The Legend of Kitchen Soldier (취사병 전설이 되다)

THE LEGEND OF KITCHEN SOLDIER

It feels so strange now that it's time to leave.

Corporal Joo Sang-uk, you have to keep in touch.

It's not like I'm going far. We'll probably run into each other.

And you better not ignore me, treating me like some old man.

An old man?

- Barracks 1, at ease! - Salute!

Yes, I got it. Is all your stuff packed?

- Yes, we're all set. - Yes, sir.

- The transport's here, so let's go. - Yes, sir.

I wonder if Sergeant Yoon Dong-hyun and Seong-jae are doing okay.

I'm not sure about Sergeant Yoon Dong-hyun

but I'm sure Seong-jae is doing just fine.

Right? He'll do great.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

BARRACKS 1, KANG SEONG-JAE.

BARRACKS 1

A HEARTY MEAL IS THE START OF CAMARADERIE

FOOD WASTE TRAFFIC LIGHT

And Ganglim Outpost, 4th Company, 1st Battalion is

tied for first place! Congratulations!

- My goodness. - What?

- We won! We did it! - Yes!

We did it!

GANGLIM OUTPOST SHUTDOWN

So why isn't the Quest complete?

It was an incredibly difficult decision.

Both teams presented wonderful dishes

and while the Officers' Mess's score was slightly higher

because it was more suitable for military meals

the Ganglim Outpost received bonus points

resulting in a tie between the two teams.

So, after a discussion among the judges

we've decided to hold a final one-on-one showdown

to determine the ultimate winner.

Hero. You have failed to complete the Quest.

All skills and recipes will disappear.

The Chef's Path will now end.

Since it's a tie for first place

it looks like we'll have one more round.

But hey, what does it matter? Who are we?

- We're Ganglim, aren't we? - Ganglim Outpost!

Let's take this all the way and win the whole thing!

- Are you okay? - Yes, I'm fine.

- You're not hurt, right? - No.

All right, this competition isn't a team battle. It's an individual one.

A one-on-one showdown.

What?

One representative soldier from each team

- will have 50 minutes to complete a dish. - A representative?

Seong-jae, get ready. You got this!

Let's make sure we win this time.

- Representatives. - Show them what you got.

Please step forward!

Come on, walk tall. Go!

FINAL EPISODE

Private First Class Kang Seong-jae.

That was a dramatic tie. How are you feeling right now?

Private First Class Kang Seong-jae?

Hey, what's with him?

I know. He suddenly zoned out.

Private First Class Kang Seong-jae.

- Private First Class Kang Seong-jae. - How are you feeling right now?

Well...

The thing is...

I think I need to think a little more about what would be good to make.

Oh, okay. I understand.

- Corporal Lee Ho-yeong. - Corporal Lee Ho-yeong.

Did you anticipate a rematch?

I made a few small mistakes

so I don't think I was able to perform at 100%.

I'll focus more on the individual match

and ensure that I come out the winner.

It seems the defending champion is left with some regrets, as expected.

Okay, then, we will now announce the mission for the tiebreaker.

This mission

is to develop a new special meal.

This time, with no budget limit, you are to create one special meal.

My mouth is already watering thinking about what dishes we'll see.

We'll take a short break to get set up

then we'll start the competition right away.

Every day, as I'd follow the status window

complete Quests, gain Experience Points

and level up.

For the first time, I felt certain I could actually accomplish something.

Stir-fry the beef with sesame oil.

Use vinegar to eliminate the odor from the old rice.

Add water to lower the salinity.

Add Cheongyang chili peppers for some kick.

When using the Rose-Knife item

your cooking grade increases by half a star.

Perfectly grilled pork belly. Three stars.

What can I do without my status window?

Whether it's cooking or standing guard at the Outpost...

Right now, I can't do anything.

Seong-jae, are you okay? What's with you all of a sudden?

- It's nothing. - Come on.

Hey. Tying for first is a huge accomplishment.

We gave it our all, right?

But...

- I feel it's all meaningless now. - Hey, Kang Seong-jae.

What, you think it's all over? It's not over.

- Just start over, that's all. - He's right.

Let's plan the menu again. Since it's a special meal

what about something like ginseng chicken soup?

That sounds great. What about grilled eel over rice?

We could really bring out that smoky flavor.

Smoky sounds good. Hey, what about

that smoky-flavored chicken you made before?

Kang Seong-jae. You got anything you want to make?

Just...

- I just want to do well. - What?

You're already doing great. What? All of a sudden...

What's gotten into you?

In just a moment, we'll begin the second round

to decide our winning team.

We ask all participating teams to please make your way to the event area.

Seong-jae.

Don't get hung up on the results.

For this last one, without any regrets.

I hope you'll make the dish you really want to make.

And just trust yourself. You'll be fine.

We have a wide variety of ingredients prepared for you here.

Choose from the ingredients we have here

and create your own special meal.

We will now begin the final one-on-one showdown.

- Hey, Kang Seong-jae, let's go! - Hey, Seong-jae, we're here with you!

My mind is a complete blank.

I have no idea what I should cook.

Can I even cook without the status window?

29TH DIVISION COOKING COMPETITION

Is he going to stare at the ingredients all day?

Time's really flying by.

It looks like Corporal Lee Ho-yeong

is already set to start cooking.

- Grade A onion from Muan. - Glossy surface, substantial weight.

And that pungent aroma that hits your nose.

These are the things I perceived with my own senses every day.

Even though the status window is gone.

I might've known it all along.

A fresh, sweet smell, just the right firmness

and golden skin.

This is it.

If you press it firmly like this...

See how it springs right back up?

This is the sign of fresh meat.

- Grade S domestic pork. - Put your nose right up to it.

And give it a good sniff.

You'll smell a savory, nutty aroma, not a gamey one.

DOMESTIC GRADE C EGGS

Domestic Grade C eggs.

- What are you doing? - Oh, gosh.

The eggs seemed a bit off, so I was shaking one.

I think I can hear it sloshing.

What I need isn't some amazing recipe.

What dish do I want to eat most right now?

The knife I've held every day feels unfamiliar.

It feels unusually heavy, and the blade feels dull.

This is so different from just a few minutes ago.

What is he doing?

There are no guidelines.

No dotted lines or angle markers. I can't see any of them.

Corporal Lee Ho-yeong's knife skills are savage.

Just look at that speed! He's so fast.

And precise.

Corporal Lee Ho-yeong. You can afford to take it easy.

You could probably win with just your left hand.

Kang Seong-jae! Don't worry! Just do what you always do.

- Cooking is all about heart! Heart! - It's not even a match.

- Go, Ganglim. - Go!

Just like I always do.

Stay calm.

- Kang Seong-jae's luck is running out. - Right.

So now even you won't help me.

A HEARTY MEAL IS THE START OF CAMARADERIE

You have completed the daily quest.

Your knife skill proficiency has increased.

All the countless cuts I've made until now.

I have to remember the feeling from those times.

Let's go!

All right, 30 minutes left.

He's doing pretty well, even though that's not his usual knife.

Only bad cooks blame their gear.

Like me. You got this!

- 30 minutes is plenty of time. - Totally.

I made rice every day

but now I hesitate over every little thing.

To make delicious rice

is the most difficult thing of all.

I'm only just now realizing that.

Dad.

Seong-jae, do you know why rice is so important?

No.

It's because rice brings all the side dishes together.

No matter how good the side dishes are, they feel incomplete without rice.

You shouldn't wash the rice so roughly.

You'll hurt it.

Like this.

Gently now. Let it slip through your fingers.

Let it slip through your fingers. Like this.