Chapter 22 : The Black Bean Feast

“Mukbang?”

“Yes. More precisely, it’s a content format combining the cooking process and eating the food.”

Chief Choi brought the proposal he received from All Daily.

Yuseong had been stuck in the Abyss longer than expected, so he hadn’t been able to respond.

“No, I know what mukbang is. It was quite popular when I was young. But how did you find out about it? You weren’t even born when it was trending.”

Lee Woo Do’s awkward expression was quickly noticed, and Chief Choi hastily added,

“Of course, if we do it too extravagantly, it’s excessive. I’m thinking of producing something small by calling only the All Daily staff who had good reactions on Mitube last time.”

“So, you’re going to be in charge of that?”

“Ha ha, yes. It might seem like overlapping with the PR team, but explorer sponsoring is handled by our Special Affairs Office, and Baek Yuseong’s publicity currently carries quite a bit of significance within Cheonghwa…”

“No.”

No, it’s inefficient, there has to be a better way.

That was Lee Woo Do’s main line of refusal.

But today, it was simply “No.”

Chief Choi cautiously asked, trying not to show a baffled expression.

“May I ask… what’s the reason?”

“Are you trying to take away the only joy I have? Do you know how delicious kongguksu (cold soybean noodles) is? And what if it ends up interfering with me eating or cooking?”

A drop of sweat rolled down Chief Choi’s neck in embarrassment.

“Chairman, I’ll firmly tell the All Daily people to never interfere with Mr. Yuseong’s cooking or anyone else’s tasting.”

“…And, as for explorer publicity, does filming the cooking make sense? It should be done properly.”

“Not long ago, Chairman, you personally asked All Daily to shoot a lot of such videos, didn’t you?”

Chief Choi desperately tried to persuade the stunned Lee Woo Do.

Since Lee Woo Do kept opposing, he had already said everything he could.

In the face of Chief Choi’s desperate persuasion, Lee Woo Do had no choice but to raise both hands in surrender.

“Try calling Yuseong once. If he says no, then there’s nothing more to do.”

“Yes, understood, Chairman!”

With that, Chief Choi’s face broke into a bright smile.

***

Shin’s Convenience Store.

Because it was the store Shin Jang Ho opened in his youth, it was called Shin’s Convenience Store.

Today was a day off.

But Shin Elder, of course, and even Shin Jia, were busy moving about inside the store.

“Jia, move these inside.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

When Yuseong instructed, Shin Jia began moving the cooler boxes stacked by the door inside.

The inner part of the convenience store was the living space for Shin Elder and Shin Jia, equipped with something similar to a small kitchen.

Originally, it had been a kitchen long ago but was refurbished with support from Cheonghwa.

“Hohoho, our store is finally going to be on TV.”

Shin Elder chuckled gleefully.

He had been very excited after hearing the news that All Daily was coming for coverage.

Shin Jia stopped him from putting up a placard that said “The very store featured on TV.”

Yuseong scolded Shin Elder.

“Come on, it’s not like a convenience store has to be labeled a ‘Taste House.’ Why are you so happy about that?”

“If there’s good food, that’s a Taste House, isn’t it? But why do you look so sour about it?”

Shin Elder pointed out Yuseong’s expression.

Indeed, he had a somewhat dissatisfied look.

“I’m worried it might become too famous.”

“I saw they did a pretty good interview last time. Then why did you agree to shoot this?”

“Well, since Cheonghwa is helping us so much, it feels awkward to refuse.”

Lee Woo Do left the choice up to Yuseong.

He secretly hoped Yuseong would cut off Chief Choi’s suggestion.

But feeling grateful to Lee Woo Do, Yuseong couldn’t bring himself to refuse the broadcast appearance.

“If you’re going to do it, at least smile. Smile! By the way, Jia is my biggest worry. She needs to study hard, but what if she gets famous because of the broadcast?”

“Just a little worry.”

“You little—how can you talk like that to your elders? Since middle school, whenever Jia walked around the city, those production planners kept pestering her for street castings. Do you know how much of a nuisance that was?”

Shin Elder’s doting grandfather behavior made Shin Jia shout out loud.

“Seriously, Grandpa, what are you saying?”

“You’re right. Don’t even think about becoming a celebrity if that happens again. You got into Seyeon University safely, so you need to study hard.”

Shin Jia had safely passed the exams for Seyeon University, where she had almost failed to enroll due to tuition, but became a scholarship student through Cheonghwa, easing those worries.

Watching their happy bickering, Yuseong sighed.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, there was a knock outside.

Since the “Closed” sign was up, it wasn’t an ordinary visitor.

“Yes, I’m coming!”

Shin Jia opened the door, and the expected visitors appeared.

“Oh my, Jia, you’ve become so pretty.”

“Hello, Jia.”

It was Lee Yul Hee and Kim Min Cheol.

“Oh, you’re here! Please come in quickly.”

“Yes, Yuseong is here too. It’s been a long time.”

Lee Yul Hee greeted Yuseong warmly.

Yuseong accepted the greeting with a reluctant expression.

“Did only the two of you come?”

“Yes. They warned us not to cause any trouble this time.”

“But All Daily is a newspaper company, isn’t it? Why are reporters shooting Mitube videos? Shouldn’t reporters be covering more important things than this?”

Her tone held dissatisfaction, but Lee Yul Hee’s eyes widened, and she replied innocently.

“I’m not just a reporter. It’s been over a week since I got promoted.”

“Promoted?”

“Yes, now I’m the team leader. Lee Yul Hee, team leader of the Clip Content Planning Team.”

“Then, the team members are…?”

“Just me and Min Cheol.”

Yuseong’s mouth dropped open in astonishment.

“That’s a promotion?”

“Oh my, you sound so scary. That video already exceeded 500,000 views. How is that not a promotion?”

“500,000… really?”

“Yeah, so I’m a little proud. By the way, the Cheonghwa Chairman seems to really cherish Baek Yuseong.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, he said he would come personally this time. Anyway, we won’t disturb you, so please take good care of us this time as well.”

Yuseong nodded helplessly.

“Just don’t make me do the things I dislike, like last time.”

“Yes, no personal questions, no uncomfortable questions, no distorted reporting. We want to keep working with you. Of course, I’ll start right away, so don’t worry about anything.”

Lee Yul Hee smiled brightly and gestured to Kim Min Cheol.

Then Kim Min Cheol turned on the camera.

“Hello everyone, this is Lee Yul Hee from All Daily. It’s been a while since we’ve been back. Our company made a separate channel for me, so we’re creating new content…”

“So it’s already starting.”

“Yes, it started. Everyone, this is Baek Yuseong. The last interview created a huge sensation…”

“You’re filming very hastily.”

When Yuseong interrupted, Lee Yul Hee tilted her head with a sly smile.

“You’re interrupting on purpose, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“It’s pre-recorded, so we’ll edit it. The live streaming will be a bit later.”

“When during cooking?”

“No, during the tasting. We got permission from those invited to come later. So really, we’re about to start. There will be some comments at the start, but later we’ll edit and add audio, so please bear with it.”

Yuseong nodded.

He tried to intervene out of jealousy, but they were just doing their job.

He wrapped a white apron around himself and rolled up his shirt sleeves.

Then he tied his hair back tightly with a black string.

“Wow, that looks cool, Yuseong. Is that what you wear when you cook?”

“The hair can be bothersome, and food can stain clothes.”

When Yuseong answered properly, Lee Yul Hee’s face brightened with a pleased smile.

She quietly started filming to avoid disturbing Yuseong.

“Jia, are you bringing the water?”

“Yes. I think it’s time to add it now.”

After hearing Shin Jia’s reply, Yuseong went to the rubber tub covered with a cloth.

“Oh, what’s this?”

“It’s called Black Bean.”

When Yuseong removed the cloth, soaked black beans appeared.

Lee Yul Hee gasped in admiration.

“Wow, it’s beautiful.”

“…What?”

“I momentarily thought it was Black Pearl. Is this food?”

Yuseong was bewildered.

Black Pearl—an unimaginable comparison. And soaked black beans being called food?

Once again, he realized how ignorant people were about food.

“Black Pearl, that’s a creative expression.”

“Is that so?”

“Then, try some. The texture is quite chewy.”

Yuseong picked a black bean and handed it over.

Lee Yul Hee looked momentarily shocked, staring at the camera.

Kim Min Cheol nodded.

In the end, she accepted the soaked black bean and ate it.

Chew

“Ugh, hmm.”

“Be honest. It’s fishy, isn’t it?”

“Yes… it’s difficult. Food is difficult.”

“We’re going to make something delicious out of this.”

With those words, Yuseong smiled confidently.

Kim Min Cheol zoomed in on his face.

Indeed, Yuseong’s expression changed when it came to food-related matters.

“Kongguksu is originally a summer dish. It’s considered restorative food.”

“I see. But it’s winter now. Why are you making kongguksu?”

Yuseong picked up some of the soaked black beans from the boiling water and answered.

“Because it’s delicious. And originally, dishes made from soybean water aren’t strictly summer food. It’s a long-standing traditional food. In 1733, in the Yeokijeo Sulhan Seonghosa records, kongguk appears. The dish called ‘kongguksu’ itself is quite old.”

“You’re quite knowledgeable.”

“Kongguksu is also mentioned in a late 19th-century cooking manual. Of course, the recipe we use now is from the early 2000s.”

Not only Lee Yul Hee and Kim Min Cheol but also Shin Jia and Shin Elder stared blankly at Yuseong.

They knew he liked food, but they didn’t realize he was so knowledgeable.

Usually taciturn, Yuseong spoke fluently about kongguksu.

His eyes shone with passionate love for food as he gently stirred the beans.

“It’s done. Bring me a colander.”

The black beans seemed barely boiled, but Yuseong told Shin Jia to prepare the colander.

He lightly scooped the black beans out with the colander.

“Oh, it’s done faster than I thought.”

“Blanching the beans removes the raw smell. You noticed that when you tasted earlier.”

“Wow, it really smells savory.”

“And now, I’m going to add something from my own recipe.”

Yuseong took out something sealed from his pocket.

It was a handful of nuts that looked like unpeeled peanuts.

“They’re similar to peanuts. I harvested them from the Abyss. They’re root vegetables. Botanically, they’re close to beans. The stems and leaves have toxins that cause swelling when touched, but the roots are safe to eat.”

Lee Yul Hee and Kim Min Cheol smiled brightly.

The most anticipated moment had finally arrived.

Last time, viewers showed great curiosity about Abyss aquatic life.

“Wow, this is the Abyss freshwater fish. Is it really safe to eat?”

Instead of answering, Yuseong cracked open the nut’s shell and ate the inside seed.

“Yes, it’s aromatic and delicious.”

“What’s it called?”

“Crineut.”

“Crineut… that sounds familiar.”

“It’s called Crying Nut because when the stem or legs are pinched, it causes pain and makes you cry.”

“I see.”

Yuseong placed the peeled nuts atop the blanched black beans.

“Now, while this cools a bit, I’ll prepare something else.”

“Ah, a little rest.”

“Yes. The hard part starts now. I have to grind this finely, strain it multiple times, and make the kongguk broth.”

“That sounds like a lot of work for such a small amount.”

“It’s okay. I called an assistant.”

“Assistant?”

Yuseong checked a text message on his phone.

Lee Yul Hee was taken aback by his sudden announcement.

“Ah, they’re here.”

Just then, a knock sounded again at the perfect timing.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

When Yuseong said this, the convenience store door quietly opened.

Kim Min Cheol quickly pointed the camera toward the door.

“Uh, hello…”

He cautiously greeted as a large man entered.

“Wow… he’s huge.”

“A basketball player… maybe?”

Jang Dojin, towering at 198cm, opened the door and came in.

Everyone except Yuseong was left agape.

“I’ll work hard grinding the beans now.”

“Hey, hyung.”

“Huh?”

“Um…”

Behind Jang Dojin, another man appeared.

Hidden by Jang Dojin’s huge frame, it was hard to notice, but he seemed to have come together from the start.

The middle-aged man wearing glasses recognized Baek Yuseong and approached immediately.

“Are you Baek Yuseong?”

“…Yes, I am.”

He was a thin, sharp-featured man.

An inexplicable tension filled the air.

Then suddenly, he bowed deeply to Yuseong.

“I’m sorry!”

“…What?”

Yuseong was startled by the sudden apology.

Jang Dojin, standing behind, frowned as if embarrassed.

“That’s my father, hyung…”