Korean Chef Drama Hits Record 9.1% Ratings

The TVING original drama is gaining popularity, breaking its own viewership records with each episode. In episode 4, released simultaneously on TVING and tvN on the 18th (Monday), cook soldier Kang Sung-jae (played by Park Ji-hoon) succeeded in captivating the palates of National Assembly members and executives, leading to discussions about him being transferred to the executive dining hall. He also received a request for an interview with Kookbang TV, emerging as the biggest star at the Kangrim Barracks.

As a result, ranked first overall in contributing to paid subscriptions on TVING for the two days following the release of episodes 3 and 4. Episode 4, broadcast on tvN, recorded an average viewership rating of 7.9% and a peak of 9.1% nationwide, securing first place in its time slot across all channels, including terrestrial broadcasters. In the Seoul metropolitan area, it recorded an average of 8.3% and a peak of 9.9%, and the tvN target demographic of men and women aged 20-49 also ranked first in its time slot. Furthermore, Park Ji-hoon took first place in the TV-OTT integrated drama cast buzzworthiness category for the second week of May, according to Good Data Corporation's FUNdex, and the drama itself also ranked first in the OTT original buzzworthiness category, proving its immense popularity.

Episode 4 depicted Kang Sung-jae collapsing in the kitchen and waking up in a mysterious space, where he was reunited with his deceased chef father. His father advised him that he could become a true chef through hands-on experience rather than relying solely on skills. After meeting his father, Kang Sung-jae consumed "Resurrection Seaweed Soup" and gained an opportunity to reconnect. Waking up in the infirmary, Kang Sung-jae heard news that his painstakingly prepared "Pomodoro Pollock Fillet Stew" had been praised by National Assembly members and executives as a "rice thief."

Kang Sung-jae's success led to a company dinner for the soldiers at Kangrim Barracks. At the dinner, Kang Sung-jae perfectly grilled the meat, maximizing the soldiers' satisfaction. Sergeant Yoon Dong-hyun (played by Lee Hong-nae) expressed his concern, saying, "Aren't you going to be transferred to the executive dining hall at this rate?" In fact, Battalion Commander Baek Chun-ik (played by Jung Woong-in) expressed his desire to transfer Kang Sung-jae to the executive dining hall. However, Barracks Commander Jo Ye-rin (played by Han Dong-hee) opposed the idea, stating that it was too soon to transfer Kang Sung-jae when the soldiers' dining hall was just starting to find its footing.

Meanwhile, Kang Sung-jae faced a new challenge when problems, such as incorrect origin labeling, were discovered in the ingredients supplied to Kangrim Barracks. Kang Sung-jae was perplexed upon seeing the poor-quality ingredients, and Jo Ye-rin also couldn't hide her surprise. Although Jo Ye-rin strongly responded that she would report it to her superiors, the supplier's owner showed an indifferent attitude, creating a suspicious atmosphere.