31
Chapter 31 Cooking Is Science
The distance from Sangnok Elementary School to the orphanage was quite far.
Even taking a shortcut, it took nearly an hour for young elementary school kids to walk.
So despite shopping for six million won worth of groceries, Do Minho, traveling by car, arrived at the orphanage earlier
than the children.
“What… what is all this?”
The director, who had been waiting, widened his eyes at the mountain of groceries brought by the broadcasting staff.
“I promised the kids I’d make tteokbokki.”
“Haha, what?”
He had heard Minho made ramen before, but never proper cooking.
“But… that’s meat?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m making beef brisket tteokbokki.”
“You’re putting beef in tteokbokki?”
For someone who rarely even used meat in soup, this was unimaginable.
Still, because it was Minho, he accepted it.
“Did they buy all this?”
“Yes.”
“…I see.”
“It’s my appearance fee.”
“I look forward to working with you.”
The BBS PD stepped forward and bowed.
They even put up a banner outside the orphanage.
“Broadcast inquiries only at the front gate. Violators will not be considered.”
“Minho values his privacy.”
The director nodded.
“All others, please leave.”
“…What?”
“Bring proper proposals next time.”
Minho ignored them and went straight to the kitchen.
---
“Looks about right.”
A large steel plate was placed over the stove.
“Hyung, what’s that?”
“I’m making tteokbokki.”
“Wow!”
The kids cheered.
“But that’s meat!”
“There’s rice cake too.”
They were about to taste something unheard of.
“Help me out.”
“Yes!”
“Open the rice cakes and put them here.”
“Okay!”
‘Time to show them 21st-century flavor.’
In 1996, this was something no one had tasted.
“Look!”
“Ah, they’re here.”
“My friends.”
---
“You can cook too?”
The director watched, amazed.
“Sometimes.”
“And this camera?”
“It was a gift.”
“From ABS?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t agree to appear?”
“No, just to give them tapes.”
“I see…”
“Can we film cooking too?”
“Not today.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want the kids to feel uncomfortable.”
“…That’s fair.”
“Let’s just enjoy the food.”
The staff nodded.
“Need help?”
“Please chop the cabbage.”
“Be careful with the knife.”
“Don’t worry.”
His knife skills were surprisingly refined.
‘What kind of kid is he?’
“Can you season too?”
“Of course. Cooking is science.”
“How?”
“Spicy, sweet, and salty.”
“Haha, that’s it?”
“If it’s spicy, sweet, and salty, it’s delicious. Add meat, and it’s guaranteed.”
“That makes sense.”
“Though steak is harder.”
“Haha, true.”
Cooking hadn’t always been his interest.
In his previous life, he barely cared about food.
But one incident changed that.
A cockroach in his meal.
It shattered his already fragile motivation.
So he started cooking for himself.
Now, he could cook for others.
“This is amazing!”
The kids devoured the food.
Even the older ones couldn’t resist.
“What about tomorrow?”
“What do you want?”
“Shrimp tempura?”
“Shrimp?!”
“Real shrimp.”
“I want it!”
Even the hesitant kids joined in.
“Alright. Tomorrow.”
‘So that’s why he ordered 50kg of shrimp.’
“Still, frying is dangerous.”
“You’ll help, right?”
“…Alright.”
‘Maybe I can hire someone too.’
The director realized something.
‘I don’t have to do everything alone.’
Then another thought followed.
‘We need a playground.’
The dream grew larger.
‘If more kids come here… ours will be happier.’
And for the first time, it felt possible.