Why 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' Ended on a Ratings High
Starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok, 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' posted a 13.8% rating for its finale, making it one of the biggest hit dramas of the first half of 2026.
Quick answer
What was the final rating for 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife'?
'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' ended on a series high, recording a nationwide rating of 13.8% for its finale, according to Nielsen Korea. It was the highest-rated Korean drama to air in the first half of 2026.
Key takeaways
- 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' ended on a series high, recording a 13.8% nationwide rating for its finale, according to Nielsen Korea.
- It ranked first in ratings among Korean dramas that aired in the first half of 2026.
- Set in a fictional South Korea where constitutional monarchy remains in place, the drama centers on a romance that transcends social status.
Set in a fictional South Korea where constitutional monarchy remains in place, 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife,' a romance about transcending social status, concluded with a nationwide rating of 13.8% for its finale, according to Nielsen Korea. This was the highest rating among Korean dramas that aired in the first half of 2026.
No. 1 in Ratings for the First Half of the Year
According to the figures, 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' was followed by MBC's Friday-Saturday drama 'Judge Lee Han-young' in second place with 13.6%, while tvN's Saturday-Sunday drama 'Undercover Miss Hong' ranked third with 13.1%. All three recorded double-digit ratings and led the television drama landscape in the first half of the year.
Analysis
A fictional political system offers the advantage of keeping a distance from real-world politics while allowing stories about status and class to unfold more freely. Analysts say this premise, combined with the high-profile pairing of IU and Byeon Woo-seok, helped draw viewers into the story.
A Note on the Figures
The ratings are Nielsen Korea's nationwide figures. Because measurement methods may vary by broadcaster and time slot, they may differ from figures reported by other research firms.
Frequently asked questions
- What is 'The 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife' about?
- Set in a fictional South Korea where constitutional monarchy remains in place, the drama stars IU and Byeon Woo-seok in a romance that transcends social status.
- What was its final rating?
- Its finale recorded a nationwide rating of 13.8%, according to Nielsen Korea, marking both a series high and the highest rating among dramas that aired in the first half of 2026.