Chapter 183
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Masked Chef
Na Gang-in wiped off all his makeup and changed his clothes. Then he returned to the center of the filming set.
The actors had watched a roughly edited clip of the scene and were now getting ready to head out.
Byeon Hyeong-chan rushed over to Na Gang-in.
"Mr. Gang-in! How can you say no to acting when you're this good at it...?"
Na Gang-in cut him off.
"I'm not doing it. I only stepped in today because I was worried about messing up the entire shooting schedule."
"But still, with skills like that, we could expand your lines and..."
"Stick to the original plan. Changing the story just because of me could turn a potential masterpiece into something mediocre."
"Hahaha. Masterpiece? We're not there yet."
"Who knows what the future holds?"
"Thanks, even if it's just words. But honestly, with talent like yours, you could be an actor. If you said yes, Director Son Tae-min would welcome you with open arms."
"If too many people recognize my face, it could interfere with my other work. I've got a lot on my plate."
"Ah, right. Acting isn't your dream. I get it. Still... you're amazing at both acting and action. What a shame."
The set was located in Namyangju. Those living in Seoul or the eastern parts of Gyeonggi Province started preparing to head home.
For people with farther commutes or those wanting to save time, nearby accommodations had been arranged.
Shin Eun-ha had arrived in a company van.
Na Gang-in lived in the same neighborhood as her, but he'd driven straight from the hospital today.
The van would take her home, driven by Park Woo-seop, her manager.
Shin Eun-ha asked,
"Where's my road manager?"
"I sent him off in my car earlier. You said tomorrow's shoot is in Seoul, so you don't need this van."
"Then why'd you really come all the way out here, Manager Oppa?"
"I wanted to see the buzz around here for myself. Glad I did—never thought I'd catch Mr. Gang-in delivering lines in person."
Shin Eun-ha boasted,
"Right? Oppa Gang-in's got some serious acting chops..."
She punched his arm playfully.
"But when it's just us, you read from a textbook!"
Na Gang-in made an excuse.
"I told you, that was to toughen you up."
Park Woo-seop made a pitch to Na Gang-in.
"Mr. Gang-in, sign with us. We could slot you into a solid supporting role in a movie or drama right away."
Na Gang-in turned it down.
"Too much on my plate."
"Ah... yeah, your work. I know you've got a ton. A ton."
Park Woo-seop had at least a surface-level idea of how Na Gang-in had shone in the various incidents involving Shin Eun-ha.
"That's why it's such a waste. Action like that and acting talent? And no acting career."
"Isn't acting for handsome guys like Yu-chan?"
"Come on, don't compare yourself to Kim Yu-chan's looks. Even pros don't do that."
"Anyway, no. Imagine facing off against guys with guns, and they recognize me just from my face. That'd be bad. More bullets would come flying."
"Sure, but incidents like that aren't common... okay, they happen a lot for you. Whew, yeah, can't argue. But!"
Park Woo-seop thought he'd found a good angle.
"You could just disguise yourself like today and act with a different face."
"Not really into going that far."
He'd only appeared today because it was a classic film still recommended to soldiers even in 2082. Normally, he saw no need.
"At least sign the contract first and..."
"I said no."
Na Gang-in went home and didn't get up until lunchtime the next day.
"Man, I'm beat."
"Nah, I just couldn't sleep."
"What should I have for lunch?"
Shin Eun-ha had a movie shoot in Seoul today, but Na Gang-in was free.
He picked up his smartphone.
"Too lazy to move... maybe delivery..."
There was a missed call from Son Tae-min, plus a bunch of unread messages.
"What's this about?"
Na Gang-in called back. Son Tae-min picked up immediately.
"What's up?"
"Where'd you hear that?"
"I already did your movie first, Director."
Na Gang-in had worked as an action double in Son Tae-min's Sunny Day.
"Yesterday I was disguised, so it's no different from wearing a mask or balaclava."
"It was only a few lines."
Na Gang-in chuckled.
"I haven't even decided if I'm doing your movie yet."
"It was just a quick favor because things were urgent yesterday. Tell him that."
Na Gang-in hung up and said,
"Right? A cameo is one thing, but a lead supporting role in Director Son's movie? No way."
He reached for the delivery app again. Then his phone rang.
This time, it was Oh Gyu-cheol, head chef at Restaurant Penelope.
Na Gang-in tilted his head.
"Chef Oh, you making a movie too?"
"You just said to appear."
"Ah..."
Masked Chef was a cooking competition show on cable TV.
"You lent it after hours, and I cooked for all your staff in return."
"Oh, right. Yeah, I'll do it. Easy enough."
"Saved you?"
"Makes sense."
"Why?"
"So they're waiting for the champ to fall, then challenging later?"
"You'll take back a flaker?"
"Champ's so strong even skilled chefs dodge?"
Na Gang-in mulled it over.
If they're that good, I can just go, keep my promise, lose quick, and bow out. Perfect.
"Sounds good to me?"
"Uh..."
He planned to appear once and lose—not charge through.
"Tonight? Suddenly?"
"No, I mean—tonight?!"
"No plans."
"Yes."
The moment Na Gang-in agreed, Oh Gyu-cheol rushed over.
"Hahaha, you saved me again. Saved me from those gun-toting punks, and now today."
"One thing I don't get—don't contestants have contracts? How do they just bail?"
"Well... no contracts for our contestants."
"Pardon?"
"Approvals mean too many people know who they are. We keep it secret—only the booker knows. Pure, real-deal showdown."
"Ah, so that's why flakes happen. Truly wild, live, no-holds-barred cooking battles straight from the jungle."
Oh Gyu-cheol laughed awkwardly.
"Ha, haha. Show's new—still ironing out kinks."
Na Gang-in didn't overthink it.
"Fine, let's do it. Just this once anyway."
"Hey, why assume defeat before the battle? With your skills, it'd be a great matchup."
Na Gang-in changed the subject.
"So, what do I need to prep?"
"First, pick a mask. Brought some good ones."
Oh Gyu-cheol pulled masks from his bag. Na Gang-in stared.
"Uh... what are these?"
"Masks?"
Animal ones, plain white with eye holes. None appealed.
He muttered,
"This leaves the back of the head exposed, right?"
"New show's got holes everywhere, huh?"
Na Gang-in suggested to Oh Gyu-cheol,
"I'll use one I have."
Oh Gyu-cheol had seen Na Gang-in in action during the Gangnam Jackal incident.
"Ah, you've got your own mask. Figures you'd have something like that. Hahaha."
Can't use real name on TV with a masked face. Oh Gyu-cheol asked,
"So, nickname to match the mask?"
"Hmm... Iron Man?"
"Iron Man Chef. Nice. We'll go with that."
Oh Gyu-cheol left relieved.
Na Gang-in headed to the production base.
"Thought this was field-only."
"Covers the whole head."
Several helmets sat before him, all full-head enclosures.
Not bulky like motorcycle helmets—slim, form-fitting thanks to user head scans.
Na Gang-in picked one.
"This."
Na Gang-in and Jeon Ji-in's helmets were thicker than Dragon Plate. Unlike it, the exterior was sheathed in other materials, hiding the innards.
They'd experimented with designs; this one had a robotic face.
Their goal: rifle-stopping defense. Final product achieved it.
Early versions? Not so much.
This robot-head helmet was one such early dud, headed for scrap.
"Since we're tossing it, might as well use it. Can't risk using a televised helmet on missions later."
"I am logical."
"Ji-in-ah, you love eating at Penelope too. Chef Oh owns it. How many freebies have we gotten there?"
"Flake now, how we gonna show our faces later?"