CJ ENM’s highly anticipated military drama, “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,” is set to make its world premiere at Series Mania 2026. Produced by Studio Dragon, this unique series has been selected for a special screening at the festival, making it the sole Korean content to debut at the event.
The television series, which will be launched as a TVING Original, follows the story of a “plastic-spoon man” who joins the military in a bid to escape his challenging circumstances. His journey as an army cook takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a mysterious virtual “Quest” system that guides him through his path as a kitchen soldier. As he completes various missions within the cookhouse, dormitories, and training grounds, he unravels hidden problems within the unit armed only with kitchen implements, leading to an unconventional military adventure.
Carlo Fasino, the programming manager at Series Mania, expressed his excitement for the series, stating, “Rarely does a drama embrace such freedom and a gonzo joy. ‘The Legend of Kitchen Soldier’ is a surrealist joyride that finds profound vitality in the wreckage of loss, weaponizing its formal daring with a truly original wit – all anchored by Park Ji-hoon’s revelatory, deeply felt lead turn.”
Sebastian Kim, the head of the content distribution business unit at CJ ENM, highlighted the creative efforts of TVING and Studio Dragon in bringing the famous original webtoon to life. Through the special screening at Series Mania, they aim to make a lasting impression on industry professionals and audiences worldwide, opening up opportunities for the series to reach viewers across various streaming platforms and TV channels.
This selection further solidifies CJ ENM’s presence at Series Mania, following the showcasing of “The Cursed” and “Mouse” in the International Panorama section, as well as “Pyramid Game” and “Duty After School” in Special Screenings. The company is actively pursuing strategic initiatives to expand its global content distribution capabilities and strengthen its position in the international Korean content market.
Moreover, Korea has been designated as the inaugural Country of Honor at the Series Mania Forum, underscoring the country’s growing influence in the global television industry. With “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” poised to make a splash at the prestigious festival, CJ ENM is poised to continue its legacy of delivering compelling and innovative content to audiences worldwide.
