56
56
You really are a genius
The production team of Genius’s Bucket List anxiously worried that what if the dish Min-o made between the appetizer and
dessert failed to beat the main dish.
“For now, we should definitely present these two to the tasting panel.”
“Yes. I think so too.”
But even before tasting, the judges praised Do Min-o’s hot dog and honey butter potato placed among the uniform dishes,
and included not just one but two of his dishes among the ten items for the tasting panel.
“This is really impressive. How did someone even think of making something like this?”
“Exactly.”
Like the tasting panel, the judges didn’t know who made which dish, and they were especially curious about who had made
the only hot dog and potato chips.
“This tastes good too.”
“A hot dog without a sausage… haha, that’s quite a bold idea. But that boldness elevates street food to another level.”
“The potato chips are the same. I expected something salty, but these are sweet… maybe because of the butter, the flavor
is richer than regular chips.”
“There’s a strangely addictive quality too.”
“Heh, the level of this new product contest is quite high.”
“Indeed. Since they were mindful of the tasting panel, everyone prepared food that could be mass-produced in factories,
so there’s no wasted effort. Especially this hot dog and these chips.”
Most entries were just slight improvements of existing products, to the point they felt similar, but that also made the
Hana Food New Product Contest practical and realistic.
“At this level, they could be commercialized right away.”
“But it’s a bit unfortunate too. Honestly, both feel worthy of first place, but one of them has to lose.”
“Still, I think the grand prize suits these chips more.”
“Sure, this might make more money than the hot dog. But if we think broadly about snack culture, or narrowly about
street food trends, wouldn’t the hot dog be the one to lead it? The visuals alone are fresh, and the taste is unique.”
“Cheese flavor itself is quite common, but eating it like this does make it feel new.”
“More importantly, this rediscovery of cheese could create positive synergy with Hana Food’s cheese sales. Whether it
creates synergy with other products isn’t a main judging point, but it’s not something we can ignore either.”
“Hmm… that’s one way to look at it. This just made judging harder.”
“Even so, it’s a very happy dilemma.”
The judging for first place in this contest was more difficult than ever.
“Whoever gets second place, it’ll really be a shame.”
“True.”
But in the judges’ hearts, there was only one top chef. Both finalists were Do Min-o’s dishes.
“But will the tasting panel recognize the value of these two dishes?”
“Won’t they? They may not consider the company’s situation like we do, but consumers have even sharper tastes than us.”
“Heh, that’s true.”
“Even if the contest result isn’t great, once these get commercialized, the outcome seems obvious.”
“They’re just that well made.”
As the judges said, the contest result itself wasn’t that important. Regardless of the ranking, any product deemed
viable would immediately go into production at Hana Food’s factory.
---
“Someone made a hot dog?”
“Looks like it.”
“But it looks kind of cute.”
“And it tastes good!”
“The potato chips are nice too.”
The tasting panel also showed great interest, as if they intended to rank Do Min-o’s dishes highly.
“But seriously, that’s bold. How did they think to make something like this in a contest like this?”
Still, compared to the other dishes placed before them, it was true that it seemed less competitive.
There were dishes like seafood ramen with whole octopus and squid, dumplings filled with shrimp and ribs, hamburg
steaks, curry—foods so high in quality it was hard to believe they were instant products.
“I think it was actually brilliant. It’s original, at least.”
“That’s true.”
Like the others, Do Min-o’s dishes were also improvements of existing products.
But the fact that they were the only snack and hot dog on the table gave them a distinct edge.
“I’m giving this the highest score.”
“I’m choosing this one.”
Familiar flavors and unexpectedly good flavors naturally scored differently.
And finally, all judging for the Hana Food New Product Contest came to an end.
“I will now announce the first place winner of the 15th Hana Food New Product Contest.”
All participants focused on the head judge holding the microphone on stage.
“Entry number 25, Honey Butter Potato!”
The judges looked down at the contestants. They knew which dish had won, but not who made it.
Could it really not be Do Min-o?
They were also curious, as mischievous viewers, whether they would witness the genius’s first humiliation.
“Whoa……”
When Do Min-o stepped onto the stage, they couldn’t hide their expressions. Some had wondered if he might win again, but
seeing it happen was still shocking.
As expected of a genius?
But their next reaction was simple.
His dish and its concept were undeniably excellent.
Even his competitors gave him thunderous applause, acknowledging his skill.
Unlike the judges, they had watched his entire cooking process and had clearly seen that his skill went beyond his age,
to the level of a seasoned professional.
“Next, we will announce second place. Entry number 26, Potato Cheese Hot Dog!”
The judges once again looked toward the contestants.
“Will the creator of the potato cheese hot dog please come up to the stage?”
There was no movement.
“Please come up.”
“I’m already here.”
“Huh?”
“That’s me too.”
“W-what?”
“I made the hot dog as well.”
There had been no limit on the number of entries, but even preparing one was difficult. Each dish required fifty
servings for the tasting panel.
But Min-o’s dishes only needed frying pre-prepared ingredients, so they were served faster than even ramen.
They had only reached the judges a bit later.
Now the judges were speechless, their faces pale.
On the other hand, his competitors simply smiled and applauded sincerely.
You deserve first place. That’s only right.
As fellow cooks who had prepared for this contest, they couldn’t deny his achievement.
---
“Congratulations.”
Led by PD Kang Ji-seop, the Genius’s Bucket List team congratulated Min-o.
“Thank you.”
“Congratulations.”
Team leader Lee Ga-ye from the Woosung Cultural Foundation’s scholarship support team, who had been waiting with Kang
Ji-seop, also congratulated him.
“Thank you. But who—”
“I heard you told PD Kang you want to win the Chopin Competition.”
“Ah, yes.”
She sounded unnecessarily aggressive.
“I wanted to see whether you’re really capable of winning it.”
“Rather than capable, I’m just working hard toward—”
“No need to be modest or talk fancy. Just show me. You can do that, right? I heard you learned piano while in the U.S.”
“Yes…”
Something felt off.
Min-o glanced at Kang Ji-seop, who avoided his gaze.
“Did you keep playing after coming to Korea?”
“No.”
“And yet you aim to win the Chopin Competition? So you’re a genius in music too?”
It was clear sarcasm.
“That’s right.”
Flattery wouldn’t work on her, and he didn’t want to try.
So instead of his usual polite humility, Min-o pushed back.
She’s exactly the type I hate. Just like my old self.
In just minutes, he realized she resembled his former self, full of superiority.
“Would it be too much to test you right now?”
“Not at all.”
“Oh really? Then shall we go to the practice room?”
“Yes. Let’s.”
Kang Ji-seop, who had been avoiding his gaze, now grinned wickedly.
This is getting interesting.
---
“Wow… even the practice room here is on another level.”
Kang Ji-seop couldn’t hide his amazement at the spacious room and the top-tier grand piano.
“Practice is as good as the real thing.”
Lee Ga-ye crossed her arms and stood by the piano.
“Warm up first.”
“Yes.”
Min-o approached the piano.
“Wait!”
Kang Ji-seop stopped them.
“At least let us set up the cameras—”
“Just start.”
She ignored him.
“Fine… we’ll set up while he warms up…”
This isn’t going well.
“Can you read sheet music?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me what you need. I can get any score in five minutes.”
“I already chose the piece.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t need sheet music.”
“You memorized it?”
“Yes.”
It was a piece he had played throughout school exams.
For him, piano had been distant.
But this piece had become a kind of refuge.
A melody he had heard for decades.
“Cat Waltz should be easy without sheet music.”
To Lee Ga-ye, he still seemed like an arrogant genius from another field.
She didn’t like how lightly he treated Chopin or the competition.
She didn’t like his confidence after a full day of the contest.
She didn’t like him sitting so confidently in this practice room.
But the moment his fingers touched the keys, all her irritation vanished.
Chopin’s Nocturne No. 2.
Even a single phrase told her everything.
He’s good… at piano too?
The production team, who knew nothing about piano, were even more impressed.
The performance was that good.
And they realized Lee Ga-ye, who had been so imposing, was now the one being overwhelmed.
Then she asked seriously,
“Are you going to use this piece for the test?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I like this piece.”
“Why?”
“I like late nights.”
He used to like nights when being alone felt natural.
Such a simple preference.
But that simple answer completely captivated her.
You really are a genius.