Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: The Alley Pork Kimchi Stew Spot
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Even with a muffler wrapped around my neck, the knife-like chill wormed its way through the gaps. I gently stroked the nape of my neck, where goosebumps had prickled up.
"Ah, you're here. Song CEO~."
"Hello."
Im Hye-eun looked at me and smiled brightly.
We exchanged brief small talk while getting our makeup done.
"The weather's really cold today, huh?"
"Tell me about it. I got a shock on the way over."
"How've you been?"
"Yeah, doing great."
Sure, there'd been a brief flurry of chaos, but Hyunmu Group's offer had vanished into thin air like it never happened, leaving nothing more to worry about.
"You seemed super busy with work."
"Haha, no choice. The Fair Trade Commission's results are coming soon. Since it drew so much public attention, they're scrutinizing every little detail."
"Ah~. Makes sense. Which means the first episode of this show isn't far off either."
Im Hye-eun looked positively thrilled.
She'd been appearing on all sorts of programs lately, rising to the ranks of hot MCs beyond just Alley Secrets. I hadn't expected her to be so invested in this one.
Guess her high hopes for the show weren't just empty words.
"Even before airing, word's spreading that any place with your handwritten certification is a must-visit. No one knows the details, but everyone seems to have caught on that filming's underway."
"Once it airs, even more people will flock there. I'm a bit worried if they can handle the crowds."
Especially that hat brigade stew joint. The veggie tempura was so labor-intensive.
Still, I could only hope they'd pull through.
I'd given them plenty of warning, so whether they tweaked the recipe to their liking or stuck rigidly to the original was their call.
Of course, any modifications would come with backlash they'd have to weather themselves.
"Today's shoot is... hmm."
I skimmed the script ahead of time and muttered to myself.
"There's a pork kimchi jjigae place."
"Ah~. Sounds delicious, right?"
Im Hye-eun smacked her lips dramatically. She looked like the type to stick to refined Korean banquet meals or Western fare, but surprisingly, she had a soft spot for grub like this.
"For pork kimchi jjigae, the pork needs to be thick-cut with plenty of fat to taste right. Don't you think? That nutty fat melting into the kimchi broth in your mouth... Ugh, it's making my mouth water."
"Tasty stuff."
I chuckled and added,
"If it's made well."
Any dish with meat hinges on whether you nail the off-flavors.
Picky eaters won't touch it otherwise.
'Well, I'll know once I try it.'
With that thought, I set the script aside for a moment.
The makeup brush had by now reached my eyes.
"Alright, let's head out~!"
"Sure."
Stepping out of the production room onto the street, I was momentarily stunned by the surging crowds. It felt like the busiest location of any shoot I'd done so far.
'Varied eateries, no lopsided foot traffic. But this neighborhood counts it as a bustling district, huh.'
And this was picked for Alley Secrets? I kept walking, puzzled.
I soon understood why.
As soon as we turned into one alley, the foot traffic dropped off a cliff.
"Ah ha...."
One street apart, and the vibe was night and day. I glanced back at the main road. Busy passersby had no clue about the shops lining this side street.
'Prosperity hiding poverty, literally.'
The main drag was packed with diverse stores, big shopping malls, theaters—drawing all the eyes.
Stray just a bit off that artery into the back, and forgotten shops huddled shoulder-to-shoulder.
"It's an old alley. Totally different vibe from out there. The commercial zones are practically split."
I muttered to the camera like it was just me talking.
"But inside here, you've got grill houses, makgeolli spots, hangover soup joints. Quiet by day, but nights bring plenty of drinkers looking for a round."
At least it was somewhat hopeful. Pork kimchi jjigae paired perfectly with booze anyway.
If the ambiance supported it, it could carve out a nice bar niche.
"Here it is."
Nestled between a meat grill and booze joint that hadn't even opened yet: a lone pork kimchi jjigae house.
'Opening hours are all wrong from the jump.'
Or maybe bad location choice?
Customers hitting this alley—who they were, peak times—you could gauge from established neighbors.
Lights out everywhere else, but trying solo lunch service? Proof they skipped market research.
'If lunch was the plan, don't plant here. To max sales here, focus dinner, booze till dawn.'
I knew how grueling late-night pours were, so I hesitated to recommend it lightly.
But coldly? If sales were bad enough to apply for the show, that's the play.
'Exterior's decent, anyway.'
Standard, unflashy kimchi jjigae joint.
Inside, unique tables caught my eye.
'Round ones?'
Metal rounds like at grill spots, gas burner in the center each—boil the jjigae there, eat communal style.
'Not bad. Suits evenings better anyway.'
Given the dinner-only street vibe. A touch of bar atmosphere? Forgivable.
Even gave retro charm—looked good.
"Oh my gosh!"
A startled yelp from the kitchen. I smiled familiarly and greeted.
"Hello, Owner. Nice to meet you."
"Oh my, oh my. What do I do? I had no idea you'd come today—no makeup or anything. Of all days."
The middle-aged woman fussed playfully, welcoming me warmly. The crew was so stealthy, every owner reacted like this.
Pork kimchi jjigae owner Lee Hyo-soon gripped my hand tight and kept going.
"I'm a huge fan. I've watched every show you're on~. Oh my god. Is this a dream or real life?"
"Hahaha. Thank you, Owner."
"Look at me rambling. You've been standing! Sit here!"
She yanked out a nearby chair, hustled over wet towel, water, glass—frantic.
Already bustling, but her nonstop chatter was downright dizzying.
"Last night, I dreamed of a noble guest. A fist-sized acorn rolled right to me—I grabbed it thinking how auspicious. Must've meant you coming, Song Woo-yeon. Hehe."
"Go figure, haha. So, Owner, pork kimchi jjigae's your single menu item?"
I cut in quick, snatching the menu. Letting her roll would've gone forever.
"Yes~."
"Then one pork kimchi jjigae, please. What's the hot side?"
"Egg rolls and kimchi pancakes. Lots order 'em as evening booze snacks."
"Those too, then."
Lee Hyo-soon jotted the order with a chipper "Yes~." Then teased,
"No makgeolli? Or soju?"
"......"
Soju with kimchi jjigae? Tempting as hell, but broadcast—hold off.
"I'm good. Just the meal. Still broad daylight."
"Aw, time doesn't matter. Day drinkers galore here~. Hang tight, coming right up!"
Her customer style brimmed with warmth—great. Young crowds might split, but neighborhood biz thrives on heart.
Affable types had the edge, fact.
'Plenty of day drinkers? Lunch to target that niche? Smarter strategy than I thought.'
Maybe she had unexpected chops—that's when.
"......?"
Reflexively setting utensils, I froze.
Spoons and chopsticks in a homey holder, but touch told all.
'Something sticky... coating it?'
Made me want to yank back. Not a day or two's grime.
Layers of age-old neglect, built up.
'This is bad.'
Utensil holder filthy? Kills appetite before you start.
Other customers not notice?
'No, Owner knows.'
Just brushed it off. Happens.
To diners? Huge deal.
Uneasy, I craned to peek kitchen. Lee Hyo-soon bustled cooking, back turned.
I stood quietly, edged closer via dish pass-through for a glimpse.
"......"
I clamped my mouth shut.
Sat back without a word.
Soon, full order arrived: pork kimchi jjigae, massive egg roll, kimchi pancakes.
"Eat up~."
Lee Hyo-soon beamed, waved, scurried to production room.
Alone with the food, I stared it down awhile.
After long debate, I blurted,
"I can't eat this."