The fantasy romantic comedy Bon Appétit, Your Majesty follows Michelin-starred chef Yeon Ji Young (Im YoonA), who time-slips 500 years into Joseon and encounters tyrant king Yi Heon (Lee Chae Min), known for his absolute sense of taste. Yoon Seo Ah played Seo Gil Geum, a palace maid with a gifted sense of smell who becomes Ji Young’s steadfast supporter. With her bright energy and rustic charm, Yoon created a memorable, scene-stealing character.
In an interview with SPOTV News after the finale, Yoon reflected on the whirlwind journey. “We gathered as a team to watch the last episode together. Seeing all the hard work we poured into the scenes brought back so many vivid memories,” she said.
What stunned fans most was Yoon’s drastic transformation. Off-screen, the 2000-born actress exudes chic, modern elegance, a stark contrast to the earthy, rough-around-the-edges Gil Geum. “Nobody recognizes me! Not one person has,” Yoon laughed, noting she’s now posting more of her natural looks on social media.
Surprisingly, Yoon was cast just three days before filming began. Luckily, the costume team had also worked on her previous historical project The Tale of Lady Ok, so fittings went smoothly. To embody Gil Geum, she darkened her skin tone, left her brows thick and untamed, and stripped away any polished image.
Yoon also tackled Jeolla Province dialect for the role. Though her family roots trace back to Yeosu, she didn’t grow up speaking the dialect. Instead, she practiced tirelessly with fellow actor Hong Jin Gi from Gwangju and senior colleagues. “At first, even ad-libs had to be carefully rephrased. Later, it came naturally,” she said.
Her dedication paid off. Viewers praised her lively performance, and her parents were especially proud. “They saved every article and even changed their KakaoTalk profile to Gil Geum. That made me feel I was really giving back through my work,” she said warmly.
After difficult times last year, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty reignited her passion. “Living as Gil Geum for eight months made me brighter, too. She became a source of energy and healing for me. I want to carry that joy into every role and continue acting with gratitude.”
Sources: Daum
You must be logged in to post a comment.