Actor Lee Chae Min is making waves with his breakout performance in tvN’s hit drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, capturing both critical acclaim and audience attention.
The fantasy romantic-comedy follows a Michelin-starred chef who time-slips into the past and encounters a tyrannical king with a refined palate. Episode 6, aired on September 7, achieved impressive ratings of 12.7% nationwide (Nielsen Korea, paid platform households), continuing its strong momentum.
Originally, the male lead role was set to be played by Park Sung Hoon (The Glory, Squid Game 2). However, Park exited the project following backlash over a controversial social media post, leaving the production in need of a last-minute replacement.
Lee Chae Min is a rising actor known for Crash Course in Romance (tvN) and Netflix’s Hierarchy. Despite having only about a month to prepare, he delivered a stable and compelling performance, overcoming the pressure of stepping in as the new male lead.
As King Yi Heon, Lee skillfully balances the character’s ruthless charisma as a tyrant with the vulnerable emotions of a man falling in love. It is his first historical drama, but under the guidance of acclaimed director Jang Tae Yoo (Painter of the Wind, My Love from the Star), Lee’s performance has been elevated, drawing praise from viewers.
Lee’s rising popularity is reflected in hard data. On September 11, the Korean Business Research Institute ranked him #1 in the Drama Actor Brand Reputation Index for September 2025.
The index was calculated from 81.74 million data points collected between August 11 and September 11, analyzing participation, media coverage, communication, and community metrics. This ranking cements Lee Chae Min’s status as one of the most talked-about stars of the moment.
Industry watchers and fans are already drawing parallels between Lee and Byeon Woo Seok, who skyrocketed to stardom with Lovely Runner. Just as Byeon became a household name overnight, Lee Chae Min’s breakout in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty positions him as the next big leading man in K-drama.
With his brand reputation soaring and his performance winning hearts at home and abroad, Lee Chae Min has firmly established himself as one of Korea’s most promising rising stars.
Sources: Daum
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