“The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” Sparks Excitement with High-Energy Script Reading

The Legend of Kitchen Soldier has unveiled its first script reading session, offering an early taste of a vibrant military-cooking fantasy fueled by sharp chemistry, strong performances, and an unusual culinary twist.

Based on a popular Naver webtoon, the TVING original—planned and produced by Studio Dragon alongside Studio N—follows Private Kang Sung-jae, a soldier who swaps his weapon for a kitchen knife and embarks on an unexpected journey to becoming a “legendary cook.”

The cast brings together a strong lineup led by Park Ji-hoon as Kang Sung-jae, alongside Yoon Kyung Ho, Han Dong Hee, and Lee Hong Nae, with a special appearance by Lee Sang Yi.

Held in full military uniform styling, the reading carried a uniquely immersive atmosphere from the start. On June 25, the session paused briefly for a moment of silence honoring fallen soldiers, grounding the cast before diving into the tone of the drama.

Writer Choi Ryong expressed emotional disbelief at seeing the project come to life, while director Jo Nam-hyung set the tone for the journey ahead, describing it as a long but exciting race they intend to complete with energy and care.

Once the reading began, the cast quickly brought the military-fantasy world to life. Their delivery blended disciplined soldierly tone with comedic rhythm and emotional nuance, creating a dynamic flow that felt both grounded and theatrical.

Park Jihoon drew attention with his portrayal of Kang Sung-jae, balancing innocence, confusion, and quiet determination as a newly assigned cook navigating strange and unexpected situations. His performance hinted at a fresh transformation from his previous roles.

Yoon Kyung-ho stood out as the sharp-tongued yet oddly charming Sergeant Park Jae-young, while Han Dong-hee brought cool-headed charisma as Lieutenant Jo Ye-rin, embodying justice-driven “girl crush” energy. Lee Hong-nae added comedic flavor as the laid-back senior cook, capturing the weariness and humor of military life, and Lee Sang-yi heightened tension as the strict commander with a temper as sharp as his palate.

The production team expressed strong confidence following the session, praising the cast’s chemistry and energy as a preview of what they hope will be a highly entertaining series.

The Legend of Kitchen Soldier is set to premiere on TVING and tvN on May 11 at 8:50 PM.