The Heart Wants What It Wants
On the latest episode of tvN’s weekend K-drama ‘The Tyrant’s Chef’, Girls’ Generation’s YoonA took a major emotional leap—admitting to herself that she may not want to return to her own time after all. That realization? All thanks to Lee Chae-min.
A False Accusation and a Confession
The episode aired on June 21 in South Korea, and it was anything but light. YoonA’s character Yeon Ji-yeon found herself imprisoned and tortured under suspicion of murdering a royal family member. The trap, orchestrated by court conspirator Kang Mok-ju (played by Kang Hanna), sent emotional shockwaves through the palace.
As Lee Hong (Lee Chae-min) erupted in fury at the injustice, Ji-yeon tearfully pleaded, “I didn’t do this. You know that better than anyone. Please prove my innocence.”
Time Travel, Prophecies, and a Kiss
Ji-yeon, who has traveled to this Joseon-esque timeline from the modern era, warned Lee Hong that acting impulsively would only doom them both. “I know what happens next,” she said. “Put down the sword. Nothing has happened yet.” Her brave words led to her release—on one condition: prove her innocence in three days.
The budding emotions exploded when Lee Hong, in a room full of stunned courtiers, pulled Ji-yeon into his arms and kissed her. Her reaction? Shut him down. His reply? Classic swoon.
“It’s a kiss for the woman I love most,” he claimed. Mic drop.
Poisonous Clues and Deadly Secrets
The plot thickened as Lee Hong discovered he had been slowly poisoned—by taking the same medicinal ingredients the late royal had ingested. The culprit? Likely Kang Mok-ju, again. But she played innocent: “Then bring me proof.”
To tie up loose ends, Kang Mok-ju even eliminated her own court maid Chuwol in cold blood. Yeah, this palace gives Game of Thrones a run for its money.
Dancing, Proposals, and Bibimbap Promises
Just when the emotional rollercoaster seemed to peak, Lee Hong showed Ji-yeon a traditional court dance he’d perfected. Her compliment made him beam—but what floored viewers was his next line: “I don’t want you to leave. Not now, not ever.”
He proposed, complete with a ring and a food bribe: “If you become my partner, I’ll make you bibimbap every morning with my own hands.” Talk about breakfast in bed, historical edition.
In that moment, Ji-yeon realized her heart had shifted. “It was then I thought—maybe… it’d be okay if I never returned to my own world.” Cue romantic kiss No. 2.
Warning Signs and Bloody Forebodings
Elsewhere, villainous Grand Prince Chesan gloated about dark secrets hidden in a blood-stained jeoksam—a traditional undershirt from the disgraced queen. He hinted that a violent unraveling would occur during the queen dowager’s formal banquet.
And judging by the sneak peek for next week, he might be right. The preview teased Ji-yeon’s abduction and Lee Hong losing control in a royal showdown.
What’s Next in ‘The Tyrant’s Chef’?
Expect chaos, confessions, and at least one dramatic rescue scene. Will Ji-yeon stay in the past for love, or will destiny pull her home? With only a few episodes left, ‘The Tyrant’s Chef’ is cooking up some serious final twists.
