Finally… a refreshing return to time-travel!
tvN’s new romantic comedy ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’ premiered around two weeks ago, and it’s no secret that the show has drawn a huge amount of attention. According to Nielsen Korea, with four episodes behind it, the show has already garnered an average nationwide viewership rating of 11.1 percent.
Cast: Lim Yoon-A, Lee Chae-Min, Kang Han-Na
Episodes: 12
New Episodes on: Airs every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 KST (17:40 IST)
Airing On: tvN
Available On: Netflix
Starring Girls’ Generation’s Lim Yoon-A, Lee Chae-Min, and Kang Han-Na, this new hit drama is based on a popular web novel titled ‘Surviving as Yeonsangun’s Chef’. Originally written by Park Guk-jae, the story is set in the Joseon era, where a talented chef from the future meets a tyrant king. Laced with just the right amount of fantasy, this new rom-com hits differently.
Time travel is a fascinating genre that has inspired many K-dramas, most notably ‘Mr. Queen’ and ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’. But when you weave in elements like a real-life historical figure and some sweet, spicy romance, the story truly stands out. So, here is a review of the first two episodes of the show.
Meet Yeon Ji Young (Played by Lim Yoon-A)
First impressions matter — even in K-dramas. Usually, a strong opening scene has the power to dictate audience engagement. The show’s opening scene — with Yeon Ji Young being brought before the king and appointed as Head Chef — was pivotal in establishing the main point and sustaining our attention.
The scene then cuts back to the present day (2025), where we see Ji Young participating in a tough and intense French cooking competition. When her stove stops working, she makes a makeshift stove from rice straw, prepares a fancy royal meal, and eventually wins the competition. The good news is that she will soon become the head chef at a Michelin three-star restaurant.
Naturally, it couldn’t always be a win, and destiny had other plans for her. During her flight back to South Korea, a passenger spills coffee on a book — the same book that was to be delivered to her father as a package from his friend. As she tries to clean it off in the toilet, she discovers an inscription inside and reads it. At the same time, a solar eclipse occurs outside. As expected, in a K-drama, an eclipse can mean only one thing — and indeed, she is sucked into a vortex that transports her back to the Joseon era, where she comes face-to-face with a very special king.
Meet The Tyrant King/ King Yi Heon (Played by Lee Chae-Min)
From the first two episodes, the glimpses into the king’s past hint at some tragedy or trauma that must have shaped who he is today—at least in the Joseon era. Yet his rude attitude, exploitation of women in the region, and entitled behavior align perfectly with the image of a tyrant.
As much as I’d love to reveal how our two main leads meet, I think it’s better if you watch it yourself and experience their chemistry firsthand. Trust me, what follows will definitely make you laugh.
No matter how awful King Yi Heon was—and mind you, he even tried to attack Ji Young with his sword—nothing was funnier than watching her refuse to believe he was a king. His endless attempts to assert authority, contrasted with her indifference, were pure comedy.
Meet Kang Mok Ju (Played by Kang Han-Na)
Of course, the tyrant king had a consort. And according to the drama, many blamed her for his terrible behavior. At one point, she is shown imprisoned for killing a nobleman, after which a prince strikes a deal with her in exchange for her loyalty.
One glance at her character is enough to realize she’s the main villain of the story—the kind of annoying figure fans love to despise.
The Gourmet Backstory
Though it’s a romantic drama, we cannot overlook a crucial element of the story: food. Both episodes were centered around gourmet cuisine, and honestly, it was impossible not to crave all the succulent dishes being presented. The visual appeal of the food was so vivid that it instantly triggered a sensory response in viewers.
Despite his nasty character, King Yi Heon had an extraordinary sense of taste. After trying the meals prepared by Ji Young on two occasions, his heart began to soften. The depth of emotion and passion infused into her dishes resonated with him and reminded him of his mother’s love and care. Perhaps this is why he chose not to kill her as he had intended, and instead brought her to the palace.
The Romance
Stories centered on hate-to-love romances usually carry a unique emotional appeal. The bittersweet nature of the relationship at the start creates a tension between the leads that’s truly compelling. In this case, the emotional complexity and budding romance between a tyrant king and a passionate chef from the future create a narrative that will undoubtedly keep audiences hooked.
Final Thoughts
Since it’s a time-slip drama involving romance and an eclipse, it’s hard for K-drama fans not to draw comparisons to the popular 2016 series ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’. But I can’t help wondering—will this story have the same tragic ending? At the heart of the show is the worst tyrant king in history, destined to die during the Gapshin Literati Purge. But can Ji Young change this stone-hearted king? Will King Yi Heon defy fate and survive?
And of course, we can’t forget the villain. Once Ji Young entered the palace, Kang Mok Ju’s jealousy and insecurity began to grow—and as we all know, villains never play fair.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Written by Diksha Gangadeen
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