CJ ENM’s K-drama military fantasy comedy, “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,” has emerged as a significant success, resonating with audiences both domestically and internationally. Since its debut on May 11, the series secured the top position for weekly paid subscribers on TVING, South Korea’s premier streaming service, for two consecutive weeks. Within its initial week, it garnered over 121.26 million cumulative digital views, setting a new benchmark for K-drama first-week viewership in the past three years.
Sebastian Kim, Head of Content Business Unit at CJ ENM, highlighted the series’ unique appeal: “One of the most compelling aspects of ‘The Legend of Kitchen Soldier’ is its masterful fusion of diverse genres—K-food, fantasy, and comedy—while developing a distinctive ensemble of characters. Diverging from typical romantic comedies, the show elicits genuine laughter through its unpredictable and innovative comedic scenarios. The series has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from global viewers, underscoring the potential for K-dramas to transcend conventional formats and embrace fresh, genre-bending narratives.”
On a global scale, “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” achieved the second spot overall and second in the TV show category on Disney+ Japan. It also ranked within the Top 5 across various regions, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia/New Zealand, on the Asian drama streaming platform Rakuten Viki. The series has garnered strong praise from Korean critics and online fan communities. With only half of its 12 episodes released, its immense popularity led CJ ENM to host a highly successful, sold-out screening event in London. Earlier in February, the series was also featured at Series Mania in France, where Kim initially expressed concerns about the audience’s reception to the show’s specific brand of humor.
Kim elaborated on this concern: “Initially, we were apprehensive, as the show incorporates comedic elements that might be perceived as ‘too Korean’ or ‘too raw.’ However, following its invitation to Series Mania this February and observing French audiences erupt in laughter at the same scenes that resonated with Korean viewers, we became confident in its potential as a global phenomenon.”
He further added, “Frankly, there hasn’t been a fantasy series quite like ‘The Legend of Kitchen Soldier’ that manages to be so lighthearted and humorous without taking itself too seriously. We believe this accessible storytelling approach has effectively lowered the barrier for international audiences.”
What is The Legend of Kitchen Soldier about?
Adapted from the popular web novel “Kitchen Soldier” by J Robin, “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” follows the journey of Kang Seong-jae (Park Ji-hoon), a young man grappling with grief after his father’s recent passing. Seeking an escape, he enlists in the army and is stationed at the Ganglim Outpost. There, he works alongside Sergeant First Class Park Jae-young (Yoon Kyung-ho), Lieutenant First Class Cho Ye-rin (Han Dong-hee), and the notably incompetent military cook, Yoon Dong-hyeon (Lee Hong-nae). Despite excelling in basic training and ranking among the top recruits, Seong-jae is assigned to the kitchen due to his emotional state. His military life takes a surreal turn when a mysterious virtual screen materializes, visible only to him, assigning him a mission to cook for his fellow soldiers. Guided by holographic instructions, he transforms into a star chef on base, earning accolades from his comrades and staff. The culinary creations have the power to transport his fellow soldiers into fantastical realms. As his journey unfolds, Seong-jae begins to uncover deeper secrets, including the reason behind his unique visions.
Who stars in the series?
The series features Park Ji-hoon, one of South Korea’s most in-demand emerging actors, in the lead role of Kang Seong-jae. Park embarked on his career as a child actor and commercial model in 2006. He gained significant attention in 2017 as a contestant on the music survival show “Produce 101,” where he secured second place and became a member of the temporary group Wanna One. Following Wanna One’s disbandment in 2019, he launched his solo EP “O’Clock.” His acting career commenced the same year with a role in the historical drama “Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency.” In 2020, he released his debut studio album, “Message,” and landed his first leading role in “Love Revolution.” His pivotal breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed series “Weak Hero Class” in 2022, which ran for two seasons. He further garnered acclaim for his performance in the 2026 historical drama “The King’s Warden,” earning him the Best New Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Yoon Kyung-ho portrays Sergeant First Class Park Jae-young, a proud commanding officer who staunchly defends his soldiers’ actions, despite the challenges they present. Yoon is an accomplished veteran actor with extensive experience in theater, film, and television, debuting in the 2002 documentary drama “Rustic Period.” His prolific career spans over 60 film and television credits, including appearances in highly popular K-dramas such as “Oh My Ghost,” “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” “Witch’s Court,” “Mr. Sunshine,” “Itaewon Class,” “Vincenzo,” “My Name,” and “Worst of Evil.” He gained significant recognition for his role in the 2019 drama “The Crowned Clown.” Since then, he has taken on lead roles in numerous dramas and films, including the 2022 comedy “Honest Candidate 2,” the 2024 film “The Desperate Chase,” and the 2025 release “My Daughter is a Zombie.” He is also slated to appear in upcoming Netflix productions “Husbands in Action” and “Agent Kim Reactivated,” as well as “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store.”
Han Dong-hee plays Cho Ye-rin, the Ganglim Outpost Commander and Seong-jae’s superior. Despite her competence, she faces challenges in earning respect from her peers. Han made her acting debut in 2021 with the drama “The One and Only.” Following guest and supporting roles, she gained prominence with her performances in the 2022 series “Under the Queen’s Umbrella” and the 2025 drama “Queen Mantis,” the latter earning her the SBS Drama Award for Female Supporting Role in an Action Miniseries.
Lee Hong-nae portrays Yoon Dong-hyeon, a hot-headed and stubborn military cook eager to complete his service. A former model, Lee pursued acting after fulfilling his mandatory military service, making his debut in the 2014 film “Fire in Hell.” He subsequently appeared in supporting roles in popular dramas such as “Save Me,” “Catch the Ghost,” “The King: Eternal Monarch,” and “Strong Girl Nam Soon.” His breakout role was as the antagonist in the hit Netflix series “The Uncanny Counter,” for which he received the Scene Stealer Award at the 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards. He earned the Best New Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for his role in the crime film “Hot Blooded.” Further accolades include the Best New Actor Award from the Korean Association of Film Critics for “Made on the Rooftop” and the SBS Drama Award for “Dr. Romantic 3.”
Lee Sang-yi takes on the role of Captain Hwang Seok-ho, the charismatic head of the 4th company, who takes great pride in his unit. Lee began his career as a musical theatre actor, debuting in productions like “How to Make a Star” and “X-Wedding,” and later starring in South Korean productions of “Grease,” “In the Heights,” “Thrill Me,” “Bare: The Musical,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” “Red Book,” “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” and “Shakespeare in Love.” He made his film debut in “Slow Video” in 2014, followed by various supporting and guest roles in film and television. He gained significant recognition for his performances in “Youth of May” (2021), “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (2021), “Bloodhounds” (2023), “No Gain, No Love” (2024) and its spin-off “Spice Up Our Love,” and “Good Boy” (2025). He is also set to appear in the dark comedy “Moral Family” later this year.
When did the show premiere, and when does it end? Where can I watch it?
CJ ENM’s “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” premiered on May 11, with new episodes airing on Mondays and Tuesdays on South Korea’s TVING platform. The series is currently accessible on Rakuten Viki, via the TVING Collection on Disney+ Japan, and on HBO Max in 17 countries and regions across the Asia-Pacific. The 12-episode series is scheduled to conclude its run on June 16.
Business Style Takeaway: “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” exemplifies the growing global appeal of K-dramas, demonstrating that successful genre-blending and culturally specific humor can transcend borders. Its performance on international platforms highlights a strategic opportunity for content creators to explore more diverse storytelling beyond traditional romantic comedy tropes, catering to a wider and more varied audience base.
Based on materials from : www.forbes.com