This delicious "romantic comedy" that combines period drama, fantasy, and even fine dining has captivated palates around the world.
The series began with controversy but ended up being a record-breaking success. The final episode of tvN's Saturday/Sunday TV series "Tyrant Chef," which aired on the 28th, recorded a viewership rating of 17.1%, with a peak viewership rating of 20%.
This is the highest record for a tvNTV series since "Queen of Tears." It also topped Netflix's non-English TV category globally for two consecutive weeks, a first for a tvNTV series.
Around the time of the TV series' end, Taeryongsuksu Yeong Jiyeong, who traveled back in time to Joseon, and Yoona and Lee Chaemin, who played the gourmet tyrant Lee Heon, met at a certain place in Seoul and talked.
Yuna has once again proven herself to be the irreplaceable "rococo queen," while Lee Chaemin has quickly emerged as the next generation star.
For the two actors, "Tyrant Chef" proved their presence.
Amidst the overwhelming interest that exceeded their expectations, their faces were filled with greater joy and happiness than ever before.
Yuna said, "When I go on overseas schedules or pass by on the street, people call out to me.
"I realized how popular the film was when people started calling it 'Waiting for a Good Job' instead of 'The Good Job'," he said, adding, "I'm still confused." Lee Chae-min said, "I hoped the film would be a box office hit, but I couldn't have predicted it."
"Many people have understood my intentions and offered to work with me, so I feel nothing but gratitude," he said. As always, at first, he only thought, "I have to work hard until the end."
In particular, Lee Chae-min felt a great deal of pressure as filming began. He was brought into the production just 10 days before filming began due to the withdrawal of the previously scheduled lead actor.
There were many things that had to be prepared in a short time, such as horse riding, swordsmanship, archery, and calligraphy. "I really did it almost to the point of dying," Lee Chae-Min says now.
Lee Chae Min laughed and recalled those days. "I went to horse riding lessons every day and also learned calligraphy. I read the script continuously and often did group readings with director Jang Tae Yoo," she said.
He worked hard to prepare well within the time limit and not to cause any damage to the production." Yuna, who watched over him, said, "Even though there was not much time, he ended up coming to the set.
"I thought Lee Chae Min was amazing when she appeared fully dressed as Hong," he said in admiration. Yoona will play a Michelin-starred chef and the head of the kitchen that prepares meals for the king.
He learned how to cook by attending a cooking school for three months. He received French cuisine training from Chef Shin Jeong-cheol of the Pullman Hotel, Ambassador Seoul, who is known as the "God of Buffets."
He also learned the principles of cooking. "I practiced a lot, focusing on knife skills, and learned hotel cuisine," he said. "I went to a meeting with the TV series' advisory chefs and gave my opinions on the food that appeared in the show.
In the story, Lee Heon is a tyrant. He is unashamed in front of everyone and can be violent at times. However, the real charm of Lee Heon is the boyish innocence that lies within him.
The sharp madness that makes people tremble, and the purity that disarms with a smile. These two words that seem incompatible in one character are expressed through Lee Chae Min's acting.
Lee Chae Min said, "I often hear people say, 'Depending on how you open your eyes, you can look fierce or innocent,' so I thought, 'Lee Hong
"I didn't just portray Lee Heon as a tyrant, but as someone who is frank and doesn't hide anything, and who fights against others rather than enduring them.
"Yeon Jiyeon is dignified and strong. And behind that lies a deep confidence in her own abilities.
The way Yeon Jiyeon keeps moving forward without giving in to any circumstances is what Yuna thinks about this work.
This is also the reason why she chose the role. Yuna said, "Yeong Jiyeon is a character who is wise and has a dignified side, and no matter what situation she is in, she has the ability to 'overcome it' and 'show it'."
"She's a strong-willed person who doesn't give up," he said, adding, "She's obviously more resilient and abrupt than me, but at the same time, I was attracted to the idea that she's similar to me in that she doesn't give up and is patiently trying to solve problems."
The popularity of "Tyrant Chef" is also centered on its cuisine. The colorful feast of modern gourmet food made with traditional Korean ingredients adds a unique flavor to the film.
There is already content online that recreates and showcases the various cooking techniques that appear in the work.
The actors also agreed with the idea of "the power of food." Yuna said, "The presentation is very French, but the food that incorporates Korean cuisine has attracted a lot of attention."
"I think the popularity of K-food is one of the reasons for the high interest in the film," he said. What attracted as much attention as the food was Lee Heon's reaction after eating it.
Lee Heon's reactions, which were full of "B-movie sensibility," such as suddenly performing a sword dance and showing a dazed expression under exploding firecrackers, made viewers laugh with a high success rate.
Among them, the scene that Lee Chae Min remembers the most is when Lee Heon eats deer tongue and suddenly takes off his clothes and makes a mess in the reed field.
He said, "That scene really brought me to my senses, but the reaction on set was great."
"Lee Heon's crazy side came out well, and I was personally satisfied and impressed," he said. The romance between the older-younger couple played by Yeon Ji Yeon and Lee Heon has also been well-received by many viewers.
It was thrilling. The two actors are 10 years apart in age. They passed the ball around to each other, creating thrilling scenes together.
Yuna said, "Although he was my first partner who was younger than me, Lee Chae Min showed me a lot of mature aspects and I felt like he was my age.
"I didn't feel much of a difference," she said. "The breathing that Lee Chae Min created helped me a lot.
There were many parts in the acting where we understood each other," he said. "It was tiring and difficult.
There were many moments when it was difficult, but they persevered through those times and provided a lot of bright energy, so I had a lot of fun filming."
Lee Chae Min said, "I learned a lot as an actor and as a person while working with Yuna senior.
I got a lot of points. I followed my seniors' directions well on set, and I think that's why many people enjoyed my acting." "When we act together, my seniors guide me so that I can concentrate.
"They helped me a lot. I think the role of the seniors was big in the romance." 18 years and 4 years. They are at different points in their acting careers, but the acting skills that the two of them have are
The mindset is similar. Even the unwavering attitude towards the success of the work is similar. Just moving forward step by step without forgetting the original intention.
The two actors' vows conveyed their sincerity towards acting.
Yuna said, "I don't think I can achieve success on my own. I think it would be best if I could meet good people and work on a project that I can enjoy. Recently, a lot of people have been saying, '
I often say, 'I want to be an actor that people can nod in agreement with my acting.' I feel good because I feel like I'm one step closer to that nod."
Lee Chae Min said, "Before I become a good actor, I want to become a good person.
My parents also told me many times to always be humble and try not to change.
Only then will I be able to have a positive influence on many people and they will pay more attention to me. I will continue to work hard."
2025/10/03 08:58 KST
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