The Korean historical fantasy drama "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" has reached the number one spot on Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows chart in its fourth week of release, marking another significant victory for the Korean Wave (Hallyu) in international streaming markets. The limited series has demonstrated remarkable staying power since its debut, steadily climbing the rankings before finally claiming the top position.
According to Netflix's official companion site Tudum, which released its latest viewership data covering September 8-14, the K-drama has shown consistent growth throughout its run. The series initially debuted in the top 10 during its first week, maintained the second position for two consecutive weeks, and ultimately peaked at number one in its fourth week of availability on the platform.
The drama's global appeal is evident in its widespread international success, ranking in the top 10 across 65 countries worldwide. The series has particularly dominated Asian markets, topping the charts in nine countries including Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Qatar, and Malaysia. This broad international reach demonstrates the growing global appetite for Korean content across diverse cultural markets.
Major international media outlets have praised the series for its unique approach to historical storytelling. Time magazine noted that the K-drama "is not primarily interested in telling an historical story. Rather, it seeks to tell an escapist and entertaining love story using a historical setting as a fantasy backdrop." This assessment highlights how the series uses its Joseon Dynasty setting as a vehicle for modern entertainment rather than strict historical accuracy.
The New York Times provided additional insight into the show's appeal, describing it as "a grab bag of genres, but at its core it is a romantic comedy, with cooking as its love language." The publication emphasized the central role that food plays in the drama, serving as both a plot device and a means of character development throughout the series.
"Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" tells the fantastical story of a modern-day chef who mysteriously travels back in time to the Joseon Dynasty, where she encounters a tyrannical king known for his exceptionally refined and demanding taste in food. The time-travel premise allows the series to blend contemporary sensibilities with historical aesthetics, creating a unique viewing experience that appeals to both domestic and international audiences.
The success of "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" represents the latest achievement in the ongoing global expansion of Korean entertainment content, following in the footsteps of other internationally successful K-dramas that have captured worldwide attention through Netflix's platform. The series joins a growing list of Korean productions that have demonstrated the universal appeal of well-crafted storytelling, regardless of language barriers.
