definitely has a different take on this idea of a modern day monarchy, and this is very much distinguished in the first episode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this 2026 version of a 21st-century Korea, we are introduced to Seong Huiju (played by IU), a brilliant chaebol heiress and CEO who has everything she could ever want, but seemingly lacks in the respect she deserves because of her commoner background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This background, unlike other Korean dramas, is revealed quite early on in the first episode where we find out (spoiler alert) that she was actually a product of an affair and because of her illegitimate status, she wasn\u2019t respected within the circles she ran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it would take me quite a few episodes to warm up to a character, I found myself instantly rooting for Huiju from the get-go, especially with IU\u2019s portrayal of her. With so many iconic roles under her belt, it\u2019s not surprising that IU was also able to turn Huiju into yet another easily likeable and relatable character too, with her subtle expressions and reactions, and her delivery of quick-witted lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shortly after we\u2019ve warmed up to Huiju, Perfect Crown wastes no time in introducing us to its leading man, Grand Prince Ian (played by Byeon Wooseok). When we first meet him, we are shown this guarded and slightly aloof side of him that is quite familiar in the portrayal of most K-drama leads with a traumatic past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though nothing much is revealed about the obvious adversaries (that I\u2019ve identified) in episode one, I felt like this helped with maintaining the intrigue of the drama while paying homage to those Joseon-period dramas where the baddies slowly plot for the leads\u2019 demise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from the characters and story, I absolutely loved the costuming of the drama which combined traditional and modern elements of Korea. Beyond the updated traditional Korean hanboks that we see on the Queen Mother and staff of the palace, we also see this modernised version of tradition in Grand Prince Ian\u2019s style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a lot of ways, I appreciated that just in the first episode alone, Perfect Crown already felt fast-paced and was able to stay on track, without including any unnecessary fillers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I also liked that the first episode concluded with an epilogue, which gives you Grand Prince Ian’s POV of his encounters with Huiju. I hope that this nice touch isn’t just a one episode thing but continues with the other episodes as it does add another layer to their relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As I excitedly wait for the coming episodes, I think I\u2019m confident enough to say\u2026 this might just be one of the best k-dramas in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By Jasmine Ong I\u2019ve always been fascinated by the idea of modern royalty, and having grown up in the era where The Princess Diaries and the K-drama Princess Hours were all the rage, it\u2019s no surprise that I grew up with a bit of a soft spot for anything that remotely involved this concept. So, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":21258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[1865,6656,6661,9075,9078,9076,9077,556,9074,9073],"class_list":["post-21246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","tag-disney","tag-disney-plus","tag-disney-plus-korean-drama","tag-disney-plus-perfect-crown","tag-k-drama-review","tag-perfect-crown","tag-perfect-crown-review","tag-review","tag-streaming-series","tag-tv-show-review"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/nylon.com.sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/perfect-crown-review-05.jpg\")
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I really liked that right away, we were privy to Huiju\u2019s struggles as this woman of status with no real power or claim to her name at all. Despite her own smarts and capabilities, her \u201clowly\u201d parentage continue to loom over her, making it almost impossible for her to stand out based on her own merit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/nylon.com.sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/perfect-crown-review-02.jpg\")
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Despite the typical nature of most dramas to prolong the reveal of this backstory to later on in the series, Perfect Crown gave us a glimpse of it in the first episode, which, in my opinion, helped to make the story easier to understand, especially when it came to figuring out why certain characters behaved the way they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/nylon.com.sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/perfect-crown-review-08.jpg\")
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Huiju and Grand Prince Ian eventually cross paths, and again, we are given a glimpse into their shared history. While short-lived, it is enough to understand that their acquaintance will play a part in helping Huiju take control of her own future, especially in finally getting the perfect marriage prospect that will promise her the status she seeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/nylon.com.sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/perfect-crown-review-11.jpg\")
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This melding of traditional wear with modern, westernised elements gave his outfits this added chicness befitting of a monarchy in this century. This attention to detail was also replicated on his aide\u2019s outfit, which replaced a typical suit jacket with a subtle hanbok-style one with the knot on the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPerfect Crown<\/a> premieres on 10 April, only on Disney+ with subsequent episodes streaming every Friday and Saturday. If you are not a Disney+ subscriber, you can sign up here<\/a> to start streaming all your favourite Disney content.<\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"