After the successful run of the hit K-drama “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,” actor Lee Chae Min has shared his honest feelings about working with his co-star, Girls’ Generation’s YoonA. In a recent interview, the rising star talked about his nervousness filming romantic scenes, addressed the public discussion around their age difference, and expressed his deep respect for his senior colleague.
Lee Chae Min on Working with YoonA
In an interview with SPOTV News on September 30, Lee Chae Min opened up about the experience of acting alongside YoonA. He revealed that he was a fan of the singer-actress and felt honored to be her partner in the drama.
“When I met YoonA sunbae, I told her, ‘I’m a fan’. It was such an honor to be her partner in the same project. It felt surreal, and I just thought I needed to do my best,” Lee Chae Min said.
He also highlighted YoonA’s supportive nature on set, noting her professionalism during their cooking scenes. “She was always supportive and would adjust her lines with me so I could perform comfortably,” he shared. “She’s also really skilled at cooking—her movements were so precise that during the cooking scenes, she barely made any mistakes. It was impressive to watch.”
Addressing the Age Gap Discussion
The on-screen pairing of Lee Chae Min, born in 2000, and YoonA, who is 11 years older, sparked some online debate among viewers. The actor directly addressed this topic, explaining that the age difference was not a factor in their professional collaboration.
“When acting together, I never once thought about the age gap. We were focused on our characters. Off camera, she was my senior who taught me a lot, so I truly respected her. More than the age gap, I felt she was someone I could really learn from,” Lee Chae Min explained.
This sentiment was echoed by some fans on social media who defended their chemistry. One user on X wrote, “I don’t care about the age gap if they are not failing to give us such an amazing on-screen chemistry.”
Confessing Nerves Over Kiss Scene
The fourth episode of “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” featured a kiss scene between the two leads that arrived much earlier than is typical in many K-dramas. Lee Chae Min confessed that he felt shy about the scene, especially when thinking about watching it with others.
“It was a scene worth being shy about. I always get shy in those moments. Watching alone is fine, but watching together with others makes me embarrassed,” he said.
The scene, which shows King Lee Heon staring deeply into YoonA’s character’s eyes before leaning in for a kiss, quickly went viral online and contributed to the drama’s buzz. Director Jang Tae-yu had previously praised the pair’s chemistry, stating, “From the moment I saw them together, I felt they were a perfect match, like a beautiful picture. Even during the hug and kiss scenes, the staff told me their hearts fluttered watching them.”
A Drama Ending on a High Note
Lee Chae Min’s interview followed the successful finale of “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,” which achieved double-digit ratings in South Korea and became the highest-rated K-drama on cable network tvN in 2025. The actor took to his Instagram on September 29 to pen a heartfelt letter to the drama’s supporters, sharing behind-the-scenes photos with YoonA.
“I would like to thank everyone who has loved ‘Tyrant’s Chef’ [the drama’s working title]. I am happy to see that everyone’s hard work has been receiving so much love. I hope this will remain in your memories forever,” he wrote.
He also thanked his co-actors, director, and production team, adding a sweet message for their characters: “Lee Heon and Ji-young, please be happy forever.”
The drama, which is based on a web novel by Park Kuk-jae, tells the story of a modern-day Michelin-starred chef, played by YoonA, who time-travels to the Joseon Dynasty and captivates the palate of a feared king, played by Lee Chae Min. It has spent two weeks in Netflix’s non-English Top 10, ranking number one in 29 countries.
A special episode of “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” is scheduled to be released on October 4.
Also Read: Yoon Seo Ah Reveals the Challenges Behind Her Breakout Role in ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’
Credits: SPOTV News
