Delicious Meals (2)
Choi Hyena and I went to find a man.
A man in his early thirties, with a warm, gentle impression, looking very much like Head Chef Kim Minhye.
"I started cooking by following my mother."
This was Gwak Inseon, the son of the Head Chef.
He had worked at a Michelin two-star restaurant in America. After returning to Korea, he worked at a famous hotel.
He owned a dazzling career.
I asked,
"Why did you quit your job?"
"I couldn't endure the unique atmosphere of the kitchen. The hierarchy in the culinary industry is quite strong. Swear words fly around every day, and since I have a soft-looking personality... I just couldn't take it."
"What are your plans for the future?"
"I'm thinking of working at a school cafeteria, like my mom used to."
He served us a meal.
Choi Hyena and I looked at each other after taking a bite.
"It feels similar to the Head Chef's cooking..."
"Yes, exactly. It's really delicious."
Gwak Inseon chuckled warmly.
"Thank you for enjoying it. I can't make as many side dishes as my mom, but my menu selection is broader."
Naturally, that made sense. He was professionally trained.
He said he was positive about working at Next Planet's cafeteria. His mother had often told him how well she was treated at Next Planet.
I immediately visited the hotel where he had worked. I wanted to check his reputation.
It was different from when it was Lee Yunjung. She ran a solo business, so she could just let it go if things didn't work out.
But Gwak Inseon would be leading the cafeteria. I needed to verify his diligence and personality.
"He was extremely diligent. Very quick with his hands. I never saw him complain when preparing ingredients."
"In a hotel, a single bad review can make customers disappear right away, so the atmosphere gets pretty tense. Inseon took a lot of stress from that."
"Inseon hyung always treated his juniors well. His hands really were quick..."
He was fast and diligent. And he took good care of those around him.
In a competitive, ambition-driven industry, someone like Gwak Inseon might not be the preferred type.
But our cafeteria? It wasn't like that, so he'd be a perfect fit.
Honestly, when the Head Chef first recommended her son, it felt burdensome.
It could have looked like he was hired through inappropriate personal connections. So I went directly to check his reviews.
I reached an agreement with Head Chef Kim Minhye.
"It's fine. I was prepared for some trouble when I recommended my son anyway."
No matter how much of a chef Gwak Inseon was, he'd still need some time to adapt to the cafeteria.
He needed to take the lead, but there would be challenges as the environment and clientele changed.
Head Chef Kim Minhye decided to take responsibility for the new food court and also help out at the cafeteria until her son adjusted.
After all, it would take time to revamp the food court, and there wouldn't be many customers at first.
I bowed and thanked Head Chef Kim Minhye.
"Thank you so much."
"Oh, no. I truly hope the Reform Division Director succeeds in all you're doing."
I posted an apology on the intranet.
[Hello, this is Lee Hyunmin, director of the Reform Division.
First, I want to apologize regarding the cafeteria changes.
I've learned a lot from this incident.]
I mentioned how I had previously overlooked the staff's feelings.
I wrote that I would consider these points in the future and explained how we would be changing the cafeteria.
[Next Planet needs change. For the sake of change, I may have to implement policies that employees do not want.
But, if I have to do that, I will first hear out the concerns and wishes of our employees as much as possible and prepare solutions before proceeding.]
Following my apology came a letter from Head Chef Kim Minhye.
[Hello, I'm Kim Minhye, cafeteria head chef.
I was very surprised. I had no idea the people of Next Planet loved my cooking this much. I was deeply moved and felt gratitude beyond what words can express.
I'm now at the age where it wouldn't be strange for me to retire at any time. That is why I want to realize my final dream as a chef here at Next Planet.
Director Lee Hyunmin has given me that opportunity.
A theme park is a place meant for the happiness of visitors, right? I want to contribute to that happiness with my cooking.
If you support my final challenge, I will be extremely happy.
I can confidently assure you there's no need to worry about the cafeteria.
My son will become the cafeteria chef. Until I leave completely for the new food court, I will thoroughly train him.]
One week passed.
Public opinion changed faster than expected.
Postings about my reputation and the recent changes in the cafeteria occasionally appeared on the in-house anonymous message board.
[The Reform Division Director is good at handling things. Honestly, I'd have been disappointed if he had just scrapped his plan.]
[I don't like how pushy he is, but if he keeps handling things like this, I won't really have complaints.]
[The company needs change. I think we need someone that determined here.]
[Cheering for the chef's dream.]
[The chef is so touching. I trust her son will run the cafeteria well.]
This was more than enough.
We headed to the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was as noisy as ever with Head Chef Kim Minhye's voice.
"No, this is far too salty. We need to care about the staff's health and keep it low-sodium."
Then, her son, the chef-to-be, Gwak Inseon, retorted.
"Mom, the food tastes too bland! It's fine as it is. It doesn't need to be that low-sodium."
"You're frying the pork cutlet too crispy. That'll scrape the roof of their mouths."
"No, it needs to be this crispy for the right texture. Even crispier wouldn't be a problem."
The two of them fought over food every day. Even between mother and son, their ideas and philosophy of cuisine were different.
Sometimes they put on small tasting sessions for employees, asking which one tasted better.
Employees found their banter fun to watch—a kind of in-house event—and the rumor was food the day after their arguments tasted even better.
Kim Junho said,
"I'm on the mom's side."
Choi Hyena crossed her arms in an X.
"I prefer the son's style."
Lee Yunjung smiled brightly.
"I can't choose. Both are so delicious!"
As we finished our meals and headed out, we ran into an unexpected person.
A middle-aged man in a black suit: Next Planet's Vice CEO, Choi Younghoon. Next to him stood Executive Vice President Kim, as if assisting the vice CEO.
Vice CEO Choi Younghoon always wore silver-rimmed glasses. He said they made him look more intellectual.
"Oh my! So the famous Reform Division Team is right here."
His voice brimmed with friendliness.
He lightly tapped my arm and said,
"Our chairman has sent us a truly valuable talent at Next Planet. Thanks to Director Hyunmin lately, even the food tastes better. Look, I'm gaining weight thanks to you. Hahaha..."
Wow... he sure is good at saying empty words. He's a real politician now.
I've heard he wasn't like this at headquarters.
He used to pressure everyone and blurt out whatever he wanted, making plenty of enemies.
He smiled at Lee Yunjung.
"Strawberry waffle fairy, Lee Yunjung. I enjoyed your video. You look even better in person than on video. Thanks to staffer Yunjung, Next Planet's recognition has risen to another level. I really appreciate it."
"Th-thank you..."
Lee Yunjung shrank back, inching away. She must instinctively dislike him.
"Director Lee Hyunmin."
"Yes, vice CEO."
"Yunjung's video was very well-received, right? So I had an idea—Chef Kim Minhye is also a Next Planet star, isn't she? I thought it'd be great to promote her in a video, just like Yunjung. How's my idea?"
"Well... um..."
Seriously, why...?
"The slogan should be modern and aggressive. 'Heavenly Chef's Queen of School Meals, step up. Next Planet has a School Meal Queen. Let's battle it out.' Doesn't it sound intriguing?"
The 'Queen of School Meals' is a chef who appeared on the hit show, Heavenly Chef. She's in a similar position to our Head Chef and became very popular.
What kind of ridiculous idea is this...?
I could lose my mind.
"There's no way I could resist such a fresh idea. I'm going to propose it to the Head Chef right now. Director Lee, will you join me?"
"Sorry, but I have to refuse."
At that moment, the Vice CEO's mask slipped. Displeasure showed on his face.
"Yunjung's video was popular because she genuinely expressed her love for strawberry waffles. But your idea lacks any of that authenticity, vice CEO."
"You really... Lee Hyunmin."
The Vice CEO drew closer, speaking in a voice only I could hear.
"You don't have to make an enemy out of me. Think carefully. It's easier if we're in this together."
"If I thought your idea would benefit Next Planet, I'd put in my best effort. I didn't refuse because of personal feelings or internal politics."
I walked right past him.
Staff whispered, and I didn't check, but the Vice CEO's face was surely red with humiliation.
Naturally, the Head Chef didn't accept the Vice CEO's proposal.
Later, the Head Chef told me,
"Honestly, the Vice CEO is weird. When I turned down the publicity video, he got mad, saying I had no vision for the future and was lacking in sacrifice. Where does he get these crazy ideas...?"
Time passed quickly.
Kim Junho's recruit promotion's first advertisement was released.
The proper recruit promotion would only begin after mid-May. For now, there was just a pre-opening discount event.
Though there was still more than a month to go, the response to the first ad was hotter than expected.
After all, conscription—one of the most sensitive topics for men in their twenties—was the theme.
There were many mocking comments on the video.
[Who on earth would go there before enlisting.]
[Crazy. You're calling the day before boot camp "A Beautiful Moment That Never Returns"? Screw this.]
[Are you out of ideas, now you're trying to profit off soldiers?]
Choi Hyena chewed her nails, nervous.
"It's... really negative. Much more than I thought."
Lee Yunjung was on the verge of tears.
"Why do they hate it so much? I thought it was okay..."
In contrast, Kim Junho was calm.
"That's what happens whenever you market using the army. But that kind of reaction doesn't matter."
I picked up the thread.
"He's right. The results will prove that our attempt worked."
I was confident.
***
"Why are you out here alone?"
At a drinking party.
A man with a gloomy face squatted alone outside the venue.
A friend followed him out.
"Hey... stop being so down. This was supposed to be your party today. Time flies. Not that I can talk—I'm about to go soon, too."
"How much do you have left?"
"Two months."
"Yeah... sigh..."
Two friends, both about to enlist, let out long sighs under the night sky.
Then one pulled up a video from social media.
"Next Planet? It's in Nonsan. I never knew such a place existed."
"Yeah. Should I ask the group? Like in this video, let's all go together the day before you enlist."
"Nah. That's embarrassing... And what's the point of going someplace like Next Planet? Waste of money."
"Why not? Don't you honestly want everyone to spend a day together and see you off?"
"It'd just make me feel guilty for asking."
"Just think of it as an MT or something."
When the gloomy guy fell silent,
His friend tapped him on the elbow.
"Should I invite Gahyun, too?"
"Ah! Seriously, forget it. I'm fine. Don't. Definitely don't."
"Okay. I'll take that as a yes. Just leave it to me."
The gloomy friend's face lightened for a moment. Though he pretended to object, he didn't really stop him.
'Next Planet? What do they have there? I should check it out. If I could ride the ferris wheel with Gahyun... I bet sunset would be best.'
***
It was the end of April.
Choi Hyena began the briefing.
"In a week, the second promotional video will be released. Even though the negative comments and reviews on the first one made us think it was a failure, the real reaction was different."
She put up the daily average visitor numbers for Next Planet.
"We've gone up by 100. Now, the daily average is about 750."
Kim Junho and Lee Yunjung gave each other high fives in delight.
"Our Reform Division more than made up for the decrease caused by ending the senior discount promo."
"Excellent work."
I raised my index finger.
"Our next goal is to hit 1,000 daily visitors by year's end."
Everyone raised a finger.
They followed me, laughing.
A smile spread on my lips.
And as for any remaining tasks...
[Kang Dae-hyun: Deputy Park Seok-min of the Event & Performance Team is about to quit. We really need him at Next Planet. Director, please try to persuade him.]