Rising Star Lee Chae-min Shines in 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' with Unmatched Charm

Lee Chae-min, born in 2000 and debuting in 2021, is making waves with his irreplaceable charm in the drama 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty.' Initially, Park Sung-hoon was cast as the lead, but he stepped down due to a controversy involving explicit content uploads. Lee Chae-min took over the role, despite concerns about his youth and newcomer status. However, he received praise immediately after the first broadcast, earning the nickname 'the second Byeon Woo-seok.'

In the 7th episode of tvN's weekend drama 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' aired on the 13th, Lee Chae-min showcased a range of emotions from kindness and humor to intensity and seriousness, maximizing the character's appeal and reaffirming the essence of the romantic comedy genre.

In the drama, Lee Chae-min's character, Lee Heon, becomes anxious when Yeon Ji-young (played by Im Yoon-ah) leaves the palace to acquire a special cooking tool for a culinary showdown. He sends Im Song-jae (played by Oh Eui-sik) with her but eventually follows them himself. Upon finding the eccentric craftsman Jang Chun-saeng (played by Go Chang-seok), Lee Heon briefly shows his tyrannical side but ultimately secures the desired cauldron, setting the stage for the cooking duel.

On their way back to the palace, Yeon Ji-young faces danger due to a scheme by Je-san Daegun (played by Choi Gwi-hwa), leading to a fierce battle with assassins, hinting at Lee Heon's growing affection for her. Their late arrival at the duel adds tension and intrigue to the storyline.

Lee Chae-min brings his unique charm to the character, captivating viewers. As his feelings for Yeon Ji-young deepen, he openly displays affection and jealousy, filling the character with endearing qualities. His regal demeanor adds charisma, while his humorous attempts at pronouncing unfamiliar dish names showcase his human side, enhancing the drama's entertainment value.

In the scene where he defends Yeon Ji-young from assassins, Lee Chae-min's intense expressions and action-packed performance captivate the audience. His sincere gaze and nuanced emotions towards Yeon Ji-young build a compelling romantic narrative, heightening anticipation for future episodes. Lee Chae-min's portrayal of Lee Heon continues to captivate weekend viewers, sparking interest in the character's journey of life and love.

'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM on tvN.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr