Impact of The Legend Of Kitchen Soldier on Author's Earnings
The Success of The Legend Of Kitchen Soldier
The adaptation of Park Ji-Hoon’s series, The Legend Of Kitchen Soldier, has not only benefited its cast and crew but has also significantly impacted the original story's author, J Robin. He recently shared insights on how the show's success has led to a notable surge in interest for both the novel and the webtoon. J Robin described this phenomenon as both extraordinary and fulfilling, attributing the renewed attention to several key factors. He also clarified some common misunderstandings regarding the financial gains from adaptations, emphasizing that a hit drama can open up various revenue streams for its creators.
Financial Gains for J Robin
The Legend Of Kitchen Soldier author earns big
After the successful launch of The Legend Of Kitchen Soldier, author J Robin, also known as Oh Jong Pil, expressed his surprise at the financial boost he received following the drama's debut. In a social media post, he revealed his astonishment upon learning about the latest royalty figures for his original work. He stated, “After the drama aired, I was shocked to see this month’s royalty settlement amount.” J Robin disclosed that the web novel alone earned approximately ₩88 million KRW (around $57,600 USD), with the webtoon earnings still pending and potentially higher. He referred to himself as “a very lucky writer” and reflected on the elements that led to the resurgence of interest in his work.
According to J Robin, the excitement surrounding Park Ji-Hoon’s drama played a crucial role in drawing attention to the series, while increased visits to official reading platforms contributed as well. He noted that viewers often seek out the original material to compare it with the adaptation. “The drama and the original work diverged in several ways, prompting many readers to explore the source material out of curiosity,” he explained. In a subsequent post, he aimed to dispel the notion that creators do not reap significant rewards from television adaptations. He highlighted that authors can benefit from various income sources, including royalties from novels, webtoon profits, advertising, speaking engagements, and rights for adaptations.
“Some might believe that the fee for video adaptation rights is minimal compared to the drama's success, but the airing of the show significantly boosts other income avenues. I don’t see it as a situation where the author loses out at all. Thanks to the airing of ‘The Legend of Kitchen Soldier,’ I am enjoying happier days than ever,” J Robin remarked.
Overview of The Legend Of Kitchen Soldier
About The Legend Of Kitchen Soldier
This 12-episode military fantasy K-drama, The Legend of Kitchen Soldier, concluded on June 16, 2026. The storyline follows Kang Seong-Jae, who joins the army while coping with his father's death. His life takes an unexpected turn when a magical quest system presents itself, leading him on an extraordinary journey to become the top cook in his military camp.