tvN’s new weekend drama Bon Appetit, Your Majesty is set to offer a unique fusion of time travel, royal politics, and gourmet storytelling. At the drama’s official press conference held today at The Saint, D-Cube City in Sindorim, the production team and cast unveiled key details and insights, raising anticipation ahead of its August 23 premiere.
Directed by Jang Tae-yoo, the drama stars Im YoonA and Lee Chae-min in a genre-bending tale that unfolds across centuries. Based on a popular web novel, Bon Appetit, Your Majesty centers on a modern-day French chef who time-slips into the past and encounters a tyrannical king famed for his discerning palate. Their tense and tender romance unfolds against the backdrop of palace intrigue and culinary mastery.
A Role Demanding Precision
Im YoonA plays Yun Ji-young, a perfectionist chef transported to an era where failure in the royal kitchen could mean death.
To fully embody her role, YoonA undertook three months of culinary training prior to filming. “I learned everything from basic knife work to ingredient preparation,” she shared. “With every shoot, I became more familiar with professional cooking terminology and techniques. Though handling knives remains difficult, I do believe my skills have improved.”
Co-star Lee Chae-min, who portrays the volatile monarch Lee Heon, praised Im’s authenticity. “She’s incredibly skilled—her hands are fast and precise. In the cooking scenes, she needed almost no retakes,” he remarked.
Rising to the Challenge
Lee Chae-min joined the cast following the departure of the originally cast Park Sung-hoon. While the transition was abrupt, director Jang expressed high confidence in Lee Chae-min’s performance. “He has completely embodied the character,” he said.
Lee Chae-min reflected on the pressure and responsibility of stepping in late. “The script defined Lee Heon with charisma and depth,” he explained. “Director Jang told me charisma comes from composure. I focused on delivering every line with calm intensity.”
Food as the Protagonist
Director Jang Tae-yoo, known for works such as Painter of the Wind and My Love from the Star, emphasized that food is a narrative pillar in Bon Appetit, Your Majesty. “We didn’t treat cuisine as a decorative element. It functions like a character, central to both plot and visuals,” he said. “Every dish needed to visually express its flavor, since viewers can’t actually taste it.”
To meet this challenge, the production included a team of culinary experts—ranging from royal court chefs to food stylists—along with a dedicated assistant director overseeing food sequences. “From Western to traditional royal dishes, every episode showcases a different culinary style,” Jang added.
He likened the drama’s 12 episodes to a 12-course royal meal, saying, “Each episode offers a distinct flavor. Like yin and yang, or the five traditional Korean colors, balance and variation were key. It’s a complete table, and every course counts.”
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty premieres on August 23, 2025, and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM KST on tvN.
Sources: 다음 – 스포츠투데이
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