"Isn't it a bit early for a lead role...?"

Last January, tvN unveiled the casting lineup for 'The Tyrant's Chef'.

At the time, the main curiosity centered around the new male lead.

Who would replace Park Sung-hoon?

Born in 2000, rookie actor Lee Chae-min took the spot.

Inside the industry, reactions leaned more toward concern than expectation.

He was ten years younger than co-star Yoona, with a relatively short acting career —

a combination that raised eyebrows.

Lee knew he had to prove himself.

He couldn't afford to spoil a meticulously prepared 12-episode production.

With just about a month left before filming, he began learning calligraphy and horseback riding.

Quietly and methodically, he transformed into Heon, the tyrant.

Then came the August premiere — and the doubts disappeared.

His solid vocal delivery, coupled with a dynamic portrayal oscillating between madness and purity,

embodied the character completely.

"I acted as if my life depended on it — with everything I had.

I couldn't let the project suffer because of me."

That burning determination paid off.

The drama started with a 4.9% viewership rating and ended at 17.1%.

Every headline soon carried his name.

"Lee Chae-min as the Tyrant — a masterstroke."

◆ First Lead, First Period Drama, First Mukbang

For Lee Chae-min, 'The Tyrant's Chef' was a series of firsts —

his first lead role, his first historical drama, and even his first on-screen eating scenes.

The challenges kept coming, compounded by a short preparation time.

"I practiced calligraphy and horseback riding every day.

I've always liked sports, so horseback riding came easily.

Toward the end, I was confident enough to ride without a double.

I got so good by the final shoot that it almost felt like a waste to stop," he laughed.

The production team and co-stars also gave him their full support.

"The director and senior actors often held group readings to help me shape the character —

even during early filming. That really helped," he said with gratitude.

His stable vocal tone came from years of training.

"I didn't do anything special just because it was a period drama.

I'd been attending a vocal academy for four years, and I think that paid off," he said.

When it came to food scenes, he paid special attention.

"Many scenes were intentionally exaggerated, like in an animation.

I practiced in front of the mirror, watching clips and trying not to make eating look awkward."

His favorite on-set dish was Boeuf Bourguignon.

"The beef ribs we used in the Ming Dynasty cooking battle were really delicious.

I kept gulping them down. And I can't forget the macarons — I gained about 3kg during filming," he laughed.

Off-camera, too, he's a genuine foodie.

"I sometimes say I work just so I can eat.

I love visiting good restaurants, and once I find one, I keep going back.

My favorite food is definitely meat," he confessed.

◆ 120% Result

Initially, Lee wasn't director Jang Tae-yoo's first choice.

But that changed after working with him.

At a press event, Director Jang admitted,

"I'm 120% satisfied. Lee Chae-min didn't just prepare — he delivered results."

Lee vividly remembers the moment he earned that trust.

"At some point, the director said, 'Do whatever you want.'

I guess I started to look like Heon to him.

That gave me confidence — and I began acting more freely."

His co-star Yoona was his strongest support.

Throughout the interview, he repeatedly expressed gratitude.

"She approached me first and made me feel comfortable.

She shared creative ideas and gave me so much encouragement."

"Since I joined the project abruptly, I was anxious and unsure at first.

Every time I struggled, she told me, 'You're doing great,' and that meant a lot."

The drama's ending remains a topic of debate.

Though it concluded with a satisfying "happy ending,"

some viewers criticized it as a "cop-out ending,"

since Heon's time-slip narrative was left unresolved.

"I believe he returned to the real world through the power of love.

I imagined that Mang Un-rok (the mystical text) helped him because of his love for Yeon Ji-young,"

he said with a gentle smile.

What would Heon be doing in the modern world?

"In the epilogue, he makes bibimbap, right?

I think he probably learned cooking from Ji-young and now works as her assistant chef,"

he said, laughing.

◆ The Honor Student's Transformation

As a child, Lee dreamed of becoming a teacher.

Throughout middle school, he consistently ranked near the top of his class,

and in high school mock exams, he earned mostly first-grade scores —

the path of a model student.

Everything changed during his final winter break before senior year.

"I told my parents that I wanted to try acting — and they immediately supported me."

But the road wasn't smooth.

Stage fright held him back.

"I realized I was scared of standing in front of people.

So I just walked into an acting academy one day and signed up."

"That year, I worked harder than anyone.

I practiced acting every day, barely sleeping.

My goal was simple — to be the last one to leave the academy every night."

Patience bore fruit.

Within a year, he was accepted to all four major universities —

Korea National University of Arts, Sungkyunkwan University, Dongguk University, and Sejong University —

and ultimately chose KNUA's Department of Theater.

With 'The Tyrant's Chef', he skyrocketed to stardom —

achieving it just five years after debut.

Reports say he's already received more than 30 new scripts.

But even in the midst of success, he stays grounded.

"My biggest goal as an actor is not to lose myself.

I'll adapt to situations, but I don't want my essence to change.

To be a good actor, I believe you must first be a good person —

only then can you inspire others."