Chapter 54
Chapter 54: Baek Seungchan’s Cooking
Translated by POWERPUFF
Kang Chanhee joined SBC in 1997 and rose from marketing to the position of head of programming.
He had spent 28 years in broadcasting.
In those 28 years, he had seen countless actors and watched many performances on set.
Among them were actors now called greats.
Because of that, he was not easily surprised by acting.
Yet, in a single day, he was shocked twice.
The first was Kim Namseok’s acting.
Though he was a rookie, his acting was far from that of a beginner.
Still, it wasn’t shocking enough to overwhelm him.
There were quite a few actors at that level.
But Baek Seungchan and Cha Minhee were different.
Their performances sent chills down his spine.
They weren’t something to be judged within the limits of rookies.
It felt like watching the early days of great actors.
Especially Baek Seungchan.
His acting was shocking.
Watching Cha Minhee, he understood why she had been called a genius child actress.
But Baek Seungchan was incomprehensible.
“A rookie of just one year…?”
Cha Minhee was excellent, but still not at the level of veteran greats.
Baek Seungchan, however, gave off the same feeling as actors with decades of experience like Chae Minsik and Kim Byunghyun.
After that, Kang Chanhee stayed on set until filming ended.
He wanted to see more of their acting—especially Baek Seungchan’s.
The next day, the broadcast time was finalized.
Friday and Saturday at 9 PM.
The prime time slot with the highest ratings and ad revenue.
A luxurious European-style restaurant with an open kitchen in the center.
It was the set of “Afterlife Restaurant.”
After finishing the past storyline, filming of the modern setting began.
“Looks like another empty day…”
While the staff prepared, Nam Siwoo reviewed the script.
Baek Seungchan watched him with satisfaction.
Except when sleeping, Nam Siwoo always had the script in hand.
His skills were improving rapidly.
The awkward version of him from before was gone.
“Oh, Cha Minhee.”
“…Huh?”
She was startled when Baek Seungchan suddenly called her.
“…What?”
“Can you handle spicy food?”
“…Yes.”
“Then no need to worry. I’ll make it nicely spicy.”
Today’s scene involved cooking—one of the drama’s key elements.
And Baek Seungchan would cook himself.
Originally, cooking scenes were filmed separately.
But Park Taeho changed that after seeing his skills.
It was also a great promotional point that he did everything himself.
The first to taste it would be Cha Minhee.
“Alright, let’s begin. Action!”
As filming started, Baek Seungchan and Nam Siwoo’s eyes changed instantly.
“Another empty day?”
Nam Siwoo, the kitchen assistant, looked around the empty restaurant.
“Why did we even remodel…”
The restaurant had been remodeled based on Baek Seungchan’s stubborn decision in the past.
Now, business was bad.
“Did I know the world would change like this?”
The restaurant once thrived on feeding spirits.
But now, fewer spirits remained.
“We might go bankrupt…”
“Want to die again?”
“…That’s harsh…”
Nam Siwoo fell silent.
Park Taeho smiled.
Baek Seungchan was always good, but Nam Siwoo’s growth stood out.
Then the door opened.
Cha Minhee entered.
“Welcome to Afterlife Restaurant—”
They froze.
Especially Baek Seungchan.
For a moment, it seemed like he recognized his wife.
But that wasn’t it.
“How is a living person here…?”
She wasn’t a spirit.
And the restaurant was invisible to the living.
“Of course I’m alive. What, do you only serve the dead?”
She smiled and sat down.
Her presence shifted the atmosphere.
“We don’t serve the living. Leave.”
He was firm.
“Then I’ll just collect rent.”
“…Wait!”
He stopped her.
“I own this building.”
She was the landlord.
Now, they were in a tenant-landlord relationship.
“Ah… you’re Soonja’s granddaughter.”
“…Did you just say my grandmother’s name?”
She frowned.
“I just look young.”
“…You’re a bit strange.”
She pitied him.
“….”
He ignored it.
“What did you mean about rent?”
“If the food is good, I’ll reduce it.”
“Wait—what do you want to eat?”
His attitude instantly changed.
“Soft tofu stew. Spicy.”
“Of course.”
Their exchange made everyone smile.
“Have a seat.”
Baek Seungchan guided her and began cooking.
Swish—
He spun the knife and sliced ingredients skillfully.
Flare—
He stir-fried them with flair, then began boiling the stew.
Finally, he added an egg.
“Wow! You’re amazing!”
“Try it.”
Soon, the dish was ready.
“Looks and smells perfect.”
She took a spoonful.
“…Wow!”
Her eyes widened.
“It’s so good…”
It wasn’t acting.
It was genuine.
“Eat more.”
She began eating enthusiastically.
“How can it taste like this?”
She kept marveling.
Park Taeho smiled.
He didn’t call “cut.”
She was completely immersed.
Even forgetting the scene had ended.
The staff swallowed their saliva.
“How good is it…?”
They were all curious about Baek Seungchan’s cooking.