NIS Agent Reincarnated as a Genius Actor - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 27. Yeo-reum’s Table (2)

“Hey, I’ve only put oil in so far.”

 

An Jun-ho washed vegetables at the water tap area and handed them to Yeon-woo.

Yeon-woo placed a cutting board on the wooden platform and began preparing the vegetables.

 

Chop chop chop chop—.

 

Exclamations rang out as Yeon-woo unexpectedly displayed professional-level knife skills while cutting the vegetables.

 

“Wow! Yeon-woo, where did you learn those knife skills?”

 

When An Jun-ho asked in surprise, Yeon-woo answered as if it was nothing special.

 

“Just at home sometimes.”

 

He had been deployed overseas, living alone in various countries for about 20 years.

 

Among those, he had spent several years just in Italy and India alone.

 

Living in foreign lands where delivery culture wasn’t well developed, he frequently had to cook not only local dishes but also Korean food he missed by himself.

 

While his cooking skills weren’t flashy, he knew how to make things quite edible.

 

Yeon-woo smiled brightly and handed the bowl next to him to Han So-hyeon.

 

“Sister, please scoop some rice into the metal bowl.”

“Got it!”

 

Han So-hyeon went into the kitchen and brought back enough rice for the four of them.

 

“Alright, shall we start frying?”

 

He put rice and the cut vegetables into the pot lid with oil, adding seasonings like soy sauce and sugar while stir-frying.

 

Placing the pot lid on the fire pit and stir-frying, the strong heat naturally created a fire show as a bonus.

 

Son Jin-wook had built the fire pit so well that the kindling inside caught fire strongly, and even without Yeon-woo trying to show off on purpose, the naturally occurring spectacular scene drew exclamations from the staff and actors.

 

“Hey, that’s a great shot. We should use this for the preview.”

 

The more Yeon-woo showed off his cooking skills, the busier the production team’s hands became taking notes.

 

“It’s done. This is our first meal in this house.”

 

Deliciously made organic fried rice.

 

“Wait a moment. Let me get an insert shot.”

 

The camera also hurriedly captured Yeon-woo’s fried rice on screen, not wanting to miss it.

 

“Alright, shall we eat? Yeon-woo, we’ll eat well!”

“Let’s eat well.”

 

The actors smiled and greeted in unison like a chorus, licking their lips in anticipation.

 

When Son Jin-wook picked up his spoon first, the others followed and began tasting.

 

“What is this…? It’s so delicious!”

“Really. You’re quite good at cooking.”

 

Everyone couldn’t stop expressing their admiration after tasting Yeon-woo’s cooking.

 

“It’s just ordinary fried rice. Everyone’s hungry because we’ve been pushing hard since morning.”

 

Yeon-woo deflected with an embarrassed smile.

 

The actors began eating with genuinely happy expressions, not just reacting for the show but because it was really delicious.

 

At this point, the staff also became curious about the taste.

 

“Hehe, only we get to eat it.”

 

An Jun-ho looked at the staff and playfully teased them.

 

Jun-ho’s innocent reaction caused laughter to burst out in the yard again.

 

“Wow, these members. They’d get ratings just by showing their faces, but they’re funny too. Perfect, perfect.”

 

The PD and main writer quietly clapped in the corner, pleased with the better-than-expected chemistry between the actors and Yeon-woo’s unexpected performance.

 

After finishing lunch, they left the dishes to Son Jin-wook and Han So-hyeon who volunteered, and each spent their rest time or conducted individual interviews.

 

Before they knew it, the sky had grown dark and it was time to prepare dinner.

 

“Wow, it feels like we just had lunch, but it’s already time to prepare dinner.”

“That’s probably why it’s called Yeo-reum’s Table. Is our show a cooking program?”

 

Son Jin-wook nodded while listening to An Jun-ho’s words.

 

All they had done since arriving on the island was prepare meals, eat meals, and now prepare meals again.

 

The director had definitely called it a healing variety show when luring him in during the production stage, but Son Jin-wook hadn’t taken a single step outside this house since arriving, let alone seen the island’s scenery.

 

Then Yeon-woo, who had been resting in the corner, came out.

 

“Alright, shall we check the fish traps before it gets too dark?”

 

At Yeon-woo’s words, Han So-hyeon, who was in the yard, stood up.

 

“Come with me, Yeon-woo.”

“Yeon-woo. Take the basket.”

 

An Jun-ho helped him with the rubber basin.

 

“I wonder what we caught?”

“I’ll at least pray for something.”

 

The place where they had thrown the fish trap wasn’t far from home, so carrying the rubber basin and walking step by step, they arrived quickly.

 

“Well, I wonder what we caught.”

“There might not be anything yet. It’s only been a few hours. I heard you’re supposed to leave it and wait for several days.”

 

Yeon-woo pulled up the rope of the fish trap, and Han So-hyeon watched expectantly with sparkling eyes.

 

As Yeon-woo pulled up the fish trap, he tilted his head.

 

“Hm? It’s quite heavy?”

“Oh! Really?”

 

When Yeon-woo quickly pulled up the fish trap, the bread they had put in as bait was gone and there was something inside.

 

“What, what is it? It’s too dark to see.”

 

At Han So-hyeon’s words, the filming staff turned on the light attached to the camera to illuminate inside the fish trap.

 

Seeing a fairly large mass wriggling around, it definitely wasn’t a fish.

 

“…It looks like an octopus?”

“Really?! That’s amazing!”

 

Yeon-woo shook out the fish trap to remove the octopus and caught it in the basin So-hyeon was holding.

 

“Eek, what if this crawls out?”

“Um, I’ll carry it.”

 

Then So-hyeon, looking scared, stretched her arms out as far as possible while holding the rubber basin, but shook her head with a determined expression.

 

“N-no! I have to do something too! Yeon-woo, let’s hurry back.”

 

Though the octopus in the basin was scary, she seemed excited on one hand, wanting to quickly show it to the staff and members.

 

***

 

Returning home, Han So-hyeon boasted about the octopus noisily from the main gate.

 

“Look at this, everyone!”

“Wow, what’s that? Did you really catch this?”

“The production team didn’t secretly put this in, did they?”

 

Son Jin-wook was surprised by the large wild octopus and naturally glared at the PD.

 

“Oh my, no. We don’t do this kind of manipulation.”

 

PD Lee Kyung-sik waved both hands as if to prove his innocence.

 

“But how do we cook this? I can’t prepare it.”

 

When An Jun-ho, who was too scared to even get close, said that, everyone naturally looked at Yeon-woo.

 

“Um, I’ll do it. I’ve prepared it before.”

“Amazing. Ryu Yeon-woo who’s good at everything is really the best.”

 

Han So-hyeon said while giving a thumbs up from far away.

 

Seeing So-hyeon like that, Yeon-woo felt mischievous.

 

“Woooah. Look at this octopus, Sister.”

 

Yeon-woo took the octopus out of the rubber basin and approached Han So-hyeon.

 

“Kyaaaah!”

 

Seeing Yeon-woo and Han So-hyeon’s innocent appearance, laughter spread through the yard again.

 

And from the first day, there were so many scenes to use for broadcast content that PD Lee Kyung-sik had the happy editing dilemma of what to cut out.

 

After such a commotion, Yeon-woo began seriously preparing the octopus.

 

The process of cleaning and washing was so skilled that even the camera director filming inserts was impressed.

 

Before long, the actors had gathered closely around where Yeon-woo was cooking, taking charge of reactions.

 

“Jun-ho hyung.”

“Yes, chef.”

 

At Yeon-woo’s call, An Jun-ho playfully answered like an assistant chef.

 

Yeon-woo chuckled at that response and looked toward the vegetable garden.

 

“Go to the vegetable garden in back and see if there are any perilla leaves. Or vegetables we can use for salad.”

“Yes!”

 

An Jun-ho ran off to carry out the order.

 

“Next is So-hyeon Sister.”

“Yeah! What should I do?”

“Sister, go into the kitchen and from the ingredients the production team gave us, get tomato, olive oil, seasoned soy sauce, and…”

“I remember everything.”

 

Yeon-woo went to the kitchen to get the ingredients So-hyeon had ordered.

 

“Jin-wook hyung, please put some water in the pot.”

“Okay!”

 

Following Yeon-woo’s instructions, the members moved in perfect coordination.

 

“Wow, he’s really like a leader.”

“Right, it’s a different picture from what we initially thought. It’s actually turning out more interesting.”

 

And as always, the PD and Main Writer continued exchanging opinions and taking notes.

 

PD Lee Kyung-sik drew two circles around the note that said ‘Captain Ryu’.

 

Starting with blanching the prepared octopus and putting it in the refrigerator, Yeon-woo’s cooking began to take shape efficiently.

 

“Originally it should be left in the refrigerator for several hours, but it should still be edible even without that.”

“Your hands are really fast! What are you cooking?”

 

At Han So-hyeon’s question, Yeon-woo just smiled silently, telling her to look forward to it.

Who would have thought he’d be making a dish he often cooked when living alone in Italy on a variety show.

 

Yeon-woo also quickly cooked the ingredients Han So-hyeon had brought.

 

He substituted missing ingredients with similar ones and adjusted the seasoning while tasting.

 

Soon he took the blanched octopus out of the refrigerator again and sliced it thinly like sashimi with a knife.

 

“Now, pour the sauce over this and it’s complete.”

 

The Filming Set was filled with sounds of admiration at the visual of the professional-level dish Yeon-woo had made.

 

“Yeon-woo, what did you just make?”

“Um, octopus carpaccio. It’s a dish commonly eaten as Italian home cooking.”

 

Answering the PD’s question, Yeon-woo smiled sheepishly.

 

Actually, it was a dish more often eaten as a drinking snack.

 

Given that actors typically don’t eat large portions, he thought this amount would be sufficient.

 

“I made it a bit salty, so it should go well with rice too.”

 

Since the original spices and ingredients weren’t available and he had to substitute with what was there, it ended up slightly saltier.

 

“It looks like restaurant food.”

“Let me get some insert shots.”

 

At the visual of a dish rarely seen on Gaeyado Island, Han So-hyeon’s face and the Camera came in simultaneously as if competing.

 

“Now, let’s try Yeon-woo’s gourmet cooking!”

 

Following Son Jin-wook who approached with Chopsticks, Han So-hyeon and An Jun-ho also sat down.

 

“Thank you for the meal!”

 

This was already the second meal they were filling their stomachs with Yeon-woo’s cooking since arriving on the island.

 

“Wow! It really melts in your mouth. It’s sweet and sour and so delicious.”

 

As if An Jun-ho’s reaction wasn’t exaggerated, the other two actors’ eyes also widened.

 

“Yeon-woo. When you come visit Our House, please cook for us. I’ll stock up on all the ingredients.”

“Catering service is quite expensive. Actually, I only know how to make a few dishes.”

 

Yeon-woo also sat among the members and began eating.

 

“The actors’ chemistry is really great.”

“Thanks to that, the footage is turning out really well too.”

 

The Production Team was grinning from ear to ear as they had so much usable footage thanks to the actors’ chemistry and Yeon-woo’s unexpected performance.

 

After finishing the meal and Jin-wook, who was in charge of washing dishes, joined everyone in the Room, the actors sat in a circle and chatted warmly.

 

Whether it was funny episodes from filming, An Jun-ho’s stories about his first impression of Yeon-woo at the Audition Hall, or behind-the-scenes stories the actors shared, everything would be nicely edited to make the broadcast richer.

 

The next morning dawned, and Han So-hyeon, who woke up early, asked to be in charge of breakfast and made Tomato Egg Fried Rice using the leftover tomatoes and eggs from yesterday.

 

The Production Team, thinking that young actors wouldn’t be good at cooking, had originally planned a format where they would acquire Ready-made Food through various games.

 

However, unexpectedly fitting the title “Summer’s Table,” when the four actors created food with their picture-perfect looks, and this actually produced footage more in line with current trends, the Production Team quickly reduced the proportion of games and pivoted toward a real healing variety show.

 

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