God-Given Business Genius

“What’s your real age?”

As I met Bong Kang-min’s steady gaze, I felt an involuntary shiver down my spine.

How did he know?

His penetrating look, as if he could see right through this old veteran disguised in a young person’s shell, left me frozen.

Not knowing what to say, I kept my mouth firmly shut. Bong Kang-min grinned and continued:

“I mean~ The way you talk and act, you’re like an old hand who’s been in this industry for decades! It doesn’t match your age. Right?”

Ah.

So that’s what he meant. I got scared for nothing.

I discreetly let out a sigh of relief. It seemed like he was just joking around, and Bong Kang-min didn’t appear to seriously doubt my age.

‘Of course. It’s absurd. Who would believe it?’

Even if I went around shouting that I’d regressed, no one would believe me. I was silly to get tense thinking someone might have figured it out.

Realizing how foolish I’d been, I felt my tension melt away.

“Haha. You got me. Actually, I’m older than you, Chef Bong~”

“I knew it!”

We bantered back and forth, then caught each other’s eyes and burst into laughter.

“Chef Song. Is it okay if I speak casually to you?”

“Yes, of course.”

I told you to speak casually last time. It seems he’s finally going to treat me more informally.

“I’m not just saying this~ It’s because you know so many different genres that don’t match your age. You know?”

But while Bong Kang-min is usually high-energy, he seems particularly intense today.

I leaned slightly towards An Derek, who was standing beside me observing the situation, and lowered my voice:

“Is Chef Bong drunk?”

His face was subtly flushed, as if he’d had a few drinks before I arrived. There was also a faint smell of alcohol each time he spoke.

“A little.”

I thought so.

I knew it.

“No, Chef Song. Listen. I’m not just saying this, I’m serious, okay? Last time during filming, I was really surprised!”

“Last time filming… you mean…”

“You know, when you made that Toowoomba pasta using ramen seasoning!”

“Ah, that.”

I’d made it before, so I just applied that knowledge, but it got a good response. I hear it’s gained quite a reputation online for being simple yet delicious.

“It’s really difficult to make such easy, simple, and delicious food, you know. I’m a chef too, but our methods are often too complex for most people to follow. These days, young people tend to eat out more than cooking at home. It makes me sad every time I think about it.”

Oh dear. I’m someone who makes money when people eat out. Saying anything in response would just be awkwardly laughing along.

“I love cooking so much. I wish more people could enjoy this work that I love so much. But it feels like you’re really making that long-held wish of mine come true, and I’m so, so grateful for that, you know?”

“You’re too kind.”

The praise is so excessive that I don’t know how to react.

Of course, I understand Bong Kang-min’s feelings to some extent.

In other words, Bong Kang-min is a cooking otaku, and he was sad that his genre was being ignored, but now he’s happy that it seems to be gaining mainstream attention.

Moreover, he seems to think I’m at the forefront of this trend. I’m just someone who knows the flow of the times in advance and is riding that wave appropriately.

“Anyway~ It’s like you were hiding somewhere and just appeared! I’m saying this because your skills are so good~”

“Yes, thank you.”

I placated Bong Kang-min and sat down. I gestured to An Derek, and he also took his seat.

“But why has our Chef An been so quiet all this time?”

I want to tell him it’s because you’ve been dominating the audio, but a drunk person probably wouldn’t hear that.

“…Not really. It’s the same as usual.”

“No, of course he’s not usually talkative, but today he’s especially quiet!”

Bong Kang-min looked at An Derek and me alternately with hazy eyes, then chuckled mischievously.

I know that laugh. It’s the face I often see when he’s trying to create an awkward atmosphere between us.

I quickly changed the subject before Bong Kang-min could say anything unnecessary.

“It feels a bit awkward, to be honest. Being congratulated on opening a Chinese restaurant in front of Chinese cuisine chefs.”

As I laughed sheepishly, An Derek immediately responded.

“You should be confident. Chef Jang rarely praises anyone, even among his disciples.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

“And I understand that there are foods more suited to regular restaurants than fine dining.”

Oh. That’s a bit unexpected.

I thought he’d believe that world of high-end cuisine, where tiny differences in taste matter, was everything.

“Of course, I used to have prejudices, but thanks to someone who shattered all my preconceptions.”

“Could that be me?”

“Who else could it be?”

“This is an honor. I’ll have to work harder not to disappoint you.”

“Is that perhaps a declaration of war?”

“If we face off next time, don’t even dream of revenge.”

“Ha. Interesting.”

Crackle!

A spark of tension passed between An Derek and me. I try not to pay attention to it, but maybe it’s because our broadcast concept is that of rivals.

Because of the surroundings constantly pitting us against each other even over trivial things, our conversations keep drifting in this direction.

‘I should restrain myself. What’s the point of fighting with someone so young?’

On the surface, An Derek looks at least 10 years older than me, but in terms of actual lived years, I’m more than 10 years his senior.

Right. No matter how young my shell is, I shouldn’t forget my true age.

Consoling myself thus, I subtly drew a line.

“Well, I’m a businessperson, not a chef. I’m called a chef for the program’s setup, but I think the title of culinary researcher suits me better than chef.”

Indeed. I’m not someone with excellent cooking skills.

I’m closer to someone who analyzes dishes meticulously and reassembles them in optimal combinations. The title ‘culinary researcher’ would be much more natural for that.

“That’s what’s so incredible.”

Bong Kang-min, who had been listening, suddenly chimed in.

“Your cooking skills are one thing, but how do you have a knack for business too? Huh? Even skilled chefs often fail in their restaurants if they don’t know how to run a business.”

It’s amazing~ Bong Kang-min muttered, shaking his head.

“Chef An, you should become friends with our Chef Song~ Who knows? You might get advice on restaurant management. People like us who’ve lived only for cooking need help from someone who can see things from a broader perspective…”

–♩♪♬~♪♩♪~

“Ugh, what’s this? Who’s calling? I’m not expecting any calls.”

Bong Kang-min frowned, looking down at his phone.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Sure, take your time.”

I gestured that he shouldn’t mind us as he turned his head to the side.

“Hello?”

The call volume was so loud that even I, sitting next to him, could clearly hear what the other person was saying.

-Ah~ Chef! How have you been?

“Oh, I’m doing well.”

-I’m currently filming ‘Infinite Challenge’. Is it okay to talk for a moment?

Filming?

Must be someone from the broadcasting world. Unlike other chefs, Bong Kang-min has appeared on various entertainment shows, so it’s not strange for him to have acquaintances in the entertainment industry.

“Yes, go ahead, Jung Jun-ha-ssi~”

Upon hearing about the filming, Bong Kang-min exaggeratedly changed his tone to a gentle one. I could hear giggles from the other end of the phone.

He really does have a knack for variety shows.

‘Infinite Challenge, and Jung Jun-ha… that person?’

I immediately guessed. Ah, the one who built an image as a big eater using his tall stature and large frame.

Wow. It felt surreal, like I was actually seeing a real celebrity. Am I really watching a phone connection I’ve only seen on TV before?

-It’s nothing major. Our ‘Infinite Challenge’ has a ‘business’ concept this time…

Oh ho.

Thinking back, I do remember something like that. The subtitle was something like ‘War of Money’, wasn’t it?

It was about starting with the same seed money and trying to make as much profit as possible using their own methods.

-Since I like food, I was thinking of selling food. But Chef Bong is the only chef I know… Is there any chance you could help me?

“Ah~ I can give you cooking recipes, but…”

Bong Kang-min trailed off, glancing at me. Bong Kang-min is a Korean cuisine chef. Of course, there are many delicious dishes in Korean cuisine, but they generally require a lot of preparation.

Jung Jun-ha would need menu items closer to street food rather than such specialized cuisine, so it’s slightly off the mark.

‘I might actually be the most suitable person. The important thing is to maximize profits, after all.’

Business is more crucial than cooking, isn’t it?

Bong Kang-min seemed to be thinking along similar lines as he looked at me. It appeared he was seeking my permission to introduce me, so I nodded willingly.

‘If I can appear on Infinite Challenge, that’d be great for me.’

No matter what anyone says, it’s a famous program that will be talked about for years to come. No matter how good the response to ‘Raid the Refrigerator’ is, as a cable show, it can’t compare to ‘Infinite Challenge’ on a major network.

“Jung Jun-ha-ssi, you’re in luck.”

Bong Kang-min grinned as he continued.

“As it happens, I have just the right person sitting right next to me. We were having a meal with a few chefs, you see.”

-Oh, really? Do you have someone you can introduce?

“Of course~ When it comes to ‘business’, this person will be more helpful than me.”

At Bong Kang-min’s words, Jung Jun-ha excitedly asked, “Who are you talking about?”

-If Chef Bong says so, they must be a true business genius!

“Haha. You could say that.”

He’s overselling me.

“Here, I’ll hand over the phone.”

Bong Kang-min passed the phone to me. I took it and uttered the words that would likely be my first impression to countless people:

“Hello. This is Song Woo-yeon from .”

It was my first foray into major network broadcasting.