K-drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty — Story, Characters & Relationships
Quick Facts
- 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
- Pronunciation in Korean: Pok-goon-eh chef. (폭군의 셰프)
Synopsis
Yeon Ji-young (Im Yoon-ah), a top-tier French cuisine chef, accidentally time-slips to the Joseon Dynasty. She impresses King Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min), known as the most tyrannical ruler yet an exquisite gourmet, with her fusion dishes. As his royal chef, Ji-young navigates palace intrigue, romances, and power struggles with wit and cooking prowess.
< Click the image below to watch Tyrant’s Chef now. >
Original & Direction
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.
“Originally a Korean web novel (currently available in Korean only).”
Park Sung-hoon Controversy
Originally cast in a leading role, actor Park Sung-hoon faced backlash after posting a parody adult video cover related to Squid Game on SNS. His participation was quickly canceled, and script readings postponed. Producer Studio Dragon officially stated the change was unrelated to the controversy, citing the national mourning period. Lee Chae-min was subsequently added to the cast.
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.
