Yoon-a Leads 'King The Land' Ratings to New Heights, Solidifying 'Life Character' Status

Actress Yoon-a (SM Entertainment) is spearheading a surge in viewership for the tvN weekend drama 'King The Land,' captivating audiences with her commanding presence.

In her role as French chef Yeon Ji-yeong, Yoon-a navigates the challenges of being transported to the era of the tyrannical King Lee-heon (played by Chae-min Lee). In the recent 8th episode, faced with the crisis of her crucial chili powder disappearing before the first culinary competition, Yoon-a maintained her composure. She then devised a brilliant alternative menu, Beef Bourguignon utilizing rice plum wine, which successfully impressed the palate of Ming Dynasty envoy Woo Gon (played by Hyung-muk Kim).

Furthermore, Yoon-a's sharp deduction revealed that Grand Prince Jae-san (played by Gwi-hwa Choi) was behind the scheme to steal the ingredients, leading to a draw in the competition. In the subsequent second round, she chose Peking duck as the main dish. Despite unfavorable circumstances and learning of the plight of Chef Maeng (played by Jin-gi Hong) under the threats of Kang Mok-ju (played by Han-na Kang), she completed her dish with unwavering focus. Her culinary masterpiece earned her the title of 'Tenthousand-day delicacy' from Lee-heon and Woo Gon, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats for the next episode.

Yoon-a brought the character to life by subtly portraying emotional shifts, from the despair of losing essential ingredients to the creative process of devising new recipes and her confident leadership. Her detailed performance significantly enhanced viewer immersion. Notably, her earnest dedication, personally undertaking the cooking processes, further bolstered the character's believability.

Fueled by Yoon-a's compelling performance, the 8th episode of 'King The Land' recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 15.4%, with a peak of 17.4%, setting a new personal best. The drama airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM on tvN.

Yoon-a debuted as a member of the girl group Girls' Generation and has since flourished as a versatile entertainer. Her talents span acting, singing, and variety shows, earning her affection from fans both domestically and internationally. In 2023, she gained recognition for her acting skills in the film 'Exit' and the drama 'Big Mouth,' continuing her active career.