TVING and tvN’s Monday–Tuesday drama The Legend of Kitchen Soldier (hereafter 'Kitchen Soldier') is surging in popularity after hitting a new all-time ratings high.
According to Nielsen Korea on the 19th, Episode 3 of 'Kitchen Soldier,' which aired the previous day, recorded a nationwide household average rating of 7.2%, jumping 1.0 percentage point from Episode 2’s 6.2%. In the Seoul metropolitan area, it averaged 6.9%.
Compared to Episode 1, which started at 5.8% nationwide and 6.1% in the metro area, Episode 3 soared to 7.2% and 6.9%, firmly planting the show at the center of the buzz.
In the latest episode, protagonist Kang Sung-jae (played by Park Jihoon) faces a potential reassignment just as an unexpected defection by North Korean residents occurs near the base. As he helps resolve the crisis, the tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) he prepares becomes the turning point for the defection, and his contribution earns him a formal post as a cook.
As the plot gets juicier, fans are raving with comments like "Perfect mindless fun," "It just keeps getting better," and "An acting party from leads and supporting cast alike."
Meanwhile, 'Kitchen Soldier' is a military cook-show fantasy drama about Private Kang Sung-jae, who trades a rifle for a chef’s knife and a cartridge belt for an apron to become a 'legendary cook.' The series airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 p.m. on TVING and tvN, and is based on a hit Naver Webtoon of the same name.