IU’s next confirmed major project is the Korean drama “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” , scheduled to air on MBC as a Friday–Saturday drama sometime in 2026.

What “play next” most likely means

Because the question is “who will IU play next,” this is most naturally interpreted as asking about her next acting role , not a concert setlist or sports schedule. In current public news, the only clearly confirmed upcoming role is in this drama.

IU’s next character

In “Wife of a 21st Century Prince”:

  • IU has been confirmed as one of the lead actors in the series.
  • The story is described as a royal romance set in or connected to a modern constitutional monarchy , with IU’s character positioned at the center of that premise.

Detailed character name and full profile may change or be revealed closer to broadcast, so current reporting focuses on her status as a female lead opposite Byeon Woo Seok.

Co-stars and timing

  • IU will star alongside Byeon Woo Seok as the primary pairing in the drama; Noh Sang Hyun and Gong Seung Yeon are also listed in the main cast lineup.
  • The show has been announced for a 2026 broadcast , in MBC’s Friday–Saturday slot, marking IU’s next major on-screen role based on publicly available schedules.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.