Rising Star Lee Chae-min Shines in 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' Despite Last-Minute Casting

Lee Chae-min, who was cast just ten days before filming began for the lead role in 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' has exceeded expectations with his performance. Despite the sudden casting change, Lee remains humble as he discusses his role and the overwhelming response to the show.

tvN's new weekend drama 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' is a fantasy romantic comedy about a top chef who time-slips to the past and meets a tyrannical king with an impeccable palate. Lee Chae-min plays the role of Lee Heon, a prince with the potential to be a great king but known for his tyrannical rule due to his fiery and prickly nature.

Initially, actor Park Sung-hoon was cast for the male lead, but he stepped down following a controversy over explicit content last year. Lee Chae-min took over the role shortly before filming began.

Joining the cast just ten days before shooting, Lee Chae-min said, "It was tight, but I worked harder to ensure I didn't cause any inconvenience within the given time." He added, "The senior actors, director, and writer provided valuable feedback. The staff created an environment where I could focus on my acting, which was a great help. I just did my best in the situation given to me."

Upon receiving the offer, Lee Chae-min felt a sense of 'burden.' He shared, "I was worried about being a burden as a rookie in a project with a great director and respected senior actors. I wondered why such an opportunity came to me suddenly. I decided to give my all to avoid causing any harm and to dedicate myself to the project."

Lee Chae-min continued, "I prepared as if my life depended on it. I studied the script daily and practiced expressions in front of the mirror. I pondered how to appear sinister when smiling and how to make a tyrant character seem lovable. I worked hard to portray the character's diverse aspects, as he's not just a villain but has a warm side too."

The final episode of 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' achieved a nationwide rating of 17.1%, peaking at 19.4%. It ranked first in TV-OTT drama buzz for five consecutive weeks according to Fundex, and Lee Chae-min topped the September actor brand reputation survey by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute.

Riding on the show's success, Lee Chae-min reportedly received over 30 scripts for future projects. When asked about his rising popularity, he said, "I'm happier every day, receiving more love and attention than expected. More people recognize me now, and I'm getting offers to collaborate. While it's not overwhelming, there are definitely more people wanting to work with me, for which I'm grateful. It motivates me to work even harder."

Lee Chae-min added, "It's hard to see it as my achievement alone. I'm just grateful for the help from many people. I'm happy to share in the success. I feel a sense of responsibility and passion to show an even better side in my next project."

Speaking about his co-star Lim Yoon-a, he said, "She had so much to learn from. She possesses admirable values both as an actor and a person. On set, I just followed her lead. I believe the positive reception from viewers is largely thanks to her. She personally adjusted well to me."

"My biggest goal is not to lose myself. While I may adapt to situations, I don't want to change my essence. I believe being a good person is essential to being a good actor and having a positive influence. My parents always tell me to 'stay humble and never lose your initial mindset,' and I want to keep that in mind as I move forward."

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr