[talk] Tyrant's Chef took first place in the non-English TV show category...
[SPOTV News=Reporter Jang Jin-ri] tvN's weekend drama 'The Tyrant's Chef' ranked first in the Netflix non-English TV show category.
'The Tyrant's Chef' ranked first in the non-English TV show category on Netflix, proving that the special encounter between a time-slip chef and a gourmet tyrant has instantly captured the hearts of viewers around the world.
The actors' superb performances and detailed directing are demonstrating the essence of K-storytelling, and the traditional Korean cuisine ingredients that appear in the drama are also receiving much attention, creating a global box office sensation.
'The Tyrant's Chef' is on the rise, recording an average of 15.8% in viewership ratings for the 8th episode in the metropolitan area and a peak of 18.1%, ranking first in the same time slot across all channels, once again breaking its own record.
According to the TV-OTT drama buzzworthiness rankings for the second week of September 2025 (based on data collected from the 8th to the 14th) released by Fundex, a K-content competitiveness analysis agency of Good Data Corporation, the drama also ranked first for four consecutive weeks. Im Yoon-ah, who plays Yeon Ji-young, maintained the top spot for four consecutive weeks in the buzzworthiness rankings for drama cast members, and Lee Chae-min, who plays Lee Heon, also ranked in the top ranks for four consecutive weeks.
The "Tyrant Chef" craze is spreading beyond Korea and into the global market. According to Netflix's official website, Todoom, released on the 17th, it achieved the top spot in the global TOP TV Shows (non-English) category. Ranked in the top 10 since its release, "Tyrant Chef" has held the number 2 spot for two consecutive weeks and has now claimed the top spot in its fourth week. Furthermore, with a 98% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a global review site, it ranks tied for the highest audience rating among TV shows currently available on Netflix as of September 2025.
One of the factors contributing to the global popularity of "The Tyrant's Chef" is the power of well-crafted K-storytelling. K-storytelling is characterized by its harmonious blend of various genres. "The Tyrant's Chef" combines the fantasy of time travel, the romance between a tyrant and a chef, the comedic chemistry between the actors, and even fusion cuisine using traditional Korean ingredients, creating a captivating gift set. This captivates viewers with a captivating variety of visuals, heightening their immersion. Furthermore, the well-crafted, self-contained story structure facilitates intense immersion and binge-watching.
Amidst the global surge in interest in Korean romantic comedies, the global popularity of "The Tyrant's Chef" is also aligned with this trend. The drama strikes a perfect balance between romance and comedy, and its narrative and emotional romance, centered around heartbreak and lingering emotions, appeals to global viewers. Furthermore, the Korean sentiments, food, and culture portrayed through "The Tyrant's Chef" serve as a vehicle for broadening understanding of Korean culture. Through the drama itself, global viewers are naturally immersed in Korean culture.
Major foreign media outlets also highlighted the popularity of "The Tyrant's Chef" from various perspectives. The New York Times described it as "a Korean drama that has captivated the world," and Time praised the fictional tyrant's setting, saying, "It's a smart choice to use the historical setting as a fantasy stage to tell an escapist and entertaining love story." Decider, a review publication under the New York Post, also praised the series, saying, "The familiar narrative structure is complemented by interesting devices that capture viewers' attention."
tvN's 'Tyrant Chef', which has been receiving rave reviews for captivating the eyes, ears, and even mouths of viewers both domestically and globally, airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM.