In ‘The Tyrant’s Chef’, Lim Yoona and Lee Chae-min kept viewers awake with a sweet kiss under the flower rain on a night filled with romance.
In the 10th episode of tvN's weekend drama ‘The Tyrant’s Chef’ (written by fGRD, directed by Jang Tae-yu), which aired on the 21st, the relationship between Yeon Ji-young (played by Lim Yoona) and Lee Heon (played by Lee Chae-min) deepened as they worked together to clear the false accusation of poisoning the Grand Prince, culminating in a sweet ending.
As a result, the 10th episode recorded an average viewership rating of 15.9% in the metropolitan area and a peak of 17.6%, while nationwide it averaged 15.8% with a peak of 17.3%, ranking first among all channels during the same time slot, including terrestrial broadcasts. In the target demographic of tvN, viewers aged 20-49, the ratings were 5.7% on average and peaked at 6.1% in the metropolitan area, and averaged 6.1% and peaked at 6.6% nationwide, sweeping the first place across all channels during the same time slot (based on paid platforms including cable, IPTV, and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea).
Upon hearing that Yeon Ji-young was taken away on charges of attempting to assassinate the Grand Prince Jin-myeong, Lee Heon immediately headed to the prison. Queen Dowager Ja-hyun (played by Shin Eun-jung), who was on the verge of losing her son, confronted Lee Heon, and the tension escalated as an enraged Lee Heon drew his sword. At Yeon Ji-young's earnest plea, Lee Heon lowered his sword and began a search with the goal of proving her innocence, but the lack of evidence only added to their despair.
Meanwhile, rumors spread that the king was enchanted by a court lady and had attempted to harm Grand Prince Jin-myeong, causing the atmosphere in the royal court to freeze rapidly. The royal matriarch, Queen Dowager In-ju (played by Seo Yi-sook), pressured Yeon Ji-young by giving her just three days to prove her innocence, threatening her with a dagger if she failed to do so.
Having narrowly escaped from the prison, Yeon Ji-young headed to her residence with Lee Heon’s belongings. Already aware of the rumors circulating in the palace from Queen Dowager In-ju, Yeon Ji-young pushed Lee Heon away as he approached her. However, Lee Heon kissed her, saying, “This is a kiss for the woman I love the most,” making viewers’ hearts race.
After Yeon Ji-young returned, Lee Heon regained his vitality and accelerated the investigation into the attempted assassination of the Grand Prince. While examining the medicine and food consumed by Grand Prince Jin-myeong on the day he collapsed, Lee Heon suddenly exhibited the same symptoms as the Grand Prince, slowly revealing the clues to the previously mysterious case. It turned out that the poisonous herb, Oryeongji, was included in the Grand Prince's medicine.
As it was revealed that Grand Prince Jin-myeong had suffered after consuming Oryeongji, the conspirator, Lady Kang Mok-joo (played by Kang Han-na), was engulfed in anxiety about being discovered. Furthermore, when her close aide, Choi Wul (played by Kim Chae-hyun), who had attempted to kill the physician who tampered with the Grand Prince's medicine, was captured, Kang Mok-joo shocked viewers by taking Choi Wul's life with her own hands.
As Kang Mok-joo was gradually pushed to the brink, Je-san Grand Prince (played by Choi Gwi-hwa) found Lee Heon’s maternal grandmother, Lady Shim (played by Yeo Soo-jung), and began to lay the groundwork for a coup. In particular, Je-san Grand Prince's chilling laughter, which suggested he would provoke Lee Heon’s rampage during Queen Dowager In-ju’s banquet, sent shivers down the spine.
At the same time, Lee Heon was preparing a performance of the Cheoyongmu dance to be showcased at Queen Dowager In-ju’s banquet. Calling Yeon Ji-young, who was illuminated by the moonlight in the Uyeongjeong, Lee Heon performed a solo act just for her and confessed, “Become my companion,” surprising Yeon Ji-young. His heartfelt confession, promising to make her bibimbap every morning if she became his companion, deeply touched Yeon Ji-young’s heart.
Yeon Ji-young was also captivated by Lee Heon’s affectionate actions towards her. Whenever she thought about returning, a pain would inexplicably tug at her heart, but she responded to Lee Heon’s cautious kiss, completing a romantic night. She revealed her feelings for Lee Heon in her heart, thinking, “Maybe it’s okay not to return to my time, my world,” raising anticipation for the upcoming story.
On a night filled with flower rain, the romance between Lim Yoona and Lee Chae-min, who shared a tender kiss, can be seen in ‘The Tyrant’s Chef’ airing on the 27th at 9:10 PM.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
