Actress Im Yoon-ah's Peking Duck Wows Envoy, Bringing Tears in 'King's Chef'

In the latest episode of tvN's weekend drama ‘King’s Chef,’ actress Im Yoon-ah's Peking Duck dish deeply moved a Ming Dynasty envoy. The broadcast on the 14th featured a culinary competition between Joseon royal chefs and Ming Dynasty cooks.

The first challenge, 'Muyu' (an unprecedented meat dish), saw Yeon Ji-yeong (Im Yoon-ah) initially plan a spicy beef rib stew using gochujang and chili powder. However, due to stolen ingredients, she had to pivot to Beef Bourguignon. In response, Ming's Abi-su (Moon Seung-yu) presented a chicken dish called 'Gyejeong,' utilizing stolen chili powder. Yeon Ji-yeong defended her Beef Bourguignon, explaining it as a future French home-style dish and a personal tribute to her late mother. Abi-su claimed his dish was novel due to the 'layu' ingredient, but suspicions of ingredient theft led to a draw in the first round.

Following a Ming protest, a condition was set: if all three rounds ended in draws, the Ming Dynasty would win. The next day, the theme was 'Jiyeok' (cuisine of the opposing nation). Yeon Ji-yeong chose Peking Duck, and despite an accidental slip-up by Maeng Man-su (Hong Jin-ki), Seo Gil-geum (Yoon Seo-ah) stepped in, allowing Yeon Ji-yeong to complete her Peking Duck roll. Upon tasting, Envoy Woo-gon was moved to tears, and Lee Heon echoed the sentiment, praising the dish as 'the best under heaven.' Meanwhile, Yeon Ji-yeong was aware that Maeng Man-su was being threatened by Kang Mok-ju (Kang Han-na).

Im Yoon-ah, known for her captivating roles, portrays a skilled Joseon chef in ‘King’s Chef,’ showcasing her versatility. Her nuanced performance effectively conveys the character's complex emotions, drawing viewers deeper into the narrative. The actress also impresses with her adeptness at preparing a range of dishes, from traditional royal cuisine to innovative fusion creations, significantly enhancing the drama's appeal.