TvN’s weekend drama “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” is gaining momentum not only in Korea but also abroad, with viewers drawn to its inventive mix of palace intrigue, romance and haute cuisine.
The series follows Yeon Ji-yeong (played by Im Yoon-a), a French-trained chef who once dominated culinary competitions in Paris, until she suddenly finds herself transported to the Joseon period (1392-1910) after opening an old book.
There she encounters King Yi Heon (Lee Chae-min), a notorious tyrant with a refined palate. Taken to the royal palace, she must prepare elaborate dishes for the king each day, with her survival on the line.
Directed by Jang Tae-yoo, known for historical dramas such as “Painter of the Wind” and “Tree with Deep Roots,” the show adapts the popular web novel “Surviving as the Tyrant’s Chef.” It reached a nationwide rating of 12.7 percent with its sixth episode on Sept. 7, the highest for tvN this year.
The series is also performing strongly on Netflix. From Sept. 1 to 7, it logged 7.5 million views, ranking No. 2 among non-English series for two consecutive weeks and breaking into the top 10 in 73 countries.
Analysts say its rise has been fueled by the global surge of interest in Korean culture following the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” extends that momentum by blending romance, comedy and food with traditional Korean elements.
A scene from “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” / Courtesy of tvN
Cooking that bridges cultures
The production team worked with royal cuisine experts and the food styling crew from Netflix variety show “Culinary Class Wars” to ensure authenticity. Dishes such as dumplings, hotpot and bibimbap appear alongside French-inspired creations like sous vide steak and macarons.
Menus that fuse Korean staples with Western techniques — from gochujang butter bibimbap to steak tartare — have resonated with audiences at home and abroad. Cultural critic Jeong Deok-hyun said, “It succeeds by keeping a uniquely Korean flavor while remaining approachable to global viewers.”
The drama’s combination of time travel, palace rivalry, slapstick humor and romance broadens its appeal.
The banter-filled relationship between Ji-yeong and Yi Heon, along with comic turns by supporting characters, adds to the lighthearted tone. The series also incorporates vibrant computer graphics reminiscent of Japanese cooking anime, heightening its entertainment value.
Dishes created by French-trained chef Yeon Ji-yeong in “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty,” clockwise from top left: gochujang butter bibimbap, sous vide steak, macarons and beef tartare / Courtesy of tvN
Unlike “KPop Demon Hunters,” a Netflix intellectual property, “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” is produced by Studio Dragon, which retains rights for further commercialization.
The company said it plans to open pop-up stores combining drama-themed merchandise and exhibitions in Korea and overseas.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Dining and Cooking