"The Tyrant's Chef" Author Refutes Historical Distortion Controversy: "The Depiction Is Accurate"

Controversy Arises Over Ming Envoy Scene After Broadcast
Original Author: "Recreated Based on Official Documents"

The original author of the tvN drama "The Tyrant's Chef" has addressed the controversy over alleged historical distortion in certain scenes. He clarified that the scenes in question are based on records from the Joseon Dynasty, asserting that the depiction in the drama is historically accurate according to the rituals of that era.

Starring Im Yoona and Lee Chaemin, "The Tyrant's Chef" is based on a web novel of the same name by writer Park Gukjae. The story is a fantasy romantic comedy about a chef who time-slips into the past and becomes entangled with a tyrant king possessing an absolute sense of taste.

After the show began airing, some viewers pointed out a scene in which Prince Yeonhui (played by Lee Chaemin) sits side by side with an envoy from Ming China, claiming this represented a distortion of historical facts.

Drama 'The Tyrant's Chef'. Provided by tvN

In response, writer Park stated on social media on the 19th, "The envoy banquet scene was recreated based on official documents," and added, "We followed an official record from just 30 years after the period depicted in the drama, and it is highly likely that this protocol was actually observed in diplomatic settings at the time."

According to Park's explanation, the section on banquets for envoys in the state etiquette manual "Gukjo Oryeui," published in 1474, contains detailed records on how to host envoys at court. It specifies that the envoy should be seated to the east and the king to the west. Park added, "The seating arrangement has the king and envoy facing each other at the same level, and according to Confucian etiquette, the east is considered higher in rank than the west, so the envoy's seat was actually the place of honor."

Regarding the scene where Prince Yeonhui bows first to the Ming envoy, Park explained, "Records indicate that the king would bow first and the envoy would respond. Since the Ming envoy represented the emperor, he was treated as superior to the Joseon king in terms of diplomatic protocol."

He further emphasized, "This was an international ceremonial procedure unrelated to national strength or sovereignty, and was simply part of the diplomatic protocol of the time."

Meanwhile, "The Tyrant's Chef" is enjoying global popularity as it is released simultaneously on tvN and Netflix. Recently, it ranked second in Netflix's global TV show (non-English) category, remaining in the TOP 10 for three consecutive weeks, and achieved domestic viewership ratings of 13.1% average and a peak of 15.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area.