GIJS

Chapter 181 포포몬쓰 (po-po-mon-sseu: *slang for performance)

"Those guys, are they really coming?"

"Yes! They've been confirmed!"

"Wow, they're so busy."

"I know! How did this even happen?"

"Well, since it's December now... we'll be filming around March."

"Yep, it seems like we can do it as a spring special!"

"Ah, I'll have to prepare a lot."

[While preparing for the 'Restaurant Maker' production meeting, Baek Jung-hoon didn't have high expectations for 7IN. Although it seemed like the members all enjoyed cooking, there was a significant difference between just liking cooking and running a restaurant.

Baek Jung-hoon found it admirable that idols, who are currently the busiest, showed interest in cooking and even did live cooking broadcasts.

"Will they participate in the production meeting?"

"Yes. All the members are coming! Whew, they must be super busy..."

"Writer Kim, are you the 'Restaurant Maker' writer or the president of the Chillin fan club?"

"Director Yang, what are you talking about? If you make me president of the fan club, I'll quit being a writer right away."

"Don't be crazy! Our crew can't go anywhere."

"Hahaha—."

"Anyway, it's good that they're all coming. We need to figure out what they like and what they want to do that day."

"Yes, sir. Since the members are still young, I think we need to help them a lot."

However, the members of 7IN had different thoughts.

Even before attending the production meeting, the members had already selected items and started running a mock restaurant through their internal meetings.

"First of all, I think our restaurant should match our concept."

"I agree with Hyun-su's idea. Instead of just following trends, our team's color should be evident, so that fans like it and we can enjoy it more."

"Hmmm, but how do we incorporate the team's color into the restaurant? Does anyone have any good ideas?"

"...A tavern..."

"A tavern?"

"Hahaha, Yuchan, you're underage~"

"Right, a tavern is mainly about alcohol, so it might not be suitable."

"Hehe, the 'ju' in tavern (酒幕) means alcohol. Yuchan, the idea was good, but let's try operating a tavern three years from now."

"...Okay..."

"But I think Yuchan's idea was good. It fits our color very well."

"Hyuk, do you have any good ideas?"

"Drug..."

"Crazy! Hyung!"

"Did you come back from the US and show your true colors!?"

"No, I was going to say drug kimbap..."

"Hahaha, listen to the whole Korean word~"

Starting with Yuchan and In-hyuk, the members' ideas began to overflow.

"Hmmm, how about a pasta place? It seems like all the customers would like it."

"A neat place with white shirts, slacks, and aprons... It sounds like a place for gukbap."

"Gukbap? How about a gukbap place?"

"What's with the stream-of-consciousness technique of Kwon Tae-woong?"

"Why not? This is how we come up with ideas. I've been liking gukbap lately."

"I also like gukbap, but honestly, it doesn't feel very youthful."

"Hmmm, that's true."

"Then let's try branding gukbap a bit younger."

"Okay, let's keep gukbap as one of the candidates."

"Hahaha, what about French cuisine~"

"French cuisine? Why?"

"Just because I want to eat it~"

"Uh, okay..."

Amidst the flood of ideas, Hyun-su began to organize the discussion.

"Wow, this is overwhelming. Let's first decide on the base."

"Base?"

"Yes. Since the ideas are too broad right now, let's first decide on the target audience we want to cater to."

"Oh, how?"

"I personally think it would be better to decide on the location first. Whether to set up near a traditional market with a lot of middle-aged and older people, or in a trendy area where younger people frequent... Well, we don't know if the show can prepare the location we want, but we're just brainstorming ideas."

"Decide on the location first? That sounds good."

"Okay, then let's each suggest a place we like."

While the meeting was focused on location, Hyun-su came up with an idea.

"Hmmm, how about a mountain?"

"A mountain!?"

"Hahaha, look at Gun-ja's eyes getting wider."

"A mountain? Keep talking, Hyun-su."

"No, I feel like if I say this, people will think I came up with it because of Gun-ja's taste, but that's really not it."

Setting the stage, Hyun-su started to develop the idea.

"You know how hiking is really popular among young people these days. They post tons of hiking photos on social media, and hiking clothes designed for the 2030s are coming out a lot..."

"Yeah. My friends, who are 19, also go hiking in groups."

"If we run a business at the entrance of a hiking trail, it would match our group's concept and catch the current trend. And it would be unique, don't you think?"

"Hmmm—."

"I'm saying this to avoid any misunderstandings, but this idea is not because of Gun-ja."

"Okay, okay."

Despite Hyun-su's repeated emphasis, Gun-ja seemed very excited.

"Selling food at the mountain entrance?"

"Yes. Well, it's just an idea for now..."

"What a wonderful idea!"

"Hahaha, I knew you'd like it."

"To create food while feeling the energy of the mountains and rivers, I'm already excited!"

Without a doubt, Gun-ja was fully supportive, and the other members' opinions were similar. It fit the group's concept and aligned well with the 'healing' theme of 'Restaurant Maker'.

"Then let's develop the idea in more detail and bring it to the production meeting."

"Great. Let's surprise Baek-sensei."

With the refined idea, the boys participated in the 'Restaurant Maker' production meeting.

"Okay, it seems like everyone is here, so shall we start the meeting?"

"Yes."

"Chillin and Baek-sensei, it's your first time meeting, right? Please introduce yourselves, hehe."

"Hello!"

"Nice to meet you."

7IN and Baek Jung-hoon had an awkward first meeting. From 7IN's perspective, Baek Jung-hoon was a senior in the broadcasting industry, and since Baek Jung-hoon didn't know much about 7IN, they just followed the formalities.

However, as questions began and ideas were discussed, the atmosphere naturally relaxed.

"First of all, I'd like to know what Chillin likes."

"Ah, yes, sir! So, we've prepared some ideas in advance."

"Really?"

At the mention of having prepared ideas, a smile appeared on Baek Jung-hoon's face.

If the writers were right, these guys should be the busiest in Korea right now. Yet, the fact that they prepared ideas for the program was impressive.

"Let's hear them."

Since they were young, Baek Jung-hoon thought they would prefer trendy concepts popular on social media. But the idea they brought was completely different from his expectations.

"Our reference was 'Samgaksan Giseongjip'."

"Huh? Giseongjip? The place that sells acorn jelly?"

"Yes. We envisioned a small restaurant at the entrance of the hiking trail, selling acorn jelly, potato pancakes, kongguksu, and dakdoritang."

"Wow...?"

That's interesting.

Baek Jung-hoon's ears perked up at the unexpected idea.

"Until a few years ago, hiking was considered an activity for adults. But recently, hiking has been rapidly gaining popularity among the 2030s in the city."

"Yeah, I heard young people are also going hiking a lot these days."

"Yes. But since there's still a perception that hiking is for the middle-aged, the infrastructure around hiking trails is mostly outdated."

"It seems so."

"To create a clean, Korean-style restaurant that satisfies the tastes of the middle-aged while also attracting young people who wouldn't feel uncomfortable. That's our idea."

Seeing 7IN confidently presenting their idea, the writers were already mesmerized and clasping their hands in fan mode.

"How are they so smart..."

"Writers, writers? We're working right now."

"Oh, yes!"

Director Yang scolded the writers, but he was also secretly amazed.

Although they had done various restaurant operation projects while filming 'Restaurant Maker', the idea of running a restaurant at a hiking trail entrance had never come up before.

But when thinking about it, it fits well with 7IN's concept and aligns with the tone and manner of 'Restaurant Maker'. It was surprising why such a good idea hadn't been thought of before.

"We thought of four menu items: acorn jelly, potato pancakes, kongguksu, and dakdoritang."

"Only a few menu items?"

"Yes."

"Is there a reason for selecting them?"

"First, we chose representative foods that can be eaten at hiking trails. Since the period we'll be running the restaurant, March to April, is a transitional season with large temperature differences, we thought we should prepare both cold and hot foods."

"So, you included kongguksu and dakdoritang?"

"Yes."

"And acorn jelly and potato pancakes are signature items?"

"Yes. Acorn jelly and potato pancakes can be ordered as side dishes with the meal, so we calculated that they would contribute to increased sales."

Listening to the members' explanations, Baek Jung-hoon nodded repeatedly, so much that it resembled the bobblehead dolls used in cars.

"Tae-woong, Tae-woong."

"Yes?"

"Doesn't Baek-sensei's expression look just like the green doll in the carriage driven by that manager?"

"Crazy! Just be quiet!"

Baek Jung-hoon was thrilled by the unexpectedly good idea.

A restaurant selling acorn jelly at the entrance of a hiking trail. If things go well, it could not only be a huge success for the program but also provide a new opportunity to attract younger people to hiking culture.

"Honestly, I didn't expect such a good idea, and I feel a bit embarrassed."

"No, we're embarrassed."

"I should be the one who's embarrassed."

"Thank you for looking at it positively, sir."

"Writers and PDs, I really like this idea."

"Yes, sir."

"Can we have everything set up by March?"

"Even if it's not possible, we'll make it happen!"

The production team seemed equally excited about the great idea. However, Baek Jung-hoon felt that something was still missing.

"Okay, okay. Everything is great, but it feels like something is missing."

"..."

"Since the idol members are running a restaurant, wouldn't they want to see some kind of performance too?"

"Performance? Are you suggesting we do a pho restaurant or something...?"

"No, not a pho restaurant—performance, performance."

"Oh, I see."

However, the members looked confident as if their performance was already prepared.

"We've got a performance ready!"

Before Tae-woong's words were even finished, Manager Lee Yong-jung entered the meeting room holding acorn jelly and a sharp kitchen knife.