Chapter 52

Chapter 52

8.The Chemistry Behind Cooking (5)

Jeong-woo, who just entered the living room, couldnt find a moment to rest his feet due to the busy scene inside. He licked his lips, captivated by the bustling sight.

Except for the long table set with a festive feast and the cushions, everywhere he looked, there were broadcasting equipment and staff members.

Near the window, there were four cameras, each the size of a cannonball, seemingly set up as a broadcasting stage.

There were also several small cameras, resembling what Shin Ki-joon used to carry around, which were initially thought to be large cameras.

So, this is a broadcast. My goodness, my mother must be on fire. Should I sneak in an advertisement for Jisooks Restaurant? Oh, but would that violate advertising regulations?

As he took off his shoes, a woman holding a sketchbook approached him.

Hello. Youre a resident of this neighborhood, right?

Yes, thats correct.

Im Hwang Ji-hyeon, the author of Delicious Treats. Can I interview you for a moment? Weve been doing interviews with the people coming in and out.

Jeong-woo nodded in response to Hwangs request.

Standing in the corridor between the living room and another room, the VJ immediately turned on the camera. Hwang started with some basic questions.

Is your house nearby? Are you helping your mother in the kitchen today?

Yes, thats right. Ive been participating in this event for quite some time. I started it in middle school to fulfill my community service hours, and now

While he wanted to explain the profound reasons behind his continuous involvement, it felt like a story that should be told by his mother or someone like the president who had been doing this consistently.

Jeong-woo straightforwardly revealed his reasons.

If I dont participate, my mother wont give me food.

Perhaps due to the unexpected response, the VJ filming the scene chuckled. Hwang, the author, also smiled and asked.

What kind of work do you help with?

I do mostly what the elderly people in the neighborhood request. They say those who have made a mess are good at cleaning up. My younger brother and I can clean up an entire alley in no time if we have brooms, so the president usually assigns us to cleaning duties.

At that moment, a grandmother with white hair emerged from the nap room across the corridor. When the grandmother saw Jeong-woo, she smiled warmly and approached him.

Jeong-woo, have you arrived?

Yes, just sweeping the path. Is Doo-chi behaving?

He rushed straight to your house after eating. He must be hungry.

Again? Its still winter in the neighborhood, but that troublemaker already thinks its spring.

The two people exchanged laughter amicably, captured by the VJs camera. Seeing Hwang, who was curious about their conversation, Jeong-woo pointed to Grandma Choi Geum-soon.

You can ask her directly. Ill finish the interview here. My mother seems busy.

In truth, it was Yoon Yi-seol catching his attention, who was busy assisting Hong Ji-sook rather than his mom. However, there was no need to highlight that in front of the camera.

As Jeong-woo disappeared into the living room, Hwang turned to the VJ and spoke.

He has a peculiar way with words, dont you? Like someone accustomed to broadcasting.

Yes, indeed. He even look directly at the lens.

I should make a note of that.

Hwang picked up her notebook.

In variety shows that involve regular people as participants, simply pointing the camera at them often leads to awkwardness and stumbling. Its difficult to capture good scenes. Thats why these pre-interviews were crucial preparations.

Jeong-woo arrived in the kitchen and approached Yoon Yi-seol, who was focused on dividing side dishes onto paper plates.

With her hair tightly tied back and wearing a white mask and a clean white apron, she seemed like a professional nutritionist at first glance.

Im here.

Yoon Yi-seol turned her head at Jeong-woos voice and greeted him with a joyful expression.

Its almost 4 oclock, so we should go now.

Jeong-woo, come this way.

Yoon Yi-seol grabbed Jeong-woos arm and pulled him toward a corner of the kitchen where the staff couldnt be seen.

Your mother suggested that we appear together in a cooking competition later.

What?

In a way, you could say Im a sous chef?

Seeing Jeong-woos widened eyes, Yoon Yi-seol made a hushing gesture.

Yi-seol, you shouldnt appear on this kind of show. Its not a music channel, its a cooking channel.

I already talked to manager Ji and received advice. Please pretend to be my manager until manager Ji arrives. Can you do that?

Well, its not a difficult request, but why?

Um Just go with the flow? Itll be fun.

Seeing Yoon Yi-seol was unexpectedly enjoying the idea, Jeong-woo nodded without saying anything. Then, a sudden thought crossed his mind.

What if theres a 50-50 chance of making a dish I cant eat?

Your mother says you have the knack for it.

Really?

Broadcasting sense.

There was even room for joking. Jeong-woo thought there must be a smile on Yoon Yi-seols face beneath her mask.

Yi-seol, heres the Japchae!

Yes!

Hong Ji-sook casually called Yoon Yi-seols name and extended a round frying pan containing freshly stir-fried Japchae.

Hello, may I ask for an introduction maam?I operate a Baekban (traditional Korean set meal) restaurant near the market. Im Hong Ji-suk.Ive actually tried the food there, and it was really delicious. Especially the beef radish soup. Oh, I wonder if you have any secret recipes of your own?Its not that amazing of a taste. Was it really that delicious? Thank you, though.Before the competition, we are planning to have a sous chef. I heard that you have already chosen someone. Would you like to introduce the sous chef briefly?Im Yoon Yi-seol. Please take care of me.Ah, Miss Yoon Yi-seol. Nice to you are?Yes, its the same Yoon Yi-seol.Y-Yoon Yi-seol? What is this, PD? A surprise appearance?

-Should we just reshoot it as if you magically appeared right now? Dont worry too much since its a special episode and youre participating. Oh, theres my manager!

Jeong-woo, who had been silently observing the situation, raised his head at Yoon Yi-seols call.

Me?

Yoon Yi-seol looked at Jeong-woo with an expression that said, Yes, its you. Jeong-woo squeezed through the lighting staff and approached the PD, sitting next to the camera, and nodded respectfully.

Yoon Yi-seol, confirming Jeong-woos approach, spoke as if she had been waiting.

You can discuss the details with my manager. And this is what my manager told me

Jeong-woo glanced at Yoon Yi-seol with a questioning look, but she calmly continued speaking.

Volunteering here is my personal matter, so it doesnt matter if its briefly shown on the broadcast. However, if you mention or advertise the program under the name of Yoon Yi-seol, youll need to follow the proper procedures. Do you understand what I mean?

Jeong-woo didnt fully understand, but the PD understood and nodded.

Her appearance fee, which was clearly beyond what a cable TV production could afford. Yet, they couldnt just give up on filming or not shoot Yoon Yi-seol.

In hindsight, her proposal was reasonable.

Just a slight hint of her presence would create buzz and greatly help with the viewership.

Moreover, with Yoon Yi-seols presence, they could create a different atmosphere even if it was a concept without her.

Hyun-shi.

The PDs eyes sparkled as he looked at Hyun-min.

Can you continue from here? Without getting nervous.

Well

As Yoon Yi-seol put her mask back on and stood in her original position, Hyun-min nodded.

Understood.

After a brief moment of chaos, the filming resumed.

Jeong-woo remained standing next to the PD, watching the filming up close.

While the FD adjusted the camera angle to match the editing room, the PD turned his gaze to Jeong-woo.

I was genuinely surprised. I cant believe Yoon Yi-seol goind something like this so secretly. Nice to meet you, Im PD Choi Chang-gyu.

Im Han Jeong-woo.

After officially shaking hands with PD Choi, it was clear that he was playing the role of a manager who couldnt be left out.

Hwang, the writer who conducted the earlier interview, looked at Jeong-woo with an intrigued expression.

It seems Yoon Yi-seol was volunteering in the neighborhood where the manager lives?

Well thats right. Haha.

The half-joke turned into a serious comment.

By the way, we captured the footage of the dog Doo-chi that Jeong-woo mentioned earlier.

Will Doo-chi also be on the show?

He was cute. His story fits well with the atmosphere of this neighborhood.

While talking with Hwang, Jeong-woo noticed Hong Ji-sook. He made a gesture to his mother, who was looking at him with a face that seemed to say, What are you up to?, indicating to follow Yoon Yi-seols lead.

Click.

The slate moved, and the FD left. Hyun-min, taking a deep breath, continued the commentary.

Well, the evaluation of the cooking competition. We will select five elderly individuals here to receive a very subjective judgment.

After saying this, Hyun-min respectfully bowed towards the elderly individuals as a way of requesting their cooperation.

This time, I will choose a resident from this neighborhood as the assistant chef. For the sake of fairness, this person will be responsible for the main dish while I act as the assistant.

Thinking that this would not greatly compromise the fairness of the rules, Jeong-woos gaze involuntarily turned towards his mother.

Isnt this about winning? Our neighborhoods elderly folks are huge fans of Moms cooking.

Yoon Yi-seol whispered something to Hong Ji-sook, who simply nodded without much of a different reaction. They seemed to already know.

Have they become really close?

Hyun-min turned his head towards Kim Ban-jang, who was watching from the opposite side of the living room.

President, who did you say is the least talented cook in this village earlier?

Hes right there.

Can you zoom in on him?

Jeong-woo. Its you, right? You.

Upon Kim Ban-jangs call, Jeong-woos head turned as he stood between the staff.

Yes?

As soon as he answered, two cameras focused on Jeong-woos face. The warm light from the lighting descended, capturing everyones attention in an instant.

Oh, president

Hyun-min smiled and gestured for Jeong-woo to come closer.

Come here, dont worry.

Lets cook together.

Hesitatingly, Jeong-woo looked at Yoon Yi-seol.

What on earth

Her eyes conveyed a mix of amusement and confusion, while his eyes were filled with both chaos and bewilderment, intertwining in a complex manner.