"It's repulsive to see someone showing off just because they've become a star with 10 million followers"... Park Ji-hoon reveals the secret to staying true to his roots after 9 years ('Cooking Soldier')

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I really hate it when people act all high and mighty. To be honest, I find it repulsive.On the 2nd, I met Park Ji-hoon, the lead actor of the TVING original series *The Legendary Mess Sergeant*, at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul.Becoming a Legendary Cook is a military cooking fantasy drama that depicts the journey of Private First Class Kang Seong-jae—who trades his gun for a kitchen knife and his ammunition belt for an apron—as he grows into a legendary cook. Park Ji-hoon led the drama in the role of Kang Seong-jae, who acquires mysterious abilities and transforms into the legendary cook.Immediately after its release, the series set the record for the highest number of paid subscribers in the first week among TVING original dramas over the past three years. It continued its success by ranking first in the number of paid subscribers for three consecutive weeks. Park Ji-hoon also proved his acting prowess once again by seamlessly navigating between comedy, fantasy, and a coming-of-age narrative.Park Ji-hoon premiered The Legend of the Cook immediately after earning the title of 10-million-viewer actor with the film The Man Who Lives with the King, which drew 16.88 million viewers upon its release this past February. He demonstrated his wide range by successfully portraying characters of completely different tones, from the solemn King Danjong in a weighty historical drama to the cheerful cook Kang Seong-jae.Born in 1999, Park Ji-hoon made his entertainment debut in 2006 with MBCs Jumong. He subsequently expanded his public recognition by appearing on Mnets Produce 101 Season 2 in 2017. At the time, he left a strong impression with a single wink during the finale of the theme song performance, and in the first ranking announcement, he took first place as the only trainee among the 101 to surpass 1 million votes. He subsequently joined the project group Wanna One as the runner-up, never falling below third place throughout the competition.When asked what has changed following the back-to-back hits The Man Living with the King and The Legend of the Cook, Park Ji-hoon replied, I dont think anything has changed. However, he noted that the number of scripts and character proposals across various genres has noticeably increased since the success of his projects. He said, Im receiving many more offers than before. Ive been offered a wide range of roles, from ordinary office workers to villains, but I havent had a chance to read all the scripts yet.He also shared his honest thoughts on why he hasnt lost sight of his original aspirations even after the success. Park Ji-hoon said, Of course, as an actor, I can contribute to a projects success, but in reality, a production is the result of countless staff members and actors working together, adding, I hate acting as if I did it all on my own. He added with a laugh, I also hate the idea of imagining myself getting a big head just because Ive become what they call a 10-million-viewer actor.He cited the reaction of a long-time friend as the moment he truly realized the shows popularity. Park Ji-hoon explained, I dont usually check reactions on social media, adding, One of my very close friends works in an office, and he told me that Wangsa Nam was being talked about so much at work that he felt he couldnt join the conversation if he didnt watch it. He continued, My friend watched it himself and told me, I really enjoyed it. I cried, he recalled. Hearing that, I truly realized, So many people have watched this, and The show has really been a success.When asked about his secret to immersing himself in a role, Park Ji-hoon replied, Reading the script slowly. He explained, I read the script really slowly. I go over every line meticulously to build the character, adding, By the time I finish reading the entire script, Im completely drained.He continued, I fill my head with the script. I constantly imagine things like, What would I be like if I were this character?, How would my co-star deliver this line?, and How would I react? He added, If my co-star has been cast, I look up their previous works. That process is my own way of preparing.Park Ji-hoon said he doesnt feel much pressure regarding box office performance. I dont think Im the type to carry that kind of pressure around, he said. When one project ends, I take a short break to refresh, and I treat the next project as a completely separate endeavor.Im truly grateful that so many people have shown their support. However, I dont think anything has changed within me. Im just doing the job Ive been given. While I cherish the fact that Im receiving so much love, Im maintaining the same mindset I had before.
I really hate it when people act all high and mighty. To be honest, I find it repulsive.On the 2nd, I met Park Ji-hoon, the lead actor of the TVING original series *The Legendary Mess Sergeant*, at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul.Becoming a Legendary Cook is a military cooking fantasy drama that depicts the journey of Private First Class Kang Seong-jae—who trades his gun for a kitchen knife and his ammunition belt for an apron—as he grows into a legendary cook. Park Ji-hoon led the drama in the role of Kang Seong-jae, who acquires mysterious abilities and transforms into the legendary cook.Immediately after its release, the series set the record for the highest number of paid subscribers in the first week among TVING original dramas over the past three years. It continued its success by ranking first in the number of paid subscribers for three consecutive weeks. Park Ji-hoon also proved his acting prowess once again by seamlessly navigating between comedy, fantasy, and a coming-of-age narrative.Park Ji-hoon premiered The Legend of the Cook immediately after earning the title of 10-million-viewer actor with the film The Man Who Lives with the King, which drew 16.88 million viewers upon its release this past February. He demonstrated his wide range by successfully portraying characters of completely different tones, from the solemn King Danjong in a weighty historical drama to the cheerful cook Kang Seong-jae.Born in 1999, Park Ji-hoon made his entertainment debut in 2006 with MBCs Jumong. He subsequently expanded his public recognition by appearing on Mnets Produce 101 Season 2 in 2017. At the time, he left a strong impression with a single wink during the finale of the theme song performance, and in the first ranking announcement, he took first place as the only trainee among the 101 to surpass 1 million votes. He subsequently joined the project group Wanna One as the runner-up, never falling below third place throughout the competition.When asked what has changed following the back-to-back hits The Man Living with the King and The Legend of the Cook, Park Ji-hoon replied, I dont think anything has changed. However, he noted that the number of scripts and character proposals across various genres has noticeably increased since the success of his projects. He said, Im receiving many more offers than before. Ive been offered a wide range of roles, from ordinary office workers to villains, but I havent had a chance to read all the scripts yet.He also shared his honest thoughts on why he hasnt lost sight of his original aspirations even after the success. Park Ji-hoon said, Of course, as an actor, I can contribute to a projects success, but in reality, a production is the result of countless staff members and actors working together, adding, I hate acting as if I did it all on my own. He added with a laugh, I also hate the idea of imagining myself getting a big head just because Ive become what they call a 10-million-viewer actor.He cited the reaction of a long-time friend as the moment he truly realized the shows popularity. Park Ji-hoon explained, I dont usually check reactions on social media, adding, One of my very close friends works in an office, and he told me that Wangsa Nam was being talked about so much at work that he felt he couldnt join the conversation if he didnt watch it. He continued, My friend watched it himself and told me, I really enjoyed it. I cried, he recalled. Hearing that, I truly realized, So many people have watched this, and The show has really been a success.When asked about his secret to immersing himself in a role, Park Ji-hoon replied, Reading the script slowly. He explained, I read the script really slowly. I go over every line meticulously to build the character, adding, By the time I finish reading the entire script, Im completely drained.He continued, I fill my head with the script. I constantly imagine things like, What would I be like if I were this character?, How would my co-star deliver this line?, and How would I react? He added, If my co-star has been cast, I look up their previous works. That process is my own way of preparing.Park Ji-hoon said he doesnt feel much pressure regarding box office performance. I dont think Im the type to carry that kind of pressure around, he said. When one project ends, I take a short break to refresh, and I treat the next project as a completely separate endeavor.Im truly grateful that so many people have shown their support. However, I dont think anything has changed within me. Im just doing the job Ive been given. While I cherish the fact that Im receiving so much love, Im maintaining the same mindset I had before.
I really hate it when people act all high and mighty. To be honest, I find it repulsive.On the 2nd, I met Park Ji-hoon, the lead actor of the TVING original series *The Legendary Mess Sergeant*, at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul.Becoming a Legendary Cook is a military cooking fantasy drama that depicts the journey of Private First Class Kang Seong-jae—who trades his gun for a kitchen knife and his ammunition belt for an apron—as he grows into a legendary cook. Park Ji-hoon led the drama in the role of Kang Seong-jae, who acquires mysterious abilities and transforms into the legendary cook.Immediately after its release, the series set the record for the highest number of paid subscribers in the first week among TVING original dramas over the past three years. It continued its success by ranking first in the number of paid subscribers for three consecutive weeks. Park Ji-hoon also proved his acting prowess once again by seamlessly navigating between comedy, fantasy, and a coming-of-age narrative.Park Ji-hoon premiered The Legend of the Cook immediately after earning the title of 10-million-viewer actor with the film The Man Who Lives with the King, which drew 16.88 million viewers upon its release this past February. He demonstrated his wide range by successfully portraying characters of completely different tones, from the solemn King Danjong in a weighty historical drama to the cheerful cook Kang Seong-jae.Born in 1999, Park Ji-hoon made his entertainment debut in 2006 with MBCs Jumong. He subsequently expanded his public recognition by appearing on Mnets Produce 101 Season 2 in 2017. At the time, he left a strong impression with a single wink during the finale of the theme song performance, and in the first ranking announcement, he took first place as the only trainee among the 101 to surpass 1 million votes. He subsequently joined the project group Wanna One as the runner-up, never falling below third place throughout the competition.When asked what has changed following the back-to-back hits The Man Living with the King and The Legend of the Cook, Park Ji-hoon replied, I dont think anything has changed. However, he noted that the number of scripts and character proposals across various genres has noticeably increased since the success of his projects. He said, Im receiving many more offers than before. Ive been offered a wide range of roles, from ordinary office workers to villains, but I havent had a chance to read all the scripts yet.He also shared his honest thoughts on why he hasnt lost sight of his original aspirations even after the success. Park Ji-hoon said, Of course, as an actor, I can contribute to a projects success, but in reality, a production is the result of countless staff members and actors working together, adding, I hate acting as if I did it all on my own. He added with a laugh, I also hate the idea of imagining myself getting a big head just because Ive become what they call a 10-million-viewer actor.He cited the reaction of a long-time friend as the moment he truly realized the shows popularity. Park Ji-hoon explained, I dont usually check reactions on social media, adding, One of my very close friends works in an office, and he told me that Wangsa Nam was being talked about so much at work that he felt he couldnt join the conversation if he didnt watch it. He continued, My friend watched it himself and told me, I really enjoyed it. I cried, he recalled. Hearing that, I truly realized, So many people have watched this, and The show has really been a success.When asked about his secret to immersing himself in a role, Park Ji-hoon replied, Reading the script slowly. He explained, I read the script really slowly. I go over every line meticulously to build the character, adding, By the time I finish reading the entire script, Im completely drained.He continued, I fill my head with the script. I constantly imagine things like, What would I be like if I were this character?, How would my co-star deliver this line?, and How would I react? He added, If my co-star has been cast, I look up their previous works. That process is my own way of preparing.Park Ji-hoon said he doesnt feel much pressure regarding box office performance. I dont think Im the type to carry that kind of pressure around, he said. When one project ends, I take a short break to refresh, and I treat the next project as a completely separate endeavor.Im truly grateful that so many people have shown their support. However, I dont think anything has changed within me. Im just doing the job Ive been given. While I cherish the fact that Im receiving so much love, Im maintaining the same mindset I had before.

"I really hate it when people act all high and mighty. To be honest, I find it repulsive."

On the 2nd, I met Park Ji-hoon, the lead actor of the TVING original series *The Legendary Mess Sergeant*, at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

"Becoming a Legendary Cook" is a military cooking fantasy drama that depicts the journey of Private First Class Kang Seong-jae—who trades his gun for a kitchen knife and his ammunition belt for an apron—as he grows into a "legendary cook." Park Ji-hoon led the drama in the role of Kang Seong-jae, who acquires mysterious abilities and transforms into the legendary cook.

Immediately after its release, the series set the record for the highest number of paid subscribers in the first week among TVING original dramas over the past three years. It continued its success by ranking first in the number of paid subscribers for three consecutive weeks. Park Ji-hoon also proved his acting prowess once again by seamlessly navigating between comedy, fantasy, and a coming-of-age narrative.

Park Ji-hoon premiered "The Legend of the Cook" immediately after earning the title of "10-million-viewer actor" with the film "The Man Who Lives with the King," which drew 16.88 million viewers upon its release this past February. He demonstrated his wide range by successfully portraying characters of completely different tones, from the solemn King Danjong in a weighty historical drama to the cheerful cook Kang Seong-jae.

Born in 1999, Park Ji-hoon made his entertainment debut in 2006 with MBC’s “Jumong.” He subsequently expanded his public recognition by appearing on Mnet’s “Produce 101 Season 2” in 2017. At the time, he left a strong impression with a single wink during the finale of the theme song performance, and in the first ranking announcement, he took first place as the only trainee among the 101 to surpass 1 million votes. He subsequently joined the project group Wanna One as the runner-up, never falling below third place throughout the competition.

When asked what has changed following the back-to-back hits “The Man Living with the King” and “The Legend of the Cook,” Park Ji-hoon replied, “I don’t think anything has changed.” However, he noted that the number of scripts and character proposals across various genres has noticeably increased since the success of his projects. He said, “I’m receiving many more offers than before. I’ve been offered a wide range of roles, from ordinary office workers to villains, but I haven’t had a chance to read all the scripts yet.”

He also shared his honest thoughts on why he hasn’t lost sight of his original aspirations even after the success. Park Ji-hoon said, “Of course, as an actor, I can contribute to a project’s success, but in reality, a production is the result of countless staff members and actors working together,” adding, “I hate acting as if I did it all on my own.” He added with a laugh, “I also hate the idea of imagining myself getting a big head just because I’ve become what they call a ‘10-million-viewer actor.’”

He cited the reaction of a long-time friend as the moment he truly realized the show’s popularity. Park Ji-hoon explained, “I don’t usually check reactions on social media,” adding, “One of my very close friends works in an office, and he told me that ‘Wangsa Nam’ was being talked about so much at work that he felt he couldn’t join the conversation if he didn’t watch it.” He continued, “My friend watched it himself and told me, ‘I really enjoyed it. I cried,’” he recalled. “Hearing that, I truly realized, ‘So many people have watched this,’ and ‘The show has really been a success.’”

When asked about his secret to immersing himself in a role, Park Ji-hoon replied, “Reading the script slowly.” He explained, “I read the script really slowly. I go over every line meticulously to build the character,” adding, “By the time I finish reading the entire script, I’m completely drained.”

He continued, “I fill my head with the script. I constantly imagine things like, ‘What would I be like if I were this character?’, ‘How would my co-star deliver this line?’, and ‘How would I react?’” He added, “If my co-star has been cast, I look up their previous works. That process is my own way of preparing.”

Park Ji-hoon said he doesn’t feel much pressure regarding box office performance. “I don’t think I’m the type to carry that kind of pressure around,” he said. “When one project ends, I take a short break to refresh, and I treat the next project as a completely separate endeavor.”

"I’m truly grateful that so many people have shown their support. However, I don’t think anything has changed within me. I’m just doing the job I’ve been given. While I cherish the fact that I’m receiving so much love, I’m maintaining the same mindset I had before."

About The Legend of Kitchen Soldier

The Legend of Kitchen Soldier is an upcoming South Korean military comedy fantasy television series written by Choi Ryong, directed by Jo Nam-hyung, and starring Park Ji-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Han Dong-hee, and Lee Hong-nae.