Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Unexpected TV Offer
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"Broadcasting?"
What broadcast?
The out-of-left-field comment had me blurting out a reflexive question. This guy wasn't some TV network producer—what was he on about?
"Ah~. Nothing major. I know a PD at a broadcasting station who's looking for participants for an upcoming show."
"Yeah?"
"If it's too much of a hassle, feel free to turn it down."
Slurp.
Kang Yoo-ha went back to his kimchi jjigae as he spoke.
"What kind of show?"
"Not sure if I should spill the details. Well, since it's also about scouting talent, it should be fine. Just don't go blabbing about it anywhere."
Kang Yoo-ha leaned forward, lowering his voice.
"You know how competition shows are all the rage these days? Singing auditions, dance battles. Oh, and I heard a new season of [Master Chefs] is dropping soon. You catch wind of that?"
"I know singing audition shows are trending."
Anyone with eyes and a remote knew it. Flip through channels, and you'd hit a fresh audition program every time. They were pumping them out faster than you could count.
That latest K-POP Star Hunt had drawn crowds of applicants like bees to honey, from what I'd heard.
"Another cooking competition on the horizon?"
"Haha. [Master Chefs] is too dominant a rival for that. But mukbangs are blowing up on NewTube these days, and viewer demand for cooking shows is definitely rising."
Hmm.
Catching that wave, huh? Not bad.
Just like Kang Yoo-ha said. Once this audition boom faded, cooking shows were primed to take over for a good while.
"So, get this: eight chefs showcasing simple dishes made from everyday ingredients. To keep it fun, it'll be a showdown format, and the ingredients..."
Kang Yoo-ha grinned as he continued.
"...will come from celebrity guests' refrigerators."
Ah.
That show.
"If it was just chefs, it'd be boring. Too much like a documentary. To add some variety flair, guests make it better."
"Hmm. Go on."
"That's the gist. The issue is these eight chefs."
Even from the rough outline, I could tell it was that hit show from before my regression.
Decent ratings, as I recalled.
Especially memorable because...
"They want one of the eight to be someone without any chef experience."
...Yeah, that was it.
Even so, that guy had outmaneuvered seasoned pros round after round, delivering pure entertainment gold.
I'd binged it myself. Bouncy ideas and quick wit that stuck with you.
"They're nearly done casting the chefs, but that last spot's a headache. Needs someone with variety chops who can stir up buzz. Can't be a total cooking newbie, though."
"So I'm perfect, huh?"
"Not a chef, but obsessed with food, and the star of the hottest recent scandal. Fits like a glove, right?"
Kang Yoo-ha flashed a friendly smile. In short, the upcoming show had a hole, and could I fill it?
"Plus, from what I saw in those interviews, Owner Song's got solid variety skills. Sharp lines, and you know when to sprinkle in some MSG."
I'd handled enough press to know that much.
I could hit the right beats to steer headlines my way.
"I owe that PD a favor, and you're too good to waste, Owner Song. Think of it as a shot at breaking into TV. How about chatting with our PD?"
Of course, he added that the final call would come after a face-to-face with the PD.
Who'd have thought it'd circle back to me like this.
Something I'd never imagined pre-regression felt oddly fun.
"Hmm. Not thrilled about more exposure, though. What to do."
"Aw, come on. Your face is already out there."
"Wasn't by choice."
Without that plagiarism fiasco, I wouldn't have gone public like this.
A blessing in disguise, maybe. Franchise inquiries exploded after, making recruitment a breeze.
"You're not planning to hide forever, right? That'd be a shame."
Kang Yoo-ha seemed sincere. Was I really variety material?
Sure, I'd eventually dive headfirst into TV and press to make it hard for Hyunmu to touch me...
[Timing's spot on, though.]
When else would eyes be glued to me like now?
Strike while the iron's hot. Crowds forget fast. Another scandal could bury me later.
[Plus, the show's a surefire hit.]
After a beat of thought, I spoke first to Kang Yoo-ha.
"Could I get that PD's contact?"
"Oh! For real?!"
"Just want to meet and hear the full pitch. Not committing yet."
"Awesome. Gotta call now. That PD's eyes are bloodshot hunting talent. She'll jump at this."
No exaggeration—he whipped out his phone right away. Dialed someone, then glanced my way as he started talking.
"Hey, PD Kim~. How's lunch treating you?"
A woman's voice mumbled faintly from the speaker. Hard to make out, but she sounded exasperated.
"Whoa. Gotta eat properly, PD. Yeah, yeah. I'm good. About that show you're prepping—got your cast locked in?"
-......
"Ah~. Really? Mind if I recommend someone?"
-...?
"You know Snowflake Bingsu? I know the owner who invented it. What about him?"
-....... ......!
Kang Yoo-ha winced, pulling the phone from his ear. Once the yelling died down, he put it back.
"Whoa, PD. Nearly blew out my eardrum~. Yep, yep. He's eating with me now. I'll pass your number—have a good chat. Call this even for that favor~?"
Kang Yoo-ha winked playfully at me.
Gratitude, I guess. Why the wink?
"Yeah?"
His face shifted to mild surprise.
"Ah, you're nearby? For real—you're coming now?"
What?
He half-covered the blaring phone with one hand, pulling it away from his ear.
Then he looked at me.
"Um, Owner? PD says she's heading here... that cool?"
"Right now?"
"Yeah. It's urgent, she says."
Kang Yoo-ha scratched his head sheepishly.
"Sure, whatever."
A bit thrown, but if it's urgent... He nodded and resumed.
"Hmm. We're basically done eating, so not ideal here. I'll text a nearby cafe address. Head there. How long? Ah~. Got it. I'll intro you two and bounce."
"Yep~." Kang Yoo-ha hung up and grinned wide at me.
"Man~. PD's pumped. She'll zoom over like a bullet. Saved my skin thanks to you."
"I'm the grateful one for the hookup."
"Haha. Win-win then?"
Kang Yoo-ha shrugged.
"Off to the cafe? There's one nearby our company runs."
"Oh, Bingwa?"
"Nah, different one."
"?"
Kang Yoo-ha looked puzzled. Like, what other cafe?
"You'll see when we get there."
I smiled brightly. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Americano order up~."
Thud.
The part-timer set down cups way bigger than usual. Bigger than a 'large' at most spots.
"Whoa~."
Kang Yoo-ha's jaw dropped.
"What’s with the size? That's huge!"
"About 24 ounces."
"How much is that?"
"Roughly 0.6 liters... Think Starbucks Venti at 20 ounces for comparison?"
"Bigger than Venti, huh."
Spot on.
"Not overdoing it? Price was dirt cheap too."
"Still some left even then."
I chuckled.
"Not on the menu yet, of course. Still conceptualizing."
Too soon. Need more time for another cafe brand.
"But as owner, I snag these for 'tastings.'"
Pre-regression, I downed liters, so store-bought americanos feel skimpy now. Hard to go back once hooked.
"Want a to-go for you, Reporter? You seem like a coffee guy."
"Aw, thanks. Was gonna buy."
"Nah~."
Feels wasteful buying out.
I grabbed the massive americanos and found a spot inside.
"This the place? Where you first sold snowflake bingsu."
"Yep. Doubles as waiting area for the gukbap joint next door. Parking too."
Odd hour maybe. Late lunchers kept the lot sparse.
Gukbap across the way was still packed, though.
"Wow. Impressive all over again."
Kang Yoo-ha murmured admiration. This?
We sipped americanos, chatting trivialities, when—
Ding~.
"Welcome to Song Coffee~."
Part-timer's greeting, then purposeful footsteps our way.
Bang!
Someone slammed the table.
"Kang, Reporter."
I turned slowly at the shadow overhead.
Wild frizzy curls, black sunglasses indoors. Had to be PD Kim that Kang Yoo-ha called.
"Oh, PD Kim. You're here."
Kang Yoo-ha greeted warmly, but her face twisted in fury.
"Kang, you trying to get killed?"
...This wasn't going how I expected.