On June 16, actress Han Dong-hee sat down for an interview in Seoul’s Gangnam District following the conclusion of the TVING original series The Legend of Kitchen Soldier.
In the drama, Han Dong-hee played Lieutenant Jo Ye-rin, the commander of Gangrim Outpost, who remains true to her principles despite organized attempts to cover up the truth. Her steady performance helped anchor the series. Since much of the drama consisted of comedy and fantasy elements, Han Dong-hee was asked whether she found it difficult to maintain a serious tone throughout the series.
She explained: “The hardest part was that my character was the most realistic one and was responsible for investigating the incidents. Toward the end, I realized my character served as a bridge that brought everyone together. While filming, I sometimes questioned my own performance because it felt like I was operating in a different genre from everyone else. But one of the drama’s strengths is how all the characters grow and eventually unite. In the end, it blended together well.”
Han Dong-hee revealed that many cast members frequently made her laugh during filming. She said actor Lee Hong-nae, who played Yoon Dong-hyun, had his own unique comedic rhythm, while Park Ji-hoon brought a different kind of innocent humor to the set. She also praised veteran actors Jung Woong-in and Ahn Gil-kang for their cheerful personalities.
Han Dong-hee added that Lee Sang-yi, who attended the same university as her, provided a sense of comfort and belonging on set. “Everyone treated me kindly, but I especially received a lot of help from Sang-yi. I never expected him to appear so much considering it was supposed to be a special appearance. His larger role made the show even more fun and helped everyone become closer.”
Han Dong-hee reserved particular praise for Park Ji-hoon, who led the series as its central character. “Among the five main cast members, I’m technically the least experienced. One thing I learned from Ji-hoon was his attitude on set. He has a playful side, but he’s incredibly sincere and serious when it comes to his work.” She continued: “The drama had fantasy elements, cooking scenes, and Sung-jae encountered many different characters. He had a huge amount of dialogue, yet he approached everything with complete sincerity. I really respected that. Even when he wasn’t filming, he was almost always there giving energy to everyone.”
One of the most talked-about moments in the series involved Park Ji-hoon’s extreme transformations, including wrapping himself in seaweed and dressing up as an elderly woman.
When asked which transformation surprised her the most, Han Dong-hee laughed and recalled the seaweed soup scene. “I was shocked by the seaweed scene. I knew it was Ji-hoon, but he was so dark that I kept staring and wondering, ‘Who is that?'” She added: “Both Ji-hoon and Jung Woong-in looked amazing in that scene.” Han Dong-hee also singled out a parody of Do You Know by Jo Sung-mo, featuring Kyung-ho, Ra Mi-ran, and Lee Hong-nae, saying she watched it with admiration.
Ahead of the drama’s release, Park Ji-hoon’s film The King’s Warden surpassed 16 million moviegoers, drawing additional attention to The Legend of Kitchen Soldier.
Asked whether the drama benefited from the film’s popularity, Han Dong-hee responded modestly: “Even if the film brought attention, it wouldn’t have mattered if our drama hadn’t turned out well. I think both projects helped each other because they were successful in their own ways.”
She also dismissed suggestions that Park Ji-hoon had become distant following the film’s massive success. “Some people joked that Ji-hoon seemed distant because he had become a king on screen, but honestly, I never felt that way. He acted exactly the same as always, and so did I. Nothing really changed.”
Looking back on her performance, Han Dong-hee admitted she still sees room for improvement. “Whenever I watch myself, I think about things I could have done differently. But this project taught me how important chemistry between actors really is.” She added that she hopes to pursue more lighthearted and comedic roles in the future.
Han Dong-hee also expressed enthusiasm for a potential second season. “If the same cast returns, I wouldn’t hesitate to join.” She revealed that the cast even joked about Lee Hong-nae’s character Yoon Dong-hyun becoming a non-commissioned officer in the future.
With strong cast chemistry and growing fan support, Han Dong-hee’s comments have only fueled anticipation for a possible second season of The Legend of Kitchen Soldier.
Sources: Daum | 뉴스엔
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