Two of Korea’s most beloved “rom-com queens,” YoonA and Park Min-young, are set to clash in the weekend drama race.
Both actresses have achieved massive success in their past projects, raising anticipation for their new works. Yet, concerns linger over casting choices and broadcasting platforms that could affect their ratings.
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty
On August 23 at 9:10 PM (KST), YoonA makes her small-screen comeback in tvN’s fantasy rom-com Bon Appetit, Your Majesty , marking her return after two years. The drama follows a chef who time-slips into the past and encounters a tyrant king with an extraordinary palate.
The biggest question mark lies in her co-star, Lee Chae-min, a five-year actor with limited experience. While this is his third lead role, his previous dramas Hierarchy and Bunny and Brothers underperformed. Despite his tall frame and visuals, he has yet to prove strong acting skills, earning the label of a “visual actor” rather than a serious performer.
YoonA herself initially gained attention for her looks rather than acting ability, but her performance in the blockbuster film Exit (2019) established her as a 10-million-viewer actress. Later hits like Big Mouth and King the Land cemented her status. However, those successes were bolstered by leading men like Jo Jung-suk, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Junho.
With Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, YoonA must carry the show without a proven male co-star, leaving some industry insiders skeptical of whether she can achieve the same level of success.
Confidence Queen
Two weeks later, on September 6, Park Min-young makes her return in Confidence Queen, a caper comedy about three con artists who target the rich and greedy. She plays Yoon I-rang, the genius leader with an IQ of 165, alongside Park Hee-soon and Joo Jong-hyuk.
Her last drama, Marry My Husband (2024), became a national sensation, helping her overcome past controversies related to dating rumors with a businessman. The success re-established her as a ratings guarantee.
However, the biggest risk for Confidence Queen is its home network, TV Chosun, a channel known for dramas like Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce) and Red Balloon, which appeal mostly to older viewers. As a youthful caper series, it may struggle to capture TV Chosun’s traditional audience.
To counter this, the drama has secured simultaneous streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Coupang Play, expanding its reach to global audiences. Park Min-young’s previous drama topped Prime Video charts across Europe, the U.S., and South America, proving her international star power.
The Fierce Weekend Drama Competition
The weekend drama market is more saturated than ever. With KBS recently reintroducing weekend dramas, all three major broadcasters now compete alongside tvN, JTBC, Channel A, and TV Chosun.
As competition heats up, the spotlight is on YoonA’s Bon Appetit, Your Majesty and Park Min-young’s Confidence Queen to see whether either can emerge as the true weekend rom-com queen.
