IU Criticized for Poor Acting in New K-Drama with Byeon Woo Seok

IU is facing backlash after the premiere of MBC’s new K-Drama Perfect Crown.

The show stars IU and Byeon Woo Seok. Expectations were high, but viewers quickly criticized their acting after just two episodes.

While Byeon Woo Seok has had acting critiques before, IU is usually praised for her K-Drama work. This time, fans say both leads fell flat.

Critics say IU’s acting is “too exaggerated,” making her character feel forced instead of natural. Byeon Woo Seok was called “stiff” and “emotionless” in key scenes.

Fans also pointed out their different acting styles don’t mesh well on screen.

TheQoo netizens shared their thoughts:

“The female lead’s character is a bit over-the-top and not really ordinary, so I can take that into account. But the male lead really shocked me in episode 1. When he acted opposite other actors, he felt like a total wooden block. I kept thinking, is this right…?”

— Netizen comment

“Honestly, I’d rather have stiff acting than overly exaggerated acting, it gets cringey and unwatchable. I know it’s meant to be a ‘flirty, sensual’ style of acting, but for a romance lead, there needs to be at least some charm… and I don’t feel any of it. The way they try to act all ‘I’m so dangerously attractive’ is way too much.”

— Netizen comment

“I feel like IU is better suited for colder, drier characters rather than roles like this. And Byeon Woo Seok didn’t really ‘act well’ in Lovely Runner either, it was more that his image fit the role perfectly. Now that he’s trying a different role, his limitations are becoming obvious.”

— Netizen comment

“The female lead is too overdone, and the male lead is stiff… it was a highly anticipated drama, but I dropped it halfway through episode 2.”

— Netizen comment

“Both of them are just so bad at acting, I was honestly shocked.”

— Netizen comment

The controversy began right after the first episodes aired. As the situation unfolds, many are watching to see if Perfect Crown can turn things around or if the criticism will only grow.