“Past life as a military service evader?” ‘New Recruit 4’ star Kim Min-ho enters his fourth year in uniform; Han Ga-in returns after eight years

‘New Recruit 4’ captures Han Ga-in after eight years, while four-year veteran Kim Min-ho faces an unexpected twist

Premieres at 10 p.m. on the 24th, with Lee Hyun-kyun and Lee Won-jung expanding the series’ scope

‘New Recruit 4’, which has won staunch support from male viewers for its realistic portrayal of military life, returns on a larger scale. As ‘Kim Min-ho’, who plays protagonist Park Min-seok, puts on the uniform for a fourth consecutive year and anchors the series’ world, actor ‘Han Ga-in’ adds weight to the production with a special appearance in her first television drama role in eight years.

“A military service evader in a past life?” ‘Kim Min-ho’ takes his fourth year in uniform in stride

“This isn’t empty boasting. We guarantee the biggest laughs yet and maximize the distinctive flavor viewers have come to expect.”

Actor ‘Kim Min-ho’ expressed strong confidence at a production presentation for ENA’s new Monday-Tuesday drama ‘New Recruit 4’ at The Saint in Guro-gu, Seoul, on the 24th. He said the series would deliver a solid narrative and plenty to watch, noting that he called the writer in admiration immediately after reading the script.

He has played Park Min-seok throughout the series and said, “I never imagined I’d wear the uniform for this long. Friends have even joked that I must have been a military service evader in a past life.” He added, “This season will clearly show the weight of the insignia that comes with his promotion.” He also called the ‘New Recruit’ series the work of his life and spoke movingly about carrying it through its fourth season.

The series, which debuted in 2022, is based on a popular YouTube animation of the same name. The new season, premiering at 10 p.m. on the 24th, centers on Park Min-seok after his promotion to corporal and closely follows the intertwined stories of Choi Il-gu, played by Nam Tae-woo, who returns as a staff sergeant; a mysterious new recruit; and a battalion commander who will shake up the unit.

Series reaches its toughest challenge yet with fresh additions ‘Lee Hyun-kyun’ and ‘Lee Won-jung’

Director Min Jin-ki, who oversaw the production, described this season as “the most grueling work yet.” Even actors who had completed their military service said it was harder than their time on active duty, and sources said the entire cast and crew gave everything they had to deliver bigger laughs and more emotion to viewers.

Actors ‘Lee Hyun-kyun’ and ‘Lee Won-jung’ have also joined the cast, adding tension to the story. ‘Lee Hyun-kyun’ plays Battalion Commander Byeon Hyeok-jin, who leads change and innovation in the unit, while ‘Lee Won-jung’ plays Kim Hyun-wook, an elite new recruit.

‘Lee Hyun-kyun’, who said he had long been an enthusiastic fan of the series, admitted, “I’m usually not nervous on set, but I couldn’t hide my anxiety because I worried about whether I could fit into the established ensemble.” ‘Lee Won-jung’, who won the role after a demanding audition, said, “I heard I’d been accepted around my birthday, so it felt like receiving a huge gift.” He added, “I hope my joining the cast will serve as a catalyst for bringing in a new female audience.”

‘Han Ga-in’ returns after eight years, while subtitle ‘Sabotage’ carries a hidden intention

The biggest draw of this season is undoubtedly ‘Han Ga-in’’s appearance. Last season, she made her presence felt only through photographs as Jeon Se-gye’s older sister, played by Kim Dong-jun. Now she has stepped in front of the camera herself, marking her return to acting after eight years since the OCN drama ‘Mistresses’.

Kim Dong-jun said, “I filmed with my older sister several times in the past, and she was the one who first promised, ‘If Season 4 is made, I’ll come visit you on base.’” He expressed his deep gratitude. Director Min also praised her, saying, “The moment ‘Han Ga-in’ appeared on set, I experienced the magic of the bleak military base instantly transforming into a luxurious commercial set.”

The meaning of ‘Sabotage’, the only subtitle among the series’ four seasons, has also drawn attention. The French word originally refers to workers’ acts of industrial action. Director Min explained that it represented “the production team’s determination to develop a completely new narrative.” As the word itself derives from wooden clogs, or sabots, the season is expected to unfold a layered story of uniformed characters checking one another and forming alliances in pursuit of their own goals, while growing along the way.