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The Tyrant's Chef has been embroiled in controversy lately after Park Sung-hoon stepped down from the project. On January 13, 2025, the official platform of media outlet @kdramahandle reported that the 23-year-old actor Lee Chae-min has replaced Park Sung-hoon as the male lead in the upcoming tvN drama, The Tyrant's Chef, starring opposite 34-year-old Yoona of Girls' Generation (SNSD).
This casting decision sparked debates among netizens, primarily due to the 11-year age difference between the lead actors.
Initially, Park Sung-hoon was slated to play the male lead in The Tyrant's Chef. However, he recently exited the project following a controversy involving the accidental posting of explicit content on his social media, which led to public backlash and calls for his removal from the drama.
In light of Park's departure, the production team approached Lee Chae-min, known for his roles in Crash Course in Romance and Netflix's Hierarchy. Lee Chae-min's agency, Golden Medalist, confirmed that he is "positively considering" the offer.
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The casting of Lee Chae-min opposite Yoona elicited mixed reactions online. Some fans expressed enthusiasm, believing that Lee's youthful energy could bring a fresh dynamic to the series.
Conversely, others voiced concerns about the significant age gap, questioning the on-screen chemistry and suitability for the romantic storyline. One fan wrote on X:
"They couldn't find anyone older?"
Discussions on social media platforms reflected this divide, with comments ranging from support for Lee Chae-min's rising career to skepticism about the pairing's compatibility in The Tyrant's Chef.
"East asian film industry is so obsessed with the age gap need to be studied, I mean it's always the guy who is much younger.. like WHYY," one fan wrote.
"They couldn’t find anybody in her age range???? Like nobody at all??????" another fan wrote.
"uhm……… chaemin is good but comparing the acting skills/range of park sunghoon to him is like comparing the skills of a national athlete and a high school varsity player. he will improve in time, but it’s too early for him to bag lead roles. I'm hoping this isnt final yet," one fan stated.
However, some fans defended Lee Chae-min and expressed anticipation to see him and Yoona onscreen together in the upcoming series, The Tyrant's Chef.
"He's a grown adult why do you all get so upset when it's a older woman with younger man I see no one raising this problem when the girl is way younger and in this case it's not even like he just turned legal or something he's like 24," one fan said.
"You're still so noisy, it's still a good thing Yoona won't be with PSH even though she's a different age, but they'll definitely have good chemistry," another fan wrote.
"Chaemin with Yoona?? I'm so seated," one other fan added.
About The Tyrant's Chef starring Girl's Generation Yoona
The Tyrant's Chef is a time-slip fantasy romance drama directed by Jang Tae-yoo, renowned for his work on My Love from the Star and Lovers of the Red Sky. The narrative follows a star chef at the pinnacle of her career who unexpectedly travels back in time.
In this historical setting, she encounters a king infamous for his tyrannical rule but distinguished by his sophisticated palate. The series explores their evolving relationship as the modern chef navigates the challenges of the past, aiming to win the king's favor through her culinary expertise.
The drama is an adaptation of a popular web novel, promising a blend of historical intrigue, romance, and culinary arts. With a talented director at the helm and a compelling storyline, The Tyrant's Chef has garnered significant attention even before its release.
Filming schedules and the premiere date are yet to be announced, pending the finalization of the cast and other pre-production activities.
In other news, Lee Chae-min's Crash Course in Romance and Hierarchy are available on Netflix.
Similarly, Park Sung-hoon's Squid Game 2 and Queen of Tears are also streaming on the same OTT platform.
