[Dispatch=Kim So-jung] Park Ji-hoon returns as a low-ranking private from humble beginnings. Instead of a rifle, he carries a kitchen knife; instead of a bandolier, he wears an apron. His journey to becoming a legendary army cook begins.

tvN’s The Legendary Cook of the Army is a military cooking fantasy drama. Park Ji-hoon plays the lead role of Kang Sung-jae, a clumsy recruit who grows into a chef capable of commanding his entire unit.

He adds a flavorful touch with his cuteness. Park Ji-hoon said, “I portrayed a character that is both cute and funny. When you watch it, you’ll probably think, ‘Oh, he’s so cute.’ That’s the strength of my comedic acting.”

Suddenly, co-star Yoon Kyung-ho jumped in as an enthusiastic talker. “It’s admirable and nice that Park Ji-hoon says he’s cute himself,” he said with a warm smile.

The Legendary Cook of the Army (hereafter The Cook) held its production press conference on the afternoon of the 6th at Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpole Hotel. Director Jo Nam-hyung, Park Ji-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Han Dong-hee, Lee Hong-nae, and special guest Lee Sang-yi attended.

This drama marks Park Ji-hoon’s next project following the success of the film The King’s Man. Was he burdened by the success of his previous work? Park responded calmly.

“I don’t really feel pressure by nature. I only focused on what I could express within the work and how I could create synergy with the senior actors. I was nervous, but I didn’t feel burdened.”

Yoon Kyung-ho, however, admitted he felt pressure.

“Around the end of filming, The King’s Man became a huge hit, so it felt very pressuring on set. He suddenly showed up like a king after the success. Around episodes 9 or 10, it felt a bit awkward.”

When host Park Kyung-lim asked how he feels now, Yoon joked,

“Now I’m just happy to see him doing well, and I’m glad we’re together—it’s even better because we get photographed together.”

Park Ji-hoon’s lack of military experience actually helped his acting.

“The director actually preferred someone who hadn’t served in the military. I think the awkwardness and embarrassment of a new recruit were important for the role,” he explained.

Director Jo Nam-hyung revealed that Park Ji-hoon’s eyes were the key reason for casting him.

“Like many others, I first noticed him through Weak Hero. His eyes stood out, so I cast him,” he said.

He added, “Sung-jae is an unfamiliar and awkward character, but he also has strong determination and moves clearly toward his goal. Park Ji-hoon has the kind of eyes that can express that.”

Yoon Kyung-ho also praised him: “When I first saw Park Ji-hoon, I was captivated by his eyes. I’ve never seen another actor with eyes like his. They’re truly remarkable.”

He continued, “He can express comedy, cuteness, playfulness, and even sadness. He perfectly portrayed a private who hasn’t served in the military. His helpless, uncertain gaze as a new recruit was especially impressive.”

Since cooking is the central theme, preparation was thorough.

Park Ji-hoon said, “I practiced cooking before filming. But I realized I didn’t have exceptional talent in cooking. Still, my knife skills improved a lot,” he laughed.

The drama incorporates a unique “game-like” concept. A quest window appears following a mysterious voice, guiding the character to level up. All of these elements were created through CG.

“I moved my eyes as if the CG elements were really there. I memorized key points and performed accordingly,” Park explained.

Director Jo added, “Despite the difficulty, Park Ji-hoon delivered a great performance. He connected well with the unfamiliar journey of becoming a cook.”

The cast praised their teamwork.

Yoon Kyung-ho said, “The chemistry between the actors was excellent. The drama has many unique elements, including fantasy. We were told to approach both reality and fantasy seriously, which gave it a fresh tone.”

Director Jo carefully selected each supporting soldier role.

Yoon added, “The director passionately supported our acting, which gave us great strength. Many cast members had military experience, so we could share background knowledge. There were many elements that enhanced our acting chemistry.”

Lee Hong-nae said, “I’ve never worked with such fun people. The set was so enjoyable that I had to train my muscles to hold back laughter. That energy will definitely come across to viewers.”

Director Jo expressed his gratitude, saying, “As a director, it’s hard to manage every detail, but the actors performed like real soldiers working in a unit. Everyone encouraged each other and worked together on set.”

The cast highlighted key points to watch.

Han Dong-hee said, “There’s imaginative comedy related to taste, but you can also watch each character grow through Kang Sung-jae.”

Yoon Kyung-ho added, “You’ll get to see ‘Prince Danjong’ as a private. If you enjoy Episode 1, it becomes even more fun toward the finale. By the way, the outdoor filming took place in Uljin—if the show does well, I hope people visit it as a travel course.”

Finally, Park Ji-hoon said, “The Cook is truly fun. I’m happy to present such an enjoyable project. We started filming in the heat and finished in the cold. I learned a lot during that time. It was close-knit and happy. Please look forward to it.”

Premiere Date

Meanwhile, The Legendary Cook of the Army will premiere on May 11 at 8:50 PM on TVING and tvN.

[Photo Credit: Lee Seung-hoon]