On the October 10th episode of tvN's variety show 'You Quiz on the Block,' Yoona appeared to discuss her role in the tvN drama 'The Tyrant's Chef.'
Host Yoo Jae-suk highlighted the show's success, noting, "In its first week, it ranked number one in 42 countries on Netflix, topped the buzz index, and achieved a 12.7% viewership rating." Yoona shared, "I check the ratings first thing in the morning. There's a specific time they update, so I even wake up in the middle of the night to refresh the page." She added, "I didn't realize the show's popularity until I was invited to 'You Quiz.' Nowadays, people call me by my character's name, Yeon Ji-young, instead of my own."
Yoona also mentioned receiving messages from her Girls' Generation bandmates. "They told me they're enjoying the show. We gathered in August to celebrate Tiffany's birthday and our debut anniversary, which are close together. Fans love it when we post group photos on social media," she said. When asked by Jo Se-ho who usually pays the bill, Yoona replied, "It varies, but that day I paid because I couldn't prepare a gift due to my schedule. Usually, the host covers it."
Yoona dedicated significant effort to her role in 'The Tyrant's Chef,' explaining, "I attended cooking classes and learned from chefs three months before filming. Since cooking is central to the story, mastering the process was crucial. It felt like a memory test because I had to know the cooking sequences perfectly." She continued, "I practiced the movements on set continuously. It felt like my emotions were conveyed through my hands, and I contributed to the character's development by suggesting plating ideas."
Yoona also spoke about Lee Chae-min, who joined the cast just ten days before filming as a replacement for actor Park Sung-hoon. "He seems like such an upright young man. Despite the short preparation time, he came fully prepared. He truly embodied the character of Lee Heon," she said with a smile.
Jo Se-ho brought up the wrap party for 'The Tyrant's Chef,' mentioning that Yoona led the atmosphere. A video from the event showed Yoona standing on a chair, enthusiastically shouting, "'The Tyrant's Chef' is a hit! Let's go on a reward vacation!" Yoona recalled, "I stood up because people at the back couldn't see me well. It felt like a broadcast vibe."
Reflecting on her life, Yoona shared, "In my teens, I was always with others and playful, but in my 30s, I've had more solo activities. I've started expressing my feelings on set. Being called 'senior' was surprising at first," she said with a laugh.
Reporter: Se-yoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr