Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is the latest culinary fantasy romance drama winning over K-drama fans worldwide! Directed by Jang Tae-yoo, best known for hits like My Love From the Star and Lovers of the Red Sky, the tvN series combines the thrill of time-slip storytelling with irresistible palace intrigue and a flavorful touch of cooking magic.
What Is Bon Appétit, Your Majesty About?
Based on a popular web novel, the drama follows a passionate modern-day chef (YoonA) who unexpectedly travels 500 years into the past and finds herself cooking for a terrifying tyrant king (Lee Chae-min) with an unmatched palate. As flavors and feelings collide, a love story starts to simmer at the heart of the royal court. Fans of time-slip romances will immediately be reminded of classics like Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Mr. Queen, but with a delicious culinary twist that sets this drama apart.
YoonA as Chef Yeon Ji-young
Girls Generation YoonA (King the Land, Big Mouth) takes on the role of Yeon Ji-young, a talented, award-winning French chef who pours her heart into every dish she creates. On the verge of becoming the head chef at a three-star restaurant, her world is suddenly turned upside down when she is transported back to the Joseon era. Stranded in a completely different time, she relies on her skills and determination to survive in the fierce political royal palace. With her fearless spirit and modern cooking techniques, Yeon Ji-young challenges tradition, cooks up a fusion of royal cuisine and wins the attention of those around her. Now, her greatest test lies in satisfying the sharp palate of King Lee Heon, whose approval could mean life or death.
Lee Chae-min as King Lee Heon
Lee Chae-min (Crash Course in Romance, Hierarchy) transforms into King Lee Heon, a ruler feared across the land for his violent temper and ruthless decisions. Though he possesses the wisdom and talent of a great monarch, his deep distrust of others and unstable personality have earned him the title of tyrant. What sets him apart is his extraordinary sense of taste—no detail in a dish escapes him and he spares no mercy for failure in his kitchens. While his cold demeanor keeps everyone at a distance, a different side of him unfolds when Yeon Ji-young’s strange but delicious cooking introduces him to a whole new world of flavor and sparks something unexpected. Torn between suspicion and fascination, King Lee Heon becomes both her greatest obstacle and the key to her survival.
Kang Hanna as Kang Mok-joo
Kang Hanna portrays Kang Mok-joo, King Lee Heon’s beautiful and multi-talented concubine. Gifted in poetry, painting and music, she manages to win the heart of a king known for trusting no one. With his affection on her side, she quickly rises as a powerful presence inside the palace.
At the same time, Kang Mok-joo’s ambitions run deeper than her graceful appearance suggests. Although she is the only one who can soothe the king’s violent temper, she secretly hungers for greater power. Determined to climb to the very top, she uses the king to achieve her goals. Behind her dazzling smile lies a sharp and calculating nature, one that will stop at nothing to get what she desires. Her character posters highlight this striking contrast. When she is with the king and the royal family, she appears warm and innocent, but when she is alone, her piercing gaze reveals her ruthless determination. Even in the shadows, her eyes shine with an unquenchable thirst for power.
Choi Gwi-hwa as Grand Prince Je-san
On the other hand, Choi Gwi-hwa plays Grand Prince Je-san, the half-brother of the late king and the uncle of Lee Heon. As head of the Royal Kitchen, he holds authority over the food and ingredients served to the king. However, instead of maintaining a steady presence at court, he spends most of his time indulging in wine and women. His notorious lifestyle has made him an object of scorn, even among fellow royals and court officials. Je-san seems cheerful and carefree on the outside, often greeting others with a hearty smile. But beneath that friendly facade is a cold-blooded man capable of unimaginable cruelty. Unpredictable and dangerous, he’s a ticking time bomb in the palace whose mask slips in his own territory, revealing a far more menacing side. Questions remain about what Je-san truly desires and how far he is willing to go to get it.
Seo Yi-sook as Queen Dowager In-ju
Veteran actress Seo Yi-sook takes on the role of Queen Dowager In-ju, the highest authority within the royal family. Having lost her husband and son, she now serves as the palace’s grand matriarch. She places her biological grandson Lee Heon on the throne, but his increasingly reckless actions spark conflict between them and turn the palace into a tense political battlefield.
Oh Eui-sik as Im Song-jae
Meanwhile, Oh Eui-sik appears as Im Song-jae, the Chief State Councilor and a cunning strategist within the royal court. Using the king as a pawn, he eliminates his rivals while enjoying the monarch’s trust. However, despite holding a powerful advisory position alongside his father, he is widely criticized and despised by others as a “notorious sycophant.”
As both influential figures in the court, Queen Dowager In-ju and Im Song-jae stand as the king’s greatest ally and biggest threat. With their power tipping the scales of palace politics, their choices will play an important role in shaping Lee Heon’s future.
When and Where to Watch
Find out how Yeon Ji-young and Lee Heon’s eventful first meeting plays out in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, now streaming on Netflix! The 12-episode series airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 p.m. KST.
Can Yeon Ji-young win King Lee Heon’s heart with her cooking, withstand the pressure of his tyrannical rule and a jealous concubine, and still find her way home? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram and X/Twitter!
Featured Image Credit: tvN
