[Interview] "The Tyrant's Chef" Star Lee Chaemin: "I Imagined the Taste With My Eyes Closed... I Gave My All in Every Scene"

Rising to Stardom as King Lee Heon with an Extraordinary Palate
Fantasy Historical Drama Ends as Ratings No.1
"Grateful for Overwhelming Love... I Will Remain Humble"

Actor Lee Chaemin. Provided by Baro Entertainment

A new star has been born. Lee Chaemin, who has risen to the ranks of top actors overnight thanks to the drama "The Tyrant's Chef," said he still cannot quite grasp his newfound popularity. Meeting with him in Gangnam, Seoul, on September 30, he shared, "I have received an overwhelming amount of unexpected love," adding, "It still feels surreal that the series has ended, and the lingering emotions are strong." Since the show concluded, he has received more casting offers from the industry, and more people recognize him on the street, but he emphasized, "Because I know this love is not something to be taken for granted, I want to show an even better side of myself."

Just before filming for "The Tyrant's Chef" was set to begin, Park Sunghoon, who was originally cast as Lee Heon, stepped down due to controversy over explicit content posted on social media, and Lee Chaemin was brought in at the last minute. He was given just one month to prepare. It was a tight schedule to get ready for the lead role in a fantasy historical drama inspired by King Yeonsan. He recalled, "I learned horseback riding and calligraphy, and I clung to the script, searching for and mimicking reference videos. On set, I put everything into every single shot. To bring the character of Lee Heon to life, there was no other way."

Finding the right tone for a historical drama was not easy. Lee Chaemin said, "At the beginning of filming, it was hard to capture both composure and charisma. The director and my colleagues helped refine my tone through group readings." He added that after so much script practice, his real-life speech started to sound regal. Laughing, he said, "Sometimes, I catch myself slipping into historical drama speech in everyday conversations without realizing it."

The scene that viewers remember most vividly is the king's eating show. When Lee Heon, blessed with an absolute sense of taste, samples food, his ecstatic expressions and reactions, enhanced by dazzling CGI, became a hot topic with every episode. Lee Chaemin explained, "People say I look sharp when I am not smiling, but when I eat, I appear innocent. I wanted to bring out that contrast. Sometimes the food was so delicious I would frown or feel like I might cry. Even before filming, I would close my eyes and imagine how I would express those emotions."

He said he especially remembered enjoying the beef bourguignon on set. Although he does not usually like sweet foods, he laughed as he recalled that the mugwort and black sesame macarons he tried on set suited his taste so well that he took some home after filming. He put special effort into the eating scenes. The director, actors, and staff all exchanged ideas to refine the scenes together. He said, "CGI and editing helped ensure my expressions did not seem over the top. The final result was a product of everyone’s combined efforts."

The emotional toll deepened as the series progressed. The scenes at Wolyeongru and the Grand Queen Dowager’s 70th birthday banquet were moments he approached with everything he had. He said, "Reading the script, I vowed to show something special. I filmed all day in tears, to the point that I lost my voice. Ironically, that state fit the character perfectly." He also shared an episode about having to re-record the scene of sending Yuna away due to the sound of a wind machine. "I sat alone on a mat, crying and recording again, but fortunately, the result matched the video perfectly," he added.

Still from "The Tyrant's Chef." Provided by tvN

Still from "The Tyrant's Chef." Provided by tvN

The relationships he formed on set were also special. He said, "I am someone with a lot of affection, so I always cry when a project ends. This time was no exception," recalling the tears he shared with his colleagues. Although there is a 17-year age gap between him and Oh Euisik, who played Im Songjae, they built a friendship by chatting at cafes even on days without filming.

He was a good student in his school days but dreamed of becoming an actor. His family supported his choice. Lee Chaemin said, "When I told my parents what I wanted to do, my father said it was a parent's duty to help, and he personally looked up acting schools for me." He added, "I may be a promising actor to the outside world, but to my parents, I am just their son. They always tell me to 'live with integrity.' That influence makes me determined to live as a good person."

His personality is playful and candid. He said, "I joke around a lot with close friends and am no different from any other twenty-six-year-old guy." His ways of relieving stress are basketball and playing the piano. He has played the piano since he was young to relax, and even now, whenever he visits his family home, the first thing he does is sit at the keys.

As for his future plans, he said, "I want to take on roles with deep narratives, play a chaebol or someone in a position of power in a suit, and also try my hand at a heartrending romance. I want to show a new side of myself with every project." Defining this project as "an experience without regret," he summed up, "It was a work that rewarded me with a precious gift for all the effort I put in."

Lee Chaemin’s personal social media account gained 1.4 million followers compared to before the drama aired. Starting with Seoul on October 24-25, he will hold fan meetings in major Asian cities, including Jakarta, Manila, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Taipei, and Tokyo. It is the classic "star" trajectory. However, he said, "I am incredibly happy to receive so much love, but nothing about me has changed." At the end of the interview, he reaffirmed his resolve.

"Because I know that being loved is never something to take for granted, I will always act with humility."