On September 16, KoreaBoo reported that candid street photos of a tall young man in a tank top and denim shorts had gone viral. Despite being unedited shots, the images showcased flawless visuals broad shoulders, sculpted muscles, and striking good looks. It didn’t take long for netizens to uncover his identity: actor Lee Chae Min, the breakout star of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty.
Born in 2000, Lee Chae Min began his acting career in 2021. He participated in projects like High Class, Crash Course in Romance, and Hierarchy. Once under Gold Medalist (Kim Soo Hyun’s agency), he recently chose not to renew his contract. Before turning to acting, he was a promising basketball player, standing tall at 190 cm. His athletic background shows in his muscular physique, often sending fans into a frenzy whenever he appears in sleeveless outfits or gym clips.
Interestingly, Lee Chae Min was not the original choice for Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. The role was initially given to Squid Game 2 actor Park Sung Hoon, who later withdrew due to controversy. Stepping in as a replacement, Lee Chae Min has since delivered a performance so captivating that audiences have forgotten he wasn’t the first pick.
As King Yi Heon, he embodies both the cold authority of a ruthless ruler and the tender vulnerability of a man falling in love with Yeon Ji Young (played by Girls’ Generation’s Yoona), a celebrated chef who time-travels 500 years into the past. His nuanced acting, paired with Yoona’s charm, has ignited the “Cheon-ha Syndrome” (Cheon-ha meaning Your Majesty in Korean), with fans worldwide declaring themselves hopelessly smitten.
According to the Korean Business Research Institute, Lee Chae Min now tops the September actor brand reputation rankings, with his sudden rise compared to Byeon Woo Seok’s breakout success in Lovely Runner. From a last-minute replacement to a global phenomenon, Lee Chae Min’s journey marks him as one of Korea’s most exciting new leading men.
Sources: K14
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