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perfectly cooked drama, served hot by Lee Chae Min
I’ll admit—I almost skipped this one. “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” sounded like it might be a Mr. Queen knockoff, which is my Top 5 K-dramas till date. Also, having seen the lead actors in previous roles (Lee Chae Min in Hierarchy, the FL in The K2), my expectations were lukewarm at best. But I have it a shot because of Lee Chae Min. Hierarchy was a disaster, but not because of him, and I had felt he had a lot of potential since I first saw him in his minor role in See You in My 19th Life. And I am glad, I watched it. This drama didn’t just exceed expectations—it whisked me straight out of my drama slump and into a 12-episode binge of pure delight. By mid-episodes, I realized this was not only breaking my skepticism but climbing straight into my top dramas of 2025.
Story:
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty has everything a drama lover could want: comedy, romance, action, political intrigue, suspense, and a dash of time travel—all woven together effortlessly. But above all, it's a feast for your eyes and soul, with food taking center stage. If you’re someone who loves culinary competitions like Masterchef or Culinary Class Wars, this drama will tick all the boxes. The way food becomes part of the storyline is brilliant, and the close-ups of the dishes? Tempting! Not only did I get to indulge in a visual feast, but I also learned a ton about French and Korean cuisine! The ending 2 episodes are debatable, as is common with time-slip fantasy genre dramas - you may or may not like it, cause in your head you'd always have many versions of ending. Still, for me it was decent, as it left no loose ends.
Acting:
The entire cast does an excellent job of bringing this world to life. The banter between main leads is sharp, playful & sizzles into romance that is cute & comforting. Supporting characters like Consort Kang (the jealous SFL), King's friend Song Jae (played by the ever-reliable Oh Eui Shik), the royal kitchen crew, and royal staff add flavor and depth. You’ll spot many familiar faces who’ve graced many K-dramas, and they all bring their A-game here.
Show-stealer:
The soul of this drama—or the main dish—is Lee Chae Min. He absolutely owns this role. Whether he’s flashing that playful grin, walking with regal authority, engaging in sword-fighting/archery, crying in anguish or sorrow — he pulls you into every beat of his performance. His chemistry with the female lead is extremely charming & satisfying, giving just enough to ignite all our “delulu” imaginations. His portrayal of the king feels natural and effortless, and his screen presence is magnetic. Even when he was simply standing, or sitting without any dialogues - his aura was amazing, and so were the abs/shirtless scene we get to see. AND DAMN that mouth - every time he tasted the food, his mouth close-up scene made it even more tempting. Thankful to the makers for all these thirst-traps/delulu moment, this woman, loved every bit of it.
If you weren’t already a fan of his, you will be after this. He completely steals the show and I’m glad he chose this project because it feels made for him, and it’s safe to say he’s earned his crown, and I can't wait to see more of him! His character here definitely has become one of my top portrayals of a Joseon kind for sure.
Overall:
If you’re looking for a drama that makes you laugh, gasp, crave fine food, and maybe scream at your screen during those classic toe-curling moments, "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" should be next on your list. It’s beautifully balanced, endlessly entertaining, and yes—deliciously addictive. For me, it pulled me right out of my drama slump, and that’s the best testimonial I can give. In short: a drama well-cooked and perfectly served, especially by Lee Chae Min!
Story:
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty has everything a drama lover could want: comedy, romance, action, political intrigue, suspense, and a dash of time travel—all woven together effortlessly. But above all, it's a feast for your eyes and soul, with food taking center stage. If you’re someone who loves culinary competitions like Masterchef or Culinary Class Wars, this drama will tick all the boxes. The way food becomes part of the storyline is brilliant, and the close-ups of the dishes? Tempting! Not only did I get to indulge in a visual feast, but I also learned a ton about French and Korean cuisine! The ending 2 episodes are debatable, as is common with time-slip fantasy genre dramas - you may or may not like it, cause in your head you'd always have many versions of ending. Still, for me it was decent, as it left no loose ends.
Acting:
The entire cast does an excellent job of bringing this world to life. The banter between main leads is sharp, playful & sizzles into romance that is cute & comforting. Supporting characters like Consort Kang (the jealous SFL), King's friend Song Jae (played by the ever-reliable Oh Eui Shik), the royal kitchen crew, and royal staff add flavor and depth. You’ll spot many familiar faces who’ve graced many K-dramas, and they all bring their A-game here.
Show-stealer:
The soul of this drama—or the main dish—is Lee Chae Min. He absolutely owns this role. Whether he’s flashing that playful grin, walking with regal authority, engaging in sword-fighting/archery, crying in anguish or sorrow — he pulls you into every beat of his performance. His chemistry with the female lead is extremely charming & satisfying, giving just enough to ignite all our “delulu” imaginations. His portrayal of the king feels natural and effortless, and his screen presence is magnetic. Even when he was simply standing, or sitting without any dialogues - his aura was amazing, and so were the abs/shirtless scene we get to see. AND DAMN that mouth - every time he tasted the food, his mouth close-up scene made it even more tempting. Thankful to the makers for all these thirst-traps/delulu moment, this woman, loved every bit of it.
If you weren’t already a fan of his, you will be after this. He completely steals the show and I’m glad he chose this project because it feels made for him, and it’s safe to say he’s earned his crown, and I can't wait to see more of him! His character here definitely has become one of my top portrayals of a Joseon kind for sure.
Overall:
If you’re looking for a drama that makes you laugh, gasp, crave fine food, and maybe scream at your screen during those classic toe-curling moments, "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" should be next on your list. It’s beautifully balanced, endlessly entertaining, and yes—deliciously addictive. For me, it pulled me right out of my drama slump, and that’s the best testimonial I can give. In short: a drama well-cooked and perfectly served, especially by Lee Chae Min!
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