‘Crazy CGI?’ Lim Yoon-a talks about the making of ‘Bon Appetit, Your Majesty’

Lim Yoon-a / Courtesy of SM Entertainment

The tvN fantasy period drama “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” has captured viewers’ attention with its over-the-top visual effects — dubbed “crazy CGI” online — and quickly became one of the most talked-about series of the season. But behind the spectacle, it was the dedication and depth of its cast, including lead actor Lim Yoon-a and co-star Lee Chae-min, that truly brought the story to life. Playing the role of chef Yeon Ji-young, Lim endured cuts from knife work and shoulder pain from handling heavy props to deliver a performance that left a lasting impression on audiences.

Chemistry with Lee Chae-min and a shared commitment

Lim spoke warmly of her on-screen partner Lee Chae-min, saying, “He came prepared in a short amount of time, which made it easy and enjoyable to build chemistry together. He’s a very diligent person who always wants to do things perfectly, and that really showed in his performance.” The two shared mature conversations and a relaxed working dynamic that energized the set despite their age difference.

Describing her character, Lim said, “Yeon Ji-young was someone indispensable to everyone — from the Queen Dowager to Lee Heon. She was a chef whose skills exceeded expectations.” A food enthusiast in real life, Lim took the opportunity to train in various cooking techniques for the role, learning to prepare dishes like yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) and Vietnamese spring rolls. “I even cut myself while chopping ingredients, but doing it myself was a huge help,” she said with a laugh.

Scenes from "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" / Captured from tvN

Comic scenes and collaborative creativity

Some of the drama’s funniest moments were born out of collaborations on set. “Whenever I had an idea, I would discuss it with the director and other actors first,” Lim said. “The director was very open to ad-libs, so it was a joy to create scenes together.” The spontaneous, collaborative atmosphere allowed many ideas to make their way directly into the script, adding to the show’s vibrant tone.

When asked how similar she felt to her character, Lim said, “We’re alike in that we never give up, no matter the situation. Ji-young is braver and more fearless than I am, but when I look back on my career, I think we share a lot in common.”

Lim Yoon-a / Courtesy of SM Entertainment

‘Effort never betrayed me’

Reflecting on the success of her recent projects, Lim remained humble. “Good results don’t come from my efforts alone — they’re the result of the project, the character, and the teamwork with everyone involved,” she said. “Success isn’t something I can control, but at least it proves that the work I’ve put in so far hasn’t been in vain, and I’m grateful for that.”

The drama’s lavish and comedic visuals — which sparked online jokes about “crazy CGI” — were a highlight even for the cast. “I was amazed the first time I saw them. It made me certain of the tone our drama was going for,” Lim said. “I thought it might be polarizing, but many viewers ended up loving it.”

While nothing has been confirmed about a second season, Lim expressed her appreciation for the positive response. “I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’m grateful people enjoyed our chemistry. I’m happy that more people than I imagined supported the show,” she said.

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