Cheat day

Takers, Matchers, Givers (6)

“The six-week journey has come to an end. How do you feel about winning?”

Woo Wang-seon and Jwa Wang-taek began the interview with Joo Ji-seung in the middle.

“I’m so happy. Really happy. To be honest, it was incredibly tough to endure week after week among such amazing people. It felt like I was constantly challenging my limits.”

Joo Ji-seung bit his lip and repeatedly relaxed it.

“I really want to thank my brothers Eunsam and Daemun for helping me think through the menu.”

His throat was tight, making it hard for him to continue speaking.

When he opened his mouth again, his voice was trembling with emotion.

“Thank you, dear.”

His wife, who was outside the studio, wiped her tears away while smiling.

Taerin, holding her mom’s hand, looked back and forth between her dad and mom before starting to cry too.

The other contestants were quietly shaking their shoulders, trying to hold back their tears.

The moment Joo Ji-seung’s victory was confirmed, Choi Eunsam and Sademun rushed over, both bowing their heads and crying.

Despite the joyous occasion, they felt that Joo Ji-seung’s hard work had made this outcome inevitable.

“Joo Ji-seung will receive a total prize of 300 million won, and he will have the opportunity to commercialize the dishes he presented on Hansik Praise alongside Ottogi. Congratulations!”

After the final announcement, everyone who participated, along with the production crew, hurriedly exchanged greetings.

Expressions of gratitude and appreciation echoed throughout the room, and soon the producers took each person away for interviews.

Writer Song No-eul attached herself to me for an interview, probably to include in the video as a postscript.

“Lastly, could you share your thoughts?”

After answering a few questions, Song No-eul posed her final question.

“This will only be aired, right?”

“Uh… Hehe.”

Given the fixed broadcasting time, they couldn’t cover all the interview content with the contestants and judges.

I suspected that the earlier questions might get edited out, and Song No-eul gave an awkward smile in response.

“To be honest, I found it very burdensome to be a judge until the end. But if I get another chance, I’d do it without hesitation.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s rare to have the opportunity to taste dishes made with care by such amazing people. I felt so happy.”

***

The final episode of Hansik Praise recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 16.7%, concluding with immense interest.

There were minor frictions along the way, but both WTV and Ottogi were satisfied with the results, and Joo Ji-seung, who earned the 300 million won prize, was undoubtedly in a good place.

Not only the prize but also the YouTube channel gained significant traction.

For Banyasikgyeong, whose channel growth had somewhat stagnated before participating in Hansik Praise, this was nothing short of a boon.

I also enjoyed considerable benefits by introducing the contestants’ restaurants and conducting cook-along sessions in the studio when they didn’t have establishments, boosting my views significantly.

While I didn’t gain subscribers as much as Joo Ji-seung, I did see an increase and built an image of being a considerate person who looked out for other contestants.

Since I was doing what I loved and receiving positive feedback, I couldn’t have asked for more.

Today was the finale.

I visited a Korean restaurant called Manna Gukjuk, operated by Ham Seok-ho, with Muk Eun-ji.

“Please act as if I’m not here.”

Muk Eun-ji expressed her discontent.

“Why?”

“Please focus on the review.”

“I can ask for your opinion.”

“I don’t want my voice to be heard.”

She seemed burdened by the viewers constantly asking where the paper bag PD was.

I hoped for the day when we could broadcast together, but with her being so stubborn, I figured I’d have to set aside a day for a conversation.

“Then let’s do that today.”

“Not just today, but always.”

Shrugging her shoulders, she opened the door.

“Hello.”

As I stepped inside, a staff member recognized me and promptly guided me to a seat inside.

“Thank you.”

To my surprise, there was an unexpected guest.

It was Bae Seung-ho, the teacher of Lee Chan-seok.

I hesitated in shock, and both Ham Seok-ho and Bae Seung-ho stood up to greet me.

“Ah, hello. I’m Ban-Chan-yong.”

“I’m Muk Eun-ji from the side dish store.”

“I’m Bae Seung-ho.”

I found myself greeting him unexpectedly as we sat facing each other while Ham Seok-ho explained the situation.

“This friend has something to say to Chan-yong, so I arranged this meeting. I apologize for startling you.”

“No, it’s fine. But if you have something to say…”

“I’m sorry.”

Bae Seung-ho bowed his head to me.

I was so taken aback that I reached out to lower the camera Muk Eun-ji was holding, but she had already sensed it and put the camera under the table.

Bae Seung-ho continued, looking troubled.

“I thought you must have gone through a lot of emotional turmoil because of that foolish kid. I wanted to sincerely apologize.”

“No, no. You really don’t have to, sir.”

Bae Seung-ho bowed his head again and didn’t move.

I had skipped lunch to enjoy a delicious meal, but now I felt like I might choke before I even started eating.

“Sir, please raise your head. I really feel very uncomfortable.”

After I begged him to lift his head, he finally complied.

“I’ve truly forgotten about Lee Chan-seok. If apologies are to be given, it should be done directly to him. Nonetheless, it’s an honor to meet you.”

As I greeted him, Bae Seung-ho wore a devastated expression.

The media had been quite noisy regarding Lee Chan-seok, and articles were circulating about Bae Seung-ho severing his mentor-student relationship with Lee Chan-seok, causing a stir.

There was no reason for him to do this to me, but it seemed he considered it his duty as a mentor.

“It seems that you are also looking for Chan-yong and other contestants.”

Ham Seok-ho explained.

It appeared that he felt compelled to go to the trouble of apologizing to each person, trying to fulfill his responsibilities as a mentor.

I wondered how someone trained under such a person could act so differently.

“I heard your restaurant has also suffered a lot.”

“It’s my business.”

“Our staff told me that Chan-yong asked those throwing stones at your restaurant to stop.”

Ham Seok-ho brought up an embarrassing topic.

“Thank you.”

“No, no. People like that wouldn’t listen to me. It’s not the right thing to do, so it was only natural.”

“Thank you, Chanyong. Because of you, this friend feels a bit comforted.”

“It’s nothing.”

I felt extremely awkward. Not knowing how to respond, I fidgeted until Bae Seung-ho stood up.

“Today, I wanted to treat you to dinner, Chanyong, so I asked this person for help.”

“Treat?”

Ham Seok-ho laughed.

“You won’t regret it, as he’s one of the best chefs in our country.”

I was genuinely surprised. The thought of Bae Seung-ho cooking for me washed away my discomfort.

“I can’t refuse such an opportunity. I’ll eat well.”

For the first time today, Bae Seung-ho smiled.

As he left the room, this time it was Ham Seok-ho who apologized.

“I’m sorry. I pushed it because I thought you might refuse if I told you he was coming.”

“It’s fine. But please keep your promise.”

“Promise?”

“You said you would create a new menu for me.”

“Hahaha! Sure, whenever you want.”

***

Thankfully, today’s meal was prepared by the master chef Bae Seung-ho. Every dish was exquisite and appealing. I noticed that he paid great attention to the temperature of the food, so after the meal, I asked him about it. He explained that tasting food is a complex process involving sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing. I already knew that, but I had never experienced a meal where all senses were engaged so delicately. It’s like watching a well-made movie where you get completely absorbed. After watching, it feels like there isn’t a single unnecessary scene, and everything is essential from start to finish. Master Bae Seung-ho’s course was the same. It was heartbreaking to see a restaurant run by someone like him struggling recently. I hope Master Bae Seung-ho’s restaurant is preserved like a treasure. Please refrain from indiscriminate actions.

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Bae Seung-ho closed his eyes tightly while watching the review video uploaded to the Banchan store channel today.

Though the gathering was meant for an apology, the younger YouTuber, younger than his eldest son, showed remarkable generosity.

The unexpected kindness reminded him of the conversation they had on the day of the shoot.

“I really hope you won’t do that. If I had any negative feelings, they all went away with the food you made today.”

“……”

“If, by any chance, you feel burdened about something, could I ask one favor?”

“Anything, please.”

“I hope you can welcome Lee Chan-seok back for your sake.”

“That’s…”

“I believe the reason you treated me like this today is that you still care about Lee Chan-seok. If you had truly cut ties, you wouldn’t have done this. Because it’s someone else.”

“……”

“I have no intention of forgiving or hating that person. But it’s just sad to see someone ruined beyond redemption for a single crime.”

“Ha.”

“So if you’re feeling uncomfortable, please guide Lee Chan-seok so he can channel his pride in his skills, learned from you, in the right direction. Help him not to repeat the same mistakes. If you do that, I think neither I nor the other participants from Hansik Yechan will forgive him, but we won’t hate him any more than we already do.”

With the youth’s words, Bae Seung-ho felt redeemed.

He had thought he shouldn’t do that, that he should cut him off, but he realized that it was okay to teach the foolish and foolishly stubborn student again. He could no longer contain the emotions he had been suppressing.

Bae Seung-ho wiped the tears streaming down his face with his index finger and thumb and continued to think calmly.

Lee Chan-seok was more sincere than anyone.

On days when he felt like he was going to collapse from exhaustion, he never skipped a day cleaning the kitchen, organizing the inventory by type and date.

From kitchen assistant to head chef, he worked tirelessly without cutting corners.

Among other students and staff, he received criticism for being too harsh and inflexible, but Bae Seung-ho, on the contrary, held Lee Chan-seok, who refused to compromise on the basics of the kitchen, in high regard.

However, since last year, he began to show signs of impatience.

As his body gradually began to feel strained, the time to choose a successor was approaching. Bae Seung-ho, who secretly had Lee Chan-seok in mind, told him that if he won the competition, he would pass on the head chef position.

Lee Chan-seok showed determination.

Bae Seung-ho was pleased to see his disciple’s progress each week.

Although he regrettably finished as the runner-up, he recognized Lee Chan-seok’s vibrant performance throughout the competition.

Though he didn’t immediately pass on the head chef position as promised, he planned to gradually hand over his main restaurant, Sanhaejinmi, to Lee Chan-seok over time.

But then, Lee Chan-seok announced he would open his own restaurant.

Wanting to carve his own path through Paldo Jinmi, Lee Chan-seok stubbornly insisted on this, and Bae Seung-ho thought it was a sign of his growth and permitted his independence.

Fortunately, Lee Chan-seok’s restaurant flourished and he began to appear on broadcasts.

Though he felt a twinge of regret at losing his successor, he felt proud watching his disciple forge his own path.

Then, one day, strange rumors began circulating among his disciples and staff.

They were negative remarks about Lee Chan-seok.

Due to his meticulous and fastidious nature, he wasn’t a mentor that could easily bond with juniors, so Bae Seung-ho dismissed it as mere gossip.

But it wasn’t until Hansik Yechan that he realized that his love for Lee Chan-seok had clouded his judgment.

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Bae Seung-ho let out a long sigh.

***

“Ugh!”

Banchan-yong, who had just exited the office, was startled. He had spotted Lee Chan-seok standing right next to the door.

Banchan-yong blocked Mu-geun-ji from moving forward and glared at Lee Chan-seok.

He was on guard, wondering if Lee Chan-seok had come to harm them in a moment of despair.

Lee Chan-seok stared intently at Banchan-yong and slowly lowered his head.

“What do you want?”

Banchan-yong asked.

“I’m sorry.”

Lee Chan-seok lifted his head.

“I’m not an expert. I was arrogant and looked down on you, Chanyong. I blamed you for the things that happened because of my words and actions.”

Banchan-yong felt resistance from the hand that was blocking Mu-geun-ji.

Mu-geun-ji wouldn’t forgive Lee Chan-seok for hurting someone precious to him, and knowing that, Banchan-yong opened his mouth before Mu-geun-ji could step in.

“So?”

“…I watched the video review of your cooking, Teacher.”

He was referring to the video titled “Meeting Master Chef Bae Seung-ho” uploaded to the Banchan store.

Banchan-yong did not let down his guard.

“Thank you for protecting the Master from slander.”

“I didn’t do it for Lee Chan-seok’s sake. If you came to say that, you can go back.”

Lee Chan-seok lowered his head again.

“I sincerely apologize.”

He met the suspicious gazes and the furious eyes directed at him and apologized once more.

He would have to endure such looks many more times in the future.

How much time had passed?

Banchan-yong let out a sigh.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t be surprised by your sudden visit?”

“I didn’t think you would accept me.”

Banchan-yong thought both the master and the disciple were being unreasonable.

“Isn’t it obvious? Why should I accept your apology?”

Lee Chan-seok lowered his head once more.

After losing everything, the hardest part for him was that people stopped visiting the restaurant of the mentor he respected.

He had been living in a hell of self-reproach and anger, barely hanging on each day.

Then, through a link sent by a junior, he found the review of Master Bae Seung-ho by Banchan-yong.

The video had over a million views, with thousands of comments.

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The comments were filled with warm words, different from those on Lee Chan-seok and Bae Seung-ho’s channels.

Bae Seung-ho had done nothing wrong.

People were crossing the line.

When he read the comments about visiting Sanhaejinmi, Lee Chan-seok felt saved.

Only then did he begin to reflect on his own actions.

“I’m truly sorry.”

Lee Chan-seok lowered his head for the fifth time.

Again, Banchan-yong sighed, but his voice softened a little.

“Do you remember when I said I was rooting for you during the Paldo Jinmi competition?”

“Yes.”

“It was true. Watching you cook something I had never seen before, I really wanted to try your food. So I was quite disappointed.”

Lee Chan-seok had no words to say in response.

“I think what happened to you is cruel, but that doesn’t mean the humiliation that I and the other participants from Hansik Yechan experienced was light. I’m not going to forgive you, nor do I plan to withdraw the lawsuit brought by my cousin.”

He could only listen.

“Once that matter is settled, let’s not run into each other anymore. I’ll go my way, and you do what you need to do.”

Lee Chan-seok lowered his head.

Banchan-yong, still highly suspicious, took Mu-geun-ji with him and went up in the elevator.

Left alone, Lee Chan-seok stood there for a while before slowly starting to walk.

He pulled out his phone, which he had set to silent due to the numerous contacts he had received.

He needed to contact the participants to apologize, but he was terrified to open the phone filled with insults and curses.

Lee Chan-seok swallowed hard and opened his phone, checking the most recent message.

It was a message from his mentor, Bae Seung-ho, telling him to come to the office as soon as he saw it.

He had no idea what kind of anger he might face, but it was the first contact he had received in two weeks.

If he was willing to meet him, he was prepared to be scolded multiple times.