Bon Appetit, Your Majesty

A captivating and worthy story to watch!!!

I was waiting for this drama to be aired from the time it was announced about it at the beginning of this year!! just seeing the cast of actors they sounded so promising and knew it won't be disappointing!! to end up binge watching it and still wanting more of leads!!!

Having Lee Chae Min the first male lead made me wondering how he would be performing here after his previous dramas which were average and less but wanted to give it a try as I had the intuition this will be something different and brilliant compared to all the dramas he was casted before!! and seeing Yoona that I watched her only in the drama the k2, she was good there and was curious to know how she will be acting here so felt that this combination of first leads together would be interesting to watch and there is a potential of great chemistry on the way...

I was amazed with the beginning of this drama that started so good and in a hilarious way with their encounter, I liked the personality of Yeon Ji Young who is strong and ideal female lead!!! not believing he is the king and talking with him casually, dragging him all the way like she wants while unaware what is waiting her after she is still not believing that he is the king and she is sent in joseon era!!

□Cooking scenes and food part:
》Though it was the main plot of this drama more than being romantic, I enjoyed every scene of Yeon Ji Young cooking and showing her true talents and wide knowledge in culinary arts that made the king falling for her gradually starting from the unprecedented and new flavors that he didn't taste before when she was preparing dishes from the modern and actual era!!! I like how they portrayed the king enjoying every bites of Ji Young's plates that was itself a worthy show to watch and how they mixed to add a funny side at everytime he is tasting her mind blowing plates!!!
》I like how she made him remembering his late mother through her plates that was carrying a touch of his memories with his mother feeding him so he grew fond of this to be a gourmet king affected with these precious memories that the sudden arriving of ji young's scrumptious plates in his life made him rekindling the moments he spent eating with his mother...
》It was so quirky and funny in fact for the king to use Ji Young for feeding him like to repeat the same past through her but I was pleased that through her plates and such interactions he realised with time and her daily cooking for him that Ji Young is more than his royal cook!!!

□ Political part:
》Really didn't expect that the story would be having such interesting facts about how the king was raised to the throne!!! though it is having a sad and tragedic background of the king's past for losing his mother in such cruel way to have a hidden story behind it where the treacherous and betraying ones were the most close to him lurking around him... but ji young played an important role to make him a wise king not being pushed with his tyrannical nature to push him doing fair judgment and rules for his surrounding when at everytime she was a crucial part to not make him doing mistakes as she is coming from the future and didn't wanted him to end up miserably like the history happened before!!!

》Second leads conspiracy against the king was so saddening to see it but when it is about a historical story there would be always the villains who are having greediness and ambition to always taking over what is not meant for them regrading the throne...

☆ It was interesting to see how prince of Jesan who is hiding behind this broad smile a deceiving intentions to make the king falling in his traps to dethrone him and making the kind going mad just waiting him to do a reckless choice for overthrowing the king while pretending to be obedient for him!!!
Choi Gwi Hwa is a another talent that I felt so convinced seeing how he played his role so magnificently, he was so successfully chosen for this role!!!

☆ The consort Kang Mok Ju who was another close one for the king deceiving him while wanting to get rid of him and behaving to be all the way jealous when seeing Yeon Ji Young around the king in his chamber so her existence was threatening Kang Mok Ju and when noticing how the king is looking at his royal cook in a skeptical way showing how he is falling for her gradually without realizing that in himself...
Kang Han Na was so great and talented in portraying kang mok ju!!! I really became interested to watch more for this actress that amazed me with her performance in playing the villain consort!!!

□Romantic part:
》I was interested to watch this drama the most for this part especially and was excited to see the wonderful chemistry of leads and how their love story will be progressing!!!
》the most scene when the romantic part played important role that impressed me was when Yoona pushed the king to be wise and not killing those who murdered his mother as she didn't want him to do it for her true feelings for him saying she loves him at that decisive moment to prevent him from doing anything wrong so she was affecting his mind to not fall in the trap of his enemies who waited him to commit such grave fault!!!
》I like too the scene when the king dragged Ji Young and hugged her even if not privately after he didn't care what his surrounding would criticize such unacceptable thing regarding to their different social classes!!!

□ The wonderful performance of Lee Chae Min:
》I think this is my favorite part I want to talk about it, the actor is the shining star of this drama that I was dazzled with every tear he was shedding and every true love feelings he was showing for Ji Young!!! I think he is the one more suitable for the role of the king that no other actor would play so wonderfully like that!!! it is obvious how Lee Chae Min worked so hard after being the substitute male lead just in one month of preparation, he excelled in swords fighting and horse riding scenes, in addition to the realistic scary tone of voice a king is having!!! just seeing him wielding swords with such perfection was breathtaking and flabbergasting!!!
》He is a complete package actor in this drama that he is the main reason for being a top notch show alongside with Yoona and all the other characters who played too so good!!!

□The amazing acting of Yoona:
》I am really admiring how she worked so hard to nail the role of a top notch chef!!! I couldn't just to believe that Yoona was made to be a chef in real life!!! she was so good and shining when portraying the wise and strong Yeon Ji Young who was sent to travel back for changing the story of joseon's king and unaware that she will be going the joseon era for finding her true love who will be the king who fell for her plates from the first dish she cooked for him!!!
》I liked how she planned all the plates she wanted to cook with the team of cooking in palace!!!

□Cooking competition: I am not going to lie but the cooking competition was long and taking part of the total number of episodes but it wasn't bad to add for the plot cause it was so enjoyable to see how two teams from different cultures are competing against each other showing high talents of what real and wonderful passion for cooking could be ever seen!!!

□The food scenes:
》I think this drama will be the most one outstanding about food plot that will make watchers hungry wanting to taste them so badly with such artistic way in presenting the mouthwatering plates!!!
》The king himself is another show at every scene of tasting Ji Young's food, portraying the magical world of every bite that is taking him to enjoy every moment of it!!! so I was amazed with that part too that was essential to make the major food plot done in excellent way!!!
》The most plate that I would remember is the pasta dish and macaroons sweet that I wished the most to taste them!!!
》What is more hilarious how the king who is from another era of female is finding it hard to pronounce the name of plates the female is doing while she is showing a lot of patience and love for her cooking career and especially she is the ideal when serving her plates to the king though feeling afraid but I like how she stood strong and confident about her talent that saved her life from the picky king!!!

□Favorite parts of drama:
》The scene when the king found the hand bag of female and gave her, was the most unforgettable when unconsciously being thankful hugged him, that was took him aback to realise female is more than a merely royal vook for him!!!
》I think when the story started to sound more serious after the cooking competition at the three last episodes, revealing more details about the death of king's mother, it was so impressive and dazzling to watch especially male lead really played in that part so fantastically that he should be rewarded!!! I like too how female lead interfered at the most crucial time to support him and lead him to not do anything wrong to not regret later!!!
》The last episode was just the most wowww especially that scene when she took the stab for protecting him and coming back to 2025 while the king was screaming wanting her to be with him!!!! though it was a prevailing bloody and swords fighting scenes but I was hooked all the time on screen for this exciting vibes the final carried!!!
》I watched it and wished to have more episodes that it will leave a deep emptiness after it wrapped up!!! I really wished to see a sequel after she turned back to 2025 and to see another romantic round for her new life with male!!!

□In the conclusion what I found after this wonderful journey of watching, was meeting my expectations and even turned out to be more amazing that I thought!!! I would prefer if the story was more about romance than food plot but in general though romance is a subplot here I was satisfied with the firing and captivating chemistry of leads!!! they will be the most ideal and greatly leads paired together of this year!!!

□The final scene of last episode was what is defining to believe that a top notch drama won't be disappointing when male lead managed to follow her after she came back to her real era!! though it sounds so fantasy the time traveling part but I think such story having a mixed of different plots food, fantasy, romance and politic made it a great combination to make such best drama of 2025!!!

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Bon Appétit, Your Majesty

“A drama that feeds both the heart and the appetite.” 🍽💖
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a charming, romantic feast with each episode named after a dish that perfectly complements the emotions and events of that chapter—an absolutely delightful touch for food lovers! The fusion of culinary storytelling and fantasy romance makes this drama truly stand out.
The chemistry between the leads is sizzling, like a stew that’s been slow-cooked to perfection. The ML is not just a treat visually (dishie doesn’t even begin to cover it!)—he delivers a performance full of charisma and emotional nuance. The female lead is equally strong, and together they create a romance that feels warm, real, and incredibly satisfying to watch.
Though the ML is loosely based on one of Joseon's notorious kings, the drama quickly shifts away from that inspiration and builds an improved character we can root for. His journey is both emotional and romantic, with a nice twist bringing him to modern times—a refreshing and fun final reveal.
However, it’s fair to say that the ending felt a bit rushed. We don’t really get an explanation of how he time-traveled 400 years into the future, and a few threads are left hanging. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it leaves you wishing for just one more episode to tie things up.
Still, the journey is well worth it. With mouthwatering food visuals, a romance that simmers and satisfies, and a modern fairytale charm, this drama is a must-watch for fans of food, fantasy, and love stories that linger.

🥢 What’s on the menu?
✔️ Sizzling lead chemistry
✔️ Beautifully shot food & heartfelt cooking scenes
✔️ Romantic storytelling with a fantasy twist
✔️ Strong performances (ML is total eye candy!)
✔️ Food-themed episode titles 🍜🍰🍙

Minor critique: Ending felt rushed and some questions remain unanswered.

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10/10 --> Loved it <3 !!! sad tat it got over so soon

Loved it <3 !!! sad tat it got over so soon
Would watch with my eyes open n mouth drooling even it had 50 more episodes...!!

Gong-Gil is truly an eye candy
Wish he appeared more often in all the episodes - way too handsome with facial hair
n so is our Jeonha... he's cute n looks great in the King's wardrobe - Red !!!!

Could have extended the last episode n least made it 13....
Though the climax is convincing, wish to see more of the details of time travelling - did he turn out to be a male-gwyenio ??!?!?!?!

PS:
I'm writing precisely coz I don't want this to be a spoiler
All u guys go watch it and enjoy
I'm sure this is worth watching more than once
And u'll love it when u look at it only from the "Entertainment Only" perspective

Overall: 10/10
great cast & acting

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When Food Outshines Everything Else in a K-Drama

After 6 episodes, one thing is very clear: this show is only about food. There’s no real story, no acting depth, nothing beyond the gastronomy. The slapstick comedy feels like the thousandth recycled version of similar shows, and the acting isn’t helping either—especially Yoona, who has been exaggerating her expressions since the very first episode. Once or twice it’s tolerable, but all the time? It quickly becomes tiring.

Lee Chaemin is decent so far, and since this is his first lead role in a major production, I don’t want to scrutinize him too harshly—I’ll wait to see how he progresses.

Now to chemistry, the dynamic between the leads feels more like siblings squabbling than a couple in the making. If the story does head toward romance (if there even is one), I’m not convinced they can deliver the needed intensity. At best, it may end up looking like two attractive actors sharing the frame rather than two characters genuinely in love. And honestly, that has always been the case with Yoona—her on-screen chemistry often feels more hyped than real, usually reduced to how well her visuals “match” with her co-star rather than any genuine emotional connection. Unfortunately, history seems to be repeating itself here.

The reasons people like this drama are simple: (1) "The Food". The gastronomy scenes are beautifully shot and guaranteed to make you crave something to eat. Most of the online comments under this drama are about how delicious the food looks and how well it’s presented or eaten—hardly anyone talks about anything else.
(2) "The Timing". With all the major dramas scheduled for mid-to-late September, this show has no real rivals. By the time the competition arrives, this one will be wrapping up, so it’s enjoying a free ride on timing and food appeal.

And now, the elephant in the room: I wish the creators had been clear about which Joseon king they based this on. If it really is the problematic figure people are speculating, then the whole premise is disturbing. How can anyone, even in fiction, imagine falling for a rapist and murderer? What were the creators thinking? 🤨 Even worse, audiences are raving about this show without considering what kind of message it sends.Honestly, it’s disappointing.

Overall, this is a no-brainer watch. If you like food, you’ll enjoy it—because the food is excellent here. But beyond that, the show offers nothing substantial, and I highly doubt that will change in the upcoming episodes.

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It's really not that bad

The beginning was mediocre to me; however, by the time of the cooking competition with Ming’s chefs, my eyes were glued to the screen. And they stayed that way till the very end. I’ve read that it’s basically ‘Masterchef’ - that’s kind of true. It’s a must-watch for all the foodies out there; you will enjoy it. Still, if we’re talking cooking dramas in 2025, I think ‘Tastefully Yours’ beats it.

I liked the comedy. Food-tasting scenes were so funny; the special effects is what really got me. As for the romance - well, I guess there’s truth to the saying ‘The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.’ The effect Ji Yeong had on the cold, tyrant King was quite powerful. Adding to this scheming, the integral part of historical dramas, and everything turns out rather decent.

The cast? Just unbelievable. Yoona does not disappoint - that’s a given. Lee Chae Min did well as a loving tyrant also. The villains were extremely despicable. But let's be honest - Je San was kinda dumb with all his plans. And the kitchen staff was so precious and wholesome, especially in the end when they decided to fight for the King. How can you not love them?

I must say, the ending pissed me off though. There should be at least one more episode showing how Yi Heon was able to travel in time and then find Ji Yeong. I don't know, but 'it's a secret' doesn't cut it out for me. Seems like the producers got a bit lazy with that.

There were also quite a few small plot things that were ridiculous. For example, giving chocolates to an elder with mental illness hoping she will regain sanity in 2 minutes and will tell everyone the truth? LOL Or at the very beginning when Ji Yeong was taking part in the cooking competition, all the best chefs and they are all heavily criticized by the judges while Ji Yeong gets ONLY compliments? Come on, be for real...

Overall, I enjoyed this drama and there's a chance I will rewatch it one day.

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Somehow the food outshines everything else

When I first started this drama, the first two episodes were so fun and engaging that I was really looking forward to the next ones. Episodes 3 and 4 didn’t disappoint either, they were just as entertaining as the first two, and the story was getting even more interesting.

But then I watched episode 5. About halfway through, I found myself thinking, “Is this drama really just going to be about a cook feeding the king delicious food all the time, no matter what happens?” I get that the main premise is centered on cooking and food, but it feels like all the mouth-watering dishes are overshadowing everything else.

Sure, the relationship between the leads is slowly progressing, but their characters still lack development and depth. Maybe as the episodes go on, they’ll work it out and I hope so. Still, the characters are fun to watch, especially Yeon Ji Yeong as the cook. She’s smart, witty, and strong, and I can’t wait to see how she continues to survive in the Joseon era. As for King Yi Heon, he’s just… okay, I guess. For now, all he does is eat, get angry, frown, and investigate the mystery behind his mother’s disposal (with zero progress so far). I’m not sure how to feel about his chemistry with Yeon Ji Young but it’s surely not bad, but to me, they come across more like siblings than a romantic couple.

The side characters, though, really add color to the story. From the maids and cooks to the cunning figures like Consort Kang and the Grand Prince, each of them brings something that makes the drama more interesting.

Overall, I hope the storytelling will continue to improve, as this drama remains one of the most enjoyable shows I’m currently watching.

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“Even shoes tastes better when fried.”

The drama did take the quote really well. Satirically speaking, they were really fried so it was good for buds. However, it somehow and somewhat has troughs and crests. The drama had much to it, yet it failed to showcase the full potential. But, strictly if I stick to food and justify the title. It was a LILT. The food was presented in suchlike, that it was rather like poetry. Also, kudos to Yoona. From the simple ‘bibimbap’ to the ‘complex pecking duck’ all looked scrumptious. It was a song in motion, the cinematic shots added much to it. Few Dutch angles were well suited. Now let’s discuss few points which I liked,

The End
> I’ll start with the end. The cold red moon by which black clouds of misery hover. Those spikes clouds piercing the love. All added to it. Blowing off the lights suggests darkness in their life and love. Tears which flooded without rain. Magunrok was always there but not there. Things we find are beside yet we can’t see them. The setting made me tear up, and LCM’s grief and pain OMG. ALSO THE OST especially the one “stay with me”. It was a cliche but had something new. I really liked it.

> OST OST OST! 10/10

> Acts
I shall give A LOT to the play of not only the main characters but all side characters too. LCM’s despair at some scenes, whereas his whimsical character, shared such a great sense of character depth. His anger and agony were well shown by LCM. Let’s not forget Yoona and her smiles, ‘hermès’, she showcased the character’s passion and burning fire for food. At points, I did get perplexed whether she made the dish or a professional. Amidst, let’s give cheers to our antagonists 4th Consort and Jesan, they did add gravity, especially Jesan. Our cooking team!! Well played and well executed.

> Ofc, Food.
I am awed how well they produced the gourmet universe. I didn’t go to it with a lot of food expectations, as I was disappointed by ‘tastefully yours’, but I am glad to see the better use of food not as a substitute in the story but the soul. I give kudos to the cinematographic team!! And also LCM’s witty yet creative reviews. ‘Sikyakdongwon’, food and medicine are just namely differentiated but come from the same plasm.
Food was not just used as a mere commodity or as a necessity of survival but also as passion. From using it to help the sick, they also bonded everything with food strings. Subtle food boxing(camera) was extremely effective.

> The colours, flowers and vividity
The abstract colours of red, white during competition and slash of blue, really did it for me. Indicating ferocity, fragile stillness and longing respectively. The flowers used from time to time could have carried weight. From the iris FL brought to the small yellow beauties in the first episode. The vividness of the drama did a lot to me being involved symbolically. The greenhouse had so much to it. There’s a lot! But let’s keep it short.

Shortcomings include,
> Story Cohesion
> Impact that really didn’t have much of an impact [Mother’s story] and still confused why she was killed. King’s longing, vengeance could’ve been heart wrenching if they kept giving us courses of it throughout. They just gave an appetiser and RAN towards the dessert. With a hasty main course.
> Lost at backstory, should’ve shown more glimpses of him with his mother
> Felt pressured at end that I was thrown to a plot
> More screen time of leads
> How did Jeonha go back? (Might be a lethargic reason)
> If they had took villains with the food and developed them too

In conclusion, would I suggest yea! Go for it. It’s new and refreshing. May keep you out of slump. The acting, the little chemistry and lots of compassion. If you are a food enjoyer you may enjoy it! Some lows were there but I didn't mind much! The other ingredients made them hidden. My review for this 12 course meal would be 8!!

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I love a good time travel drama!

It was light and funny. I see why I read somewhere that Lee Chae-Min was offered a lot of script because his acting was really good. I also loved Yoona's acting in this drama and I believe she excelled alot in the role. I love a good time travel drama and this was really enjoyable.
I mean everyone played their role so well too and you get a laugh in each episode.
For the ending, it reminded me a little of Moon Lovers.... where he came to her current world but not sure how he did it.
It was hilarious how she asked and he was like it is not important LOL .... seems like the writers didnt know how to end it LOL but it was still funny.
I wanted a little more from the ending though but we can only imagine that they got married and lived happily ever after....

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When Culinary Passion Transcends History and Romance…

“Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" is a rare gem that manages to captivate, move, and comfort viewers in just a few episodes. It feels like a mini-drama but carries the heart, depth, and quality of a full-length series.

The story follows Yeon Ji-yeong, a talented modern chef specializing in French cuisine, who wins a prestigious competition only to be mysteriously transported back to the Joseon era. There, she is thrust into an unfamiliar world and quickly comes face to face with Yi Heon, a feared, perfectionist, and enigmatic king. She becomes his personal chef, tasked with satisfying his demanding palate by blending traditional Korean flavors with modern techniques.

This reversal of the usual trope (not a king transported to the present, but a modern woman in the past) is a total success. The contrast between Ji-yeong and the rigid, codified, and sometimes dangerous royal court leads to moments both funny and heartfelt. This is more than just a romance it’s a story of adaptation, gentle resistance, culinary passion, and the meeting of two lonely souls.

One of the drama’s greatest strengths is **Lee Chae Min’s incredible acting** as King Yi Heon. He perfectly embodies a ruler who is at once cold and fascinating, gradually softened by Ji-yeong’s tenderness, honesty, and humanity. He moves seamlessly between dramatic intensity, contained vulnerability, and subtle comedic moments. His on-screen presence is magnetic every glance and silence counts. This is undoubtedly one of his most memorable roles to date and probably one of the best male performances of 2025.

Opposite him, the lead actress (Yoona) delivers an equally convincing performance. She is radiant, authentic, naturally funny without overdoing it, and her love for cooking shines through every gesture. Together, they form a strong, endearing, and deeply human duo. Their relationship develops slowly, filled with unspoken words, meaningful looks, and subtle gestures never forced or clichéd.

Visually, the drama is stunning. The Joseon-era sets are magnificent, the costumes refined, and the lighting carefully crafted. But what really makes you hungry is the presentation of the food. Each episode is a visual feast. The textures, colors, and cooking sounds are filmed with genuine love for gastronomy. Food becomes a language of its own between the characters a means of expression, survival, emotion, and love.

And then there’s the OST Doyoung (NCT) delivers a simply breathtaking song. His voice, soft and sincere, perfectly accompanies the drama’s most emotional moments. It acts as an emotional thread throughout the episodes. The soundtrack lingers long after the series ends, like a bittersweet memory you never want to forget.

*Bon Appétit, Your Majesty* doesn’t aim for spectacle, but it hits all the right notes. It talks about simple yet essential things the need to be seen, understood, loved… and well-fed. It’s comforting without being naive, romantic without being predictable, and funny without ever becoming ridiculous.

This drama skillfully combines fantasy, slice-of-life, historical romance, and gastronomy with remarkable fluidity.

Honestly, it’s arguably one of the best K-Dramas of 2025. It has everything a well-crafted story, a perfect cast, meticulous direction, a beautiful soundtrack, and above all… soul.

Thank you and goodbye, “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty."
You will definitely be missed. 🫶🏻

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Too much time spent on non-story

I picked up this drama after hearing it was an entertaining drama that came out this year so I watched it. It started of good with humor and a mix of storytelling and a hint of a cooking show but then a couple of episodes in I felt the plot get stuck on a three episode competition that could've been one or at least one and a half but was dragged out and I got kinda bored. I decided to finish the series after a while and I must say that I was happy with the ending episodes which redeemed it a little bit. A fun concept bringing the popular cooking show aspect into a drama but as for the plot it fell a bit flat like many dramas this year. Definitely more of a background show than a "stop what you're doing" show.

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No Spark, No Flavor , A recipe for disaster — “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” Falls Flat

The experience of watching Bon Appétit, Your Majesty unfold weekly felt like a lengthy test of endurance. While the show was mercifully short, my interest was sustained less by compelling storytelling and more by a curious desire to see the peak of its narrative incredulity. Ultimately, the drama left a bizarre, lingering bad taste.

​The central failure lies in the total absence of chemistry between the main leads. The show attempts to use the "way to the heart is through the stomach" trope, but instead of sweet, subtle flirtation, the relationship jumps from zero to one hundred based exclusively on food. This foundation makes the romance feel inorganic and confusing. The heroine’s motivation to protect the hero, stemming from a misguided historical intervention, is logical, but the King's reciprocal passion is baffling—it appears based solely on her ability to cook delicious food.

​This over-reliance on a single skill also cripples the female lead's characterization. To me it felt like Yoona had a one-dimensional character whose sole defining quality is culinary talent. Beyond the kitchen, she lacks depth, which makes her side of the romance impossible to invest in.

​Furthermore, the production execution was amateurish at times. The close-up scenes depicting characters tasting the heroine's food were utterly cringeworthy, marred by heavy-handed and awkward editing effects that made me want to fast forward those scenes (which would be then the half of the drama🫠)

​The male lead, while praised by some, delivered a performance that I felt was wooden, constantly relying on his striking visuals as a substitute for emotional range or character work. In essence, the drama suffers from a reliance on surface-level appeal and tropes reminiscent of outdated K-dramas, sidelining supporting characters into mere background noise. The characters again were one dimensional with no depth.

All in all, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a time-pass drama with no real substance, relying on its high concept instead of a well-developed plot or believable connection.

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