[2][5] Kim studied traditional Korean cuisine at Hallym Polytechnic University in his native Chuncheon, and worked as a restaurateur for nearly 20 years by 2016.

[1] Kim reportedly intentionally gives his dishes mild flavors in a manner that resembles the style of his native Gangwon Province, and attempts to rely on simple condoments such as salt, soy sauce, and doenjang.

[1] In a 2016 interview, Kim claimed to begin each day's work around 8 a.m. in order to prepare for the restaurant's dinner service.

Dinner service began at 5:30 p.m. and continued until 11 p.m.[1] The restaurant reportedly has the concept of "a day in the life of the king", and serves elevated Korean royal court cuisine.

[2] A number of newspapers claimed that the closure was possibly linked to a fine dining industry downturn in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.