Have you watched Netflix and tvN’s hit K-drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty?
How does a modern chef survive in the Joseon era and win the heart of a tyrant king?
And why did this drama become so popular that its ratings crossed double digits?
In this superhit drama, we see Im Yoon-a as Yeon Ji-yeong and Lee Chae-min as King Lee Heon. Their on-screen chemistry and culinary adventures have completely won over viewers.
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty created a buzz on both Netflix and tvN, capturing hearts with its high ratings and fan love.
Let’s explore the magical, culinary, and romantic journey of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty.
2. Star Cast & Characters
Im Yoon-a in the role of Yeon Ji-yeong, a contemporary chef who, through mysterious circumstances, finds herself in the Joseon dynasty. The series chronicles her experiences, first as she fights for her survival, and ultimately as she delights King Lee Heon with her soul food in vivid depictions of flavor, scents, and feelings rather than with overt physicality.
Lee Chae-min as King Lee Heon, a barbaric tyrant with an indomitable sense of taste and a lack of humanity. Throughout the series, viewers witness the evolution from a tyrant to a human being and, ultimately, a loving king. Ji-yeong expresses love and devotion that evolves King Lee-Heon is a key element of the love story that is captivating.
Supporting Cast
- Oh Eui-sik as Im Song-jae – loyal secretary with key heroic moments
- Kang Han-na and Yoon Seo-ah – strong supporting roles adding depth to the royal kitchen storyline
Fans enjoyed watching the members of Girls’ Generation react to their dramas.
Im Yoon-a posted behind-the-scenes glimpses, along with stories on Instagram, that showed her putting on her chef outfit, posing in a hanbok, and of course, from her on-screen proposal ring.
These behind-the-scenes views provided a glimpse of all the magic, fun, and feel-good, heartwarming moments in the drama, and were an extra enjoyable touch for the fans.
3. Behind the Scenes & Fun Facts
BTS Stories & Challenges
There were lots of fun and challenging moments on set! Actors shared behind-the-scenes photos and Instagram stories showing styling, traditional hanbok, chef outfits, and the hard work in the cooking scenes.
The cooking sequences were especially tough – constant topknot, beard, and intense kitchen action made filming exhausting for the actors.
Actor Insights & Gratitude
- Lee Chae-min shared a heartfelt Instagram message thanking fans for all the love and support.
- Oh Eui-sik organized a reward trip and dinner for the crew, appreciating their hard work behind the scenes.
- Im Yoon-a shared posts showing the warm and cheerful atmosphere on set, bonding with co-stars, and even her character’s proposal ring moment.
Historical Research & Authenticity
Webtoon artist Park Kuk-jae conducted a great deal of research on the Joseon dynasty and its authentic ingredients, examining Eumsik Dimibang, Sangwa Yorok, and other historical cookbooks as references.
The idea of a French chef existing as part of Korean history was unique, and even high-end ingredients like truffles and caviar had historical references.
Fun Fact: The drama is a unique mix of French chef + Korean royal history + authentic food accuracy, which the audience really enjoyed.
4. Plot Summary & Episodes
Total Episodes: 12 (FAQ: How many episodes are released in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty?)
Story Overview:
Modern chef Yeon Ji-yeong (Im Yoon-a) accidentally time-travels to the Joseon era. There, she becomes the royal chef and wins the heart of King Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min) through her cooking skills.
Love & Chemistry:
The romance in the drama develops through food and culinary chemistry – taste, aroma, and atmosphere convey the emotional bonding. Ji-yeong and Lee Heon’s connection is slow and heartfelt, with iconic moments such as:
- Ji-yeong’s homemade chocolate scene
- Proposal scene with the engagement ring
- Final kiss and back hug
Conflict & Drama:
- Prince Jesan’s coup and court politics bring major tension to the story.
- Lee Heon starts as a ruthless tyrant but gradually becomes more humane and loving thanks to Ji-yeong’s influence.
- Bloodshed and palace intrigue keep viewers on edge until the very end.
Episode Highlights:
- Episode 11: Ji-yeong tries to prevent Lee Heon from becoming a tyrant; Prince Jesan’s plan begins to unfold.
- Episode 12 (Finale):
- The Mangurok (recipe book) magic activates, sending Ji-yeong back to modern Seoul.
- Lee Heon follows her to the present; the two reunite happily with the bibimbap breakfast scene.
- Drama ends on a happy and romantic note, satisfying viewers (FAQ: Does Bon Appétit have a happy ending?).
- The Mangurok (recipe book) magic activates, sending Ji-yeong back to modern Seoul.
5. Ending Explained
King asks Ji-yeon to stay: Lee Heon confesses his feelings and asks Ji-yeon to stay in Joseon. Ji-yeon hesitates because her father and career are waiting for her in the 21st century.
Prince Jesan’s coup: Jesan creates chaos in the palace, raising tension among allies and royal members.
Mangurok (recipe book): This book is the key to time travel. Heon wrote and illustrated it for Ji-yeon, so she could return.
Ji-yeon wounded & time travel: When Ji-yeon steps in to protect the King, she gets injured. The mangurok’s magic activates, sending her back to the 21st century.
Heon follows Ji-yeon: Lee Heon travels to the modern day and reunites with Ji-yeon. They are finally together, sharing cooking moments in the modern era.
Happy Ending?
Ji-yeon and Heon end up together, giving fans a satisfying emotional closure.
Fan Questions Answered:
- Does it have a happy ending? → Yes, the couple is together in modern time.
- How did the king travel through time? → Through the mangurok; exact mechanics are left as fantasy.
- Is there a season 2? → Not confirmed yet.
6. Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
- Reddit & fan theories: Fans were sharing theories on Reddit like “How did Heon time travel?” and “What do Yeon Ji-yeong’s doppelgangers signify?” Favorite episodes were discussed, especially the intense moments in episodes 11–12 and the proposal scene.
- Tweets & IG posts: The cast shared behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram, including Im Yoon-a in hanbok and chef outfits, Lee Chae-min’s gratitude posts, and Oh Eui-sik rewarding the crew with a dinner. Fans expressed their excitement and reactions on Twitter and IG stories.
- Global popularity: The series ranked in Netflix’s top non-English shows for 2 consecutive weeks and reached a peak of 18.1% on tvN ratings.
- Comments & discussions: Fans praised the chemistry, calling Heon and Ji-yeong the “best couple.” Food reactions, the chocolate scene, and the bibimbap moments were highlighted as fan-favorite moments.
7. Historical & Culinary Accuracy
- Joseon-era dishes recreated: The drama showcased royal cuisine and street food with attention to authentic ingredients and recipes, like bibimbap, tteok, and traditional desserts.
- Sources & research: Webtoon creator Park Kuk-jae referenced historical texts such as Eumsik Dimibang, Sangwa Yorok, and trade records to ensure the dishes and ingredients were historically accurate.
- French cuisine touch: Macarons, truffles, and caviar were incorporated in a historically plausible way, blending modern chef Ji-yeong’s culinary skills with the Joseon era.
- Director & producer insights: Lee Hye-young and Jang Tae-yoo explained that the main focus of the drama is romance and character development; historical accuracy is just a “side dish.” The fantasy elements and food chemistry make the story engaging and fun.
8. FAQs / People Also Ask
Q1: What happened at the end of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty?
A1: In the ending, Ji-yeon returns to the 21st century with the help of the mangurok, and King Lee Heon time-travels to modern-day Seoul to reunite with her. They enjoy a happy ending together, full of romance and cooking scenes.
Q2: Who was the first male lead in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty?
A2: The first male lead is Lee Chae-min, who plays King Lee Heon. His character starts as a ruthless tyrant but gradually becomes more humane and loving throughout the series.
Q3: Is Bon Appétit, Your Majesty a manhwa romance?
A3: Yes! The drama is based on the webtoon / manhwa “Surviving as Yeonsangun’s Chef”, which combines fantasy, romance, and historical Joseon elements.
Q4: What happened in episode 11 of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty?
A4: Episode 11 is full of suspense and action: Prince Jesan launches his coup, chaos erupts in the court, and Ji-yeon tries to protect King Heon. This episode perfectly blends love, tension, and drama.
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9. Conclusion
Recap: Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a perfect mix of romance, food, history, and fantasy, offering viewers a unique and captivating K-drama experience.
Achievements: The drama hit double-digit ratings, became a global Netflix sensation, and even led to fan meet tours for the cast.
Ending on a positive note: Ji-yeon and King Heon’s love stands the test of time, leaving audiences with a heartwarming and satisfying finale.“ Watch Bon Appétit, Your Majesty now and enjoy a royal feast of romance, food, and time-travel magic!”
