When tvN first announced the cast of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty last January, all eyes were on one question — who would replace Park Sung Hoon as the new male lead? The answer surprised many: Lee Chae Min, a 2000-born rookie actor.
At first, the public’s reaction was more cautious than excited. With a ten-year age gap between him and co-star Yoona, and only limited acting experience, expectations were tempered. Yet, within months, Lee Chae Min silenced every doubt.
He had just over a month to prepare — learning calligraphy, horseback riding, and everything it took to embody Lee Heon, the tyrant king. “I acted with everything I had, as if burning myself out completely,” he said. His commitment paid off. When the series premiered in August, his powerful voice, layered emotions, and balance between madness and innocence captivated audiences.
The result? Ratings skyrocketed from 4.9% in episode one to 17.1% in the finale — a rare success in modern historical dramas. Headlines soon declared, “Casting Lee Chae Min was a masterstroke.”
For the young actor, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty was filled with firsts — his first lead role, first historical piece, and even his first “mukbang” scenes. “I practiced calligraphy daily, rode horses, and worked on my posture. By the end, I could ride without a stunt double,” he said, laughing.
He credits his stable vocal delivery to years of training. “I’ve been attending a vocal academy for four years. It wasn’t something I started just for this role — it just fit perfectly.”
Even in food scenes, he worked meticulously. “Since the show had a cartoon-like tone, I practiced in front of the mirror to make my expressions look natural,” he shared, revealing his favorite dish from filming — beef bourguignon. “I ate so much I gained 3 kilograms on set,” he admitted with a grin.
Despite not being the director’s first choice, Lee Chae Min eventually earned Jang Tae Yoo’s full trust. “He told me, ‘Do as you like.’ That’s when I knew he saw me as Lee Heon,” he recalled.
He also spoke warmly of Yoona, his co-star and anchor on set. “She encouraged me constantly. Every time she said, ‘You’re doing well,’ it gave me strength.”
Although the drama ended with a “happy ending,” some viewers debated its conclusion, noting the absence of Lee Heon’s time-travel subplot. Smiling, Lee Chae Min offered his own take: “Maybe love brought him to the present world. I imagined him learning to cook with Ji Young — perhaps as her assistant chef.”
From Top Student to Rising Star
Before acting, Lee Chae Min dreamed of becoming a teacher. A consistent top student through school, he changed paths during his final year of high school. “I told my parents I wanted to act. They supported me completely,” he said.
His biggest hurdle was stage fright. “I was terrified of performing. But once I joined an acting academy, I practiced nonstop. I wanted to give my all every single day.”
In just a year, he was accepted to multiple prestigious universities — including Korea National University of Arts, Sungkyunkwan University, and Dongguk University — ultimately choosing K-ARTS, Department of Theater.
Five years later, his portrayal of Lee Heon made him one of Korea’s most-watched rising stars. He’s reportedly received more than 30 new project offers.
Still, he remains grounded. “My biggest goal is not to lose myself. Being a good person comes before being a good actor. That’s how I can influence others positively.”
