"The Tyrant's Chef" holds its position as the top buzzworthy drama and a global Netflix number one. Im Yoona's comedic drunk scene and a charming market date with Lee Chae Min were major episode highlights. Lee Chae Min earns netizen praise after being seen wearing couple rings with his girlfriend, Ryu Da In.
The latest episode of tvN's hit weekend drama "The Tyrant's Chef" (also known as "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty") was a rollercoaster of emotions, perfectly blending comedy, budding romance, and high-stakes political intrigue. The sixth episode saw our heroine, Yeon Ji-young (played by Girls’ Generation’s Im Yoona), hit an absolute low after the crucial Mangunrok book went missing from a bag given to her by the tyrant king, Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min).
Yoona devastation was palpable, leading her to seek solace in a drinking party with the suragan staff. What followed was a hilarious and utterly relatable display of drunken despair. Yoona showcased her impeccable comedic timing as a totally wasted Ji-young, singing Seo Taiji's "Come Back Home" to her lost book and dramatically critiquing the lack of rhythm.
Source: tvN's The Tyrant's Chef
"There's no rhythm. When I sing, you have to do something like 'dungdungtak'!"
This scene perfectly balanced humor with the character's underlying desperation, proving the drama's ability to shift tones seamlessly.
However, the episode wasn't all despair. It also gifted viewers with an incredibly sweet and lengthy street date between the leads, offering a much-needed respite from the palace tensions. The outing to the market to find ingredients for the upcoming culinary competition against the Ming Dynasty allowed their chemistry to shine. Lee Heon, smitten, personally picked out matching outfits for them and watched with a happy smile as Ji-young enjoyed her first time out in ages.
The date was filled with charming moments such as Lee Heon secretly buying every trinket she touched, a dramatic cart-saving sequence, and them playfully smearing mud on each other’s faces. Their bickering banter was on full display when he joked.
Source: tvN's The Tyrant's Chef
"What's with your face? Your already ugly face just got uglier," joked Lee Hoon.
Then, she fired back, "Your Majesty is no pushover."
This sequence successfully built a rosy, heart-fluttering atmosphere that has viewers firmly invested in the couple's journey.
Dominating the Charts and Winning Hearts
Source: tvN's The Tyrant's Chef
This powerful mix of elements has solidified the drama's position as a undeniable ratings and popularity powerhouse. For the second consecutive week, "The Tyrant's Chef" has dominated the rankings of the most buzzworthy dramas, also sweeping the top two spots on the list of the most buzzworthy drama cast members, with Yoona and Lee Chae Min holding onto No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
Since its premiere, the show has achieved an impressive 11.1% viewership rating and climbed to No. 1 on Netflix’s Global TV Series chart, showcasing its massive international appeal.
Lee Chae Min, in particular, has been widely praised for seamlessly stepping into the male lead role, with many noting his strong acting chops and visuals as key factors in the drama's success. It seems the rising rookie has truly skyrocketed to fame overnight.
From On-Screen Tyrant to Off-Screen Boyfriend
Source: allkpop
As the drama he stars in enjoys peak popularity, fans have also turned their attention to Lee Chae Min's off-screen life, leading to a delightful discovery. At the drama's recent wrap-up party, the actor was spotted wearing a distinctive silver ring that was instantly recognized as a matching couple item with his real-life girlfriend, actress Ryu Da In.
The two, who openly acknowledged their relationship back in March 2024, have continued their romance away from the spotlight. This glimpse into their stable and quiet relationship has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from netizens and fans alike. Rather than causing any controversy, the sight of the couple ring has only strengthened Lee Chae Min's public image as a thoughtful and genuine person.
Source: allkpop
The reaction online has been filled with support and praise for the couple. Many netizens applauded them for maintaining a normal and healthy relationship in the public eye.
"What a pretty relationship, I support them," said netizens.
"They look good together.. Lee Chaemin is 190cm and Ryu Dain is 174cm, so they really give off a model couple vibe," replied another.
"They look happy. Compared to some celebrities who act like their partner is the only person in the world, this feels so much more genuine and respectful, which makes me like them even more," said fans.
"He’s shown himself to be diligent in his career, so I figured he’d be good at dating too. They look great together," others commented.
The overall reaction proves that a stable, real-life romance can indeed coexist with, and even enhance, a skyrocketing acting career, making Lee Chae Min an actor to watch both on and off screen.
Source: tvN's The Tyrant's Chef, news.nate, soompi, allkpop
Can’t wait for the next episode!
my poor little heart.