God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 193

I looked at the calendar.

December 30th.

There wasn't much left of the year. But <Alley Secrets> is likely to air this year? Is that even possible?

As I tilted my head in confusion, Kim Hui-seong continued.

-You know about that entertainer who's in trouble because of the recent gambling controversy, right?

"Ah. Yes, I do."

-Originally, there was an entertainment program scheduled to air with that person as the main cast. But when the gambling scandal broke out, it came to a complete stop.

I had no idea there was such a backstory.

-We need to air a new program starting tomorrow, and it turns out we're the only team that has finished filming and editing in advance.

"So we're taking over that slot, is that what you're saying?"

-Correct!

Kim PD exclaimed with a bright smile.

-Every Thursday at 9:30 PM! It's an incredible prime time slot!

Even though I'm an outsider in this field, I knew that the golden time was between 8 PM and 10 PM.

Thursday isn't a bad day either.

It was understandable why Kim Hui-seong was so excited to accept the proposal.

-We have some flexibility in the filming schedule, so we determined it would be fine to air earlier than planned. That's why I called to let you know this news.

"Thank you for keeping me informed separately. It's fortunate that we secured a good time slot."

We were lucky.

I couldn't know if something like this happened before my regression, but anyway, it was an enormous opportunity for Kim Hui-seong, who was originally unknown, to secure such a good time slot.

-There are quite a few special programs due to the year-end, so I'm a bit worried about how the broadcast will be received. But we can monitor the ratings trend after we've established ourselves. In any case, it's good news. Haha.

"It's thanks to the PD who prepared diligently. You always work so hard."

-Oh, it's nothing. I'm very pleased because our Chef Song always provides such great content.

He's become quite smooth with his flattery now.

-So, about that. Since it's the year-end, and I want to focus all our efforts on refining the episode scheduled to air tomorrow, would it be alright if we adjust the filming schedule?

Originally, tomorrow was supposed to be a filming day. It made sense that Kim Hui-seong would urgently call personally.

"I don't mind, but will the restaurant owners we're working with for solutions be okay with it? And what about Im Hye-eun-ssi and Do-kyung-ssi?"

-I reached out to them, and they all said it was fine. Let's wrap up this year neatly and continue filming next year. How does that sound?

Thinking there was no harm in it, I nodded immediately.

"Let's do that, then."

-Thank you for understanding! Have a great New Year's, and I'll see you at the next filming!

Click.

As the call with Kim Hui-seong ended, I tapped my phone screen and fell into thought for a moment.

'My schedule has cleared up for a while.'

Amidst the bustling year-end atmosphere, I was alone in silence.

Carol songs could still be heard from outside the window.

I spent last New Year's Eve at Bong Kang-min's restaurant. I wondered how I should spend it this year, such thoughts taking precedence.

'Suddenly I have all this free time. I'm not sure what to do.'

It felt like a sudden brake had been applied to my usually busy routine.

Originally, I was planning to get a good night's sleep today and leave early tomorrow morning for the filming location.

Oh, right.

I quickly picked up my phone.

Ring ring ring.......

After a moment of dial tone, a familiar voice was heard.

-Hello?

"Jae-ha. Is it okay to talk?"

-Yes, it's fine. What's the matter?

"Tomorrow's filming has been suddenly postponed. I thought I should let you know."

Originally, Baek Jae-ha was supposed to come down with me for tomorrow's filming to personally pass on the new menu he had designed to the restaurant owners.

It was because it was difficult for me to cover all the stores. We planned to proceed with me initially explaining the recipe and then moving on to the next store, after which Baek Jae-ha would oversee the rest.

I had sent an SOS to Baek Jae-ha because once filming starts, even two bodies wouldn't be enough. Who knew things would turn out like this.

-Oh, is that so?

Clatter, clatter.

The sound of dishes clinking could be heard through the phone. Come to think of it, his voice sounded echoey.......

With a sinking feeling, I asked.

"......Are you in the kitchen right now?"

-Yes. Since we're filming tomorrow, I was doing a final recipe check.

"Ah......."

Of all times.

I pressed my brow firmly. Baek Jae-ha's uncharacteristic diligence pricked my conscience. Shouldn't geniuses be a bit more lax? Why was he doing this at such a late hour?

"I feel terrible about this."

-It's okay. It's not like you did it on purpose. Han-hae-ssi, Han-byeol-ssi, I think we can stop now.

"......Are those two there as well?"

-Yes. When I said I was going to check the recipes, they both offered to help.

I really couldn't lift my head. I even felt a twinge of resentment towards Kim Hui-seong.

-Oh no, why? Did something go wrong?

"CEO~. I greeted you last time, do you remember?"

-Don't take away the phone. I'm in the middle of a call.

The sound of boisterous chatter came through loudly. The voices of Han-hae and Han-byeol intermingled, creating a noisy commotion.

"I'm sorry, Jae-ha. And to Han-hae-ssi and Han-byeol-ssi as well."

I felt grateful for their willingness to help in every way, but also sorry, causing my voice to become increasingly subdued.

-Oh, the filming was cancelled?

-Well, it can't be helped~.

-We stayed voluntarily, so it's fine!

-That's what they're saying.

I'm not fine with it at all.

"Is there anything you want? Or should I arrange some overtime pay?"

-I'm really okay.

-Me too! I'm so happy that I can develop new menu items as I want.

-That's right, CEO. This one even sleep-talks 'The Song is the best'.

-Hey!

It seems Han-hae and Han-byeol have been getting along well. Well, there are few companies that guarantee as much autonomy as we do without interfering too much.

I thought it was important to create a playground where these genius types could freely exercise their discretion. That's why I deliberately created an environment where they could work more comfortably.

"I feel bad, that's why. If there's anything you need, anything at all, just let me know."

At my words, the other end of the phone went quiet for a moment. It seemed like they might be whispering among themselves.

Then Baek Jae-ha spoke first.

-If you insist, there is actually something I'd like to do.......

"Just say it. What do you want to do? Should I send you on an overseas business trip? Do you want to take a long vacation and get some rest?"

-No, that's not necessary. Rather...... I want to see the first sunrise of the new year.

"Huh?"

I reflexively asked back without realizing it. It was a statement that completely exceeded my expected range.

"The first sunrise?"

-Yes. You said we'd go see it together. Don't you remember?

His tone was strangely sulky. I hurriedly searched my mind and recalled a fragment of memory.

-Jae-ha. Shall we go see the first sunrise together at the end of the year?

-The first sunrise......!

-Hey, include me too!

The bustling conversation from that day flashed through my mind. Right. We did have this conversation.

There had been so much going on in between that I had forgotten for a moment. It seems Baek Jae-ha had been looking forward to this.

"Of course I remember!"

I had a feeling that if I answered incorrectly here, Baek Jae-ha would be greatly displeased. I thought I had answered quickly, but Baek Jae-ha replied skeptically.

-Really?

"O-Of course. We agreed to go see the first sunrise together, the three of us including Da-on, this New Year's Eve, didn't we?"

-Right? But there hadn't been any mention of it until now, so I thought you had forgotten.

"Haha. Hahaha. How could that be?"

Feeling a chilling aura, cold sweat involuntarily ran down my back.

"Then let's go see the first sunrise. That's all I want."

There's no other schedule left until the end of the year anyway. It wasn't a bad proposal for me either.

-What? Are you two...... dating?!

-So our team leader was really the power behind the throne!

-Why is the conversation going in that direction?

-But you two are spending New Year's Eve together!

-It's not two, it's three of us.

The sound of Han-hae and Han-byeol making a fuss could be heard. Baek Jae-ha's annoyed responses showed that this wasn't his first time dealing with it.

It seemed they had naturally become close from seeing each other almost every day.

-Anyway. So we're going tomorrow, right? I'll assume that's the plan?

"Huh? Right away tomorrow?"

-We won't have time otherwise.

That was true too. It would be best to utilize the free time that opened up from the cancelled filming schedule.

-Let's go tomorrow. I'll contact Da-on-hyung.

And so, a sudden first sunrise viewing party was being formed.

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[MBS turned upside down in real-time lololol]

The highly anticipated work they had prepared ambitiously all got scrapped because of this drug scandal

They don't even know when they can air it again and they had already done all the promotions, they're just screwed lololol

→It was scheduled to air the day after tomorrow, what are they going to do?

→They'll probably just put in some filler program, who knows what it'll be

→Suddenly at the end of the year lololol they must be going crazy, the year-end special programs must have all been scheduled already;; Are they going to hastily air just anything?

→I know someone who works at MBS and they said they're going to air this variety program made by a certain PD that got good reactions in internal reviews

→→Huh, really?

→→→You believe this? No proof means it's bs lolol

→→→→Believe it or not lol There have been rumors that the list of certified restaurants Song1syu has been visiting recently were filming locations for that program

[Is Song12syu finally ending her hiatus and returning to programs?]

She had stepped down from all the programs she was doing because of the power abuse controversy

→There's no reason for her to refrain now that the FTC results are out

→Was that refraining? Mastel ended its season and she just cut ties with Naengteol because the ratings dropped lol

[MBS official announcement is out]

(Promotional image from the official account)

Promotional image for <Song Woo-yeon's Alley Secrets> just uploaded