Lance Joseph Martinez

K-Drama Actresses Who Served Up Unforgettable Chef Characters

Article (news)

<p><strong>Netflix’s</strong> sizzling K-romantic comedy series <strong><em>Bon Appétit, Your Majesty</em></strong> has cooked its way to the very top! With just four episodes left, the series has officially claimed the #1 spot on <strong>Netflix’s Global Non-English TV chart</strong> this week, cementing its status as one of the year’s standout K-dramas.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758172065553(EMBARGO_ 250911) [Still 3] PR Released_250911.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo courtesy of Netflix</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Premiering worldwide on August 23, 2025, the drama whisks viewers into a whimsical story of<strong> Ji-young </strong>(<strong>Im Yoona</strong>)<strong></strong>, a present-day chef who suddenly time-slips into the royal palace of Joseon. There, she crosses paths with <strong>King Yi Heon </strong>(<strong></strong><a href="https://metro.style/people/2025/9/4/5-interesting-facts-about-bon-app-tit-your-majesty-male-lead-lee-chae-min-1015"><strong>Lee Chae-min</strong></a><strong></strong>)<strong></strong>, a mercurial monarch known as both the kingdom’s greatest gourmet and most feared tyrant.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758172101852[Still 2] PR Released_250718.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo courtesy of Netflix</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Ji-young quickly becomes a palace sensation after impressing Yi Heon with her inventive dishes—blending modern techniques with traditional flavors—and soon earns her place as royal chef. Her journey, filled with high-stakes kitchen battles, palace conspiracies, and blossoming romance, has fans hooked.</p><p>Social media has been buzzing with fan edits, culinary recreations, and endless theories as audiences rally behind Ji-young and her kitchen crew. The anticipation only grows as the finale inches closer.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758172149815(EMBARGO_ 250911) [Still 5] PR Released_250911.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo courtesy of Netflix</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Expressing her gratitude, Yoona shared, “Thank you so much for the love you’ve shown <em>Bon Appétit, Your Majesty</em>. There are plenty more thrilling and heart-fluttering moments ahead, so please keep watching as Ji-young cooks her way through every challenge.”</p><p>Meanwhile, Chae-min added, “I’m truly grateful for all the love you’ve given our series. I hope you’ll look forward to how Heon’s story unfolds as he slowly opens his heart to his chef, Ji-young. We’ll continue to share stories that are both warm and delightful.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758172175693[Still 1] PR Released_250805.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo courtesy of Netflix</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The series’ impact is undeniable, consistently landing in Netflix’s Global Top 10 across multiple countries. In its fourth week, it soared to #1 among non-English titles with 6.8 million views, cracking the Top 10 in 65 territories worldwide. Beyond the romance and palace intrigue, fans are also loving the rich spotlight on Korean culinary traditions woven into the narrative.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758172213915[Still 4] PR Released_250914.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo courtesy of Netflix</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>And since chef characters have become a beloved staple in K-dramas, aside from Yoona, we&#x27;re training the spotlight on more South Korean actresses who have served up unforgettable chef roles on-screen.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Kim Sun-a in <em>My Lovely Sam Soon</em> (2004)</strong></div><p><strong>Kim Sun-a</strong> transformed into <strong>Kim Sam-soon</strong>, an excellent baker with a fiery passion for creating desserts. Yet, by Korean beauty standards at the time, Sam-soon was considered overweight, fueling her insecurities.</p><p>Embarrassed by her old-fashioned first name and facing the reality of turning 30, she dreams of changing both her name and her life.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gAj14d7nPbs?si=i4WTJsD8vYWWqZpQ" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>Lee Hanee in <em>Pasta</em> (2010)</strong></div><p><strong>Lee Hanee</strong> played <strong>Oh Sae-young</strong>, the most celebrated female chef in Korea and the star of her own cooking show. Having trained in Italy, she once dated Hyun-wook—and even sabotaged his recipe to win a prestigious grand prix cooking contest.</p><p>Upon her return to Korea, she quickly rose to celebrity status, but reuniting with Hyun-wook stirs up complicated feelings.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5a5bD9Xls8M?si=g2oD3HTCTLKmgba2&amp;start=56" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>Park Bo-young in <em>Oh My Ghost</em> (2015)</strong></div><p><strong>Park Bo-young</strong> portrayed <strong>Na Bong-sun</strong>, a timid and insecure assistant chef at Sun Restaurant. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes possessed by Shin Soon-ae, suddenly appearing brighter and more confident.</p><p>Guided by Kang Sun-woo, the head chef she trains under, Bong-sun hones her culinary skills and eventually studies abroad after winning a cooking contest.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dgVZdt1j8-M?si=ceAVbWQcyvWGWHcT&amp;start=12" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>Ha Ji-won in <em>Chocolate</em> (2019)<br/></strong></div><p><strong>Ha Ji-won</strong> starred as <strong>Moon Cha-young</strong>, a compassionate chef whose cooking is deeply tied to her memories and emotions.</p><p>Her journey in <em>Chocolate</em> highlights how food can heal wounds, bridge connections, and express unspoken feelings, making her role both heartwarming and unforgettable.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MmeQLpvKEgw?si=eKmphkp-ydwGDqlu&amp;start=12" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>Hwang Jung-eum in <em>Mystic Pop-up Bar</em> (2020)</strong></div><p><strong>Hwang Jung-eum</strong> took on the role of <strong>Weol-ju</strong> in <em><strong>Mystic Pop-up Bar</strong></em>, portraying a fiery-tempered woman who runs the mysterious Ssanggab Cart Bar. What makes this bar unique is that it welcomes both the living and the dead.</p><p>Over drinks and comforting dishes prepared by Weol-ju, customers open up about their struggles, finding a safe space to share their stories and begin healing their inner wounds.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m0RfpPHksRA?si=lCqvRKAzmd9zsn3C" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>Go Min-si in <em>Tastefully Yours </em>(2025)<br/></strong></div><p><strong>Go Min-si </strong>takes on <strong>Mo Yeon-joo</strong>, a chef obsessed with flavor who runs a one-table, signless restaurant tucked away in the countryside.</p><p>Alongside her childhood companion Han Beom-woo—now the executive director of Hansang, Korea’s top food conglomerate, and operator of Seoul’s finest fine-dining restaurant—her culinary story unfolds with both intimacy and ambition.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o6xbeR_eV5M?si=7GsFNibrd0hZPfjv&amp;start=12" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>tvN Drama</strong>, <strong>Netflix</strong>,<strong> </strong>and <strong>MBC</strong></p>

<p>As "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" continues to take the K-drama world by storm, aside from Lim Yoona’s turn as Ji-young, here are six more K-drama actresses who served up unforgettable chef characters.</p>

As "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" continues to take the K-drama world by storm, aside from Lim Yoona’s turn as Ji-young, here are six more K-drama actresses who served up unforgettable chef characters.

7 K-Drama Actresses Who Served Up Unforgettable Chef Characters

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7 K-Drama Actresses Who Served Up Unforgettable Chef Characters

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published September 18, 2025 07:20 PM PHT

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Updated September 18, 2025 07:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Korean Drama

Lee Hanee

Pasta

Kim Sun-a

My Lovely Sam Soon

Park Bo-young

Oh My Ghost

Ha Ji-won

Chocolate

Hwang Jung-eum

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