GIJS

Chapter 180 Seam Seam (solgis-solgis)

The production team, including Yang Hong-seok PD from 'Restaurant Maker,' expressed hesitation at Baek Jung-hoon's sudden suggestion to recruit 7IN.

"Well, I'm not sure if it's possible..."

"Are they really that busy?"

"Of course. They're probably the busiest idols in the country right now."

"Ah, I see. I've heard their music before... They're the ones who sing and dance to that traditional Korean music, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Our writers are all fans too."

"Ah, they certainly look like it."

As Baek Jung-hoon looked towards the writers, it was clear they were excited and amused, exhibiting typical fan behavior.

"Are you really that excited?"

"PD, we'll try to get in touch with them somehow!"

"It would be great if we could have them. Chillin has mostly only worked with Kim Seok-hoon PD. I've heard they're not only talented but also have great personalities. It would be wonderful if we could work with them."

"As far as I know, Chillin's appearance fees aren't exorbitant. However, their company filters the shows they want to participate in based on what the members are interested in."

"Really? Then who did they want to appear on 'Masterpiece Genuine Antiques'?"

"You don't know? 'Masterpiece Genuine Antiques' was our top pick for them."

"Our top pick? Haha, since when did we become their top pick?"

"It's true, so get over it~"

"I'm just trying to figure it out. If these kids really have a passion for cooking as Baek said, that would be great..."

'Restaurant Maker' is a reality show where the cast runs a restaurant and grows it into a popular spot. It aimed to be a healing show that emphasizes interacting with customers while serving delicious meals, but since Baek Jung-hoon is involved, significant attention is given to the quality of the food.

While celebrities interested in cooking would want to participate, those with no interest or skill in cooking would find it unappealing. Moreover, it's a challenging program that requires attention to cooking, restaurant management, and guest service.

Given that 7IN is a new idol group with less than a year since their debut, it would be a tough program for them to handle. However, Baek Jung-hoon and the writers were keen on having 7IN.

For Yang Hong-seok PD, there was no downside to recruiting 7IN, so he agreed with the writers' opinions.

"Let's at least try contacting them."

"Yes!"

"Once we get a positive response, we can figure out the appearance fee. With such a hot idol group, they won't refuse additional scheduling, right?"

"Of course not!"

"But let's not get our hopes up too much. It's not easy to recruit such popular idols."

"Ugh..."

The writers, aware of the difficulty in recruiting 7IN, looked dejected after Yang Hong-seok PD's comment.

"Has anyone worked with Solar System before?"

"No, no one has."

"Then we'll have to contact them through the usual route. Seo-yun, try reaching out and let us know the result. It won't be easy, but we have to give it a shot."

"Yes, PD!"

The youngest writer, who was the most enthusiastic about 7IN, called Solar System's office. At that point, no one had high expectations about recruiting 7IN.

"Hello, this is the production team of 'Restaurant Maker'. We would like to invite Chillin, a Solar System idol group, to our program... Oh, right now? Yes, I'll wait."

As the youngest writer was on the phone, the meeting room's atmosphere became oddly subdued. Despite the lack of expectations, everyone focused on the writer's phone conversation.

"...Yes. Oh, yes. Ah, I see. Thank you."

From the outside, it was unclear what the call was about, but the youngest writer's vacant expression suggested that the direct recruitment attempt had failed.

"Well, if it doesn't work out the first time, we should keep trying."

Yang Hong-seok PD, trying to stay positive, was thinking of his next steps when the youngest writer, looking entranced, spoke up.

"...PD."

"Yes?"

"Chillin wants to join the program."

"Uh, really?"

After a brief pause, the writers erupted in excitement and hugged each other.

"Ahhhhh!"

"What? Really?"

"Yaaay!"

"Wow, is it really this easy!?"

* * *

After managing a booth at the LA Beer Festival, 7IN members had become quite enamored with cooking.

Though managing a booth and idol activities seemed different, they surprisingly had many similarities. It required perfect coordination among members and attention to small details to produce good results. When their efforts pleased people, the members felt an immense sense of accomplishment.

Although there were no official activities planned since the trip, the members continued to interact with fans through cooking broadcasts on JLive.

"Today, we're planning to make Neobiani fit for a king's table. As mentioned during the A-Yuk-Si finals, our lord is you, the fans, and it would be wonderful if we could present this Neobiani."

Gun-ja, now familiar with the hosting lines, began cooking skillfully.

"Haha, our lord indeed." [Gun-ja, you're so charming.] [Gun-ja, send some to my house. I can eat 10 servings!] [I used to not like Korean food, but Gun-ja made me appreciate it.] [Me too... I can't live without kimchi now.] [Haha, Gun-ja, what exactly is Neobiani?]

"Neobiani is a dish made by thinly slicing and marinating beef before grilling. It's sweet and has a good texture, perfectly complementing white rice."

"I can't wait, Gun-ja, hurry up and cook!" [Haha, are the muscle men preparing the food behind?] [Yu-chan, show us your meat-cutting skills!] [I'm so glad Chillin is doing more cooking broadcasts lately.] [Yes, it's perfect to have on while eating.] [Our boys are so good at cooking... We need to distribute Chillin to every household ASAP.] [When gene cloning technology is completed, I'll ask to clone Chillin first.] [Haha, that would be amazing.] [But Hyun-su, why are there so many cooking broadcasts lately?] [Is this some kind of teaser?] [Oh my god!!!!] [Is it really a teaser????]

As cooking content on JLive became frequent, fans started to suspect something.

Like when they showed the moktak during 'Mission ImpossiBuddha', the recurring cooking shows led fans to wonder if it was a hint of something.

Once the conspiracy theories started, they quickly grew.

"Well, they didn't usually do cooking broadcasts this often." [Is it really just for no reason?] [I see it as either of these two possibilities:] [1. Chillin is preparing cooking content.] [2. Chillin is undergoing bride training.] [Haha, that's insane.] [No, it's true—Chillin is coming to marry me.] [Anyway, this is suspicious.] [Oh, I think I found something again.] [What is it?] [I found it in the JLive broadcast where they talked about it yesterday.] [Gun-ja said it was hard to catch 'Yori-Jori' running away.] [There's 'this way and that' and 'here and there,' but why 'Yori-Jori'?] [It can only mean a hint about cooking and preparation.] [That makes sense... Spooky!]

When Yu-chan laughed and covered his mouth, fans eagerly added to the conspiracy theories.

"Did Yu-chan just laugh?"

"He laughed 'kukukuku'? Haha, huhuhuhu, kyaa-kyu? Why 'kukukuku'?" [I've never seen someone laugh like that in real life.] [Yu-chan, you're too obvious.] [This is definitely a big hint.] [Yu-chan, stop with the spoilers!]

After finishing another cooking broadcast, the members gathered with Team Leader Seo Eun-woo to discuss the cooking show.

"Is there any inconvenience with the broadcast? Any support we can offer?"

"No, the studio and the ingredients you provided were all great. But did you see the fans' reactions?"

"Yes, I did."

"What should we do? It seems like the unexpected conspiracy theory is growing."

"I personally think you'd fit well in a cooking show. Your skills were already proven at the festival, and it seems like the fans want it. If you want it too, we could find a suitable opportunity."

"We want to do it! Cooking has become so much fun lately."

"Ahaha, these days it feels like cooking is the main job and idol activities are a side job~"

Both the members and fans confirmed their desire for a cooking show. Around that time, the youngest writer from Restaurant Maker' called with the good news.

"We want to do it! We want to do it!"

The members, of course, responded positively. Solar System has always respected the members' wishes as long as the show is not scandalous, provocative, or controversial.

"Great. Let's go with 'Restaurant Maker'."

"Wow—!!"

"However, 'Restaurant Maker' is a show with Baek Jung-hoon. I've heard he's very strict and intimidating. Are you okay with that?"

"Yes! Even though the A-Yuk-Si teachers were really scary, they ended up liking us!"

"Haha, Team Leader, we'll win over Baek-sensei's heart."

"It might be intimidating, but he's not fundamentally a bad person."

"That's true..."

Haha, it would feel great to be recognized for their cooking skills by Baek Jung-hoon, wouldn't it?

Seeing the members' genuine passion for cooking, Lee Yong-jung muttered quietly.

"But you're still idols..."

However, the members were already brainstorming ideas for the restaurant they would operate on 'Restaurant Maker'.

"What kind of restaurant would be good? Pasta seems too ordinary and boring."

"It would be great if it has our unique style and fits the trend."

"Hmmm..."

The boys put their heads together and came up with ideas.

On the day of their first production meeting with these ideas:

"...This is pretty good."

The members' ideas even piqued Baek Jung-hoon's interest.