Fleeing the police after serving a bad meal to an ambassador, arrogant chef Bong-hwan falls into a pool and wakes up in the body of a bygone queen.
Desperate to return to his own body, a disoriented Bong-hwan deflects King Cheoljong’s sexual advances and starts flirting with a beautiful concubine.
Bong-hwan prepares a meal as So-yong and wins over the Grand Queen Dowager with modern cuisine. The King grows wary of the Queen’s odd behavior.
Suspicions mount as the King and the Grand Queen Dowager jockey to learn more about an incident that befell the Queen before the soul transfer.
After easing tensions with the King by halting the execution of concubine Jo Hwa-jin, Bong-hwan devises a plan to return to his own body.
The King dismisses a case brought before the royal court to depose the Queen for erratic behavior. Queen Dowager Jo learns a shocking truth.
When So-yong faints, Bong-hwan comes closer than ever to his goal. The King suspects poisoning and moves the Queen out of the palace.
Bong-hwan is flooded with the queen’s old memories, while the king is shaken by his own dark recollections. A concubine believes she should be queen.
The real So-yong tries to regain control of her body. While the King searches for a secret ledger, he finds himself in serious danger.
The search for the ledger intensifies. Bong-hwang (as So-yong) returns to the kitchen. As the King and Queen become closer, Hwa-jin’s jealousy grows.
The King and Queen hatch plans to stop clans from plundering the kingdom, but the Grand Queen Dowager counters their moves at the royal banquet.
After a confrontation, Bong-hwang (as So-yong) saves the banquet meal with fast food burgers. The Grand Queen Dowager’s sabotage turns nasty.
King Cheoljong searches for clues about the royal banquet bomb attack. As So-yong, Bong-hwan experiences troubling memories of the Queen’s family.
Romantic feelings for the King fluster Bong-hwan. The Grand Queen Dowager and her ruthless brother grow more determined in their treachery.
Fueled by revenge, Bong-hwan (as So-yong) searches to find the culprit with the ledger. The Queen and King make their alliance official.
The King envisions a corruption-free Joseon. As So-yong, Bong-hwan reprimands palace ministers and makes pear blossom wine. A physician comes calling.
Bong-hwan (as So-yong) fumes as enemies spread rumors about the physician’s big news. A rivalry between the King and the Minister of War erupts.
The king’s absence sparks fears of his demise. The Grand Queen Dowager consolidates her authority. A jealous Minister of War corners So-yong.
Palace assassins close in on So-yong. Plans to dethrone King Cheoljong push ahead, but news that he’s alive reaches the Grand Queen Dowager.
As the ceremony to dethrone the King begins, Cheoljong and Bong-hwan (as So-yong) prepare the rebel army for a showdown that could rewrite history.