'The Legend of the Cook Soldier' has confirmed the casting of Park Ji-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Han Dong-hee, and Lee Hong-nae.
The TVING original series 'The Legend of the Cook Soldier' (written by Choi Yong, directed by Jo Nam-hyung, produced by Studio Dragon, Studio N, provided by TVING) is set to premiere in 2026. It is a military comedy-drama where a cook soldier, armed with a kitchen knife instead of a gun and wearing an apron instead of a belt, embarks on a quest to save lives and becomes a legend.
Based on the popular Naver webtoon of the same name (written/illustrated by J. Robin and Lee Jin-soo), the series promises a realistic story derived from the experiences of writer Choi Yong, a former cook soldier, combined with the unique and sophisticated direction of Jo Nam-hyung, offering delightful laughter and touching emotions. Actors Park Ji-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Han Dong-hee, and Lee Hong-nae will portray the colorful soldiers at the backdrop of the Gangrim Post, drawing attention.
First, Park Ji-hoon plays the role of Private Kang Seong-jae, a newly assigned cook soldier at Gangrim Post. After falling from the top trainee to a problematic soldier, he accepts a quest to become a cook soldier, following a mysterious voice. Will Kang Seong-jae become the legendary cook soldier responsible for the meals of the Republic of Korea Army? All eyes are on Park Ji-hoon's portrayal of Seong-jae's leveling-up journey.
Yoon Kyung-ho plays Sergeant Park Jae-young, who is part of the 4th Company to which Seong-jae belongs. Known for his strong dialect, Park Jae-young is a logistics officer nicknamed "the ticking time bomb" due to his involvement in various incidents. He struggles to escape his status as a perennial sergeant, constantly failing promotions, and is further troubled by the arrival of a problematic new recruit. Yoon Kyung-ho's passionate performance is expected to add realism to Park Jae-young's tumultuous military life.
Han Dong-hee takes on the role of Lieutenant Jo Ye-rin, the commander of Gangrim Post. With a straightforward personality that insists on speaking her mind, she is a "ugly duckling" from a female military academy among the elite of the Army Academy. For some reason, she is assigned to Gangrim Post, where her quiet life is disrupted by the arrival of new recruits, leading to a variety of experiences. Viewers are curious about Han Dong-hee's portrayal of Jo Ye-rin, who will bring a warm charisma to the post.
Lee Hong-nae transforms into Corporal Yoon Dong-hyun, a senior cook soldier. Yoon Dong-hyun is notorious for being a "taste illiterate," bringing a dark period to the Gangrim Post dining hall. With only 100 days left until his discharge, he is cautious even of falling leaves, but the arrival of a strange new recruit makes him anticipate a bumpy remaining military life. Attention is drawn to Lee Hong-nae's performance as he completes Yoon Dong-hyun's relentless dash towards discharge.
Thus, 'The Legend of the Cook Soldier' presents the daily life of a cook soldier, who sacrifices weekends to wake up early and finish late while ensuring the soldiers' three meals a day, through the lens of game quests, promising intriguing entertainment. Especially, it will focus on the growth process of a level 1 private becoming a legend, along with a feast of various foods as fresh visual treats.
Set to premiere on TVING in 2026.
[Kim Mi-ji, Star Today Reporter]
