Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: 200 Kimbap Rolls
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‘What kind of wind blew in to make it all historical drama style?’
The guy who never sticks his neck out unless he’s dead certain.
I stared straight at Kang Minje. The guy explaining the new concept looked ridiculous but excited like a kid.
‘Well, historical drama style…….’
I double-checked the concept Kang Minje had laid out.
The fox kit asked once more.
“How’s that?”
Executive Director Joo crossed her arms.
‘Ah, she’s thinking it over.’
Kang Minje grinned wide and spoke.
“Honestly, the old me would never have come up with a concept like this.”
Executive Director Joo nodded.
“But we’ve got Cha Dowon.”
Why’d my name pop up out of nowhere?
“Because Dowon’s here, we can pull it off?”
“Both projects he’s in are historical dramas. It’s a familiar image, so the public will warm up to it easily. Sure, the movie won’t release till later.”
True enough.
“You need a member with the acting chops to pull off the concept. Honestly, last time Dowon dragged us all along.”
He meant that trashy family drama where he falls for his sister-in-law.
Kang Minje stood and came over to me. Then he suddenly grabbed my chin and turned my face toward Executive Director Joo.
‘Has this guy lost it?’
I locked eyes with Executive Director Joo. She scanned me up and down with sharp eyes.
“If one guy carries it, it’s easy.”
Unbelievable.
‘Am I just the sacrificial lamb for your concept?’
Then Kang Minje whispered in my ear.
“You can do it, right, Dowon?”
I glanced at him. Kang Minje was beaming like an idiot.
‘What to do?’
Should I just stand up and deck him in the jaw?
The members all looked at me. Honestly, they were all talented guys.
Suddenly, Sa-hyuk’s words came to mind.
‘Didn’t he say people without talent huddle together in groups?’
I curled up the corner of my mouth.
“I’m not confident.”
Kang Minje’s eyes wavered. So did the other members’.
What? You all believed in me that much?
I met each member’s eyes one by one. Finally, I looked at Kang Minje.
“Not confident I can make it a success.”
There, happy now, you punk?
Kang Minje’s pupils shook. Then he covered his mouth and laughed.
“Pfft…….”
But it was Executive Director Joo who burst out loud. She spun her chair wildly, laughing like a maniac.
“Puhahaha!”
She was laughing her heart out. Soon everyone else cracked up too. I shook my head, then finally joined in their laughter.
“God, what do you even call this?”
Executive Director Joo wiped tears from her eyes.
“Cute. Adorable. But the skills are real. Wow. I’m losing it.”
Executive Director Joo slumped over her desk, dizzy. Then she looked at me and asked.
“You really confident?”
“Yeah.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. Then she tapped the table and shot up.
“Let’s do it.”
Whoa.
‘Still as bold as ever.’
Classic Executive Director Joo.
“It’s experimental, but honestly not a concept that’ll flop. Zenith’s concept is at its peak, and that’s straight out of a play. A theatrical concept? Why not.”
She whispered to Kang Minje.
“If you can’t make this a success, you do whatever I say from now on. Got it?”
Kang Minje smirked and nodded.
“Of course. Alright, let me play you the music.”
The music’s done too.
“Actually, this track came out while we were making the ‘Flower’s Choice’ OST. As soon as it was done, I held it back ’cause I wanted it as our title track.”
Music flowed from Kang Minje’s laptop. The blend of traditional instruments and synths was spot-on.
‘What to say.’
It was definitely classical. But the moment I heard it, it felt super sleek too.
Executive Director Joo rested her chin on her hand, listening intently, and asked.
“This the gayageum?”
“Yeah.”
I didn’t know the instrument names either. Kang Minje was the expert here.
When the music ended, Yoo Hajin spoke.
“This is good. How’d you make something like this?”
Kang Minje beamed.
“Having a café helps. Tons of inspiration.”
“Minje hyung, you’re a genius. Damn, it’s sticking in my head.”
I asked Lee Seungjun.
“You like it too?”
The bear nodded right away.
“Yeah.”
Well then.
No need to wait and see.
“Let’s go for it.”
Executive Director Joo nodded at my words. She looked thrilled for someone who’d voiced worries, which was kinda funny.
“Alright, Minje’s presentation’s done. Now it’s my turn.”
Executive Director Joo sat back down and crossed her legs.
“We’re doing a fan club launch event. Fan club name’s ‘Jenny.’”
Zenith, so Jenny for the fans.
“You know the launch is a concert, right? Keep that in mind and follow the schedule.”
Got it.
‘Might be busy as hell.’
Movie, album, concert.
I couldn’t help but grin. It was too good.
‘Maybe ’cause I was going nuts with nothing to do before.’
Having this much work lined up felt like a dream.
‘Well, I’ve got the cheat that restores stamina, though.’
Not everyone’s like me.
Executive Director Joo tapped the table.
“Even with solo stuff, the gaps are getting long, right? Fine for individual fans, but group fans get bored. What happens then?”
I tidied the script as I said.
“Core fans drift away.”
“Exactly. So here’s the deal. Make some group collab content.”
Executive Director Joo spun her chair a full turn.
“We’ve been thinking, but nothing good’s coming up. You young folks, give us some ideas.”
I rested my chin and pondered.
‘Collab, huh.’
I looked around at the members.
‘Nothing builds unity like labor.’
Dancing and singing’s labor for idols, but fans probably don’t see it that way.
Then a good idea hit.
“How about making 200 kimbap rolls?”
Executive Director Joo’s eyes narrowed.
“Explain.”
“It’s collab content. Best way is working together. We’ve all got packed solo schedules. We hand them out to staff on those. Film the taste, them enjoying it. Of course, making the 200 itself is the main content.”
Video sites, SNS, portals. Small but it’ll spread far.
This’ll work.
“Virality’s guaranteed.”
Executive Director Joo stayed quiet. Ki Jaeyun pouted and shook his head.
“Kimbap? Lame. Got nothing flashier?”
This guy doesn’t get how precious food is.
Before I could say anything, Leader Yoo Hajin jumped in.
“Nah. Familiar’s better. Guys who cook well? Hot. Plus, making food to share? Fresh.”
“Leader hyung, how’s kimbap fresh?”
Kang Minje nodded.
“Sounds good. Most of us can’t cook except Dowon. We’ll fail a ton. That’s content too. Plus, with the arrogance drama…….”
The fox kit read my intent perfectly.
Executive Director Joo laughed not just fresh but hearty.
“Do it. Give it a shot.”
“Can I charge the kimbap ingredients to the company card?”
“Of course. It’s company content. But here’s the important part. You guys have to do it. Honestly, this is the key.”
Executive Director Joo stood and slammed the table with both hands.
“Make 203 kimbap rolls!”
What?
“Three for me.”
I furrowed my brow and shook my head. What’s this about, Director Joo?
Whether she knew my thoughts or not, she whispered seriously.
“No extras, no company card.”
Damn.
I answered right away.
“I’ll make 205 for you.”
“Make ’em cheese kimbap if you’re at it.”
I stared at her blankly.
“What, cheese kimbap weird?”
She’s into cheese kimbap.
Power wins out, as always. I quietly went with the flow.
“Yeah, yeah. Cheese kimbap it is, special for you.”
“Great. Meeting’s over.”
Executive Director Joo smiled brightly and stood. Her excited steps made me sigh heavily. Was it real excitement, or scary in another way?
***
Making 200 kimbap rolls was a bigger deal than I thought. First, we needed a spot. We’d planned on the dorm at first but quietly switched to the Friends Entertainment company cafeteria. Maybe that’s why we got kisses from the aunts who had the day off.
With the spot set, we needed ingredients.
I eyed the company card quietly. The magical card paid for with company money looked extra shiny today.
With spot and ingredients ready, next came the labor.
Yoo Hajin muttered.
“Can we really do this?”
Looking at the carrot mountain, Ki Jaeyun said.
“Food service ain’t a joke.”
I sighed and whispered.
“Snack bars crank out 200 kimbap like it’s nothing.”
“Snack bar owners are legends. How do they do this every day?”
It looks easy, but one kimbap roll is serious labor. No wonder snack bar part-timers get paid extra.
‘It was really tough.’
Thinking back, I shook my head.
A camera poked out behind me. I yelled right away.
“Outfit check!”
Zenith members in comfy workout clothes gathered. The rest were whatever, but Kang Minje in sweats was kinda fresh.
“Headscarves on, tight.”
Ki Jaeyun gripped his head.
“Argh, makes my head look huge!”
Yoo Hajin comforted him gently.
“Hmm, Jaeyun. Your head’s big with or without the scarf.”
“Hyung! Too much!”
Hajin hyung’s changed a lot. Words hit hard now. I yelled again.
“Bought 20 rubber gloves. And we’re dividing labor, Korean style.”
“Huh? What division?”
“Anything but this: rolling, cutting, packing—gotta split or we’re here till night.”
Ingredients first.
“Seungjun, you’re strongest—wash the veggies. Hajin hyung and Jaeyun, prep ’em. I’ll tell you how step by step. I’ll blanch the seasoned veggies. Oh, Minje hyung, you good at cracking eggs?”
Kang Minje smiled brightly and shook his head.
“First time even turning on a gas stove.”
Wow. How’d you survive till now? For real.
‘This is a problem.’
I scanned the fox kit up and down.
‘Useless.’
Still, just in case.
“Let’s start with eggs.”
I showed him first.
“Crack with this much force—no shell bits. Try.”
“Okay.”
Kang Minje smashed the egg like an idiot.
Splat—
Poor egg exploded. Waste. I stared quietly at him as the white ran out.
What now.
“S-sorry.”
“Not on purpose, right?”
“Hand slipped.”
I quietly handed him another egg.
“Once more.”
Kang Minje tapped the egg lightly.
Too light—didn’t crack.
“Get the feel. Think piano keys.”
Suddenly Kang Minje’s eyes sparkled. He tried a few times and nailed it.
“Dowon! I cracked it! No shell!”
What’s with this guy.
I quietly clapped.
“Good job.”
There. Praise.
“Should I crack all these?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I blanched the prepped spinach in boiling water with a strainer, set it aside. Now Ki Jaeyun was the issue.
“Ow! Cut my hand!”
Peeling carrots with a veggie knife and he cuts himself?
I checked—phew, not deep.
“Band-Aid and cotton glove.”
“This is hard.”
What’s hard? You barely started.
I quietly looked around. Kang Minje focused on cracking eggs, Ki Jaeyun whining about his hand. Lee Seungjun silently washing veggies, Yoo Hajin butchering carrots.
‘Why’d I suggest this?’
Regret hit like a tsunami.
I sighed deeply, and the camera filmed eagerly.
‘This’ll be fun.’
The more we suffer, the more viewers love it.
‘Gotta do it.’
I quietly clenched my fist. 200 kimbap by end of day.
I decided to max out multitasking.