[SC Zoom] "Look at his eyes, he is not Danjong" ... Park Ji-hoon proves he can do it all, from 'The King's Warden' to 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier'

[Sportschosun Jo Ji-young reporter] Did all the energy in the universe gather around actor Park Ji-hoon? From the deeply moving historical drama 'The King's Warden' directed by Jang Hang-jun to the wildly comic drama 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' written by Choi Ryong and directed by Jo Nam-hyung, he once again proved his star power with a near-perfect run at the box office.

Park Ji-hoon delivered an emotional journey of self-reliance in the final episode of TVING Original 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,' which aired on the 16th, playing the lead role of Kang Seong-jae.

He portrayed Kang Seong-jae's confusion after the disappearance of the status window with layered acting. He also carefully traced the emotional arc of a growth-driven character who rises on his own strength, while moving viewers with a steady inner resolve even in the face of crisis.

In the story, Kang Seong-jae faced a crisis when the chef status window that granted him abilities disappeared ahead of the one-on-one final round of the Division Commander’s Military Meal Cooking Contest. In that moment, he recalled the feel of his own hands and his father's teachings, chose to push straight through, and completed a heartfelt dish inspired by home cooking.

The judges were moved, and Kang Seong-jae claimed a dramatic victory, preventing the platoon's closure. At the end of the broadcast, he received a new quest: "Become a kitchen soldier recognized in the officers' dining hall, the start of a legend." The series closed with an exciting finish that left a lasting impression.

Earlier this year, Park Ji-hoon captivated 16.89 million viewers with 'The King's Warden,' released in February, by fully embodying the tragic King Danjong of Joseon, who ascended the throne at age 12 as the sixth king of Joseon, was stripped of power by his uncle King Sejo, exiled to Cheongnyeongpo Cape, and died at 17. With his delicate emotional expression, deep gaze, and dense performance, Park became the film's box-office ace. Viewers praised him with comments such as, "Look at his eyes, he is Danjong," and the response quickly sparked a "Danjong syndrome," helping open the door to box-office success in theaters.

Park Ji-hoon's box-office momentum did not stop there. Known for his sorrowful emotional acting, he returned to the small screen with a comic performance unlike anything he had shown before, even embracing a deliberately unglamorous image and bringing fresh fun to viewers. In 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,' he gradually portrayed the character's growth from an awkward private to a skilled kitchen soldier, proving his range through stable emotional acting. Moving between fantasy and realistic performance, Park revealed a wide array of charms and established himself as a key force who lifted the original work's appeal by 200% with his raw energy and presence.

Above all, Park Ji-hoon's sharply contrasting expressions in 'The King's Warden' and 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' drew widespread praise. Viewers of 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' offered witty praise by parodying the earlier compliment that drew attention during 'The King's Warden' — "Look at his eyes, he is Danjong" — with the line, "Look at his eyes, he is not Danjong," applauding his limitless acting range.

In 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,' Park Ji-hoon erased the sorrowful tragic arc he had shown in his previous historical role and instead delivered thrilling catharsis to viewers with sparkling eyes as he fought to survive and grow in the harsh reality of military life.

With 'The King's Warden' and 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,' Park Ji-hoon has gone beyond the level of a simple idol-turned-actor and proven his presence as a leading actor who can determine the success or failure of an entire project. From an unusually heavy historical tragedy to a cheerful coming-of-age story, he has pushed both extremes of genre onto the path to success.

Park Ji-hoon continues to break genre boundaries and write new legends each time. As his box-office power, demonstrated through 'The King's Warden' and 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,' continues to grow, public and critical attention is focusing on how far he can go.

Reporter Jo Ji-young soulhn1220@sportschosun.com