Chapter 78
Chapter 78: Afterlife Restaurant Announcement (5)
Kim Jaewon, the male lead of “Ghost Real Estate,” watched the live broadcast of the “Afterlife Restaurant” press conference from the very beginning.
Like the public, he wasn’t particularly curious about the drama itself—he was more interested in how Baek Seungchan would respond.
“The kid’s grown a lot.”
He muttered as he looked at Cha Minhee on the screen.
When he had seen her at eleven, she had been just a child. Now she had become a proper young woman.
“Still, it’s unfortunate she met me for her comeback. Bad luck this time.”
He didn’t even consider the possibility that “Ghost Real Estate” might lose in ratings.
“….”
When Baek Seungchan appeared on screen, Kim Jaewon frowned.
Once something bothered him, everything about it started to irritate him.
And right now, Baek Seungchan was exactly that.
“Looks like some pretty boy…”
Baek Seungchan, already handsome, had become even more striking after consuming the elixir “Wolhwa” during “Surviving in the Jungle.”
Even fellow celebrities would be stunned by his looks.
“Let’s see how good his acting really is.”
Kim Jaewon watched the preview of “Afterlife Restaurant.”
“…Not bad.”
He muttered quietly.
He already knew Cha Minhee was a good actress, so that wasn’t surprising.
But Baek Seungchan was.
Even in a short clip, his acting stood out.
“So he didn’t get the role by luck.”
He acknowledged it.
“…Damn, I’m hungry.”
On a diet for promotions, he couldn’t ignore the cooking scenes.
“Just a taste…”
After some hesitation, he ordered soft tofu stew.
“Pretty interesting.”
After finishing the preview, he nodded.
The story, setting, and acting were all good.
“Huh? A cooking show too? They really prepared everything.”
Though he scoffed, he was curious.
“Why does it look so delicious…”
Soon, he ended up ordering stir-fried noodles as well.
“It’s good.”
While eating, he continued watching.
Then came the moment he had been waiting for.
“Alright, what are you going to say?”
He stared at the screen.
“Kim Jaewon sunbae, I’m confident. And I’ll make sure you remember the name ‘Afterlife Restaurant.’”
At that response—
Kim Jaewon’s face twisted.
“This arrogant brat…”
Though not explicit, it was practically a declaration of war.
“Fine. Let’s see if you can still say that after the ratings come out.”
He waited for the broadcast.
The “Afterlife Restaurant” press conference ended successfully, surpassing 100,000 viewers.
Articles flooded out, and discussions exploded across communities and social media.
“Wow, what a response.”
“He stayed respectful but confident.”
“He said he’ll make it memorable LOL.”
“That rookie confidence is crazy.”
Unlike Kim Jaewon’s irritation, public reaction was positive.
He had maintained manners while delivering a sharp comeback.
“I’m watching it tonight.”
“The acting seems solid.”
“I was worried about young actors, but not anymore.”
Interest in “Afterlife Restaurant” grew rapidly.
But opinions were divided.
“Who will win the first ratings battle?”
“Ghost Real Estate will win at first.”
“Yeah, based on trailers.”
“Still, Afterlife Restaurant looks interesting.”
Expectations rose for both.
Friday night.
Before the broadcast, Baek Seungchan watched with his family.
“Son, that Kim Jaewon guy seems off.”
“Yeah, I heard he causes trouble.”
His parents grumbled.
“Oppa, what’s your relationship with Cha Minhee?”
Baek Seunghee asked.
Everyone looked at him.
“Just friends.”
“…I figured.”
Still—
“Are you sure it’s not something else?”
“Baek Seunghee, don’t cross the line.”
She flinched.
Ding-dong—
“The chicken’s here!”
She ran off.
“Son… really?”
His parents asked again.
“No. I’ve just been too busy to date.”
“…Ah…”
They looked apologetic.
“Don’t feel sorry. I’ll date when I want to.”
He reassured them.
“Dating…”
He thought.
He hadn’t cared before.
But—
“Cha Minhee…”
If it were her, it wouldn’t be bad.
“Chicken!”
Baek Seunghee returned happily.
Right then, the drama began.
They watched together.
After the first broadcast—
Reactions were explosive.
“It’s been a while since a good drama.”
“Both are good.”
“But Ghost Real Estate was better for episode 1.”
“Afterlife Restaurant is good too.”
Both shows succeeded.
But ratings mattered.
Next day—
“Afterlife Restaurant ratings: 6.3%”
“Good.”
A solid start.
Then—
“Ghost Real Estate ratings: 8.1%”
“….”
It was higher.
“Still… it’s fine.”
They expected the turning point later.
Meanwhile—
Kim Jaewon smiled.
“See? You can’t win.”
He posted on SNS:
“Ghost Real Estate: 8.1%”
“Why Is My Secretary Like This?: 6.9%”
“Afterlife Restaurant: 6.3%”
It spread quickly.
“Savage LOL.”
“The rivalry is fun.”
Baek Seungchan saw it.
“This guy is interesting.”
He smirked.
Second broadcast—
“Afterlife Restaurant: 7.3%”
“Ghost Real Estate: 9.1%”
Still behind.
Then—
“Surviving in the Jungle: 7.5%”
It ranked #1 for Sunday.
Interest in Baek Seungchan surged.
Then episode 3 aired.
Next day—
“Afterlife Restaurant: 10.3%”
“Ghost Real Estate: 9.1%”
The rankings flipped.
Earlier than expected.
Baek Seungchan smiled.
“Seunghee, how do you make an SNS account?”