Yoona (Girls' Generation) and actor Lee Chae Min's ”Tyrant Chef” is a global hit... No. 1 in Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows

tvN's weekend TV series "Tyrant Chef" won first place in the Netflix non-English TV program category, capturing the hearts of viewers around the world. The drama is full of brilliant acting by the actors and vivid details.
The directing style shows the essence of Korean storytelling, and even the ingredients of traditional Korean cuisine that appear in the drama are attracting great interest, creating a global hit syndrome.
First of all, the viewership rating for episode 8 of "Tyrant Chef" last week recorded an average of 15.8% among households in the metropolitan area and a peak of 18.1%, ranking first among all channels in the same time slot and breaking its own record again.
(Based on cable, IPTV, and satellite integrated paid platforms / Provided by Nilsung Korea) In the Hot Topic category, the same TV series also saw Yoona (Girls' Generation) take the top spot.
The boom has spread beyond Korea and gone global. According to the official Netflix website released today (17th, Wednesday),
It achieved the top spot in the TV program (non-English) category. It was ranked in the top 10 from the first week of its release, and after two consecutive weeks in second place, it took the top spot for four weeks.
The global review site, Rotten Tomatoes, has an audience rating index (Avg.
Popcornmeter) 98%, ranking joint first among TV shows currently available on Netflix as of September 2025.
One of the reasons for the global popularity of "Tyrant Chef" is the power of well-crafted K-storytelling. K-storytelling has the unique ability to harmonize and unify various genres.
"Tyrant Chef" is a time-travel fantasy that combines the romance between a tyrant and a chef, the comedy that begins with the chemistry between the actors, and the use of traditional Korean ingredients.
The program will also feature fusion cuisine, presenting the charm of a comprehensive gift set. This will provide viewers with a variety of attractions they cannot take their eyes off of, increasing the level of immersion.
In addition, the well-constructed, self-contained story structure makes it easy for viewers to become immersed in the drama and binge-watch it. With interest in Korean romantic comedies growing worldwide, "The Tyrant's Story"
The global popularity of "F" is also in line with this. The story, which strikes the right balance between romance and comedy and is a narrative and emotional love story centered on excitement and lingering feelings, has captivated global audiences.
In addition, the Korean atmosphere, food, and culture that can be seen through the TV series play a role in broadening understanding of Korean culture.
As a result, they are naturally immersed in Korean culture. Major foreign media outlets have also highlighted the boom from various perspectives. The New York Times has said, "Korean dramas have captured the world's attention."
Introduced as "Ma," Time commented that in the section about a fictional tyrant, "the film focuses on unraveling an escapist and entertaining love story, using historical context as a fantasy setting,
This is a wise choice." Decide, a review publication under the New York Post, also praised the film, saying, "The familiar narrative structure is enhanced with interesting devices that will attract the viewers' attention."
Global viewers also commented, "Thanks to 'Tyrant Chef', I've become addicted to Korean TV series again," "I can feel the essence of Korean romantic comedies," and "The food and story are great."
The film has received a wide range of enthusiastic responses, including comments such as "The cinematography of the TV series as a whole, including the telling, is astonishingly beautiful."
Meanwhile, tvN's "Tyrant Chef" airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 p.m.