Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 205

205

“What’s going on?”

Hyeonseong asked, looking at Yoon Se-yeong.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong chuckled and continued.

“Your ramen is too delicious to just go upstairs.”

“So, you waited until closing time on purpose?”

“If it’s for broadcasting, I’d do anything, even wait a long time.”

“No, not that far…”

Hyeonseong was utterly surprised.

He never imagined they would wait this long.

It’s just ramen, not some fancy dish. It might be precious to Hyeonseong, but to others, it’s just ramen.

Yet, they waited until this hour. What could that mean?

Hyeonseong looked at Yoon Se-yeong and said,

“You surprise me. It’s precious ramen to me, but I thought it would just be common ramen to you, Assistant Director. I’m surprised you waited until this hour.”

“Honestly, before I tasted the ramen, I thought, ‘How delicious could ramen possibly be?’ But after eating it, I realized that my thinking was just prejudice.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Ramen and bean sprouts, it might seem like a common combination. But with your spicy sauce, it creates a fantastic taste that you can’t find anywhere else.”

“I don’t know what to do with such high praise.”

Hyeonseong scratched his head.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong spoke again.

“Of course, the taste of the ramen is the most important thing, but that’s not the only reason we waited.”

“Yes? Then, is there another reason?”

“It’s your passion.”

“Passion?”

Hyeonseong looked directly at Yoon Se-yeong.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong smiled and continued,

“Despite your young age, your passion for food is incomparably strong. Especially that sauce, I don’t know how you made it at that age, but it’s truly a work of art.”

“I’m embarrassed by your compliments.”

“And one more thing, it’s your consideration for the customers. You even refused filming because the customers wouldn’t be able to eat properly. You have a strong attachment to your customers.”

“Well, they’re our customers, so I think it’s natural to do that.”

“That’s exactly it.”

“Yes?”

Hyeonseong tilted his head.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong spoke again.

“Not just anyone would make that decision. You don’t dislike broadcasting, do you?”

“Of course not…”

“Exactly. You must have had some desire for broadcasting. But after much thought, you chose the customers over broadcasting. That’s what’s important.”

“I thought that was the right thing to do.”

Yoon Se-yeong nodded and continued,

“Making that decision is not easy because the advertising effect of broadcasting is that significant.”

“Of course, it would be huge.”

“Exactly. But you still chose the customers.”

It might seem like a foolish thought. But at that moment, the customers were the first thing that came to mind.

Hyeonseong looked at Yoon Se-yeong and asked,

“By the way, have you had dinner?”

“Not yet… Would it be too much to ask [for some ramen]?”

“Ask? Don’t mention it. You came all the way here, so of course, I should treat you to dinner. But would you be okay with having ramen for both lunch and dinner?”

“If I could, I’d love to eat it until tomorrow morning. As I said before, the hangover ramen is the best. I’ll probably miss this taste for a while when I go back to Seoul.”

“Assistant Director, you’re too kind… Just wait a moment, I’ll cook it up quickly.”

With those words, Hyeonseong disappeared into the kitchen.

As Hyeonseong disappeared, Kim Si-hyeon looked at Yoon Se-yeong and said in a small voice,

“Assistant Director, you already had dinner, didn’t you?”

“That’s that, but I think I’ll regret it if I don’t eat it now.”

“Still, how can you eat again?”

“So, are you not going to eat, Writer?”

“How can you say such a disappointing thing? I don’t want to regret it when I go back to Seoul either. Even if my stomach bursts, I’m going to eat this ramen. Hehe…”

The two looked at each other and started laughing.

A little later.

“Ramen’s ready!”

“You cook ramen so fast.”

“Our stove has tremendous firepower. We need to cook it quickly so the noodles don’t get soggy and you can taste the chewy texture.”

“Ah, that’s one of the secrets?”

“Maybe that’s why. Sometimes customers say that the ramen they cook at home doesn’t have the same chewiness. The reason is the stove.”

Yoon Se-yeong and Kim Si-hyeon nodded as if they had agreed in advance and began to eat the ramen.

A little later.

Yoon Se-yeong put down his chopsticks and said,

“Indeed, the ramen tastes great. No matter how I think about it, it’s really amazing.”

“I agree. It’s really the best. Especially this aftertaste, it’s truly a work of art.”

Kim Si-hyeon also raised her thumb towards Hyeonseong.

Seeing that, Hyeonseong smiled as if he felt good.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong said,

“Mr. Owner, shall we talk about the filming again?”

“I’m sorry, but my position hasn’t changed from before…”

“Don’t say that, let’s find a way. We’ll try to meet your conditions as much as possible, so don’t just say no and think about it positively.”

“If so… my condition is that our customers can eat ramen without worrying about the filming.”

“So, it’s still about the customers.”

“Yes.”

Yoon Se-yeong was silent for a moment as if he was thinking about something.

After a while.

“In the end, you’re saying we should reduce the number of cameras, not use actors, and minimize the staff.”

“Would broadcasting be possible even like that?”

“Well, I don’t know for sure because I haven’t had that experience before…”

Yoon Se-yeong was silent again as if he had fallen into *gomin* [deep thought or worry].

Then, Kim Si-hyeon looked at Yoon Se-yeong and said,

“Assistant Director, can I talk to you for a moment?”

With those words, Kim Si-hyeon left the store.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong looked at Hyeonseong and said,

“Excuse us, we’ll talk for a moment and come back in.”

“Yes, take your time.”

As Hyeonseong nodded, Yoon Se-yeong followed Kim Si-hyeon out of the store.

The two people who came out.

Kim Si-hyeon asked first.

“Assistant Director, is it possible to film without actors?”

“That’s what I’m saying. We have to film with just the customers here, but I don’t know if the picture will come out properly.”

“Civilians won’t even be able to speak properly in front of the camera, what are you going to do?”

“That’s what I’m worried about. But as you heard, Writer, that’s what the owner here wants…”

Yoon Se-yeong bit his lower lip. It was his habit when he was *gomin* [deep in thought].

After thinking for a while, Yoon Se-yeong opened his mouth.

“Writer, I think we should go for a real concept this time.”

“Well, aren’t you going to ruin the broadcast if you do that?”

“At least it’s not live, so let’s film it first and edit it well, right?”

“But can we decide this on our own?”

“Of course, if we’re going to film like that, we have to ask the director first.”

“Then, I think it’s the order to ask the director first. It’s useless to talk among ourselves.”

The two nodded and moved to where the public telephone was.

On the way, Kim Si-hyeon looked at Yoon Se-yeong and asked,

“Assistant Director, honestly, I don’t know if we have to film like this.”

“How was the ramen taste earlier?”

“Of course, it was the best. How else would I have eaten a bowl of ramen after dinner?”

“Then let’s just think about that. Isn’t the purpose of our program a gourmet tour? Don’t think about anything else and focus on the *mat-jip* [famous or delicious restaurant].”

“…Yes.”

Kim Si-hyeon nodded reluctantly.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong called Kim Si-hyeon again.

“Writer, don’t worry too much. It’ll probably be fine.”

“I hope so too, but I don’t know how well ordinary people will express the taste without a script.”

“Let’s trust it for now.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Kim Si-hyeon nodded as if she understood.

Yoon Se-yeong, who arrived at the public telephone booth, made a call.

– Hello.

“Director, it’s me.”

– What happened?

“Their condition is that they will film if it doesn’t harm the customers.”

– Does that make sense? Even if we put in five cameras, and if we put in actors anyway, they won’t be able to receive almost any customers there.

“So, I was wondering if we could go for a natural real this time, with only two cameras and no actors. What do you think?”

– What? Real?

Jo Min-sik was dumbfounded.

Does this make sense? Even if you put in an actor, there’s an NG [no good/outtake] and you have to shoot again, but you’re going to film with ordinary people.

Moreover, only two cameras are going in, which is an impossible case.

Jo Min-sik said in an absurd tone.

– Hey, Assistant Director. Do you think that makes sense right now?

“Of course, it won’t be easy, but I still want to try it this time.”

– Why are you trying so hard?

“Because of the taste.”

– Is it that delicious?

“Yes, it is. Director, please trust me this time. Have I ever said this much?”

– That’s why it’s strange.

“That’s how greedy I am. If you try it later, you’ll know why I insisted on filming so hard.”

After thinking for a while, Jo Min-sik called Yoon Se-yeong.

– Assistant Director!

“Yes, Director.”

– You know I trust you, right?

“Yes, I know very well.”

– I’ll leave this filming to you, so can you take responsibility for the viewership ratings?

“I’ll do my best.”

– The best is not enough. You have to take responsibility unconditionally.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll do whatever it takes to get the best scene.”

– Okay. Finish up quickly and come up.

“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Click.

Yoon Se-yeong, who hung up the phone, bowed his head to the receiver. He was grateful to Jo Min-sik for trusting him so much.

Yoon Se-yeong and Kim Si-hyeon returned to Hyeonseong’s store.

Yoon Se-yeong looked at Hyeonseong and said,

“I got the director’s approval.”

“Are you going to do that [film under those conditions]?”

“He said he’ll leave it to me for now.”

“It wouldn’t have been easy, but your *chujinlyeok* [drive/pushing power] is amazing, Assistant Director.”

Hyeonseong looked at Yoon Se-yeong.

He thought it would be impossible. Even he thought it was an absurd condition. But the person who accepted that absurd condition was the assistant director.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong looked at Hyeonseong and said,

“Only two cameras will go in. And no actors will be *tuip* [put in/cast] at all. We’ll only film with the customers who come here.”

“Will it be possible?”

“I have to make it possible.”

Yoon Se-yeong’s expression was more serious than ever.

Hyeonseong, who was looking at the figure, said.

“Assistant Director, can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Why are you helping me so much, even with such difficulties?”

“Well.”

Yoon Se-yeong smiled instead of answering.

Then, Hyeonseong asked again.

“I’m more curious because you’re smiling like that.”

“As I said before, the taste of ramen is the best that can’t be compared to anywhere else. And…”

Yoon Se-yeong didn’t finish his sentence.

Then, Hyeonseong asked immediately.

“And is there anything else?”

“That’s… I’m embarrassed to say it, but I wanted to support you for living so confidently. I wanted to give you wings.”

“Wings?”

Hyeonseong tilted his head.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong’s words continued.

“I don’t know, but you’ll be much busier than you are now after the broadcast.”

“I guess so.”

“I want to see how far you’ll fly in the future. That’s another reason.”

Hyeonseong looked at Yoon Se-yeong and bowed his head.

Then, Yoon Se-yeong smiled and nodded his head.