Im Yoon-ah and Lee Chae-min's relationship is swinging like a roller coaster.
On the 20th (Sat), the tvN weekend drama Bon Appetit, Your Majesty (directed by Jang Tae-yu, written by fGRD, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Filmgrida, Jung Universe) episode 9 aired, where after a fierce cooking competition, Yeon Ji-young (played by Im Yoon-ah) and Lee Heon (played by Lee Chae-min), who were enjoying a sweet peace, faced another crisis.
As a result, episode 9 recorded average ratings of 14.2% and a high of 15.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area, and an average of 13.5% and a high of 14.8% nationwide, ranking first in its time slot across all channels including terrestrial broadcasters. In tvN's target 20-49 male and female viewers, it recorded a Seoul metropolitan area average of 5.5% and a high of 6.4%, and a nationwide average of 5.6% and a high of 6.3%, firmly holding first place among all channels in the same time slot. (Based on paid platforms integrating cable, IPTV and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea)
After finishing the second cooking competition with Ming's kingdom, Yeon Ji-young went to the pavilion bathed in moonlight at Lee Heon's summons. Lee Heon had prepared warm tea to comfort and praise Yeon Ji-young for her hard work in the competition. As the two relaxed together after a long time, a different current lingered in their gazes than before.
In particular, when Lee Heon tells Yeon Ji-young never to get hurt again, it hints at the depth of affection settled in his heart. Despite being the king, Lee Heon's sincere willingness to bow for Yeon Ji-young moved her, and she eased his burden by saying, "I'll win somehow," creating a heartwarming moment.
Buoyed by Lee Heon's support, Yeon Ji-young won the final cooking competition. The master chefs of both countries, having enjoyed good competition, expressed gratitude to each other and ended warmly. Also, U-gon, who insisted on taking Yeon Ji-young as a palace maiden, was quickly subdued by an enraged Lee Heon's headbutt attack and a letter from Queen Dowager Inju (played by Seo Yi-sook), delivering thrilling catharsis.
Lee Heon gifted a new master chef uniform to Chief Royal Chef Yeon Ji-young, who bravely defended the country, and left a remark that subtly suggested a private banquet for just the two of them, saying, "It's a good place for you and me to have sura together." Lee Heon's gentle smile as he watched Yeon Ji-young delight in the unexpected gift stirred excitement.
Just as Yeon Ji-young and Lee Heon's hearts drew closer after the competition, another storm cloud hung over their future. Kang Mok-joo (played by Kang Han-na) and Je-san Daegun (played by Choi Gwi-hwa), who failed in their plan to bring down Yeon Ji-young and Lee Heon, hatched a sinister plot to use an unidentified medicinal herb to harm the still-young Jinmyeong Daegun and pin the crime on Yeon Ji-young, angering viewers.
When Jinmyeong Daegun collapsed after eating the black-bone chicken roast that Yeon Ji-young supposedly prepared according to Kang Mok-joo's plan, a chilly tension swept through the palace. Queen Dowager Ja-hyun (played by Shin Eun-jung), facing the possible loss of her only son, flew into a rage and declared she would interrogate Yeon Ji-young personally, shocking viewers. Because harming royalty is an unforgivable capital offense in any case, attention is focused on how Yeon Ji-young, facing an unprecedented crisis, will overcome this situation.
Meanwhile, unaware of these facts even in his dreams, Lee Heon waited anxiously for Yeon Ji-young at Jangwonseo with red pepper powder and gochujang, heightening the sorrow. It will be interesting to see how Lee Heon reacts when he hears the news of Yeon Ji-young's torture.
The future of Chief Royal Chef Im Yoon-ah, trapped in the pit set by Kang Han-na, can be seen in episode 10 of the tvN weekend drama Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, which airs today (21st) at 9:10 p.m.
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