As the release of “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier”Park Ji-hoon explains why he decided to join this atypical project.
Adapted from a popular web novel and webtoon, the drama mixes comedy, military universe and fantasy. The story follows Kang Sung-jae, a soldier assigned to the kitchen, whose daily life is turned upside down when a mysterious quest window appears in front of him. This unexpected system gradually guides him towards an extraordinary destiny: to become a legendary cook.
Passionate about the military world, the actor was immediately drawn to the role. «I've always wanted to wear a military uniform in a project, and I also wanted to take on a new challenge. I found it particularly interesting that Kang Sung-jae is a character who builds his place by adapting to an unfamiliar environment. The fact that he gains the trust of others and makes friends thanks to his skills really appealed to me,» he explained.
Serious preparation for an original role
To best embody this soldier like no other, Park Ji-hoon didn't hesitate to prepare in advance of the shoot. «I even took a cooking class before filming, so that I could credibly represent the unique profession of soldier chef. By learning dish after dish, my knife skills gradually improved,» he confided.
The drama also stands out for its original concept: Kang Sung-jae evolves by completing quests, guided by a virtual entity called “Guardian”. It's a mechanic that required some special interpretation work. «I wanted to show a character who gradually grows using the Guardian. I paid particular attention to my facial expressions, especially my gaze, as if this character were actually standing in front of me.“
Finally, the actor invites viewers to pay attention to his character's evolution. «I hope you'll follow the way Kang Sung-jae builds relationships with different characters, as well as his evolution throughout the story. I also hope you'll pay attention to his gradual transformation through the Guardian concept.“
“The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” will air from May 11 at 8:50pm (Korean time) and will be available on Viki.
