Height: 189 cm. Born: September 15, 2000. Lee Chae min is one of those actors who quietly grows on you—first with subtle roles, then GRABBING your attention when he hits lead status. He’s got the looks, the voice, stage presence—and now, the perfect blend of intensity and vulnerability that makes you root for him.

Let’s talk about why Lee Chae min is stealing hearts lately, especially in his drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty.

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty — The Drama That’s Raising His Star Power

What’s It About

• Plot in a nutshell: A modern French-trained chef, Yeon Ji-young (played by YoonA), wins a prestigious cooking competition. Suddenly, she’s transported 500 years back to the Joseon Dynasty. She ends up cooking for King Yi Heon (Lee Chae-min), a feared ruler who’s famous for being tyrannical—but also for having an insanely sensitive palate. As she introduces her modern cooking techniques to palace food, something unexpected happens: she begins changing the king.
• Role of Lee Chae-min: He plays King Yi Heon. A gourmet tyrant, someone with immense authority and prestige, but troubled, suspicious, cold on the outside. He doesn’t trust easily, especially in his palace and among those trying to cook for him. Over the episodes, he’s gradually influenced by Ji-young’s cooking—not only her food but her courage, kindness, and authenticity. His character begins to soften.

Why We Love His Performance

• Duality: He can be stern, ruthless, and almost cruel when things don’t meet his standards; then moments later you see the character’s hidden softness—his past, his loneliness, his desire for something real. That tension makes Yi Heon compelling.
• Charm & Slow Burn Romance: There are sweet moments, jealous moments, protective moments—Lee Chae-min masters them. Ji-young’s food and her compassion chips away at his defenses. Viewers find themselves leaning in.
• The Visual Style: It’s not just his acting—his posture, his wardrobe (royal robes, the look, the aura), the intense expressions—all add up. He looks regal, yet emotionally layered.

Ratings & Buzz

• The drama has set records for tvN in its time-slot, with steadily growing ratings. By episode 4, it achieved ~11.1% nationwide, peaking higher in metropolitan areas.
• It also topped several brand reputation rankings in September 2025.
• Fans are especially talking about his chemistry with YoonA, and how believable and emotional the slow reveal of his character’s softer side is.

Highlights in His Career

Before Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, Lee Chae-min built a solid resume:

• Started acting in 2021 in High Class as a supporting character.
• Appeared in Love All Play (2022), Crash Course in Romance (2023), Hierarchy (Netflix 2024) etc. Each role helped him sharpen skills and gain visibility.
• Also has experience as MC for Music Bank. Shows he’s comfortable in different entertainment settings.

The Perfect Man Crush

• Intensity plus vulnerability: He can be cold and commanding—in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, his King Yi Heon is almost untouchable at first—but then we glimpse pain, loneliness, longing. That contrast adds depth.
• Growth arc: You don’t just see a tough-guy king. You see someone challenged by love, by the unfamiliar (cooking, feelings), learning and changing. That kind of growth is hard to pull off well—but Lee Chae-min does it.
• Visuals & presence: Tall, handsome, expressive. When the camera lingers on his faces (anger, surprise, tenderness), you feel the emotion.
• Relatability: Even though he plays a king, the internal conflicts are human—loss, fear, desire, mistrust. You can root for him.

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