The Tyrant's Chef ended with a sad separation. Im Yoon Ah and Lee Chae Min later reunite. Their story concluded with a romantic kiss.
The final episode of tvN's captivating drama, "The Tyrant's Chef," delivered a powerful blend of heart-wrenching tragedy and ultimate fulfillment, masterfully concluding the time-crossed romance between chef Yeon Ji Young (Im Yoon Ah) and King Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min).
The climax unfolded during Prince Jesan's (Choi Gwi-hwa) violent rebellion, where he used Ji-young as bait to lure Lee Heon into a trap. In a moment of pure self-sacrifice, as Prince Jesan swung his sword at the king, Ji Young threw herself in front of Lee Heon, taking the fatal blow herself. This act of ultimate love set the stage for an emotionally devastating farewell scene that left viewers reaching for the tissues.
Source: tVN's The Tyrant's Chef
Im Yoon Ah's Farewell in the Final Episode
The separation between Im Yoon Ah and Lee Chae Min's characters was a masterclass in emotional storytelling. As Ji-young lay dying in Heon's arms, their final words were filled with regret, love, and desperate pleas. Lee Heon screamed in agony at her collapsed form, his world shattering before him. Yeon Ji Young, with her fading strength, confessed to Lee Heon.
"Actually, I didn't want to leave," Yeon Ji Young confessed.
"How dare you go somewhere without my permission?" replied Lee Heon as he holding her tight.
In her last breath, Ji Young whispered the words she had held back, "I love you, Your Majesty." Left alone in his grief, a devastated Lee Heon could only beg, "Please, open your eyes, please."
It was then that the magical Mangunrok, which was revealed to be Lee Heon's own diary, began to glow, surrounding Ji Young's body with golden light and transporting her back to the future. Vowing to find her no matter what, Heon promised to the emptiness, "Wherever you go, I will definitely find you."
The episode's conclusion was not just about the poignant goodbye but also about tying up the political intrigue. Lee Heon, though heartbroken, successfully executed his counterattack against Prince Jesan, dealing with the rebels and ensuring the kingdom's stability. In a poignant twist, he willingly bore the sins of the conflict, allowing his younger brother to be enthroned while he was exiled under the title Prince Yeonhui.
While imprisoned, he poured his heart into the Mangunrok, writing a message that would transcend time.
"If you, whom I love, read this someday, I hope you come back to me. Then I will recognize you from the beginning. I will be the one who has loved you from the beginning."
This diary became the very anchor of their love story, its magic activated not just by the words, but by the profound sacrifice and pure love behind them, ultimately saving Ji Young's life by pulling her back to her own time.
Source: tVN's The Tyrant's Chef
Im Yoon Ah and Lee Chae Min Reunited in the Modern World
After her sudden return to the present day, Yeon Ji Young was left to pick up the pieces of her life, forever changed by her journey. The scar on her shoulder was a permanent, painful reminder that her experiences in Joseon and her love for Lee Heon were not a dream. She tried repeatedly to return, reading the Mangunrok over and over, but the portal remained closed.
Choosing to move forward, she channeled her royal culinary knowledge into her career, becoming a chef at "Enfant," a restaurant on the cusp of a Michelin review. She created a stunning course meal inspired by the king's royal cuisine, which earned rave reviews.
However, the story's true resolution came during a moment of professional pressure. When a Michelin reviewer became overly critical, a frustrated Ji Young stepped outside for air.
It was there that she received the greatest surprise of her life which is Lee Heon, now in modern attire, was standing before her.
"Is it really you?" ask Ji Young.
"I have come to keep our promise. The promise to find you," Lee Heon answered with a smile.
The Tyrant's Chef then sealed its perfect happy ending with a heartfelt kiss, confirming that their love had indeed defied the boundaries of time and fate, allowing them to finally be together in a new era.
Source: news.nate, TV Daily, TV Report, tVN's The Tyrant's Chef
The reunion was worth all the tears! 
I’m just wide awake thinking about the logistics. How did a king afford modern clothes so fast? Did he pawn a royal artifact? That’s the real mystery ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
