Fans of fantasy and slow-burn romance are in for a treat as tvN prepares to unveil its upcoming drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. Although the exact release date hasn’t been confirmed yet, the announcement that the show will premiere in August has already sparked excitement. With striking new posters released and an intriguing premise that merges historical drama with culinary fantasy, expectations are running high for this unique series.
The drama centers around Yeon Ji Young, a modern-day chef who finds herself suddenly transported 500 years into Korea’s past. She lands in the royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, where she is forced to become the personal chef to King Lee Heon, a fearsome monarch known for his unforgiving temperament and obsession with food. Played by Lim YoonA, Ji Young is seen navigating an unfamiliar world of palace politics and archaic traditions while trying to cook meals that could mean the difference between life and death. The premise is as much about her survival as it is about the transformation of the king through the food and the person behind it.
Promotional materials have already teased the emotional and visual tone of the series. In the main poster, Ji Young is shown confidently standing in a bustling Joseon-era kitchen, dressed in a crisp modern chef’s uniform, suggesting her resistance to being swallowed by the time she’s trapped in. Below her sits King Lee Heon, played by Lee Chae Min, surrounded by a lavish royal feast, his gaze steady and unreadable. The contrast between her grounded modernity and his rigid historical setting instantly establishes the dynamic tension between them. The tagline, “Let’s prepare the finest royal feast that even a tyrant will never forget,” hints at a journey where food becomes a bridge between centuries and between two vastly different people.
The character posters add further depth. Ji Young’s quote—“I’ve always dreamed of being a three-star chef… but today, I’ve become the tyrant’s chef”—lays bare her initial disorientation and the monumental task ahead. Meanwhile, Lee Heon’s statement—“If, even for a single day, the food does not suit my taste, you will be sentenced to death”—paints him as cold and absolute, raising the emotional stakes of the story. These lines make it clear that beyond the historical setting and food-centric plot, the drama will explore psychological tension and gradual emotional transformation.
The project marks a significant return for director Jang Tae Yoo, whose previous works like My Love from the Star and Lovers of the Red Sky are known for their emotional resonance and lush visuals. With his touch, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is expected to blend fantasy, food, romance, and political intrigue in a way that’s both captivating and immersive.
As fans eagerly await the official premiere date, the drama promises not just stunning period visuals and mouthwatering culinary sequences but also a powerful story of personal growth, resilience, and a romance that transcends time.
