Buy Two, Get One Free
Dr. Lee paused for a moment, glancing at me cautiously. Ramen that could replace jjajangmyeon. The idea had a nice ring to it. The problem was that ramen and jjajangmyeon could never occupy the same space from the start. Their prices, how they were eaten, and people's perceptions were all too different. No matter how much ramen advanced, it could never outright steal jjajangmyeon's place. Ramen was just for getting by on hunger, while jjajangmyeon was for special occasions. I knew exactly what Dr. Lee was worried about. He spoke up.
"Jjajang ramen was something N Company tried developing a few years back. But it failed. Does the young lady know why?"
Of course I did. I was a ramen researcher and developer. The key to jjajang was stir-frying chunjang paste with oil. But N Company's early jjajang ramen was just a soupy imitation of regular jjajangmyeon. Back in the 1970s, jjajangmyeon was treated like a luxury. Entrance ceremonies, graduations. Kids' birthdays. When special guests came over. Consumers thought this when jjajang ramen first hit the market:
"Jjajang as ramen? Might as well just order from a Chinese restaurant."
To make jjajang ramen succeed, that perception had to change. N Company had overlooked it entirely. A greasy, cloying ramen that only mimicked jjajangmyeon.
"Dr. Lee."
"Yes, young lady."
"Suppose—and just suppose—a food that can't be replaced also exists as one that can, all at the same time. Would you believe it?"
"Young lady, what do you...?"
"Exactly what I said. If we say we're completely replacing jjajangmyeon, it'll end up compared to the original in people's mouths. And once compared, it can never beat the real thing."
"But that's a contradiction, isn't it? You just said you'd replace it..."
"Right. I'm telling you a walking contradiction right now. But what if it becomes reality?"
I knew it well, coming from the future. He didn't know wages would stay the same while prices rose several times over. Single-person households would increase, and with limited budgets, people would naturally compromise. Even if it wasn't a perfect substitute. Even if it was a step below the original. If they could grab something similar from a nearby supermarket instead of walking dozens of minutes to the local jjajang place—for a fraction of the price. By then, wouldn't the jjajang ramen I created blend naturally into people's lives? Plus, I knew the golden ratio recipe that was key to ramen.
"Young lady, how do you even come up with these ideas?"
At Dr. Lee's question, I flashed a bright smile.
"Hehe~ Actually, I rode a time machine from a distant future."
For a moment, taking it as a joke, Dr. Lee's face twisted oddly.
Day by day, Dad's expression grew darker. As expected, the ace ramen from Hansung Food wasn't selling and was rotting in the warehouse. Lately, he was getting called to Grandpa more often. Raised voices that sounded like scoldings echoed now and then. Even with my future knowledge, if someone told me to sell ramen that didn't suit Korean tastes, I'd shake my head. This was a doomed project. Dad was shutting down the food division and scrambling to sell even one more pack.
"Seoyeon-ah."
Mom watched Dad bustle about with a gloomy look.
"At this rate, our family might get kicked out of the Bukchangdong Mansion."
If Hansung Food went under, Mom's worry would come true. That future was drawing closer. 'Isn't there a way?' Unsold ramen. Compared to S Company's hot seller dominating over 60% market share, ours at Hansung Food couldn't even crack 3%. Some breakthrough solution felt just on the tip of my tongue. After agonizing late into the night, one idea hit me. 'If it won't sell, just do a buy-two-get-one-free deal!' I headed straight to Dad. But what to say? If a girl not even five suggested a counter no marketing department had thought of? 'Better play it like a kid.' Sure enough, Dad was deep in work.
"Daaaad!"
"Aigoo, is our Seoyeon bored and came to visit?"
Dad scooped me up in an instant.
"Buy me a doll!"
"A doll?"
I'd never asked my parents for anything before. Dad had even lamented that I seemed too mature for my age.
"Yeah! A doll. A big one that looks like a bunny!"
"R-Really? If our Seoyeon wants it, we go right now. How about a family outing to the department store for once?"
"Waaah!"
Uhihihi! The department store would have the hint I needed. I'd seen a intriguing flyer recently.
"Yeah! Let's go now!"
"Okay!"
I rode with my parents to the department store.
Rumors were flying in business circles. The all-boys Hansung Group finally had a granddaughter. And her beauty was like a doll molded to perfection. That said it all. The moment we arrived at the department store, envious stares poured in.
"Whose daughter is that?"
"Oh my, she's so pretty."
"She'll break a lot of hearts when she grows up."
"Is she a child actress?"
Passing ajummas praised me in awed tones. My nose naturally lifted. Dad was thrilled. How could he not be, with his precious daughter—whom he wouldn't trade for the world in his eyes—getting all the compliments?
"Of course Seoyeon's pretty—she takes after me."
"Hey! What if Seoyeon ends up looking like you?"
"Hing..."
Dad was a softie despite his looks. Bandit-like on the outside, but always under Mom's thumb. My appearance must have come from Mom, the former top star. As we strolled the department store holding hands, a man with a megaphone shouted from afar.
I led my parents slowly toward the man with the megaphone. There, unsold toys and dolls piled up like mountains. Nothing special to catch the eye—probably why they weren't selling. It reminded me uncannily of Hansung Food's ramen.
Sleek car models and animal plushies awaited new owners. Dad reached for a doll, then froze. His eyes trembled like aspen leaves. Gotcha! No matter my future knowledge, convincing Dad with terms like inventory or sales was tough. Business wasn't child's play. One owner's call decided if employees ate or starved. Even a genius girl was still just a kid. So I wheedled him into the department store. I'd known about the promo from ads.
"Honey, Seoyeon-ah..."
"Yes?"
"Huh?"
Dad pulled out a notepad and scribbled furiously.
"Sorry, something urgent came up. Can you two handle the outing without me?"
Mom's glare sharpened. Poor Dad. I grabbed Mom's hand and nodded vigorously.
"Hehe, outing with just Mom is fine. Dad always works so hard for our family."
Dad's eyes glistened. Deeply moved.
"Our Seoyeon is the best."
"Hehe~"
Dad gently stroked my hair. Mom, watching, sighed deeply but relented.
"Can't be helped if it's work. I'll spend the day with Seoyeon."
"Thanks, honey. It was our first family outing in ages..."
In front of everyone, Dad and Mom shared a light kiss. I covered my eyes with both hands. Eoryeoryeong...
Han Seongcheol hadn't been sleeping well lately. All because of his one granddaughter. His hard-won treasure. As long as she grew up healthy and unharmed, he asked for nothing more. But Seoyeon went beyond healthy—she was leagues ahead of her peers. She'd gone through ten teachers already. All from top universities. None lacking, yet they all quit teaching her. Her level was too high; find another way, they said.
"Hoo..."
A few days ago, Seoyeon had come to him and said:
"Grandpa, what's your dream?"
"This old man's dream?"
"Yes! Grandpa's dream!"
"Hm. If I could be young again, I'd go to a good university and study with my classmates."
Han Seongcheol had been dirt poor in the past. After the Korean War, he and his wife started a business with nothing but a rickety street stall. Day-to-day survival. Then crisis struck. His wife collapsed from overwork, and his life changed forever. No money—that was the deepest regret.
'Imja...'
He missed his late wife today more than ever. Seoyeon filled that void.
"Then I want to fulfill Grandpa's dream for you."
"Our Seoyeon will fulfill this old man's dream?"
"Yes! When I grow up, I'll enroll in Korea University!"
"...!"
Korea University. Sacred ground for chaebol heirs. Kids groomed on elite paths from birth couldn't even touch it, let alone lesser schools. His own sons were no different.
"Heh heh heh..."
Han Seongcheol savored his tea, thinking you'd see anything living long enough. Then the study door burst open.
"Faaather!"
"Quiet, you colt! Whose bedroom is this? Barging in yelling like that!"
"Father! I think we can solve it!"
"?"
The youngest son, Han Seongu, grabbed the wrinkled hands of Chairman Han Seongcheol tightly.
"I found a distribution network that can clear out all the ramen piling up in the warehouse!"