Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Snowflake Bingsu Goes Viral
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The moment our eyes met, I recognized her right away.
Shim Chaeyoon.
How could I not know her? She was the one who opened up new horizons in the genre known as mukbang.
She started on internet streaming platforms, later branched out to YouTube, and eventually became a regular on TV.
With her cute looks and an appetite that didn't match, she skyrocketed to fame in no time.
This was my first time seeing her in person, but her slightly youthful face was already familiar, so I spotted her immediately.
'Come to think of it, mukbang content hasn't blown up that much yet, has it?'
Judging by how she was strolling down the street without a hat or mask, that had to be the case.
'What a coincidence. Back in the day, when we launched that bingsu franchise, we even used Shim Chaeyoon as a promo model.'
Who would've thought she'd come walking right to me? And at this perfect timing, just as we're starting to take off.
I wasn't a fan, so I didn't know the exact moment she'd explode in popularity... but it couldn't be far off.
'Probably this year. At latest, early next year.'
At the very least, by next year. That's when her face started popping up all over YouTube.
The golden rule for stocks and talent: scoop them up at rock bottom.
'This is my chance.'
The thought came naturally.
And opportunities belong to those who seize them before they slip away.
"By any chance, do you do any broadcasting?"
Shim Chaeyoon's eyes went wide at my question.
"Broadcasting? No, I'm just a college student."
Not yet, huh.
It seemed like Shim Chaeyoon needed a bit more time to really shine.
"Oh, really? You were eating so deliciously, I thought you might be one of those mukbang people."
I brushed it off smoothly, and her friend chimed in from beside her.
"Right? Hey, I told you to try mukbang!"
"Nah. What's fun about watching me eat? Forget it."
Shim Chaeyoon waved it off.
What a clueless thing to say. In five years, people would line up just to watch you eat...
'But this works out even better.'
Once she starts broadcasting, any favors would lose their edge. Other companies would do the same.
But as a nobody college student? That's a different story.
"I shouldn't really give extras like this... but you ate so enjoyably, I'll sneak some more in."
I added another snowflake bingsu, and her eyes sparkled. She must've wanted more badly.
"Keep it secret from the others, okay?"
"Yeah! Thank you!"
"No problem. Just spread the word to your friends that this place is great~."
"Will do!"
Shim Chaeyoon nodded enthusiastically and dove right back into her bingsu.
I watched her with a satisfied smile, then naturally shifted to serving other customers who came in.
"We ate so well! We'll be back~."
Shim Chaeyoon and her friends left with smiles. Seemed like I'd planted a good image successfully.
After she left, more customers trickled in for bingsu.
"Wow~. Where's this from?"
"When did you start selling it? Perfect for summer."
I fielded the inquiries pouring in from all sides, steadily building awareness for the 'snowflake bingsu.'
At first, 'snowflake bingsu' just sounded like some exotic mystery dessert.
But word of mouth spread, and soon everyone in the area knew about it.
Eventually, people started buying gukbap just to get bingsu, and the wait times stretched endlessly.
"Aigoo, Wooyeun. So many people, it's a disaster. The other place is packed, and here too—it's nonstop. Thinking we need to hire more hall servers."
Just as Kim Jongchun's grumbling laced with subtle reproach hit, I caught the hint.
Bzzz. My phone vibrated. Lighting the screen, [Jo Team Leader]'s name loomed large. Weird. No reason for him to call today.
"Yes, hello?" -President. His voice sounded off. And as Jo Iruk fell silent for a moment, noisy phone rings layered the background. One bell cut off sharply, only for the next to ring frantically. And before long, another followed. Phones were ringing off the hook. -...What the hell did you do? "Whoa. That many calls?" -All inquiries about snowflake bingsu! Oh?
"Inquiries, you say..." -No idea. I pick up, they say they saw it online, ask where to buy—told 'em it's still in talks. But dozens already, and it'll be hundreds soon. I checked the calendar. Time flew already. Two weeks since the test shop started. About time for online buzz.
"I told incoming customers: post a review on Facebook, get extra bingsu as an event." -Pardon? "Asked them to tag our official account. Check it out."
I opened the Facebook app myself and searched 'snowflake bingsu.' "Whoa."
[Trendy Snowflake Bingsu Right Now?!]
The scroll went on forever. Personal reviews mixed with Facebook pages reposting everywhere—they'd bitten the hook.
Huge text grabbed eyes. Page: 'Today's Reviews,' with hundreds of thousands of followers. A big one.
As always with link-sharing pages, one post sparked a frenzy: 'Mukbang Feast,' 'Random Talk Page,' 'What to Do Today?,' 'What to Eat Today?'—tons promoting snowflake bingsu.
More like 'unique menu spotlight' than taste reviews, but still.
I tapped one and checked comments.
Comments looked solid. Secondary confirmation cleared.
Views... holy crap.
'No wonder inquiries exploded.'
Search the name online, and it's easy to trace back to The Song's HQ.
"Everything's ready."
-Pardon? Jo Iruk sounded puzzled, so I replied calmly. "That big cafe next to the one we acquired?"
"No other customers but me."
"Yeah. Big cafe opened next door—must be that."
A passing conversation floated up.
"We need to acquire that one."
-What?! Jo Iruk couldn't hide his shock. -What are you talking about all of a sudden! We have a perfectly good cafe already—why the one next door...? Wait. President, don't tell me. A stunned voice came through the phone. -You planned this from the start? "Of course." I grinned. "Told you it'd be a hit."
"Shouldn't you focus on existing franchises now?!"
"It'll be a hit!"
Recalling our past chat, Jo Iruk let out a small exclamation.
-Ah...! I hadn't foreseen this exact form, but popularity surged faster than expected. -H-how'd you see this coming? Unique menu or not, didn't think it'd blow up like this. Did you predict even that, President? "Nah, no way. If I could, why bother with food business? I'd set up a fortune-telling stall."
Too much exaggeration. Even before regression, Jo Iruk had a habit of idolizing me.
"Just... sometimes luck like this comes knocking in life."
Of course, huge credit to introducing 'review events' in this era where the concept was novel. Plus, non-sale item: want more? Join the event. Scarcity did the heavy lifting.
"Anyway, put in the acquisition inquiry. If they balk, say we'll start from the small cafe we already have." -Not many could hold out against that. "Generous compensation, though. Key money? Meet 'em fairly." -Got it! "I'll check the final price. Handle details till then." -Yes~. Click. After hanging up, I grinned. Things were going smoothly—couldn't help but be pleased. 'Not long now. Till we officially launch snowflake bingsu.' Minimal changes to the existing cafe wouldn't take long. Basics: interior in a week. Time to post hiring ads. Oh, gotta scout franchisees too...
"Song Wooyeun!"
A call from behind made me turn. Oops. Away too long?
"You called?"
Lee Incheol nodded like that was obvious.
"What was that call? So long?"
"Got lengthy. Done now—no worries."
"Tsk, focus. Where's your head at?"
"Don't worry. I'll inspect the expansion site thoroughly."
Lee Incheol's Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212 expansion move was locked in, time had passed. Interiors done, relocation prep mostly finished. Per plan: open next week at new spot. Today's final walkthrough. Visited often during construction—no big issues. First time seeing tables and chairs fully set.
"We've come this far."
I grinned, standing before the much larger Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212 main branch. Expansion relocation. The risky choice's results loomed close.