“I believe the director specifically looked for someone who hadn’t been to the military yet, which is why I was cast. I’m a military buff, so I had some knowledge, but while filming, I felt, ‘Ah, this must be what the atmosphere is really like.’ Everything felt awkward and new.”
Actor Park Jihoon shared at the press conference for the TVING original series ‘Becoming a Legendary Cook’ on the 6th at the Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpole in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, that he got to indirectly experience the military atmosphere he hasn’t yet encountered.
When asked if he plans to serve as a cook in the future, the actor, who has not yet completed his military service, replied, “Actually, I’ve had a romanticized view of the Marine Reconnaissance Corps since my 20s. It’s a unit I’ve really wanted to join, and that hasn’t changed.”
Director Jo Nam-hyung explained his casting choice, saying, “I really loved Park Jihoon’s gaze in ‘Weak Hero Class 1’. I felt he could perfectly portray Seong-jae, who starts off clumsy but moves forward toward his goal with determination.”
Based on a webtoon of the same name, this modern fantasy series follows Private Kang Seong-jae (played by Park Jihoon), who trades a gun for a kitchen knife and a belt for an apron. After gaining cooking abilities like in a game, he transforms into a ‘legendary cook’.
To play the skilled cook Seong-jae, Park Jihoon dedicated himself to practicing knife skills before filming. On set, he even adjusted his eye movements to imagine invisible game screens.
He shared, “I don’t think I have a special talent for cooking, but my knife skills have definitely improved. Scenes without CG were a bit difficult to film. I memorized the positions of the game screens to make it look natural that the character was using them.”
Director Jo praised him, saying, “He had to act alone with nothing there on set, but he did a great job. Thanks to him, viewers will see Seong-jae communicating well with an unknown entity.”
This series has garnered significant attention as it’s Park Jihoon’s first project since the movie ‘The King and the Man’, which surpassed 16 million viewers. While the pressure could have been high, Park Jihoon remained calm.
“I don’t think I’m the type to feel that much pressure. I was nervous, but I focused more on what I could express in the work and what kind of energy I could share with my seniors.”
Regarding the public’s interest, he said, “I’m very grateful, but I believe that one cannot be loved forever, so I think my duty is to do my best in every given moment.”
Yoon Kyung-ho, who plays Sergeant Park Jae-young, Park Jihoon’s superior, noted, “The amazing gaze he showed in ‘Weak Hero Class 1’ and ‘The King and the Man’ was present in this work too. I was happy that he expressed the bewildered look of a recruit who hasn’t been to the military so well.”
He jokingly added, “It’s a chance to see ‘Danjong’s Oppa’ as a private. Since Park Jihoon, who was a private, suddenly appeared as a king, he felt unfamiliar during filming. Now, I’m very proud of him.”
The series also features actors Han Dong-hee, Lee Hong-nae, and Lee Sang-yi. Lee Sang-yi shared a funny behind-the-story, revealing that he started as a special appearance, but his screen time gradually increased, leading him to attend the press conference.
“When I first got the offer, they told me it was an interesting role, that there wasn’t much screen time, and it would end quickly. But once filming started, my role kept growing. Still, I felt the director’s affection for my character, and the set was really enjoyable.”
The chemistry on set was reportedly better than in any other project. Park Jihoon said, “I think I was laughing the whole time while filming with my seniors,” and Lee Hong-nae added, “I’ve never met such funny people. My muscles for holding back laughter on set have become stronger.”
Park Jihoon raised expectations, saying, “Since this is a comedy, I think I can show the cute and funny points of Kang Seong-jae. It’s a really fun drama. Viewers will be able to watch it and laugh along.”
‘Becoming a Legendary Cook’ will be released starting the 11th, every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM on TVING and tvN.
