The smash-hit K-drama took the world by storm with its compelling romance and mouthwatering depictions of Korean-French cuisine, inspiring fans to recreate the show’s recipes themselves
“Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,” tvN’s latest hit drama, cooked up a storm both on and off screen. With its perfect mix of laughter, love and luxurious cuisine, the show climbed to the top of Netflix’s rankings for non-English shows, reigning at No. 1 worldwide for weeks. Viewers couldn’t get enough — not just of the romance or the time-slip twists but also of the mouthwatering dishes that had fans rushing to their kitchens. Read more to learn how a romantic drama about food, flavor and fate became a global obsession that kicked up a flurry, from social media buzz to pop-up stores.
A Story to Savor
At its core, “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” is a deliciously inventive story, blending romantic comedy, palace intrigue and mouthwatering culinary aesthetics. The series follows Ji-young (Im Yoon-a), a spirited modern-day chef of French cuisine who finds herself transported back to the Joseon dynasty, where her passion for cooking turns into a royal mission to transform the dining table — and perhaps the heart — of Yi Heon, the King of Joseon (Lee Chae-min).
And the world ate it up, crumbs and all. The drama topped Netflix’s non-English TV charts for two consecutive weeks, stayed in the global Top 10 for five weeks and amassed a staggering 265.8 million viewing hours in its first month. International fans shared clips, swapped recipes and even recreated iconic moments — from the early gochujang butter bibimbap scene to the king’s heartfelt confession over a steaming bowl of doenjang pasta.
The Recipe for Success
So what exactly made “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” such a full-course hit? First, it’s that uniquely Korean mix of genres, blending Joseon historical drama, time-travel fantasy, and romantic comedy into a seamless, binge-worthy experience that lowered the barrier for international viewers while still delivering warm emotional depth.
Then there’s the K-food factor. As global curiosity about Korean cuisine continues to rise, the show’s carefully designed fusion dishes struck a sweet (and spicy) chord with audiences. Each episode featured a new creation — visually stunning and historically rooted, but with a modern flair — making viewers crave both the story and the food.
And finally, the “superfan effect” — without any heavy marketing overseas, fans themselves became the show’s loudest promoters. Reaction videos, viral memes and recreated recipes helped the series trend organically across platforms, making “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” a show that isn’t just watched but also experienced.
The Dishes That Stole the Show
Of course, no discussion of “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” would be complete without celebrating the dishes that made viewers drool. Chef Ji-young’s gorgeous fusion creations became the heart of the drama. Watch the official recipe videos on the tvN Drama YouTube channel for these iconic dishes featured on the show:
- Gochujang Butter Bibimbap — This fiery twist on the Korean classic was introduced in the premiere episode and first displayed Ji-young’s culinary prowess to Yi Heon.
— This fiery twist on the Korean classic was introduced in the premiere episode and first displayed Ji-young’s culinary prowess to Yi Heon.
- Snowflake Schnitzel — This Joseon take on the German classic adds delicate rice flakes instead of breadcrumbs, which weren’t available at the time, atop a meltingly tender cutlet.
- Doenjang Pasta — Enriched with fermented soybean paste, this Korean take on an Italian dish is just as earthy, umami-rich and comforting as it looked on the show.
These dishes weren’t just TV props — the production team collaborated with real chefs and food historians, experimenting with ingredients available during the Joseon dynasty while weaving in modern French flair. Through meticulous plating and cinematic lighting, each dish was shot like a love letter to Korean cuisine, allowing viewers to almost taste the food through the screen.
From the Screen to the Streets
As the drama’s final episode aired, the “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” phenomenon leapt off the screen and into real life. Immersive pop-up stores from Studio Dragon, CJ ENM’s production arm, are planned across Asia to welcome fans eager to step into the royal kitchen themselves.
After the series finale, The Hyundai Seoul opened a special pop-up store in October during the Pop-Up Festa. The special store curated an immersive exhibit of posters, intricate costumes, and carefully designed props from the show as well as offering official merchandise like embroidered bookmarks and spoon and chopstick sets.
And the feast didn’t stop there. A pop-up store was also launched in Tokyo at Tower Records Shibuya in the first half of October, after which it also traveled to Nagoya, Fukuoka and Osaka. Plus, Taiwan has been confirmed as the next location for a pop-up store later this year, reflecting high demand from fans who aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to the beloved K-drama.
Pop-up Opening Locations:
- Korea: October 2–11 at The Hyundai Seoul B2 Pop-up Zone, Yeouido, Seoul (Closed on October 5–6)
- Japan: October 1–10 at TOWER RECORDS SHIBUYA, Tokyo (Events were be held in Nagoya, Fukuoka and Osaka)
- Taiwan: November 11–18 at K-MONSTAR BREEZE NANSHAN, Taipei
K-Food on the Global Stage
By blending K-storytelling and K-food with irresistible charm, “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” served up more than just a hit drama — it offered a feast for the senses. The series proved that food truly is a universal language, one that can bridge time, culture and even dimensions.
With its record-breaking success, “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” not only captured global hearts but also reinforced tvN’s reputation as a powerhouse of creativity and global storytelling. And if the show taught us anything, it’s this: when passion and flavor meet, everyone leaves satisfied — and hungry for seconds.
