South Korean actress Im Yoon-ah has solidified her reputation as one of the country's most dependable romantic comedy stars with the success of tvN's fantasy series "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty." The show concluded on Sunday with a remarkable nationwide rating of 17.1 percent, marking the highest viewership among this year's miniseries after beginning with just 4.9 percent. The drama also dominated Netflix's non-English global chart for two consecutive weeks, demonstrating its widespread international appeal.
Speaking at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel, where the series finale was filmed, Im expressed surprise at the overwhelming response to the project that consumed much of her past year. "I didn't know people would love it this much," she revealed. "Whenever I run into people, they say, 'How can Daeryeong Sook-su cook so well?' That's when I realized the popularity."
The series follows the story of Yeon Ji-young, a French-trained chef who mysteriously travels back in time to the Joseon era (1392-1910). There, she becomes the royal cook for King Yi Heon, portrayed by Lee Chae-min, a tyrannical ruler with an exceptionally refined palate. Directed by Jang Tae-yoo, renowned for acclaimed works like "Tree with Deep Roots" (2011) and "My Love from the Star" (2013), the show masterfully blends historical drama with elements of comedy, action, and romance. The production's distinctive comic book-style visual effects added particular charm to the numerous elaborate food preparation scenes.
For Im, the culinary aspects of her role required far more than simple acting. She committed to six months of intensive cooking training, determined to perform all kitchen scenes without the assistance of a body double. "Starting last summer, I studied cooking-related works for image training," she explained. "From three months before filming, I went to culinary school to practice basic knife skills and Korean cooking courses. I also received specialized lessons in Western cuisine from a five-star hotel executive chef."
Throughout the series, Im's character prepared an impressive array of dishes, ranging from sophisticated techniques like sous vide steak and beef bourguignon to delicate French macarons and traditional Korean chicken soup. "When we shot the competition scenes, the cast would taste each dish and argue over which was best," she recalled with amusement. "Personally, I asked for the recipe for the doenjang pasta."
Im demonstrated her well-established comic timing in portraying Ji-young's various struggles adapting to palace life. One particularly memorable scene featured her character, while intoxicated, enthusiastically singing Seo Taiji and Boys' "Come Back Home" while dancing with the court cooks. When asked about her natural ability for comedy, which she has previously showcased in films like "Confidential Assignment" (2017) and "Exit" (2019), she attributed it to careful balance. "It comes from a balance of my own expression, the tone of the work, and chemistry with the other actors," she explained.
The project held special significance for Im, not only due to the extensive preparation required but also because of its emotionally complex narrative arc. The series finale depicted King Yi Heon being dethroned following a rebellion, with his mystical diary, the Mang Un-rok, ultimately sending Ji-young back to the modern world. The two characters are eventually reunited when Yi, retaining his memories from the past, manages to cross into the present timeline.
While some viewers criticized the conclusion, arguing that the supposedly happy ending felt more like an evasion of difficult narrative choices, Im strongly disagreed with this interpretation. "To me, it was absolutely a happy ending. I was very satisfied," she stated firmly, defending the creative decisions made by the production team.
After a seven-year absence from television drama, Im's return has been met with both impressive ratings success and critical acclaim, effectively reaffirming her versatility as an actress. She expressed hope that her performance demonstrated the consistency and growth she continuously strives to achieve in her craft. "My goal has always been to show acting that makes people nod in recognition," she reflected. "This time, I feel I've been recognized for persistence, and I'm grateful."
Looking toward future projects, Im remains open to new opportunities that will allow her to explore different facets of her acting abilities. "I don't have my next project yet, but I want to stay open to any work that allows me to show new sides of myself," she concluded, indicating her commitment to continued artistic growth and challenging roles.
