Actress Yoon Seo Ah has received widespread acclaim for her performance as Gil Geum in tvN's popular drama "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty," a fantasy romantic comedy that has become one of the year's most buzzed-about series.

The play is about Michelin-starred chef Yeon Ji Young (Im YoonA), who mysteriously journeys 500 years back to the Joseon period and crosses paths with King Yi Heon (Lee Chae Min).

Yoon portrayed Seo Gil Geum, a palace servant with an extraordinary sense of smell who becomes Ji Young's trusted friend. With her country charm and cheerful energy, Yoon was a scene-stealer.

Looking back at the project, Yoon talked about the viewing party for the finale with her fellow actors. "We gathered as a team to watch the last episode together. Seeing all the hard work we poured into the scenes brought back so many vivid memories," she explained, as relayed by Daum.

Audiences were most shocked at her change from her stylish real-life persona to earthy, unpolished Gil Geum.

Laughing at the reaction, she remarked, "Nobody recognizes me! Not one person has," and added that she has since begun uploading more of her natural appearance to social media.

Her casting was done under unexpected conditions. "I was cast just three days before filming began," she disclosed.

Luckily, she already had experience with the costume department on The Tale of Lady Ok, making the hasty preparation easier.

She changed her appearance and accepted a more natural look to fully embody the character.

She darkened her skin, kept her brows thick, and took off elements of modern beauty to add a level of authenticity.

Entertainment outlet KBZOOM stated that the commitment from a rookie actress has quickly brought Yoon into the limelight as one of the hottest up-and-coming stars of her generation.

The actress also worked to master the Jeolla Province dialect. "At first, even ad-libs had to be carefully rephrased. Later, it came naturally," she explained, crediting fellow actor Hong Jin Gi and senior colleagues for their guidance.

Her family also had pride in her milestone role. "They saved every article and even changed their KakaoTalk profile to Gil Geum. That made me feel I was really giving back through my work," she said affectionately.

Looking forward, Yoon discussed how much the experience has influenced her. "Living as Gil Geum for eight months made me brighter, too. She became a source of energy and healing for me. I want to carry that joy into every role and continue acting with gratitude."