Lim Yoon A (YoonA) is on a roll! Following the success of King the Land, her latest hit, tvN’s “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty,” has conquered the global charts. She recently sat down for an interview to share the deep affection and meticulous effort she poured into her role as Yeon Ji Young, the talented modern chef who time-slips into the Joseon era to challenge the tyrannical King Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min).
A Deep Affection for a Long-Term Project
Lim Yoon A’s connection to Bon Appetit, Your Majesty runs deep, cultivated over a long period. “I have a special affection for this project because I’ve been with it from the very beginning,” she shared. “Thinking back to when I first received this script last year, it feels like I’ve lived as Yeon Ji Yeong for over a year and a half.”
Though the 12-episode journey has concluded, her heart is full. “Knowing all that time has now concluded… brings some sadness, but at the same time, I am deeply grateful for all the love we got. I feel like it will stay in my heart for a long time.”
Three Months of Culinary Boot Camp
To truly embody Chef Yeon Ji Young, the actress knew she had to prioritize her culinary skills, making the food—which she calls “another main character of the work”—truly shine.
She dedicated a substantial three months to learning how to cook for the drama.
- Self-Study: “I also did some image training on my own by watching cooking-related shows and observing chefs. I practiced knife skills at home.”
- Formal Training: Feeling her home practice wasn’t enough, she enrolled in a cooking academy for the basics.
- Professional Guidance: She learned from Chef Shin Jong Chul, focusing heavily on Western cuisine and plating techniques—skills crucial for her character’s fusion cooking style.
Proactive Planning: Almost a Production Credit
Lim Yoon A’s involvement went far beyond just memorizing lines and cooking motions; she proactively engaged in the show’s food planning. She shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes detail:
“There was a time when we went through demonstrations of all the dishes featured in the drama. From the chef and the food stylist team to the director and the cinematographer, everyone was present to observe the process… While the directors considered the composition [of the scenes], I too was thinking about the things necessary during the cooking process.”
Her drive to understand the process from a chef’s perspective allowed her to bring authentic details to her performance.
Tasting the Royal Fusion Cuisine
Since the food was central to the story, of course, Lim Yoon A had to taste it all!
“I was curious, so I tried a bite here and there,” she admitted. “Honestly, everything was really delicious.”
She enthusiastically singled out the unforgettable doenjang pasta—a unique fusion dish. “It felt a bit like eating jajang ramen, but it was savory with the distinct taste of doenjang (soybean paste).” Other favorites included the schnitzel and the rich beef bourguignon.
This project didn’t just enhance her acting; it improved her real-life kitchen confidence. “Compared to when I only did it as a hobby, I gained both knowledge and confidence in cooking,” she commented, adding that her speed when chopping vegetables has definitely “improved.”
From Local Hit to Global Top 10
The success of Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, which followed King the Land to the Netflix Global Top 10, was a huge source of pride for the actress.
“I feel very happy that our hard work has been met with so much love, and on top of that, I was surprised to see that people all over the world enjoying and happily watching Korean dramas.”
She believes the show’s universal appeal lies in its central theme and concept: “I believed that cooking as a theme would naturally draw interest and be appealing to everyone… Since it has the feel of royal fusion cuisine, I think those aspects made it interesting for viewers.”
Lim Yoon A concluded with gratitude for the recognition: “These days, wherever I go, I’m grateful that people recognize me as Chef Yeon.” It seems the chef’s whites have never looked better!
