I Regressed and Became Too Good at Brewing - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 26. A Guest Beneath the Pine Trees (2)
“Welcome.”
“The scenery is absolutely beautiful. It’s almost a shame to call it just ‘beneath the pine trees.'”
“Your kind words alone mean everything to us.”
Not only Jeong Su-bin, but the staff members who had come with her also found themselves unable to suppress their admiration as they looked around.
More than a month had passed since spring arrived, so even in Gangwon Province, the snow had completely melted.
In its place stood fresh green shoots, lush vegetation, and countless flower buds awakening to announce the season, blooming in every hue of the rainbow.
All of it nestled within a tranquil brewery surrounded by mountains painted in countless shades of color.
I was able to begin our conversation in good spirits, grateful for her praise of the brewery that had been my grandfather’s pride.
After all, the reason they had come was to work together.
“Is there anything we should know before filming begins?”
“Not really? I’m honestly just here to drink the alcohol I love and relax…….”
“Ahem, you — go stand over there for a moment. Ha. Hello there… I’m Yun Hwan, Jeong Su-bin’s manager. Let me start by giving you my business card… and here’s the shot list for this filming. There haven’t been any changes to what we sent you before.”
Yun Hwan quickly stepped in front of Jeong Su-bin and handed me his card and documents.
The papers I received contained illustrations and text describing how this shoot would unfold.
“First, the concept is healing, you see. While the channel name is ‘True Spirits Bin,’ we need to avoid having her do nothing but drink.”
“But I really did come here to rest!”
“Ha… well, given that she’s a celebrity and all.”
“That’s a fair point. She should be hearing this directly, but… ah, my apologies. Let me explain.”
Yun Hwan’s explanation was detailed yet clear enough that even someone like me, ignorant of the entertainment industry, could follow along.
Jeong Su-bin leaves the city in search of healing.
Her destination is none other than Songhada — the brewery that created Meari, the drink she loves so dearly.
There, she discovers a peace she had never felt in the city.
“That’s the overall framework, but if you’d like any modifications, please feel free to tell us at any time.”
“Ah, actually we had a thought about one part… would it be possible?”
As I mentioned the matter we had prepared in advance for this shoot, Yun Hwan lowered his head and pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Excellent. That’s a very strong visual… but… hmm…….”
“Might it be difficult to manage?”
“Actually it’s all good, I was just worried Jeong Su-bin might get carried away…. No, never mind. We’ll proceed as you’ve suggested.”
“Thank you.”
Everything we’d prepared had been resolved smoothly, and the concept pleased us.
I was particularly delighted that her place of rest away from daily life was Songhada itself.
It was also good that we would showcase the alcohol we had crafted throughout the narrative.
“Honestly, we’re just grateful that you agreed to participate, Jeong Su-bin.”
Normally, projects like this require us to make the first request.
Who was Jeong Su-bin, after all?
A star actress whose reputation was more than worthy of the name K-culture itself.
The fact that such a person loved our brewery was satisfaction enough.
“Not at all. We were genuinely grateful when your email arrived. To be honest, we were about to reach out to you first.”
“First? Really?”
“Yes. We were already planning to shoot with this concept, but we were struggling to find the right location. When Jeong Su-bin heard it was Songhada, she was thrilled. Now that I’m here in person, I can see the air and water are truly pristine.”
‘The energy of this place really is something special, that much is certain.’
Perhaps because it was work I could do with a smile on my face.
We had started well.
“Ah. Looks like filming is about to begin.”
“What should we do?”
“Just act as you normally would. That’s what makes the healing authentic.”
* * *
“Is this the right place?”
The shoot began with a van carrying Jeong Su-bin pulling into Songhada.
She had entered before, of course, but that was to scout the location and set up the cameras.
‘Is this woman out of her mind?’
‘Well… I have to admit, it does look that way. Though I’m not sure I should be saying such things.’
Of course, the two goblins, oblivious to such matters, could not fathom Jeong Su-bin’s behavior.
She stepped out of the van and savored the crisp air.
She was such a sight in herself — like a painting — that we found ourselves standing transfixed.
“Se-jun? You’re ready, aren’t you?”
“I… I… I’m ready!”
“Relax. You’re far too tense right now.”
“I’m… I’m sorry… this is my first time acting…….”
“Don’t worry. Just follow through with what we discussed, and you’ll be fine!”
The program’s writer spoke to Se-jun, whose tension was evident in his stammering words and trembling hands.
Bolstered by the encouragement, Se-jun took measured steps toward where the camera was positioned.
Jeong Su-bin reacted as if seeing him for the first time, though they’d already met.
“Oh! Hello! Or… Hi?”
“I’m… I’m Korean.”
“Oh! I’m sorry! It’s just… you’re so fit and have such an exotic handsomeness about you.”
It was true enough that Se-jun looked like that.
He’d been built solidly from birth, with thick bones, so he’d heard remarks like that often enough.
Well, except for the “handsome” part.
“Th-thank you. Were you the one who was supposed to come today…?”
“Yes! I’m Jeong Su-bin!”
Contrary to his earlier nervousness, Se-jun carried the conversation forward with ease.
It was all thanks to Jeong Su-bin covering for his inadequate acting.
The title “national actress” wasn’t given lightly—she smoothly handled even Se-jun’s stiff delivery.
“Are you perhaps the owner here?”
“The owner is someone else.”
“Really?”
“Yeon-woo! We have a guest!”
The prepared cue came right on schedule.
“Now you can go out.”
The writer gave his shoulder a couple of gentle pats from behind.
Steadying his racing heart, I stepped forward toward Jeong Su-bin and extended my hand.
“Hello. I’m Yeon-woo Song.”
“Ah, so you’re the owner! You’re the one who makes Meari, aren’t you?”
“It wasn’t just me—we all made it together.”
<Good. Everyone worked hard on it.>
Song-ha nodded beside me and echoed my sentiment, which helped ease my tension considerably.
And so began the brewery tour.
Our first stop was where Se-jun and I prepared the rice and handled fermentation for making alcohol.
Here, we showed footage of the twins, Ye-hyeon and Ye-eun, working away.
“Wow…”
“We make the Nuruk from scratch here.”
“You make it yourselves? That’s incredible!”
It was immediately clear.
What Jeong Su-bin said wasn’t an act—it was genuine.
After all, given her deep knowledge of alcohol, she would understand just how demanding it was to craft Nuruk by hand.
Though this was hardly the end of the surprises.
“Wow! All these earthenware jars!”
“First, this is where we make the base liquor. Since Nokpajuju requires two fermentation cycles, we have to go through this initial fermentation stage.”
“It really does require a lot of hands-on work.”
“We can’t afford to think lightly of it either. We’re doing our best to process the spent grain and wastewater in an eco-friendly manner.”
Se-jun, now more accustomed to being filmed, joined in and explained the Distillation process.
Perhaps mindful of the protest we’d faced earlier, his explanation also highlighted the eco-friendly aspects of our distillery.
Now it was time to head to the space we called the heart of Songhada.
“Shall we head to the Aging Facility now?”
“Yes! I’m so excited!”
<Tsk-tsk, Song-ha. I rather like this woman.>
<Easy for you to say. You’re a goblin, after all.>
We arrived at the Aging Facility, accompanied by the two spirits’ lighthearted banter.
The moment we stepped inside, old Mok-tong’s voice wouldn’t stop.
“Wow. This is all alcohol, right?”
<You bet! This one here is quite special, I tell you!>
“It feels like a dream!”
<Tsk-tsk-tsk! I really do like this woman!>
So much so that Jeong Su-bin’s words were barely audible beneath it all.
Here, Jeong Su-bin was able to taste several of the spirits we were aging.
“Wow… it’s so sweet…”
“Do you like it?”
“Like it is an understatement! This is absolutely remarkable!”
As she spoke, Jeong Su-bin poured out the notes and palate she’d perceived, her words flowing freely.
The camera rolled without pause throughout, capturing every moment of her passion.
The staff members standing behind her, meanwhile, swallowed hard.
Her descriptive language for taste and aroma was truly remarkable.
‘So that’s why the drunkard’s scent lingered—it was no accident.’
‘Songhada! I’ve made my decision! This woman absolutely must taste it!’
Perhaps it was the satisfaction of having her efforts recognized that lifted Mok-tong’s spirits.
He chuckled warmly as he spoke.
And I found myself in complete agreement.
Which meant it was time to bring out what we’d prepared.
“Se-jun. Let’s get that thing we prepared.”
“Ah, that one?”
“What? What is it?”
Jeong Su-bin had overheard our exchange and leaned forward with curiosity in her eyes.
Until now, she’d been conscious of being filmed and had taken care with her image, but clearly that restraint had dissolved.
Watching her eyes sparkle with pure interest and wonder, I made my decision.
To bring out ‘that thing’ we’d prepared.
“There’s another alcohol we’ve been aging.”
After the decision came swift action.
I poured a glass and handed it to Jeong Su-bin.
“Please, try this. It’s called Dalbord.”
* * *
‘I’m so happy…….’
If one were to express Jeong Su-bin’s feelings in this moment, it could be captured in just two words.
Happy.
Not only was she tasting the alcohol she loved, but she’d also toured the sake-brewing process itself.
How often does one get to taste a Won-ju that hasn’t yet been released, and a traditional Korean alcohol still fermenting and aging?
‘At least, there’s nowhere like this in our country.’
It would have been possible at famous distilleries overseas.
The Bombay Sapphire Distillery, where visitors could tend gardens and experience the scents of ten different plants that go into the gin.
The Lakes Distillery, where one could admire the beautiful vista of the rippling Derwent River alongside the Cumbrian Hills.
The hometown of Jose Cuervo Tequila in La Rojena Distillery, where you could see twentieth-century Mexican art history at a glance in a plaza dedicated to Juan Soriano of Mexico—places like that.
‘Songhada will be no less than those places.’
Though work had kept her from visiting those famous distilleries, Jeong Su-bin truly believed this in her heart.
The beautiful mountains of Yeongwol touching the sky, and Songhada nestled quietly beneath them—the scene was like a painting come to life.
‘And on top of that, the alcohol is extraordinary.’
Even just the Meari that had been released to the market had moved her deeply.
But Songhada was a brewery built with the singular determination to create only its own unique alcohol.
True to form, every spirit she’d tasted here had stirred her soul.
‘I’m so, so happy…….’
Honestly, she could have been satisfied with just the experiences she’d had so far.
And yet…….
“Se-jun. Let’s get that thing we prepared.”
“Ah, that one?”
Suddenly those thrilling words reached her ears.
‘That? That thing?’
Gulp.
Saliva slid down her throat.
What taste and aroma could this spirit called ‘that thing’ possibly possess?
What new sensation might it awaken in her heart?
“What? What is it?”
Before she knew it, she’d interjected herself into their conversation, asking the question—driven by that very curiosity.
The moment he heard those words, the proprietor named Yeon-woo prepared a glass.
“Please, try this. It’s called Dalbord.”
A glass of clear, honeyed-sweet alcohol was placed before Jeong Su-bin.
‘This is… this is really…!’
At once, its fragrance enveloped her entire being.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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