tvN just dropped a brand-new poster for their upcoming drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, and I’m already hooked. This series puts Im YoonA front and center in a time-travel romance that mixes Joseon-era politics, delicious food, and a romance that spans centuries. It’s giving high stakes, heart-fluttering tension, and (of course) some serious palace drama.
Adapted from the popular web novel Yeonsankunui Chefro Salanamki by Park Kuk-Jae, the 12-episode series is promising something fresh in the palace-romance genre. It’s historical fantasy with a big dose of culinary artistry, and honestly? It’s exactly the kind of beautifully produced drama you expect from tvN.
The Storyline
YoonA plays Yeon Ji Young, a renowned French chef at the peak of her career. She’s ambitious, thriving, and about to land a dream gig at a Michelin three-star restaurant in Paris. But just as her life is about to change for the better, fate does a complete 180 instead.
She wakes up 500 years in the past—in the Joseon era. Suddenly, she’s in a world of strict traditions, deadly palace politics, and people who are so defensive of “outsiders.” Things get even more complicated when she needs to cook for King Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min), the most feared man in the kingdom.
King Heon is known for being a ruthless ruler, but he’s also got a good sense of taste—so good that he can tell when the weather has changed just from the flavor of a dish. After trying Ji Young’s cooking, he’s hooked. He demanded that she cook exclusively for him in the royal palace, leaving Ji Young no choice but to adapt to her new reality.
The Poster Says It All
The new poster totally nails the vibe of the drama. Ji Young and King Heon are standing back-to-back, each holding their ‘weapons’—his deadly sword and her trusty chef’s knife. Ji Young’s calm determination is such a contrast to King Heon’s cold, calculating stare, and then there’s the tagline: ‘To survive, you must satisfy the tyrant’s taste.’ Honestly? That line alone gives me chills.
A Strong Cast Brings the Story to Life
In addition to YoonA and Lee Chae Min, there are more amazing casts that will bring this drama to life. Kang Han-Na plays the concubine Kang Mok-Ju, who is both elegant and ambitious. She is the kind of person who understands politics and the palace game and will stop at nothing to maintain her position.
Choi Gwi-Hwa is also in the cast as Prince Jesan, the king’s biggest political rival and a real threat to the throne. With enemies lurking around every corner and Ji Young just trying to survive the nonstop palace drama, you can already feel how tense this show is going to be.
The drama is directed by Jang Tae-Yoo and written by Park Kuk-Jae. So yeah, we can definitely expect gorgeous cinematography and a fresh but faithful take on the original novel.
Romance, Survival, and the Power of Food
As Ji Young slowly gets used to her new reality, her relationship with King Heon is changing too. What started out as a forced arrangement begins to turn into something way more complicated. But seriously… can a 500-year-old tyrant king and a modern-day chef actually fall in love?
The Buzz is Real
Fans are already hyped about YoonA’s casting—and honestly, same. She’s perfect for this role. After seeing her nail that mix of strength and vulnerability in Big Mouth, The K2, and Hush, I can’t wait to see how she brings Ji Young to life.
Lee Chae Min is also getting a ton of buzz, and for good reason. Playing a cold, power-hungry king who secretly has a soft spot for food? This feels like the kind of breakout role that could really put him on the map.
When and Where to Watch
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (aka The Tyrant’s Chef) premieres on August 23, 2025, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM KST on tvN and on Netflix for global audince. Trust me, this is one show you won’t want to miss.
Are you excited too? Let me know in the comments below, and for more related Kdrama Updates, visit us.
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