Last January, tvN’s casting lineup for 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' was announced. The main point of interest at the time was the new male lead. Who would replace Park Sung Hoon had become a hot topic.
The role went to 2000-born rookie Lee Chae Min. In the entertainment industry, the buzz leaned more toward concern than anticipation. The main reasons were that he was ten years younger than Yoona and had limited acting experience.
Lee Chae Min had to prove himself. He couldn’t afford to disrupt the carefully planned 12-episode schedule. He had just over a month to prepare, gradually mastering everything from calligraphy to horseback riding.
Quietly and diligently, he transformed into the tyrant Lee Heon. When the series premiered in August, skepticism melted away. His strong vocal control and multi-dimensional emotional range—shifting between madness and innocence—made him truly embody Lee Heon.
“I acted with everything I had, as if I were burning myself completely. I couldn’t afford to let the production suffer,” he said.
His resolve—“live and act as if your life depends on it”—paid off. The first episode started with a 4.9% viewership rating, and the finale ended at 17.1%, bringing the series to a successful close. All the spotlight turned to him, and media headlines were rewritten.
“Rookie Lee Chae Min as the tyrant was a masterstroke.”
For Lee Chae Min, 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' was full of firsts. His first lead role, first historical drama, and even his first mukbang—every challenge was new. To make matters worse, preparation time was limited. He began by learning the skills necessary for a period drama.
“I practiced calligraphy every day and rode horses. I’ve always liked sports, so I picked up horseback riding quickly. By the end, I was doing scenes alone without a stunt double. I was so good at it in the last days that I almost wished I hadn’t improved so fast,” he laughed.
The production team and fellow actors supported the rookie. “The director and seniors often arranged group readings so I could get into character. They continued doing this into the early stages of filming, and it really helped,” he said gratefully.
His stable vocal performance came from consistent practice. “It wasn’t that I focused more on vocals just because it was a historical drama. I’ve been attending a vocal academy for four years, and it just happened to fit perfectly,” he explained.
He also put particular effort into the mukbang scenes, taking cues from animated reactions. “Many scenes were expressed in a cartoonish style. I watched the footage and practiced in the mirror. The most important thing was figuring out how to eat in a way that wouldn’t look awkward on camera,” he said.
His favorite dish was 'Beef Bourguignon.' “The braised short ribs in the battle with the Ming Dynasty were really delicious. I kept gobbling them up. The macarons are also memorable. I gained 3 kg from eating on set,” he laughed.
In real life, he’s also passionate about food. “I eat so much I feel like I live to eat. I love going to good restaurants and keep returning to ones I like. My favorite food is meat,” he admitted.
Lee Chae Min wasn’t originally the director Jang Tae Yoo’s first choice. But after working with him, the director realized his worth. At a public event, Jang praised him: “I’m 120% satisfied. Lee Chae Min didn’t just prepare—he delivered results.”
Lee Chae Min remembers exactly the moment he earned the director’s trust. “At some point, he said, ‘Do as you like.’ I guess I started looking like Lee Heon? I gained confidence and wanted to act freely,” he recalled.
His co-star, Yoona, was a reliable support. He expressed admiration throughout the interview. “She approached me warmly, shared ideas, and encouraged me a lot,” he said.
“Since I suddenly joined the project, I felt anxious and overwhelmed at first. Every time she told me ‘you’re doing well,’ it gave me strength,” he added.
The ending of 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' sparked debate. Though it concluded with a straightforward “happy ending,” some viewers criticized the omission of Lee Heon’s time-travel subplot, calling it a “dodged ending.”
Lee Chae Min smiled, saying, “I acted thinking that perhaps he came to the present world by the power of love. Maybe Mangwoon-rok helped him because of his love for Yeon Ji Young.”
As for what modern-day Lee Heon might be like, he imagined, “In the epilogue, he makes bibimbap, right? Maybe he learned to cook from Ji Young and works as her assistant chef.”
Lee Chae Min once dreamed of becoming a teacher. In middle school, he consistently ranked among the top students. In high school mock exams, he mostly scored in the first tier, following the path of an academic achiever.
His destiny changed during winter break before his senior year of high school. “I talked to my parents about a new dream of becoming an actor, and they gave me their full support,” he said.
The journey wasn’t easy. Stage fright was his biggest obstacle. “I was scared to be in front of people. I just signed up for an acting academy and dove in,” he recalled.
“I can confidently say I worked harder than anyone that year. I practiced acting every day without sleeping. My goal was to leave the academy feeling like I’d given it everything,” he said.
Perseverance bore fruit. In just one year, he was accepted into all the schools he applied to: Korea National University of Arts, Sungkyunkwan University, Dongguk University, and Sejong University. He ultimately enrolled in the Korea National University of Arts, Department of Theater.
With 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' he quickly rose to stardom—a remarkable achievement just five years into his career. Rumor has it he’s already received over 30 script offers. Even in such a busy time, he reflects on his roots.
“My biggest goal as an actor is not to lose myself. I may adapt depending on the situation, but I don’t want my essence to change. I believe being a good person is necessary before being a good actor, so I can have a positive influence.”
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