The highly anticipated finale of Perfect Crown aired on May 16, bringing an emotional and satisfying conclusion to the turbulent royal marriage between Sung Hee Joo (played by IU) and Grand Prince Lee Ahn (played by Byeon Woo Seok). The drama’s final episode focused heavily on the evolving relationship between IU and her co-star, delivering heartfelt moments that left viewers deeply moved by their on-screen romance.

After ascending the throne, Lee Ahn (Byeon Woo Seok) confides in Hee Joo (IU) his desire to abolish the constitutional monarchy, stating, “I want to dismantle the royal family. A status determined at birth is both a privilege and a shackle. The root of all this begins with the royal family.” Despite strong opposition from Prime Minister Min Jung Woo (Noh Sang Hyun), the couple ultimately chooses love and freedom over power. In the touching closing scenes, Lee Ahn signs the decree to end the monarchy, and the pair walks away from palace life to live as an ordinary married couple. Hee Joo continues pursuing her business ambitions, while Lee Ahn happily takes on the role of a supportive house husband — a sweet, modern ending that perfectly captures their growth from a contractual marriage to genuine love.

The undeniable chemistry between IU and Byeon Woo Seok has been one of the drama’s biggest strengths throughout its run. From their initial cold, benefit-driven relationship to the gradual development of deep trust, respect, and romantic affection, their performances felt natural and emotionally layered. In the finale, their quiet domestic scenes — especially the tender moments where Lee Ahn supports Hee Joo’s dreams while embracing a simpler life — were widely praised as some of the most romantic in the series.

The final episode sparked an outpouring of appreciation for IU and Byeon Woo Seok’s partnership. Fans flooded social media with comments such as “Their chemistry is unmatched,” “IU and Byeon Woo Seok made me believe in this love story,” and “The way they look at each other in the last scenes… pure magic.” Many viewers noted that IU’s delicate emotional acting combined with Byeon Woo Seok’s warm, grounded presence created a believable and heartwarming couple dynamic that elevated the entire series.

Particularly touching was the reaction from actor Lee Jong Suk, who is known to be close friends with IU. After watching the finale, Lee Jong Suk took to his personal social media and left a sincere comment on a behind-the-scenes clip of IU and Byeon Woo Seok’s final emotional scene together. He wrote: “Seeing you two like this makes me smile so much. You both did incredibly well. It feels so real. Proud of you, Jji.”

His warm message quickly went viral, with fans interpreting it as both support for IU’s performance and gentle approval of the beautiful on-screen relationship she shared with Byeon Woo Seok. Many fan and drama fans found Lee Jong Suk’s reaction especially sweet, viewing it as a big-brother-style blessing for IU’s latest romantic pairing on screen. The comment further boosted discussion about how naturally IU and Byeon Woo Seok connected throughout the drama.

While the finale was emotionally rewarding for the main couple, the series as a whole faced some criticism. Episode 11 drew significant backlash for historical and cultural inaccuracies in the fictional monarchy setting, including details about coronation ceremonies and national representation. Some viewers filed formal complaints to the Korea Communications Standards Commission, arguing that the drama damaged national dignity. The production team later issued an official apology and promised to correct subtitles and audio issues in reruns.

Despite the controversies, Perfect Crown succeeded in creating a compelling fictional world — a 21st-century South Korea under constitutional monarchy where royal power is largely symbolic and real influence lies with powerful corporations. IU’s portrayal of the strong-willed, business-savvy Hee Joo and Byeon Woo Seok’s nuanced performance as the conflicted yet idealistic Lee Ahn formed the emotional core of the story.

As the drama concludes, IU and Byeon Woo Seok’s on-screen partnership will likely be remembered as one of the most charming and well-developed romantic pairings of the year. Their journey from a cold contractual marriage to a loving, equal partnership resonated deeply with audiences, proving once again IU’s mastery in romantic roles and Byeon Woo Seok’s rising star power.

Lee Jong Suk’s kind and supportive reaction has added an extra layer of warmth to the drama’s ending, showing the genuine respect and friendship within the Korean entertainment industry. For fans, it was the perfect farewell to a couple they grew to love throughout the series.

With Perfect Crown now complete, many are already hoping to see IU and Byeon Woo Seok reunite in another project someday — whether as on-screen lovers or in new, exciting roles. For now, their beautiful final chapter in this royal romance will remain a highlight for K-drama fans in 2026.