Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Episode 27: Difficulties of the First Broadcast (4)
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Kang Han-do was heading to Iksan today with the cast of Chef Kim's Kitchen.
The first stop in the car was in front of the restaurant where Chef Kim Woon-sik worked.
It was lunchtime, so the place was packed with customers.
Right on time at 12:30 p.m.
Kang Han-do waved out the window at Chef Kim Woon-sik, who was standing by the back door.
“Chef Kim! Over here!”
“Oh, Han-do!”
Chef Kim Woon-sik hurried over to where Kang Han-do's car had pulled up.
“Wow, nice ride.”
“Bought it on a whim this time. Cost a pretty penny.”
Kang Han-do, who couldn't have dreamed of owning a luxury foreign car back in his unknown days, now drove one like it was no big deal.
His income these days was on another level compared to back then.
With the financial means, he could afford these high-end imports.
Before getting in the passenger seat, Chef Kim Woon-sik glanced at the handy cam on the back seat.
“Isn't that... a camera?”
“You got it. Brought it just in case. Capturing the restaurant vibe or the flavors on video makes reviewing it hit harder, right?”
“Makes sense. As expected of you, Han-do.”
“Haha, no big deal.”
In truth, Kang Han-do had other plans.
He intended to visit the home of Kim Mi-yeon, their civilian guest student, and get a video letter from her parents.
And that footage would go straight to PD Na Won-cheol.
‘PD Na will edit it perfectly.’
Directing and editing were Na Won-cheol PD's specialties. He could be trusted.
After picking up Chef Kim Woon-sik, Kang Han-do headed to Jo Min-ha's place.
On the way, he ran into a familiar face.
Kang Han-do pulled over and rolled down the window to call out to a young woman.
“Mina!”
“Oh, sunbae-nim?! What brings you here?”
Mina, the female idol he had briefly teamed up with at Music Festa.
She was strutting down the street in short hot pants and a hoodie when she caught Kang Han-do's eye.
“On my way to pick up Min-ha. Prepping for Chef Kim's Kitchen episode 2 filming this weekend.”
“Unnie Min-ha? That explains it. So that's why you're here. I live right next door to her, actually.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. I saw her earlier when I was heading out. She mentioned going to Iksan today. Didn't know she'd be with you, sunbae-nim.”
“It's not just us. Don't get the wrong idea.”
Kang Han-do introduced Chef Kim Woon-sik in the passenger seat.
But Chef Kim Woon-sik seemed a bit off.
“H-h-hello!”
Known for being chatty off-camera, Chef Kim Woon-sik was suddenly stuttering.
His odd behavior raised Kang Han-do's suspicions.
“Chef Kim, what's up all of a sudden?”
“Well...”
Chef Kim Woon-sik whispered to Kang Han-do.
“Truth is, I'm a huge NTC fan. Even joined the fan club.”
NTC was the five-member girl group Mina belonged to.
Who would've thought Chef Kim Woon-sik was an uncle fan of NTC.
‘He doesn't seem like the idol type. Surprising.’
Seizing the opportunity, Kang Han-do turned back to Mina.
“Mina, sorry, but could you do a quick fan service? Chef Kim here is an NTC fan.”
“Oh my, one of our fans? Of course!”
It was Kang Han-do asking. Mina was all in.
Unintentionally, Chef Kim Woon-sik got a mini fan meet with Mina.
She signed for him and even took photos together.
Mina gave an awkward smile.
“Good thing I did my makeup before heading out. Was just popping into the convenience store, but something told me not to go bare-faced today.”
“You look plenty pretty without it.”
“Oh, come on, sunbae-nim.”
Mina blushed slightly and waved her hand.
After their brief encounter.
Kang Han-do parked in the lot of Jo Min-ha's apartment.
Jo Min-ha was already outside waiting.
They were ten minutes late.
“Traffic must've been bad.”
She assumed road conditions were the culprit.
But that wasn't it.
Kang Han-do apologized first.
“Sorry. Ran into Mina on the way. Got chatting and lost track of time.”
“Ah! You saw Mina. That's fine then. Han-do oppa, Chef Kim, you haven't had lunch, right? I made sandwiches. Let's eat on the road.”
“Sounds good.”
Kang Han-do smiled, pleased by Jo Min-ha's thoughtfulness.
The drive was long anyway. Better to have snacks ready for the time in the car.
* * *
After a long drive, Kang Han-do and his group arrived in Iksan.
They found the restaurant run by Kim Mi-yeon's mother.
Mi-yeon Restaurant.
‘Named right after her daughter.’
Just seeing the name told Kang Han-do how much the mother loved her daughter.
No customers were inside when they entered.
“Oh, customers!”
A middle-aged woman watching TV greeted them.
“What can I get you?”
“Baekban set for me.”
“Kimchi jjigae for me.”
“Two baekban sets.”
Kang Han-do and Chef Kim Woon-sik ordered homestyle baekban; Jo Min-ha went for kimchi jjigae set.
It seemed Kim Mi-yeon's mother handled everything solo.
From taking orders to managing the place and cooking.
Chef Kim Woon-sik was impressed.
“Even with no customers, doing it all alone isn't easy. Impressive.”
Coming from someone who ran a restaurant, it carried weight.
But Kang Han-do felt a pang of pity inside.
‘Prime dinner time, and not a single customer.’
Lunch and dinner peaks should be busiest.
Yet Mi-yeon Restaurant was dead quiet.
‘Food no good?’
He wondered briefly.
But that suspicion was soon dispelled.
He tried the squid jeotgal over rice. Kang Han-do's pupils dilated.
‘Delicious!’
The salty jeotgal meshed perfectly with the rice, striking a perfect balance.
The mackerel fry that came with it was crispy and mouthwatering.
Cabbage kimchi, rice, squid jeotgal, soy-braised beef, egg soup. Common fare, maybe. But nailing that "delicious" feeling with basics isn't easy.
Takes real skill.
Not just Kang Han-do—Chef Kim Woon-sik was floored by the hidden master's talent.
“Best homestyle baekban I've ever had! Can't even put it into words.”
Highest praise from Chef Kim Woon-sik.
While they raved, Jo Min-ha just kept eating.
No time to talk. The banchan, soup, and rice kept her taste buds hooked.
Snapping out of it late, Kang Han-do captured it all on the handy cam.
“Feels like we discovered a hidden gem.”
Kang Han-do shared his thoughts. Chef Kim Woon-sik and Jo Min-ha nodded vigorously.
Rice done.
Kang Han-do grabbed the handy cam again.
‘Time to work.’
* * *
Filming for Chef Kim's Kitchen episode 2 began.
Episode 1, filmed last time, hadn't aired yet. It would go out once three episodes were in the can.
Maybe that's why. The two college girls seemed unclear on what the show was exactly.
Writer Min Yeong-hee gave the pre-show briefing.
Catching a lull, Kang Han-do approached Kim Mi-yeon and her friend for quick hellos.
The two coeds were thrilled to meet Kang Han-do in person.
Afterward, he headed to Chef Kim's Kitchen.
The cast prepped opening themselves. Cameras would catch every step.
That's when Kang Han-do spotted PD Na Won-cheol.
“PD Na-nim. A little gift.”
“What's this?”
“We visited Kim Mi-yeon's mom's restaurant the other day. Footage from there. Should make for great editing material.”
PD Na Won-cheol let out an impressed exclamation.
“Whoa...! Perfect! If you'd told me, I'd have sent a cameraman and writers...”
“Didn't want to bother staff on an off day. Not sure if the footage turned out well.”
“No worries there. I can fix it up. Thanks a ton anyway.”
Seeing PD Na Won-cheol so happy brought a smile to Kang Han-do's face.
* * *
Filming kicked off.
Chef Kim's Kitchen's gimmick: no menu. The college duo ordered what they craved.
“My mom runs a restaurant here in Iksan. She's amazing at homestyle baekban. Could we get that?”
“Of course. I'll prepare it.”
Just as expected.
Kang Han-do exchanged glances with Chef Kim Woon-sik. Chef Kim nodded subtly and got cooking.
Soon after.
“Food's up.”
Chef Kim Woon-sik brought his dishes to Kim Mi-yeon and her friend.
Tasting it, Kim Mi-yeon's pupils widened.
“No way... It's Mom's exact taste!”
At Mi-yeon Restaurant, Chef Kim Woon-sik had explained everything to her mom and learned the baekban recipe outright.
Then recreated it perfectly.
What Kim Mi-yeon craved wasn't just tasty homestyle baekban—it was the one evoking her mother's touch.
Kang Han-do pulled out his smartphone.
“Something to show Kim Mi-yeon.”
He played a video file.
Out came her mother's video letter to her daughter.
Seeing Mom's face, Kim Mi-yeon's eyes welled up.
Simple message: Do well in college, come home whenever you can.
But words weren't the point.
Just seeing Mom after so long, even on video. And tasting her flavor.
That was key.
Kim Mi-yeon teared up.
Kang Han-do handed her tissues and explained.
“We shot this ourselves in Iksan. Chef Kim learned straight from your mom too. She's doing great. Healthy, so no need to worry.”
Kim Mi-yeon thanked Kang Han-do, Chef Kim Woon-sik, and Jo Min-ha profusely.
A place serving food that touches hearts—that's Chef Kim's Kitchen.
Episode 2 wrapped a huge success.