Where You’ve Seen the ‘My Flavor Boys’ Cast From 〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉 Before, Including a ‘Squid Game’ Actor

The fictional boy band My Flavor Boys has become one of the breakout gags of TVING’s 〈The Recruit Cook Becomes a Legend〉 — popular enough to land on 〈M COUNTDOWN〉 and send viewers searching for the actors behind the group. If 〈Wild Thing〉 has "Triangle" and Choi Seong-gon, 〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉 has the "My Flavor Boys." In a series that sprinkles surprises like seasoning, the My Flavor Boys add a distinctly savory boost. In episode 7 of 〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉, Company Commander Hwang Seok-ho (Lee Sang Yi) takes a bite of arancini rice balls made by Kang Seong Jae (Park Ji Hoon) and is visibly moved by the taste. Then, out of nowhere, the My Flavor Boys materialize inside his mouth for a performance of the song "My Flavor."

The My Flavor Boys, formed by soldiers stationed at the Ganglim Socho outpost, rode viewers' enthusiasm all the way to an appearance on 〈M COUNTDOWN〉 on the 11th — in other words, a virtual boy group enjoying idol-level popularity. Their fandom name is Omija, and fans cheer the My Flavor Boys while waving rice paddles. With only two episodes left of the TVING original 〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉, we looked into the actors behind the My Flavor Boys.

Bitter Gwan-cheol – Kang Ha Kyung

The My Flavor Boys' confident center and the member who handles the introduction, "Bitter Gwan-cheol," is played by actor Kang Ha Kyung. Kang debuted on stage in 2016 and still primarily works in musicals and theater; his commanding center aura stems from a long career onstage. He has appeared in The Rocky Horror Show, Mama Don't Cry and Sisyphus, and he is currently performing in the musical Brothers Karamazov. Most recently he played Eun-pyo, an employee at the North Korean consulate in Vladivostok, in the film 〈Humint〉, showcasing a chilling villain charisma.

Sweet Mun-ik – Im Ji Ho

"Sweet Mun-ik," touted by TVING as the My Flavor Boys' main dancer, is the role of Tak Mun-ik, played by actor Im Ji Ho, who has worked mainly in independent films. Tak Mun-ik is the unit's most formally educated member and its in-house source of information, but he also has an oddly endearing, slightly pathetic charm. Im Ji Ho's face may look familiar because he left a strong impression playing a Japanese yokai in 〈Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938〉. He also delivered a chilling, twist-filled villain turn in the SBS drama 〈Cheer Up〉, surprising many viewers.

Sour Sang-uk – Kang Jun Gyu

Kang Jun Gyu plays "Sour Sang-uk," the group’s designated heartthrob and one of its strongest performers. In episode 8 of 〈The Legend of Kitchen Soldier〉 he tastes a seafood paella made by Kang Seong Jae and even transforms into a bullfighter. His sharp dance style and rap delivery make more sense once you learn that Kang Jun Gyu is a former idol: he was a member of the boy group MyName under the stage name JunQ and served as the group's main rapper. He also appeared on KBS's audition program 〈The Unit〉, finishing in 24th place. After expanding into acting through web dramas, he has steadily built his career with brief appearances, including in the Choi Min Sik–starring film 〈The Mathematician in a Strange Land〉.

Salty Ji-yong – Kim Mun Gi

The role of "Salty Ji-yong," called the group's G-Dragon, is played by actor Kim Mun Gi. His character Pyo Ji-yong is likely the most realistic, down-to-earth figure at Ganglim Socho—anyone who has served would recognize him. Pyo Ji-yong enjoys a relatively comfortable military life, doted on by second-in-command Corporal Kim Gwan-cheol, and he is also the kind of aggravating character who acts meek around stronger people and tough around weaker ones. Kim Mun Gi debuted in 2022 as Cha Ji-ho in the Playlist web drama 〈New Playlist〉 and went on to appear in Playlist titles such as 〈To. X〉 and 〈Male Secretary〉. Most recently, he played a genius hacker in the drama 〈Honor: Their Court〉.

Spicy Seung-woo – Lee Sang Jun

The group's youngest member, Lee Sang Jun, was born in 1998, while the other four members were born in 1993 (Kang Ha Kyung was born in early 1994). Lee is likely already familiar to global audiences because he appeared in 〈Squid Game〉. In 〈Squid Game〉 season 2, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung Jae) and his group take a pink guard wearing a square-marked mask hostage. Behind the mask, however, was a surprisingly youthful face, prompting Jungbae (Lee Seo Hwan) to scold, "Do your parents know you go around like this?" That young-faced pink guard was played by Lee Sang Jun. Later, when Seong Gi-hun tells the guard to lead them to the boss, the guard leads the group out and is shot after discovering the Front Man (Lee Byung Hun) is disguised as a participant. Lee Sang Jun debuted in 2021 on the tvN Drama Stage 〈Love Spoiler〉 and has since steadily built his filmography with appearances on KBS2's 〈School 2021〉, SBS's 〈Cheer Up〉, 〈Connection〉, and JTBC's 〈No Secrets〉, among others.