For actor Lee Chae-min, 25, the success of tvN’s hit drama The Tyrant’s Chef has been nothing short of life-changing. What makes his story even more remarkable is that his casting was almost accidental. Originally, actor Park Sung-hoon was considered for the role, but when that plan fell through, Lee Chae-min was brought in just one month before filming began. Despite the pressure, he embraced the opportunity and turned it into the defining moment of his career.
A Crash Course in Preparation
Lee admitted that stepping into the project on short notice was daunting. Determined to rise to the challenge, he immersed himself in preparation, even cutting back on sleep to study the script. He attended horseback riding and calligraphy lessons several times a week, ensuring he could embody the role authentically. “At first, I couldn’t even ride properly,” he recalled with a laugh. “By the end, I was galloping across set and wondering why it took so long.”
Praise for His Transformation
Playing Lee Heon, a character intertwined in a fantasy romance spanning 500 years, Lee received rave reviews for his performance. Fans and even strangers on the street have started calling him “Yeonhee-gun,” a sign that his portrayal left a lasting impression. “As actors, our job is to pull off characters,” he said. “To hear people say, ‘That’s really Lee Heon’ makes me feel proud.”
Life After “The Tyrant’s Chef”
The drama became a sensation, recording 17.1% in its final episode ratings, the highest for any Korean miniseries this year, and dominating both domestic charts and Netflix’s global Top 10. Thanks to the show’s popularity, Lee has been flooded with offers for films and dramas, quickly becoming one of the industry’s most talked-about rising stars. In fact, his brand reputation now ranks ahead of established names like Byun Woo-seok, positioning him as the next breakout leading man.
Looking Ahead
Lee remains humble about his sudden rise, acknowledging both the honor and pressure that comes with being called the “next big star.” But with his dedication, discipline, and growing global recognition, it’s clear that Lee Chae-min’s life has indeed changed—and this is only the beginning.
