Lee Chae Min is enjoying a career-defining moment thanks to his performance in tvN’s hit weekend drama The Tyrant’s Chef (International title: Bon Appétit, Your Majesty). The drama has become a major hit both at home and abroad, and Lee’s portrayal of its complicated male lead as a king passionate about food is immensely loved by Kdrama fans.
While Bon Appétit: Your Majesty will conclude its successful run this week, the leads YoonA and Lee Chae Min have many promising opportunities ahead.
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty Has Become a Sensation
When Bon Appétit, Your Majesty first premiered, it opened with nationwide ratings of 4.9 percent. Within weeks, the drama doubled its audience and climbed steadily to the top of its time slot. Its tenth episode, which aired on September 21, recorded 15.8 percent nationwide according to Nielsen Korea, setting a new personal record.
The series has also made waves internationally by becoming the first tvN drama to top Netflix’s global non-English TV show rankings. Viewers have praised its unique mix of palace intrigue, food storytelling, and romance, and much of that success has been linked to Lee Chae Min’s performance.
Lee Chae Min’s Standout Transformation
In the drama, Lee Chae Min takes on the role of King Lee Heon, a tyrant with an exceptional sense of taste. The role demanded a delicate balance—switching between moments of comedy, tender romance, and the weight of authority. The 25-year-old actor’s expressive gaze and subtle delivery have been central to the show’s charm.
Despite joining the cast only a month before filming began, Lee threw himself fully into the role. He trained intensively in horseback riding, archery, physical conditioning, and even learned the traditional Cheoyongmu dance to embody the character completely.
Director Jang Tae Yoo said the actor prepared so thoroughly that he was “more than 120 percent satisfied” with his work and could film demanding scenes at any time.
His co-star, Im YoonA, was equally impressed. “Even though the preparation time must have been short, he came fully equipped, and I felt he was truly ‘Lee Heon’ himself,” she said. Their chemistry as Yeon Ji Young and Lee Heon has fueled much of the Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’s popularity.
Lee Chae Min is Flooded with Acting Offers
The numbers reflect Lee Chae Min’s impact. The Crash Course in Romance star topped the actor brand reputation rankings released by the Korea Enterprise Reputation Research Institute. Industry insiders revealed that he has already received around 30 new project offers, from both film and drama teams, ahead of the series’ conclusion.
The speed of his rise has led many to compare him to Byeon Woo Seok, who experienced a similar surge after the success of Lovely Runner. He quickly became a top choice for high-profile projects, including the live-action Solo Leveling and a royal romance drama with IU.
Though Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is set to end this week, fans won’t have to wait long to see Lee Chae Min again. He will appear later this year in the Netflix original series Cashero in a supporting role. The drama starring Lee Junho and Kim Hye Jun will be released on Netflix by the end of this year.
