The tvN drama “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” is quickly becoming one of the standout K-dramas of 2025. Since premiering on the 23rd of last month, the series has gained attention not only for Im Yoon-ah’s star power but also for its mix of food, history, and romance.
- Title: Bon Appetit, Your Majesty (2025)
- Hangul: 폭군의 셰프
- Also Known As: The Tyrant’s Chef, 暴君のシェフ, 暴君的廚師
- Genres: Historical, Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
- Director: Jang Tae Yoo
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Release date: Aug 23, 2025
- Finale episode date: Sep 28, 2025
- Aired On: Saturday, Sunday
- Watch On: Netflix
Rising Ratings and Viewer Response
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode recorded a 4.9% rating, a modest start compared to KBS2’s “Twelve”, which scored 8.1% in the same week. But the tvN drama grew sharply: 6.6% for the second episode, 7.6% for the third, and a jump to 11.1% by episode four. It also topped the TV-OTT drama buzz chart by Good Data Corporation, with leads Im Yoon-ah and Lee Chae-min ranking first and second in the actor buzz chart.
Global Top 10 Non-English Shows | Netflix
“Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” has officially entered the Netflix Global Top 10 (Non-English TV) chart. For the week of August 25 to August 31, 2025, the series ranked No. 2 worldwide, confirming its strong international reception.
Casting Change and Storyline
Originally cast opposite Im Yoon-ah was Park Sung-hoon, but he was later replaced by Lee Chae-min due to a social media controversy. The drama follows a chef at the peak of her career who time-slips into the Joseon era, where she encounters a strict king with an absolute palate.
Why It Works
The drama succeeds because it’s not just a fantasy time-slip series. Its main focus is Korean food, a narrative element with global appeal. From traditional Joseon dishes to modern fusion cuisine, the show connects cultural storytelling with cooking. Food has already proven powerful in Hallyu dramas, with examples like gimbap in “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” and cup noodles in “K-Pop Demon Hunters” resonating globally.
Another strength is how the show reinterprets historical figures such as King Yeonsan and Jang Nok-su. Rather than a strict retelling of history, it combines fictional imagination with real figures, balancing the weight of a historical drama with entertainment value.
Im Yoon-ah’s Role
Critics have praised Im Yoon-ah’s performance. While her role as a bright, capable chef is similar to past works like “Exit” and “King the Land”, her delivery gives authenticity to the story. Her acting helps even predictable plotlines feel convincing and engaging, reaffirming her influence on the small screen.
Global Appeal
The drama ties together food, history, romance, and power in a way that’s straightforward and easy to follow. Its setup—where a tyrant king begins to change through food and his relationship with the chef—has connected with both domestic and international viewers. With rising global interest in K-food, the show arrives at the right time, making it a strong contender for the next wave of Hallyu content.
Source (hankookilbo)
