'Wangsa-nam' and 'Mess Cook' Both Blockbusters... Park Ji-hoon Becomes a Real 'Legend' [Official]

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Ji-hoon, formerly of the group Wanna One, has become a true 'legend' after becoming a 'ten-million-viewer actor' and seeing his 'Mess Cook' project become a massive hit.

In the second episode of the OTT Tving original 'Mess Cook Legend' (screenplay by Choi Ryong, directed by Jo Nam-hyung), released on the 12th, an intriguing narrative unfolded in which Kang Seong-jae (played by Park Ji-hoon) faced obstacles in his life as a mess cook due to the whims of Company Commander Hwang Seok-ho (played by Lee Sang), who prioritizes only his own well-being.

According to Tving on the 13th, 'Mess Cook Legend' ranked first overall in Tving paid subscription contributions during the two days since episodes 1 and 2 were released. Additionally, the viewership ratings for episode 2 on tvN showed an upward trend, averaging 6.2% and peaking at 7.6% for households nationwide, and averaging 6.7% with a peak of 7.9% for households in the Seoul metropolitan area, securing first place in the same time slot across all channels, including cable and general entertainment channels nationwide, and all channels including terrestrial broadcasters in the Seoul metropolitan area. The 2049 male and female viewership targeted by tvN also ranked first in the same time slot across all channels including terrestrial broadcasters (based on paid platforms integrating cable, IPTV, and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea).

In episode 2, Kang Seong-jae, who had faced an extreme crisis after sending Company Commander Baek Chun-ik (played by Jung Woong-in) to the emergency room with sea urchin seaweed soup he had cooked, was able to breathe a sigh of relief when it was revealed that the cause was Baek Chun-ik's sesame allergy. However, having gained the new skill 'Affinity Check' as a reward for completing his first dish, Kang Seong-jae discovered that the troops' unfavorable sentiment toward him was unusually high because he had caused a commotion in the unit.

As the first step taken ambitiously as a mess cook returned with an unexpected result, another challenge came to Kang Seong-jae. A former quest suddenly appeared, placing him in a situation where he must succeed in various missions within 72 hours to continue 'Yolisa's Path,' which allows him to use various skills. In particular, one of the mission items was 'Achieve an affinity of 50 or higher with Captain Hwang Seok-ho,' increasing Kang Seong-jae's burden.

To make matters worse, Hwang Seok-ho even proposed another position to Kang Seong-jae. This was because Hwang Seok-ho, who values a smooth military life above all else, found Kang Seong-jae, whose path could go anywhere, to be a burdensome presence. As Kang Seong-jae reacted with bewilderment, Hwang Seok-ho even connected him to military life counseling, subtly pushing his own intentions.

However, after the counseling, Kang Seong-jae instead recalled his father, who had run a restaurant, and began to think again about his life as a mess cook. The first to notice Kang Seong-jae's change was Sergeant Yoon Dong-hyun (played by Lee Hong-nae), the senior mess cook, who expressed his opinion to Platoon Leader Jo Ye-rin (played by Han Dong-hee), asking that Kang Seong-jae be kept as a mess cook. Kang Seong-jae also poured out his sincere desire to remain a mess cook to Yoon Dong-hyun.

Afterward, the two mess cooks decided to persuade Hwang Seok-ho with food. Recalling his father's words, "Delicious food made with sincerity can move people's hearts," Kang Seong-jae decided to try to win over Hwang Seok-ho with pork cutlet, a dish added to the status window recipe that anyone in South Korea would love, and under Yoon Dong-hyun's assistance, he began serious cooking, imbued with his will to remain a mess cook.

The completed pork cutlet had a mouth-watering visual that made one salivate just by looking at it, raising expectations for success. However, Hwang Seok-ho revealed an unexpected twist in his taste, saying, "I, Hwang Seok-ho, don't really like pork cutlet," and in the end, Kang Seong-jae had to turn back with a dejected expression. At the same time, a notification of the former quest failure appeared, adding to the regret.

Episode 2 of 'Mess Cook Legend' ended with a scene of someone lying down on a dark beach, foreshadowing that another incident would strike Gangnim Platoon. It remains to be seen what will happen at Gangnim Platoon and what will become of Kang Seong-jae's future.

Park Ji-hoon's future can be confirmed in episode 3 of 'Mess Cook Legend,' which will be released simultaneously on Tving and tvN at 8:50 p.m. on the 18th.

Meanwhile, Park Ji-hoon became a 'ten-million-viewer actor' with his debut leading role in the film 'The Man Who Lives with the King.' This film mobilized 16.84 million viewers, achieving second place among all-time box office hits.

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*This content was translated by AI.