Chapter 115

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 115

Chapter Title: Vlog Boom and Sold-Out Success

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Lee Hyun-woo woke up at 6:30 a.m. He used to rise at 8, but lately, with his gym routine, he'd been getting up early.

'I want to build a cool body like the president's.'

He wanted to become a handsome man. He wanted to live a healthy life.

He took the comprehensive vitamins and omega-3s the president had gifted him. He washed them down with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠plenty of lukewarm water.

Looking at the camera, he said,

"They say it's best to drink lots of water when taking vitamins."

"There's a huge difference in how you feel with and without them. When I take them, my body feels so light..."

"The comprehensive vitamins I'm taking are from a tiny little small business, apparently. They're such a great product, though..."

Lee Hyun-woo started filming his Vlog right after waking up. He planned to capture his entire day in it.

When he told PD Bae Min-seong he wanted to try Vlogging, the company had provided him with free equipment.

"Whew... After working out... I'm totally wiped. This is exhausting."

"I keep breakfast simple. Soy milk, one boiled egg, and a sweet potato—that's my morning meal."

"Today, I've got Cook Hyun-woo filming scheduled for 9 a.m. Before heading to the studio, I'm stopping by Halmae's Tteok."

"Halmae's Tteok is short for Grandma's Spicy Tteokbokki. They sell deliciously spicy tteokbokki and fritters."

He stepped out of the house.

He walked to the Halmae's Tteok shop.

"Halmae's Tteok is the tteokbokki shop run by our YSP Entertainment president. He started it to give a job to a grandma struggling to make ends meet."

"The president came to me and asked if I could develop a tteokbokki recipe. I was flustered at first, but after hearing her story, I wanted to help."

"Here's how it all went down..."

He arrived at Halmae's Tteok.

He filmed inside the shop. He checked inventory, noted areas for improvement, and cleaned every nook and cranny spotless.

"This is our Halmae's Tteok uniform. Cute and pretty, right?"

"The tteokbokki, giant whole squid fritters, and giant kimchi rolls fritters sell like hotcakes."

"Surprisingly, a lot of customers ask for Coolpis too."

He visited the studio. Today, they made spicy pork stir-fry.

"Shooting's wrapped. I always think this, but PD Bae really seems like such a kind and diligent guy."

"Heading back to Halmae's Tteok now. I'll help with opening prep, do some upgrades, and work until 2 p.m."

He returned to the shop.

"Grandma, good morning? How's your condition today?"

"Hello there! Good morning to you. Feeling great. Let's get to work with some energy today."

"Have you eaten?"

"Of course! Ate my fill. Koreans run on rice, right? Can't work without it."

Lee Hyun-woo powered through his busy schedule.

"More customers than on opening day. Orders just keep coming."

"I love how making food without overthinking clears the mind."

"The staff here all seem so kind and hardworking."

Lee Hyun-woo looked at the employees.

Every one of them had a pleasant face. They quietly did their jobs without slacking off.

He left Halmae's Tteok.

"It's 2 p.m. now. Time to head to my day job."

"I work at a Japanese restaurant. We serve high-end Japanese cuisine and traditional sake."

"From 2:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.—that's a 10-hour shift."

The Japanese restaurant's day was twice as hectic as a street food joint's. Not a moment of downtime.

"Finally off work. What a long, grueling day."

"Gonna grab a single can of beer from the convenience store, drink it, and crash."

"I'd love to read or watch a movie, but no time for leisure."

He stopped by the convenience store.

Bought a can of Cass.

"Out of all beers, I like Cass the best. It's the most straightforward, with strong carbonation."

He sat on a plastic chair in front of the store.

"Ahh—!! So good. Feels like reward for the day's toil. Pure bliss."

"I've got a lot of debt... and family to support... so I took on a second job. It's tough, but satisfying."

"Want another can, but gotta hold back for tomorrow. Bedtime."

He lay in bed. Ended the recording. Closed his eyes. Sleep claimed him instantly.

A few days later.

"Gasp?!"

Lee Hyun-woo jumped in shock.

His Vlog views had exploded.

Incredible. His Cook Hyun-woo videos barely hit 10,000, but this one reached 220,000.

The comments were exploding too.

He took his supplements.

Worked out.

Ate a light breakfast.

Headed to Halmae's Tteok.

"Huh?!"

He couldn't help but be shocked.

'Customers...'

Not even open yet.

No one had arrived for work.

Yet plenty of customers waited outside.

'What...? Customers...?'

By opening time.

A long line had formed.

Panicking, he called the president.

No answer, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠unfortunately.

No reply on Kakao either.

Seemed busy.

'Not the time to freeze.'

Lee Hyun-woo pulled himself together.

'First, prep more ingredients.'

He hustled.

Halmae's Tteok sales were climbing daily.

Prime location + killer taste + fair prices = nothing but upward trajectory.

Especially high repeat rate.

In this upward spiral.

Lee Hyun-woo's daily Vlog put Halmae's Tteok on the map.

Like pouring gasoline on a roaring fire.

The result.

Jam-packed.

Lines out the door.

Regulars felt bittersweet.

Wait times stretched, making even one tteokbokki tough.

Jin-seong truly felt YouTube's power.

He entered the shop.

'Busy.'

The place was full. Staff bustled about.

Hired two more. One assistant, one server.

Salary 2.3 million won. 2.5% of net profit as incentive.

He peeked at the server's inner thoughts.

He checked the assistant's inner thoughts.

Both good people.

Song Jin-ah's situation was pitiful, so he showed some care.

Advanced her a month's salary on a 3-month repayment, found her a one-room for her and her son.

'Gotta help.'

Donned the Halmae's Tteok uniform.

Hustled about.

'Delivery starts next week... gonna get even busier.'

'Giant squid and kimchi rolls flying off the shelves.'

'Customers loving it. Nine out of ten thrilled.'

'Whoa?! Line's even longer?!'

From 11 a.m., lines grew.

Peaked at noon.

Vlog views exploding too.

"President."

1 p.m.

Lee Hyun-woo approached Jin-seong.

"Giant squid, squid, and kimchi rolls are almost out."

"Already?"

"Yes. Prepped 1.2 times more than yesterday, but nearly gone."

Soon.

1:10 p.m.: Giant squid fritters and kimchi rolls sold out due to ingredients.

1:20 p.m.: Kimchi rolls, squid fritters, fish cake soup sold out.

1:34 p.m.

All ingredients depleted.

"Really sorry. Closing early today—out of ingredients."

Apologized and shut the doors. Jin-seong was half sorry, half thrilled.

Sorry for early close inconveniencing customers, thrilled at the booming business.

"Everyone, great job today."

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

Jin-seong applauded the staff.

"Great work, all."

"Kinda bummed. Wanted to sell more..."

"Could've kept going..."

Half joy, half regret.

Did final cleanup. Tidied every corner spotless.

Early close celebration: All-you-can-eat ribs and draft beer at Myeongnyun Jinsa Galbi.

'Perfect.'

Delicious meat.

Crisp beer.

Staff's bright faces.

Utterly satisfying.

"Any areas for improvement?"

"Fritter varieties a bit limited?"

"How about glass noodles in the tteokbokki?"

"Level 4's spicy, but something hotter?"

Gathered diverse feedback.

On the way home.

Ran into Oh Mi-yeon.