This review may contain spoilers
If you just think of it like a stage play it is less disappointing
My rating is 8/10Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is an entertaining and amusing historical drama with a fresh twist, blending time travel, palace intrigue, and a heavy dose of culinary flair. The 12-episode series kept me engaged throughout with its lighthearted take on familiar tropes, offering comedic elements that set it apart from typical historical dramas. The romance between Han Yu-ri (Kim Seo-ha) and King Lee Chan (Lee Je-hoon) isn’t particularly sizzling, especially in the early episodes, but it builds to a satisfyingly sweet conclusion. The show leans heavily into cooking, particularly in the first half, making it a delight for fans of period dramas, time-travel narratives, and cooking shows. While it’s not a series I’d rewatch endlessly, it was a fun one-time watch that I’d recommend to those who enjoy period settings with a quirky, culinary spin.
Spoilers
The show requires a bit of a stage-play mindset, as some plot points stretch historical plausibility. Han Yu-ri’s (Kim Seo-ha) brazen, disrespectful speech toward King Lee Chan (Lee Je-hoon) and other royals would’ve been unthinkable in a real palace setting—other royals would’ve never tolerated it, even if Lee Chan himself was unbothered. Yet, she faces no serious consequences, which feels unrealistic. Lee Chan’s early brutality, like imprisoning Yu-ri in stocks, makes it hard to buy her quick forgiveness and budding feelings for him. His initial unlikability is intentional and well-executed, but with only 12 episodes, the turnaround to a believable romance feels rushed and less compelling.
The show leans heavily into the “magic” of Yu-ri’s cooking, which borders on fantastical—her food convinces reluctant eaters and nearly heals the crown prince, which feels exaggerated even for a comedic drama. The cooking competition, while a fun centerpiece, is blatantly forced but works if you embrace the show’s playful tone. Yu-ri’s character, while a talented cook, comes off as foolish in other areas, especially her ignorance of royal etiquette despite being in a palace. Her lack of shock at time-traveling to the past is odd, and her obsession with finding a book to return to the future feels illogical—she has no evidence it’s a two-way trip or that she could bring others, yet she clings to this idea. And not in a just “this is my only chance” type mindset but it seems she thoroughly believes it to the extent she acts as if she can just bring others along.
The ending has highs and lows. The climactic fight where Lee Chan battles his uncle is tense, but Yu-ri’s inaction—standing there fixated on the book while he’s fighting for his life—feels frustrating, though she redeems herself by throwing herself in front of a sword. Lee Chan’s arrival in the future is a sweet touch, but the show glosses over how it happens, leaving it to a vague “missing page” in the book. My daughter, who watches dramas with me, felt the writers deliberately trolled us by raising the question of how he time-traveled and then dismissing it without explanation. It’s also disappointing that history still records Lee Chan as a tyrant who mysteriously disappeared. While he did harsh things early on—understandable given constant assassination attempts—his later redemption makes the tyrant label feel unfair, and I wished the show had shown history altered to reflect his growth. He could have willingly stepped down after restoring his name.
The reincarnation of past characters as identical modern counterparts is another unanswered question, adding to the silliness. How did that happen? Other reincarnation tropes always have them with the same “soul” but their bodies typically look different.
The 12-episode length suits the story’s light, whimsical nature, but it limits the depth of Yu-ri and Lee Chan’s romance. While sweet by the end, their connection doesn’t feel like they’re utterly devoted, making it less emotionally gripping. Still, for what it is—a quirky, cooking-centric time-travel romp—it’s enjoyable, if not a masterpiece.
A huge round of applause from me that Netlix, for once, did not throw a bunch of “woke” elements in this time. Maybe a tiny bit with her “I am woman hear me roar” sassiness in the beginning but it wasn’t overt like they do a lot of times when they throw in something that is either inaccurate for the historical frame or just doesn’t fit the plot. At least they didn’t do that this time.
Synopsis
Year: 2025
Number of Episodes: 12
Runtime: Approximately 1 hour per episode
In this delectable fusion of time-travel fantasy and historical romance, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty transports the ambitious modern chef Yeon Ji-yeong (Im Yoon-ah) from the cutthroat kitchens of contemporary Seoul to the opulent yet treacherous Joseon palace during a tyrannical king's reign. Thrust into the role of royal cook after a solar eclipse mishap, Ji-yeong must blend her French culinary flair with Joseon staples to appease the volatile King Yi Heon (Lee Chae-min), whose discerning palate could mean life or death. As forbidden sparks ignite amid palace conspiracies and jealous rivals, Ji-yeong's innovative dishes not only tempt the king's heart but also unravel the mysteries of his tormented past, forcing her to choose between rewriting history and savoring a love that defies eras.
Major Characters
*Yeon Ji-yeong (Im Yoon-ah): A fiercely talented French-trained chef from the present day who time-slips into Joseon and becomes the king's personal cook, using her modern recipes to survive court dangers and spark an unlikely romance.
*King Yi Heon (Lee Chae-min): The brooding, tyrannical Joseon ruler infamous for his explosive temper and exquisite taste buds, whose icy facade softens through Ji-yeong's flavorful innovations, revealing a vulnerable soul haunted by betrayal.
*Kang Mok-ju (Kang Han-na): A scheming and envious palace consort driven by ambition, who views Ji-yeong's arrival as a threat to her status and orchestrates plots to undermine the new royal chef.
*Prince Je Seon (Choi Gwi-hwa): The king's cunning and power-hungry uncle, a key antagonist who manipulates court politics and family loyalties to challenge Yi Heon's throne.
*Queen Dowager (Seo Yi-sook): The formidable and tradition-bound mother of the king, who wields subtle influence over palace affairs and scrutinizes Ji-yeong's "foreign" ways with a mix of suspicion and reluctant admiration.
*Seo Gil-geum (Yoon Seo-ah): A kind-hearted palace maid who forms a fast friendship with Ji-yeong, providing loyal support and insider knowledge to help her navigate the treacherous royal household.
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Well, I Love Shows about… Food
I don’t have much to say about this drama because unlike many other viewers, I did not watch it for the plot.Okay, wait omg, hear me out, yeah sure, a show should have a good storyline for you to watch and enjoy it BUT I didn’t go into this one hoping to enjoy the plot.
In all honesty, if you ask me what the story is about, I’ll probably have nothing to say.
“So, why the 7.5 ratings if the story is forgettable?” 😏
I’ll tell you.
THE FOOD. THE COOKING. HOW THE CHARACTERS TREAT FOOD LIKE IT IS PURE ART.
That’s all. That’s the only reason this drama show was a good watch for me.
I just love the cooking, the food, the trad cooking competition …
Now if you’re looking for a fascinating romcom drama, or something with romance that will make you swoon, this is not that show.
Oh, I also have to add that Lee Chae Min outdid himself with this one. His acting was commendable. And to think I almost didn’t watch this because I was scared he might not be the best cast for the “Tyrant King” character. But surprisingly, he proved himself as a versatile actor.
Anywaysss, that being said, is this a terrible show? Absolutely not! Is it a great one? Umm, not really.
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perfect
What a beautiful way to end the show (it left me sobbing), leaves the opportunity for a possible spin off or special episode (i am really hoping this happens). I thoroughly enjoyed every episode it was an interesting fictionalised version of events. I really enjoyed the plot and especially the bonds and relationships with the characters throughout the story. It was also nice to see a change of pace with Jo Jae Yoon’s character in the midst of it all. Very well done piece of work from Yoona and Chae Min. ★★★★★Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A recipe for yummy food and tasty mayhem
The path to a successful sageuk dramas can be fraught. It can swing from boring to farcical and every stop in between. This drama managed to land in the Goldilocks zone where being entertaining trumps historical accuracy . . most of the time.I won't waste time with a detailed recap. Let's just say it is the usual enemy to lover trope plus a big dose of time slip fantasy. The fact that the FL is a quintessential modern woman and the ML is the Jeonha gave half the plot away.
Where the writer-nim did well is to shake up our preconception of their power dynamics right from their meet-cute.
The FL certainly doesn't play by Joseon rules. This sets the tone for much of their early interactions. Of course, the FL has to play nice once she work out who are the apex predators. Yet she is one of the chosen few who can speak their minds to the King without fear or favour.
The writer-nim also hit paydirt with the k-dramas trifecta. Romance, food porn and sageuk makjang.
In terms of romance, the chemistry of our leads is strong. It starts slow but we are left with no doubt they'd die for each other as the show progresses. The palace is hardly a fertile ground for skinship, but there are cute and swoon-y moments. Our ML definitely gave it a good go. Woof!
Next we have the food porn. It is every bit as fanciful as you'd expect. It is an amalgam of French, Korean and Chinese cuisines. I'd consider it a win if they tastes half as good as they look. It is definitely a big step up from shows like Mr Queen.
Is the culinary competition between nations legit? I'll leave that debate to historians. Oh, that reminds me. The actors playing the Ming delegates are all Korean. They are good actors and they would have received Mandarin language coaching. Even to my untrained ears, they don't always sound right. I don't understand why they didn't hire some veteran Chinese actors for the roles. Two of them did speak some Korean as part of the plot, but it would be more convincing to have Chinese actors try to speak Korean rather the other way around.
Finally, we have a full-on makjang bloodbath. As with the loveline, this is a slow burner. The usual palace intrigue, power games and evil eyes from the harem once our OTP's romance blossoms.
There is nothing to hint at what is to come. Forget about tying loose ends with pink bows. This is problem solving with extreme prejudice. It was all over in minutes, discounting any time to count the bodies.
Unfortunately, this brings about the one serious deficit of this drama. It is quite understandable that the FL will return to the present. Everything is geared towards that. It closes the time loop after a herd of temporal elephants have rampaged through it. The butterflies don't stand a chance! ;)
What is less "satisfactory" is the appearance of the ML in the present. Obviously, this is necessary for a HEA ending so I can't complain. However, the how, when and why is largely brushed aside by the show. It is such a significant development yet we are simply told not to worry about it. Are they planning a bonus EP?
This is particularly frustrating as the series is based on a popular web novel so the ending is well known. There are plenty of posts and videos online purporting to be the "definitive ending explained". They all seem convincing, but bear little resemblance to the actual finale. It left the sudden appearance of the ML feels contrived and unsettling.
Regardless, the ML carried the show with able assistance from the FL. This is an unexpected blessing as he was a last minute replacement for another actor who got into a spot of bother with public opinion. Combined with lush food porn and above average production value, this drama is hitting above its weight.
Fundamentally, it is a romantic fantasy loosely based on a troubling time in the 1500's. The steamrolling of some horrible events might not sit well with some. The sweet romance is the grease for the squeaky wheel. Is it believable? I wish it is, but it can feel quite contrived at times when the FL have epiphany after epiphany. While the King watched indulgently from the sideline. This brings about the awkward question of whether the show's portrayal of King Yi Heon is totally fanciful or not.
In the end, the show might not be good history, but it is good entertainment. The Korean ratings will be telling whether the locals concur.
When is fiction better than fact? Peace.
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Such a sweet drama with a new star
The title did not attract me and also not the names of the actors. However, from episode 2 onwards, the charme of the story and the actors caught me. I laugh and smile while watching as the FL is sassy (totally normal:-) to the king, so shocking for the old Joseon days:-) Very funny this combination of an independent and strong FL and the king expecting people to kneel and bow in front of him. Funnier as he is actually a very young man:-) I saw in other reviews all the old FL vs young ML discussions. Hello, we are in 2025 and still discuss that someone is 10 years older? As actors? Do you see this age difference in the roles? And if so, who cares? Just enjoy the funny and strong Yoona and Chaemin who plays a non-highschool student the first time. I think he will be one of the leading actors of his generation. Also enjoy the great food presentations! Very interesting how the Korean cuisine has evolved. Just a good K drama with a new twistWas this review helpful to you?
So far So Good - very surprised
This rom-com is actually pretty decent. The actress, although much older than ML, is convincing and funny. They are convincing as a couple. They do have chemistry.The story is a time travel one where the FL, who just won a French culinary competition, was transported to the era of the king who has sensitive taste buds to food.
Every step of the story is simple but convincing. It's fun and funny to watch the story of the couple unfolds.
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Hats off to the whole team for bringing this amazing drama and waking me up from Kdrama slump !!
I started with no hopes at all but I shocked by how invested I was by the end if the 1st episode. it kept getting better and better. Maybe its not for everyone because the food was the life of this drama but it worked for me. I was hooked till last and I am happy I chose to watch this.Chae Min was magnificient in this one. I hope he gets more scripts like this with good stories and likeable characters. For those who say that it was filled with fillers, I dont agree with them. Try it and you won't regret for sure. If not for the story then for the actors because everyone did an amazing job !!
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This review may contain spoilers
top mejores series de 2025
just finished it 10 minutes ago, really good, I was hooked from beginning to end, to be honest the cover or what they said about the series hadn't caught my attention but I gave it a chance and the truth is that I don't regret it, chae min's acting was excellent, I cried in the last two chapters, it gave us joy, sadness and laughter, I liked the ending although I would have liked to know how Joseon ended without its king, after that beautiful series you get hooked immediately, it makes me sad to think that I won't be able to watch it on Saturdays and Sundays anymore...Was this review helpful to you?
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Fantastically Delicious Drama
I try not to ever give out 10's to a series, because nothing is ever perfect ... However, this drama was about as close to perfection as you can get. By the end of episode one, you get so hooked, you just can't wait for the follow up.Chae Min gives one of the finest performances I've ever seen. He & Yoon A are absolutely brilliant together, each one complementing the other. Watching these two evolve from start to finish was so enjoyable. Seeing Chae Min in previous roles, it was totally unexpected, watching him transform from such a tyrant King early on, to such a lovable character in later episodes. Applause to him for really giving it his all.
The supporting cast fits perfectly throughout. Gwi Hwa is a great antagonist as the horrible Prince Je San. He, along with Han Na blend a a nice touch of wickedness to the story, adding just the right ingredients of evil to make a perfect dish!!
As we get closer to the end, you kind of begin to wonder how this will play out to a satisfied conclusion. You know Ji Yeong needs to return to her present time, but how to do it without destroying the story?? Someone the writers did it, in excellent fashion no less.
The Finale gave you everything you wanted. A smorgasbord of all good stuff. I found no fault in anything. I kept waiting for something disappointing to happen, but it never did. The last 10 or so minutes I could watch again and again. It really was the best ending you could ask for!!
This drama had such serious moments with just a dash of humor, which made a great dish of entertainment. Standing ovation to a great great series!!!
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Funtime For Foodies
If you’re a foodie and love K-dramas then you’ve come to the right place! The camera work and detail that went into making this happen was fantastic and really brought everything to life.The cast was also great. I fell in love with all the characters! Yoon A and Chae Min were brilliant; Chae Min’s performance felt so natural for him and his acting in the last few episodes was especially poignant. I didn’t want to leave any of these characters!
If I could make a small change it would be to make it a full 16 episode run. The 12 episode run may have worked if 3 episodes weren’t dragged out for the Ming envoy storyline. While the last two episodes made up for it, I felt as though the historical aspects were overshadowed by cooking. Im certainly not complaining, but the tonal shift was a bit jarring. The scheming and history plot line was pushed into the background until the end.
I was glad we got a happy ending. It definitely made up for the trauma we all felt with Scarlett Heart lol.
Would definitely watch again! Overall it was a good time and even garnered a good cry towards the end. I was rooting for our good guys all the way through.
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Amazing
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a refreshing and heart-warming blend of history, fantasy, romance, and food that takes viewers on an unexpectedly delicious journey. Set between modern Seoul and the grandeur of the Joseon dynasty, the series beautifully mixes mouth-watering culinary scenes with royal politics and emotional storytelling.What truly makes Bon Appétit, Your Majesty stand out is its heart. Beyond the romance and fantasy, it’s a story about passion, purpose, and the way food connects people across time and culture. It reminds us that even in a different era, love and kindness can be expressed through something as simple — and powerful — as a shared me
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Loving It
This drama is absolutely amazing so far. I would suggest if you enjoy the drama, Mr. Queen, you would enjoy this one also as it has the same premise though different in certain aspects. But the main consensus is that both of the female leads our chefs and it’s very interesting to see. Also, the comedy in this drama though cringe at times is well played out and doesn’t leave anything feeling flat. I will say we already did get a kiss by episode episode four which was really surprising, but I like how instead of the kiss basically destroying the story like it does in some K dramas it’s progressing the story in a good way and they’re not dwelling on it too much but they’re not completely ignoring it. I’m very excited to see where this drama goes overall. I feel like Kim Yoona has gotten a lot of flake for her acting in King the land but I feel like she’s improved a lot. And I also love the most recent episodes this subtle reference to Gee. Anyways, so far this drama is going good and I’m hoping it’s going to stay on the right track. I will say by the end I’m predicting a nice rewatch value. I will say when I first started watching it the male lead was making me overly angry but overtime I’ve come to understand everything.Was this review helpful to you?
