A modern chef falls into Joseon and wins hearts with her cooking. The Tyrant’s Chef blends fantasy, romance, and palace intrigue. Global buzz grows as fans praise the leads’ chemistry.Netflix K-Drama: The Tyrant's Chef via X @NetflixMY
tvN’s newest drama The Tyrant’s Chef instantly captured attention from its very first two episodes. Blending fantasy, historical settings, romantic comedy, and political intrigue, the drama tells the unique story of a modern-day chef, Yeon Ji-young (Im Yoon-ah), who is suddenly thrown back into the Joseon era. With only her culinary skills to rely on, she struggles to survive in an unfamiliar world while crossing paths with the young tyrant Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min).
From the opening scenes, the drama combines the wonder of cooking with emotional beats. Ji-young’s lines filled with modern culinary terms like umami bomb and sous-vide feel both striking and refreshing against the Joseon backdrop. The moment when officials taste her dish and are shocked that the meat “melts in the mouth” showcases the show’s main allure: food as a weapon capable of softening even the hardest hearts.
Fantasy Plot, Palace Intrigue, and the Leads’ Chemistry
Netflix K-Drama: The Tyrant's Chef via X @hyungnimkd
Yeon Ji-young begins as a successful chef returning from an international cooking competition. But when she comes across an ancient book titled Mangunrok, she’s transported into the past. In Joseon, she encounters Lee Heon, a king feared as a tyrant. Behind the façade, however, Heon hides deep resentment over the tragic death of his mother, Queen Yeon, and disguises himself in pursuit of the truth.
The story isn’t only about romance; it’s filled with palace intrigue and hidden conspiracies. Kang Mok-ju (Kang Han-na), a brilliant and ambitious royal consort who seeks to monopolize the king’s heart, intensifies the tension. She embodies elegance while concealing cunning schemes, pulling viewers deeper into the drama’s atmosphere of suspense.
One of the most emotional moments comes when Lee Heon tastes Ji-young’s bibimbap. The flavor takes him back to childhood memories with his late mother, bringing the king to tears. From this moment, the drama begins to highlight how food can be the key to unlocking hardened emotions and altering fate.
The cast’s performances have also been widely praised. Im Yoon-ah once again proves her mastery of romantic-comedy roles after hits like Exit and King the Land. Meanwhile, Lee Chae-min, initially underestimated, surprised audiences with his charismatic yet fragile portrayal of the young king. Their on-screen chemistry quickly became a hot topic on social media, with many viewers saying they look perfectly matched despite their age difference.
Strong Ratings, Reincarnation Theories, and Global Reactions
In terms of ratings, The Tyrant’s Chef achieved an impressive start. The first episode drew 4.9%, while the second jumped to 6.6% and peaked at 8.7% in Seoul—outperforming strong competitors in the same time slot. Beyond Korea, the drama quickly dominated Netflix: ranked third worldwide (first among non-English shows), topping charts in 23 countries, and breaking into the Top 10 across 89 nations.
Alongside these achievements, fans have also been busy theorizing about the storyline. One detail comes from the ancient recipe book Ji-young discovers, which includes the phrase “還世飯,” meaning reincarnation or returning to the soul. Viewers believe this recipe may have been Ji-young’s legacy to the king in another life—like a farewell gift ensuring he would always have someone to cook for him. This has fueled speculation that time-slip and reincarnation will be central themes of the drama.
Comments from X/Twitter reflect the overwhelming buzz:
“Just completed watching ep1 🤣 it’s chaotic but such an interesting premise so far 🤗”
“Yeon Ji-young’s character has my heart, I adore her so much”
“At first I thought I wouldn’t watch this drama because I wasn’t sure about the leads together, but let’s see 😆”
“When she did that chopping move, I completely lost it 😂”
“It’s going to be hell on earth waiting every week for new episodes, I’m too used to binge-watching 😩😩”
“When they cry on screen, it makes me want to cry too”
“I honestly underestimated Chaemin’s acting at first. I thought he’d be stiff, especially since in sageuk dramas the king’s role has to feel natural. But he nailed it and his chemistry with Yoona is incredible 😭”
“It’s super fun and they’re such a good match! You can’t even tell there’s a 10-year age gap—Yoona looks young and Chaemin looks mature. I love it so much, please just release all the episodes already!”
“I watched both episodes back-to-back last night, it was so good. Plus, Yoona is such an extrovert here 😂 it made me imagine Sooyoung, Hyoyeon, and Yuri teasing her in foreign languages 🤣🤣”
These reactions show that the drama is captivating not only Korean audiences but also fans worldwide. Many are eager to see where the story goes next, especially with the possibility that Ji-young and Lee Heon’s bond transcends both time and fate.
Conclusion
The Tyrant’s Chef is far from just another historical fantasy drama. Its fusion of modern culinary science, high-stakes romance, reincarnation theories, and palace intrigue makes it a refreshing standout. Im Yoon-ah and Lee Chae-min deliver undeniable chemistry that overshadows their age gap, while Kang Han-na adds sharp tension with her nuanced portrayal of ambition within the palace.
With steadily rising ratings, global popularity, and fans passionately engaged in theories and discussions, this drama is shaping up to be one of the biggest hits of the year. Each episode serves a blend of flavors—savory, sweet, bitter, and deeply emotional—that leaves viewers hungry for more.
Sources: Daum, Newsen, Entermedia, MBC Entertainment
Honestly, after watching the first episodes, I’m sure I won’t regret it.
Her chemistry with Chaemin is no joke! Can’t wait to binge this after work! 
My heart literally shattered for him!