Director Ahn Gabok? That Director Ahn Gabok?
With the phone pressed to his ear, Choi Sunggeon's thoughts came to a complete stop for a moment. The call had been so sudden that the reaction was only natural.
'What is this now? Why is Director Ahn Gabok suddenly showing up?'
And more than that—
'Why would someone like Ahn Gabok be interested in our Woojin?'
The mention alone was enough to shock him, but the fact that Director Ahn Gabok himself wanted to meet Kang Woojin was even more startling. Ahn Gabok was a living legend in the Korean film industry. The idea that he wanted to meet Woojin was unexpected enough, but it was even harder to understand why a director of that stature would personally call a rookie actor.
Even for Choi Sunggeon, who had spent years in the entertainment industry, this was a first.
'…What exactly is going on here?'
For a brief moment, the brain of Choi Sunggeon—the man known for his sharp instincts and almost godlike problem-solving—had completely stalled. But he forced those frozen gears back into motion, and somehow, his mind started working again.
'I need to secure at least the minimum amount of information. If Director Ahn Gabok knows my number and called me directly, then he must have found proper material somewhere.'
Whether it was Kang Woojin or anyone else, Ahn Gabok's tone had been certain. The fact that a legend had personally made the call meant that he was serious.
'Or maybe it's greed.'
In other words, Director Ahn Gabok thought very highly of Kang Woojin at that moment.
'But still… how exactly did Director Ahn Gabok get involved in this?'
Questions still filled Choi Sunggeon's head. Even so, it would be foolish to pry too aggressively right now, and it would be just as foolish to face a legend like Ahn Gabok with no information at all.
He was not someone to handle carelessly.
'I need to buy time without crossing the line.'
More than anything, Choi Sunggeon needed to pass accurate information to Kang Woojin. Even if Woojin understood someone's status, if he did not care for the offer, he would reject it cleanly without paying attention to the person's reputation.
So Choi Sunggeon put on a respectful front and began to negotiate.
"Hello, Director. If you had let me know beforehand, I would have reached out to you myself…"
"There's no need to beat around the bush. We'll both just get tired."
"Then… are you saying you want to meet Woojin because of a project?"
"That's right. What other reason would a director have for looking for an actor?"
"Ah, yes. My apologies. It's just a little hard to believe."
"Haha. So, can I meet him?"
At the question, Choi Sunggeon let out a quiet breath, tension tightening in his chest.
"Director, if I could, I'd run over to meet you right away. But could you please give me a little time? Woojin's schedule is quite tight at the moment."
"Hmm?"
"Woojin is currently filming PD Yoon Byeongseon's variety program Our Table. As you know, variety shoots don't have a fixed end time. They can easily run two or even three hours late."
It was a reasonable point. Estimated shooting times did not mean much, especially with variety shows. If they arranged a meeting with Director Ahn Gabok and the shoot dragged on, the director might be forced to wait. In the worst case, that could create tension.
"And it's not just today. Our Table shoots again tomorrow, and as soon as that wraps, he has to catch a flight to Vietnam the following morning."
"You're in high demand."
"Yes, Director. I'm sorry. This domestic schedule was squeezed in urgently during the overseas shoot for Island of the Missing. I don't think it would be right to end a meeting with you in five or ten minutes. Would it be too difficult to arrange it after the overseas filming is over?"
Silence settled on the other end for a moment. A few seconds later, Director Ahn Gabok's aged voice returned.
"Alright, let's do that. I was the one who called you out of nowhere, so I'll take the inconvenience. How long is the overseas schedule?"
"A little over two weeks."
"Understood. It doesn't sound like something that needs to be rushed. Contact me again later."
"Thank you, Director. I'll call you."
"Very well."
-Click.
The call ended, but Choi Sunggeon immediately dialed another number.
"Director Ahn Gabok? Has the script for his hundredth work come out?"
He was already digging for information through his wide network of contacts.
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Meanwhile, inside the restaurant—
Regardless of whether Choi Sunggeon was present or not, the filming set for Our Table was bustling.
Clap clap clap clap clap!!
Dozens of staff members, including the brightly smiling PD Yoon Byeongseon, broke into loud applause. Naturally, those cheers were directed toward Kang Woojin and Hwarin, who were seated at one of the restaurant tables.
"From Korea to Japan! Let's conquer the whole world!"
"Hahaha, that'll happen soon enough, right? Woojin, Hwarin, congratulations!"
"Honestly though, Boy Friend was really fun. It deserves to be number one in both Korea and Japan!"
The reason they were talking about Netflix Japan as well was simple. Boy Friend, which had officially opened there the day before, on the 22nd, had risen to number one in a single day, just like it had in Korea.
Amid the applause and congratulations, Kang Woojin fell into thought.
'What? Number one in Japan too? This is unbelievable. I really didn't see that coming.'
He kept a straight face on the outside, but inside, he was practically frozen in place while screaming in celebration.
'Wow, this is insane. So that means a ton of people in Japan saw me too? That's unbelievable.'
The person who calmed down his swelling excitement was Hwarin, who was smiling with her eyes as she spoke to him. Even she was clearly doing her best to hold back excessive delight.
"We filmed in Japan and even did promo there. It was tiring, but worth it. This is a good thing, right?"
Woojin cleared his throat and answered in a low voice.
"It's thanks to you, Hwarin."
"Me?"
"Your fandom in Japan is very strong."
"It's not nonexistent, sure, but I think this is more because of The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice and Ametalk Show. People are still talking about those."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Honestly, when it comes to pulling people in, this is all because of you, Woojin."
'Wow, my shoulders are rising on their own.'
Just as Woojin was trying to calm himself down again, Hong Hyeyeon, seated to his right, lightly clapped along and joined in.
"Congratulations to both of you. Because of you, Profiler Hanryang must've dropped in the rankings by now."
Hwarin grinned and exchanged a glance with Woojin.
"And the actor who appeared in both is sitting right here."
"Ah, right. So how does it feel, Woojin? Boy Friend is number one, but you don't look that excited. You probably expected it, didn't you?"
No? I'm thrilled.
Woojin wanted to jump for joy, but considering the setting, he maintained his usual expression.
"I didn't expect it at all."
After several more minutes of congratulations about Boy Friend, the cast members of Our Table began arriving one by one.
The fourth to show up was Yeon Baekgwang, the leader of a top boy group. Brimming with the bright energy of an idol in his early twenties, he greeted everyone with a deep ninety-degree bow.
"Ah! Hello, Kang Woojin-nim! I really enjoyed Hanryang!"
"Ah, thank you."
"And you're seriously so cool!"
'Wait, is this handsome guy teasing me?'
Something about his energy made Woojin a little uncomfortable. Or rather, maybe it was simply hard to get used to.
'He's the textbook definition of a social butterfly. Are all idols these handsome these days?'
Yeon Baekgwang had the kind of face that looked like it had stepped straight out of a romance comic. Pale skin, a natural aura, everything about him stood out. After greeting Hwarin, who was technically Woojin's direct sunbae, and then saying hello to Hong Hyeyeon, he leaned toward Woojin and whispered before heading to his seat.
"Woojin-nim, I really want to get close to you."
"Ah… yes, that's fine."
"Yay! Can I call you hyung?"
"Yes."
That handsome idol was so naturally sociable that he tore down barriers with people in no time.
The next person to arrive was the top actor Ha Kangsu, a tall man with a face that somehow reminded people of a dinosaur. He was not someone viewers often saw on variety shows.
That probably explained the general awkwardness surrounding him.
Even his greeting carried it.
"Long time no see, Hyeyeon."
"Why are you suddenly speaking formally, oppa?"
"Would it be alright if I spoke comfortably instead? Is that okay, PD-nim?"
"Hahaha, just relax! Be comfortable!"
"Ugh… I think I have a phobia of variety shows."
After greeting the rest of the cast, he gave Kang Woojin a thumbs-up.
"Your momentum's really good these days, right? I've wanted to meet you for a while. Jungmin talks about you a lot too."
"Hello, sunbae-nim."
And the final member of the cast to arrive was—
"Ah! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! There was an accident ahead, so traffic was terrible."
It was actor Ahn Jonghak, who would be playing the owner of Our Table. Even though he was in his late forties, he had a youthful face and a neat, polished impression. He was a top entertainer who had succeeded across acting, variety, and music, and he was especially close with PD Yoon Byeongseon. The two had worked together on several hit variety shows in the past.
Because of that, PD Yoon Byeongseon grinned as he teased Ahn Jonghak, who was already wearing his mic pack.
"Hyung, why are you so late? Trying to act like a senior? That's way too old-fashioned."
"Hey. Find me someone more old-fashioned than a guy who worries more about his juniors than himself. And I'm only five minutes late. Five minutes."
"Late is still late. Especially when your juniors are sitting here waiting for you while doing a better job than you."
Ahn Jonghak gave a small cough and glanced toward the table.
"Since I'm late, you should've started first. Sorry. Skip the greetings and let's get going."
Kang Woojin watched him with a blank expression, but inside, interest flared.
'Wow, sunbae Ahn Jonghak. He's really cool in person, just like on TV. He's so cool I might stop breathing.'
In any case, with Ahn Jonghak's arrival, the full cast had finally gathered around the table. Filming had technically already started, but when PD Yoon Byeongseon, seated at the head, launched into his opening remarks, it felt as though the real beginning was only now underway.
"Great! At last, the full cast that will light up Our Table has gathered. I feel incredibly reassured having such amazing people here. So then, Ahn Jonghak, the man who will lead Our Table, please say a few words."
At Yoon Byeongseon's playful introduction, Ahn Jonghak frowned.
"Why am I the owner? Anyone at this table could do it."
"Really? Then we'll do it by popularity ranking. But Jonghak, would you be okay as an intern?"
"Hey, I may be older, but isn't that too much?"
"See? In the end, you're the old man after all."
Laughter burst throughout the restaurant, from the writers to the staff.
Yoon Byeongseon, a veteran through and through, eased the atmosphere with a few quick jokes before smoothly moving into the actual filming structure.
"Anyway, in honor of that old man, Ahn Jonghak will take the role of owner."
"Ah, damn it. You're trying to paint me as an old geezer again."
"Shh, shh. As the owner, you'll oversee the overall operation of Our Table, right? The directing will be handled by two people—Ha Kangsu and Hong Hyeyeon. Kangsu will take charge of the front of house, and Hyeyeon will handle the kitchen."
At that, Ahn Jonghak, who had just crossed his legs, joined in.
"Hyeyeon, are you good at cooking?"
Hong Hyeyeon brushed back her long hair and calmly shook her head.
"Not really. Just simple things to go with wine? I like making snacks."
"That's way too vague."
"What? Then you do the kitchen work, oppa."
"I don't even have the faintest thought needed to judge that vagueness."
Yoon Byeongseon took over again.
"As for staff, Woojin and Hwarin will join. Woojin will assist in the kitchen, and Hwarin will help on the floor. And Yeon Baekgwang will be the intern, in charge of dishwashing and general support!"
The teams were formed quickly. One side consisted of Ahn Jonghak, Yeon Baekgwang, Ha Kangsu, Hwarin, Kang Woojin, and Hong Hyeyeon. This time, it was Ahn Jonghak who turned to Kang Woojin and spoke.
"Woojin, can you cook?"
Woojin answered calmly.
"A little."
Ahn Jonghak let out a sigh and looked at Yoon Byeongseon.
"Let's just buy food and sell it. The meal kits these days are pretty good, aren't they?"
Yoon Byeongseon casually ignored him.
"For today, you'll have a simple meal here first, and then split into teams to receive training from your mentors. As everyone already knows, tomorrow you'll be deployed into the one-day restaurant!"
At the mention of the one-day restaurant, Hong Hyeyeon was the first to ask a question.
"Where exactly is this restaurant that opens for just one day?"
"I'll tell you tomorrow. It definitely isn't Seoul."
Ahn Jonghak snorted.
"Hmph. Then it's definitely somewhere far away, with clean air and nice scenery. But we're just being fed food? What's the catch?"
As if that rhetorical question had been the correct answer, Yoon Byeongseon turned to a staff member at his side and called out.
"Ingredients! Bring them in!"
A low table soon appeared, lined with about ten ingredients for tteokbokki.
At the sight, Ahn Jonghak let out a laugh full of disbelief.
"See? I knew this would happen."
Ha Kangsu and Yeon Baekgwang both tensed.
"Ah! We're playing games already? I'm really bad at games."
"Wow! I'm actually seeing one of these scenes in person!"
Satisfied with their reactions, Yoon Byeongseon adjusted his glasses and grinned mischievously.
"Just eating would be boring, and this is a good chance for everyone to get closer, so why don't we start with a celebrity guessing game?"
The writers soon handed him a file filled with celebrity photos. Hong Hyeyeon lightly frowned and tapped Kang Woojin on the shoulder.
"If you mess up my picture again today, just wait. I'm seriously flipping the table."
It seemed the wounds from the "sports day" incident had not healed yet. The memory rose immediately in Woojin's mind, and tension tightened in him, but his face stayed firmer than ever.
"I'll do my best."
"Ah, that makes me nervous already."
At that, Hwarin covered her mouth and giggled.
"Ah, so you mean when Woojin got unnie's picture wrong. That was so funny."
Hong Hyeyeon smiled at Hwarin and warned her not to relax.
"The funny thing is, that could be you today, Hwarin."
"Ah, no way, right, Woojin? You'll take good care of mine too, won't you?"
Kang Woojin found it difficult to give a clean answer. Maintaining his outer image was already hard enough.
"…I'll do my best."
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About an hour later, inside an unfamiliar van—
A somewhat heavyset man sat in the moving vehicle, looking through a thin stack of papers. On the cover was written:
-
It was the filming script for Our Table. But why was this heavyset man reading it?
The answer was simple.
He was Chef Lee Yangwoo, the mentor for the kitchen team on Our Table.
Chef Lee Yangwoo held considerable influence not only in the culinary world, but also in broadcasting. He had built strong public recognition through countless cooking programs, and the same was true of YouTube.
In other words, he was a very well-known figure among chefs.
At the moment, Chef Lee Yangwoo was on his way to the Our Table set when his acne-marked manager asked him,
"Hyung. But do we really have to postpone our own shoot because of this?"
Chef Lee Yangwoo waved the script in his hand.
"Of course we do. It's PD Yoon we're talking about. Have you even imagined how much our sales could go up just from our restaurant being mentioned on one of his variety shows?"
"But haven't we already been on plenty of programs?"
"This is a completely different level of power. Besides, I don't know who's in the kitchen yet, but just watching top actors try to cook already sounds like stress relief, doesn't it? It's killing two birds with one stone."
Then Chef Lee Yangwoo burst into loud laughter.
"And since they've brought in the critic concept, it'll be fun to mess with those arrogant top stars too."