"Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" director Jang Tae-yu and others discussed the casting changes.
On the 19th, a production presentation for the new tvN weekend drama "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" (directed by Jang Tae-yu, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Film Greeda, Jung Universe) was held at The Saint in D-Cube City, Sindorim, Guro-gu, Seoul.
Based on a popular web novel, "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" (working title) is garnering attention as director Jang Tae-yu, known for his historical drama successes, takes the helm, with titles like "My Love from the Star," "Deep-rooted Tree," "The Flower in the Storm," "Hong Chun-ki," and "Night Blooming Flowers," maintaining the undefeated myth of historical dramas.
"Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" features well-loved actors across generations, including Im Yoon-a, Lee Chae-min, Kang Han-na, and Choi Gwi-hwa, raising expectations.
Among them, "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" faced challenges due to the change in its male lead. Initially, Park Sung-hoon, who gained popularity through shows like "The Glory" and "Queen of Tears," was cast, but after starring in "Squid Game" season 2, he was embroiled in a privacy controversy after posting a parody of the series on his social media account, leading to his exit.
Director Jang Tae-yu stated, "As you can see from the title, 'Bon Appetit, Your Majesty' required an important role for the chef. It was not a typical drama that an ordinary actor could perform, as the role involved being a French chef who returns to the past to survive and falls in love. I thought of Im Yoon-a as someone who could handle it, and it felt serendipitous when casting came together. She surprised me with how hard she prepared and truly embodied the role," adding, "Lee Chae-min also joined late but exercised daily without missing a beat, doing horseback riding, cooking, archery, and it's tough for an actor carrying out demanding roles like this. In previous works, I would need to inform actors about certain scenes at least a month in advance, but this time, I was grateful we could shoot anytime."
Director Jang Tae-yu commented on Park Sung-hoon's exit, saying, "At that time, we were in pre-shooting and preparation. There were many candidates, and I thought of the process as something going by. I didn't think of the actor from the beginning, but I am 120% satisfied with Lee Chae-min, whom I met later. He has been performing exceptionally well."
In particular, the director mentioned the adjustment of the percentage from 100% to 120%, stating, "Doing our best does not guarantee good results. Lee Chae-min prepares diligently and has visibly showcased results. You will be able to see that on screen."
Lee Chae-min noted, "It's true that there was a lack of time, which added a lot of pressure and responsibility. The director called on me often before shooting, and I practiced group reading a lot with the senior colleagues. I captured the feel and tone of the character, and during shooting, the senior actors who filmed with me provided feedback, which was very helpful."
The new tvN weekend drama "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" will premiere on the 23rd at 9:10 p.m.
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