SEOUL, Sept 24 — Think K-dramas are all about heartbreak and office romance? Think again.
South Korean cable television channel tvN’s Bon Appetit, Your Majesty is serving a sizzling mix of time-travel, palace cuisine, and swoon-worthy glances that has fans drooling worldwide.
Starring rom-com veteran Lim Yoon-a as the smart and spunky Yeon Ji-young and rising heartthrob Lee Chae-min as the foodie Joseon king Lee Heon, the drama has already captured hearts in South Korea and beyond.
Ratings doubled in the second week alone, and the show, which airs on Saturday and Sunday, has held the number-one spot for four straight weeks.
Peak viewership in Seoul even hit 18.1 per cent — proof that everyone wants a taste of this royal romance.
In South Korea, a TV show with a double-figure rating (10 per cent and above) is considered a cultural phenomenon, reflecting a high level of public interest and an ability to shape trends.
According to media reports, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty has officially made its mark in tvN history, now ranking 10th among the highest-rated K-dramas on the network.
This puts it in the company of beloved hits like Crash Landing on You and Reply 1988.
So, what’s got viewers hooked?
The sizzling chemistry between the leads, a clever time-slip twist, mouthwatering Korean dishes, and the meticulous direction of Jang Tae-yu whose previous work includes My Love from the Star, Hyena and Lovers of the Red Sky.
Fans can’t get enough, whether they’re chatting on social media, creating fan videos, or obsessing over the drama’s food moments.
And the fever isn’t stopping at the borders.
On Netflix, Bon Appetit, Your Majesty has topped the non-English TV show charts for two weeks running — a first for a tvN drama.
Social media is buzzing too, with over 650 million video views, as fans everywhere whip up content inspired by the palace’s feasts and unforgettable scenes.
With only two episodes left, viewers are counting down to the finale, eager to see if Yeon Ji-young and Lee Heon can pull off a happily-ever-after across time.
One thing’s for sure: this drama is a full-course treat you won’t want to miss.
