Reviews

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.

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Ordinary People with Ordinary Wishes Forced to take Extraordinary Action

Zhao Buyou and Wen Yue was an ordinary couple living in the capital. One day, a corrupt official, Gan Liang, went to harass Wen Yue in her umbrella shop, and was about to manhandle her when Zhao Buyou arrived just in time to intervene, though he ended up getting beaten. A while later, as the family went to have fun at an amusement park, Wen Yue received a message which compelled her to meet with the sender. It was Gan Liang, threatening Wen Yue with her secret to force himself on her. Left with no choice, Wen Yue stabbed him with her hairpin which killed him on the spot. Zhao Buyou found her just as the official died, and they both scampered to hide the body. While they were trying to hide their traces, they got caught up with the local authority led by Commissioner Gu Zhen who was looking for Gan Liang. Zhao Buyou realized his wife was hiding something from him, and as he tried to keep her from getting sniffed by Gu Zhen, he offered himself to help Gu Zhen investigate a high profile case involving the disappearance of Mei ship during Qingming festival, which led to numerous queer cases that inadvertently affected the whole family’s life.

This is a very close-to-heart concept as it features a very ordinary family of the common folk, the breadwinner being a lower-tiered government servant who is often bullied and ostracized by his colleague and bosses. Zhao Buyou is in his late 30s who has worked as a scribe in Court of Judicial Review for more than 15 years, while his wife Wen Yue owns an umbrella making business. The family of 5 consisting of ML,FL and ML’s father and a younger brother and younger sister get by with ML’s meager salary and FL’s humble business income. I really love the family dynamics, it is not perfect as we hoped for. Theyre very ordinary with a father who is often sick but love his liquor too much, while the younger sister and brother still looking for their life purpose and having difficulties in keeping their apprenticeship posts.

Zhao Buyou is depicted to be very timid and cowardly, while Wen Yue is shown to have the final say in the household. We can see how much Zhao Buyou loved and adored his wife when he always gives in to almost everything she says. Zhao Buyou, although seem to be weak and easily bullied in the earlier episodes, turned out to be very eloquent, clever and resourceful, especially so when it comes to the safety of his wife.

Wen Yue, although shown to be weak and reserved in the first episode, turned out to be somewhat the opposite. Laying low for almost 15years from her pirating life, she was forced to shed her skin when Gan Liang decided to threaten her with this secret. Wen Yue was indeed a far cry from a weak woman. She wears the pants in the household for a reason, that is because she has a very strong personality and even physically more capable than her husband thanks to her hidden past life. Wen Yue acts like the glue for the family, she runs the household and manages their spending, and she knows how to handle each member of the family.

Commissioner Gu Zhen and his deputy Wan Fu are the real treat of the show. From officials filled with suspicion and wariness towards ML, their relationship progressed to be buddies in arms. Their characters aren’t perfect, Wan Fu takes bribes just to provide for their fallen comrade’s family, while Gu Zhen does not hesitate to kill a criminal when he sees there is no way they could be found guilty in the court of law due to their steel backing.

There were many villains in the show, corrupt officials and strong-backing figures pop up like mushrooms after the rain as cases emerged one after another, but the most cunning and twisted one is none other than Su Zheng, FL’s long lost brother. Initially pictured as a good natured scholar, he was about to win everyone’s heart in Zhao family had he not tried to snatch FL for himself, resorting to despicable acts.

It’s a real fresh look for a show to me, as the main characters have been husband and wife for more than 10years, a seasoned couple approaching their middle life as opposed to the budding romance between beautiful people in other shows. The ML here isnt quite as handsome, and the FL, although a beauty, they manage to make her look very ordinary as how her character should be, a very different take from the usual cheesy romance of exceedingly handsome young men with ethereally elegant young women depicted in other dramas.

I totally love the anecdote of facts about Song Dynasty at the end of each episode. It’s a real different approach of attracting viewers’ attention, this definitely impressed me very much.

SPOILER BEYOND THIS LINE
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I dont get why people are so worked up about Wen Yue not being a good sister to Su Zheng. First off, she had suspected something fishy about him right off the bat, like he was hiding something from her. Then later he admitted that he was the client who was also behind all the other incidents regarding Zou family since the boat incident. If you realized the little brother you doted on back then turned to be a bloodthirsty vengeful monster who doesnt even bat an eye about sacrificing innocent people which they deem as mere collateral damage, can you really embrace them like they were the innocent little boy from back then? Those who died were not even accidental, he literally instigated them to make the move, making them kill, that eventually cost their lives. And this guy also tried to rip apart your family just so he could have you all to himself. Like seriously? You guys can really love this person just for the way he is? What Su Zheng experienced after he escaped the killing was no worse than Wen Yue, how did he turned into a monster and Wen Yue the opposite? It’s lame excuse to blame traumatic childhood, because what they experienced was the same. The difference is Wen Yue still had some humanity in her because she found warmth and love from ML’s family, and deemed that this family is more important to let go for revenge, while Su Zheng placed revenge on top others. He is a monster with a twisted mind, and he could never choose love over revenge. Wen Yue saw this, she even advised him as she saw fit, but he still went on to choose to be evil. How is Wen Yue the bad sister now? Get real. 🙄She had already accepted him into her family despite her suspicion and even tried to please him, now tell me what amount of doting could she have given more to Su Zheng for him to stop doing what he was planning to do? Should she have celebrated his birthday and ignore Zhao Mo Er after she knew Su Zheng had instigated him to do something horrible? There’s literally nothing she couldve done to prevent Su Zheng from inducing more damage. He just wanted everything to go the way he wants it to be because he had a bigger backing.

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JimmySea Reign Supreme

JimmySea’s onscreen chemistry is just next-level. It’s honestly what makes this series stand out as one of the best BLs out there. From the very first episode, you can feel how natural they are together—nothing feels forced or overly scripted. The way they look at each other, the subtle gestures, the emotional beats… it’s all so believable that you forget you’re watching actors. You genuinely feel like you’re witnessing two people falling in love. Both are excellent actors of their generation. Jimmy brings this raw intensity, especially in those heavy drama scenes where emotions run high. His confrontations are powerful—he doesn’t just act, he inhabits the moment. And then there’s Sea, who absolutely wrecks you with his vulnerability. The way he cries? It’s not just tears—it’s heartbreak, longing, and love all wrapped into one. You feel it in your chest. Sure, the storyline follows the familiar BL formula, but it’s executed with such finesse that it doesn’t feel recycled. The pacing, the emotional build-up, the little moments—they all hit just right. The director clearly knew what he was doing, balancing the romance, drama, and character development so well. Every scene feels beautifully crafted. Honestly, I can’t get enough of Jimmy and Sea. Their chemistry is addictive, and their performances are unforgettable. Solid 5/5 stars. Total must-watch.

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Doc Jimmy will Sea you now

Third’s time the charm – at least with JimmySea. The duo delivered another decent BL in their GMMTV employ, much to my enjoyment.

The show’s main plot is a BL one and – fortunately – doesn’t get overshadowed by numerous side plots regarding friends, family members, prophecies, criminal activity etc. Or I should say: mostly doesn’t get overshadowed. Like many Thai BLs, “My Magic Prophecy” lacks the most when it comes to writing – hence the inclusion of many underdeveloped subplots. If you want to write a concise script – focus on one plot; if you want to tell a larger story, encompassing several plots – take time to develop them all properly; MMP didn’t follow any of those paths.

The supporting couple plot felt unnecessary, almost shoehorned in just to introduce (or test) a potential new ship. Thap’s father issues – part of his family subplot – were properly introduced, explained and resolved in the last episode – far too late to be of any importance to the character’s background. Also, I’m not convinced the show needed so many side characters nor that they really had anything important to do. And while the writing for both main characters was good, all side characters felt either annoying or generic and bland, only reinforcing the feeling that they were unnecessary. MMP has decent pacing, but it wasn’t able to hide that the story was dragging a little. The main plot has enough content for 7-8 episodes, but with all extras included the show reached 10 episodes; not sure that was the right choice.

MMP benefits from JimmySea and their dynamic – romantic and comedic – but also from how well the writing fits both actors. Jimmy does a very good job as Thap, again portraying a stubborn, bold, even brash character, which is confronted with Sea’s In – an equally stubborn, but initially withdrawn character. Sea shows some range here, in particular in the most emotional scenes, displaying genuine despair and vulnerability. A typical BL performer would fail at this, overacting or going into cringe territory, but not Sea, who showed actual skill, focus and constraint. Jimmy also got an opportunity to shine in an unexpected way: by tapping into his darker side and channeling a bit of Wai, a character he portrayed in “Bad Buddy”.

The supporting cast mostly gave serviceable, entirely forgettable performances. This includes Nut, who was clearly underutilized. If the script really had to include someone third wheeling, than Nut – not Junior – should have been cast as that character. Both Save and Franc gave subpar performances and I didn’t detect any chemistry between them; if MMP was to test them as a ship, then I’d say the ship sunk before it sailed. The only member of the supporting cast I was more than glad to watch was First. His performance seemed subdued for most of the show, but when ep. 9 came, he showed what his capable of doing. That man can be convincingly evil, threatening and insane – I loved all of that.

Unlike its predecessor, “My Magic Prophecy” does not end with a silly break up nor a pointless time jump. The main plot concludes nicely in the penultimate episode, making ep. 10 redundant. Despite of its flaws, MMP works very well as a BL and is a must-see for all JimmySea fans.

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Finally the finale

I like that viewers think they know the material better than the author himself.
I enjoy watching how their "wants" override all common sense.
Quote end.

I was against the third season because it could destroy the logic of the first two. Preserving the essence of the original source was the director's main task. They preserved it, added to it, and finished it off beautifully, revealing the rest of the characters at the end. They were assisted by the author, Haro Aso.

From the very beginning, three seasons were planned. They took a long time to film it because Kento is a very busy actor. He is simultaneously filming several very complex projects. And Tao was also pregnant. The director was also busy with another project. Filming resumed when the three of them were free.

I had a biased attitude, but I decided not to be a jerk and use my head a little.

Most people can't calm down because their favorite characters didn't participate in the games in season 3. Apparently, these people wanted their favorite characters to die. The new characters were enjoyable. And they didn't have (what people like to call) plot armor. Any one of them could die suddenly. And it was no worse than the unkillable group of friends in the second season. Negative attitudes interfere with viewing and turn off the brain.

The games were as creative as in previous seasons.
They were not boring. There were many games in the first and second seasons that could also be called this. Therefore, I do not consider this assessment objective.

Haro Aso is a master at inventing games.

The reason for Usagi to be in the game is weak. But it is not without meaning.
But, in my opinion, whatever the reason, people would still be unhappy.
They've simply got it into their heads that this season shouldn't exist, and this prevents them from adequately perceiving information.


Ken Watanabe as the overlord was a pleasant surprise.
The most important thing for me was Arisu's meeting with the Overlord. This is an important scene that was missing from season two. The meeting was epic. They did it very well.
Many people don't understand at all that he is not a game master. He is the Host of the Borderland, who maintains order. He is an ancient, wise, tired deity.

The Joker is not an ordinary face card. He is the personification of destiny. The Joker is always there, like a Domokl sword.

Technically, the Joker was Banda, but in fact it was not. The Overlord needed a strong soul, so of all who remained, it was Banda. But power ended up in the hands of a psychopath who turned the Borderland into his playground (because he was bored). There are never many people in the Borderland. After all, this is a border, not the world of the dead.

Well, Banda failed to fulfill his role, so the master killed him. It's logical.

At the end they showed the good old line-up. The characters are doing well, their lives have improved, and they're moving on. It's tempting to tell the "fans" to leave them alone. I think it's much better to see them happy than dead. I'm glad the director didn't give in to the whims of capricious fans.

I didn't agree with all the script decisions. But that wasn't a reason for me to lower my rating. We are not obliged to always agree with the author and that is okay.
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I don't know how to write reviews aha-ha-ha... Sorry for my English

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The Mangunrok goes directly to the Borgesian Library

It is a poem when a book is the end and the beginning of a nice story where we can enjoy the Korean cuisine adapting World famous recipes. And the book is a feast done by an in love man to an incredible cuisinier who teach and learn to love through an alternative story to real History. Is History being betrayed? We know for sure that Prince Sado real History was hidden and we do not know the real facts around Yeonsangun, we know only what the winners wrote in the Korean Chronicles. This is so Borges, my preferred author, that I cannot avoid to remember what Baricco said about TV series, "they are the new books". I understand this Bon Appetit series is based in a web novel that I could ever read if not made a TV series and I am grateful to be in this era where I can, in the other side of the world, follow the incredible story of Yeon Suksu and the more incredible arrangements to the well known 1506 Korean History. A world of the History that nerver were, a world of a novelist making her readers enjoy this parallel Universe. A world where we can salute to Borges so many times. Is there a previous Korean Borges I am totally ignorant of? It is deserved to be known if there exists.

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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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Healed my trauma from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

I watched this with the expectations of getting broken hearted with the ending as how Moon Lovers made all of us cry but I'm glad the ending was one of the best parts of this drama aside from the rom com start of the drama. I liked Jiyoung and the King's interactions at the start since it was entertaining how much they bickered. The cooking scenes were really good and made me want to try those dishes in real life.

What I didn't like was too much focus and episodes wasted on the cooking competition with the Mings. I feel they could have not dragged it on with so many episodes which could have been used to develop and show us more of Jiyoung and the King Yi Heon's attraction into love. I felt I cried more at the ending not because of them getting separated but because of Lee Chaemin's acting/crying. It would have felt more heart wrenching if they developed the romance and let us be more hooked on it. Chaemin really did good with his acting and proved the doubters wrong with how he pulled this off with only a month to prepare for it.

The ending is just as what I somehow predicted or hoped to happen, which was that he really came to the future, but the nice thing is he remembers he was king and everything that happened before. Overall, 8/10 since at least it was a happy ending, and the acting and production were good.

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IF INTERESTED IN KOREAN CUISINE IT'S FOR YOU.

The show was aesthetically pleasing....it had stellar cast,both main and supporting casts.Fair warning to someone planning to watch it with the expectations of it being a good old fashion sageuk...well its not.Indeed it has the palace politics,but its not that intriguing.This drama focuses on the food then the romance is secondary and lastly palace/throne politics.I believe it started on a high note then midway it hit a plateau and just maintained it, neither going up or down.I am a person who watches a drama as the episodes drop,so with this drama i watched the last 3 episodes together cause i had no tension build up as the episodes dropped.I survived a whole week without watching episode 10.So with it ending i just wanted to know how it ends but wasn't really pressed about the ending...its an easy watch.Also those who had thoughts that it resembled Mr. Queen were never heard of after the episodes aired because it was WAAAAY different to it.The only resemblance was the chef character going back in time,other than that Mr.Queen remains different.

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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...

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A mother-daughter centered story first, romance is secondary.

This is very much a story exploring the relationship and role of a mother and her daughter, everything else (including romance) is just set dressing to elevate the central plot. If you're here just for the romance, this might not be for you. As for a drama about family, I would highly recommend it.

The main message being how motherhood can take over a woman's life, her goals, dreams, identity, routine are all sacrificed in the pursuit of the family's happiness. Instead, she pushes all those hopes and dreams onto her own daughter, to a suffocating degree. She's supposed to be annoying, stubborn, loud, clueless, authoritative and the actress and writers conveyed that almost too well. There's a chance people will drop this drama too early without getting to see the mother learn and change for the better.

The term "a mother knows best" is taken to its absolute extreme, where the mother wants to dictate and control her daughter's life, like a puppet with no free will. The final episodes were handled quite well; we get to see the mother's past, her hometown, past living conditions, and old dream. We finally get to understand why she's so obsessed with money, to the point of pushing her daughter to marry into a rich family, despite that same family looking down on them. Her mother never got to realise her dream before, because she was too poor to continue, even after getting an incredible opportunity handed to her. That why she pressures her daughter so to get rich quick, not knowing her daughter has her own life, aspirations and pride. After all the arguments, conflicts, miscommunications, secrets, heartbreak, we finally see the daughter tell her mom her wish. She wants to be independent, and she wants her mom to be independent too. Cast away the role and responsibilities of motherhood and just be yourself, a woman with a dream, living for yourself once more.

BUT of course even at the end, the mother still insists her daughter get married and have kids, continuing the cycle of self-sacrifice at the peak of her daughter's career... Oh well, that's just life, I guess...

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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.

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No Regrets

This series was in my bottom 3 of the 2025 lineup. I had low expectations only to be pleasantly surprised of how good it turned out to be. The premise itself wasn't mind-blowing, but it truly excelled in execution and writing, investing on slow character development. The drama explores human relationships, trauma and healing process in depth, providing both humour and comfort in between. As for the romance, it's treated maturely and without following any of the usual BL tropes, which makes the approach feel more refreshing and organic.

Acting-wise, I gave a full score only for Jimmy, Sea and First's performances. The entire cast was really good, but these three gave outstanding performances and outdid themselves, showcasing their growth and versatility. I can confidently say, that the characters of Thap and In, both in their dynamic and their acting technique, are the best characters ever played by Jimmy and Sea. As for Karn, he is arguably one of First's most challenging roles in his entire filmography and he delivered. Regarding the side couple of Save and Franc, despite their limited screen time, they actually showed a lot of chemistry and potential.

Overall, I do recommend this series to anyone who looks for something different in the BL genre. Admittedly, there were a few moments the show felt a bit slow paced for my liking, but it still kept my attention till the end. And even if the plot isn't to someone's taste, the acting alone is so good, it's worth giving it a try.

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