[Sportschosun Kim Jun-seok reporter] Actor Kang Ha-kyung wrapped up the series on a high note, showing camaraderie worthy of a cooking contest champion.
In episodes 11 and the finale of the TVING original series The Legend of Kitchen Soldier, which aired on Monday, the 15th, and Tuesday, the 16th, Kang Ha-kyung brought depth to the story of Kim Gwan-cheol, who was proudly promoted to sergeant, and delivered a fitting finale.
In the episode, Kim Gwan-cheol joined Kang Seong-jae (Park Ji-hoon) and Yoon Dong-hyun (Lee Hong-nae) in a division-level military meal cooking contest. He initially drew a line, saying, "Can't you hear the sound of the platoon closing down? What kind of contest is this in a situation like this?" But in the end, he showed a hard exterior and a soft heart as he poured his passion into helping his comrades.
Meanwhile, Kim Gwan-cheol began intensive training for the contest with Kang Seong-jae and Yoon Dong-hyun. Along the way, he ran into obstacles, but he and Yoon Dong-hyun came up with tiramisu dessert as a solution to overcome the crisis. Kang Ha-kyung displayed perfect chemistry with Yoon Dong-hyun, bickering one moment and working in sync the next, while adding a witty presence that energized the drama.
In particular, Kang Ha-kyung's layered emotional performance raised the immersion to its peak. On the day of the long-awaited cooking contest, Kim Gwan-cheol showed nerves but still encouraged his teammates, saying, "Let's not get scared. We are not bad when we stick together." He was briefly intimidated by the opposing team's forceful knife work, but regained confidence through Kang Seong-jae's warm gaze and pushed through the crisis with strong camaraderie. In the end, Kim Gwan-cheol, Kang Seong-jae, and Yoon Dong-hyun completed a "seven-star dish" and won the contest after a fierce showdown.
Kang Ha-kyung also richly completed Kim Gwan-cheol's growth story after his promotion to sergeant. When Tak Mun-ik (Im Ji-ho) brought up discharge, Kim Gwan-cheol boasted in his signature style, saying, "Is it really okay for a private to talk about discharge without any sense of sportsmanship?" He then traded playful barbs with Yoon Dong-hyun right up until his discharge, showing their Tom and Jerry chemistry and delivering both laughs and warmth.
"This is the first project and character that have been loved by so many people, so I think I will never forget it for the rest of my life. I sincerely thank everyone for their interest and love," Kang Ha-kyung said in a heartfelt message about the series finale. "I hope our drama was a small resting place where you could pause and smile in the middle of your busy lives."
With this project, Kang Ha-kyung proved the full range of his acting, from playful comedy to deep emotional nuance, and anticipation is growing for his next move. Meanwhile, he is meeting audiences as Smerdyakov in the musical The Brothers Karamazov, and the production will continue at NOL Theater Daehakro Woori Investment & Securities Hall through September 6.
narusi@sportschosun.com
