- In partnership with CJ ENM, the event highlights growing UK interest in Korean storytelling and food culture through K-dramas

29 May 2026 — The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK), in partnership with CJ ENM, hosted a special screening and discussion programme for the K-drama The Legend of Kitchen Soldier on Thursday, 28 May.

The event attracted strong interest soon after registration opened, with applications exceeding the venue’s original capacity by more than three times. In response,  KCCUK increased the number of available seats, reflecting the continued public interest in Korean content and culture.

The screening brought together industry professionals, local media and K-content enthusiasts, many of whom expressed particular interest in the drama’s portrayal of Korean military life and food culture.

Produced by Studio Dragon as a TVING original series, The Legend of Kitchen Soldier combines military life and food culture in a humorous yet grounded narrative. The series is available in the UK through Rakuten Viki.

The story follows Kang Seong-jae, a young man from an underprivileged background who enlists in the army in search of a new beginning, only to encounter a mysterious virtual “quest” system that sets him on an unexpected path to becoming a legendary military cook. Set across kitchens, barracks and training grounds, the series explores the routines, relationships and humour of military life in Korea through a series of unpredictable missions.

Scenes centred around military catering, communal meals and distinctly Korean culinary references were met with curiosity and enthusiasm. Attendees noted that the series offered an accessible glimpse into aspects of contemporary Korean society and everyday life.

Following the screening, Diane Min, Head of European Content Sales at CJ ENM, joined a special talk session discussing the global potential of Korean webtoon-based intellectual property and recent developments in the international K-drama market.

The discussion highlighted how The Legend of Kitchen Soldier introduces culturally specific themes — including Korean military and food culture — in ways that invite broader cultural curiosity. Speakers also noted growing international interest in stories set in Korea and grounded in emotional experiences.

During the Q&A session, attendees discussed the production process behind the series and the wider K-drama industry.

A Korean food-themed reception accompanied the event, offering guests an opportunity to experience dishes inspired by the drama and engage further with Korean food culture.

Regarding the success of the event, Hyo-keon Park, Director of KCCUK, said: “As webtoon-based K-dramas continue to expand into global markets in increasingly diverse ways, this event provided a meaningful opportunity to share aspects of Korean everyday culture and emotional sensibilities through the medium of content. Through programmes such as this, the KCCUK will continue to introduce the cultural value and creative potential of Korean content to broader audiences.”

Diane Min, Head of Europe Sales at CJ ENM, added, “We are thrilled by the incredible response from attendees in London. Seeing industry peers and fans come together to laugh and connect with The Legend of Kitchen Soldier reaffirms the universal appeal of our stories. This is just the beginning of our journey to bring more diverse, high-quality K-content to the UK market.”

KCCUK plans to continue expanding cultural exchange between Korea and the UK through collaborations with local partner organisations and global content companies, introducing Korean content across drama, film, webtoon and other creative sectors.

For more details, please visit https://kccuk.org.uk