The hit K-drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty wrapped up its run on September 28, 2025, delivering a highly satisfying, romantic conclusion for its main couple. The series finale saw King Yi Heon and chef Yeon Ji-young reunite in the modern day, but it left one major mystery unsolved, sparking a wave of questions from viewers.
The show, which starred Lim Yoon-a as Ji-young and Lee Chae-min as Yi Heon, followed a star chef who is transported back to the Joseon era, where she must cook for a king with an impeccable palate. The finale provided a happy ending that many fans celebrated, especially after an emotional and tense final battle. However, the drama chose not to explain a key plot point: exactly how Yi Heon managed to travel centuries into the future to find Ji-young.
How The Finale take place
The last episode, titled “Course No 12 Hwanseban,” was filled with high stakes and drama. The scheming Prince Jesan made his final move to overthrow King Yi Heon, leading to a climactic confrontation in the forest. To save the king from Jesan’s sword, Ji-young stepped in the way and suffered a fatal blow. As she lay dying in Yi Heon’s arms, the magical cookbook, the Mangunrok, activated. Its pages glowed, lifting Ji-young and pulling her back to her own time, where she woke up in a Seoul hospital.
A month later, Ji-young had started a new job as a head chef. In a twist of fate, her new kitchen staff were all lookalikes of the friends she had made in the Joseon royal kitchen. The drama reached its peak when a rude guest, a lookalike of the character Song-jae, began to criticize her food. Suddenly, a familiar voice came to her defense. It was Yi Heon, dressed in a modern suit, finally fulfilling his promise to find her. The two shared an emotional embrace and kiss, and the series ended with Yi Heon cooking bibimbap for Ji-young, a dish he had promised to make for her long ago.
When Ji-young asked how he managed to reach her world, his only reply was, “It’s a long story.” The show offered no further explanation, leaving the mechanics of his time travel completely to the viewers’ imagination.
The Central Unanswered Question
The single biggest question on fans’ minds is straightforward: How did Yi Heon get to the future? The finale provided visual clues but no concrete answers. As Ji-young was transported away, viewers saw a single page tear from the Mangunrok and float down toward Yi Heon. This, coupled with the fact that online records in Ji-young’s time stated the king’s body was never found, suggests the magical book was his key to time travel. However, the specifics were never shown or explained.
This creative choice did not go unnoticed by the audience. On social media, fans expressed a mix of joy at the happy ending and frustration over the missing details. One fan on X directly questioned, “HELLOOO I need answers!! How did Yi Heon end up in the future?!?!!” Others wondered about the practicalities of his new life, asking where he got his modern suit, who gave him a stylish haircut, and how he afforded to enter a fancy restaurant.
“Thank God the ending isn’t like Scarlet Heart 😭 I legit thought it was gonna be a sad ending. 12 eps are NOT enough!!! HELLOOO I need answers!! How did Yi Heon end up in the future?!?!! 🫠🤯” – An X user commented.
How The Ending Differs From The Original Web Novel
For viewers curious about a more detailed resolution, the original source material provides one. The “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” series was adapted from a web novel, and its ending took a different path. In the book, Yi Heon’s arrival in modern Seoul is fully depicted. He wakes up confused on Bukhansan Mountain, stumbles into traffic, and is hit by a car. He is then discovered by a restaurant tycoon, whose aide is the reincarnation of his former secretary, Song-jae.
The businessman sees potential in Yi Heon and agrees to help him find Ji-young, who is already a famous chef in her time. The novel shows Yi Heon adapting to the modern world—getting a haircut, learning to use a smartphone, and even becoming a part-time employee at Ji-young’s restaurant, where his good looks boost business. This detailed adaptation contrasts with the drama’s more open-ended approach.
Fan Reactions to the Finale
The finale successfully delivered the happy ending that many fans were hoping for, ensuring the central love story concluded on a positive note. The reunion and the final bibimbap scene were widely praised as a sweet and fitting end to the couple’s journey. The series also achieved a significant milestone, ending on its highest viewership ratings yet and becoming the seventh highest-rated drama in tvN history.
Despite the satisfaction, the lack of explanation for Yi Heon’s time travel became a major talking point. Some viewers felt the finale was rushed, with the complex political plotlines resolved too quickly and the fantasy rules left undefined. One fan noted that the drama “prioritized meticulously researched culinary creations first, character drama second, and fantasy mechanics third,” which ultimately meant the “how” of the time travel was treated as less important than the emotional payoff of the reunion.
Will There Be a Second Season?
For fans holding out hope for a second season that might explore these unanswered questions, the outlook is definitive. The creators have confirmed that Bon Appétit, Your Majesty was conceived as a limited series with a complete storyline. There are no official plans for a Season 2. The story of Yi Heon and Ji-young has reached its conclusion, with their love story triumphing over time itself, even if the logistics remain a delightful mystery.
Also Read: Yoon Seo Ah Reveals the Challenges Behind Her Breakout Role in ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’
