Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (Tyrant's Chef) K-Drama Review: Story, Cast, and Premiere
Key Details
- Original Korean Title: 폭군의 셰프 (Pok-goon-eh chef)
- Premiere: August 23, 2025; airs Saturday–Sunday at 9:10 PM (KST) on tvN
- OTT: Available globally on Netflix
- Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance – 12 episodes
The Plot
Yeon Ji-young (played by Im Yoon-ah), a top-tier French cuisine chef, accidentally time-slips to the Joseon Dynasty. She impresses King Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min), a tyrannical yet exquisite gourmet, with her fusion dishes. As his royal chef, Ji-young navigates palace intrigue, romances, and power struggles with her wit and culinary prowess.
Click the image to watch Bon Appétit, Your Majesty now on Netflix!
Original Web Novel & Production
Based on the web novel Surviving as Yeonsan-gun’s Chef by Park Kook-jae, the series is directed by Jang Tae-yoo (known for hits like My Love from the Star) and produced by Studio Dragon.
Surviving as Yeonsan-gun’s Chef is originally a Korean web novel and is currently available in Korean only.
Behind the Scenes: A Production with Drama
Originally cast in a leading role, actor Park Sung-hoon was replaced by **Lee Chae-min** before script readings began. Producer Studio Dragon stated the change was unrelated to recent controversy, citing the national mourning period as the reason for the decision.
Cast & Characters
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Im Yoon-ah | Yeon Ji-young – Modern French chef turned Joseon royal chef |
| Lee Chae-min | King Lee Heon – The tyrannical yet gourmet king of Joseon |
| Kang Han-na | Kang Mok-ju – Ambitious concubine and rival |
| Choi Gwi-hwa | Prince Je-seon – Politically powerful royal whose ambitions clash with Ji-young's influence |
Character Dynamics
Ji-young’s arrival disrupts palace life, warming the cold king’s heart even as she navigates jealousy and intrigue from concubine Mok-ju. Prince Je-seon’s political schemes add layers to the tension. Their evolving relationships drive this layered fantasy drama.
Rebroadcast Info
Episodes air on tvN and become available for catch-up via TVING and DVD platforms. Netflix offers global streaming with multilingual subtitles.
