[Press Release] CJ ENM and the Korean Cultural Centre UK Successfully Host Exclusive Screening of "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier" in London

Leading entertainment company CJ ENM and the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) successfully co-hosted an exclusive special screening event of "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier" on May 28 in London.
 
Marking the first collaborative event between CJ ENM and KCCUK in London, the screening was a major success. The event saw overwhelming demand, as registration numbers soared to four imes initial expectations. The audience was a vibrant mix of key industry executives, media professionals, and avid K-content fans.
 
The audience enjoyed watching "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier" together on the large screen, showing great interest in the unique military background and Korean food culture. Elements like the "kitchen soldier" lifestyle, military dining scenes, and authentic culinary expressions felt fresh to the viewers, who praised the series for providing a natural glimpse into Korean society and everyday life.
 
Following the screening, Diane Min, Head of Europe Sales at CJ ENM, led an in-depth Q&A session with the audience and media. The discussion focused on the global expansion potential of Korean webtoon-based IPs, recent shifts in the global content market, and the rapidly growing appreciation for distinctly Korean backgrounds and sentiments.
The conversation also highlighted how original content from Korean streaming platforms is expanding its global audience reach through international distribution partnerships. Attendees eagerly asked questions about the production process and the broader K-drama industry, leading to a passionate conversation.

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Alongside the screening, a specially curated "Korean Food-Themed Reception" was held, where attendees experienced Korean food culture firsthand through refreshments inspired by the drama's culinary themes. In tandem with this cultural experience, Rakuten Viki added a highlight to the evening by distributing free 1 month subscription vouchers to the audience, providing a seamless transition for viewers to immediately continue binging the full series on Viki.
 
This collaboration highlights the growing global footprint of K-content, proving that Korean dramas can deeply resonate with UK audiences. By combining CJ ENM's premium content with KCCUK's cultural network, the event established a powerful precedent for future K-content promotions in Europe.

Produced by Studio Dragon as a TVING Original, "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier" stars Park Jihoon and Yoon Kyung-ho. The genre-bending comedy-fantasy series follows Kang Seong-jae (Park Jihoon), a plastic-spoon man who enlists in the military to escape a harsh reality, only to encounter a mysterious virtual "quest" guiding him to become a legendary kitchen soldier. With each quest he clears, he uncovers the unit's hidden issues through this cooking skills.
 
Regarding the success of the event, Hyo-keon Park, Director of KCCUK, said: "As webtoon-based K-dramas continue to expand into global markets in increasingly diverse ways, this event provided a meaningful opportunity to share aspects of Korean everyday culture and emotional sensibilities through the medium of content. Through programmes such as this, KCCUK will continue to introduce the cultural value and creative potential of Korean content to broader audiences".
 
Diane Min, Head of Europe Sales at CJ ENM, added:
"We are thrilled by the incredible response from the London audience. Seeing industry peers and fans come together to laugh and connect with "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier" reaffirms the universal appeal of our stories. This is just the beginning of our journey to bring more diverse, high-quality K-content to the UK market".

As a TVING Original, "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier" continues to expand its global audience footprint beyond Korea through strategic international distribution partnerships.
Meanwhile, "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier" is currently available on Rakuten Viki, via the TVING Collection on Disney+ Japan, as well as on HBO Max across 17 countries and regions in Asia Pacific.