The Legend of Kitchen Soldier heats up TVING as ratings hit 7%

The tvN drama 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' has produced remarkable numbers on both broadcast television and TVING. Starting with a national viewership rating of 5.8% for episode 1 according to Nielsen Korea, the series recorded 7.9% for episodes 4 and 5, and maintained a national average of 7.2% for episode 7.

On TVING, it has maintained the number one spot for paid subscribers for three consecutive weeks. The official TVING page lists this work as a drama released on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:50 PM. As the tvN broadcast and TVING release coincide in the same time slot, home viewers and online viewers are accessing the same episodes on the same night.

Episode 1 at 5.8%, Episode 5 at 7.9%

Figures per episode were also released. Episode 2 averaged 6.2% nationwide, while episodes 4 and 5 both recorded a national average of 7.9%. For episode 5, the average in the Seoul metropolitan area rose to 8.8%.

Episode 7 recorded a national average of 7.2%, reaching a peak of 8.9%. During the same period, it was confirmed that the series held the number one spot for paid subscribers on TVING for three consecutive weeks.

Starring Park Ji Hoon and Yoon Kyung-ho, 12-Episode Format

According to the CJ ENM introduction page, 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' is a 12-episode tvN drama that began airing on May 10, 2026. The creators are Jo Nam-hyeong and Choi Ryong, and the cast includes Park Ji Hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Han Dong-hee, Lee Hong-nae, and Lee Sang-yi.

Based on an original webtoon, the drama focuses on Kang Seong-jae and the people at the Gangnim Outpost. It combines the military, food, and gaming elements, placing settings such as unit cafeterias, status windows, and recipe rewards into every scene.

The character of the work is also revealed in the titles of related clips on the official TVING page. Titles such as "Private's Warehouse Organization," "The Kitchen Soldier Who Saved the Nation with Pork Cutlet," "Seaweed Soup That Brings People to Life or Death," and "Food Poisoning?" are introduced, briefly delivering the military comedy and food themes.

While dramas based on original works can often have lengthy setting explanations, this work shows the status windows and food missions through short scenes. New viewers can check the atmosphere with a single clip, while existing fans can see how the exaggerated flavor descriptions from the original work have been transformed into video.

Lead Actors Rank #1 in Buzz for the 2nd Week of May

Interest in the cast has added to the initial reaction. In the TV-OTT integrated drama buzz ranking for the second week of May, the lead actors ranked 1st, and the work also sat at the top of the OTT original buzz rankings.

The drama does not flow solely as the growth story of one person, Kang Seong-jae. The scenes of actors such as Yoon Kyung-ho, Han Dong-hee, Lee Hong-nae, and Lee Sang-yi create the reactions of the Gangnim Outpost, building laughter through a rhythm where the supporting characters balance out the protagonist's standout moments.

Talk of a Season 2 is already emerging. According to the official introduction, the work is 12 episodes long, and episodes will continue following the release on the night of the 8th. The records confirmed so far include the viewership rating, which moved from 5.8% in episode 1 to a 7.2% national average in episode 7, and the number one spot for paid subscribers on TVING for three consecutive weeks.