Rakuten Viki, the global streaming destination for Asian entertainment, announced that Bonjour Bakery has concluded its 8-episode run as the platform’s top-performing Korean variety series across Southeast Asia.
The series debuted at No. 1 on Rakuten Viki’s weekly rankings in Southeast Asia following its premiere and maintained its momentum through the finale. Bonjour Bakery held the No. 1 position in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia for five consecutive weeks and remained in the Top 3 throughout its run.
The performance marks a milestone for the Southeast Asia-exclusive series, which brought together four prominent Korean actors in an unconventional bakery setting. Veteran actress Kim Hee-ae, known for her performances in The World of the Married and Moonlit Winter, led the front-of-house team alongside Kim Seon-ho, whose roles in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Start-Up earned him a large following across Asia. In the kitchen, actor Cha Seung-won served as head pâtissier, with actor Lee Ki-taek joining as his assistant.
Set in a rural bakery café, the series centers on a “Yes Senior Zone” concept that welcomes guests aged 65 and older for conversations over French-inspired desserts and coffee. Described by its producers as Korea’s first “Senior Dessert Café,” Bonjour Bakery departed from competition-focused variety formats, placing the stories, memories and life experiences of its guests at the center of each episode.
At the series’ press conference, Lee Ki-taek reflected on the experience, saying, “The final scene especially stays with me. It moved me so deeply that I couldn’t stop crying. My view of the people around me has become warmer and broader.”
Series writer Kim Ran-ju reflected on the show’s message, saying, “If this show makes viewers want to take their parents out for something delicious, that alone means we’ve achieved our goal.” Kim’s sentiment underscores the series’ emphasis on family relationships and shared experiences.
Audience reception further underscored the series’ popularity, with Bonjour Bakery earning a 9.8/10 rating from 739 reviews on Viki, making it one of the platform’s highest-rated variety series. Viewer feedback frequently highlights the program’s “healing” and “heartwarming” qualities, praising its focus on meaningful interactions with senior citizens, celebration of community, and the cast’s sincere dedication to serving elderly guests. The strong audience response suggests Bonjour Bakery resonates not only as an entertainment program, but also as a reflection on family, community, and intergenerational connection.
While Korean variety programming spans a wide range of formats, Bonjour Bakery distinguishes itself through its slower-paced, conversation-driven approach. The series joins Rakuten Viki’s growing slate of Korean variety content, which includes titles such as Heart Signal 5 and Kumusta, reflecting the platform’s continued expansion beyond scripted drama programming.
All 8 episodes of Bonjour Bakery are now available to stream on Rakuten Viki in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
