Head Chef Yoon
Overall, it's a series I've really enjoyed and eagerly awaited every week. A good premise was chosen and combined with food. It's a romance between a cruel king's revenge story and a chef who, we eventually realize, returns to the past thanks to a cookbook he wrote, and ultimately, their reunion. I think it was a well-crafted mix, and the actors were also noteworthy, but unfortunately, there were a lot of mistakes. Things that shouldn't have happened, things our logic wouldn't allow. Unfortunately, these things happen because the screenwriter and I disagree. There are also parts of the plot that were left in for the sake of convenience. In particular, the king doesn't do anything to his suspected concubine. He says he'll kill her, but he neither questions her, punishes her, or has her followed. This affects the plot. If the king were to watch it, he'd reach a conclusion. Why wouldn't you watch someone you suspect? You know there's a conspiracy against you, your mother was murdered, and you investigate, but you take no precautions, no plans, no plans. The king's followers are clowns. In other words, it takes away the credibility. I guess it's not too unrealistic, because something really different happened. It's a fictional series. On top of that, the miraculous invention and use of a pressure cooker by a man who makes rice pops, the invention and use of an airplane, and so on, were all very cheap and far-fetched. I thought it was just for fun. I thought we'd have a laugh. The man exploded a cannon. He won the war. So, he discovered, invented, and used cannons and gunpowder. It all happened too much. These things were so wrong, so exaggerated, so unbecoming of the series. It should have been left to its original form. And the king was so lighthearted. That's how they portrayed him. I don't understand how he's such a cruel king. He's going to get what he's doing. He imprisons a palace lady. They don't know whose palace lady she is. No investigation is made. No precautions are taken. The palace lady is supposedly a very important witness. She's murdered in prison. There's zero credibility. Could something like this even happen? I mean, the king is so passive and cruel. It's a very contradictory portrayal. His rivals are playing tricks on him. They poison the prince. They're pinning him on whomever they want. They're so laid-back. For example, the uncle. This uncle gets away with everything. Then he fools the king by being cute and foolish. He gets away with a lighthearted remark. So, this guy is so stupid, so stupid. He can't do anything. Why aren't the responsibilities given to him revoked? The uncle, you just enjoy yourself. He doesn't say, "Don't come to the palace." He doesn't say, "Go and stay home." Or maybe he didn't. These were way too exaggerated and very noticeable. In short, these were some of the aspects of the series that I didn't like or found wrong. I'd say it didn't really affect the overall performance, or maybe I just ignored it. It affected me as a whole, and I liked it. First of all, the cast was good. The direction was good. The costumes were good. The action was good. Lim Yoon A, in particular, put in a lot of effort. He was dedicated. His performance affected the others as well, in other words, it directly affected their performance. I felt for him. I also thought Lee Chae Min would struggle against him. On the contrary, he was very good. He looks older than his age and he played his part very well. I really liked him. He never smirked, and I think they interacted well as a duo, and they made a good pairing. Even though the romance didn't really sink in, I understood they were drawn together by a love for each other. It was a sweet and fitting romance. It wasn't overdone. Besides that, Kang Han Na added color with her beauty. She was successful in the episodes she was in. It wasn't a lot of work. Choi Gwi Hwi was the star of the series in my opinion. He played well. He made us feel the bad. He's very visible with his dramas these days. He's a candidate for best supporting actor. I liked it. Seo Yi Sook was good. Oh Eui Shik was very good. I liked his performance. Lee Joo Ahn, on the other hand, was one of the best and most noticeable in this series. I think he was the winner. How this actor stayed in supporting roles like this is astonishing. He has the aura of being a star. His physique, good looks, image, and action were perfect. The producers should take this into consideration, I'm saying this here. Maybe someone will hear about it. Or maybe he's lazy. He doesn't want to lift the weight. He wants to keep it simple. I don't know. But he's an actor I really like. Yoon Seo Ah was also one of those who caught my eye. So, the actors were quite good. Ko Chang Seok also stood out as the inventor. Well done. I recommend it to those who haven't watched it. It's one of those series I can watch again. So, I'll watch it again.Was this review helpful to you?
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SPOILER ?⭐
literally cried when i heard his voice AKCKSKSABJXBSJS i love love the plot twist : ( thank you BAYM for giving us another historical time slip drama !! truly one of the masterpiece but can we talk about the editing everytime they try a new food of cook yeon? I WAS IJBOLING LMFAOAOAOA ( i relate to it so much cz everytime i try a new food, i would be a sent to a another dimension )10/10. also love the side characters especially gilgeum-ssi <3 the sister relationship between her and cook yeon :P ++ except i hate the character of the superintendent ? you would really know that a villain played a good job when they did a good job at annoying u. the dishes def made me crave for it >< a good job also to yoona and chaemin for giving us the character of cook yeon and yiheon !!! cooking skills + acting + the EMOTION of lee chaemin is there ! especially the scene where cook yeon was returning to the present time.
Bon Appetit Your Majesty, Alchemy Of Souls, and Moon Lovers definitely sit at the same table! however, BAYM wasn't impactful as AOS and ML : ) there are some lacking qualities that aos and ml that doesn't have. i just couldn't identify what that is...
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The writers must've been uninspired
If you've seen the anime "Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma" and the K-Drama "Mr. Queen" and some other sageuk dramas with time travel elements to them, then I really can't recommend this series that much—the synopsis and plot are similar so far, the way the characters react to Yeon Jiyoung's cooking is similar to Food Wars, and I presume the way the story will go as the episodes go on will be similar to that of Mr. Queen.Was this review helpful to you?
The director made a wise decision to replace the OG ML with Lee Chae Min just one month before filming began. Chae Min trained so hard for the character he needed to portray in the drama, within the 1 month he has been given to prepare. And he truly proved himself as an actor with his impressive acting skills and the way he delivered the character so well it is so undefinable
Yoona has always been an outstanding actress. She dedicated herself completely to this character, even took the cooking classes for the drama, and portrayed it exceptionally well.
I also loved the relationship between Jiyoung and Heon from beginning to end, and how he grew and changed because of her. The only drawback is the lack of romance between them, it would be lovely to watch if they add one more episode for their dating era, but overall the drama is extremely good
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A delightful feast of romance, food, and heart
After King the Land, it was such a happy reunion with Yoon-A. I instantly remembered why she’s so endearing — charming, radiant, and effortlessly engaging. She really has a knack for roles where she caters to people’s needs — hotels, royal kitchens — and she brings such warmth that every scene feels welcoming.The male lead, meanwhile, was pure eye candy — but more than just that. He nailed that delicate balance between anger and vulnerability. Yi Heon was grand, dramatic, and just a little too much — but honestly, isn’t that what a king should be? He was acutely aware of his power, of his own authority, which made his softer moments stand out even more.
I absolutely loved the international flavor of the show — from the first segment in France to the cooking contest with the Ming. As a native French speaker and a fan of the Chinese language, it was such a treat to hear both blend naturally into a K-drama. Sure, the Chinese was slower than what I’m used to in C-dramas, but the cultural crossover was so much fun that I didn’t mind. And watching the cast act as though each bite was an extra-sensory revelation? Completely hilarious. Their expressions alone could make you crave the dishes.
The show never took itself too seriously — at least, not until episodes 11 and 12, when everything suddenly turned chaotic. Up until then, it was light, witty, and romantic in the best way. It was clear from the very beginning that he was drawn to her the moment he saw her, even if he didn’t realize it yet. Watching him slowly piece together those feelings and stand by her against everyone was genuinely sweet. And I loved how she learned to see beyond the “tyrant” legend and love the man underneath. And yes, I’ll happily ignore every little alarm whispering “Stockholm syndrome” — it’s fiction, and I had a blast.
My biggest frustration was the ending. He went down in history as a tyrant despite all his efforts to restrain himself, to forgive, to not take revenge for his mother — and for what? Nothing! I was raging 😆. It’s such a shame, because the show had been building toward something great before the historical constraints kicked in and tangled everything up.
Even so, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty remains a charming, visually delicious drama — part romance, part historical fantasy, part food heaven — served with undeniable heart.
I started rating it at 8.5, but the ending chaos shaved off half a point.
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Screaming, crying, throwing up
This show had me **hooked** and **captivated** all **from the very first episode**! I am saying this as someone who is notoriously hard to please.Who knew a modern day female Michelin Chef who time travels back 500 years to the Joeson dynasty era would be a great idea to adapt to the screen??
The FL and ML have some of the **best tension and aggressiveness that I have seen in a kdrama in years**; they are electric together and their tit for tat relationship is just ✨chef’s kiss ✨
If you like:
✅Grump x Sunshine
✅Tension
✅Hate-to-love
✅Time travel
✅Court intrigue
✅Politics
✅Cooking
Bon Appetite Your Majesty is the show for you.
I know I probably shouldn’t be writing a review for a show that’s only halfway through, but I have a feeling this will be one of the greats even if it shatters us 🙈
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Cooked !!!
It's time to say goodbye to beautiful drama which I'm longing for !! A perfect time travel, fantasy, chemistry really cooked well and I come to know korean cuisine by this drama , I really loved all the dishes but unable to taste.Sad!!I know !! I knew by someday ML( from see you in 19th life )will get recognised by his acting my eyes filled with tears when he cries, when he screams in final episodes ,a perfectly balanced 12 episodes I don't wanna reveal spoilers,but I recommend every drama lovers to watch this.kudos to the writer,and yes HAPPY ENDING.
Happy watching
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serving nostalgia, seasoned lightly with confusion
thinking back, when i started this drama, all i really hoped for was to re-enter the k-drama world—a world that had felt shut to me ever since i learned more about the darker side of the korean entertainment industry (and gained trust issues for free). naturally, my moral compass did what it had to do and i took months off, withdrawing from the fanbase and putting every k-drama on hold. out of sentimentality and maybe a teeny tiny bit of desperation to rekindle this passion of mine, i decided to choose my next watch and 'bon appétit, your majesty' felt like a breath of fresh air that somehow didn't seem entirely unfamiliar.and now, after finishing it, i actually feel like being back on track.
the drama itself isn't groundbreaking, but it transported me straight back to the 2016 k-drama renaissance. the aesthetic was so reminiscent of that era, yet blended with contemporary storytelling in a way that created this lovely, fragile, almost comforting sense of nostalgia.
what stands out the most is the sincerity of acting and the way cooking is woven into the narrative—not just as a gimmick, but as a genuine driving force. the dishes aren't just props. their preparation and significance shaped the plot, deepened emotional connections and honestly made me want to learn every recipe one by one. cooking became both a visual treat and a narrative technique that kept me captivated... and hungry.
the acting is the truly impeccable aspect. friendships were blossoming, animosity was made believable. the romance, however... let's pause there for a moment. circling back to the inconsistency in plot development, iam afraid it also translated into the relationship between ji young and yi heon as well. they often felt more like siblings—she offered this grounded, mature guidance, while his "maturity" was mostly cemented by the way he spoke, definitely not in the way he thought (some moments of brilliance were there, though). minus the epilogue, that's where they seemed the most compatible, which is strange considering the rest of their relationship arc. his feelings felt genuine; hers… not so much. and no, it's not about the age gap (both actors are consenting adults); it's the script tbh. maybe next time, writer‑nim, a little more depth and a bit better pacing, okay? we need more nuanced relationship development in k-dramaland (and less quirky visual effects).
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So good that I was feeling hungry all the time!
Bon Appetit, everyone!!!!!!!To have great dishes on every episode is torturing me! To have a good-looking king is also torturing me! I love their first meet in the jungle while Chef Jeon is looking miserable and confuseddd.
“To be yearned for, to be seen~”
That is the King’s trait. Always always yearning for his Royal Court Cook– Jeon Susu~
I am always loving the concept of Joseon kdrama. the cinematography, the slow-mo moments, the sound of arrows and swords flying, the so many scenes on top of hills and many more!
Please please give a try in watching this series as Lee Chae-min is soooo good with his acting especially when he is mad or cry. I feel like I have to pukpuk him.
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3-Star Michelin Chef in Joseon
Bon Appetit gave me strong Mr. Queen energy, but with its own flavor that sets it apart. While Mr. Queen leans heavily on rom com chaos, this one takes a more grounded approach. The romance has weight, the politics add tension, and the cooking scenes tie everything together in a way that feels thoughtful instead of gimmicky. It’s that sweet spot where you’re entertained but still pulled into the story’s layers.The pacing sits right in the middle too. Not too simple, not too tangled, just enough suspense to keep you saying “one more episode” until you realize you’ve finished the whole thing in two days. What really hooked me was how several characters sat in that gray area where you’re not sure if they’re good or bad. By the end, that duality actually makes the entire drama feel richer and more memorable.
I genuinely loved this show, and it stays with me even after the final episode. My only tiny wish is that it had a standout OST I could cling to and replay whenever I want to relive the experience. Other than that, it’s a beautifully balanced watch that delivers charm, depth, and flavor all at once.
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Good drama
This is an entertaining drama. My only issue is that I have a hard time following the political plot. I think there are too many characters in the palace background. Other than that this is pretty entertaining and I love the food aspect! There’s also a historical aspect that I enjoy, where the main character mentions political events in the past that she is aware of.I guess the drama writers are making this king look a lot better than he was IRL. I guess he’s Korea’s “Ivan the Terrible” hahaha.
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A fresh new take at time travel!
The story drawed me in simply because the premise was unique! Usually, characters who time travel , travel back as their own self in some point of their life so it's a cakewalk for them to mold the future as they wish and the stories still feel unrealistic. But this drama won my heart.When she travels back in time through the book, it takes fl a good while to accept she travelled back in time, while it takes others just a second to accept their reality. Fl's reaction was extremely realistic and her relationship with the tyrant was also realistic. Here, the tyrant is a tyrant , not a misunderstood person. I liked this too. Even the consort and the prince intrigued me. Gil-geum and fl's relationship was cute too.
What I didn't like is :
1. Fl is a black belt in karate? It doesn't seem like it. She was probably bluffing.
2. The king and the consort's relationship is weird. It doesn't seem like there's anything romantic or sexual in their relationship, which was unrealistic.
3. It's just a me thing but the stungun is bugging me. Where tf it it go?
4. I spoiled myself cause I had exams but I wanted to know the ending. The ending was beautiful but really? They all look like those chefs?
5. Their reactions after eating her cooking was too cheesy like wtf.
As I said in 4 I loved the ending . He somehow travelled forward in time for her! It literally parallels their meeting back in the past.
I liked the actors pretty much, and specially the ml. The way he was so human, expressing his emotions properly, was beautiful. He is a breath of fresh air where other mls are 'cold and expressionless'. I was literally thinking he was being sarcastic all the time though lmfao.
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