Exclusive achievements
According to Hankookilbo, tvN's weekend drama "The reward of the tycoon" is increasingly popular, not only in Korea but also abroad, as audiences are drawn by the creative combination of royal plot, romance and high-end cuisine.
The film tells the story of Yeon Ji Young (played by YoonA), a chef who just became the champion of a culinary competition in France and was preparing to become the chef of a 3-star Michelin restaurant, but unexpectedly travels back to the Joseon period 500 years ago, after opening an ancient book.
Here, she meets King Lee Heon (Lee Chae Min), a notorious tycoon with a sophisticated taste. Ji Young was taken to the palace, where she had to prepare elaborate dishes for the king every day, and her life was in danger.
The author of the abuse of the bully is adapted from the popular online novel Surviving as the Tyrants Chef, and directed by Jang Tae Yoo, who is known for his hit Korean historical films such as Painter of the Wind (2008), Tree with Deep Roots (2011).
The drama starring YoonA and Lee Chae Min quickly achieved a rating of 12.7% in episode 6, tvN's highest rating in 2025 to date.
The work was also loved by international audiences when it aired on Netflix worldwide. Last week, the drama ranked Top 2 of Netflix's most watched non-English programs with 7.5 million views, and entered the Top 10 in 73 countries.
Analysts say the film's rise is thanks to the wave of global interest in Korean culture after the animated film "Kpop Demon Hunters".
The Government of a Tycoon has continued that development by combining romance, comedy and cuisine with traditional Korean elements.
Cooking to connect cultures
The production team has collaborated with royal culinary experts and the culinary design team from Netflix's gourmet variety show "Culinary Class Wars" to ensure the authenticity of the cooking scenes.
Dishes such as pork leg, hotpot and bibimbap rice have appeared along with French-style dishes such as macaron, beefsteak cooked in sous vide style.
The menus combining Korean cuisine with Western techniques, from gochujang rice mixes to tartare raw beef, have caused a buzz with domestic and foreign audiences.
In particular, in the dining scenes, the producer combines the use of vivid computer graphics, reminiscent of Japanese anime cooking works, increasing the entertainment value.
In addition, the combination of time travel, competitive elements in the palace, and witty humor in the romance story has contributed to the film's appeal.
The interesting relationship between Ji Young and Lee Heon, along with the plots of the supporting characters, also made the audience more excited as they watched, waiting for the next developments.
