Chapter 78
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Grand Chef Korea - Malicious Editing and the Dormitory
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1.
"I've gotten permission from Kang Hayul."
PD Jeong In-seon said as she set down her phone. Writer Seo Na-hyun, sitting beside her, rubbed her face dry and let out a long sigh.
"Is this really the right direction? If we edit it like this, Hayul is going to take all the public's arrows head-on."
"That's why I got her direct consent, and Hayul accepted. Isn't that enough? Any other PD wouldn't even bother with that courtesy. You know that, right?"
"...I know. But I'm still doubtful. Is this really okay?"
Writer Seo Na-hyun's voice was soft but firm.
"How should I know? I'm just picking the direction that gets good ratings."
PD Jeong In-seon shrugged lightly.
"I... wanted to make a show that captures people, not just one that racks up ratings. I don't want to see someone get ruined..."
At those words, Jeong In-seon's expression slowly hardened. She thought for a long moment before speaking seriously.
"Then you shouldn't have chosen a competition show in the first place."
Seo Na-hyun clamped her lips shut.
"Growth and emotion born from competition? We can definitely capture that. But it all means nothing without the ratings."
PD Jeong In-seon sighed deeply.
"They fight each other, someone crumbles in the process, and someone else overcomes it. That's what viewers want to see on Grand Chef."
"What if someone gets hurt in that process?"
"Then that's the price for choosing this show. It's what the contestants have to pay too."
Seo Na-hyun's face grew somber. It was as if an invisible weight had settled on her shoulders.
"Writer. Broadcasting is a battlefield. We've stepped into it. How do you expect to claim glory without getting even a drop of blood on your hands?"
"I've been whining like a child. Sorry."
"No. Someone needs to hit the brakes from the side. Keep saying it. But let's stop here for today."
PD Jeong In-seon rose from her chair. She gripped the door handle and stayed silent for a while before speaking.
"I don't want to maliciously edit anyone either. But if someone has to play the villain, at least I want it to be someone suited for the role."
With that, the PD opened the door and left. A pack of cigarettes was clutched in her hand.
The room, left with only Seo Na-hyun, was filled with guilt and heavy silence. She covered her face with both hands and bowed her head.
"...Sorry, Hayul."
2.
"What, they even asked for permission for something this trivial?"
Malicious editing was fair game anyway, so was it really something to hesitate over?
People in broadcasting are too soft-hearted. How do they survive in this harsh world?
'Any other PD would've edited it gleefully without asking.'
I chuckled and pocketed my phone.
I'd known from the start that devilish editing was possible. I'd signed up fully aware.
No, honestly, I wanted it. I wanted to be the hero at the peak of the narrative, like the Hero, just once.
...Of course, judging by the PD's tone, my role seemed closer to the Demon King than the Hero.
'But the Demon King is still central to the story, right?'
If that's what she wanted, I'd gladly play the Demon King. With one condition: I had no intention of losing to the Hero.
The contestants who passed the third mission of Grand Chef are arriving at the dormitory shortly.
Those who arrived first, please prepare to welcome the new arrivals.
The voice echoed through the hallway. Probably calling us out to film a new scene.
'Might as well go out.'
I got up from the bed and stepped into the hallway. Just then, the door to the next room opened, and Lee Seohwa poked her head out.
"Hello!"
A spirited greeting. I nodded quietly. It was evening already, but she showed no signs of fatigue—truly full of energy.
'No, she just woke up from a nap.'
Her usual high ponytail was messily undone. The back of her head was flattened, so she'd probably just woken up.
"I-I was tired, so I took a short nap..."
She noticed my gaze, blushed, and made a small excuse.
"Okay."
I turned toward the front entrance. Leaning on the railing with a good view of the door, Lee Seohwa quietly came up beside me.
"I thought it'd be better if we were together!"
"Okay."
Definitely better than standing alone. Lee Seohwa's looks were top-notch, after all.
"Wow!"
A moment later, contestants started entering through the front door, each carrying large bags or small suitcases.
"What the heck? Why are you two looking down at us from up there!"
A woman with radiant blonde hair pointed up at us accusingly. Her slightly furrowed brow suggested genuine annoyance.
"We passed first!"
"What!? You wait right there!"
The woman who'd pointed at us tossed her suitcase aside and charged up the stairs. Finally reaching us, she glared sharply at Lee Seohwa and me.
"You two! Don't get the wrong idea! Passing first doesn't mean you're better than me. Especially you, Lee Seohwa!"
"Why?"
"I saw you fail the three-part score! Chef Kang Taeyeon let it slide because she saw your talent this time—don't expect mercy next time! Got it!? No mistakes!"
"Uh, uhh...? Okay. Got it. Thanks...?"
Lee Seohwa tilted her head but still offered thanks. It wasn't wrong, and it was encouragement in its own way.
"And you, Kang Yerim!"
"What."
She flinched at my curt reply. The moment our eyes met, I saw her pupils tremble slightly.
"L-Let's... do our best together..."
The finger pointed at me slowly lowered, and she soon clasped her hands politely.
"Sure."
I nodded lightly and turned back to the entrance. Amid the crowd of contestants, a petite girl was struggling to drag her suitcase.
'It's worn out.'
Yurim's suitcase had broken wheels and couldn't roll. She had no choice but to carry it by hand.
"Since we've met like this, it's fate—let's introduce ourselves!"
"Hold on."
As the blonde woman spoke, I headed down the stairs.
"Huh?"
A hurt voice came from behind, but Yurim came first right now.
"Ah...!"
I approached her and effortlessly lifted the suitcase. Startled, Yurim's eyes widened as she slowly looked up.
"Unnie!"
Her sunken eyes grew wide, and her downturned lips curved into a smile.
"You passed?"
"Yes! I thought the egg roll would be tough, but Judge Kang Taeyeon said it was delicious!"
"...Chef Kang Taeyeon did?"
I'd never heard her say anything nice. She'd only praised my dish, and now Yurim had gotten that too?
'She must be way better at cooking than I thought.'
We were chatting near the entrance when I spotted the three judges approaching.
"Let's head in first."
"I can carry it myself..."
I didn't respond and carried the suitcase into the mansion. As I headed to the second floor, Chef Kang Taeyeon's voice rang out.
"Everyone, please come down to the first floor."
"Let's go up together later."
"Okay."
People quickly descended to the first floor at his request. He looked around once before speaking.
"Congratulations. By successfully completing all three missions, you've advanced to the main round of Grand Chef Korea."
Cheers and applause erupted instantly. Yurim, standing beside me, clasped her hands and beamed.
"The reason you survived is simple. You cherished your ingredients and completed excellent dishes. Be proud. You're already chefs."
Light laughter spread among the contestants. Everyone was elated at Chef Kang Taeyeon's acknowledgment.
"But as I've recognized you, the upcoming missions will be harsher and stricter."
The air grew heavy again at his ensuing cold tone.
"Please survive this long and fierce journey to become Grand Chef."
"The next mission is in three days. Until then, feel free to stay and relax here at the mansion."
Chef Han Seojin said with a bright smile.
"This place has everything you could want. Especially the kitchen—you'll be amazed. It's like heaven for chefs."
"Spend the three days comfortably at the mansion, and make them meaningful and happy. We'll take our leave now."
The judges bowed politely and departed.
"Wait! Everyone, listen to me!"
As the contestants started to disperse, Han Chaeyun called out from the second floor. No idea when she'd gone up there.
"How are we assigning rooms?"
"Isn't the production team handling that? They gave us these cards."
"If you checked the cards, there's no room number on them."
The two men's conversation quieted the crowd.
"Then how did the first arrivals get their rooms?"
Naturally, eyes turned to Lee Seohwa and me at the question.
"We picked arbitrarily. When you tap the card to the door lock, it registers your name automatically. After that, only the registered card opens it."
"So that means..."
"First come, first served?"
A brief silence.
"Out of my way! I'm first!"
"Hey, don't push!!!"
The area turned into chaos in an instant. I shielded Yurim and slipped away from the scene.
"Let's go up."
"Okay."
Grand Chef airs tomorrow at 9 PM. Contestants, please gather in the living room tomorrow at 9 PM.
As we climbed the stairs, the announcement played over the speakers.
"Th-the broadcast...! It's finally starting."
Lee Seohwa said, swallowing hard.
"Yeah."
I replied shortly and lifted the corner of my mouth. What would the public's reaction be? How had PD Jeong In-seon's malicious editing turned out?
'I'm curious.'