The tvN fantasy period drama 'Bon Appetit, Your Majesty' has become one of the most talked-about series of the season, capturing viewers' attention with its over-the-top visual effects that fans have dubbed 'crazy CGI' online. While the show's spectacular visuals have generated significant buzz, it's the dedication and depth of its cast, including lead actress Lim Yoon-a and co-star Lee Chae-min, that has truly brought the story to life.
Lim Yoon-a, who plays the role of chef Yeon Ji-young, demonstrated remarkable commitment to her character by enduring physical challenges during filming. She suffered cuts from knife work and experienced shoulder pain from handling heavy props, all in service of delivering a performance that would leave a lasting impression on audiences. Her dedication extended beyond the physical demands, as she took the opportunity to train extensively in various cooking techniques for the role.
As a food enthusiast in real life, Lim embraced the chance to learn authentic cooking skills, mastering dishes like yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) and Vietnamese spring rolls. 'I even cut myself while chopping ingredients, but doing it myself was a huge help,' she said with a laugh, reflecting on her hands-on approach to preparing for the role. This commitment to authenticity helped her portray Yeon Ji-young as someone whose culinary skills exceeded everyone's expectations.
Lim spoke warmly about her collaboration with co-star Lee Chae-min, praising his professionalism and work ethic. 'He came prepared in a short amount of time, which made it easy and enjoyable to build chemistry together. He's a very diligent person who always wants to do things perfectly, and that really showed in his performance,' she explained. Despite their age difference, the two actors shared mature conversations and maintained a relaxed working dynamic that brought positive energy to the entire set.
Describing her character's significance in the story, Lim noted that 'Yeon Ji-young was someone indispensable to everyone – from the Queen Dowager to Lee Heon. She was a chef whose skills exceeded expectations.' The actress found common ground with her character, particularly in their shared determination. 'We're alike in that we never give up, no matter the situation. Ji-young is braver and more fearless than I am, but when I look back on my career, I think we share a lot in common.'
Some of the drama's most memorable and comedic moments emerged from the collaborative creative process on set. 'Whenever I had an idea, I would discuss it with the director and other actors first,' Lim revealed. 'The director was very open to ad-libs, so it was a joy to create scenes together.' This spontaneous, collaborative atmosphere allowed many improvised ideas to make their way directly into the script, contributing to the show's vibrant and engaging tone.
The drama's lavish and comedic visual effects, which sparked widespread online discussions about 'crazy CGI,' proved to be a highlight even for the cast members themselves. 'I was amazed the first time I saw them. It made me certain of the tone our drama was going for,' Lim said. 'I thought it might be polarizing, but many viewers ended up loving it.' The bold visual choices ultimately became one of the show's defining characteristics.
Reflecting on the success of her recent projects, Lim remained characteristically humble about her achievements. 'Good results don't come from my efforts alone – they're the result of the project, the character, and the teamwork with everyone involved,' she emphasized. 'Success isn't something I can control, but at least it proves that the work I've put in so far hasn't been in vain, and I'm grateful for that.'
Regarding the possibility of a second season, Lim expressed gratitude for the positive audience response while acknowledging that nothing has been officially confirmed. 'I haven't heard anything yet, but I'm grateful people enjoyed our chemistry. I'm happy that more people than I imagined supported the show,' she concluded, leaving fans hopeful for future developments in the beloved series.
