5
11
1
1
This review may contain spoilers
Leveling up a Military Chef
QUEST COMPLETE!
⏤ ▪︎ The Vibe :: A funny gourmet-military drama that felt like playing an emotional, but cozy game with yummy snacks.
｡ ⤵︎ Watched For :: A light, and fun drama with delicious recipes.
｡ ⤵︎ Stayed For :: The game setup, the supporting characters and seeing the healing journey through to the end.
⏤ ▪︎ The Premise... in One Dramatic Sentence ::
A grieving young recruit finds his escape through a game-like cooking system that transforms him into an ace military chef.
⏤ ▪︎ Character Weather Report ::
Private First Class Kang Sung Jae carries the weight of his grief the entirety of this drama. He pushes through in a way that allows him to feel his emotions but also to tackle the task in front of him, in the format of a video game. Kanglim Outpost hosts a variety of characters that each ease the sorrow in one way or another and provide a lot of comedic relief. I found myself laughing at most of the over-the-top funny moments.
⏤ ▪︎ Chemistry Check ::
🍚 A comforting bowl of rice.
Plain and simple. It felt like 'let's make something yummy despite the hard day you've had' drama.
⏤ ▪︎ Plot Behavior ::
The plot moved steadily, like it was going through its own mandatory mailitary service. There was space to breath and space to laugh. But when it came to the actual cooking, it didn't reach me fully. It felt like they didn't lean too far in either direction, in terms of the genres. It wasn't too military and it wasn't too foodie either. For that reason, it turns out a bit lukewarm.
⏤ ▪︎ What Worked ::
The gaming style of the drama takes some getting use to, but once you do it really is an enjoyable watch. It was comforting, but also quietly engaging. A drama that has you guessing what they're going to make next and what silliness is going to get themselves into.
⏤ ▪︎ What Needed More Time ::
I wish the recipes were better, perhaps a bit more appetizing. I know its a military setting, but it is still a drama. I also wish that they didn't treat the only female officer with such disregard, boardering disrespect. It was a bit unbelieveable in the end, when he won the cooking competition.
⏤ ▪︎ Emotional Damage Report ::
Mostly funny, slightly healing, occasionally “oh, that looks good.” This drama didn't generate waterfalls from me, but it was an enjoyable journey in a unique format.
⏤ ▪︎ Final Verdict ::
'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' is a quirky and comforting watch. The RPG-style gaming quests have the feel of an anime rather than a drama, which would be great, but the excecution often fell flat. The military comedy and dramatic food cinematography makes this drama very engaging, but the corruption subplot felt a little forced and distracted from the hero's cooking journey in the end. The original premise was definitely intriguing, but they played it a bit safe and overall did not leave a lasting impact.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
✫ Coziness: 4 / 5
✫ Healing XP: 3.5 / 5
✫ Recipes: 3 / 5
⛵︎ 𓂃 Would I Rewatch? Yes, if I felt like I didn't want to cook anything.
⛵︎ 𓂃 Emotional Status: Sort of satisfied, but I personally wouldn't pick up this game.
"We may be strong and dependable warriors, but there's always a part of us that longs for our families. I believe that the warmth of a single meal has the power to ease that longing."
⏤ ▪︎ The Vibe :: A funny gourmet-military drama that felt like playing an emotional, but cozy game with yummy snacks.
｡ ⤵︎ Watched For :: A light, and fun drama with delicious recipes.
｡ ⤵︎ Stayed For :: The game setup, the supporting characters and seeing the healing journey through to the end.
⏤ ▪︎ The Premise... in One Dramatic Sentence ::
A grieving young recruit finds his escape through a game-like cooking system that transforms him into an ace military chef.
⏤ ▪︎ Character Weather Report ::
Private First Class Kang Sung Jae carries the weight of his grief the entirety of this drama. He pushes through in a way that allows him to feel his emotions but also to tackle the task in front of him, in the format of a video game. Kanglim Outpost hosts a variety of characters that each ease the sorrow in one way or another and provide a lot of comedic relief. I found myself laughing at most of the over-the-top funny moments.
⏤ ▪︎ Chemistry Check ::
🍚 A comforting bowl of rice.
Plain and simple. It felt like 'let's make something yummy despite the hard day you've had' drama.
⏤ ▪︎ Plot Behavior ::
The plot moved steadily, like it was going through its own mandatory mailitary service. There was space to breath and space to laugh. But when it came to the actual cooking, it didn't reach me fully. It felt like they didn't lean too far in either direction, in terms of the genres. It wasn't too military and it wasn't too foodie either. For that reason, it turns out a bit lukewarm.
⏤ ▪︎ What Worked ::
The gaming style of the drama takes some getting use to, but once you do it really is an enjoyable watch. It was comforting, but also quietly engaging. A drama that has you guessing what they're going to make next and what silliness is going to get themselves into.
⏤ ▪︎ What Needed More Time ::
I wish the recipes were better, perhaps a bit more appetizing. I know its a military setting, but it is still a drama. I also wish that they didn't treat the only female officer with such disregard, boardering disrespect. It was a bit unbelieveable in the end, when he won the cooking competition.
⏤ ▪︎ Emotional Damage Report ::
Mostly funny, slightly healing, occasionally “oh, that looks good.” This drama didn't generate waterfalls from me, but it was an enjoyable journey in a unique format.
⏤ ▪︎ Final Verdict ::
'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' is a quirky and comforting watch. The RPG-style gaming quests have the feel of an anime rather than a drama, which would be great, but the excecution often fell flat. The military comedy and dramatic food cinematography makes this drama very engaging, but the corruption subplot felt a little forced and distracted from the hero's cooking journey in the end. The original premise was definitely intriguing, but they played it a bit safe and overall did not leave a lasting impact.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
✫ Coziness: 4 / 5
✫ Healing XP: 3.5 / 5
✫ Recipes: 3 / 5
⛵︎ 𓂃 Would I Rewatch? Yes, if I felt like I didn't want to cook anything.
⛵︎ 𓂃 Emotional Status: Sort of satisfied, but I personally wouldn't pick up this game.
"We may be strong and dependable warriors, but there's always a part of us that longs for our families. I believe that the warmth of a single meal has the power to ease that longing."
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