How 'Bon Appetit, Your Majesty' turned Yoona’s food fairy tale into a hit

Yoona as Ji-yeong and Lee Che-min as King Yi Heon in "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" / Courtesy of CJ ENM

In a crowded season of drama premieres, tvN’s “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” is standing out for its rapid rise in popularity.

Since its debut on Aug. 23, the series has steadily climbed in viewership and online buzz, driven not only by star power but also by a mix of inventive storytelling and cultural timing.

“Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” follows a modern-day chef who travels back in time and encounters a ruthless monarch with a refined palate.

Originally cast with Park Sung-hoon opposite Im Yoon-ah, also known as Yoona of Girls’ Generation, the production pivoted to Lee Chae-min after Park’s departure over social media controversy.

According to Nielsen Korea, the drama opened with a 4.9 percent rating among subscribing households, trailing KBS2’s “Twelve,” which received 8.1 percent for its 11th episode. But momentum shifted quickly and “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” rose to 6.6 percent by its second episode, 7.6 percent for its third and 11.1 percent by the fourth.

Industry tracker Good Data Corporation also ranked it the most talked-about TV and streaming drama, with Im and Lee topping the actor popularity chart.

Yoona portrays a modern-day chef who travels back in time and meets a ruthless monarch in “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty.” Courtesy of tvN

Culinary storytelling with global appeal

The show’s success lies in how it foregrounds food. While time-slip narratives are familiar to audiences, the use of cuisine as the central device sets it apart.

Korean food has long served as a cultural anchor in drama and film, from the royal court cuisine of “Jewel in the Palace” to more recent titles that weave everyday dishes into emotional storytelling.

“Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” extends that tradition by blending Joseon-era (1392-1910) dining with fusion dishes inspired by the protagonist’s training in classical French cuisine. It connects to a broader wave of K-content that uses food to resonate globally, much like the gimbap in “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” or the ramyeon in “KPop Demon Hunters.”

The drama also plays with historical figures such as King Yeonsan (1476-1506) and his concubine Jang Nok-su, not by recreating their lives but by layering fiction onto history. This approach combines the gravity of period drama with the lightness of fantasy, offering viewers both cultural depth and playful imagination.

Yoona, who has proven her acting abilities in films like “Exit” and dramas such as “King the Land,” leads with a balance of humor and credibility. Her portrayal of a spirited but professional chef anchors the series, earning praise for making potentially clichéd dialogue feel authentic. Her performance reinforces her star power in the domestic drama market.

Bringing together food, history, romance and power politics risks seeming forced, but the production integrates them smoothly. The tyrant’s discovery of comfort in food and his bond with the chef who provides it generates both dramatic tension and romantic warmth.

A scene from "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" / Courtesy of tvN

Combined with global interest in Korean cuisine, the show positions itself to appeal far beyond local audiences.

“Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” has proven that its mix of culinary narrative, historical reinterpretation and strong performances resonates with viewers at a time when K-food is increasingly visible worldwide.

With its domestic ratings soaring and international platforms already eyeing Korean food dramas, the series may mark another turning point for hallyu content.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.