The Rise of “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” and Shifts in the Korean Drama Market
What Kind of Drama Is It?
One of the hottest Korean dramas right now is “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty.” The series stars Im YoonA as a top chef and Lee Chae-min as a king with a unique sense of taste. It blends Joseon-era history with modern-day settings in a time-slip fantasy romance, which immediately caught the public’s attention.
YoonA: From Idol to Actress
Lead actress Im YoonA originally debuted as a member of Girls’ Generation, one of the most iconic second-generation K-POP groups.
- Idol Years: Since debuting in 2007, YoonA became the group’s center and earned the nickname “Nation’s Fairy” for her popularity. Her combination of on-stage charisma and off-stage innocence made her one of the most sought-after advertising models in Korea.
- Early Acting Ventures: Even while actively performing as an idol, she began acting. Her role in the drama You Are My Destiny drew ratings above 40%, proving her potential as a leading actress early on.
- Growth as an Actress: Over the years, she expanded her portfolio with works like Love Rain, Prime Minister and I, and King the Land. This progression solidified her reputation as more than just an idol-turned-actress—she became a reliable performer in her own right.
In Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, YoonA’s portrayal of a chef combines her approachable public image from her idol years with the depth she has gained as an actress. This balance has created strong immersion for audiences in Korea and abroad.
Why Is It So Popular?
1. Brand Reputation Ranking
In September 2025, the drama topped the Korean drama brand reputation rankings. Keywords like “record-setting,” “battle,” “immersive,” and “absolute taste” became closely associated with the show. Both YoonA and Lee Chae-min also ranked highly in the actor brand reputation list.
2. Ratings and Premiere Success
The first episode recorded an average nationwide viewership of 4.9% on cable TV—an impressive achievement. It even outperformed other tvN weekend dramas airing in similar time slots.
3. Public and Media Response
The drama’s unique combination of “taste” as a narrative element and the tension between “king vs. chef” struck audiences as fresh and engaging. The set design, period details, and acting performances have received particular praise. Media outlets also noted that the ratio of positive reactions has been exceptionally high.
What This Means for the Korean Drama Market
- This success highlights the importance of genre diversification. Mixing modern settings with romance, fantasy, and historical drama appeals to a broader audience.
- Star power continues to drive drama success. In YoonA’s case, her established global fandom from her idol years guaranteed attention even before the premiere.
- Production companies and broadcasters now face both an opportunity and a challenge: to consistently deliver quality stories that meet rising audience expectations for ratings and cultural impact.
What to Watch Going Forward
- Sustained Popularity: The drama’s long-term success will depend on whether the storyline remains compelling and whether the actors can continue to elevate their performances.
- Global Reception: Beyond domestic ratings, international viewership via streaming platforms, as well as subtitle and dubbing engagement, will determine the drama’s global footprint.
- Industry Ripple Effects: The drama’s success may inspire other production teams to experiment with similar mixes of genres—fantasy, romance, and historical elements intertwined.
The Korean entertainment industry is evolving rapidly, and dramas are at the heart of that transformation. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is more than just a hit series; it’s a signal of how far Korean drama can expand and how it continues to capture audiences both at home and abroad.