Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Episode 28. Seniors' Wedding (1)
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Chef Kim's Kitchen's first episode finally aired.
The response to episode 1 wasn't all that great. Kang Han-do had expected as much.
‘There wasn't anything particularly special to show.’
Even so, Na Won-cheol PD's directing skills were impressive. He maximized the fun of the first episode by putting emphasis on sections that Kang Han-do had thought had no potential.
It even surprised Kang Han-do.
Episode 2 was the real highlight.
The moment episode 2 aired, Chef Kim's Kitchen and the cast's names dominated the top spots on real-time search trends.
Number one was ‘Chef Kim's Kitchen’.
Number two was ‘Kim Woon-sik’, three was ‘Kang Han-do’, and ‘Jo Min-ha’ came in at seven.
The first person to really catch attention was Kim Woon-sik, who played ‘Chef Kim’ on Chef Kim's Kitchen.
Articles about Chef Kim Woon-sik poured in.
-Chef Kim Woon-sik! Can he rise to stardom?
-Kim Woon-sik Chef's recipes from Chef Kim's Kitchen explode in popularity!
-The chef who moved viewers, Kim Woon-sik! Who is he?
It felt like the birth of a new star chef was being heralded.
Kang Han-do viewed this phenomenon very positively.
‘He's the face of our program. He needs to become as famous as other star chefs.’
Episode 2 didn't just benefit Chef Kim Woon-sik.
Kim Mi-yeon's mother, who had appeared as a guest in episode 2, also reaped the rewards.
Thanks to the restaurant hitting the airwaves, the number of visitors to Mi-yeon Restaurant skyrocketed.
They hadn't revealed specifics like the name or location. But viewers somehow sniffed it out like ghosts. As people who visited Mi-yeon Restaurant started posting proof shots on SNS, the place quickly gained fame.
Thanks to that, Kim Mi-yeon's mother was faced with a happy dilemma.
Should she expand the shop, or stick to reservations for a limited number of customers?
Her business struggles had melted away like snow.
Kang Han-do, the Chef Kim's Kitchen cast, and staff had brought happiness to the Kim mother and daughter.
‘With those two hitting peak happiness levels, Korea's average happiness index must have gone up just a tiny bit.’
Of course, it was such a minuscule increase that no one would notice.
But this was the start. From here, he could spread the happiness virus to more people. Eventually, that would allow him to fulfill his mission.
‘To do that, I need to boost Chef Kim's Kitchen even more first.’
It had to grow enough to impact the entire nation's average happiness index.
The viewership ratings for episodes 1 and 2 were measured at 2.3% and 2.9%, respectively.
‘Episode 2 got a great response, so episode 3 should break 3% soon. After that, I need to make another legendary episode like it.’
Even on a day off, Kang Han-do's worries only deepened.
* * *
The buzz around Chef Kim's Kitchen wasn't just Kang Han-do's concern.
Na Won-cheol PD, who was in charge of the program, was wrestling with the same issue.
They had safely filmed up to episode 5 of Chef Kim's Kitchen so far. All of them had featured regular people as guests.
It was time to throw in some curveballs starting from episode 6.
Right after episode 5 wrapped, Na Won-cheol PD sought out Kang Han-do.
“Han-do, can we talk alone for a bit?”
“Sure.”
With them seeing each other so often, Na Won-cheol PD had naturally started speaking casually to Kang Han-do.
“I'm thinking of booking a celebrity guest instead of a regular for episode 6.”
“Are we going with celebrities from episode 6 onward?”
“No, just one episode at 6, and maybe episode 10? Something like that—two episodes total. If it's all regular guests, it starts feeling stale. I think it's time to mix in a celebrity or two, so I'm scouting around. I have one candidate in mind for around episode 10. But I need to find a guest for the next episode 6... Han-do, anyone come to mind?”
He was asking if there was a celebrity guest Kang Han-do wanted to invite to Chef Kim's Kitchen.
He was open to recommendations.
‘Should I bring in Min-tae? Nah, no. We're close, but Min-tae doesn't have any backstory we can package into something fun for TV.’
Kang Han-do shook his head.
Then he thought of someone else.
‘What about Ye-hee?’
That didn't seem like a bad idea.
Choi Ye-hee was already sweating it out in preparation for her debut. As an aspiring singer chasing her dream, there would be plenty of episodes to unpack.
Plus, if she got some face time on a show like Chef Kim's Kitchen before debuting, it would help a lot come debut time.
At the very least, it would raise the odds of her group not being treated like nobodies.
But Kang Han-do decided to reconsider even that.
‘If word gets out that we're using Chef Kim's Kitchen as a promo tool for a girl group, there could be backlash. It might poison both the show and Ye-hee.’
Better to avoid risks. In the entertainment world, safe was best.
‘Then no one really comes to mind.’
No one popped into Kang Han-do's head right then.
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course. We've got plenty of time before recording. Take your time. Just let me know as soon as something comes up.”
“Got it.”
Kang Han-do decided to mull it over later.
* * *
On the day of Pobokjeoldo recording.
Jo Woo-kim PD and the Pobokjeoldo writers called in the Game World team for a meeting.
Jo Woo-kim PD looked at the Game World members and spoke.
“We've got five episodes left, right?”
“Yes.”
The members nodded.
Game World, which they'd been running for over a year, was finally reaching its end.
A week earlier, the members had held a long meeting with Jo Woo-kim PD and the writers.
And the result was...
They decided to wrap up Game World.
There are hardly any comedians who can make a living off one corner forever. It was time for a change.
They were caught in the same dilemma as Chef Kim's Kitchen.
After Game World ended...
Kim Sang-heon and Lee Yo-su would take a break from appearing on Pobokjeoldo.
There was a reason.
“Congratulations on the marriage.”
At Jo Woo-kim PD's words, Kim Sang-heon gave an awkward smile, while Lee Yo-su looked shy.
Different reactions from each.
Jo Woo-kim PD had vaguely sensed that the two were a couple. But he hadn't expected them to actually get married.
“When are you sending out the invites?”
“Still a ways off.”
Kim Sang-heon answered with an awkward smile.
Jo Woo-kim PD teased him, half-joking.
“What do you mean, a ways off? I'm a busy guy. You gotta give 'em to me quick before I forget. That way I won't.”
“Haha. I'll try to move it up as much as possible.”
“By the way, no articles out yet, huh.”
“Well... we only started telling people this morning, so maybe tonight or tomorrow?”
Kim Sang-heon seemed nonchalant about articles coming out.
Actually, the opposite.
“You're okay with articles?”
“Yeah, it's fine. In fact, it'd be great if more people knew about our marriage.”
Kim Sang-heon conveyed both their feelings.
Not that they wanted massive attention.
We want to live well together! That's what they hoped to share with everyone. That was the wish of the Kim Sang-heon and Lee Yo-su couple.
“Alright. Perfect timing with the corner wrapping up too. Not bad at all. Go on your honeymoon, shake off the fatigue, and brainstorm a new corner while you're at it.”
“Thank you, PD Jo.”
Jang Seok-du planned to team up with close comedian friends outside Game World for a new corner.
But Kang Han-do hadn't decided on a direction yet.
Jo Woo-kim PD made a suggestion to Kang Han-do.
“Han-do. Want to try making a new corner?”
“Me?”
“I'll give feedback anytime, so take the lead and put one together. If it seems good, we'll put it on stage.”
Before regressing, Kang Han-do had tried creating corners himself about four or five times.
But they all bombed in terms of buzz.
So he didn't feel particularly brave about it.
But...
‘I can't keep relying on my no-name days forever. Time to break my limits, right?’
He psyched himself up.
“Got it. Can I pick the members freely?”
“Yeah. Doesn't have to be current Pobokjeoldo performers. But they have to be BLT recruits, okay? No bringing in comedians from other networks—you know that.”
“Of course. I know the rules.”
Kang Han-do had that much common sense.
Pobokjeoldo was built and developed by BLT comedians. Bringing in public recruits from other networks would stir up issues.
Kang Han-do already had one candidate in mind.
‘Min-tae's been pretty free lately.’
He could figure out the rest later.
Jo Woo-kim PD stretched and asked the Game World members and writers.
“Nothing else to discuss?”
“No.”
“Nothing.”
“Okay. Meeting adjourned. Everyone dismissed.”
Right after the meeting, Kim Sang-heon approached Kang Han-do and Jang Seok-du.
“I got the fridge you guys sent a while back. Thanks.”
Kang Han-do responded first.
“You got it. I heard from the delivery this morning. I should've gone for something nicer. Sorry about that.”
“Why are you sorry? If anything, we're grateful for such an expensive appliance. Seriously, thank you. We'll put it to good use. It's our first big gift from juniors, so we're still a bit dazed.”
Jang Seok-du had suggested giving a meaningful gift for Kim Sang-heon and Lee Yo-su's marriage. Kang Han-do agreed, and they settled on a high-end fridge.
The soon-to-be newlyweds were thrilled.
Besides the fridge, there was one more thing to talk about.
“Han-do.”
“Yeah, sunbae-nim.”
Kim Sang-heon broached the topic carefully.
“If you're free, could you emcee our wedding?”
“Me... emcee?”
“Yeah. No matter how I think about it, you're the only one who fits.”
“It'd be an honor!”
He decided to accept without hesitation.
No reason to turn down his favorite sunbaes' wedding.
“Wedding's coming up soon, right?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
Once marriage articles dropped, Kim Sang-heon and Lee Yo-su's names would linger on search rankings for a while.
News of a known celebrity's wedding generates that much buzz.
‘Let me think.’
Kang Han-do's mind raced for a moment.
“Sunbae-nims. You free next week?”
“Time? As long as it doesn't clash with Pobokjeoldo recording, sure.”
“In that case...”
Kang Han-do made this proposal to the Kim Sang-heon and Lee Yo-su couple.
“How about I treat you both to a meal at a place called Chef Kim's Kitchen?”