Yoon-a and Chae-min's Kiss Ending Heats Up 'King's Chef', Secures No. 1 Ratings

tvN's weekend drama 'The Chef of Tyranny' (폭군의 셰프) captivated viewers with a heart-fluttering kiss ending between Im Yoon-a and Lee Chae-min, solidifying its top position in ratings.

The 10th episode, aired on the 21st, saw the relationship between Yeon Ji-yeong (Im Yoon-a) and Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min) deepen as they worked together to clear their names from the accusation of attempting to poison the Grand Prince. The episode achieved an average viewership rating of 15.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area and a peak of 17.6%, making it the number one drama in its timeslot across all channels, including terrestrial broadcasters. Nationwide, the average rating was 15.8% with a peak of 17.3%. The key demographic of viewers aged 20-49 also showed strong performance, with an average of 5.7% in Seoul and 6.1% nationwide, securing the top spot in that category as well.

When Yeon Ji-yeong was taken to the royal prison under suspicion of poisoning the Grand Prince, Lee Heon reacted with fury, drawing his sword. However, he eventually put it down at her plea and began investigating to prove her innocence. Amidst the difficulty of finding evidence, rumors spread that the King was bewitched by a shamaness, chilling the royal court. To prevent further chaos, Grand Royal Dowager In-ju (Seo Yi-sook) gave Yeon Ji-yeong only three days to clear her name, presenting her with a dagger as a stark ultimatum.

In the midst of these challenges, Lee Heon confessed his feelings by kissing Yeon Ji-yeong, saying, 'This is a kiss for the woman I cherish most,' sending waves of excitement through the audience. Afterward, the two intensified their investigation into the attempted poisoning incident. They uncovered that the medicinal herb 'Oryeongji' (오령지) was toxic when combined with ginseng, thus cracking the case. This revelation exposed the wicked deeds of Kang Mok-ju (Kang Han-na), who met her downfall by tragically killing her trusted subordinate Choo-wol (Kim Chae-hyun).

Meanwhile, Grand Prince Jesan (Choi Gwi-hwa) laid the groundwork for a coup, posing a threat to Lee Heon. However, Lee Heon, preparing the 'Cheoyongmu' dance for Grand Royal Dowager In-ju's banquet, confessed his love to Yeon Ji-yeong, asking her to be his companion. Touched by his sincere promise to make her bibimbap every morning, Yeon Ji-yeong reciprocated his kiss, acknowledging her growing affection for him.

Yeon Ji-yeong's inner thoughts, 'Perhaps it's okay not to return to my time, my world,' heightened anticipation for the further development of their romance.

Im Yoon-a, also known as Yoona, debuted as a member of the iconic K-pop group Girls' Generation and has since built a successful career as both a singer and an actress. Renowned for her striking visuals and consistent acting performances, she has garnered a wide fanbase across various genres. Her ability to seamlessly embody characters in both historical dramas and contemporary settings is widely praised.