YoonA Dazzles as a Chef Lost in Time, Proving Her 'Rom-Com Queen' Status in 'King the Land'

Im Yoon-a (SM Entertainment) is captivating audiences with her dynamic performance in the tvN weekend drama ‘King the Land’.

In the series, Yoon-a portrays Yeon Ji-young, a French chef who time-slips to her peak moment only to meet the absolute-palate-possessing tyrant King Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min). She masterfully injects a rich blend of romance, comedy, and survival narrative into the drama.

Notably, Yoon-a skillfully depicts the complex emotions of Yeon Ji-young, who hesitates in her feelings for King Lee Heon due to the fate of returning to her own era. Her narration, infused with natural emotional nuance, significantly heightens viewer immersion. A particularly talked-about moment was her line in the 10th episode's ending: “It was then. The thought that perhaps it would be okay not to go back to my time, my world,” delivered with trembling breath and subtle emotional depth.

Furthermore, Yoon-a adds significant entertainment value through numerous ad-libs, including demonstrating how to squeeze chili paste, her gesture of pointing a gun at Lee Heon, the action of eating a jujube and spitting out the seed in the royal kitchen, her witty exchanges with Oh Eui-sik, and her comical rendition of Seo Taiji and Boys' 'Come Back Home' while tipsy.

As Yoon-a revealed on 'You Quiz on the Block', “I wanted to make even the smallest actions look extraordinary to complete the character of Yeon Ji-young.” These efforts breathe life into the character, infusing the entire production with vitality.

‘King the Land’ airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM on tvN.

Im Yoon-a has consistently expanded her acting portfolio since her early career, establishing herself as a capable actress with both striking visuals and solid acting skills. She has particularly garnered acclaim for her performances in romantic comedy genres, and with 'King the Land', she is once again proving her versatility and raising anticipation for her future projects. Her dedication to embodying the character of Yeon Ji-young is evident in every scene.