CJ ENM holds London screening for The Legend of Kitchen Soldier

CJ ENM said it co-hosted a special London screening of 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' with the Korean Cultural Centre UK(KCCUK) on May 28, local time. The TVING original was written by Choi Ryong, directed by Jo Nam-hyung, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Studio Dragon and Studio N, and provided by TVING, according to the company.

According to CJ ENM, the event was its first official collaboration with KCCUK in London. Registrations exceeded the expected scale by 4 times, and CJ ENM said it expanded the available attendance capacity. European media representatives, content industry officials and global fans attended the screening, the company said.

CJ ENM said a Q&A session after the screening included questions about the drama's production background and directing approach. The company said audience members showed interest in the Korean military setting, Korean food in the drama and food culture, including the kitchen-soldier culture, meal scenes inside the unit and Korean food expressions.

Diane Min, Head of Europe Content Sales at CJ ENM, led the Q&A session, according to the company. CJ ENM said the discussion covered the global expansion potential of Korean webtoon-based IP, changes in the global content market and the rapidly widening acceptance of Korean backdrops and sentiment. The session also addressed how Korean OTT original content is broadening overseas audience contact points through global platform partnerships.

A Korean food-themed reception was also held, CJ ENM said. Attendees sampled refreshments inspired by menu items in the drama, while Rakuten Viki free subscription vouchers and other benefits were provided so local fans who watched episode 1 at the screening could continue with the full series.

CJ ENM described the event as showing that K-content's influence is forming common ground in European markets, including the UK, beyond Asia and North America. The company also said the combination of CJ ENM's content capabilities and KCCUK's local cultural network left an example for future K-content promotions in Europe.

Hyo-keon Park, Director of KCCUK, said, 'As webtoon-based K-dramas are expanding in global markets in various ways, this event was a meaningful setting where Korean everyday culture and sentiment could be shared naturally with UK audiences through content.' Park added, 'KCCUK will continue to introduce the cultural value and expansion potential of Korean content through various events.'

Min said, 'Watching London audiences immerse themselves in The Legend of Kitchen Soldier reaffirmed for me the universal strength of our storytelling.' CJ ENM said the Studio Dragon-produced TVING original stars Park Ji-hoon and Yun Kyung-ho and follows Private Kang Seong-jae, played by Park Ji-hoon, as he becomes a 'legendary kitchen soldier' through mysterious cooking quests after joining the military. The company said the series is meeting global audiences through Rakuten Viki, Disney+ Japan's TVING Collection and HBO Max in 17 Asia-Pacific countries.