Chapter 186
Chapter 186
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: Bulgom Stir-Fried Noodles CF
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The studio arrived earlier than expected.
A spicy aroma assaulted my nose, intense enough to make my mouth water and my head itch.
What the heck? I just got here...
Why was the distinctive spicy scent of Bulgom stir-fried noodles wafting so strongly?
Had someone eaten it here?
"Daddy, it smells so good."
Unlike me, whose head kept itching, Yu-na was sniffing eagerly.
For Yu-na, who didn't mind spicy food... well, it might smell nice to her.
Just an appetite-stimulating scent, right?
"Yeah... it does."
"I wanna try it before the CF shoot."
That was when Yu-na murmured softly.
A middle-aged woman approached us with a bright smile.
"Excuse me, Lee Jun-seo? You're early."
Who was this?
Her outstretched hand carried a sense of authority. It wasn't the vibe of an ordinary staff member.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yoon Joo-yeon, the creator of Bulgom stir-fried noodles. I didn't have to come here, but I wanted to meet you both, so here I am."
"Ah..."
So this was the one who made that hellishly spicy ramen?
The smile of the woman who developed Bulgom stir-fried noodles now looked like a devil's grin to me.
Just one strand.
Yeah, the ramen I'd given up on after barely one strand at home and handed to Yu-na.
Facing the person responsible for it made me want to ask out of nowhere.
"Why'd you make ramen like this?"
I quickly scanned her up and down and shook her hand with a smile.
"Ah, nice to meet you too."
"I'm Yu-na! Hello!"
Hop! Hop!
She burst into laughter at Yu-na's bunny-like bounces and knelt down.
"Nice to meet you, Yu-na actress. I still watch that music video all the time."
"Huh? The one with Sia Aunt?"
"Yes, that one."
Huh? Were my eyes playing tricks?
The smile of the Bulgom stir-fried noodles developer now looked like a devil's grin.
"So, Yu-na. You can eat as much of the bright red ramen as you want today?"
"Oh! Do you like that ramen?"
"Yeah! Daddy says the bright red ramen is too spicy and hates it, but Yu-na thinks it's not spicy at all and super tasty."
"Daddy hates that ramen?"
"Last time, he ate this much! And gave it all to Yu-na."
Yu-na used her tiny hand to show exactly how much I'd eaten—about a fingernail's worth.
Her gaze turned to me.
Yu-na's did too.
"Ah... Will you be okay today?"
Her question sounded like this to me: Brace yourself, 'cause your stomach's gonna turn inside out.
I gave an awkward smile.
"I'm an actor. Gotta act like it's delicious. Ah! Of course, I'm not saying the ramen tastes bad."
Yeah, like an award-winning actor.
Like a man.
I'd endure that intense spiciness with grit and win with my acting.
I clenched my fist inwardly.
Five cameras focused on a neatly set table with a bag of Bulgom stir-fried noodles ready.
Now the real thing began.
As briefed beforehand, I seated Yu-na at the table.
Then we'd just act like we were making and deliciously eating the Bulgom stir-fried noodles together, right?
That was when.
The man directing today's CF shoot approached us.
"Excuse me, you two. Ready?"
"Yes! Yu-na's ready!"
"I'm ready too. Any specific requests for me?"
He crossed his arms and scanned the set dressed like a home kitchen.
After a long scan, his mouth dropped open.
"Lee Yu-na actress, please sit at the table and say you're hungry. Next, Lee Jun-seo actor, say you'll make delicious ramen for her."
I nodded.
Detailed requests—perfect.
Even if it was spicy, I could focus purely on acting like it was tasty.
"And..."
More requests followed.
They were:
While pretending to cook, glance at Yu-na with a smile.
Pick up noodles with chopsticks and hold them high.
Amid the many requests, Yu-na tugged my clothes.
"Daddy, when do we start?"
The director paused and turned to Yu-na, whose eyes were drooping.
His mouth stopped, then opened again.
"Next... just do whatever. We'll edit the good shots and use them."
Finally done.
I nodded slightly.
"Yes, got it."
Tug! Tug!
Yu-na tugged again.
"When do we start? Yu-na wants to eat the red ramen quick..."
At Yu-na's whine, the director's eyebrow twitched. His lip corner lifted slightly, then returned.
'Did he just smile?'
Back to his stern face, he cleared his throat and turned.
"Let's start right away. Wait here first."
Returning to his spot, the director gave instructions to the staff with a straight face.
How much time passed?
"Lee Jun-seo actor. Lee Yu-na actress. We're starting, so get ready to go in."
Took longer than I thought.
I answered loudly enough for the distant director to hear.
"Yes. Got it."
"Woo-hoo! It's finally starting!"
"Now. Head inside."
The CF shoot finally began.
Yu-na beat me to the set and took her seat at the table.
"Ah! I'm hungry! Daddy! The bright red ramen. I wanna eat that."
The director's first request.
I'd thought Yu-na wouldn't say she was hungry.
She's young and has a big appetite.
But Yu-na followed the director's requests perfectly, against expectations.
"Lee Jun-seo actor. Come in quick."
"Got it."
Smiling, I entered the set late. Then I gently stroked her small head swaying side to side.
"That's not bright red ramen. It's Bulgom stir-fried noodles. Wait a sec. Daddy'll make it tasty."
"Yesss!"
Pretending to cook with my back turned, I glanced over my shoulder.
I gave a warm smile to Yu-na, still nodding her head.
Another director request.
"Hee hee hee. Ramen. Ramen."
"Good! That's it! One more take of the same part, then we'll give you the pre-cooked Bulgom stir-fried noodles next."
"Yesss!"
Yu-na hopped off the chair energetically. Then she dashed out of the set alone.
Eager to finish the front part and eat the ramen, huh? Let's wrap it up quick like she wants.
Once.
Twice.
After repeats, Bulgom stir-fried noodles arrived at our table.
Steamy.
Bright red like fire, glistening noodles topped with sesame and seaweed powder.
I swallowed hard.
Just the smell had sweat beading on my forehead, head prickling.
"Can we eat now?"
At Yu-na's question, eyes fixed on the noodles, the director made a circle with his fingers.
"I'll eat well!"
Using kids' chopsticks, Yu-na loaded up noodles and held them high.
Straight to her mouth...
She ate like it was truly delicious.
"Munch munch. Hee hee hee. Sooo good."
"......"
Alright, my turn.
A short deep breath to steady my faltering resolve, then I picked up chopsticks.
"Whew. Whew."
Five repeated takes total.
Trying my best to act like it was delicious, tears welled up.
"Sip. Haa... Sip. Haa..."
Was this okay?
I glanced at the director—he signaled to move on.
"Short break, then next."
Dash!
Two young female staff rushed over.
"Have this!"
"No, take this. Mine's colder."
"Sip... Th-thank you."
I took the closest milk. Ripped it open roughly and soothed my wrecked insides.
"Whew..."
My scorched tongue still stung, but the milk made it bearable.
"It's really spicy. No way I could finish one alone."
"Good job. I-I can't eat Bulgom stir-fried noodles either, too spicy."
"M-me too."
Subtly trembling voices.
Avoiding my eyes oddly.
'This feels like a lie.'
Just a hunch.
"...Really?"
At my delayed reply, they smiled awkwardly, bowed, and left.
As I thought.
"You okay?"
My prediction was right.
"Haa. So full."
A carefree voice from beside me.
Yu-na patted her bulging belly contentedly, her little lips covered in bright red sauce.
Two plates in front of Yu-na.
She'd taken my leftovers and polished them off.
'Eating two of those spicy ones...'
Impressive.
Tap! Tap!
I slowly turned at the table-tapping. Yoon Joo-yeon stood there, handing me two tissues.
"Jun-seo, good work."
"...Good work nothing. We just sat and ate."
I took the tissue and gently wiped my stinging lips.
Then.
I used the other to clean Yu-na's lips spotless.
"You looked like you were struggling earlier. Stomach okay? The heartburn lasts longer than you'd think."
"...Ah, yes. Fine now. Pretty tolerable. If we did it again now, I could eat even tastier."
I shrugged, ending with deep regret.
"Pfft!"
Did I look that bad?
Yoon Joo-yeon turned and let out a small laugh. I heard it clearly nearby.
"Ahem! R-really?"
"How much shooting left?"
"Next is just holding the Bulgom bag and saying a few lines. No more eating. ...Relieved?"
"Ah, end in sight..."
My true feelings slipped out.
Laughter erupted from ahead again. Louder this time.
"Ahaha. Jun-seo, want some good news?"
"What's that?"
"Our company’s gifting you six months' worth of Bulgom stir-fried noodles..."
Gifting Bulgom stir-fried noodles?
"......Ah."
A sigh escaped unwittingly.
"Ahaha! Jun-seo, you're hilarious. I thought you'd only react like that for your daughter."
"......"
"That was a joke. We're gifting a Bulgom doll."
Only then did I sigh in relief inwardly, stroking my startled chest.