“Yeonsangun and the Ming Envoy Side by Side at the Top Seat, Even Bowed Their Heads” … The Tyrant’s Chef, Uncomfortable Scenes

In tvN’s “Tyrant’s Chef,” which has reached number one in the non-English TV show category on Netflix, a scene has sparked debate over historical accuracy. The controversial scene appears in a recent episode, where King Yeonsangun (played by Lee Chae-min) and Ming envoy Wu Gon (played by Kim Hyeong-muk) sit side by side at the head table to judge the chefs’ skills. The production team aimed to heighten dramatic tension by placing the tyrant with a discerning palate alongside the cunning envoy, but critics point out that this portrayal strays far from historical facts.