Netflix is reportedly expanding one of its hit international fantasy series, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, with a new story and lead star.
The South Korean historical fantasy romance based on Park Guk-jae’s web novel Surviving as Yeonsangun’s Chef, debuted in 2025. The series stars Lim Yoon-a as chef Yeon Ji-young, who unexpectedly travels back to Korea’s Joseon era and becomes the royal chef for King Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min).
According to What’s on Netflix, a new series set in the world of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is reportedly in development. The project, titled Seorabeol Knife, will feature a new story and cast, with ASTRO member and The WONDERfools star Cha Eun Woo offered the male lead role. However, as of writing, the streamer has yet to confirm the report.
Cha’s involvement is not yet confirmed. An initial report from Hankook Ilbo identified him as the project’s lead, but his agency, Fantagio, subsequently clarified that he has received an offer and is considering the project. The agency also confirmed that the series is not Bon Appétit, Your Majesty season 2, meaning original stars Lim Yoon-a and Lee Chae-min are not expected to return.
Despite telling a new story, Seorabeol Knife reportedly has a major creative connection to the original series, with Bon Appétit, Your Majesty director Jang Tae-yoo returning for the project. The new story reportedly follows Kim Jae-gyeom, an Italian-trained modern-day chef who is transported into the past and eventually becomes the royal chef of a Silla princess.
The new setting would also distinguish the project from its predecessor. While Bon Appétit, Your Majesty transported its protagonist to the Joseon era, Seorabeol Knife is reportedly set during the much earlier Silla period. Its title refers to Seorabeol, the ancient name for the kingdom’s capital.
A production timeline remains uncertain, particularly if Cha ultimately accepts the role. The actor is currently completing his mandatory military service, which is scheduled to end on January 27, 2027, making a potential production start with him unlikely until after his discharge.
Bon Appétit, Your Majesty proved successful both internationally and in South Korea. The series amassed 44.1 million Netflix views across 2025 and the first half of 2026, while Nielsen Korea reported that its domestic viewership ultimately reached 17.1%. The series also earned positive reviews, currently holding an 80% critics’ score and 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
A new cast and story could also allow the franchise to capitalize on the original show’s popularity without disrupting Yeon Ji-young and Lee Heon’s established ending. Instead of extending their story through a conventional season 2, the reported project could explore another part of the same world while keeping what worked about the original series. The show’s popularity also continued beyond its original television run, making a comeback as a webtoon adaptation.
Cha could also bring an established audience to the project if he accepts the role. Beyond his career with the K-pop group ASTRO, the actor recently starred in Netflix’s superhero comedy The WONDERfools, while Seorabeol Knife would mark another historical K-drama role following 2019’s Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung.
For now, his casting and the project’s production timeline remain uncertain. However, with Jang Tae-yoo reportedly returning and a new story that retains several elements of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’s successful formula, Seorabeol Knife could offer a way for the hit fantasy series to expand without becoming a conventional season 2.
