'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' becomes the most anticipated series beating out a Netflix series

11 May 2026, 20:24 by K-Soul · allkpop

After joining the ranks of 10 million-ticket actors, Park Ji Hoon is finally unveiling his next project. This time, he is neither a king nor the lead of a revenge drama. Instead, he returns as a dirt-poor private, wielding a kitchen knife instead of a rifle.

Tving original series 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' premieres today, May 11, at 8:50 p.m. KST on TVING and tvN. The military growth drama follows private Kang Sung Jae, who swaps bullets for cooking knives and gradually rises to become a legendary army cook. Based on the hit webtoon of the same name, the series had already emerged as one of the year’s most anticipated dramas before its premiere, thanks to a star-studded cast including Park Ji Hoon, Yoon Kyung Ho, Lee Sang Yi, Han Dong Hee, and Lee Hong Nae.

A Rookie Soldier Holding a Knife Instead of a Gun

The story centers on Kang Sung Jae, who graduates from boot camp as the top trainee. Park Ji Hoon’s character enters military service determined to become “a real man,” despite receiving his enlistment notice unexpectedly. Through relentless passion and effort, he earns the title of best trainee.

However, the real story begins after he is assigned to Gangrim Outpost. From his very first day, Kang Sung Jae becomes entangled in unexpected situations, hinting at an unusual military life ahead. Newly released stills show Kang Sung Jae meeting administrative officer Park Jae Young and Private First Class Tak Moon Ik after arriving at the base.

Park Jae Young and Tak Moon Ik are especially shocked after reviewing records labeling Kang Sung Jae as an “S-Class private,” while Sung Jae himself appears equally confused. The mysterious criteria behind the “S-Class” rating and its hidden meaning are expected to fuel early intrigue.

Director Jo Nam Hyung described the series as “a military growth drama about dirt-poor Kang Sung Jae, who encounters a game-like cooking system after enlisting in the army.” By combining the realistic setting of military life with fantasy-style game mechanics, the drama promises a fresh twist on the traditional military genre.

Ranked No. 1 in Anticipation, Surpassing Netflix Titles

One reason 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' has drawn major attention is the overwhelming anticipation even before its premiere. According to Consumer Insight’s OTT content viewer evaluation report for the second week of May 2026, released on May 6, the series ranked No. 1 among upcoming releases with a 19% viewer anticipation score.

The achievement is considered especially notable because it surpassed Netflix’s 'The Wonderfools,' which recorded a 9% anticipation score. Interest in the series has already significantly outpaced competing titles ahead of launch. Industry observers attribute the buzz to the popularity of the original webtoon, the unusual combination of military life and cooking, and the excitement surrounding Park Ji Hoon’s next project.

Director Jo also highlighted differences from the original webtoon, explaining, “The biggest difference is the vivid portrayal of food. Compared to illustrations, viewers will get to see truly mouthwatering dishes on screen.” The textures, aromas, and cooking processes only imagined in the webtoon are expected to become a major visual attraction in the drama adaptation.

The series goes beyond simple military comedy. Through the role of the cook soldier, it explores the meaning of a single meal that sustains fellow soldiers each day, while the game-style system adds an entertaining layer to Kang Sung Jae’s personal growth. The structure blends realistic military experiences with fantasy-driven satisfaction.

Park Ji Hoon Takes on His First Comedy Role

Much of the spotlight is on Park Ji Hoon’s transformation. He plays Kang Sung Jae, a poor private transferred to Gangrim Outpost. Describing his character, Park Ji Hoon said, “He’s a young man and family breadwinner from a poor background who unexpectedly faces strange situations after entering the military and gradually levels up within the unit like a game character.”

Kang Sung Jae is a young man who has endured harsh realities with little to his name. After entering the unfamiliar world of military life, he transforms into a cook soldier through unexpected quests. Park Ji Hoon is expected to portray the awkwardness of a rookie soldier, the desperation of a struggling young man, and the thrill of personal growth all at once.

While he denied feeling pressured after becoming a box office star, Park Ji Hoon admitted he was nervous. “I thought a lot about what I could express through this project and what kind of energy I could share with the senior actors,” he said.

He also prepared extensively for the cooking scenes. “I wasn’t particularly talented at cooking,” he admitted, “but my knife skills improved a lot. I think those details naturally came through on screen.” Since the protagonist is a military cook, food serves not merely as background but as a key element of the character’s development.

Director Jo explained why he cast Park Ji Hoon, saying, “Kang Sung Jae starts off awkward and unfamiliar with everything, but he continues pushing toward his goals. I believed Park Ji Hoon had the eyes capable of expressing that journey.” He added, “He also did an excellent job acting opposite CG elements from scratch.”

“The Casting Is Crazy” — Fans React to Gangrim Outpost’s Five Leads

Beyond Park Ji Hoon, the supporting cast at Gangrim Outpost has also heightened anticipation. Yoon Kyung Ho plays Sergeant Park Jae Young of the 4th Company, while Lee Sang Yi stars as Captain Hwang Seok Ho, a picky commander known for his demanding palate and harsh personality. Han Dong Hee plays Lieutenant Jo Ye Rin, an ROTC graduate from a women’s university, and Lee Hong Nae portrays veteran sergeant Yoon Dong Hyun, who has only 100 days left before discharge.

Yoon Kyung Ho praised Park Ji Hoon’s acting, saying, “At first, I didn’t know him well through his work, but after watching 'Weak Hero' and 'The King's Warden,' I became captivated by his eyes. Every emotion is contained in them. In this drama, he perfectly expresses the gaze of a rookie soldier — comedic, adorable, and heartbreaking all at once.”

For Park Ji Hoon, the series marks a completely new challenge as he steps away from tragic historical roles to attempt comedy for the first time. “The key point is the ambiguous line between Kang Sung Jae and Park Ji Hoon within the comedy — something cute yet funny,” he explained.

The cast chemistry is also expected to be a major highlight. Yoon Kyung Ho shared that the actors worked together seamlessly and that the realistic military set naturally brought back memories of his own service days. Han Dong Hee said filming was enjoyable thanks to the considerate atmosphere on set, while Lee Hong Nae confidently rated the cast chemistry “100 out of 100.”

Online reactions to the trailer have also been explosive. Comments included, “The casting is insane,” “The cast alone looks fun, but the story looks great too,” “Park Ji Hoon completely transformed again,” “Finally starting today — can’t wait to see Kang Sung Jae,” and “A cook soldier drama is going to be legendary.”

With the No. 1 anticipation ranking before premiere, the popularity of the original webtoon, Park Ji Hoon’s transformation, and the chemistry of the Gangrim Outpost cast, all eyes are on whether 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' can turn its massive buzz into actual ratings success. The series premieres today, May 11, at 8:50 PM KST on TVING and tvN.

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