In Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, Episode 12, it aired on September 28. It wrapped up the story of Lee Heon and Yeon Ji-young touchingly and dramatically. The last chapter of this tvN weekend drama showed both heartbreak and hope.
Prince Jesan’s treason came to light, and the fight for power reached its peak. His ambition crossed every line, leading to death and chaos in the palace.
Lee Heon returned after being presumed dead and confronted Jesan face-to-face. The tension between them was thick. Jesan mocked him, but Lee Heon stood firm. He knew his uncle’s greed would destroy him.
Yeon Ji-young, who had been hiding, was still worried about Lee Heon. She refused to believe he was dead. Her loyalty stayed strong till the end. With Gong-gil’s help, she found her way back to the palace. What happened next became one of the most emotional moments of the series.
Lee Heon and Yeon Ji-young finally met again. The reunion felt heavy with love and sorrow. Lee Heon’s eyes showed both relief and pain. Their short exchange said everything words couldn’t. It was the calm before another storm.
The Fall of Jesan and the Rise of Peace
Prince Jesan’s downfall came fast. His crimes could no longer be hidden. His plan to use Yeon Ji-young as bait turned against him. When Jesan raised his sword toward Lee Heon, Yeon Ji-young stepped in without hesitation. She took the blow meant for him. That single moment changed everything.
Lee Heon fought Jesan with rage and despair. The battle ended with Jesan’s defeat. But the cost was high. Yeon Ji-young was badly hurt. As she lay dying, she smiled faintly and said she never wanted to leave.
Lee Heon’s voice cracked as he told her not to go anywhere without his permission. It was painful and beautiful at the same time.
Then something strange happened. Yeon Ji-young’s body was surrounded by light. She was pulled into Mangunrok, disappearing right before Lee Heon’s eyes. He promised he would find her, no matter where she was. That vow became the emotional heart of the ending.
Understanding the Fantasy: The Role of Mangunrok
For viewers confused by the fantasy element, Yeon Ji-young’s disappearance wasn’t a random deus ex machina. The Mangunrok was established early on as a mystical ledger of fate.
Her being pulled into it served a dual purpose: it physically saved her from death (a common trope in fantasy finales) and, more importantly, reset the timeline.
By removing her from that moment, it allowed for a true ‘second chance’ in a modern setting, free from the burdens and tragedies of their past lives.
The next scene shifted to the present day. Yeon Ji-young woke up in modern Seoul. She looked confused but soon realized it wasn’t a dream. Everything she experienced in Joseon was real.
She searched online for “Yeonhui-gun” and discovered that no one had ever found his body. It hit her that history might have changed.
A Modern Reunion and a Promise Fulfilled
Time passed, and Yeon Ji-young continued her life. She became the executive chef at a luxury restaurant preparing for a Michelin review. Her cooking was inspired by the royal dishes she once made for Lee Heon.
Each dish told a story of her past life. The team around her looked oddly familiar, as if the souls of the old palace cooks had followed her to the present.
During the tasting event, a food critic arrived who looked exactly like Im Song-jae. He watched her every move. The kitchen buzzed with tension. Then, in a moment that surprised everyone, Lee Heon appeared. Calm and confident, he walked toward Yeon Ji-young.
He looked at her and said softly, “I came to keep my promise.” That one line broke the wall between the two timelines. Yeon Ji-young froze for a second, then smiled. The two kissed, sealing their bond across time and fate.
The epilogue was quiet but meaningful. It showed Lee Heon and Yeon Ji-young living a simple life together. They shared a bowl of bibimbap made by Lee Heon himself. The scene was warm and ordinary, yet deeply moving. It felt like a peaceful ending to a stormy story.
At this point, the story had masterfully set up its final confrontation. Lee Heon, who began as a king learning empathy through food, was now a man fighting for a future, not just a throne.
Yeon Ji-young, who started as a chef desperate to return home, now found her ‘home’ was with Heon, regardless of the century. Their reunion here wasn’t just romantic; it was the convergence of their completed internal journeys against the external chaos Jesan represented.”
Review
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty ended not with a grand royal moment but with two people finally finding peace. The show reminded viewers that love, loyalty, and forgiveness can last longer than power or revenge.
Many fans described the ending as bittersweet. It closed every major storyline but left a lingering sadness. Some viewers felt the fantasy twist was too sudden, while others found it poetic. Either way, the finale carried emotional weight.
The ending can be understood better — it wasn’t just about death or time travel. It was about closure. Lee Heon lost everything as a king but gained peace as a man. Yeon Ji-young’s return to the modern world showed that some bonds never break, even across centuries.
Their final meeting wasn’t dramatic. It was simple and human — just like their love story had always been.
The series mixed food, history, and fantasy into something unusual for a period drama. It showed how cooking can connect lives, heal wounds, and express love. From the royal kitchen to a Michelin-star restaurant, Yeon Ji-young’s journey symbolized strength and growth.
In the end, Bon Appetit, Your Majesty told a story that wasn’t about power but about finding peace after pain. It showed that even a “tyrant’s chef” could teach lessons about kindness, loyalty, and self-worth.
The final episode left viewers thinking — was it fate or a second chance? Maybe both.
What did you think of the fantasy resolution? Did the modern-day reunion feel earned to you? Was the bittersweet tone the right choice, or would you have preferred a more traditional happy ending in Joseon?
Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear which interpretation of the ending resonates with you.
How Does this Article Make You Feel?
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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