By Ggot-song Kim, a Seoul-based K-culture expert. She connects the dots between K-dramas, trends, and real life to bring you the full story.
The hit K-Drama The Tyrant’s Chef has everyone talking about its star, Lim Yoon-a.
The new time-slip K-drama, “The Tyrant’s Chef” (폭군의 셰프), has taken Netflix by storm. The story follows a genius modern chef, Yeon Ji-young (played by Girls’ Generation’s Lim Yoon-a), who accidentally travels back to the Joseon Dynasty. There, she must survive by becoming the personal chef for the ruthless tyrant king, Lee Heon (played by Lee Chae-min).
Beyond the thrilling story, fans are captivated by Lim Yoon-a’s flawless beauty and style. As a Seoul-based expert, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about this hit drama!
The Secret to The Tyrant’s Chef Lim Yoon-a’s Royal Glow: Sulwhasoo
While she might be cooking with ancient recipes in the drama, in real life, Lim Yoon-a relies on the pinnacle of Korean luxury beauty. She was recently named the new global ambassador for Sulwhasoo.
- Ggot-song’s Expert Analysis: “Sulwhasoo is a luxury brand that combines traditional Korean herbal medicine with modern science. Its philosophy is that ‘everything is beautiful when the foundation is strong.’ Just as Chef Yeon Ji-young focuses on basic ingredients to perfect her dishes in the drama, Sulwhasoo focuses on strengthening the skin barrier and providing deep hydration to create healthy skin. The First Care Activating Serum is the core of this philosophy.”
- The Holy Grail Product: First Care Activating Serum (Yoonjo Essence) This iconic “first serum” is used immediately after cleansing to boost the effectiveness of all other products.
- Ggot-song’s Pro-Tip: “Applying this within 3 seconds of washing your face minimizes moisture loss. I layer it twice on dry days, and my skin stays hydrated for 24 hours. It also makes my foundation apply like a dream!”
More of Lim Yoon-a’s Beauty Picks
- The Perfecting Lipcolor: In the drama, Yoon-a often sports a subtle, elegant lip. The Sulwhasoo Perfecting Lipcolor provides a moist, natural finish. The MLBB (My Lips But Better) shades are perfect for a daily look!
- The Jaumsaeng Basic Kit: This toner and cream set uses ginseng extract to boost skin elasticity with a refreshing finish, making it great even for oily skin types.
The Chef’s Must-Have Prop: A Powerful Blender
In the drama, Yoon-a uses a powerful Philips blender to develop new recipes. While that exact model can be hard to find globally due to regional differences, you can get the same cafe-quality results at home with the Ninja 2-in-1 Blender. It has a powerful motor that crushes ice and frozen fruit instantly, and it’s a top-rated favorite on Amazon in the US and Europe.
The “Glow Up” Phenomenon
The buzz around The Tyrant’s Chef is part of a larger trend known as the “Korea Glow Up.” On platforms like TikTok, the hashtag #KoreaGlowUp has millions of views, showcasing incredible before-and-after transformations after visiting Korea. This reflects a global fascination with not just K-Beauty products, but the entire culture of self-care. Dramas like The Tyrant’s Chef offer a window into that world, inspiring viewers to start their own “glow up” journey by embracing the styles and secrets of stars like Lim Yoon-a.
Final Thoughts: It’s More Than Just a Drama!
“The Tyrant’s Chef” has captivated global fans with its perfect blend of food and romance, while Lim Yoon-a’s radiant skin and fashion have once again highlighted the charm of K-Beauty and K-Fashion. Why not dive into the romance of “The Tyrant’s Chef” and achieve glowing skin like Lim Yoon-a with Sulwhasoo?