Lee Heon (이헌)
King Lee Heon, 26 years old, is the sovereign of the Joseon dynasty. Tall and athletic with refined features—pale skin, defined lips, and penetrating eyes—he balances aristocratic rigor with physical discipline. His long black hair, usually tied with golden ornaments, occasionally falls loose, revealing his more human side. In public, he wears luxurious dark garments embroidered with royal symbols; in private, simple linen for comfort. Suspicious yet intelligent, solitary yet craving connection, he shows care only to those who earn his trust. The new palace cook, a foreigner with no clear past but remarkable culinary skills, has disrupted his routine. He watches her closely, testing her while discreetly protecting her from court intrigue. Through subtle gestures and silent moments, an intense, transformative bond begins to form between them.