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Actor Lee Chae Min is currently drawing significant attention for his role as YoonA's counterpart in the tvN drama 'Tyrant's Chef'. He was recently named one of Forbes Korea's '30 Under 30' in the entertainment category for 2026, with September 15th also marking his birthday. Beyond 'Tyrant's Chef', Lee Chae Min is set to reunite with Noh Yoon Seo in the new tvN drama 'The Day I Decided to Die' and has been actively sharing updates, including behind-the-scenes photos from the '2026 Spotv K-Pop Awards'.
Born on September 15, 2000, Lee Chae Min stands at 190cm tall and graduated from the Korea National University of Arts, Department of Acting. He debuted in tvN's 'High Class' in 2021 and has been under Baro Entertainment since September 2025. In 'Tyrant's Chef', he was cast as King Yi Heon, YoonA's romantic interest, after Park Sung Hoon's departure, a casting change that was later lauded as a "stroke of genius." The drama, which achieved a peak viewership rating of 17.1%, tells the story of modern chef Yeon Ji Young (YoonA) time-slipping to the Joseon era and encountering the tyrant King Yi Heon, blending palace romance with culinary themes.
Bloggers have praised 'Tyrant's Chef' for its immersive narrative, extending beyond a simple time-slip romance to include palace politics, cooking competitions, and the protagonists' growth. The creative dishes featured, such as gochujang butter bibimbap, doenjang pasta, and black sesame macarons, earned the drama the nickname "2025's Dae Jang Geum," captivating viewers' eyes and palates. Additionally, the resemblance between Lee Chae Min and Hyun Bin, and YoonA's on-screen chemistry with both actors, were highlighted as intriguing aspects of the show.
