Prince Lee An (played by Byeon Woo-seok)
A cold, secretive Joseon prince on a hidden mission โ until one time-traveling historian cracks his armor
Prince Lee An (์ด์ ๋๊ตฐ)
Played by: Byeon Woo-seok (๋ณ์ฐ์)
Age: 29 (Joseon timeline)
Title: Prince Lee An, Royal Kinsman
Secret: Covertly investigating the court conspiracy behind his mother's death
Character Overview
Known throughout the court for his cold detachment and political disinterest, Prince Lee An is in fact a meticulous strategist who has spent three years building a case against the conspiracy that killed his mother.
His armor is his isolation โ and Su Hee-joo is the first person to find the cracks.
Key Traits
| Trait | Manifestation |
|---|---|
| Cold exterior | Rarely smiles; speaks in clipped, precise statements |
| Perceptive | Identified Su Hee-joo as unusual from their first meeting |
| Deeply motivated | Three years of patient, hidden investigation |
| Hidden warmth | Moments of genuine gentleness in response to authenticity |
| Respectful | Even his commands never cross into coercion |
Byeon Woo-seok's Performance
Following his breakout in My Liberation Notes, Byeon Woo-seok delivers another layered "iceberg" performance โ conveying volumes through stillness and micro-expressions.
- His line in Episode 4 โ "History is written by people. People can change it." โ is considered the show's best monologue to date
- His chemistry with IU has set K-Drama Twitter ablaze
Relationship with Su Hee-joo
| Stage | Lee An's Psychology | Key Scene |
|---|---|---|
| First meeting (Ep.1) | Wariness, controlled curiosity | Letting her go |
| Observation (Ep.2-3) | Calculated testing | Moonlit interrogation |
| Alliance (Ep.4) | Calculated risk, nascent trust | Opening up in the study |