#BonAppetitYourMajesty mini review Part 1

🍲The people who give you their food give you their heart.❤️

Every once in a while*, we are served with a k-drama that feeds all four: mind, body, heart and soul. Recall how we were saved and healed by:

• #CrashLandingOnYou, the star power and on-screen chemistry of Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin who later became a couple IRL;

• #HometownChaChaCha in 2021, starring Shin MinA and Kim Seon Ho, a feel-good story giving us hope and warmth during uncertain times;

• #LovelyRunner in 2024, offering a much-needed sense of comfort like a warm hug that resonated with many, significantly boosted Byeon Woo Seok's career, leading to his stardom, and gave Kim Hye Yoon her first ever Best Actress nomination at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards; and 

• #WhenLifeGivesYouTangerines this year, with strong performances from leads IU and Park Bo Gum, tackling parental sacrifice, family bonds, and enduring love.

Abovementioned dramas won not just viewership ratings but also the thumbs-up of its global audience. And before 2025 could end, we were given a Chef’s Special: #BonAppetitYourMajesty.

(*Note: I am only citing dramas from 2019 to present, which I have watched. I am pretty sure there’s more.)

A drama that they didn’t expect to be such a huge hit, what with controversies from the get-go - the original male lead being replaced by a younger newbie actor, alleged historical inaccuracies, accusations / backlash from C-netz, and the 10-year age difference between the lead actors, BAYM tells the romantic story of a modern chef who time-travels to the Joseon era and becomes the chief royal cook. The series, known as The Tyrant's Chef in Korea, quickly gained international popularity, topping Netflix's Global Top Ten chart after its first two episodes were released. The plot centers on the unexpected romance between 21st-century chef Yeon Ji Yeong (Im Yoon-A #BigMouth #KingTheLand) and King Yi Heon (Lee Chae Min #Hierarchy #Crushology101  #CrashCourseinRomance), a tyrant ruler loosely based on a notoriously cruel historical figure. 

BAYM is a love story unfolding in a fictionalized version of Joseon history. While it draws on the reign of King Yeonsangun, 10th monarch of the Joseon dynasty of Korea, it takes creative liberties, interpreting historical events and characters to craft an alternate story, with food as a love language, the means through which the chef and the king - two people from completely different eras- connect.

While Yoona's performance has shown significant growth and her presence (being a member of Girls Generation, 2nd gen k-pop girl group) adding to its global popularity, it is really Chae Min's portrayal of the king that made the big difference, destroying the initial doubts on his last-minute casting and limited acting experience. This successful break-out role solidified his reputation as a rising star (reminiscent of what Lovely Runner did to Byeon Woo Seok, who incidentally is in the same agency, Varo Entertainment).  

• Emotional depth: He skillfully executed the king's violent, angry side and his deeper, vulnerable side, marked by grief, sorrow and sadness.

• Charisma and intensity: His intense gaze, strong voice, and steady tone (and loud guffaw), aside from his height and strong visuals, captured the hearts of the viewers.

• Dedication and hard work: According to reports, he was given only a month to prepare for the role, and he used that short time to learn skills such as horseback riding, archery, and traditional dance. 

I also loved how, despite the culture of venality during this era, loyalty and brotherhood can still grow and survive. 

• At first, we hated Royal Secretary Im Song Jae (Oh Eui Sik), but in the end, he and his father Im Seo-Hong (Nam Kyung Eup), along with the Chief Eunuch Chang Seon (Jang Gwang) and Chief Court Lady Choi Mal Im (Park Jun Myun), died for their loyalty to the king. 

• The friendship of Ji Yeong and Gil-geum (Yoon Seo Ah) due to shared hardships and experiences, and the transition of the royal kitchen crew into a team of innovation and harmony. 

• With appearances from Ko Chang Seok (craftsman Jang Chun Saeng). 

• And special mention goes to the hot yummy-licious court jester Gong-gil (Lee Joo Ahn) and Chief Royal Guard Shin Soo-Hyuk (Park Young Woon). 

To be continued...