Popular but forgetful
This series feels like it recycled all the different series that had come before: such as the basic story from Mr. Queen, actors and characters from The Moon Embracing The Sun, The Crowned Clown, etc... The whole thing feels like a constant water down deja vu. Not to mention the repetition of certain food ingesting orgasms and funny faces. Overall, it lacks originality.I could see it being done as a spoof of all the series of the same genre that have come before, in the vain of the Scary Movies making fun of the horror genre. But no, Bon Appetit takes itself too seriously with a weak story plot and even weaker main actors. I agree that it is light and popular right now, but I doubt that this series will remain liked in the years, even months, to come.
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The best kdrama 2025 !
This whole year I have been in a drama slump for so long until this drama came out and OH GOD I WAS HOOKED!Since the beginning, the storyline and plot were so engaging to watch, not to mention our visual couple with insane chemistry! Yoona and Lee Chaemin’s acting and performance throughout this whole drama was AMAZING, they deserves all the love they got from this drama! No episode was boring for me as I love cooking and romance, this was a perfect combination imo.
Now that I finished it, I was just left in awe of how beautiful it ended. I was worried it might have been rushed but it was not, they concluded it very well. THANK YOU TVN !! This whole 6 weeks of this drama journey was so amazing, I cant describe how empty I am now that it ended. I’m not gonna spoil anything more and if you havent watched it, what are you doinggg?? Just go watch it nowww !!
Highly recommended, 10/10 for me !
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relaxing the mind with a drama that has the lightness and charm
I've already mentioned that I'm not an active consumer of Korean productions, but I watched the drama "Bon Appetit" encouraged by the excellent reviews from audiences around the world.I have to admit that I've joined the ranks of viewers who also praise the drama's use of cooking, time travel, and historical romance.
In my opinion, the excellence of the production and the performance of the actress who plays the lead role are quite captivating.
Despite the use of the time travel cliché, the production is very well done and engaging. The presentation of Korean cuisine and the Korean humor strengthened my motivation to continue the drama until the end.
And watching the drama until the end was well worth it.
The quality of the cinematography and editing justify the production values, which must have been exceptional for a drama commissioned by an international platform.
Korean cuisine and the humor, often lighthearted and with fish-out-of-water elements, were among the series' greatest attractions.
Actress Im Yoona's performance is particularly notable for her characteristic charisma and the way she conveys the character's anguish as she faces challenges.
The journey of the protagonist, a talented cook, and the way she transforms palace life with her cooking are highlights.
Although romance is integral to the plot, I felt the producers and directors focused on conveying the drama's historical legacy.
The premise of time travel in Asian dramas is nothing new; however, in my opinion, this drama managed to deliver a production with a distinctive identity.
I recommend this drama as a great option for those who enjoy historical romances because it has a suitable dose of humor and because it ends with a thrilling cliffhanger that makes us long for a second season.
For me, this is an especially important detail because it leaves us with the feeling that the time invested in this entertainment was not time wasted, but time dedicated to relaxing the mind with a super production that has the lightness and charm characteristic of the South Korean dramas that I have had the opportunity to watch.
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yoona lee chae-min chemistry ??
the ending was perfect AAA!!! lee chae-min was perfect for his role. I can’t imagine anyone else playing the majesty. Mangunrok scene was a masterpieceeeeee I almost cried 😭😭🫶🏻 I’m so in love 🥺🫶🏻.Was this review helpful to you?
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“Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” – A Beautiful Story That Deserves So Much More Love
I have read so many recent reviews calling this drama disappointing, shallow, or lacking in story, and honestly, I could not disagree more. “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” is not meant to be realistic. It is meant to be heartfelt, imaginative, and full of warmth. Was it dramatic? Yes. Were the food reactions exaggerated? Definitely. But that is part of its charm. This is not a history lecture or documentary. It is a fantasy that uses food as a language for healing, memory, and love.Beneath the grand dishes and royal politics lies a powerful, emotional story. It is about a woman whose strength comes not from rebellion but from grace. She leads with empathy, patience, and intelligence, and she communicates with honesty and warmth. Her words and actions carry the quiet confidence of someone who listens as much as she speaks. Though she faints when overwhelmed and appears fragile, she never surrenders to weakness. She uses what she has, and her greatest tool of all, her love for cooking, to change the course of history. She embodies the truest strengths of being a woman: understanding, compassion, and the ability to connect and heal even in a world ruled by power and pride.
The relationship between the leads was simply beautiful. Yes, it mirrored a traditional setup, a woman who cooks and a man who eats, but it was never about submission. It was about respect, devotion, and shared purpose. He adored her not for what she did for him, but for who she was. He documented every meal she created, treated her art with reverence, and kept every promise he made, even when it cost him everything. Together they built a love that was selfless, timeless, and painfully human.
The chemistry between the leads, the humour and camaraderie among the palace staff, the sincerity in every performance, it all worked in perfect harmony. The acting was phenomenal. Considering the male lead had less than a month to prepare for this role, his performance was nothing short of remarkable. He completely embodied the character. His portrayal of a man torn between vengeance and virtue felt effortless yet deeply layered. The way he balanced power with tenderness, and restraint with emotion, made the story feel alive. That level of transformation in such a short time is a testament to just how skilled and instinctive his acting truly is.
“Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” is not just about food. It is about love as nourishment. It is about choosing kindness in a world that rewards cruelty. It is about holding onto your humanity even when surrounded by power and pain.
So yes, it was unrealistic. But so what? It was also breathtakingly sincere. And in a world where cynicism is easy and beauty is rare, sincerity is exactly what makes this drama worth watching.
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Great start, rushed ending
A fantasy drama that blends comedy, history, romance and most importantly, food into a 12 episodes joint.The story centers around chef Ji Yeong, who is thrown into the past by some unusual circumstances, and is seeking to make her way back to the modern world from the Joseon Era she stucked upon.
The first half of the drama progresses steadily, with a ton of delicious food thrown in the front of viewers. The camera follows Ji-young through the process, focusing on the ingredient selection and the process of cooking as much as the final dish. The production was quite vibrant. Both the ML and FL had a great chemistry.
The political aspect had a lesser establishment in the first half, while it's focus shifted heavily towards the ending episodes, leaving us with many plot points unexplained. As with most of the drama, the palace politics come with a fairly simple narrative that splits characters into those who support the ML and those who don't. That's it, the political narrative.
The FL Im Yoon-a plays her with fantastic range, with an adequately hammy performance for the comic scenes and a heartfelt portrayal during the more emotional ones. While the ML doesn’t have the same range as Yoon-a, Chae-min offers an entertaining transformation from a tyrant to a soft-hearted king.
Overall, Bon Appetit is a lighthearted show to enjoy, even though the finale might pull down the overall satisfaction, due to rushed ending and unexplained plot points.
My Rating : 7.5/10
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Good to watch
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a light and enjoyable drama with a unique food-and-royalty concept. The chemistry between the leads feels natural, and the story stays engaging without being too heavy. The cooking scenes are visually pleasing, and the pacing is smooth. Overall, it’s a fun watch for anyone who enjoys romance mixed with food and palace vibes.Was this review helpful to you?
Where food, love and loyalty rule the royal kitchen.
First off, the actor who played Jesan, absolutely incredible performance. I have to commend him because I hated his guts from the start (in the best way possible). His acting was so convincing and added real depth to the story.The male lead was a great addition as well. The way he showcased his emotions and expressed different layers of feeling so subtly through his eyes was just incredible. I also loved how the drama centered around food, with layers of betrayal and treason woven into the plot. The storytelling was captivating with every episode, you get dragged deeper into the world of the palace.
The ending had a nice emotional touch, though it did feel a bit rushed if you look closely. But honestly, for those few moments, it didn’t even matter.
The side characters were also very entertaining, the jester, the chief royal secretary, the royal kitchen crew, and the fourth royal consort all gave the show a good balance of humor and seriousness.
I liked how it began with a time travel premise, a lost and confused female lead and a mean, heartless king. Over time, as they spent time together, you could really see the king’s transformation from cold and cruel to reasonable and caring, even when everyone was against him.
I really admire how this K-drama blended its plot and comedic moments with such rich food storytelling. The directors did an excellent job showcasing a variety of dishes from different cultures and highlighting unique cooking styles and equipment. I especially loved the episode where they explained the engineering behind the pressure cooker and how it speeds up cooking, that was such a nice touch!
Throughout the series, they showed characters bonding over food, using it as a bridge for connection and memory. I loved how it portrayed the idea that a single taste of a dish can bring back deep emotions or remind you of a loved one. There were beautiful moments featuring dishes influenced by French, Korean, and Italian cuisine, and even discussions about herbs and their role in health, all of which made the culinary aspect even more meaningful.
Overall, it’s a shorter drama compared to the usual 16 episodes, but it’s packed with emotion, comedy, and solid storytelling. The acting was spectacular, the soundtrack amazing, and once the story settled into the Joseon era, it flowed so well that you almost forget it started as a time-travel story, until that twist returns later on.
A great drama for a relaxing watch, heartfelt, funny, and engaging from start to finish. Definitely worth checking out!
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GREAT MODERN/TRADI KDRAMA !
On my list from the start because I really like Lee Chae Min in everything he does, and Yoona, I like her more and more; her acting is improving, and the emotions are there. Not being a big fan of cooking dramas, even though I've seen a ton of them, I was thrilled to launch a story that blends modernity in 2025 with the old times through time travel.The first episodes won me over! Whether it was Lee Chae Min, with her undeniable charisma as King Joseon, or Yoona, radiant, on point in her emotions and performances, not to mention the dose of humor that made the whole thing sparkle with kindness. Kang Hanna's acting didn't really touch me; the writing for her character was relatively cold, so she left me neither hot nor cold.
The dishes were visually exquisite, and the arrangement of each dish was mouthwatering! It was beautiful, colorful, and appetizing. Although the culinary complexity was too much for my taste, to the detriment of the romance, I still loved seeing the King stuff himself, haha.
Exactly, let's talk about the romance!
I found it sublime. There was good chemistry between the two, but in a "sweet" and "caring" way, like two people who have been together for a very long time. Like a habit. However, I didn't feel any passionate or sensual chemistry, which was 200% due to the age difference, for sure. However, that didn't stop me from loving them immensely together and also laughing at the old-couple snark they would make at each other.
Overall, I loved BON APPÉTIT YOUR MAJESTY because it's a story that exudes positive vibes. Despite the corruption and internal conflicts, I didn't feel the war politics were very present. It's still a rom-com, so nothing to give you a headache. I thank the entire cast for their nuanced and remarkable performances. I loved the music and can't wait to get the soundtrack album.
I would add a small criticism at the end for the unanswered questions regarding Monsieur's arrival. Indeed, in 2025, there are things that can't be magical without administrative oversight! In short, let's let magic exist anyway!
I obviously recommend BON APPÉTIT YOUR MAJESTY! This year's favorite for me.
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nice
It ended exactly as I predicted in episode 1!!Fun, intriguing story...the cooking scenes are beautiful, of course. The costumes and locations are beautiful. The direction and sometimes the writing are terrible, but it was enjoyable to watch with my wife.
What a shock to see what happens in the penultimate episode, though!
Unfortunately, the story ends like this, and there won't be room for a season 2, perhaps set in the present day. What a shame.
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Episode 3 was amazing!
Episode 3 was amazing! It’s been such a long time since I’ve felt this much excitement while watching a series, and waited so eagerly for the next episode 😍🥺😍🥺😍🥺😍As for Choi Min’s acting, I really have to say I’m impressed. At first, when I heard Park Sung Hoon had stepped down from the role due to the controversies, I was disappointed. But now, I’m actually glad it happened, because it gave Choi Min the chance to shine.
His proud expressions, that crooked smile, the tone of his voice, the aura he carries, even the way he goes ‘oohooooh’—it honestly feels like he was made for this role. Even though he’s 11 years younger than Yoona, his performance is so strong that the age gap doesn’t show at all.
Who would’ve thought that the cute little bartender with a short role in Alchemy of Souls would end up here, playing such a capable king? 🥺😍😂
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Loopholes, We've Got Your Loopholes of All Sizes Here!
Nothing was explained or made sense: why was a modern woman outrageously, belligerently fearless in an isolated area when a man repeatedly tried to kill her (with arrows, sword, and knife!); if she was from the future and had foreknowledge, why didn't she make better choices or give out warnings; why would cooks well-known for their knife skills choose wooden spoons as weapons to save their lives; and why was the king's mother killed? The ending is equally nonsensical, and the writers even admitted in a sideways fashion that they couldn't come up with a viable explanation. As for loose ends, the whole drama garment was frayed! If you don't need logic or explanations, this is the drama for you.Even so, I enjoyed myself. The leads and supporting cast were fun. I enjoy food dramas, and I could happily watch the ML eat in slow motion for an entire drama. Which is, basically, the main reason to watch this show. I've added an entire star for the ML's acting skills in relishing each bite.
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