The stars behind a fresh "military cooking fantasy" have assembled to shake up the small screen.
On the 10th, the TVING original series The Legend of Kitchen Soldier (hereafter 'Kitchen Soldier') unveiled a look at its script reading, attended by actors Park Ji-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Han Dong-hee, Lee Hong-nae, and more. In a meaningful touch, the session began with a moment of silence for fallen patriots and national heroes, revealing the cast's solemn, battle-ready resolve.
Catapulted to "ten-million" box office status through the film The King's Warden, Park Ji-hoon anchors the drama as lead character Kang Seong-jae. He drew a fine line between the nerves of a rookie private and a character forced to adapt in strange, high-stakes situations—hinting at a bold new acting transformation.
The ensemble shined just as brightly. Yoon Kyung-ho brought his trademark warmth, leaning into a punchy regional dialect; Han Dong-hee charged the room with steely charisma; and Lee Hong-nae, playing a short-timer sergeant nearing discharge, delivered a sly, playful performance that had the room in stitches—doubling the show's fun factor.
Director Cho Nam-hyung said, "Today marks the start of a long journey—I hope everyone can finish strong and healthy," adding, "We'll shoot with energy, keeping it fun and exciting."
'Kitchen Soldier' follows the rise of ordinary private Kang Seong-jae into a legendary military cook. By blending culinary flair with fantasy inside the army's unique setting, it promises a distinctly different thrill from conventional military dramas.
Meanwhile, 'Kitchen Soldier' premieres May 11 at 8:50 p.m. on TVING and tvN.