South Korean entertainment company CJ ENM presented the world premiere of The Legend of Kitchen Soldier to international buyers and industry professionals at the Series Mania festival in Lille. The title marks the only Korean series selected for screening at this year’s event, reflecting the company’s ongoing strategy to distribute its local scripted formats in the global marketplace.
Produced by Studio Dragon and commissioned as a TVING Original, the comedy-fantasy series follows a ‘plastic-spoon’ recruit—a cultural term denoting an individual from a low-income background—who enlists in the military. The plot centers on his trajectory as an army cook who uses his culinary assignments to uncover hidden issues within his unit. The first two episodes of the series were screened at the UGC Ciné Cité Lille venue for festival delegates, with initial attendee feedback noting the show’s specific blend of comedy and its regimented military setting. The project is currently scheduled for a commercial launch in the first half of 2026.
Addressing the festival screening, the production team indicated that the project aims to explore narratives surrounding food and interpersonal dynamics within a strictly hierarchical environment, using the European market to introduce the format to international audiences. Sebastian Kim, Head of CJ ENM’s Content Distribution Business Unit, stated that the company is utilizing the Series Mania platform to present distinctive narratives with potential for cross-border resonance. Kim added that CJ ENM intends to leverage its international distribution network to position the title across multiple streaming platforms and television channels worldwide.
