Jaehwa Bernardo

Ju Ji-hoon and Yoon Eun-hye in a scene from 'Princess Hours.' Screenshot from MBC Drama on YouTube

Article (news)

‘Princess Hours’ stars: Where are they now?

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768291302391vlcsnap-2026-01-13-15h57m46s594.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ju Ji-hoon and Yoon Eun-hye in a scene from &#x27;Princess Hours.&#x27;<em> Screenshot from MBC Drama on YouTube</em></span></span></span></div><p>In January 2006, “Princess Hours” premiered on South Korea’s MBC and quickly became one of the most beloved romance K-dramas internationally, especially in the Philippines, where it aired in a Filipino dub on ABS-CBN.</p><p>The series charmed audiences with its fairytale-like story set in a modern-day Korea ruled by a monarchy, following an ordinary high school girl who suddenly becomes betrothed to the prince through an arrangement made by their grandfathers.</p><p>Two decades on, “Princess Hours” remains a fan favorite, with reports of a potential remake surfacing in 2021.</p><p>As the series marks its 20th anniversary this 2026, we take a look at what the main cast members have been up to in recent years.</p><div><strong>YOON EUN-HYE</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block" width="633"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768291532795Eunhye.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Photo from Eun-hye&#x27;s Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><p>Yoon Eun-hye led “Princess Hours” as Shin Chae-kyeong, a high school student with a passion for art. Her life is turned upside down when she discovers she has been arranged to marry Prince Lee Shin. Their relationship starts off rocky but eventually blossoms into romance.</p><p>Eun-hye has largely stepped back from acting, with her most recent drama being “Love Alert” (also known as “Fluttering Warning”) in 2018. The 43-year-old star has instead focused on her YouTube channel, where she shares glimpses of her life with over 400,000 subscribers.</p><p>Even before “Princess Hours,” Eun-hye was already popular in Korea as a member of the girl group Baby Vox — a role that kept her busy in 2025 when the group reunited for a concert. Notably, in 2022, she also took part in the project girl group WSG Wannabe, formed through the reality show “Hangout with Yoo.”</p><div><strong>JU JI-HOON</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block" width="633"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768291551333Jihoon.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Photo from Ji-hoon&#x27;s Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><p>Ju Ji-hoon portrayed Prince Lee Shin, who is initially cold towards his betrothed Chae-kyeong, but gradually warms up and even truly falls for her as the series progresses.</p><p>Ji-hoon has remained active in acting, with his most recent series, the medical comedy &quot;The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call&quot; on Netflix, even earning him the Best Actor (TV/Drama) award at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards.</p><p>Apart from &quot;The Trauma Code,&quot; viewers may also recognize the 43-year-old actor for his roles in the zombie horror “Kingdom,” the romantic comedy “Love Your Enemy” and the mystery “Lightshop Keeper,” among many others.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/1/24/streaming-star-ju-ji-hoon-k-dramas-that-you-can-watch-online-1401"><strong>Streaming star: Ju Ji-hoon K-dramas that you can watch online</strong></a></div><p>In 2025, Ji-hoon also held a<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/8/2/ju-ji-hoon-brings-signature-service-to-manila-fan-meeting-0743" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> fan meeting</a> in Manila. Meanwhile, this 2026, fans can look forward to seeing the actor in the Disney+ romantic fantasy &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/6/19/star-studded-k-drama-the-remarried-empress-coming-to-disney-1115"><strong>The Remarried Empress</strong></a>&quot; and the series &quot;Climax.&quot; </p><div><strong>SONG JI-HYO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block" width="633"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768291572646Jihyo.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Photo from Ji-hyo&#x27;s Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><p>Song Ji-hyo played Min Hyo-rin, a talented ballerina and Prince Lee Shin’s girlfriend at the start of the series. When he proposes marriage, however, she initially refuses, choosing instead to pursue her dream of becoming a famous dancer — a decision she later comes to regret, leading her to try to win back her former lover.</p><p>Fans of Korean entertainment are likely familiar with Ji-hyo as a long-time cast member of the popular variety show “Running Man.”</p><p>In 2025, she appeared in the films “Home Behind Bars” and “Savior.” Meanwhile, her most recent role as a series lead was in the 2021 TVING drama “The Witch’s Diner,” though she has made cameo appearances in more recent dramas such as “Shooting Stars” and “Confidence Queen.”</p><p>In the previous year, the 44-year-old celebrity also <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/4/23/-running-man-star-song-ji-hyo-dives-with-jeju-sea-women-in-new-series-1246"><strong>starred</strong></a> in the BBC docu-series “Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo&#x27;s Haenyeo Adventure,” which explores the lives of “haenyeo” or female divers who earn a living harvesting marine products.</p><p>Fans can also follow Ji-hyo’s life updates through her YouTube channel.</p><div><strong>KIM JEONG-HOON</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block" width="633"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768291906594SaveClip.App_568267766_18532847539047891_5636073105960851264_n.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Photo from Jeong-hoon&#x27;s Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><p>Kim Jeong-hoon portrayed Lee Yul, Shin’s cousin, whose gentle nature draws him close to Chae-kyeong, eventually leading him to develop feelings for her as well.</p><p>Jeong-hoon has mostly remained out of the spotlight since a 2019 controversy. At the time, he faced allegations from a former girlfriend that he pressured her to have an abortion and was also involved in a financial dispute with her.</p><p>In 2023, the 45-year-old actor was reportedly involved in a car accident and refused to take a breathalyzer test, resulting in a fine. Since then, he has primarily focused on activities in Japan.</p><p>In 2025, <a href="https://www.soompi.com/article/1789509wpp/kim-jung-hoon-confirmed-to-star-in-his-first-korean-drama-in-6-years"><strong>reports surfaced</strong></a> that Jeong-hoon would return to Korean entertainment with the series “Marital Scandal: Pandora&#x27;s Secret,” marking his first project in his home country in nearly six years.</p>

<p>As the beloved K-drama 'Princess Hours' marks its 20th anniversary this 2026, we take a look at what the main cast members have been up to in recent years.</p>

As the beloved K-drama 'Princess Hours' marks its 20th anniversary this 2026, we take a look at what the main cast members have been up to in recent years.