Park Sung-hoon is reportedly set to star in the upcoming tvN drama The Tyrant's Chef, joining Girls' Generation's YoonA in a historical fantasy drama. South Korean media outlet Hankyung.com reported on December 2, 2024, that the actor has been cast as the male protagonist in the upcoming drama.
Fans are ecstatic to see Park Sung-hoon take on a lead role in The Tyrant's Chef, marking a shift from his portrayals of antagonists in shows like The Glory and Queen of Tears. Social media buzz reflects excitement over his versatility, with many praising his ability to bring depth and complexity to any character. One enthusiastic fan shared:
"male lead era for psh, i say DESERVEEEEE"
"By the grace of God, I'm definitely gonna watch it because of my girl YoonA 🥰 I just hope that this time around Park Sung Hoon gets to have a happy ending and they're not making him the villain," a fan commented on X.
"Finally got the ML.👏I'm eager for more info on how they'll set up the story and how close it's going to be to the webtoon👀," wrote a X user.
"pls tell me he's gonna be a bbgirl in this so i can continue my agenda," said a netizen.
"Ok I love Lim Yoona, but this man right here. You really have to match his energy. His acting is top tiers. Good luck baby girl☺️☺️," commented another fan.
Fans of Park Sung-hoon took to social media to celebrate, flooding platforms with messages of pride and excitement over the actor landing the lead role.
"Congratulations sunghoon You deserve this truly Wishing you the best for your next project 😭❤❤❤❤," said a fan.
"Omg Park Sung Hoon! I hope the character has a redemptive arc cause why does this softie always take on roles with a villian persona," remarked another fan.
"Park sunghoon-yoona??? Wow, I'm really looking forward to this 😭 Congratulations eunseong you are not a sad boy anymore, you didn't get hong haein but you got yoona 👊🙏😭," posted one more fan on X.
The Tyrant's Chef: Park Sung-hoon and Im YoonA reportedly cast in new drama directed by Jang Tae-yoo
The drama The Tyrant's Chef is based on the webtoon Surviving as Yeonsangun's Chef (연산군의 셰프로 살아남기), written by author Park Kook Jae (박국재). The drama centers on a talented chef who unexpectedly travels to the past, where she finds herself cooking for a king infamous for his cruelty and refined palate. The plot offers a fresh mix of historical intrigue and culinary themes.
According to Hankyung.com, Park Sung-hoon plays the king. His character alternates between being a tyrant and a food enthusiast. South Korean media outlet OSEN reported on September 24, 2024, that Im YoonA has been cast in the lead role. She portrays a chef tasked with impressing a king known for his critical judgment of food.
Jang Tae-yoo, a highly acclaimed director, leads the production. Jang Tae-yoo, recognized for his work in historical dramas, has directed The Painter of Wind (2008) and Deep-Rooted Tree (2011). He is also known for directing the global sensation My Love from the Star (2013), which played a key role in boosting the international appeal of Korean dramas.
His works across genres include modern dramas like Hyena (2020) and Lovers of the Red Sky (2021). Earlier this year, his latest series, Knight Flower (2024), earned remarkable success, with ratings reaching 18.4%, as per Pannchoa.
The reported casting of Park Sung-hoon and Im YoonA, along with the direction of Jang Tae-yoo, has drawn significant attention to the project.
The Tyrant's Chef is currently in talks to air on tvN next year, according to Hankyung.com. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates.
More about Park Sung-hoon and Im Yoon-ah: Reported stars in Korean drama The Tyrant's Chef
Park Sung-hoon is a South Korean actor recognized for his diverse range of roles in both television and film. He began his acting career with a minor part in the 2008 film A Frozen Flower, but his subsequent works gained him wider recognition.
He rose to prominence with his portrayal of Jeon Jae-joon in the hit drama The Glory (2022), earning praise for the emotional depth and complexity of his performance. Following this success, Park Sung-hoon took on roles in several notable dramas, including Nam Nam (2022), Kidnapping Day (2020), and Queen of Tears (2023), further establishing his reputation in the industry.
Park Sung-hoon has also made a name for himself in film, showing his versatility in various genres. His performances in Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) and the KBS 2TV drama My Only One (2018–2019) increased his popularity.
Park Sung-hoon is also set to star in Squid Game season 2, releasing on December 26, 2024. His role in the drama has generated significant excitement, with both fans and critics eagerly awaiting his performance.
Im Yoon-ah, known as YoonA, is a South Korean actress and singer. She made her debut in 2007 as a member of the girl group Girls' Generation, which became one of South Korea's best-selling acts and internationally recognized. YoonA gained fame in 2008 for her role in You Are My Destiny, winning Best New Actress awards at both the 23rd KBS Drama Awards and the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards.
She has since starred in several hit dramas, including Love Rain (2012), Prime Minister & I (2013), The K2 (2016), The King in Love (2017), Hush (2020–21), Big Mouth (2022), and King the Land (2023). Additionally, she has appeared in films like Confidential Assignment (2017), Exit (2019), and Confidential Assignment 2: International (2022).
Additional information about the upcoming drama is currently awaited.