I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 151

It was early afternoon.

The ‘Our Table’ team, having wrapped up their opening and meal filming at a large snack bar, had dispersed. The filming teams were divided into Ahn Jong-hak and Yeon Baek-gwang, Ha Kang-soo and Hwa-rin, and Kang Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon.

This was because the filming locations were different from their mentors.

Among these three teams, the general director, PD Yoon Byung-sun, stayed with the kitchen team—that is, with Kang Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon. Given that the theme of ‘Our Table’ was cooking, it made sense for the main PD, Yoon Byung-sun, to be with them.

Anyway.

‘Alright, let’s get settled first!’

The place where Kang Woo-jin’s team gathered was, of course, a filming studio, but it wasn’t a typical one. It was a kitchen studio. Since they had to cook, it was obvious. A spacious kitchen with a decent interior, tables set up in front of it, various dishes, kitchen tools, refrigerators, and so on.

Except for the lighting and the filming set feel, it was just like a regular kitchen.

The ‘Our Table’ team began to settle into the studio. Since it was already rented, the filming setup was almost complete, and all that was left was to arrange the lighting and small cameras.

Around this time.

‘Woo-jin and Hye-yeon, you’re done!’

The two members of the kitchen team, having finished their makeup outside, entered the studio. Transparent masks were handed to Hong Hye-yeon, who had her long hair tied up, and to Kang Woo-jin. As Woo-jin slowly put on his mask, he quietly looked around the kitchen studio.

‘Ah—so all food-related filming is done in places like this.’

Well, it was obvious, but it was a new world for him. However, he didn’t show his amazement. After the microphones, ‘Our Table’ aprons were handed to them. They were beige-toned aprons with the ‘Our Table’ logo on them. Soon, PD Yoon Byung-sun, who had taken a seat around the table, started explaining with a smirk.

‘Both of you have tried cooking before—well, if it goes too bland, it won’t feel like practice, right? So, let’s go with the concept of actually running a restaurant. We’ll be the customers, and you’ll take orders and cook. Hye-yeon, I heard you’re good at making wine snacks?’

At the question, Hong Hye-yeon, who was tightening her apron, answered a bit awkwardly.

‘No? It’s not that I’m good, but just enough for a person to eat.’

‘Hmm, hmm. That’s good enough.’

‘Is it enough?’

‘You can learn, right? Then, let’s start with Hye-yeon’s cooking test. Woo-jin, you can handle the hall and assist.’

Woo-jin, who had been secretly admiring Hong Hye-yeon in her apron, barely managed to answer.

‘So, I just take orders and assist with cooking?’

‘That’s right, then let’s start right away? Alright, everyone, take a seat!’

Along with the writers, dozens of staff members sat down at the tables. Soon, Hong Hye-yeon, who entered the kitchen as the main chef, was flustered.

‘S-so suddenly?’

Hong Hye-yeon was clearly flustered. The poise of a top actress was nowhere to be seen. Of course, her appearance was already being filmed, and Woo-jin was internally impressed.

‘Isn’t it unfair to be that pretty even when she’s like that?’

Whatever the case, among the dozens of staff members who had taken their seats, PD Yoon Byung-sun raised his hand towards Woo-jin.

‘Order here—’

Acting like a customer. In response, Kang Woo-jin approached him with an indifferent face.

‘Yes, what would you like?’

‘We’ll have a kimchi pancake.’

Hong Hye-yeon’s voice was immediately heard from the back of the kitchen.

‘K-kimchi pancake? I’ve never made that!’

The answer came from the customer, PD Yoon Byung-sun.

‘You can take your time, you can search and make it. Anything is okay!’

Hong Hye-yeon quickly took out her phone. But the customers’ orders didn’t end with kimchi pancakes.

‘We’ll have ramen, spicy ramen!’

‘Can you do pasta? Aglio e olio pasta!’

‘Isn’t the concept Korean food?!’

‘If not, give us bibimbap—’

Orders poured in all at once. Hong Hye-yeon, as if her thoughts were jumbled, bit her lower lip slightly, and Woo-jin, who had calmly written down the orders, handed the bill to the chef.

‘Kimchi pancake, spicy ramen, aglio e olio pasta. If pasta isn’t possible, bibimbap.’

The chef was horrified as she looked at the bill.

‘I-I don’t know. I haven’t made any of these.’

Kang Woo-jin calmly said.

‘Take your time. It’s okay if it’s a bit late.’

‘Huh?’

‘It’s okay to get some flak [criticism].’

‘Woo-jin?’

Woo-jin pointed at one of the menu items with his index finger at Hong Hye-yeon, who was forcing a smile.

‘Spicy ramen. I think you should start with the ramen.’

‘Right. Ramen.’

‘The rest, try after you’ve made the ramen.’

‘Okay!’

Hong Hye-yeon, having made a decision, rummaged through the kitchen and took out a suitable pot. But it was a bit big. Woo-jin pointed out in a low voice.

‘It’s big.’

‘Ah, it’s big? Then.’

‘There, underneath. You should use the concave one.’

Like an avatar [a character controlled by a user], she quickly changed the pot. But her movements were generally clumsy. When tearing open the ramen packet, when filling the water, when taking out the rice cakes from the refrigerator. She was just a beginner. In response, PD Yoon Byung-sun and the staff were satisfied.

‘It’s good, isn’t it?’

‘Right? The vibe is good.’

Because it was the exact picture they liked, even though it was full of mistakes.

‘But Woo-jin isn’t helping at all? I told him to, but I didn’t expect him to just watch.’

‘Maybe it’s because they’re both clumsy and he doesn’t want to make things worse?’

‘True, it could just make things more complicated.’

Then, about 15 minutes passed?

-Clunk!

Hong Hye-yeon, with a determined face, placed the finished ramen in front of Woo-jin.

‘Spicy ramen complete.’

Woo-jin, who had been looking at her face indifferently, slowly lowered his gaze. Towards the ramen. And then, he didn’t say anything.

‘······’

Well, he did make an assessment in his mind.

‘You could probably swim in this.’

Hong Hye-yeon, unaware of this, grumbled for no reason.

‘What. Why?’

‘No. I was thinking about how to hold it.’

The spicy ramen she made was literally overflowing with broth. The bowl was too small to contain all of Hong Hye-yeon’s ambition. But somehow, the ramen arrived in front of PD Yoon Byung-sun. Soon, he and the writers began to eat with their chopsticks.

-Slurp!

The expressions were subtle. Especially PD Yoon Byung-sun. He then handed a wooden chopstick to Woo-jin.

‘Woo-jin, do you want to try some?’

‘Ah—yes.’

As Kang Woo-jin scooped up the ramen, Hong Hye-yeon, who was in the kitchen, also stood next to him. Soon, Hong Hye-yeon, with wide eyes, asked Woo-jin, who was chewing the ramen in his mouth.

‘H-how is it?’

Woo-jin, who swallowed the ramen without much reaction, gave a short answer.

‘It tastes like ramen.’

The staff tried to hold back their laughter. Conversely, Hong Hye-yeon narrowed her brows.

‘···It’s ramen, so of course it tastes like ramen. I asked if it was good or not?’

‘It’s a ramen taste somewhere in the middle.’

‘Ha, what is that? Then, this time, Woo-jin, you go into the kitchen. I’ll watch the hall.’

As if he had been waiting for it, PD Yoon Byung-sun gave his permission.

‘Switch players!’

Woo-jin calmly walked into the kitchen, but honestly, he was a bit nervous. It was his first time cooking in front of so many people.

‘Ugh, is it because I’m nervous? I feel gassy.’

The writers who were watching him chuckled quietly.

‘Oh my, look at how determined Woo-jin is.’

‘Is it just me, or does it feel like he’s going to make ramen with a lot of broth again?’

‘But Woo-jin is still cynical even when he’s cooking, it’s kind of cute.’

‘Still, we might get to see Woo-jin flustered today.’

As soon as Kang Woo-jin entered the kitchen, Hong Hye-yeon took orders. The orders were the same as what she had received.

‘Kimchi pancake and spicy ramen! Aglio e olio pasta, if pasta isn’t possible, bibimbap. Woo-jin, you’ll start with the ramen too, right?’

But the first words from this chef were instructions.

‘No. Hye-yeon, come in and get the ingredients.’

‘Uh—uh? Ingredients?’

‘Yes. We’ll make the menu at the same time. First, kimchi, green onions, sausage, green chili peppers, red chili peppers······’

While speaking, Woo-jin quickly set up several pots. For pancakes, ramen, and pasta. Something changed in Kang Woo-jin’s eyes.

‘Pasta noodles too. They’re down there.’

‘Ah…yes. Here.’

‘Slice the garlic thinly. You can take your time.’

Soon, Hong Hye-yeon, without realizing it, glanced at Woo-jin while slicing the garlic.

‘W-what is it? Why does he know how to make it?’

From the ingredient preparation, the picture of a professional aura flowing out made the VJ , PD Yoon Byung-sun, and the writers whisper.

‘It doesn’t seem like Woo-jin is just making ramen right now?’

‘Noodles? Is he going to make pasta too?!’

‘Oh oh oh? Woo-jin has a knife.’

That’s when it happened.

-Chop chop chop chop chop chop chop chop chop!

The sound of Woo-jin’s dazzling knife skills filled the entire studio.

‘Huh?’

Everyone’s eyes widened.

Several tens of minutes later.

The entire studio was filled with the smell of various foods. And.

-Swish.

‘The last spicy ramen.’

The spicy ramen, decorated with rice cakes and green onions, was placed in front of Hong Hye-yeon. No, to be exact.

‘He really made everything at the same time?!’

All the ordered dishes were completed. Kimchi pancake, pasta, bibimbap, and now the spicy ramen. It didn’t take that long either. Although Hong Hye-yeon helped a little, it was almost as if Kang Woo-jin had done it all by himself. Nevertheless, Woo-jin, who was washing his hands.

‘······’

Was as cold as ever. On the other hand, PD Yoon Byung-sun and the writers, who had checked even the spicy ramen, blinked their eyes. No, all the dozens of staff members in this studio did.

‘T-the smell is so good?’

‘I know, why does it smell so good?’

‘More than that, what Woo-jin was cooking just now…it wasn’t just simple home cooking.’

‘The knife skills…were so sexy, right? And the way he handled the ingredients was so smooth.’

‘PD-nim [PD-nim is a Korean honorific title for a producer]. Why is Woo-jin so good at cooking?’

How would I know? PD Yoon Byung-sun was just as dumbfounded. Around that time, Hong Hye-yeon, with a slightly flushed face, picked up her chopsticks and quickly approached.

‘Ah, what are you all doing? It’s going to get cold. Can I try it first?’

Woo-jin, who was indifferently drying his hands, tried his best to pour cold water on his rapidly beating heart.

‘It’ll be delicious, right? Yeah, it’ll be delicious. Wow—damn. It’s kind of nerve-wracking to have so many people eat my food?’

At the same time, Hong Hye-yeon, holding her long hair, put the pasta in her mouth. And.

‘!!!’

Lightning struck in her eyes.

‘······Huh?’

‘Wh-why? What is it?’

PD Yoon Byung-sun, startled, quickly tore off a piece of the kimchi pancake and put it in his mouth. The funny thing was.

‘Huh!!’

The reaction was the same. From here.

‘Ah, whatever. I’ll try the ramen first!’

‘I’ll take the pasta!’

‘Spoon, please! I’ll mix the bibimbap!’

From the writers to all the staff members, they rushed to the food, and the main writer, who had slurped the pasta, covered her mouth with both hands and shouted.

‘Ah! What is this? It’s so delicious!!’

As if contagious, exclamations poured out from the mouths of other staff members. Woo-jin, who was silently watching the scene, was internally satisfied.

‘Nice.’

At this time, the main writer, who was next to PD Yoon Byung-sun, whispered.

‘PD-nim…this is to the point where we don’t need a cooking mentor?’

‘Y-yeah, I know. Why is everything so delicious?’

At that moment, the walkie-talkie rang.

‘Chef Lee Yang-woo has arrived!’

A signal that the mentor had arrived. Chef Lee Yang-woo, with a protruding belly, appeared in the studio.

‘Hello—oh my, it smells good? Have you already started cooking?’

He had a bright smile, and PD Yoon Byung-sun and the staff got up to greet Chef Lee Yang-woo. Soon, there was a brief greeting time. Of course, Kang Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon were the same.

Then.

‘Wow—kimchi pancake and pasta? You’ve made a lot of food?’

The chubby Chef Lee Yang-woo, who was putting on his microphone, discovered the food on the table. For some reason, PD Yoon Byung-sun was a bit flustered. The other writers had similar reactions. Regardless, Chef Lee Yang-woo.

‘Oh? But the food looks kind of…not like practice?’

He strode towards the table and scanned the dishes. Then, for some reason, he slightly frowned.

‘Excuse me, PD-nim. This is.’

Having figured something out, he suddenly picked up a chopstick and lifted the bowl of pasta. First, he smelled it. Then, his brow furrowed even more. However, instead of speaking, he put a chopstick of pasta in his mouth and chewed.

In just a few seconds, he let out a hollow laugh.

‘Ha—PD-nim.’

He muttered while looking at PD Yoon Byung-sun and the writers.

‘This wasn’t for practice, it was for a demonstration? Did you call another chef besides me?’

‘Huh?’

‘No, there was no such talk. Is there some kind of chef competition to decide the mentor? That’s a bit difficult.’

At this moment.

‘······’

‘······’

‘······’

The gazes of PD Yoon Byung-sun, Hong Hye-yeon, the writers, and others all turned to Kang Woo-jin, who was wearing an apron. Among them, PD Yoon Byung-sun, scratching his head, muttered quietly.

‘I’m the one who’s in a bind. Woo-jin made that.’

Then, Chef Lee Yang-woo, who had been spacing out for a moment, stammered while looking at the poker-faced Woo-jin.

‘Y-you mean Woo-jin made this? Not another chef?’

It was as if he had admitted it himself.

The next day, around noon on the 24th.

A Korean restaurant in the mountains of Gangwon Province. The restaurant had a strong traditional Korean house feel. What was unusual was that the area around this restaurant was crowded today. There was filming equipment, as well as many staff members running around.

And even numerous onlookers surrounding them.

Today, they were scheduled to film ‘Our Table’s’ one-day restaurant at this traditional Korean house. That’s why a different sign was put up today.

–

The interior of the Korean restaurant was spacious. It was divided into a main hall and a sub-hall. If you added all the tables, there seemed to be at least 10, and small cameras and VJs were stationed in every part of the hall.

And.

‘This place is so pretty.’

‘It’s definitely Instagrammable.’

The hall was already bustling with invited guests.

‘Hwa-rin…her beauty is insane.’

‘I almost screamed when she passed by me earlier. She’s so pretty.’

‘Yeon Baek-gwang’s face is so small too.’

‘Oh oh! There’s Ha Kang-soo! Wow—a real actor is a real actor. I can’t help but be amazed.’

Meanwhile, the energetic Yeon Baek-gwang went into the kitchen and came out with food. It was a kimchi pancake. The kimchi pancake was placed on a table where two women were sitting.

‘Enjoy your meal!’

‘······Yes, thank you.’

The women, who had been mesmerized by Yeon Baek-gwang’s appearance, barely managed to eat the kimchi pancake. Soon, their eyes widened.

‘Wow—it’s delicious.’

‘Right? It’s crispy and the seasoning is perfect. It’s so good.’

‘Who’s in the kitchen? There must be a separate chef cooking for them.’

Here, Yeon Baek-gwang, who had placed soy sauce on their table, smirked and answered.

‘Our main chef in the kitchen is Woo-jin hyung [older brother]. No, Kang Woo-jin-nim [a more formal way of addressing someone] does it!’

Meanwhile, in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The chaotic filming site of ‘Island of the Lost’ in the forest. However, it seemed that they had finished the morning filming, and all the hundred or so staff members and actors were resting in their respective tents.

Of course.

-Flap.

Director Kwon Ki-taek, sipping coffee and checking the filming script, was also the same. Then, he suddenly turned his head and called the assistant director.

‘Is it tomorrow? When Woo-jin is coming back.’

At the calm question, the assistant director quickly answered.

‘Yes, director. It’s an early morning flight tomorrow, and he should arrive before lunch.’

‘Hmm.’

‘The filming is scheduled to start in the early afternoon.’

‘Take out a few scenes. Let him rest a bit and then film one scene at night.’

‘Understood.’

At that moment.

-♬♪

Director Kwon Ki-taek’s phone rang. He picked up the phone without much thought and paused slightly.

‘Director Ahn again?’

Because the caller was Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had contacted him recently. He was a bit puzzled, but Director Kwon Ki-taek left the tent and answered the phone politely.

‘Yes, director.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s old voice was immediately heard from the other side of the phone.

‘Director Kwon, it’s still hot in Vietnam.’