Rising South Korean actor Lee Chae-min recently opened up about his whirlwind experience landing the lead role of King Lee Heon in Netflix’s hit period fantasy drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. The actor revealed that he joined the production just ten days before filming began, leaving him with almost no time to prepare for the role.
Originally, the part of King Lee Heon was given to Park Sung-hoon, who withdrew from the project following a social media controversy. Lee was then offered the lead, an opportunity he initially found both overwhelming and surreal.
“It’s true I had almost no time to prepare,” Lee shared in an interview with The Korea Herald.
Despite his initial hesitation, Lee gave the role his all. “
Released on August 23, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty follows the story of Chef Yeon Ji-young (played by Girls’ Generation’s Yoon-ah), who is promoted to head chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant after winning a prestigious culinary competition. Her life takes a magical turn when she discovers an ancient cookbook that transports her back to the Joseon era, where she encounters King Lee Heon — a meeting that sparks both tension and romance.
The drama captivated global audiences, climbing to the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s Global Non-English TV chart before its finale on September 28. Following the series’ conclusion, Lee took to social media to express his heartfelt gratitude to fans and colleagues who supported him throughout the project.
From a last-minute casting to leading one of Netflix’s most-watched Korean dramas, Lee Chae-min’s journey in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty stands as a testament to his talent, perseverance, and dedication to his craft.
