Non-public Kang Sung Jae’s (Park Ji Hoon) abilities with the skillet and the chopping board have turn into the speak of the army barracks in “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier.” The Gangrim Outpost holds the notorious popularity of being under par on the subject of soldier efficiency in addition to the meals served.
Nevertheless it appears the reasonably odd Sung Jae, who has the knack for turning the tables together with his modern cooking abilities, could possibly be on his approach to turn into the camp’s coolest chef. Nevertheless, as there’s many a slip between the cup and the lip, Sung Jae has a number of challenges on the best way earlier than he conquers the bottom kitchen.
Politics, favoritism, and egos are at their peak as Sung Jae must persuade his uptight Firm Commander Hwang Seok Ho (Lee Sang Yi) that he belongs within the kitchen. He’s additionally going through animosity from his seniors. However as soon as his dishes hit the desk, they do extra than simply fulfill starvation, they transport the troopers into hilariously dramatic alternate realities. Listed here are 3 times tensions and tastes ran excessive on the Gangrim Outpost.
Warning: spoilers from episodes 3-4 forward!
The curious case of the pork cutlet defection
Within the newest episodes, Park Sung Jae’s try and impress Hwang Seok Ho with a particular pork cutlet will get thwarted, since Seok Ho is adamant about transferring him. Sung Jae’s VR console informs him that that is the tip of his innings as a kitchen soldier. The search is over even earlier than it started. His helplessness and disappointment are heartbreaking. It additionally feels unfair of Hwang Seok Ho to dismiss the dish with out even making an attempt it.
Within the meantime, throughout nighttime patrolling, the bottom has an unauthorized customer—a North Korean citizen. Hwang Seok Ho, in his efforts to mission himself because the savior and protector of the nation, insists on reporting it as a case of defection. However Grasp Sergeant Park Jae Younger (Yoon Kyung Ho) is adamant about investigating the matter first, given army protocols. As the 2 bicker, the person in query insists he desires to return dwelling and never defect.
First Lieutenant Cho Ye Rin (Han Dong Hee) insists they feed the ravenous man first earlier than starting any investigation. Hwang Seok Ho pushes for ordering the most effective takeout as a substitute, for the reason that mess meals is so dangerous that even when the person had needed to defect, he would assume in any other case. The customer, nonetheless, insists he won’t eat and even take a sip of water till he crosses the border.
In contrast to Hwang Seok Ho and the opposite unit officers, Ye Rin is neither bothered about rewards nor recognition. She desires to first feed the ravenous man, as they confirm his id and interrogate him. She asks Sung Jae to convey the untouched pork cutlet dish and serve it to him since he has refused every thing else. Sung Jae is hesitant, and his confidence is at an all-time low. You may just about really feel his nervousness.
However that’s when the tide turns because the customer can not resist the temptation. The dish is actually the style of Neverland for him. It’s virtually comical when he imagines himself again dwelling, tuning into South Korean airwaves to take heed to music. The pork cutlet turns into an emblem of capitalism for him but additionally a chunk that guarantees freedom. As he imagines the whole unit remodeled right into a rock band with him because the viewers, he virtually chokes.
For a second, one feels that is really the tip for Sung Jae. As an alternative, the customer abruptly publicizes he desires to defect as a result of the cutlet tasted like the liberty he had lengthy craved again dwelling. The irony is difficult to overlook. In the long run, it’s not patriotism, however consolation, music, and meals that tip the scales.
Hwang Seok Ho is smug. In any case, he was the one who needed to report it as a case of defection from the beginning. However because the customer leaves, he desires to thank the chef who made the dish. He tells Sung Jae it’s by far the most effective meal he has ever had The 2 impossible souls within the unit, Dong Hyun (Lee Hong Nae) and Sung Jae, lastly get their second to shine as they’re rewarded by headquarters.
The incident is broadly reported within the media because the “Pork Cutlet Defection.” Sung Jae is just relieved that he has earned his spot within the kitchen. In fact, Hwang Seok Ho later claims his preliminary rejection of the dish was solely due to its poor presentation, and he conveniently takes credit score for being the one who believed Sung Jae belonged within the mess all alongside. And the VR informs Sung Jae that his path as chef has as soon as once more began.
The politics of braised pollock fillet
Again within the kitchen, Sung Jae works laborious as he tries to improvise on his chopping, stir frying, and seasoning abilities. He has been given the rose knife, a bounce in grade, and a particular uniform. The as soon as untidy kitchen is spotless now, a lot in order that Sung Jae even lends Dong Hyun a serving to hand with out making it apparent. He salvages his dishes for him too however by no means as soon as crosses the road together with his senior, doing every thing as a staff member. This stays one among Sung Jae’s most lovable qualities: he’s a staff participant.
The aroma from the kitchen has introduced within the winds of change, as troopers who as soon as dragged their toes to the mess now dash towards it. The leftover capability is down by 70 p.c, the VR informs Sung Jae.
A brand new problem comes their means when they’re knowledgeable that an Assemblyman might be visiting the station for inspection. His go to coincides with the day the mess serves the worst dish on the menu: braised pollock fillet. It’s unanimously detested for its pungent odor. Hwang Seok Ho insists on curating a particular menu and calls for the most effective provides be delivered. He passes on the duty to Ye Rin to supervise it. Nevertheless, Hwang Seok Ho’s rival at headquarters turns down the request for provides.
Sadly, the dish being served will nonetheless be the braised pollock fillet, and Sung Jae is appointed to salvage each the dish’s popularity in addition to that of the mess. The VR guides him by way of the preparation, however he’s unable to take away the fishy odor. The Sergeant warns him that if he fails, it’s the finish for him.
Poor Sung Jae, you genuinely really feel for the man. He’s earnest, does his work sincerely, however someway additionally finally ends up being the one taking the autumn each time issues go improper. He remembers how his father had as soon as steered tomato sauce for the same preparation and decides to do the identical factor. Everybody warns him he’s ruining the dish additional. The VR additionally informs him that he’s exhausting himself since browsing recipes on the console is draining his power. The Assemblyman, wanting to win votes, desires to reveal the poor meals being served to troopers.
Sung Jae serves the dish and informs the Assemblyman it’s an Italian model of the preparation: the pomodoro braised pollock fillet. The expressions across the room vary from horror to smugness to irritation as everybody waits for the decision. It’s clear it’s the customer’s least favourite dish, and he’s solely doing it for the digital camera. Because the Assemblyman begrudgingly takes a chunk, he abruptly screams “thief!” and we’re handled to a hilarious visible of him chasing a determine carrying a rice bowl masks. He lastly publicizes the dish is scrumptious and that it has made him grasping for extra rice.
As everybody digs in, the temper fully shifts into celebration. Whose intelligent concept was it? Ye Rin reveals Sung Jae was the one who steered they serve what the troopers really eat as a substitute of over sprucing the reality. However Sung Jae, now fully drained and low on power, collapses earlier than he can witness the celebrations. The Gangrim Outpost, in the meantime, is hovering excessive in recognition because the gastronomy station.
A barbecue of feelings
As Sung Jae wins over hearts and stomachs on the base, grief continues to weigh closely upon him. He misses his father, and as he embarks on the identical path, he finds himself weighed down by loneliness. When he collapses, he finds himself assembly his father in a meadow. His father turns round and smiles at him. The second is deeply emotional, as Sung Jae breaks down in tears and embraces him. He tells his father that possibly he by no means thought a lot of it again then when his father cooked, however now it’s one thing he really desires to do.
His father tells him that although the work is difficult, the enjoyment of serving individuals and watching them take pleasure in what he cooked had given him immense happiness. He affords Sung Jae seaweed soup and tells him that as a substitute of counting on exterior forces, he must imagine in himself. Possibly that is precisely what Sung Jae wanted to listen to—the consolation and reassurance from his father that he was going to be okay. When he wakes up and as soon as once more begins browsing by way of his console, Ye Rin seems to be at him quizzically, questioning what precisely is happening with this unusual but proficient soldier.
When a staff barbecue is introduced with officers from army headquarters visiting the bottom, it’s clear there’s an unstated rivalry between Hwang Seok Ho and one of many officers, in addition to rigidity between Ye Rin and the identical officer.
Dong Hyun makes a whole mess of grilling the meat, and the unit is left ravenous because the officers devour the meat whereas the troopers are left with greens. As soon as once more, Sung Jae takes cost with the tongs and expertly barbecues the meat, retaining its taste and successful factors throughout the desk.
The chief officer suggests upgrading him to the officers’ mess. Hwang Seok Ho immediately agrees, wanting to play the sure man to his superior and rating brownie factors. Ye Rin, nonetheless, refuses. She has a degree. The troopers have lengthy been fed lower than appetizing fare, and shifting Sung Jae away wouldn’t solely be unfair to them however would additionally place pointless stress on him.
Over the dinner desk, the stress is palpable. Hwang Seok Ho realizes that his fellow officer is making an attempt to undermine him in entrance of the senior officer. Alternatively, Ye Rin, who has consistently tried to maintain up with the boys and their methods, continues to be patronized. Apparently, her mentor, an upright Main, had been made a scapegoat over sure points. Although issues are nonetheless unclear, it’s evident she too is carrying emotional baggage of her personal.
As Sung Jae succeeds with the each day preparations, he tells Dong Hyun that he’s merely completely satisfied seeing his comrades benefit from the meals. With the assistance of the VR console, Sung Jae has developed a knack for gauging the standard of rations and realizes spoiled and low high quality substances are being equipped. He initially retains it to himself, however when Ye Rin overhears him say it aloud, she firmly tells him by no means to remain quiet about such issues. It’s the first time she speaks sharply to him, however amusingly, the VR informs him that she approves of him. It’s yet one more stamp of confidence for the uncertain Sung Jae.
The distributors are below the Sergeant Main, who’s answerable for inspections, and Ye Rin begins to grasp there’s way more to the state of affairs than meets the attention, particularly since distributors and commissions are critical enterprise. Will she be capable of unravel it?
Within the meantime, for the reason that meals on the base has now turn into the speak of the city, a broadcasting community arrives to movie the unit.
The episode ends when the enticing younger reporter main the staff abruptly runs up and hugs Sung Jae. For the primary time, you see his perpetually unhappy eyes really smile as the remainder of the unit stares open mouthed in shock. The second is equal components cute and hilarious as a result of issues are clearly getting thrilling on the Gangrim Outpost, and the unusual Sung Jae is nicely on his approach to changing into the most well-liked man there.
Begin watching “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier”:
Puja Talwar is a Soompi author with a powerful Yoo Yeon Seok and Lee Junho bias. A very long time Okay-drama fan, she loves devising alternate eventualities to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to call a number of. You may observe her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.