Netflix new K-drama stuns with controversial kiss scene, breaks viewership records in just four episodes

Also read: Real history behind Netflix’s Bon Appétit, Your Majesty: A reimagining of the brutal Joseon-era king

people on tiktok being pissed about the age gap between yoona and chaemin but they would not gaf if the ml would be older than the fl….

— sway☆ (@hajoonist_) August 25, 2025

Some viewers slammed critics for focusing on the age gap, pointing out a double standard where older male leads with younger female actors are often accepted, but the reverse draws backlash. The difference is 11 years, which made some lose interest, while others found it unusual but still enjoyed the story. Clips of the show are now going viral on TikTok and reels, making it another ‘grand tvN’ moment in making. Originally, Park Sung Hoon, known for The Glory, was set to play Lee Chae Min’s role, but he stepped away at the last moment, leaving Chae Min to step in, a move that unexpectedly worked, given his rising popularity.

I don’t care about the age gap if they are not failing to give us such an amazing on-screen chemistry ⚗️ #YoonA #LeeChaeMin #BonAppetitYourMajesty pic.twitter.com/fJHan1IKhM

— ⋆˚࿔ 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙈𝙖𝙟𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙮 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ (@ashdresaura) September 2, 2025

Despite mixed reactions to the lead actors, the K-drama is clearly dominating viewership both at home and abroad. On August 31, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty became the most-watched tvN drama of 2025, scoring 11.1 percent nationwide and claiming the top spot in its time slot across all channels. Among viewers aged 20 to 49, it earned an average of 4.5 percent nationwide rating. On Netflix, the show has spent two weeks in the non-English Top 10, racking up 8.1 million views this week and ranking number one in 29 countries.