Girls' Generation member Lim Yoon-a, professionally known as Yoona, is set to captivate audiences in tvN's upcoming historical fantasy drama "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty." The unique series follows a modern French chef who suddenly finds herself transported back in time to the royal court of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), where she must work in the kitchen serving a notoriously demanding king.
In this innovative time-travel storyline, Yoona portrays a talented French chef who was on the verge of becoming head chef at a prestigious three-Michelin-starred restaurant before being mysteriously whisked away to a bygone era. Once in the past, she cleverly combines sophisticated modern cooking techniques with the rich traditions of royal Korean cuisine, creating extraordinary fusion dishes that have never been seen before in the historical setting.
During a press conference held at D-Cube City in Seoul's Guro District on Tuesday, Yoona expressed her enthusiasm for the project. "I didn't hesitate for a moment to join, knowing I'd work with director Jang Tae-yoo," she said. "The world of cooking captivated me deeply, but what truly resonated was the character's spirit – undaunted and hopeful, she bravely forges new paths and relentlessly pursues her dreams, even as she's thrust into an unfamiliar era after traveling back in time."
The drama features Yoona's character encountering the fictional King Yi Heon, played by Lee Chae-min, who is renowned for his impeccable palate and icy demeanor. Following classic K-drama romance formulas, the two characters gradually develop a closer relationship, all while being surrounded by a sumptuous showcase of Korean court cuisine that serves as both backdrop and central element of the story.
To authentically portray a skilled chef, Yoona underwent extensive preparation, enrolling in a cooking academy for three months before filming began. During this intensive training period, she mastered basic knife skills, learned proper ingredient handling techniques, and became familiar with culinary terminology and advanced cooking methods. "Sometimes, I would visit a culinary consultant on set to learn how to make the dishes featured in the drama," Yoona explained. "Although knife skills and intricate cooking are still challenging, I have definitely improved compared to before I started learning."
Director Jang Tae-yoo, known for acclaimed historical dramas including "Painter of the Wind," "Deep-rooted Tree," and "Flower That Blooms at Night," emphasized the meticulous effort invested in the food scenes. These culinary sequences take center stage in every episode and are designed to evoke the same intensity found in Netflix's popular kitchen competition show "Culinary Class Wars." "The heart of our drama lies in the genuine devotion to cooking," Jang explained. "While based on the web novel 'Surviving As the Tyrant's Chef,' our portrayal goes beyond the chef's profession – the culinary art itself is richly and diversely presented."
The production team faced unique challenges in making the food visually compelling for television audiences. "Since flavors can't be tasted through the screen, the food had to visually stand out in every frame," Director Jang noted. "We had to prepare and present it to such an extent that viewers could almost feel the taste with their eyes. That challenge was demanding but exciting." The director collaborated with masters who have inherited authentic royal Korean court cuisine traditions, as well as Western chefs and professional food stylists, carefully designing every aspect from preparation methods to final presentation.
To ensure the highest quality food scenes, the production employed an assistant director dedicated solely to culinary sequences, supported by a specialized food team. "Although the culinary aspects were the most challenging, they were also the most enjoyable part of the production," Jang revealed. This attention to detail reflects the show's commitment to authentically representing both historical Korean cuisine and modern culinary techniques.
Director Jang also expressed concern about the declining production of large-scale historical dramas due to budget constraints affecting the industry. "Even major broadcasters needed government support to create high-quality historical productions, but those days are long gone," he lamented. "It has been years since an open set was built. I want to create as many historical dramas as possible while there are still production crews left who can do them."
"Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" is scheduled to premiere on tvN this Saturday at 9:10 p.m., promising viewers a unique blend of historical fantasy, culinary artistry, and romantic storytelling that showcases both Korea's rich cultural heritage and the universal language of exceptional cuisine.
