Save a Failed Idol’s Life

Chapter 41 The Person Who Remembers Me

A steaming bowl of soup was placed in front of the judges.

Chef Na Hye-hee made a light gesture and sniffed the aroma. She nodded her head.

“The smell is very good. It’s a bit troublesome, but the oven-baking process makes the smell appetizing.”

Then she carefully peeled off the chicken leg meat with her gloved hand and put it in her mouth with the skin.

“The skin is salty and crispy, and the flesh is moist and well-hydrated with glutinous rice inside.”

Finally, she slurped a big spoonful of broth and put down the spoon as if there was nothing more to see.

She quickly stuffed a large amount of food into her mouth, which was too much for tasting for the judging.

Everyone was nervous, thinking that the judging would be good, and wondering how delicious it was that a professional chef ate it so deliciously.

“The smell is crazy…”

“My mouth is watering, just…”

The audience, who had been clamoring for Kang Yugeon to come out at the beginning of the shooting, were looking at the chicken legs like hungry dogs.

“Was the oven-baking your idea, Ise?”

Finally, Chef Na Hye-hee wiped her mouth with a napkin and sat down on the judge’s seat.

“Yes, it was.”

I met eyes with Chef Na Hye-hee across the counter. She had a piercing look in her eyes, even though it was already past the time limit.

“You must be very interested in cooking, huh?

I was very interested. 

I made a living with it and met the chef often. 

I hid what I couldn’t say and smiled modestly.

“I’m learning it as a hobby these days.”

“That’s not a hobby level, what are you talking about. Thanks to you, I ate very well. This is something I feel sorry to comment on. It’s amazing that a non-professional can prepare this in such a short time for a group meal.”

That’s because I’m not a non-professional… I kept a poker face and sweated inwardly.

“And I was wondering whether to tell you this or not… The broth has a unique savory taste that reminds me of someone.”

Huh? 

I looked at Chef Na Hye-hee with a doubtful thought.

Many cameras were waiting for her to continue.

“I had a chance to get chicken broth from Lim Hyun-seong when I was shooting Battle Kitchen five years ago. How come it tastes exactly the same. It makes me nostalgic and all that.”

It had to taste the same because it was made by the same person.

There was no point in telling the truth, I would only look like a crazy person. All I could do was nod my head.

“That’s too much praise. Thank you.”

Then it was time for the student audience to taste. 

I was amazed by the sight of them tearing the meat like piranhas.

Being young is really amazing. 

They seemed to swallow without chewing, and I was amazed at how well they ate.

“Okay, then we’ll announce the judging results. 3, 2, 1…!”

I smiled as I watched the obvious result.

***

“I need to go home and eat, wash, and sleep right away.”

On the way back to the dorm, I looked at the time on my phone and it was already evening. 

It was definitely morning when I left. I repeated preparing, waiting, shooting, and waiting again, and the time disappeared like melting snow.

“You worked hard too.”

I reflexively tried to pat his head like I did to Seon-woo, but I was startled and pulled my hand back.

“…”

Seong-won didn’t answer and stared at me quietly.

“What, why. What’s wrong with you.”

I gave him the same childish behavior that he usually did, and Seong-won pursed his lips.

“Who said what. I didn’t say anything.”

“Your expression says it all.”

Seong-won had nothing to say and looked out the window and bit his tongue.

“Today, you did the leader role for the first time in a long time.”

“Ugh.”

“Don’t say that. You sound like an old man.”

I thought he was finally saying something nice, but it turned out to be a fight.

“What’s wrong with ugh. Mind your own business.”

I gave Seong-won a moderate level of pushback and quickly turned the topic to the manager.

“Hyung, why did we suddenly get a job today? There must have been a lot of other people to fill in for the other cast members.”

It was the first time I had ever done this, rushing to act as a substitute for another cast member.

“Ah, Yugeon asked me to contact you guys. He said you would want to go, unlike other people.”

What, where did that confidence come from? 

Of course, I wouldn’t miss it if the opportunity came to me. Especially this time, when I could show off my skills in cooking.

“I’ll tell him to thank you guys when he has time.”

“No, we’re glad we could get our faces out there before we start preparing for our activities.”

At least to the audience today, we were nothing more than unknown stones until then.

From today on, they would remember us as the Climax members who gave them a delicious chicken soup in the studio.

‘Let’s think of it as a good thing.’

I closed my eyes for a moment on the way back to the dorm. I opened my eyes as soon as I heard the sound of arriving soon and checked the phone screen.

The time was 7:20. I went into the phone book and memorized the new number I registered.

[PD Pyo Joo-yeon]

[010-XXXX-XXXX]

As soon as I finished shooting successfully, I was called from all over.

‘Can you please take a picture with me?’

‘Let me take a proof shot!’

‘Please take a picture!’

Most of them were requests for proof shots from students. I gladly dragged Seong-won by the hand and pretended to be close, smiling with my face full of smiles.

‘Aren’t you two close?’

There’s nothing as innocent, pure, and cruel as kids.

The kids teased Seong-won’s awkward gestures and asked if we weren’t close, if we had a fight, and so on.

‘No, we’re totally best friends. I’m the closest to him in the group.’

I showed off my friendship and wrapped my arm around Seong-won’s shoulder, making him flounder like a fish out of water.

‘You think I like it?’

I smiled brightly, suppressing my irritation. It was natural that I stepped on Seong-won’s foot again.

After finishing the fan service that was made with a lot of hard work, this time the shooting staff were waiting for me.

“Ise, can you give me your contact information? There aren’t many idols who can cook well, so you’re a rare talent. I’ll contact you if there’s a good opportunity to work together again.”

I just did my best for today’s job.

I had no reason or need to refuse, so I gave the PD my number.

“I wonder if he’ll contact me soon.”

I don’t know, but… I made an unexpected connection in the broadcasting industry, so that was a good thing.

Of course, even if they didn’t ask me first, I was thinking of subtly pushing them.

But I wasn’t in a position like Kang Yugeon, who had established himself… I was worried that it wouldn’t look good for a young and unknown person to ask for a number.

“I wish the choreography problem would be solved as easily.”

Tsk. I tried hard to come up with an idea to ask for help from the system.

Then, the phone screen that was turned off lit up. A message from someone popped up.

“Who is it? Kyunghwa or Seon-woo?”

Maybe it’s a message from the members asking if it went well. I casually turned on the screen and was surprised by the appearance of an unexpected person.

No, it wasn’t unexpected. Today’s event was all because of him.

[YOU] Did you finish the shooting well? 7:23 PM

He didn’t have to explain who he was. I could tell who he was by his arrogant nickname.

Climax debuted five years ago, so the senior by debut order was Cheon I-se.

But the entertainment industry is not a field where you are evaluated by your seniority.

Kang Yugeon, who was sitting at the top of the first-tier, first-class male idols, had the power to shake the whole industry, not to mention his agency.

‘The whole idol system is watching him.’

It was not only the nominal senior, but also the inferior follower of Floss, Climax, who had to watch out for Floss.

The fact that I had to go against his will bothered my pride. I quickly typed a reply before getting off the van.

[Me] Yes, I did well. 7:26 PM

Then, in less than a minute, a read confirmation mark appeared and a reply came back.

[YOU] Aren’t you curious who I am? 7:26 PM

Who else would you be? There was only one person who came to mind, even though the profile picture was not registered.

[Me] Aren’t you Kang Yugeon? 7:28 PM

By then, the manager had arrived at the dorm parking lot and opened the sliding door.

“You did a lot of work today. Go in and rest.”

“Yes, you too, hyung.”

As I was holding my phone and staring at it, Seong-won quickly greeted the manager and went up first.

“Ise?”

The manager called my name as if he was curious when I kept looking at my phone.

“Oh. It’s nothing. I’ll go up too.”

I hurriedly got out of the van and followed Seong-won up the stairs.

Ding, as soon as I opened the door lock and entered, Seon-woo jumped out of the sofa where he was sitting.

“Did you do well?”

He wasn’t a guardian who was waiting for me to come home. 

Kyunghwa was also standing next to him, looking at me and Seong-won with worried eyes.

“Yeah. I did well. The atmosphere wasn’t bad either.”

There was no need to say that the students who were expecting Kang Yugeon before the shooting started were ready to boycott.

“Was Seong-won okay?”

“What’s the problem? I did well.”

I said it nicely before Seong-won answered.

“I’m glad. I was worried because you two went in on short notice.”

“What’s there to worry about me?”

I greeted him reflexively and fell into silence.

Everyone looked at Seong-won with their eyes as if there was another problem, not me.

“Why are you looking at me?”

Seong-won snapped and went into his room, separating Seon-woo and Kyunghwa.

“Anyway, I did well. Let’s have cold pasta and salad for dinner.”

“Yeah! I’ll wash the salad.”

Seon-woo ran to the kitchen first. He must have been hungry. It was late, so it was understandable.

‘I should have told him to eat first.’

I was scared to think of the small regret in my head when I remembered Kang Yugeon’s message.

Oh. I have to check if he replied.

I went into the room and plopped down on the bed and checked my phone.

[YOU] What if you’re wrong? 7:30 PM

What the hell. 

I frowned and glared at the screen.