Netflix’s ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’ SPOILER ALERT: Joyride of time travel, romance, and Joseon history
Netflix’s latest K-drama obsession, ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’, has taken fans by storm ever since its first two episodes dropped, quickly climbing into the Global Top Ten. Starring Im Yoon Ah (King the Land) and Lee Chae Min (Hierarchy), the series blends time-slip fantasy, romance, comedy, and historical intrigue—while quietly drawing inspiration from one of Korea’s most infamous rulers.
The drama follows modern-day chef Yeon Ji Yeong (Im Yoon Ah), who finds herself transported back to the Joseon dynasty after a freak accident mid-flight. There, she crosses paths with the fierce and enigmatic King Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min). While the Netflix series is adapted from Park Guk Jae’s web novel Surviving as Yeonsangun’s Chef, the drama deliberately renames the king to distance itself from controversy. In the original text, the character was based on Yeonsangun, a notoriously tyrannical ruler in Korean history.
Yeonsangun reigned from 1494 to 1506, remembered for his violent purges, suppression of free speech, closure of universities, and even the banning of Hangul after it was used to criticize him. His reign was also marked by brutality against women, suppression of Buddhism, and massacres of dissenters. After 12 years, he was overthrown, exiled, and died in disgrace.
By renaming him King Lee Heon, the Netflix adaptation reframes the story as a historical rom-com rather than a dark retelling. Subtle references to Yeonsangun’s cruelty remain, but the focus is on reimagining Joseon through a blend of food, fantasy, and romance.
South Korean cinema has long been fascinated by Yeonsangun, with films like Prince Yeonsan (1961), The King and the Clown (2005), and The Treacherous (2015) depicting his life. But 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' offers a refreshing twist—using history not as a burden but as a backdrop for a lighthearted yet layered love story.
Spoiler Highlights
Episode 1
After clinching a top-tier French culinary competition, chef Yeon Ji‑yeong is mysteriously transported back in time to the Joseon dynasty during a solar eclipse
Immediately thrown before King Yi Heon, the court initially wants her executed—until her cooking impresses the tyrant, and she’s appointed as his royal chef under a perilous mandate: fail his palate or cook the same dish twice, and it’s—well, not good
Episode 2
Ji‑yeong and a palace maid named Seo Gil‑geum are imprisoned after offending a court official, Chae‑hong, who demands a meal in exchange for their lives. Ji‑yeong boldly reveals she’s from 500 years in the future—this revelation intrigues Chae‑hong and buys them a reprieve. The court insider then drops a bombshell: Chae‑hong is actually Yeonhuigun, a powerful royal figure, turning the stakes higher
Additionally, Ji‑yeong meets her rival inside the court: Concubine Kang Mok‑ju, who immediately sees her as a threat and sets up future intrigue
Episode 3
King Yi Heon continues acting unpredictably—at one point skipping important rituals to go hunting during a solar eclipse, deepening the tension around his character
Episode 4
Ji‑yeong prepares a sumptuous French haute cuisine feast for the king—her cooking reaches beyond tastes and stirs deep-seated memories in him. A poignant scene unfolds where Ji‑yeong cradles Seo Gil‑geum, confronting the king face-to-face—and the king, unguarded, offers a rare—if slight—vulnerable smile.