'Cooking Soldier' follows the journey of Private Kang Sung-jae, who overcomes the challenges of military life through cooking, ultimately becoming a legendary cook. Lim Ji-ho brought to life the character of Tak Moon-ik, infusing him with a blend of charm and humanity that energized the show. By shedding the persona of his previous roles, he expanded his acting range.
"I watched the final episode with the 'Cooking Soldier' team. We all gathered and said, 'It turned out so well.' When the broadcast ended, it finally hit me. I felt it would remain a good memory. The director got emotional while sharing his final thoughts. It truly felt like a farewell, and I think we did it well," he said.
When he first received the script, Lim found it unique. The blend of 'cooking' and 'chaos' was evident in the writing.
"When I first got the script, I thought it was unusual. The vibe of 'cooking chaos' was embedded in the text. I wondered, 'Are they really making this into a drama?' But I believed there would be viewers who wanted this kind of show. I had some expectations, but looking back, it seems like a lot of factors contributed to its success, including memes that emerged from it, similar to 'The King: Eternal Monarch' and 'Excuse Me,' which helped it achieve good results."
Lim Ji-ho's collaboration with director Jo Nam-hyung began during 'Tale of Nokdu 1938.' He had requested an audition opportunity from the director, and about three months later, he received the script for Tak Moon-ik.
"I contacted the director as soon as I heard about the 'Cooking Soldier' audition. He said, 'I understand. Please wait a moment,' but I didn’t hear back for three months. Later, I found out he had forgotten to reach out. I think he was concerned about whether I could fit a character after playing the sharp character Akira in my previous role. At that time, the roles of Dong-hyun and Moon-ik were available, and he suggested we meet. He felt that Moon-ik suited me better, so I auditioned for that role."
As Tak Moon-ik, who often delivers information within the unit, Lim had many lines that could easily sound like exposition. He added rhythm and pace to his dialogue, ensuring the scenes flowed smoothly and received praise for delivering lengthy lines without dragging.
"Since there were many lines, I thought there should be a bouncy feeling. If the tone drops too much, it doesn’t resonate clearly. I believe the key lines should be emphasized to make them enjoyable to listen to, so I focused on tone and tempo. The most important thing was that the lines needed to be clear without clashing with the character."
Director Jo Nam-hyung's specific direction helped translate exaggerated settings into real scenes. He explained the tempo and emotions of the scenes and sometimes demonstrated the acting himself.
"The director explained how each scene should feel and what the tempo should be. He had a clear vision, and when he demonstrated, he would often feel shy afterward, saying, 'You are the actors.' He would then leave it to us. His detailed guidance allowed us to act without fear."
Lim's real-life military experience directly influenced his portrayal of Tak Moon-ik. As a former administrative soldier, he understood the dynamics and reactions of soldiers based on their ranks and service periods.
"One of the audition questions was, 'Have you served in the military?' There are many details that are not immediately visible on screen. Soldiers are not just categorized as private, corporal, or sergeant; there are specifics like how many stripes they have and whether they are early or late in their service. Even minor actors have ranks and years of service, so when the camera rolls, they react accordingly."
"Since I was an administrative soldier, I had firsthand experience with those relationships. I thought Moon-ik would likely have an overwhelming workload, signing off on documents and handling intranet approvals. When acting, I tried to incorporate details, like making hand gestures as if I were constantly changing something on a monitor, even if nothing was displayed."
Regarding his co-star Park Ji-hoon, who played Kang Sung-jae, Lim described him as an actor who is always willing to try new things. He noted that Ji-hoon's adaptability made their characters in 'The King: Eternal Monarch' and 'Cooking Soldier' appear distinctly different.
"I think Ji-hoon is a wonderful actor. He never says no. Whatever suggestion comes his way, he immediately responds with, 'I’ll give it a try.' I believe that quality helped differentiate his portrayal of the crown prince in 'The King: Eternal Monarch' and Sung-jae in 'Cooking Soldier.' His ability to absorb new ideas is remarkable."
Having spent considerable time as Tak Moon-ik, Lim expressed a special fondness for his co-star Yoon Kyung-ho, who played Park Jae-young. He mentioned learning about 'attitude' from Yoon and envisioned him as a role model.
"Everyone was amazed by Kyung-ho. From the first reading, his ideas and thoughts about the scenes were exceptional. I believe he would create really interesting works if he directed. He also takes great care of the younger actors. He would suggest to the director, 'This line is mine, but what if I say it with this friend?' and he frequently mentioned the supporting cast. He was not only a great actor but also an outstanding senior. He inspired me to think, 'I want my future to be like that' and 'I should act like that.'"
Reflecting on his past roles, Lim noted that Tak Moon-ik is the character closest to his true self.
"People around me said, 'This is the first character where your true self shows.' I was surprised and thought, 'Is that really me?' They said my playful side resembles him. A friend I’ve acted with since my senior year in high school also said he liked it. I realized, 'I am like that in front of my friends.' I think Moon-ik is one aspect of who I am."
Lim's experience with the 'Taste Boys,' which has been praised as the pinnacle of 'cooking chaos,' provided him with unforgettable moments. The group, which debuted like an idol group, evaluated Kang Sung-jae's cooking and even made it to Mnet's 'M Countdown' due to their popularity.
"The process of shooting the music video and performing on stage was not clear from the start. While the director had some vision, we were uncertain. As it progressed, we received song samples, and I heard the choreography was revised six to seven times. Real idol music composers worked on it, and we each chose songs we liked from the candidates. We didn’t initially think about performing on 'M Countdown,' but I felt that if we looked awkward, it would be meaningless, so I practiced with pressure."
The 'Taste Boys' engaged in activities similar to real idols, including music broadcasts and relay dances. Lim reflected on this unique experience as an actor.
"After filming the relay dance, it felt like I was debuting and retiring at the same time. Tving even prepared a cake for us and treated us like idols while we filmed the challenge. I don’t think I’ll have another opportunity like this. Lim Ji-ho won’t suddenly become a hit with an OST and start an idol persona like 'Sweet Moon-ik.' Haha. I think the reason I act is to experience things I wouldn’t normally get to do in life through my work."
Having bid farewell to Tak Moon-ik, Lim expressed a desire to erase that character's image in his next project. Rather than predefining a specific character, he aims to showcase different aspects of himself within the roles he is given, aspiring to consistently leave a mark with at least one project each year.
"Since I played Moon-ik, I want to take on a role in my next project that won’t remind people of him. I don’t think of myself as an actor who predefines characters. I need to work hard in auditions and take on the roles I’m given, so I’m constantly contemplating the direction I should take. I hope to be an actor who leaves the impression of, 'Oh? Was that person the same as that one?' I want to show at least one project a year, whether it’s on stage, in film, or in a drama. I aim to showcase about 50 works in total and strive to be an actor who continues to challenge myself."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.