Bon Appetit, Your Majesty

Enjoyable, but not fully satisfying

It starts off strong with a fun mix of food, romance, and time travel. A cheerful chef named Yeon Ji Yeong (played by Yoona) opens a strange book during an eclipse and ends up in the Joseon era, where she meets King Yi Heon (Lee Chae Min). He’s a strict ruler but loves good food, and their bond grows through cooking and shared meals.

The first few episodes are full of charm. The food scenes are colorful and exciting, with creative dishes and fun cooking battles. The romance between Ji Yeong and the king is sweet and believable. Lee Chae Min does a great job showing both the king’s serious side and his softer, playful side when he’s enjoying food. Their chemistry makes the show enjoyable to watch. But as the story goes on, things get messy. The show tries to mix too many ideas i.e, romance, cooking, politics, and war. The cooking battles are fun, but takes too much time away from the main couple. The political drama becomes confusing and takes over the story, making it feel like two different shows.

The final battle is also hard to believe. A small group of cooks and helpers somehow defeat a large group of rebels, which doesn’t make much sense. The villains, who seemed strong before, are defeated too quickly, and there’s no real payoff or celebration. Most side characters don’t get enough development. They feel flat, and we don’t learn much about them. A little backstory could have helped us care more about their roles.

The biggest problem is the ending. It feels rushed and leaves out important details. We never find out how the king travels to the future or how he suddenly fits into modern life wearing a suit. Ji Yeong also wakes up in a hospital without any clear reason. These missing pieces make the ending feel incomplete and disappointing.

In the end, its is a fun watch if you enjoy food shows and romantic moments. The cooking scenes are well done, and the lead actors are charming. But the story loses focus, and the ending leaves too many questions.

Read More

Not bad but not good; OK

I liked and enjoyed the story until the last two episodes. The last episode, especially, made me feel like I was watching a comedy skit or something; everything and anything was happening without making any sense.
I think they rushed the last two episodes; otherwise, it would have been a 10/10 drama for me.

Overall, I enjoyed the drama because the cast was very good at acting, especially the leads. The editing of the scene while they ate her food was very funny and interesting. I wish they hadn't ruined the ending for the sake of giving the drama a happy conclusion.

Read More

came in for a fun entertaining show but got bored quite fast...

I feel like you are really big fans of the actors you can enjoy it but coming from a person who is watching for the story and not the actors then this drama was really very mid, unfortunately. I had high expectations but from the start itself it started feeling very odd...

Firstly, the budget for the drama. He's the king of Joseon but the rooms he was given were equal to the room she was staying in. Literally one table with a mattress so small. And also the assembly hall was so bland without anything decorations or furniture... (maybe i have just watched too many cdramas) but yea it felt like the budget was quite low for this drama.

Regarding the story, its your typical time travel story so nothing new. I felt like they spent way too much time on her making all kinds of food instead of developing her relationship with him. To some it can be enough but to me it was not. I did not feel any chemistry between them and would have preferred if they just removed the whole love line in that case. The last 2 episodes were just so forced, to move forward with the plot and history but at the same time they also needed a way to bring her back to the present.

However, I did enjoy the display of food. So for those interested in cooking and trying out the dishes I feel you can give this a try.

Overall story was average, so you can let the drama play the background while having a meal or something.

Read More

?️? A Tasty Trip Through Time

So I started this drama because my sister recommended it… and honestly, it didn’t disappoint! The story is solid, the acting is superb, and the music hits just right. Our lead travels back in time and turns out to be an amazing cook — and, of course, the king falls head over heels. 😍
One of my favorite parts? The way the drama explains traditional Korean dishes — I legit learned a thing or two and got hungry just watching! 🍲
Now, full disclosure: I found the humor a bit missing. Maybe I was subconsciously comparing it to Mr. Queen, which has that perfect mix of laughs and chaos. If you loved Mr. Queen, you’ll notice the storyline vibes are kinda similar here, just with minor tweaks.
For me, I like some laughs in my period dramas, so I probably won’t rewatch it. But as a one-time watch, it’s definitely tasty, charming, and worth your time.

Read More

Deliciously Entertaining, But Not Without Flaw

COOKING TIME: 12 episodes, each around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

YIELD: A bold fusion of romantic comedy, palace intrigue, and political twists—bursting with charm in its early episodes, yet marked by abrupt tonal shifts and a finale that leaves key questions unanswered.

INGREDIENTS:

A Modern Chef and a Young King: Lim Yoon A’s spirited time-traveler and Lee Chae Min’s earnest monarch drive the show’s heart. Their romance is consistently engaging, providing warmth even as the surrounding drama fluctuates.

Overpowering Court Intrigue and an Implausible Final Battle: The series starts with playful palace antics but quickly turns toward intense political scheming. As the stakes rise, these twists overtake the story’s earlier charm, causing abrupt and sometimes unsettling tonal shifts. The final battle, in particular, strains credibility: the outcome hinges on a small group—some of whom aren’t even soldiers but cooks—managing to defeat a force of rebels. This unlikely victory makes the climax feel far-fetched and less satisfying.

Food Battles and Fun: Vibrant kitchen showdowns light up the beginning, cleverly blending comedy and flirtation. However, the extended cooking competition in the middle draws energy away from the leads, sometimes stalling the romance.

Enduring Romance: The chemistry between the main couple is a standout throughout the series, giving the story genuine warmth even as the tone shifts. Still, the extended cooking competition in the middle sidelines their relationship, resulting in fewer romantic moments and leaving viewers wishing for more time with the leads together.

Unanswered Questions: The ending skips over critical plot points, most notably how King Yi Heon manages to travel to the modern world and reunite with Ji Yeong, or why Ji Yeong suddenly wakes up in a hospital after being last seen on a plane. The lack of explanation for their return is especially frustrating—after investing so much in their journey, viewers are left without a clear resolution. This missing closure undermines the emotional payoff of the story, making the entire experience feel incomplete.

METHOD:

Begin with Breezy Charm: Episodes 1–4 sparkle with humor, heart, and a breezy romantic air, setting high expectations with their light touch and engaging leads.

Stir in Palace Power Plays: As royal intrigue and the cooking tournament ramp up, the narrative slows and comedic flair fades, leaving less room for the couple’s dynamic.

Shift to Heavier Drama: The tone pivots sharply by episodes 11 and 12, delving into dark political conflict and emotional turbulence. These abrupt changes jar the viewing experience, highlighting the show’s unsettled identity.

Conclude in a Rush: The finale races to tie up its threads but leaves major leaps in logic—especially how the leads reunite—largely unexplained. Essential emotional beats are skipped, and the resolution feels convenient rather than well-earned. A steadier pace and more thoughtful finale could have given viewers the closure they deserved.

CAST HIGHLIGHTS:

Lim Yoon A shines in the comedic and lighthearted moments, bringing charm and timing to the series’ early episodes. However, her performance in the heavier emotional scenes doesn’t carry quite the same impact.

Lee Chae Min offers a nuanced take on a young king, balancing vulnerability and authority even as the script veers in different directions.

The supporting cast adapts well to the shifting moods, delivering memorable moments throughout.

NOTES & TIPS:

The series shifts boldly from light and witty beginnings to a tense, sometimes dark finish—expect an unpredictable ride.

Vivid CGI food remains a highlight, especially early on.

Romance sparkles when present, though it’s often pushed aside by palace intrigue and cooking competitions.

Several storylines and character arcs are left unresolved or hurried, which can be frustrating—especially when the show never explains how the leads return to the modern world. After investing so much in their journey, the lack of answers makes the ending feel incomplete.

The blend of comedy, political machinations, and drama is ambitious, but the fluctuating tone can be jarring.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is an entertaining drama that excels at weaving food into its story in creative, meaningful ways. The dynamic between the leads is genuinely compelling—their chemistry lights up every shared scene and consistently leaves you wanting more of their romance. The series stands out for how naturally it ties culinary themes to character growth and plot progression.

However, the show isn’t without frustrations. While the blend of comedy, palace schemes, and heartfelt moments keeps things engaging, the abrupt changes in tone can feel jarring. Most disappointing, though, is how the ending rushes past key explanations—especially the matter of how the leads return to their own time. After investing so much in their journey, it’s hard not to feel shortchanged by the lack of closure.

Despite these issues, if you’re looking for a drama that balances humor, intrigue, and romance, this one offers plenty to enjoy. With a steadier tone and a more complete resolution, it could have been truly exceptional.

Read More

Modern Chef and Food in Joseon

First of all, I had very high hopes for this drama. Yoona was great, as chef royal chef Yeon Ji Yeong. She was believable and her acting was so good. The king,Yi Heon, played by Lee Chae Min, on the other hand, was clueless about everything around him, except his revenge and the chef royal chef. He would see his uncle doing bad things and did nothing until the very end of the drama. He yelled at Consort Kang, once, but let her misdeeds go unpunished. The king did not even know that half of the royal guards were changed out for his uncle's on guys. He wanted to kill his grandmother so badly. When it came to his royal chef, the king came on too strong right from the beginning. He had been involved with Consort Kang. Consort Kang and the king's uncle were also involved romantically. The king had such fits of rage and the bad guys knew how to push his buttons. The chef royal chef's sidekick Seo Gil Geum, played by Yoon Seo Ah, was a great character. She only had three days to learn her acting part after getting a call to act in this drama. She was fantastic. When it came down to it, the king killed this drama; he did show up in modern times, to Yeon Ji Yeong's delight, for she had fallen in love with him and missed him dearly. I watched this drama twice. The first time, I belived that the king and Consort Kang were married. I believed that the king was cheating on the consort and wanted to make Ueon Ji Yeong his concubine. I did some research and found out that the king had been married in the past, however, his wife died. I watched the drama again to see how much better it would be without the king being married. He still messed it up. I just did not like the king. I do not have plans to ever watch this drama again.

Read More

Too shallow for me

I dont have too much to say about this drama other than that I think it was really quite underdeveloped, Theres a few plot points that are introduced but never properly expanded upon or neatly tied up. I wont spoil the ending but I will say that it is not very satisying as those plot points simply became plot holes and unanswered questions. I think a lot of this drama was too simple and unnecessarily unrealistic. I understand its a silly drama for the most part, but personally I enjoy realism within the unrealistic. The acting was fine but not anything extraordinary. For the characters, I will say they were all pretty one-dimensional in my opinion. I also thought the chemistry between the leads disappeared after a few episodes as their characters lost their individuality. Overall, it was okay, I wouldnt recommend it unless youre fine with a really shallow drama.

Read More

It looks good, and taste good!

"Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" is really that Kdrama that doesn't lie to its audience! You know what you'll get on your plate from the first minute. The creators put on a great menu with good script, actors, visuals, soundtrack, and cinematography.

There isn't much we could ask for, some may argue, it should've been a bit longer, but if you think about it, 12 episodes were perfect. The writer developed the characters almost perfectly. The main storyline (cook to save your life) didn't have any plot holes. To be fair, it's not the most complex one, but we've seen others fail to deliver with the most simple storylines too. The comedy, the romance, and all the scheming was properly written. All the dishes we've seen throughout the 12 episodes made me hungry, and it was visually pleasing. Not to mention, in some cases they showed food can make you remember your past, heal your soul, and that's what I appreciated the most about this drama. We can talk about the politics or the romance, but overall, the most important part of the show is how these characters connect with each other through food.

We could say, sometimes it was a bit overdramatic, and over the top, especially with the crazy visuals, but I never wanted to skip the reactions, because it was funny, and the VFX were creative.

It's not a perfect show, but just like any decent food you're regularly eating, if it tastes good, you don't need anything else to change it.

As I said already, the actors did everything, the two main lead, Yoona and Chaemin were great together, the connection between the two characters was built up nicely. I loved seeing their bickering in the first half, then the developing romance. Chaemin proved he was the right choice, even tho he wasn't the original actor for the role at first. I never felt he's a rookie actor. As for Yoona, she may be not the best actress, but her charisma and likable persona can compensate even the sloppiest scripts, and no one can take away her hard work that she put in this role. The same can be said about the supporting actors too. I don't think I can name a single actor who didn't have a memorable scene and performance.

The fan favorite is probably Gil Geum played by Yoon Seoah. Her character had some part in my negative list, but not because Seoah or her character wasn't great. It's the opposite. I just wanted more, because one of my favorite part of the series is the friendship between Gil Geum and Ji Yeong. Just like the other, more important side characters, she had an instant impact on me with her first scene. I would've love to see what happened to her and Gong Gil who was also a great character with a well-made side story and Lee Joo Ahn did a great job! He was funny and badass at the same time.

SOME SPOILERS FROM HERE!!!

The other negative is Kang Mokju played by Kang Hanna. She was also amazing, but her character was lacking a bit. Sadly, she was more of a pawn rather than a real antagonist. I think they could've done a bit more with her, but overall, it was good.

The other characters and actors really just did what they had to, so there's nothing I can complain about.

As a hardcore time traveling plot fan, I was expecting some explanation, but we never really got it, but this time, I don't mind, because it was consistent, the writer sticks to their rules, and even in the finale it was obviously how the traveling happened. They hinted the clue in the first episode, and we got an answer in the finale with that one remaining page of the book. The book and that one page was basically a two-way door to the future and back. It's just we don't know how the book turn out to be a time machine. My only real complaint about the traveling is that we've seen in the finale how Ji Yeong came back to her own body, so that means she was always in the future, but we never got an explanation how she can have a body in the past as well.

I always knew we're gonna get a happy ending, and even the fact that almost everyone had a new version in the future as well. So, there's nothing that was surprising in the finale. He kept his promise, he found her and will cook her every day, so it was a good ending in every possible way, and not only, because it's a happy ending.


So, overall, I think we can say, it's another good Kdrama with a well-written script, good acting and characters. It's also a lot of fun and meaningful as well!

There's no leftover here, you just start to watch it, and enjoy!

Bon Appetit!

Read More