Chapter 144: Missing (3)

Translator: Dreamscribe

‘One-Day Restaurant’? Upon hearing PD Yoon Byung-seon’s words, Kang Woojin imagined a simple scenario in his mind, recalling the variety shows he had seen, which were somewhat relatable to the common folk.

‘Are we doing a trial run before the main shoot starts? It feels like working part-time before the actual business begins. Oh- that sounds fun?’

Though not a PD himself, Kang Woojin tried to envision himself in a variety show setting. He pictured himself clumsily interacting with customers, bumping around in a chaotic yet awkward manner. This thought was oddly nerve-wracking, yet there was an undeniable thrill to it.

It may have been an overreaction, but Woojin, with his concept play fully equipped, asked in a calm tone.

“Are we renting a store to operate it for about a day?”

PD Yoon Byung-seon, pushing up his glasses, smiled.

“That’s the plan. We’ve already finished scouting for a location, um- like those kinds of restaurants, you know? Like Gimbap Cheonguk.” (TL: Gimbap Cheonguk is a restaurant chain in S Korea)

“Ah.”

“We’re planning to run a K-street food restaurant in the U.S., but having only street food might be too monotonous, so we’re thinking of diversifying the menu like Gimbap Cheonguk.”

In other words, street food would be the main menu, but they would also try various Korean dishes like instant gimbap. Following this, PD Yoon Byung-seon handed some papers to Woojin, received from the surrounding writers. The contents included actual photos and some drawings.

It seemed to be a rough concept of ‘Our Dining Table’.

-Flap.

While Woojin was looking at these papers, PD Yoon Byung-seon, leaning forward slightly, continued speaking.

“I heard that the overseas location shoot for ‘Island of the Missing’ is starting tomorrow, the 30th, and it will last for just over a month.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“CEO Choi mentioned that during the middle of shoot, around October 17th? You’ll be returning to Korea for about a week for domestic schedules, so we’re planning to align our shooting around then?”

“Is that so?”

Nodding, PD Yoon Byung-seon then handed over a transparent file.

“Well, I’ve already spoken with CEO Choi. This is a tentative schedule plan- we’re looking at about two days of shooting for ‘One-Day Restaurant’. One day for a preliminary meeting with the participants and practicing the dishes, and the next day we’ll dive right into operating the store.”

No extensive practice and that’s it? It was almost like a Spartan regime. Well, it’s a variety show, so maybe that’s expected. Anyway, since it’s just getting a feel for things, Kang Woojin wasn’t too nervous about the cooking practice.

‘Hmph. As long as there are recipes and techniques, I’m set.’

Thanks to the grace of the void space, he had acquired the skills of a chef. At this point, the main female writer sitting next to Yoon Byung-seon added more details about the shoot.

“As PD mentioned, we’ve already finalized the location for the ‘One-Day Restaurant’. It’s not in Seoul. We’ll naturally be taking orders for the customers who’ll come for the surprise operation- but, but we won’t be doing something like Gimbap Cheonguk with over 30 different dishes.”

“Then?”

“We’re thinking of starting with about five items. Depending on how things go, we’ll decide whether to add more or reduce them. Just the basics. Ramen, gimbap, tteokbokki, etc.”

Indeed. Woojin felt relieved. Honestly, if there were dozens of dishes like Gimbap Cheonguk, it would be chaotic regardless of skill. At this moment, the main writer showed a tablet and spoke again.

“You know this chef, right?”

Displayed on the tablet was the familiar profile of a chef who frequently appeared on variety shows. Kang Woojin had seen him a few times on Youtube in the past.

“Yes, I’ve seen him on TV.”

“On the day of the practice shoot, we’ll have mentors for each part, and for the cooking part, we’ve invited this chef. The chef will come and teach the basic recipes of the dishes.”

“I see.”

PD Yoon Byung-seon chimed in. His smile was somewhat mischievous.

“Of course, you’re free to be creative with the recipes you learn. You’ll make them, and our staff will do the taste testing.”

“What if it doesn’t taste good?”

“Then it’s out. But since this will be sold in America, it can’t just be passable. So, it’s best to stick to the recipes you’re taught.”

Of course, it made sense. Presenting Korean cuisine to foreigners couldn’t be done half-heartedly. PD Yoon Byung-seon added to this thought.

“You know what I mean, right? Have you seen those shows where a celebrity’s creative dish becomes so popular on broadcast that it starts being sold in stores? Anything less than that level would be tough.”

Ah, was that what he meant? Woojin vaguely remembered something like that. Celebrities appearing on various food programs and their ramen, pizza, spaghetti, and other dishes actually being sold as real products.

While Woojin was salivating at the thought, PD Yoon Byung-seon changed the subject.

“Anyway, that’s the kind of approach we’re taking for the shoot, and it will make up about half of the first episode. However, not all participants will have the same format. Kitchen, hall, counter, and promotion – each section will have different tasks and responsibilities to learn. So, about that.”

“I’m actually quite good at cooking.”

But before PD Yoon Byung-seon could finish his question, Woojin nonchalantly interjected.

“I think that’s not a bad idea.”

This prompted PD Yoon Byung-seon and the writers to open their eyes a bit wider, followed by a mix of laughter. It must have been an amusing scene to capture. Of course, everything was being filmed.

“Oh really? Woojin can cook well? It’s hard to imagine – you don’t look like the type who would be good at cooking. Is it because you seem too straightforward? What do you guys think?”

When PD Yoon Byung-seon asked the surrounding writers, several of them looked at the quiet Woojin and responded.

“Ah- um, he doesn’t seem like he would be flashy?”

“Right. Sort of nonchalant and casual? Just survival cooking, right?”

“But if he’s good at acting, singing, foreign languages, and now cooking… that would be too overpowered. It’s okay if you’re not good at something.”

Most seemed to think Woojin would only be capable of basic cooking for living alone. PD Yoon Byung-seon’s expression suggested he felt the same. Thinking it better to keep quiet in this situation, Woojin chose to remain silent. Then PD Yoon Byung-seon slowly nodded.

“Okay, then Woojin will be in the kitchen. Not looking like someone who would cook well could actually draw more attention. Whether you’ll be the main or assistant, our staff will decide after tasting on the shooting day!”

“So, am I confirmed for the kitchen?”

“Yes, Woojin will definitely be in the cooking team.”

He emitted a strange smile. Naturally, the writers did the same, expecting Kang Woojin to fail magnificently.

“Looking forward to Woojin’s cooking.”

That was the expression they wanted.

At the same time, in a somewhat disorganized office.

Numerous bundles of paper, posters, books, and more were strewn all over the place, giving the office a resemblance to a junkyard. On a cluttered desk, one thing that stood out was a framed poster of ‘Profiler Hanryang’.

Sitting at that desk was a man with a familiar beard – PD Song Man-woo. This was his newly opened production company.

“Hmm.”

His face, seemingly rounder than before, PD Song Man-woo was intently looking at the desk. His expression was quite serious.

“Not bad at all-”

He murmured to himself, looking at two overlapping bundles of paper. They were obviously scripts. Recognizable because these two scripts had previously been passed to Kang Woojin and then returned.

So why was PD Song Man-woo pondering over these scripts?

Then, PD Song Man-woo recalled a phone call he had with Kang Woojin a few days ago, after getting the scripts back.

It started with an eager voice of PD Song Man-woo.

“Hey! Have you finished reading them?? How were they?”

The response from Kang Woojin, as usual, was cynical yet clear.

“They were okay, PD.”

For PD Song Man-woo, this response was somewhat ambiguous.

“Okay?”

“Yes.”

“Both of them?”

“Yes. Both were okay. If I had to say, ‘The Acclaimed Chef’ was a bit better.”

Okay? Did that mean they were good or not? PD Song Man-woo momentarily closed his mouth, then tried a different approach.

“Then, what if I give these two scripts to you, Woojin? Would you do it? You can be honest. You’re probably going to be anyway.”

“I’m not particularly interested.”

“Ah.”

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

At the low apology, PD Song Man-woo suddenly became alert and shook his head slowly.

“No, why are you apologizing, Woojin? You only decided after seeing the first episode’s script for Hanryang, right?”

“Yes.”

“But these are not to your liking?”

“That’s right.”

Back to reality, in his office, PD Song Man-woo leaned back in his chair, exhaling a long sigh.

“Phew- If Kang Totem says so, it means both these scripts are bland.”

PD Song Man-woo stroked his beard slowly. Woojin hadn’t outright said it, but there was a polite nuance in his words. He probably toned down the facts considering his relationship with PD Song Man-woo.

‘Even if the Totem doesn’t trigger, I was thinking of trying if I just heard they were okay. But hearing this now, it doesn’t sound appealing.’

Above all.

‘If Woojin isn’t interested in them, even revising the scripts would be meaningless.’

PD Song Man-woo’s blueprint had to include Kang Woojin. That’s why he had shown the scripts to Woojin first, under the guise of evaluation.

But this felt like a step backward.

Thus, PD Song Man-woo put the scripts he was looking at into his desk drawer. His face became more serious.

“I can’t go with these, I need to find something else.”

The next day, September 30th, at the airport.

Various planes were coming and going at the vast airport. However, the scenery was unfamiliar. There were some foreigners, but not many, and while there were quite a few Koreans, it wasn’t all of them. Naturally, as this was not Korea.

This airport was the Da Nang International Airport in Vietnam.

The Da Nang International Airport was bustling with a huge crowd of people, and at this moment, a large group emerged from the arrival hall. At a glance, the number was significant, easily over 50 people. This drew the attention of people in the airport lobby.

Both foreigners and Koreans who were traveling.

“Hey!! Look over there! Isn’t that Ryu Jung-min?!”

“Really?! Where?”

“Right there! Near the arrivals! That woman is Ha Yu-ra! And behind her, isn’t that Kang Woojin?!”

“Damn! It really is them??! Ah! They must be here for ‘Island of the Missing’ shooting!”

“Wow! Hurry and come see! Let’s get closer!”

Indeed, this massive group was the shooting team for ‘Island of the Missing’. Although it was quiet in Da Nang, the news had already caused a stir in Korea.

『[Star Talk] Ryu Jung-min, Ha Yu-ra, Kim Yi-won, Jeon Woo-chang, and Kang Woojin… Director Kwon Ki-taek’s ‘Island of the Missing’ team departs for overseas location shoot/ Photos』

『’Island of the Missing’ team causes a buzz at Incheon Airport』

『Kang Woojin, the ‘Issue Monster’, calmly signing autographs for the gathered fans/ Photos』

The overseas location schedule for ‘Island of the Missing’ had begun. Thus, the massive group included Director Kwon Ki-taek at the forefront, along with dozens of staff and leading actors mixed in. Soon, onlookers began to gather around the ‘Island of the Missing’ team. There were quite a lot of Koreans.

“Wow!! Hello!!”

“Kyaa!! Ryu Jung-min! Ryu Jung-min!!”

“Woojin oppa! I’m a ‘Kang’s Heart’ fan!!”

“Ha Yu-ra is stunning! What a figure!”

“Isn’t that Kim Yi-won and Jeon Woo-chang in the back?!!”

The gathering of top actors was indeed spectacular. Besides them, there were also supporting actors, but the onlookers were too busy watching the top stars. Slowly, the ‘Island of the Missing’ team found themselves becoming isolated due to the crowd gathering around them.

“Please wait!! We’re just passing through!!”

Dozens of men rushed in from the entrance of the airport, creating a path. It was the Line PD responsible for the overseas location shoot. Soon, the actors and the ‘Island of the Missing’ team followed the path created by the guards and exited the airport. Meanwhile, the onlookers were busy taking photos with their phones.

Eventually.

-Swish.

The ‘Island of the Missing’ team reached several vans and minibusses parked in front of the airport.

“Please board in order! We will be moving to the accommodation immediately!!”

Following the Line PD’s shout, the ‘Island of the Missing’ team started boarding the vehicles one by one. Among them, Kang Woojin, wearing a cap pulled down over his face, stood out.

“······”

With a poker face, Woojin calmly surveyed his surroundings. Despite his cool exterior, he was quite excited inside.

‘Wow- damn, Da Nang. This place feels more like abroad, right? Are all those trees palm trees?? Something! There’s definitely a different country smell here!‘

Then, looking up at the scorching sun, Woojin’s first impression was straightforward.

‘But it’s so hot? Damn. It’s sweltering. I’m going to cook alive here. Acting in this heat??!’

Next to Woojin, Choi Sung-gun with a ponytail was wiping his sweat, his face full of agony.

“Ugh- it’s so hot, seriously killing me. Are you okay, Woojin?”

Woojin’s response was full of bravado.

“Yes, CEO~nim.”

The ‘Island of the Missing’ had begun its overseas location shoot.

About two weeks later, Seoul, October 17th.

The scene was a grand house’s living room, mostly furnished with wooden interiors. An old man sat in the main seat on the living room sofa. He had short white hair and a face full of wrinkles, appearing much older than Director Kwon Ki-taek. His presence was also extraordinary.

There was a distinct aura of an experienced veteran.

Next to him, a man in his 40s, full of perplexity, was speaking.

“Di, Director. Even so… it will be difficult to find an actor proficient in sign language, won’t it? You know, normally they practice like crazy or use a double.”

“That’s right.”

“Yes, yes. And not all the acting requires sign language, only a few dozen cuts, right? Looking for an actor who learned sign language just for that seems a bit- Director, actors learn foreign languages including English, but they don’t usually learn sign language.”

“Hmm.”

The veteran director closed his mouth at the man’s words, simply observing him. But why did it feel like a quiet growl of a fierce animal? Soon, the man, sweating profusely, averted his eyes and changed his tune.

“I’ll, I’ll do my best to find someone.”

Suddenly, the veteran director took out his phone from his pocket and turned something on, then showed it to the man.

“Where is this guy now?”

The man tilted his head and focused on the phone. It was a YouTube video, an edited version of a famous Japanese talk show. A scene where an actor was communicating with the audience in sign language.

-Japanese national talk show Ame-talk Show featuring Kang Woojin using Japanese Sign Language!! (My Edited Version)｜GodIssueKingTV

It was Kang Woojin in ‘Ame-talk Show!’