The latest historical fantasy fusion drama 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' has made waves, breaking the 15% viewership mark in just six episodes. With a steadily rising audience, the series has not only delivered tvN's highest-rated drama of the year but also dominated its time slot across all channels.
Capturing weekend primetime audiences is tvN’s Saturday–Sunday drama 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' aired episode 6 on September 7. The latest episode recorded an average of 13.1% viewership in the Seoul metropolitan area, peaking at 15.1%. Nationwide, it achieved an average of 12.7% and a peak of 14.5%, setting a new personal record.
The series also led in its key demographic of viewers aged 20–49, recording a metropolitan average of 4.2% (peak 4.6%) and a national average of 4.9% (peak 5.3%), topping all channels, including terrestrial networks, during the same time slot.
Since its premiere on the 23rd of last month with a 4.9% rating, the drama has shown remarkable growth. It achieved a 6.6% for episode 2, 7.6% for episode 3, and 11.1% for episode 4, culminating in the 15% milestone. This makes it the highest-rated tvN drama of the year
'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' is a historical fantasy that follows a top French chef who time-travels to the Joseon era. YoonA stars as Yeon Ji Yeong, with Lee Chae Min portraying King Lee Heon, developing a sweet romance amidst palace intrigue.
Episode 6 brought tensions to a peak with the confirmed culinary showdown against the Ming dynasty envoy. Yeon Ji Yeong discovers a key recipe missing from her bag, sparking a comedic yet dramatic moment as she and her chefs sing "Come Back Home" by Seo Taiji and Boys. Later, she impresses the picky Ming envoys with Joseon-style macarons, prompting high-ranking official Woo Gon to propose a culinary competition in exchange for tributes. Miscommunication leads King Lee Heon to agree to a group contest, complicating the situation.
Meanwhile, the romance between Yeon Ji Yeong and Lee Heon deepens. They visit a market together to procure chili peppers, key to their secret strategy. Lee Heon thoughtfully presents gifts like a butterfly-shaped norigae, flower shoes, and silk, while Yeon Ji Yeong reciprocates with iris flowers, symbolizing calm and care. The exchange of these heartfelt gifts created a romantic, screen-filling atmosphere that delighted viewers.
Yet the sweetness is brief. Back in the palace kitchen, Yeon Ji Yeong witnesses her chefs being humiliated by the Ming head chef. Taking responsibility as the head chef, she encourages her team and steels herself for the competition. The episode ends with a blueprint for a pressure cooker on the wall, hinting at the innovative dishes Yeon Ji-young will bring to the culinary battle. Her determined words, “Get ready, envoys. I’ll show you the heat,” left audiences eagerly anticipating the next episode.
Fans flooded online with praise, including, “The chemistry and cinematography are incredible,” “Lee Chae Min fits perfectly in the historical setting, he even reminds me of Hyun Bin,” “YoonA and Chae Min are a perfect match,” and “CG effects are hilarious and brilliant. So entertaining!”
YoonA has earned acclaim for her wide-ranging performance, seamlessly blending comedy, romance, and serious emotional depth while convincingly portraying Yeon Ji Yeong’s growth.
The drama’s success extends overseas. Streaming on Netflix, it has ranked #1 in 29 countries, including Korea and Japan, and has appeared in the top 10 in 91 countries worldwide. It has also led social media buzz, topping Good Data Corporation’s TV–OTT drama popularity rankings for two consecutive weeks, with YoonA ranked first in overall TV personality buzz.
Director Jang Tae Yoo’s signature touch has been credited for much of the show’s success. Known for hits like 'Painter of the Wind,' 'Deep Rooted Tree,' and 'My Love from the Star,' he skillfully balances the historical fantasy setting with the charm of a romantic comedy. Critics have praised his ability to reinterpret familiar narratives with fresh perspectives, highlighting the unique thrill of a female chef rising to the traditionally male-only position of head royal chef and the competitive cooking challenges reminiscent of 'Culinary Class Wars.'
Replacing actor Park Sung Hoon, newcomer Lee Chae Min has impressed viewers with his performance and chemistry with YoonA, making their pairing another key highlight of the series.
As the stage for the high-stakes culinary battle opens, all eyes are on whether Yeon Ji Yeong can protect King Lee Heon’s honor, her chefs’ pride, and the kingdom’s fate. Episode 7 airs Saturday, September 13, at 9:10 PM.
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