[Sportschosun reporter Jo Ji-young] Actor Lee Hong-nae, 36, said, "I wanted to work as Migak Boys' Dam-baek Dong-hyeon, but I gave up."
In an interview on the afternoon of the 18th for the TVING original series 'The Legend of the Military Cook' (written by Choi Ryong, directed by Jo Nam-hyung), Lee Hong-nae shared his thoughts on working with Park Ji-hoon, who plays cook Kang Seong-jae; Yoon Kyung-ho, who plays Administrative Supply Sergeant Park Jae-young; and Lee Sang-yi, who plays Captain Hwang Seok-ho, a career-minded officer, while portraying Sergeant Yoon Dong-hyun, the cook at Kangrim Platoon who is about to be discharged.
Lee Hong-nae laughed as he spoke about Park Ji-hoon. "When I first read the script, I thought the most important part of Yoon Dong-hyun was his meeting with Kang Seong-jae, and how he changes after that. So I decided to become a reliable helper and a tall guardian for Kang Seong-jae as he becomes a cook. I went into filming thinking, 'I should help Park Ji-hoon act well,' but in reality, it turned out the other way around."
He added, "I actually received a lot of help from Park Ji-hoon. Yoon Dong-hyun is a character whose actions are a little exaggerated and has comedic elements, so he could easily have come across as over the top. But it was Park Ji-hoon as Kang Seong-jae who convinced viewers not to see him that way. It was thanks to Kang Seong-jae's delicate performance. On the other hand, I also wondered whether all the actors could have been so loved if it weren't for Park Ji-hoon. We went through all of this together, and he was a friend with so much to learn from. I tried hard to help Park Ji-hoon in my own way, but I don't mean to be modest when I say I really don't think I helped him much. Park Ji-hoon is like a bamboo stalk standing straight and true. If I ever get the chance to share my honest feelings, I would like to tell him, 'Thanks to you, I was able to create the character of Yoon Dong-hyun.'"
He also expressed admiration for Migak Boys, who drew a lot of attention in 'The Legend of the Military Cook' — Kang Ha-gyeong, Im Ji-ho, Lee Sang-jun, Im Ji-ho, and Kang Jun-gyu. "I don't have any idol charm at all, but watching Migak Boys made me think they were truly amazing. I watched that segment clapping along. They were all disciplined, yet they brought out the key points so precisely. It's not easy to find that kind of idol-like presence, but they all did such a great job," he said.
He continued, "I also want to join as 'Dam-baek Dong-hyeon.' I would love to blend in with Migak Boys as Dam-baek Dong-hyeon, but looking at the result, I know I would just end up stumbling on my own, so I'll just keep it in my heart. I thought they were incredible, and I wanted to applaud them. At the same time, I wanted to do it too, but it was probably a good thing I didn't. Another thing I felt while filming with Lee Sang-yi is that he is truly versatile. He sings so well and dances well too. Just being around him brightens the atmosphere. I think the Migak Boys scenes came alive because Sang-yi was there. When I first read the script, Captain Hwang Seok-ho was less lovable than he is now. But because Lee Sang-yi played him, he became a character who is annoying yet lovable. The energy Lee Sang-yi brings naturally blended into the drama, and that is probably why Migak Boys turned out so well."
Based on the popular WEBTOON of the same name by writer J Robin, 'The Legend of the Military Cook' is a military cooking fantasy drama that follows a private who swaps a knife for a rifle and an apron for a cartridge belt as he transforms into a legendary military cook. The series stars Park Ji-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Han Dong-hee, Lee Hong-nae, and Lee Sang-yi. It was written by Choi Ryong, who also wrote 'Chairman Is at Level 9,' 'My F***ing 20s,' and 'Dokgo-bin Is Updating,' and directed by Jo Nam-hyung, who helmed 'Superior Day.'
Jo Ji-young, Sportschosun
