“Is the Reporter Who Wrote That Here?” – IU Calls Out False Byeon Woo-seok Exit Rumors

Singer and actress IU (real name Lee Ji-eun) has responded with disbelief to false rumors that she has dropped out of the upcoming MBC drama ' Wife of a 21st Century Prince' (working title).

On April 2, IU participated in a roundtable interview at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to promote the upcoming Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다).

During the interview, a reporter brought up a March 28 article from Korean entertainment outlet TV Daily, which claimed that IU and her co-star Byeon Woo-seok had both exited the drama. The report was later proven to be false.

Addressing the situation, IU began with a light jab:

“Is the reporter who wrote that article here? I was so shocked when the exit rumor came out.”

She explained that the timing made it even more baffling:

“Just the day before that article was published, I had met with Wife of a 21st Century Prince director Park Joon-hwa to discuss the filming schedule. So the news really caught me off guard.”

IU continued, expressing her confusion over the article’s certainty:

“In this industry, sometimes smoke appears without fire. But this time, the wording of the article was so confident that I even wondered, ‘Wait… was I dropped from the show?’ I couldn’t believe something like this was possible.”

She also clarified the situation regarding Byeon Woo-seok, who was mentioned in the same report:

“The article also said that Byeon Woo-seok wasn’t doing the project anymore, but that’s not true. We’ve even talked about how we want to do well together. As far as I know, he’s also meeting with the director and preparing for the drama, just like I am.”

About Her Netflix Hit Drama

IU is currently promoting the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다), which tells the life story of spirited Jeju-born rebel Ae-soon (played by IU) and her devoted companion Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum), unfolding across the four seasons.

IU takes on a dual role, portraying both Ae-soon and Ae-soon’s daughter Geum-myung in this heartwarming, coming-of-age story.

In a recent Netflix promotional interview for the series When Life Gives You Tangerines, IU (Lee Ji-eun) and Park Bo-gum delve into their characters and the show's themes.

IU discusses her role as Ae-soon, describing her as a spirited and rebellious young woman from Jeju Island. She emphasizes Ae-soon's resilience and determination to pursue her dreams despite societal expectations. IU also reflects on the challenges of portraying a character who embodies both youthful defiance and deep emotional complexity.

Park Bo-gum talks about his character, Gwan-sik, portraying him as a steadfast and loyal individual whose life becomes intertwined with Ae-soon's. He highlights Gwan-sik's unwavering support for Ae-soon and how their relationship evolves throughout the series. Park also shares insights into the physical and emotional preparations he undertook to authentically represent Gwan-sik's persona.

Both actors express their enthusiasm for the project, noting the unique storytelling approach that captures the essence of life in Jeju across different seasons. They also mention the immersive experience of filming on location, which allowed them to connect deeply with the island's culture and landscapes.

The interview provides a deeper understanding of the characters and the narrative, offering viewers a glimpse into the heartfelt journey that When Life Gives You Tangerines aims to portray.