Bon Appétit, Your Majesty: Ratings Soar, Finale Criticized

The tvN fantasy-romance Bon Appétit, Your Majesty concluded on September 28 after a 12-episode run and drew breakout ratings—Nielsen Korea reported a Seoul rating of 17.4% (peaking at 20%) and a nationwide 17.1% (high 19.4%), making it the network's biggest hit since Queen of Tears. The finale resolved the time-slip romance: modern chef Yeon Ji‑young is sent back to the present and ultimately reunites with King Yi Heon following a climactic coup and palace bloodshed driven by Prince Jesan. The series, which mixes food, fantasy and romance, received praise for performances and production, and creators said they grounded its extravagant dishes in Joseon-era records and cookbooks. The production overcame early hurdles including a last‑minute recast, and stars Im Yoon‑ah and Lee Chae‑min shared behind-the-scenes photos and thank-you posts after the finale. Despite strong domestic and international Netflix streaming and commercial success, many viewers criticized the 12-episode format and said the final stretch felt rushed and uneven.