I think I might be the only person watching *Perfect Crown* who didn't realize that Min Jeong-Woo was the Prime Minister. I won't lie: the first two episodes of the series were, without a doubt, a bit dry; we didn't really get much information about the prince, other than the fact that there was a fire and that his sister-in-law isn't exactly thrilled that he's still alive. The premise is simple: these two individuals—neither of whom has ever been accepted on their own merits—end up falling for one another after forming a fake alliance for their mutual benefit.
It’s sweet and all that, but the first two episodes felt a bit disjointed, as they came across as neither serious nor comedic. However, I cannot deny that IU and Byeon Woo-Seok share fantastic chemistry, and that is precisely why we see such a marked improvement in episodes 3 and 4, which dive headfirst—and full steam ahead—into the fun, comedic side of the plot. I just hope this momentum doesn't fizzle out too soon. Anyway, with that said, let's dive straight into analyzing episodes 3 and 4.
Stars: IU, Byeon Woo-seok, Steve Sanghyun Noh
Episode 3 of *Perfect Crown* is, in essence, a dramatization of the phrase "fake it till you make it." In it, after Hui-Ju and I-An agree to a marriage of convenience, they must put their love on display for the public to make it clear that, in reality, they genuinely care for one another. I-An hands Hui-Ju his *hopae*—which is, essentially, an identity card—so that she can use it whenever she finds herself in a bind. Naturally, the Queen Dowager does not approve of this relationship and spends both episodes digging into Hui-Ju's background.
Not only is she a commoner, but she is also an illegitimate daughter. I-An manages to intimidate the Queen Dowager by uttering the words "premarital pregnancy" before taking his leave. Hui-Ju spends the night with I-An in his room, and—unlike the typical "fake couple" trope—they actually share the same bed. The situation proves quite comical, as the next day I-An hasn't slept a wink, and all the palace servants assume it’s because the pair was "getting intimate," when in reality, they were merely fighting over the blanket.
Nevertheless, Hui-Ju has a perfectly laid-out plan. She wears the same outfit from the previous night so that people will realize she spent the entire night with the prince—especially after the affair becomes headline news, just as they had intended. But after spending a full day at work—sifting through comments about the couple and fulfilling her duties—Hui-Ju heads home, only to be pelted with eggs by a group of high school girls: fans of the prince, naturally. Hui-Ju is not one to be easily intimidated. She handles the situation with dignity—like an older sister who must discipline her younger siblings—and, for the moment, the matter is resolved. This incident prompts I-An to ask her to stay in his private quarters, ensuring her safety from hooligans like those girls. However, later on, her father pays her a visit to ask if she remembers that the anniversary of her stepmother's death is fast approaching.
It turns out that Hui-Ju was abandoned by her own mother, who left her on her father's doorstep with absolutely nothing. I’m not sure how it was proven that she was his daughter. Perhaps they underwent a DNA test, or maybe he knew all along but feigned shock when he heard her call him "Father." It isn't explained with much clarity, but regardless of how it happened, when she presented herself as the man's daughter, Tae-Ju's mother immediately collapsed. That is why Hui-Ju's father blames her for her stepmother's death—or at least, that is how it appears.
However, as the young woman grew up, she fought to secure everything her father should have distributed equally between her and her brother. From a very young age, she desperately yearned to be treated as an equal, and it seems she achieved her goal; she now lives in a most luxurious mansion and, moreover, runs her own company. By saying this, I do not intend to label her a "daddy's girl" (or *nepo baby*), but none of this would have been possible had her father not given her what she deserved. Following her father's visit, I-An calls her on the phone and senses the sadness in her voice.
He assumes this is due to the incident involving the fans, so he shows up at her house bearing the favorite comfort food of every K-drama character: a Subway sandwich. She accepts it with delight, and he is surprised to see how hungrily she eats—despite the sadness still perceptible in her voice. However, it becomes evident that she has spent years training for this very moment. It is then that they decide to take her back to his residence so she may stay there under his protection.
Do you remember the fire from the second episode? The Grand Lady maintains that Hui-Ju was responsible, given that she was found in a section of the palace where access is strictly forbidden to outsiders.
In Episode 4 of *Perfect Crown*, I-An and Hui-Ju spend more time together. While she undergoes disciplinary instruction from Choi Jin-Sook—the highest-ranking royal maid—Hui-Ju attempts to devise various ways to escape. Initially, the pair attends a baseball game together—yet another public appearance—where they are asked to kiss for the "kiss cam." This situation arises because Hui-Ju had visited I-An the previous night; knowing that a camera was present, I-An feigned a kiss so that the image would go viral—and that is exactly what happens.
Incidentally, I say he "feigned" it because his lips barely grazed hers. In any case, during the game, I-An whispers something to Hui-Ju, and she pulls out her phone to show him an adorable message: "We're sorry." Later, Jeong-Woo—who is there to throw the ceremonial first pitch—invites Hui-Ju to lunch to enjoy her favorite dish: sashimi; however, I-An joins them as well. Upon arriving at the restaurant, I-An eats nothing, and it is then that Hui-Ju discovers that, in his capacity as Grand Prince, I-An must adhere to a seemingly endless list of rules and protocols.
At this juncture, the series presents another flashback, transporting us back to I-An's childhood—when he was just a young boy—and tried on the imperial robe bearing the dragon emblem, which belonged to his brother. For having "disrespected" the Crown, his father punished him, and from that moment on, he was always treated as someone "inferior" to his brother. Furthermore, both I-An and his nephew suffered the loss of several loved ones within a short span of time—a tragedy that left I-An plunged into deep desolation. Hui-Ju feels an even greater sense of empathy toward him and even calls him on the phone to assure him that she is "on his side." Towards the end of Episode 4, Hui-Ju receives a visit from a young guest: the King himself.
The monarch wishes to play with his uncle after having finished his lessons with the Prime Minister. The boy feels frustrated at being unable to play and have fun like other children—a situation that causes him great disappointment. The only person who seems to understand him is his uncle. However, upon arriving, he finds only Hui-Ju; she then makes it her personal mission to play with and entertain the young King. They have a wonderful time all day long, joined by all the servants, who have by now become admirers of Hui-Ju.
Boy, does she know how to win people over quickly! However, just as she promised, Hui-Ju must grant the King a wish following his great victory. Surprisingly, he asks to go for a spin in her red sports car. He calls it "the car with wings," and she has no choice but to indulge him. With the Prime Minister and the royal nanny right behind them, Hui-Ju takes the King for a drive. But, to her horror, when she attempts to accelerate, she discovers she cannot brake because the brakes have been tampered with. Hui-Ju improvises a quick plan as her car speeds through the city with the King seated in the passenger seat. She merges onto the bridge (presumably over the river) and uses the side wall to slow down, scraping and grinding the entire length of the vehicle against the barrier to bring it to a halt. Suddenly, a car appears in front of her and stops. To no one's surprise, after she crashes into it and finally comes to a complete stop, the person who steps out of the other vehicle is I-An.
I-An risks his own life to ensure it doesn't look as though his future wife was attempting to assassinate the King. Because, whatever the reality may be, that is precisely what people will end up believing. In truth, the key question is: who tried to harm Hui-Ju? Well, in my opinion, there seem to be several possibilities. On one hand, there is the Queen Dowager—for obvious reasons; she never could have foreseen that her own son would want to get into that car. On the other hand, it could be her own brother or her sister-in-law, though I have my doubts regarding them. And finally, it could also be her father, since we already know she blames him for all her misfortunes—and, in this way, she wouldn't have to leave him anything in her will. Of course, it could also simply be another incident caused by some obsessed fan.
The post-credits scene of the fourth episode reveals what I-An whispered in Hui-Ju's ear. He asked her if they should be "bold" and show everyone just how steamy they can be together. Obviously, it’s a joke, but it’s a good way to tease people. Later, we see him thinking about her while alone in his room. Evidently, I-An has been in love with Hui-Ju since high school. It’s only a matter of time before we find out why he never did anything about it.
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