Singer-actor Park Ji-hoon shared how it feels to return with a new project following the blockbuster run of the film The King’s Warden, which drew over 10 million moviegoers.
On the afternoon of the 6th, the production presentation for the TVING original series The Legend of Kitchen Soldier (hereafter 'Kitchen Soldier') was held. Director Cho Nam-hyung, who helmed the series, attended alongside cast members Park Ji-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Han Dong-hee, Lee Hong-nae, and Lee Sang-yi to talk about the show.
'Kitchen Soldier' is a military cooking fantasy that follows Private Kang Sung-jae (played by Park Ji-hoon), a fresh recruit who grows into a legendary kitchen soldier. The series blends a unique premise—winning over and transforming his unit through cooking—with a heartfelt coming-of-age arc.
Interest is especially high because this drama marks Park Ji-hoon’s next move after The King’s Warden ignited a nationwide craze, surpassing 16 million admissions. Addressing whether he felt pressure from the previous mega-hit, Park said, "I’m not the type to feel a lot of pressure by nature," offering a calm take. He added, "I focused more on what I could express within the project and what kind of energy I could share with my seniors. Rather than pressure, I went into filming with a good kind of nervous excitement."
Taking on full-on comedy, he picked his unique "sense of balance" as his strength. Park explained, "In that subtle, borderline space of not going too far, the cuteness that still makes people laugh is the key. I think that’s my own comedic edge," expressing confidence in the character.
Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, 'Kitchen Soldier' already boasts a solid fandom and buzz. It premieres at 8:50 p.m. on the 11th via TVING and tvN.