You will want to watch it again
To me, this lighthearted comedy K-drama is a perfect 10 from the beginning quite literally through the last episode’s end credits. It was so clever and so much fun to watch that, even if I tried, I couldn’t come up with a single criticism. I honestly believe there are very few people who wouldn’t enjoy The Legend of Kitchen Soldier, regardless of their preferred genres or favorite tropes.
Park Ji Hoon, as Private First Class Kang Seong Jae (shouting here with a salute), was absolutely perfect for this role. He nailed every scene. I haven’t read the webtoon, but judging from the images I’ve seen, Park Ji Hoon looks remarkably similar to Seong Jae’s original character design. For those in America who remember—or still enjoy watching—The Andy Griffith Show from the 1960s, the scripting of The Legend of Kitchen Soldier feels surprisingly similar in its construction. The humor is warm, character-driven, and genuinely hysterical, often reaching that same timeless level of comedy.
Bravo to the screen writer(s) and director of this most enjoyable drama!!
WARNING: Spoilers from this point forward.
I especially enjoyed watching Seong Jae’s character arc evolve. He shows up at Kanglim Outpost as a lost, depressed, fearful young man, an outcast of sorts. But he gradually blossoms into someone far more confident, eager to serve his platoon, eager to learn, and determined to accomplish more. His sensitivity toward his peers, his immediate obedience to his leaders, his earnest desire to please Sgt. Yun in the kitchen, and his uncompromising loyalty to his responsibilities as a soldier first and kitchen assistant second all make him deeply endearing. Unlike many others in his platoon, he doesn’t have it in himself to complain about his circumstances. He has no choice but to accept where he is and make the most of it.
His sudden introduction to the Army Cook Quest voice—and later its screen interface—was an absolute delight to watch. Park Ji Hoon was completely convincing as he pantomimed his interactions while navigating the system. And whenever Seong Jae achieved a goal, earned points, or added another comrade to his cache, his smile practically lit up my screen. I couldn’t help but smile right along with him every single time.
Seeing him deflate, nearly reverting back to his old self at the cooking competition was heartbreaking. But then watching him realize he had not lost his skills and he could still do his best even if he didn’t win the one-on-one round was actually inspiring. I think it was one of the central themes of TLOKS; your mentors and teachers can take you only so far. If you have prepared well, trust yourself - your knowledge and your skills even if the circumstances seem to be against you. Do your best with no regrets.
I think we were all rooting for Seong Jae when military reporter intern and hometown ?girl?friend Jun Min (Jeon So Young) came running into his arms in front of both his peers and his superiors. Even though he was mortified by the attention, he needed that moment, not only for himself, but for everyone else to see that he was more than what they had assumed him to be: not a loser, but worthy of some level of respect. What a pleasant and fitting surprise to see them together in the end.
The rest of the cast was equally perfect in their roles, making this a truly unforgettable first watch. Lee Hong Nae’s lazy, incompetent, intimidating, yet ultimately loyal Sgt. Yun Dong Hyeon; Han Dong Hee’s deadpan, serious, but generously warm Platoon Leader Cho Ye Rin; Lee Sang Yi’s serious-but-maybe-not-quite trustworthy Company Commander Hwang Seok Ho who had his very funny moments; and Yoon Kyung Ho’s brash yet loving Major Sgt. Park Jae Yeong all delivered outstanding performances. Along with a stellar supporting cast, they created an ensemble that was impossible not to love. It was especially hilarious to watch these talented actors fully commit to the over-the-top music video sequences.
I enjoyed a fully satisfying ending including all the suspenseful buildup from episode 11 into 12. Everybody got their just reward, if you know what I mean, including the Outpost itself. I’m excited they left TLOKS open for a second season to find out what’s in store for Kang Seong Jae next.
I liked the Quest’s voice and felt the voice actress was perfectly cast. OST was just right for this drama and complemented every scene beautifully. This drama has already earned a permanent spot on my rewatch list.
Park Ji Hoon, as Private First Class Kang Seong Jae (shouting here with a salute), was absolutely perfect for this role. He nailed every scene. I haven’t read the webtoon, but judging from the images I’ve seen, Park Ji Hoon looks remarkably similar to Seong Jae’s original character design. For those in America who remember—or still enjoy watching—The Andy Griffith Show from the 1960s, the scripting of The Legend of Kitchen Soldier feels surprisingly similar in its construction. The humor is warm, character-driven, and genuinely hysterical, often reaching that same timeless level of comedy.
Bravo to the screen writer(s) and director of this most enjoyable drama!!
WARNING: Spoilers from this point forward.
I especially enjoyed watching Seong Jae’s character arc evolve. He shows up at Kanglim Outpost as a lost, depressed, fearful young man, an outcast of sorts. But he gradually blossoms into someone far more confident, eager to serve his platoon, eager to learn, and determined to accomplish more. His sensitivity toward his peers, his immediate obedience to his leaders, his earnest desire to please Sgt. Yun in the kitchen, and his uncompromising loyalty to his responsibilities as a soldier first and kitchen assistant second all make him deeply endearing. Unlike many others in his platoon, he doesn’t have it in himself to complain about his circumstances. He has no choice but to accept where he is and make the most of it.
His sudden introduction to the Army Cook Quest voice—and later its screen interface—was an absolute delight to watch. Park Ji Hoon was completely convincing as he pantomimed his interactions while navigating the system. And whenever Seong Jae achieved a goal, earned points, or added another comrade to his cache, his smile practically lit up my screen. I couldn’t help but smile right along with him every single time.
Seeing him deflate, nearly reverting back to his old self at the cooking competition was heartbreaking. But then watching him realize he had not lost his skills and he could still do his best even if he didn’t win the one-on-one round was actually inspiring. I think it was one of the central themes of TLOKS; your mentors and teachers can take you only so far. If you have prepared well, trust yourself - your knowledge and your skills even if the circumstances seem to be against you. Do your best with no regrets.
I think we were all rooting for Seong Jae when military reporter intern and hometown ?girl?friend Jun Min (Jeon So Young) came running into his arms in front of both his peers and his superiors. Even though he was mortified by the attention, he needed that moment, not only for himself, but for everyone else to see that he was more than what they had assumed him to be: not a loser, but worthy of some level of respect. What a pleasant and fitting surprise to see them together in the end.
The rest of the cast was equally perfect in their roles, making this a truly unforgettable first watch. Lee Hong Nae’s lazy, incompetent, intimidating, yet ultimately loyal Sgt. Yun Dong Hyeon; Han Dong Hee’s deadpan, serious, but generously warm Platoon Leader Cho Ye Rin; Lee Sang Yi’s serious-but-maybe-not-quite trustworthy Company Commander Hwang Seok Ho who had his very funny moments; and Yoon Kyung Ho’s brash yet loving Major Sgt. Park Jae Yeong all delivered outstanding performances. Along with a stellar supporting cast, they created an ensemble that was impossible not to love. It was especially hilarious to watch these talented actors fully commit to the over-the-top music video sequences.
I enjoyed a fully satisfying ending including all the suspenseful buildup from episode 11 into 12. Everybody got their just reward, if you know what I mean, including the Outpost itself. I’m excited they left TLOKS open for a second season to find out what’s in store for Kang Seong Jae next.
I liked the Quest’s voice and felt the voice actress was perfectly cast. OST was just right for this drama and complemented every scene beautifully. This drama has already earned a permanent spot on my rewatch list.
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