Starring as Yeon Ji-young, Yoona leads the fantasy rom-com about a modern chef who time-slips to the Joseon era and collides with a fearsome tyrant king known for his flawless palate. The series comes from writer fGRD and director Jang Tae-yu.
In Episode 2, which aired Aug. 24, Ji-young is suddenly seized and ordered to prepare a banquet after being named by the royal inspector. Unfazed, she strikes a bold deal―satisfy the guests and everyone walks free―turning a crisis into a shot at redemption.
She quickly sizes up unfamiliar tools and ingredients, takes command of the kitchen with crisp authority, and tailors each dish to the guests' tastes and status. Then she ups the ante with a modern twist: a sous-vide beef course that once again wins over the tyrant King Lee Heon (played by Lee Chae-min).
But the victory is short-lived. In the final moments, Lee Heon, clutching the Mangunrok―a crucial clue to her time-slip―hauls Ji-young into the palace, setting the stage for a perilous new chapter.
Yoona nails the fish-out-of-water arc, elevating the fun and stakes in equal measure. Her restrained expressions sharpen the tension during meticulous cooking sequences, while deft knife work, confident cadence, and a playful tone let her steer the room―and the drama's momentum―with ease.
Photo: tvN
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)