Im YoonA returns to the small screen through the latest Korean drama Bon Appetit, Your Majesty. In this culinary and royal-themed drama, she stars alongside rising actor Lee Chae Min. Their on-screen chemistry is already one of the most anticipated by K-drama fans this year.
photo source by netflix
“After King the Land, I’m really happy to be back in a romantic comedy. I’ve prepared a lot for this drama,” YoonA shared during the Bon Appetit, Your Majesty press conference held on Wednesday, August 20.
YoonA plays Yeon Ji Yeong, a modern Michelin-starred chef who suddenly finds herself transported back in time and must adapt to her new role as a royal palace chef.
“I’ve always enjoyed cooking, but for this role, I took professional cooking classes and honed my skills,” YoonA explained.
She trained intensively for three months before filming began, guided by expert chefs to prepare the modern-style dishes featured in the drama.
“Every episode features a new dish. So we had coaches who helped me learn the ingredients and how to prepare them. Some were familiar, but others were completely new, and that really helped me get into character,” she added.
Beyond just the technical skills, YoonA enjoyed the creativity involved. “The recipes may be inspired by the past, but the plating looks very modern. It feels like something you’d find in restaurants today.”
photo source by netflix
Meanwhile, Lee Chae Min also faced a new kind of challenge with this project—it’s his first time acting in a sageuk (historical drama), and he takes on a leading role.
“It’s true that I felt pressured playing a king for the first time, but thanks to senior actors like YoonA, I was able to enjoy the filming process,” Chae Min said during the same press conference.
He plays King Yi Heon, a young monarch who’s extremely particular about palace cuisine—so much so that it puts pressure on the entire royal kitchen staff.
“Yi Heon can seem stiff and unpredictable. At first, he sees Ji Yeong (YoonA’s character) as a ghost! But he grows curious about her,” Chae Min explained with a laugh.
To prepare for his dining scenes, Chae Min watched countless mukbang videos. “I practiced controlling my facial expressions while eating on camera. The director also guided me really well.”
Aside from dining scenes, Chae Min found himself shooting many sequences outside the palace as well.
“At first, I thought since I play a king, I’d mostly stay inside the palace. But actually, I’m running around, fighting, and doing all kinds of things. Then I return to the palace to eat again!” he joked.
He sees this as what makes Yi Heon such a compelling character. “He’s not your typical king. He’s layered, full of surprises.”
photo source by netflix
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty follows the story of a modern chef who ends up in the past and must win over a picky king through her cooking. The drama premieres on August 23 on Netflix.
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