His Girlfriend Broke Up with Him Because He Was Poor, But in Reality, He Was a Five-Star Chef

Name Manhwa:
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In this world, there exists two kinds of hotels. The five-star establishments and those that are not. Every other type falls into a lesser category. Standing at the pinnacle among the nation’s top 100 hotels is the Joel Ria Hotel to serve the finest high-class cuisine to its patrons. Its kitchens are staffed by the world’s most skilled chefs. Our protagonist is Kong Seung Hun, an intern chef within the bustling kitchen of the Joelia Hotel. His primary duties each day consist of running errands and chopping vegetables, preparing the raw ingredients. Despite having worked here for four years, being merely a junior assistant, he is still considered the lowest on the totem pole. All the tasks the senior chefs wish to avoid inevitably fall to him, especially chores like cleaning, which always end up in his hands. While engrossed in his work, another senior chef in the kitchen instructs him to dispose of the grease. It’s a container brimming with grease. The waste oil accumulated after a full day of cooking. As he struggles to lift the heavy container, a sudden outburst from a head captures Kong Seung Hun’s attention. It’s the head chef berating another cook for a mistake made during the preparation of a dish. The head chef’s name is Duke Jean Suk, the man who commands the 17 chefs in this kitchen. Having worked here for a considerable time, Kong understands that although the head chef is often short-tempered, as the leader, everything he says holds weight. Kong Seung Hun harbors the hope that one day he too can achieve such excellence. Lost in thought, he’s startled by the call of the cleaning lady. Seriously, why are you bringing that out here? I just finished emptying everything. Kong Seung Hune replies helplessly. A senior chef told me to throw out. The cleaning lady sigh, expressing sympathy. I wonder when they’ll stop treating you like the errand boy. Kong Seung Hune scratches his head sheepishly. It’s because I’m still just an assistant. Last year, I was still washing dishes. This is actually an improvement. The cleaning lady encourages him, “Keep up the hard work. Strive for a quick promotion to a higher position.” She tells Kong Seung Hun to leave the oil container there. She’ll take care of it, and he should get back to his duties. Kong Seung Hune returns to the changing room. Dons a neat, smart outfit to attend a chef seminar. Since the senior chefs didn’t want to go, they told him to attend and mark their attendance. Distracted, he doesn’t pay attention until a glance at his phone reveals the time is drawing near. Kong Seung Hun hastily breaks into a run, checking the time as he goes. After a veritable marathon, he finally arrives at the venue, but unfortunately all the seats are taken. Well, might as well sign in first. As he bends down to write his name, someone suddenly recognizes him. Calling out loudly, Kong Hun, is that you? This friend’s name is Giania, his comrade in arms, so to speak. He had one first prize in the community service category during the army’s cooking competition. They had shared a room for eight weeks. The two got along well and quickly became friends. Kong Seung Hun was equally surprised to see his friend had become a chef. Giantia shared that he was working as a sue chef at a hotel called Hilton. Kong Seung Hun felt genuinely happy seeing his friend succeed in his career. When his friend asked about his own situation, Kong Seung Hun replied somewhat sheepishly that he was just working at a small hotel named Gigelia. Giania expressed surprise, stating he had never heard of that hotel name before and persistently asked, “You should quit. What have you even learned there? What’s your position?” Interned a bit embarrassed. Actually, I’m still in my internship period. Giania exclaimed, “Let’s head inside now.” Noticing Sun Hoon’s hesitation, Giania guessed that he had only come today to sign the attendance sheet as a formality, and that was indeed the truth. His seniors at the hotel were too lazy to come. So, they had asked him to sign in to make up the numbers. Regardless, Giania pulled him inside anyway because there happened to be two empty seats due to chefs from their side being absent. The host announced that the seminar would begin in 5 minutes. Seung Hun felt a little anxious and wanted to use the restroom for a moment. As he was washing his hands, a man appeared behind him. Seung Hun glanced over recognizing the man, but the expressions on both their faces indicated they were far from friendly. This man’s name was Yung Ilw. One look at their expressions revealed that there was unpleasant history between him and Se Hun. Sung Hune remembered 8 years ago back when he was an intern at the Mayong Dong Hotel, always working with fervent passion. But he was young then and having been recommended by head chef Kim AP, he incurred the displeasure of Yung Ilwu and several others. It was a classic case of senior staff bullying the newcomer. Yung Ilwu believed Sung Hun had gotten in through the back door and wanted to teach him a lesson. You finish chopping all these onions. His senior at the time seemed reluctant to go along with it. But Yung Ilw, malicious by nature, was determined to proceed. He approached Se Hune, pointed towards the mountainlike pile of onions behind him, and ordered him to chop every single one before breakfast the next day. Having said his peace without waiting for Seung Hun to protest, he turned and walked away, leaving Sun Hun alone with a daunting pile of onions. To chop all of that by himself was an impossible task, even if his hands worked until they cramped. Naturally, he couldn’t complete it. As a result, he received a harsh beating from Yung Ilw. Yung Il were raged. I told you to finish this before breakfast. Why is there still a pile here? Se Hun clutched his stomach and replied, “This was never a job for one person. It requires at least four people working together.” Sean Huns response only fueled Yung Ilws anger further, though it hardly mattered how he answered. The outcome would have been the same. Yung Ilw grabbed Son Hoon by the collar and continued to beat him. The two other scoundrels watched with smug satisfaction as he was bullied. The days that followed were truly torturous. He was constantly berated, criticized for the most trivial matters, and no matter how well he performed his tasks, it never met Young ill was approval. The insults grew heavier, more excessive with each passing day. 3 months later, Sun Hun began to lose himself. His passion for cooking slowly extinguishing. He decided to leave the Mayong Dong Hotel, vowing to himself that he would never again walk the path of a chef. Until today, on the anniversary of his father’s death, accidentally encountering that bastard here made Sung Hun feel utterly disgusted. That bastard still looked at Son Hune with contemptuous eyes, uttering insults. His venomous words truly enraged Sung Hun. If Giania hadn’t appeared, a scuffle might have broken out. Giant’s arrival forced Yung Ilwu to leave. Unable to continue his verbal assault, this friend was truly good. Seeing Sun Hun hadn’t returned, he had come looking for him. Sun Hun tried to maintain his composure so his friend wouldn’t worry. Together, they returned to the seminar. The topic of today’s seminar was the Michelin Guide being launched in Korea. It was a foreign publication, but it wielded truly immense influence causing rapid changes within the Korean culinary industry. The culinary association decided it would establish its own hotel rating system based on the Korean dishes served by hotels. This announcement surprised everyone present, sparking excited murmurss. This policy would significantly impact hotel rankings. Now, not just the hotel itself, but the kitchen would also determine the hotel’s reputation. To ensure fairness, the association planned to promote it on television. The ranking results would be broadcast live on KBC station. Sun-hun realized that broadcasting the kitchen rankings live was essentially a cooking competition. After the seminar, everyone felt a degree of pressure. The ranking would only feature the top 20. Lower ranks wouldn’t be aired. Participating chefs must have less than 15 years of experience. Giantia with 8 years of experience, still had a chance to participate. Kong Hun had also been a chef for 8 years, but he thought of himself as just a kitchen assistant, likely ineligible. Giantia felt regretful that he couldn’t continue cooking alongside Kongun. The two bid farewell, returning to their respective hotels to report the situation. Kong Seung Hune called his workplace to report on the seminar, but it took a long while before someone picked up. The person on the other end immediately started nagging, saying they were swamped due to a sudden influx of Chinese tourists. The kitchen was short on ingredients and needed Kong Seung Hun to go to the supplier to pick them up. Kong Seung Hun replied, “I have to go get them myself. Why not have them delivered?” The voice on the other end grew more impatient. You brat. Ingredients are your responsibility. Anyway, you’re just the lowest rank in the kitchen. You have no right to complain. Kong Seung Hun sideighed, replying, “Yes, I’m heading back right away.” Upon returning to the kitchen, the head chef asked Kong Seung Hun, who reported that he was on his way back and was told to pick up more ingredients while he was out. The head chef was also aware of the television broadcast announced by the association. He seemed to be paying close attention to Kong Sun Hun and held high expectations for him. Inside the kitchen, everyone was bustling, working overtime to serve the guests. The head chef supervised sternly, constantly urging everyone to speed up. A young man, the team leader named Joe Jong Man, shifted the blame onto Kong Seung Hun, claiming that if Sun Hun had returned earlier, they wouldn’t be struggling like this. He wondered aloud, asking the head chef, “Why did you tell Kong Sean Hun to fetch the ingredients? Didn’t you use to go yourself? The head chef spoke gravely. Jong Man, you still don’t understand. Jong Man stammered. I don’t know, head chef. The head chef sighed. You’re still too green. With that, he turned and walked away. He stopped beside a cutting board upon which lay three rainbow trout, lost in thought. Team leader Hyman noticed him standing motionless for a long time and inquired, “Head chef, what are you looking at? You seem tense.” The head chef beckoned him closer, asking, “Do you think this fish is wild or farm?” Hi Alman observed for a moment before replying. Just by appearance, it looks wild, head chef. Its color is vibrant red. The scales have diamond- shaped green spots and it’s over 50 cm long yet retains its fresh color. It must be wild. The head chef countered. That’s just common speculation. Experts classify them differently. Look closely. It should have two separate nostrils, not like this. He smiled faintly, his expression one of deep satisfaction. But Kong Seung Hun already classified them all. This kid, we’ve caught quite a prize this time. He meant that he had discovered Kong Sun Hun’s talent. Meanwhile, at Garrick Market, Kong Seung Hun was buying ingredients as instructed by the head chef. He approached an apple stall. The way they addressed each other suggested the owner and Kong Seong Hun hadn’t known each other for a long time. The owner mentioned that today she had Chungju apples and Sanju apples. Kong Seung Hun picked up an apple with interest. Merely by touch, he could assess the apple’s quality. He told the owner, “Ma’am, I feel this apple’s sweetness is a bit low.” The owner was surprised, “This is a Chungju apple, the best kind in Korea.” Kong Seung Hun explained, “It felt damp when you picked it up. If you don’t believe me, you could take a bite.” The owner, a longtime vendor, was slightly skeptical. The stall owner’s wife immediately peeled the apple. Kong Sun Hune handed her and took a bite. Indeed, just as Kong Seung Hun had said, the apple’s taste was truly lacking. The owner thanked him profusely. Oh my goodness. Thank goodness for you. I need to contact them for a return right away. If it weren’t for you, I’d be in big trouble. How did you know just by touching it? Kong Seung Hune, unsure how else to explain, could only offer a sheepish smile. Yes, well, this is the only way I know. Kong Seung Hun continued inspecting the Sanju apples. Finding no issues with these fruits, he instructed the stall owner to send three boxes to the hotel. The next place he visited was a fishmonger stall. The owner greeted him warmly as well. It seemed Kong Seung Hun was a regular customer in this market area. The ingredient Kong Seung Hun sought was blue crab. Although this particular stall didn’t have them readily available, the owner made a call to another vendor arranging for him to go to the adjacent stall, the blue crabs, freshly caught were still alive and looked incredibly appetizing. Kong Seung Hun reached out to inspect one, and just by touching it, he could sense the vibrant energy of the early morning catch. Kong Seung Hun smiled with satisfaction. They’re truly fresh. The owner, pleased by the compliment, beamed. He asked the owner to deliver the blue crabs to the hotel. Having finished purchasing the ingredients, Kong Seung Hun prepared to head back. Just then, he received a text message. He quickly pulled out his phone a check and his expression suddenly turned grim. The message was from Soul Hospital. It was his bill amounting to 23 million one. Kong Seung Hun let out a helpless sigh. This was no small debt. Returning to the Joel Ria Hotel, Kong Seung Hun quickly changed his clothes and entered the kitchen alongside his seniors. Everyone was still bustling with cooking serving the customers. As soon as he stepped into the kitchen, he was constantly being ordered around by his seniors. One needed sausages. Another asked Kong Seung Hun to handle a cooked duck, even changing the linens fell to him. Kong Seung Hun busily assisted everyone like a spinning top without a moment to rest. The urging calls from his seniors echoed incessantly. Jong Man watched Kong Sun Hune’s frantic activity, a smug smile playing on his lips. Kong Sun Hune, focused on his work, was startled when someone called his attention. Finally, the hectic day drew to a close, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They had poured all their energy into serving every last customer. With the work finished, they began cleaning the kitchen together. The senior chefs in the kitchen all stayed behind to help with the cleanup. This greatly annoyed Jong Man. Previously, as the youngest member, he had always been responsible for cleaning and washing dishes. Yet, here was Kong Seung Hun receiving help from the seniors, which displeased him. He felt a pang of jealousy, believing Kong Seung Hun possessed something he didn’t. His mind wandering, he was snapped back to reality by seniors urging and quickly returned to his task. Kong Seung Hun was responsible for putting away the clean dishes in their proper places. Jeang man, still harboring resentment, called Kong Seung Hun over, intending to teach him a lesson. He loudly bered him. I told you to stay for the roll call. Why did you just leave on your own to crawl back now? If you hadn’t returned late, we wouldn’t have had to struggle like this. Kong Sean Hun didn’t argue back, merely bowing his head in apology. Jang Man, emboldened, pressed on, continuing his loud scolding. He rambled on incessantly, his voice growing louder and louder, completely unaware that the head chef was standing right behind him. Kong Seung Hun reminded him, “Could you lower your voice a bit, please?” Jeang, thinking Kong Seung Hun was trying to defy him, turned red with anger, veins bulging on his neck. He raised his hand, intending to slap Kong Seung Hun, but his hand was stopped by the head chef. The head chef’s appearance made his face turn deathly pale, so frightened, he couldn’t utter a word. The head chef shouted, “What do you think you’re doing? Is this how I taught you? Why were you about to hit him?” Jang Man hastily bowed his head, justifying himself. I just wanted to instruct Kong Seung Hun a little because he was working slowly, not focusing. The head chef’s face was stern. He said nothing. To ease the tense atmosphere, Kong Hun spoke up. I apologize, head chef. If I had worked faster, the seniors wouldn’t have had to struggle so much and the cleanup would have finished sooner. It’s my fault. Head chef. Faced with Kong Seung Hoons sincerity, the head chef’s expression softened. Jong Man also felt a sense of relief as if he’d been let off the hook. The head chef sighed, “All right, all right, I understand.” Then he turned to warn Jong Man. Even though he’s your junior, you are not allowed to lay a hand on him in the kitchen. Do you understand, Jong Man? How dare you call yourself a team leader with such terrible behavior? This matter ends here. Also, tomorrow morning at 8, we will have a cooking test. Kong Hun, you don’t need to go to the market. come straight here to work tomorrow morning. Finally, the head chef had settled everything. As Kong Seung Hun was changing clothes, preparing to go home, his phone rang. It was a message from Jihai. She said she had something to discuss with Kong Sean Hun, asking to meet him at a coffee shop. Kong Seung Hun had a bad feeling about this. Just as he was about to leave, Jong Man appeared, blocking his path. Still resentful about the earlier incident, he started blaming Kong Seung Hun again, his words dripping with jealousy. Who the hell do you think you are? Why does the head chef care so much about you? Why do I have to take the test with the head chef tomorrow? What’s the reason? He even told you not to go to the market. Kong Hun didn’t know the reason either. He just relayed what he had learned after returning from the seminar. The hotel’s kitchen would be participating in the excellent head chef program, and only chefs with less than 15 years of experience could participate. Kong Hun said perhaps the head chef wanted to select him for this competition. Jang Man looked smug after hearing this, but still wondered, “Then why does he want me there, too?” Kong Seung Hun didn’t know either, merely suggesting, “Perhaps the head chef wants you to temporarily fill his role.” This explanation seemed plausible, and the difficult man didn’t obstruct Kong Sun Hune any further. Just like in a Korean drama, the male lead always had to sprint desperately to make it to his appointment on time. Kong Seung Hun used that if he ever quit being a chef, he should join a marathon club. Standing before the coffee shop entrance, Kong Seung Hun hesitated slightly. He sighed, straightening his clothes to look neater. Stepping into the coffee shop, Kong Seung Hun scanned the surroundings, searching for the person who had arranged to meet him. At a distant table, a beautiful young woman sat alone, waiting. The woman looked up, saw Kong Seung Hun, and stated, “Cooly, so you’ve arrived. What took you so long?” Their eyes met, sparks flying. What exactly was the relationship between them? The two sat there for a long time. So long that even the ice in their glasses was nearly melted. Yet neither spoke a word. Finally, Kong Seung Hune broke the silence. What did you call me here talk about? The woman didn’t speak, merely picked up her mobile phone, held it out in front of Kong Seung Hun, signaling for him to look at the content within. Kong Seung Hun looked at the phone, his expression suddenly becoming incredibly tense. The phone’s wallpaper was an intimate photo of the woman with another man. Kong Seung Hun closed his eyes, a look of resignation on his face. I see it. Is this what you wanted to tell me? Jihai spoke slowly. He’s also a chef just like you, but he’s completely different. Do you know why? Because he holds a higher position than you. He might be older than you, but he’s already a head chef. Moreover, he works a hotel ranked in the top 20. And you still just an intern chef at a mediocre hotel ranked outside the top 100. I don’t want to waste my youth and my life beside someone like you. It turned out they were lovers. But feeling that Kong Seung Hune’s future wasn’t bright, the woman decided to leave him to find a better prospect. Hearing the woman’s blunt words, Kong Seung Hun didn’t know what more to say. He just sat there silent. Jihai said, “I’ve said what needed to be said. Do you have nothing else you want to say?” Kong Seung Hun just sighed, replying with a single sound. Jihai said nothing more. Stood up and left. Before leaving, Jihai added, “Anyway, I have to thank you. Thank you for helping me realize the reality. For helping me understand that you’re still just a naive fool. Poor Kong Sun Hun not only blatantly cheated on, but also forced to express gratitude before the breakup. Throughout the entire conversation, Kong Seung Hun hadn’t uttered a word. He knew he hadn’t achieved anything significant yet, so he couldn’t blame his girlfriend. Life is inherently pragmatic like this. Without a career, there’s nothing. Without money in hand, this harsh reality would arrive sooner or later. Kong Sun Hune, disheartened, sought solace in alcohol. Drinking until he was completely intoxicated, only waking up the next morning. He clutched his head, hastily grabbing his phone to check the time. It was already 6:30 a.m., which made him extremely anxious. He hurly put on his clothes, preparing to go to the market. Only then did he remember he didn’t need to go to the market today. Kong Seung Hune breathed a sigh of relief. Standing in the bright morning sunlight, Kong Seung Hun silently told himself he had to try harder. A new day had begun. Although he didn’t need to go to the market, Kong Seung Hun still arrived at the hotel early, busying himself alone, arranging the work tools. He was engrossed in his work and didn’t notice the head chef had been standing behind him, observing him for some time, turning his head and seeing the head chef. Kong Seung Hune quickly bowed in greeting. The head chef seemed slightly awkward, nodding in return. At this moment, the other chefs also returned with ingredients. Everyone cheerful and excited. It was clear that everyone liked Kong Seung Hun very much, unlike someone who only harbored jealousy towards him. With a loud bang, the kitchen door was pushed open forcefully. Jang Man rushed in breathlessly from outside. Sue Chef Kim Su, somewhat irritated, said loudly, “This guy late again.” Everyone started whispering about his work attitude. Today is an important day, and he’s still late. If the head chef finds out, he’s done for. This fellow still arrogantly retorted. What did I say wrong? I arrived exactly at 8:00, didn’t I? Although the sue chef was very angry, the head chef had already arrived, so he had to hold back. The head chef spoke up, Jang Men hurriedly ran to line up, the head chef announced the plan to select the hotel’s top 20 through the excellent head chef competition. The condition for participation was that chefs must have under 15 years of experience. This was an opportunity to enhance the hotel’s reputation. Hearing the head chef’s announcement, Jong Man, standing in line nearby, smirked smugly. He assumed he would definitely be chosen because the others all had over 15 years of experience. Here, only he and Kong Seung Hun met the criteria, so he was very confident the position was his. He stood before everyone, talking non-stop, completely oblivious to the head chef’s expression. The head chef let him finish before slowly speaking. Jong Man, it seems you’re misunderstanding something. When did I say you would represent the hotel? The head chef’s words left Jong Man stunned, asking in surprise. Then then if not me, who? The head chef didn’t answer. Just turned to look at Seung Hun saying, “Kong Seung Hun, do you remember what I said about the competition yesterday?” The two of you, Kong Seung Hun and Jong Man, will compete against each other. The winner will represent our hotel in the competition to be fair and also so Jong Man will accept the outcome wholeheartedly. I want to let Sung Hun showcase his talent, hence the competition between you two. Of course, Chef Jong Man did not like this. He retorted, “Didn’t I already say I would participate in the competition?” “Kong Seung Hun is just a rookie. He surely doesn’t know anything. He is not worthy of being my opponent.” The head chef sternly explained, “Sung Hun also meets the qualifications. Therefore, we need to be fair to both. Let’s have a test first, then I will decide. If you feel that’s unfair, just tell me. The head chef announced the competition’s theme. Prepare breakfast for the Chinese guests who stayed at the hotel last night. The menu is up to the two of you to decide. Whoever’s menu sells more will represent the hotel in the competition. An arrogant smile appeared at the corner of Jman’s mouth. He was certain he would win this competition. The head chef asked if the two had any questions. The competition officially began. Sun Hun closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then said loudly, “No, head chef.” He was full of determination, his attitude resolute. The head chef was very pleased. Before the competition started, he reminded the two. The guests dinner included chicken, duck, and beer. So, prepare some light dishes suitable for them. The two began the competition. Seung Hun focused on preparing his dish while Jong Man working glanced annoyedly at Se Hun. You’re lucky to have this chance, but I will definitely win this time. Light dishes are my specialty. Jeang man was very confident in his abilities because for the past two years, he had only been in charge of making soup. He believed that when it came to soup, he was the best here. Tasting a spoonful of soup, Jang Man was very satisfied with his creation. He turned again to observe Son Hun. He saw only two pots of water boiling vigorously in front of Segh. One pot was boiling beans. The other seemed to be cooking porridge. The corner of Jaan’s mouth curled into a mocking smile, his tone contemptuous. “Hey kid, are you planning to make baby food?” Sun Hun paid no attention to the taunts of this hot head, focusing solely on his work. First, he scooped the beans out of the boiling water and put them into cold water. The bean skins peeled off easily, revealing the kernels inside. He put the beans into a blender, added a little water and a few spoonfuls of sugar, turn on the blender until the beans were smoothly pureeed. Finally, he poured the pureed beans into a glass, adding ice. Thus, a refreshing breakfast drink was completed. Now, he began preparing the light dish. Nothing is more suitable than a bowl of light porridge to start the day after having indulged in a hearty dinner. Simply a bowl of plain white porridge, adding a little seasoning to taste. A pinch of pepper to enhance the flavor. Finally, sprinkle some finely chopped scallions on top. A simple, light, and nutritious breakfast dish was complete. Looking at Sun Hoon’s simple dish, Chef Jong Man spoke contemptuously, “What is this? Do you think this is enough to satisfy the hotel guests? Look at a real chef’s menu.” He pointed to his own menu, soup, and sandwiches, which looked quite appealing. He continued to belittle Sun Hune. I bet you my menu will definitely out sell your beggar’s bean soup. The head chef really gave you a chance. What a waste. He smuggly assumed the head chef was favoring him by assigning the breakfast challenge. Oh, Sue, Chef Kim, what do you think? The head chef asked. He also thought Sun Hun’s dish looked unappetizing. A bean drink and porridge. Won’t that give people food poisoning? The head chef slowly said, “This is the first time you’ve seen these dishes, so that’s why you think that, isn’t it?” Sue Chef Kim replied, “Not to mention, which hotel serves things like this for breakfast? I don’t even think it could pass as a dessert.” The head chef stated bluntly, “That’s my concern. You have 25 years of kitchen experience, yet you see things this way. Everything was ready. Both menus were placed in the restaurant lobby for guests to choose freely. Whosoever menu was chosen more would represent the hotel in the competition. As meal time arrived, guests began to pour in. They stood before the breakfast menus, observing and contemplating. Jeang man got off to a good start, for people had already chosen his menu, while Sun Hune only had one. Following that, Jan’s menu was called out continuously. two orders, three orders, then five orders. In just a short while, his order counts surpassed Sung Hoons, making him extremely pleased with himself. Tour groups continued to arrive at the restaurant, each person hesitating, choosing between the two menus before them. Sung Hune felt a bit anxious, feeling his menu was too simple. The Sue chef patted his shoulder, encouragingly, “You did your best. I just think the menu isn’t quite suitable for the hotel.” Even the sue chef saying this left sung hoon feeling somewhat dejected. Just as his spirits were sinking, a call suddenly echoed from outside the kitchen. 10 orders of menu A. This abrupt turn of events surprised not only Sun Hoon but also the sue chef. Another 10 orders of menu A. The head chef seemed to have anticipated this, smiling with satisfaction. It’s starting. My judgment wasn’t wrong. Currently 80% of the hotel’s guests are Chinese, mostly from the Hang Singh company. This is a company organized tour and most of them are visiting Korea for the first time. Between porridge and soy milk versus soup and sandwiches, they will choose the food that makes them feel more comfortable, not unfamiliar dishes that are hard to chew. Sun- Hun have prepared this menu with precisely the thought in mind. As Chinese people traveling abroad, choosing familiar dishes is the wisest option. It makes them feel comfortable without worrying whether the food will suit their pallet. from the kitchen. Calls for orders echoed continuously. 10 more servings of menu A. Another four servings of menu A. Sun Huns menu was chosen repeatedly by the guests, lifting his spirits. He worked enthusiastically without pause. All fatigue seemed to vanish with each incoming order. In stark contrast to Sun Hoons cheerful mood, Jaman’s spirit began to crumble. He had started so promisingly, yet now he was falling behind by a significant margin. Impossible. This couldn’t possibly be real. The cooking competition concluded. The two stood side by side, awaiting the results. Their moods diametrically opposed. Jong Man couldn’t accept this reality. He spoke with disbelief. “My soup and sandwiches lost to porridge and soy milk.” Before he could finish his sentence, the head chef entered, holding the results. “Now I will announce the results.” Just as he began to speak, someone rushed into the kitchen, calling out with a worried expression, “Head chef! The general manager is looking for you. He wants to see you immediately. The head chef immediately went to see the general manager, feeling slightly anxious. Could there be a problem with the menu? However, his worry was instantly dispelled by the general manager’s words. The general manager clapped him on the shoulder, saying joyfully, “Head chef, you did very well.” The chairman of the Hang Company was extremely pleased with breakfast today. They’ve stayed at several hotels, but none could prepare authentic Chinese dishes quite like this. He was very satisfied and has decided that over the next two months, he will arrange for six departments of his company to stay at this hotel for their retreats. Just one delicious breakfast had brought the hotel a massive amount of bookings. The general manager was overjoyed. The head chef left the general manager’s office feeling elated. He knew he hadn’t misjudged his choice. Just as he was about to return to the kitchen to announce the results, his phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. He answered the call. The person on the other end introduced themselves as a producer from KBC television station contacting him about the Master Chef program. There was a slight change to the show. It would no longer feature one representative per hotel, but two. The competition would include both team and individual challenges. Any hotel unable to meet this requirement will be disqualified and receive negative reviews. Putting this matter aside for the moment, the head chef returned to the kitchen to proceed with announcing the competition results. He stood before the two contestants and asked, “Today was the first time you both participated in a competition since joining the hotel. How’d it feel?” Jang Man, inherently spiteful and prone to jealousy, appeared remarkably confident. He spoke up, “My cooking technique is flawless.” The customers chose Sun Hoon’s menu over mine only because they are all provincials who have never set foot in a hotel before. Jan’s costic words infuriated the sue chef. Unable to restrain himself, he grabbed Jong Man by the collar, shouting, “You insulent brat.” Before the sue chef could finish, Jong Man brushed his hand away, retorting, “What? Where was I wrong? Look at what the judges chose. They picked my menu. Only Country Bumpkins would choose Sun Hoon’s menu. And you stop spoiling him so much. I have far more experience than he does. Faced with Jan’s criticism, Sung Hune remained silent. Meanwhile, the sue chef was furious at the man’s arrogance. You still don’t realize your mistake, do you? The head chef was forced to step in and defuse the tense situation. He turned to Sung Hoon and asked, “How did you feel today?” Sung Hune frankly share his thoughts. I thought whenever Koreans travel abroad, they always bring kimchi and pancakes. With that in mind, I prepared this menu so the Chinese guests could enjoy something familiar. But somehow I feel like I’ve caused embarrassment by making dishes that weren’t refined. It’s my fault. Please forgive me, head chef. Se Hun’s answer greatly pleased the head chef. He slowly said, “Sung Hune, you’re right. If we’re talking about the hotel sophistication, Jaman’s menu is the correct answer. But if we’re talking about the customer’s benefit, Sun Hun’s menu is the right answer.” Jong Man, have you ever thought about what the customer truly needs? You only focused on standards without caring about the customer’s feelings. The head chef’s lesson left Jang Man speechless. He continued, “Sung Hun’s menu was indeed very good, but there was a small flaw. That’s because Chinese people don’t like cold food. Unfortunately, you added ice to the soy milk. Indeed, the head chef was formidable, knowledgeable about the culinary cultures of countries around the world.” The head chef didn’t announce the competition results, only saying the organizers had just called. The competition rules have been slightly adjusted. Now, each hotel must send two representatives. Se Hoon and Jang Man, you two will form a team. Try to achieve good results for the hotel. A few days later, at the Marker Resort, the first round officially began. Many chefs had arrived early. The television program’s crew filmed continuously from the moment everyone gathered. Participating in a competition with so many chefs for the first time, Sun Hun felt a bit overwhelmed. In contrast, Jong Man was very enthusiastic, greeting other chefs, drawing everyone’s attention. Seung Hun was only concerned with how to perform well in his own challenge. Lost in thought, he didn’t notice a familiar face approaching. Fate works in strange ways. An old flame arrived uninvited. His ex-girlfriend So Jihai and her current boyfriend were also participating in this competition. Her boyfriend was Sue Chef Hyman. Both were from the Pria Hotel. Sun Hun also saw the ex-girlfriend who had betrayed him. He merely shot her a cold glance being publicly cheated on who wouldn’t be angry. That sue chef saw Sun Hoon and his expression turned sour. So Jihigh didn’t want to cause trouble and stopped him. Don’t pay attention to him. He’s not worth your time. Sun Hun didn’t bother paying any mind to the two who had stabbed him in the back, closing his eyes and turning away. While still annoyed about his ex-girlfriend and her new lover, his good friend Jante also arrived. Seeing that Sun Hun was also participating in the competition, he was overjoyed. The two shook hands warmly, encouraging each other to do their best and achieve the highest results in the competition. Jang Man felt very uncomfortable seeing Sun- Hun acquainted with even the chef from the Hilton Hotel. The Hilton Hotel was ranked among the top 20 after all. Just then, the lights in the hall suddenly went out. It seemed the competition was about to begin. The stage lights brightened. A large door slowly opened and a famous chef appeared. It was Chef Kim Mong, one of the judges for this competition. He had previously worked at the Mixed Hotel in Manhattan, a three Michelin star establishment. The next judge was M. Song Yun Jang with 45 years of experience in the culinary profession. Known as the mother of Korean cuisine, the third judge was head chef Juke Goja from the Hilton Hotel, boasting 35 years of experience. All three were top chefs in Korea. This competition was truly high pressure. Judge Kim Mong spoke. Welcome to all the chefs who have come here today. But unfortunately, by the end of today, more than half of you will have to leave. Of course, nobody wants to go home. That’s why the winner of the competition will receive the following prizes. An 80in Samsung QLED 8K smart TV, a set of kitchen appliances sponsored by the Hanung Group, and a cash prize of up to 100 million1. Se Hun saw the 100 million1 prize, a look of astonishment crossing his face. His eyes lit up like car headlights. With this money, I’ll be out of debt. The judges led the participating chefs into the back room, beginning the first round of the competition. In the room was a table upon which 50 plates were arranged, each holding a different type of ingredient. None of the chefs yet knew what the theme of this round was. Head chef Jude Go announced the task. All contestants must write down the names of the ingredients displayed on the table in the order preprinted on the sheet. You may use your hands to feel the ingredients, but you are not allowed to cut or taste them. The time limit is 15 minutes. The call to start echoed and all the chefs rushed towards the ingredient table, observing and feeling with their hands. However, many appeared flustered by the ingredients on the table, unsure of what they were. Sung Hune began using his senses to identify them. Se Hun felt slightly bewildered by the stack of ingredient name cards in his hand. Jong Man also started filling in the names of the ingredients on the sheet. Judging by his expression, he was clearly struggling with this round. He couldn’t recognize many of the ingredients laid out on the table. He sneakily glanced at Kong Seung Hun and saw him focused on writing. Jong Man wanted to copy Kong Seung Hun’s answers, but couldn’t because there were too many cameras around. Kong Seung Hun had filled in the names of all the ingredients, but he still hesitated over ingredients number 46 and 47. These two were deliberately placed side by side. Kong Seung Hun since they were tropical fruits, yet something felt a miss. Time was running out. Kong Seungun decided to write down what he knew. The judge announced, “Times up. All chefs, please submit your papers.” The chefs submitted their papers with varying emotions, some joyful, others anxious. The judging panel announced they would reveal the rankings. After checking each team scores. After a period of review, the judges returned to the hall and announced the results. Everyone, please look at the screen. Jong Man anxiously searched for his name. He had only answered 28 out of the 50 questions correctly. ranking 148. He scratched his head, extremely worried. He was definitely going to be eliminated this time. Kong Seung Hoon’s ex-girlfriend answered 41 questions correctly, ranking 25th. Her current boyfriend answered 43 correctly, ranking 18th. The two smirked smuggly, looking at Kong Seung Hun with contemptuous eyes. Stop pretending to look for your name. I bet you ranked very low. Go ahead, take a good look. Haha. Kong Seung Hun’s rank and score appeared on the leaderboard, delivering a blow to the face of the one who was gloating after cheating on him. Her eyes widened, unable to believe the result. Kong Seung Hun answered 48 questions correctly, scoring 48 points. Not only her, but even Jang Man was dumbfounded, speechless. So, Jihai looked at Kong Seung Hun with envy, thinking to herself, “How can this be? He’s just an intern.” The chefs in the hall buzzed with discussion. Who is Kong Seung Hun? He ranked second. Joel Ria Hotel. Which hotel is that? I’ve never heard of it. Indeed, the hotel ranked outside the top 100, so not many knew of it. The judges announced the chef who won first place. It was Go Yong from the Hilton Hotel. A female judge exclaimed admiringly, “Truly outstanding.” But the hotel’s head chef humbly replied, “It’s just average. I taught him. I’m a bit embarrassed he didn’t get a perfect score.” Having won first place in this round, Go Yong was granted immunity from elimination. The judging panel announced the purpose of this round to assess the abilities of each individual and also to evaluate the standards of the hotels. If the total score of the two contestants from the same hotel did not reach 75 points, they would be eliminated. Behind the scenes, someone was idly reviewing the recent test papers. Kong Seung Hun’s paper raised a slight question for this person. His answers for questions 46 and 47 were crossed out because the correct answers were pickled radish and salted radish. She was certain that 46 and 47 should have been mango and papaya. But why did he answer like that? She hastily pulled out her phone trying Google. It turned out Kong Seung Hun had answered in Thai, so it was marked incorrect. Back in the hall, Jang Man breathed a sigh of relief. Their combined score was 76 if not for Kong Seung Hun’s outstanding performance. They both would have been sent packing together. However, this difficult man, far from being grateful, questioned him instead. You didn’t cheat, did you? Kong Seung Hun said nothing, only replying curtly, “I’m not that kind of person.” But the difficult man still believed Kong Seung Hune had copied Giant’s answers because they were friends. Kong Seung Huns stern affirmation left Jang Man speechless. That evening, Kong Hun stood alone on the hotel balcony, lost in thought. That Jong Man fellow was truly tackless. He didn’t hesitate to ask directly, “What are you thinking about? Did you break up? I thought that girl was your girlfriend, but now she’s with another man.” Kong Seung Hun remained silent, merely thinking. He lifted the beer can and took a gulp. Jong Man continued, “I won’t interfere in your business. Just like that guy with your girlfriend. He’s a bastard. I know who he is. We went to the same school. He’s a womanizer involved with many girls. Look at them. It’s clear she replaced you with him. But that’s a mistake.” Kong Seung Hun spoke up. Don’t blame her either. It’s okay. Dating her was my own choice. We broke up because she was too tired. I couldn’t bear it anymore. I don’t hold any ill feelings towards them either. But what’s hateful is how they look down on our performance in the competition. The contemptuous look on her face and has made me very uncomfortable. I cannot forgive him for that. Kong Seung Hun clenched the beer can, the thin metal crumpling in his hand, his eyes filled with determination. At dawn the next day, while Jong Man was still sound asleep, Kong Seung Hun had been awake for some time. He sat there intently reading a cookbook, Kong Seung Hune suddenly recalled something from 7 years ago. That day at the hospital, he and his family received devastating news from the doctor. His father’s illness was severe. The cancer cells had metastasized to internal organs, leaving no hope for a cure. The doctor’s words struck like a thunderbolt, not only crushing his spirit, but also causing his family members to break down, weeping in despair. Kong Seung Huns father, however, was remarkably calm, as if he had already prepared himself to receive this grim news. He gently asked the doctor, “Please tell me, how much time do I have left?” The doctor replied, “6 months.” Kong Seung Hune’s father narrowed his eyes, his expression slightly weary. He said, “6 months, huh?” Then he turned to look at Kong Seung Hun as if wanting to say something. He too sensed what his father desired. After being discharged from the hospital, he spent the remainder of his life taking Kong Sun Hun everywhere. He taught him about various ingredients, let him taste the signature dishes of each region and taught him how to feel and distinguish different types of ingredients. Time flew by swiftly, and soon the day of parting for father and son drew near. The last time they watched the sunset together. Father and son held hands tightly, neither saying a word, but their affection for each other was boundless. Then the day of separation arrived. Kong Seung Hun’s father was like a lamp running out of oil. Lying on his sick bed, his breath faint and shallow. Using his last bit of strength, he called Kong Seung Hoon’s name. His trembling hand lacked strength, but he still tried to give his beloved notebook to his son. These are the recipes that I have accumulated throughout my life. I hope you will use them wisely. He gave a gentle smile, offering his final words. Kong Seung Hun become a great chef. The saddest day was also the day his father gave him the strength to return to the path of a chef. Kong Seung Hun clutched the notebook tightly, silently thanking his father. He changed into his chef’s uniform, ready to step into the new day of competition. Meanwhile, Jong Man was still sound asleep. The blaring sound of the loudspeaker startled Jong Man awake. The announcement declared, “It is now 5:10 a.m. The briefing time has been changed to 5:15 a.m. Please gather on the first floor.” Kong Seung Hune was already prepared. He put on his hat, ready to leave. I’m going down first. You get changed and come down in 5 minutes. Hurry up. In a lobby, the judges and the film crew staff were already assembled. They hadn’t expected anyone to come down so early. Sung Hune, dressed neatly in his chef’s uniform, confidently walked over to greet the judges. The head chef handed him a number board and directed him to wait on the side. Sun Hun was used to waking up early as he often had to go to the market early to buy ingredients. He was spacing out when he heard someone call his name. It was Yonte calling. Why didn’t you see me? Are you deliberately avoiding me? The two friends chatted idly about yesterday’s competition. Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed as other chefs rushed down to the lobby. They hadn’t even managed to put on their uniforms properly. A judge shouted loudly. “Stop! Your uniforms must be worn properly.” A sloppy chef will not pass this test. “Quickly, go look in a mirror. Fix your clothes properly, then come back here. Hurry up.” The supervisor standing behind, Judge Gung, checked his watch. It was 5:15 a.m. He immediately stood up and announced the number of people who passed the test is seven. These seven individuals have earned the right to present their dishes before the judges. You must showcase your skills if you wish to proceed to the next round. Kong Seong Hun, having arrived first, shared Co Yong’s privilege, a one-time exemption from elimination. This had been a surprise test. Those who passed would remain. The others were free to depart. A few chefs bristled with discontent, their murmurss sharp with frustration. Are you joking? Then what was yesterday even for? We aren’t slackers to be sharp this early. It’s revolting. Those grading words did not escape. Judge Jung’s notice. Though he maintained his composure, a distinct edge, 7/10 fury, laced his voice, “What did you just say?” The chef, who had grumbled so loudly moments before, stammered, denying it. “And nothing, sir.” But Jiang wasn’t one to let it slide. He instructed the camera crew to rewind the footage, playing it back for the two disgruntled chefs. Tension instantly seized the pair. Sweat beated on their foreheads, drenching them as if caught in a downpour. Without a flicker of hesitation, Jiung snatched the name tags from their chests, announcing their disqualification. He flung the two tags onto the floor and brought his heel down, crushing them decisively. The prize for not wearing an apron properly, was ruthless. Jung turned away coolly, leaving the two chefs behind, heads in their hands, sobbing. An assistant producer inquired, “Should we edit this segment out?” He chuckled in response, “Of course we keep it.” I relish dramatic moments like these. They’ll boost the show’s ratings. The contestants who had cleared the surprise test were instructed to prepare a dish of their choosing and present it to the judges at 11 a.m. sharp. They had free reign over the ingredients supplied by the kitchen. Kong Hun felt a surge of excitement at this chance. He resolved inwardly, “I absolutely have to make a strong showing.” He pondered what dish would leave the most striking impression on the judges. Meanwhile, the judges and producers were reviewing the profiles of the contestants who had navigated the surprise test. They registered surprise upon discovering Kong Seung Hun was still merely an intern. Judge Jiongs attention, snagged on the name Kong Seung Hun. He focused on it. A flicker of recognition stirring. He felt certain he’d encountered that name before. Word reached the producer. Kong Seung Hun had completed his dish. All three, the judges and the producer were eager to witness what this in turn would present. The door swung open and Kong Seung Hun entered, pushing a food trolley, a confident smile gracing his lips. Judge Jiang’s voice cut through the quiet. Contestant, introduce yourself. Kong Seung Hun introduced himself with poise. I am Kong Seung Hun from the Joel Ria Hotel. I look forward to learning from you all. Chef Miang prompted, “Sung Hun, please present your dish.” Calmly, Se Hun reached for the cloch, lifting it slowly. Beneath it lay three pieces of grilled meat, perfectly golden brown, presented with simple elegance on the plate. Judge Ji Sunung inquired, “This is a T-bone steak. Could you explain your reason for choosing this particular dish?” Kong Seung Hun responded, “Yes, chef. It’s the most memorable dish from a book I hold dear. I have great confidence in it.” Jiang continued to inquire. You currently a kitchen assistant, are you not? Yes, chef. Se Hun replied. Ji Sung pressed on. If you were an intern, I might believe you could achieve this. But this seems rather inconsistent with your position at the Joel Ria Hotel. Seung Hun recognized the implication behind the chef’s question. He was feigning inquiry about Sun Hoons position only to steer the conversation towards the hotel issue, implying he was the chef of a foreign hotel. Judge Mong also voiced his skepticism. So, have you studied cooking anywhere? I heard you mention a book. Though slightly displeased, Sun- Hun didn’t let it show. His dish was growing cold. Yet, they seemed more interested in his background than the flavor of his food. It meant they held no expectations for his culinary skills. In this situation, lowering their expectations might even compel them to taste the dish. Sun-hun answered decisively, “Yes, I’ll learn from a book. I’ll learn from comic book.” Sun- Huns response visibly unsettled all three judges. They all clearly thought Sun- Hoon’s idea was ludicrous. Their expressions indeed confirmed they had absolutely no expectation for the taste of a dish learned from a comic book. All three judges picked up their chopsticks, staring at the plate for a long moment. Yet, none made a move to eat. Se Hun waited anxiously for his dish to be tasted. Judge Jiang was the first to express disappointment. This dish doesn’t seem to have any sauce. Nevertheless, he reluctantly picked up a piece of the rib, put it in his mouth, took a bite, then closed his eyes, chewing slowly, savoring the flavor. Suddenly, his eyes flew open, revealing clear astonishment. Finally, the other judges began to eat. They picked up pieces of the grilled rib, dipped them into the small accompanying sauce bowl, placed them in their mouths, and chewed intently, absorbing the taste. Judge Jiang’s eyes remained wide, his surprise evident. In addition to the main course, Sun- Hun had prepared three glasses of dessert. Only after they had finished eating did he present three cups of hot jade green tea. Judge Mong immediately caught the delicate aroma upon picking up his cup. How fragrant, this refreshing scent. Is it lotus tea? He slowly brought the cup to his lips, taking a small sip. Se Hun felt a pang of anxiety as they still hadn’t offered any comments on his menu. Judge Mong, however, broke into a satisfied smile after finishing his tea. The most nerve-wracking moment had arrived. Seung Hune stood tall, awaiting the verdict. Judge Jiang was the first to speak. “We have tasted your dish. Your idea was to pair it with Lotus Tea.” Sun Hun maintained that he had seen it in the comic book and followed that concept. Jiang said nothing further, merely uttering, “You may step down.” His expression remained impassive until the producer noticed something unusual and signaled the cameraman to stop recording. A second later, Jiang’s expression turned fearsome. He was incredibly furious, unable to stop himself from cursing aloud. That bastard. Kong Hun, what on earth are you thinking? The female judge concurred. I agree with your assessment. He truly is a bastard. He claimed he got the idea after reading a comic book. That’s clearly a lie. During the 45 minutes of cooking, I never imagined someone would prepare a dish in such a manner. Jiang found it somewhat strange. Is he trying to destroy the hotel’s image? Or does he not want people paying attention to him? His attitude is peculiar, yet the dish is delicious. That T-bone steak was genuinely impressive. Mushrooms wrapped inside the T-bone beef rib. I usually use oyster mushrooms, but he used Matsutake mushrooms. Jiang turned to ask the producer in a low voice. Were Matsutake mushrooms among the ingredients. The producer replied, “No, due to production costs, it’s hard to find many as matsutake are expensive ingredients. I only put in a small amount to see.” Jiang continued his commentary on the dish. I can taste so many flavors. I think that’s why he chose Matsutake mushrooms. Even saying that, my mind is still full of questions. It’s truly baffling. Normally, Matsutake mushrooms have a very strong taste and aroma. They shouldn’t be paired with beef, but this T-bone steak was delicious. All the flavors were magnificent. Judge Mong, now excited, spoke up. It was kiwi. He used kiwi. Its flavor blended with the aroma of the matsutake mushrooms. I guess he used it as a substitute for sugar. He’s incredibly knowledgeable. He only has 4 years of experience, and he’s just an intern, yet he’s managed to astonish me like this. I want to take him on as my disciple. Judge Jung pondered for a moment, then turned to the producer. I’ve changed my mind. Besides the seven contestants who have already advanced, I want the contestants from the same hotels as those seven to also present one of their dishes. The producer looked surprised. Wait, if we do that, what about the second round scheduled for this evening? All three judges agreed to postpone the second round to implement this new idea. Seung Hun had thoroughly intrigued them, filling them with anticipation. They eagerly awaited the exciting things that might happen once more. The judge’s decision was made, leaving the producer no choice but to agree, returning to Sun Hune. After leaving the examination room, he was on his way back to his own room. Only now could Seung Hun relax just a little. Honestly, I turned the theme into a comic book story. Although using rare ingredients was a gamble, it’s gratifying that it succeeded. Sun Hun was also very pleased with his discovery of ingredients this time. Flashing back to two hours earlier, Sun- Hun was preparing the ingredients for his menu. In his hand was a tray of beef. He touched it, employing his sensory ability. Images of robust cattle grazing on lush green pastures immediately surfaced in his mind. He smiled, satisfied with having chosen such excellent ingredients. Then, Sun Hune turned his attention to the mushroom container behind him. He hesitated for a moment, wondering whether or not to include them in his dish. Seung Hun once again sensed the memory of the ingredients. But strangely, what he saw was a pine forest. Sun Hun was surprised to discover this as the container before him clearly held king oyster mushrooms. Why was the image related to a pine forest? He crouched down, constantly rummaging through something in the pile of ingredients. Sean Hun was astonished to find Matsutake mushrooms, a rare and extremely expensive variety with an exquisite flavor as well. It turned out that two or three types of ingredients had been mixed together. Seun figured the organizers had deliberately hidden them to test the contestants discovery skills. Having secured the premium ingredients, Se Hoon immediately thought of how to prepare the T-bone steak dish and completed it, presenting it to the judges. Returning to his room, Sung Hun breathed a sigh of relief, shedding the pressure he had just endured. Before he could fully recover, his father, Jang Man, arrived. “Hey kid, tell me, why are you cooking like some bookworm who learned from comic book? Are you messing with the hotel?” Sean Hun offered no further explanation, simply saying, “Don’t worry, the dish I made is delicious. I bet you’re watching. Did you see how the judges scolded people?” Jong Man looked displeased, but said nothing more. He had noticed a change in Seung Hun since the previous night. Anyway, the competition segment for the day was finished. Sun Hun intended to rest for a bit. Just then, Jong Man’s phone received a message. It was from the program organizers. The message requested that he demonstrate his cooking skills. Both were surprised because the competition schedule had been changed. The second round planned for the evening would be postponed. Instead, there would be a personal skills demonstration segment. Regardless, the competition was decided by others. They could only follow the arrangements. Seung Hun patted Jong Man’s shoulder encouragingly. Senior, don’t be too stressed. Just relax. You’ll do well. Jong Man forced a smile, figning confidence in his abilities in front of Seung Hun. At that moment, Sun Hune also received a message also from the program organizers. This time, it was an invitation for a private interview at 7:00 in the evening. Sun Hun agreed. He wished his colleague good luck in the competition and went to rest. In the evening, Sun Hun went down to the first floor lobby as scheduled. A young woman from the program’s organizing committee was already waiting there to meet him. This beautiful young woman’s name was Song Mina. She was the script writer for the show. Song Mina invited Seung Hun to the hotel’s coffee shop to begin the interview. Being interviewed for the first time and on television no less, Se Hun felt a little nervous. Song Mina wasn’t in any hurry. She told him not to be too tense, just to answer the questions comfortably. Song Mina’s friendliness helped Sung Hun calm down a bit. The interview began. Song Mina asked a simple question. You’ve been working at the hotel for 4 years now, haven’t you? Although it was just a simple question, Sun Hun didn’t answer right away, but hesitated slightly. Only after a moment did he reply, “Yes, for years.” Song Mina sense something wasn’t quite right. Such a simple question had made Sun Hune hesitate like that. She immediately thought about making things a little difficult for Seung Hun in the subsequent questions. The question she posed was, “When you presented your dish, the judge’s attitudes were quite rude. Did you feel offended?” This time, Sun-hun didn’t hesitate, but answered directly and frankly. To be honest, I really did feel offended. I felt they didn’t respect me just because I came from a four-star hotel. I think the reason they asked questions like that was also because of this. Song Mina found Sung Hun’s unexpectedly sharp response quite interesting. She continued with the next question. You made the T-bone steak dish to showcase your skills. Besides the story you told then, “Was there any other reason you made this dish?” Speaking of the dish, Sung Hun’s emotions shifted. He answered completely at ease. The T-bone steak is a wonderful dish if eaten whole. Importantly, it’s a dish with a refined flavor. That’s why I didn’t tell the judges. Seung Hun continued. I wanted them to try the dish first instead of explaining. That’s why I told that story. Before Seung Hun could finish, Song Mina interjected. So, you were reading comics while cooking to make the judges pay attention to your dish, weren’t you? Hit right on the mark. Se Hun looked slightly flustered. Semina felt satisfied with Seung Hun’s candid answers. She asked him one final question before ending the interview. Tell us your determination for the remainder of the competition. Seung Hun hesitated slightly, his hands resting on his thighs, trembled faintly. However, Se Hun’s subsequent demeanor was filled with fighting spirit. He spoke seriously and decisively. I will definitely win first place. This answer slightly surprised Song Mina. The interview went smoother than expected, the atmosphere very pleasant. Everyone bid farewell, returning to their respective tasks. Watching Kong Seung Hun leave, Song Mina casually asked the cameraman, “What did you think of his final answer?” The cameraman thought it was just an ordinary answer, but Song Mina was more perceptive. She had other thoughts. She felt that Kong Seung Hun seemed to be aiming for a personal victory. That was why he wanted to win first place. She also sensed that Kong Seung Hun seemed to be hiding some secret. Song Mina smiled and said, “Kong Seung Hun is interesting just for that reason alone. I guarantee he’ll reveal it.” Haha, I like people with secrets. Returning to Jong Man, he was standing waiting before the judge’s room door. He was reassuring himself. Don’t be afraid. I’ll do better than that guy named Hon. The judges were also reviewing the contestants profiles. Jong Man was the last one to present his dish. They knew he came from the Joel Ria Hotel, so there was a slight expectation. They were eagerly anticipating a delicious dish similar to Kong Sun Huns. The door to the judge’s room swung open. Jang Man pushed the food cart in full of enthusiasm. Jong Man, you can do it. Judge Mong couldn’t contain his excitement and exclaimed, “Haha, you look very spirited. So, what did you prepare for us?” Jong Man excitedly lifted the lid of the insulated container. The dish he had prepared was grilled pork ribs and grilled shrimp served with vegetables. Judge Jiang looked at the dish with an indifferent expression. Meanwhile, Judge Miong seemed a bit weary. Meet again. Almost all the contestants made meat dishes. Suddenly, Jiang turned to ask the program’s production manager, “Will all the contestants get screen time?” The production manager replied, “Only the seven contestants who passed the surprise test will be featured.” At this point, I suddenly felt that something wasn’t quite right with this Mr. Jong Man. Jiang turned to ask Jong Man, “You’re Jong Man, the one with six years of experience. You confidently stated you have six years of experience specializing in soup.” Mong not wanting to waste time asked Jang Man directly, “Tell us the concept behind this dish.” Jong Man didn’t know how to answer. He remembered Kong Seung Hun’s story. So, he also said that he got the idea while reading a comic book. His answer seemed to displease the judges, but they didn’t say anything further. Approaching the table together to examine the dish. Jiang picked up a piece of pork rib and put in his mouth. His expression indicated that the pork rib was not tasty. Mong also picked up a shrimp, taking a long moment to peel it before putting it in his mouth. His face also showed little satisfaction. The female judge used her hands to separate two pieces of pork ribs, sideighed, and placed them back on the plate. Jeang man grew anxious, seeing all three judges indifferent to his dish. Wanting to capture their attention, he spoke up. Besides the dish, I have prepared something else. The judges, holding little hope, reluctantly agreed. But what Jong Man had prepared was not food, but a song. This guy wanted to sing for the judges. A nonsensical song coupled with Jong Man’s raspy voice made the judges shudder. Miss Yun Jong angrily shouted, “Shut up. Be quiet for me. You’re getting on my nerves.” Judge Jung coldly said, “You’re Jong Man, aren’t you?” After that, he flashed a terrifying smile and said, “You bastard. What the hell do you think you’re doing? You know nothing. Just a fool who’s only good at clowning around. Have you even tried cooking before? The barrage of questions delivered with such fury left Jang Man terrified and flustered. Jiang pointed at the plate of food, remarking angrily, “Your dish is terrible. You claim 6 years of experience, yet your food is nothing but a joke. Did you even drain the blood from the ribs?” Jong Man, terrified, stammered in reply, “I I didn’t. I didn’t have enough time, so you skipped that step. Then how long did you cook these ribs for?” about about 20 minutes. Chef Jang Man answered, trembling. Jiang, infuriated, pointed at the ribs on the plate and bellowed. Look, if you have eyes, then look closely. The blood is still running out. Yun Jang chimed in with her own critique. You couldn’t even handle the gy smell of the meat. All three judges mercilessly tore into Jong Man’s dish, unleashing the harshest words upon him. You’re far too careless with this dish. Both the shrimp and the ribs are undercooked. The seasoning is bland. Just a little salt. You gave absolutely no thought to the combination of ingredients. It’s dreadful. And yet, you dare claim six years of experience. From start to finish, the judge’s criticisms and furious demeanor left Jang Man utterly broken. He felt as if he had plunged into an abyss. Was his career as a chef truly over? Right here and now. Finally, unable to contain his anger any longer, Jiong pointed directly at Jong Man and commanded, “Jong Man, take this plate away. Tonight, you will eat every last bite of this. Remember, leave nothing behind. Eat and reflect on your mistakes. There is no excuse for your incompetence.” Jeang man dejectedly pushed a food card, shuffling out of the room. His disastrous performance had severely damaged the image of the Joelia Hotel, leaving all the judges with a poor impression of the establishment. Jiang felt disappointed in his own judgment. Initially, he had held high expectations for the chef from the four-star hotel. Back in the breakroom, Kong Seung Hun was still seated, studying new recipes from the notebook his father had left him before passing away. Jong Man entered, his face crestfallen, still holding that same plate of food. Kong Seung Hun sense something was wrong, and asked with concern, “What happened?” Jang Man remained silent for a moment before replying in a dejected tone, “I I tried my best, but I think I should just go home.” Kong Sean Hune reminded him that there was still a test tomorrow afternoon, urging him to rest and regain his spirits for the next challenge. Jang Man stared at the plate of food, unable to cheer up because he had created such a terrible dish. The next morning dawned bright and sunny. Kong Sean Hun woke early as usual, neat and tidy, ready to greet a new day full of energy. Jang Man, however, had dark circles under his eyes, looking like a panda. He said he had been awake all night. The shock was so immense that he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Kong Seung Hune encouraged him. There are energy drinks in the fridge. Grab one. It’s almost time for the test. Let’s give it our all together. The final challenge was approaching. The doors to the competition hall swung open, revealing dozens of beautifully decorated, orderly kitchen stations inside, fully equipped with high-end appliances, eliciting gasps of admiration. This was truly the dream place for anyone aspiring to become a chef. Despite having prepared himself mentally, Kong Seung Hun couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the lavish scene. The judges were also present, ready to oversee today’s team competition. The theme for today’s test was Ningmayan, a type of Korean coal noodle dish. Additionally, there was a guest judge from the Hansen Company, which had sponsored all the equipment for today’s competition. He explained today’s rules. Within 30 minutes, the teams had to make a bowl of cold noodles and present it to the judges. Four teams would be evaluated simultaneously in each round, and the team with the lowest score would be eliminated. There was also a special requirement. The noodles had to be made entirely by hand. Sun Hune immediately understood the judge’s intention. Making cold noodles by hand was a test of teamwork and synergy among the members. First, they had to choose either the noodles or the broth, then decide on the type of cold noodles they wanted to make. As soon as the organizers finished explaining the rules, the ingredients were already prepared and available for the teams to use freely. The competition officially began. While Sun Hun was concentrating trying to decide which type of noodles to make, Jong Man called out to him. Considering himself a senior, he made the decision unilaterally without any discussion. He chose to make Ning Mayan, a type of noodle made from buckwheat flour, he declared he would handle the noodles and demanded Sun- Hun make the broth. Sun Hun felt a little uneasy and asked again, “Senior, so which Ningmai dish are we making?” Jang Man seemed slightly annoyed. Ningm is Ningm. Why ask such redundant questions? I told you to make the broth, so obviously it’s cold noodle broth. Stop asking so many questions and focus on your work. Se Hun felt a surge of frustration. All he could think about was cold noodle broth. Surely there was more to it than just cold noodle broth. Not wanting to argue or create any unnecessary drama on television, Sun Hoon started his task. First, he selected some readily available kimchi to serve as a side dish. Next came choosing the ingredients for the broth. He picked fresh, highquality beef along with garlic, spring onions, and onions. Sun- Hun also selected an additional novel ingredient. Although he had never used it in cold noodles before, he wanted to experiment. Meanwhile, Jang Man had already started kneading the dough. Seeing Sun- Hun gathering ingredients, he urged, “Hurry up or you won’t have time to make the broth.” He was still smarting from yesterday’s poor critique and wanted to redeem himself in today’s competition. More importantly, he didn’t want to lose to Sung Hoon, a junior who entered the profession after him. But wanting something was one thing. Achieving it was another. He had been kneading the dough for a long time. Yet, it still wouldn’t come together. Sunhun also began preparing his ingredients. Because time was limited, he couldn’t simmer the broth for too long. So, he cut the meat into small pieces to cook faster and release its flavor into the broth more quickly. He placed all the washed and prepped ingredients into the pot, added water, brought it to a boil, and then seasoned it to taste. Se Hun had nearly completed his tasks. While Jong Man was still struggling with kneading the dough, seeing that he was taking quite a long time to make the noodles, Sun- Hun decided to also take charge of garnishing the dish. He boiled eggs with vinegar and salt, took out the kimchi, and used radish for decoration. When the water boiled, he turned off the heat, letting the eggs sit in the water for about 10 minutes to achieve a softboiled center. The broth would be chilled during the last 5 minutes of the competition. Everything was ready, only waiting for the noodles. Only then did Sun Hune suddenly remember, turning to ask Jong Man, “Senior, are the noodles almost ready?” Jong Man still replied loudly, “Don’t worry, just handle your part well.” But in reality, his dough wouldn’t bind. No matter how much he needed, it couldn’t be rolled out into noodles. Se Hun sense something was wrong and hurried over, asking, “Senior, surely you didn’t use only buckwheat flour, did you?” Jong Man remained stubborn. Aren’t buckwheat noodles made from buckwheat flour? Someone explained, “That’s not right, Senior. Buckwheat flour needs to be mixed with a little tapioca starch. If you only use buckwheat flour, you can’t roll it into strands because the dough isn’t elastic enough.” Only then did Jong Man realize his mistake, but it was too late. There wasn’t enough time to start over. Kong Seung Hun pushed him aside, rolled up his sleeves, and quickly set about fixing the mistake. This time, it truly fell upon Kong Seung Hun to carry the burden. If this were a competition to see who had the strongest back, Kong Hun would undoubtedly be the champion. Jong Man did almost nothing. He merely fetched ice for Kong Sean Hun, then retrieved the eggs and turned off the stove. He asked reluctantly, “What are you doing? Are you planning to do everything yourself?” Time was running out. Kong Seung Hun was about to lose his mind, then you do it. Kong Seung Hun’s serious attitude made Jong Man back down. Kong Seung Hun paid no mind to anything else, focusing entirely on salvaging the ruined batch of buckwheat dough. He added tapioca starch, then kneaded the dough like a madman. Only 10 minutes remained until the end. Then 8 minutes, and the noodles still weren’t rolled out. During the final 5 minutes, Jong Man started chilling the broth. The final 3 minutes, Kong Seung Hun finally finished rolling the noodles and began boiling them. The final minute, he scooped out the noodles, rinsing them under cold water. Judging by Kong Seung Hun’s helpless expression, one could guess that this dish surely had many flaws. The competition time ended, for bowls of noodles were presented before the judges. Kong Seung Hun’s team was incredibly fortunate to have finished just in time. All the contestants waited with baited breath for the judges comments on their dishes. Surprisingly, among the judges this round was the couple who had previously given Kong Seung Hun the green hat. The chef was quite confident they wouldn’t be eliminated considering their opponent was merely Kong Seung Hun. The judges began to taste and evaluate the dishes with their chopsticks. The first team to be judged was that of the ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend. Even before tasting, the judges could identify their ingredients. They had prepared a type of Koreanstyle cold noodle called ningmayan made from sweet potato starch. After commenting on the ingredients, the judges started tasting. Seeing the three judges eat the noodles rather peruncterally. The ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend grew quite anxious. Gi was the first to offer feedback. Overall, this dish is quite ordinary. Both the noodles and the broth lack distinction. I give you 75 points. All three judges concurred with this assessment. The next dish was cold noodles mixed with chili paste known as bibbaku. After tasting, the judges also found this dish rather unremarkable though better than the previous teams. They earned 80 points. Following that was the Omija Ningmayan from team madams. This young father though lacking experience was quite clever. Jang man turned to ask Kong Hun, “Hey, is Omija Ningmayan also a cold noodle?” Kong Seung Hun replied helplessly, “Yes, it’s also a type of cold noodle. Just the sight of the noodles was enough to greatly please the female judge. Ji Sun also praised it, remarking that the dish was better than he had expected. After tasting, all three judges were highly satisfied with this cold noodle dish. They awarded team Madams an impressive score of 90 points. The girl looked slightly worried as her team currently had the lowest score. If Kong Seung Hun’s team scored higher, she would be eliminated. This felt like a slap in the face after she had left him for this old man. She bluntly declared, “If they lose, I’m breaking up with this old man.” On the other side, Kong Seung Hun also felt extremely nervous. He was certain that the hastily prepared dish would have serious flaws. The three judges began tasting Kong Seung Hoons team’s dish, which indeed seemed to have shortcomings. But strangely, after finishing the tasting, Jiang appeared quite pleased. Kong Seung Hun was also surprised, seeing Jiang smiling. Jiong gently asked, “Who made the noodles?” Kong Seung Hun hesitated. Jong Man had made the noodles, but he had been the one to fix them. Should he reveal this? Before he could answer, Jong Man raised his hand, claiming the credit, “I made the noodles, sir.” Chef Gung asked again. Then his demeanor shifted as abruptly as an ex-lover turning cold. He roared, “Are you insane, Jong Man? You boiled the noodles at high heat. They aren’t even cooked through, don’t you know? How could you possibly serve a dish like this?” Chef Jiang’s relentless questioning drained the color from Jong Man’s face. Then he turned his accusatory gaze towards Seung Hun. He did it, not me. He was the one. I’m solely referring to contestant Kong Seung Hun. Se Hun couldn’t believe he had been partnered with such a deceitful individual, someone willing to throw his teammate under the bus for personal gain. The scene was infuriating. If it were me, I’d definitely land a few punches on him. Jeang Man claimed he had prepared the broth and handled the plating. Bitterness filled Sun Hoons eyes, rendering him speechless. Faced with such despicable behavior, there was nothing left for him to say. Chef Jiang pressed again. Are you certain? Se Hun offered no defense, knowing any words would sound like mere excuses. Jang Man had skillfully shifted all the blame onto him. Seung Hune clenched his fists, his heart overflowing with indignation. If not for the cameras rolling, he would have undoubtedly smashed his fist right into that detestable face. Chef Ji Sung questions Sung Hune. So you don’t deny making the noodles either. Heavens, he shouldered the responsibility only to be betrayed like this. This exchange only solidified Chef G Sun’s assumptions. He held no more expectations for them. Were all four-star hotel chefs like this. Their culinary skills reaching only this level. Truly apprentice level chefs. But those ribs earlier were indeed delicious. Chef G sung stood up. I will not be scoring this dish. The two contestants from Hotel Jiraia. You were eliminated. Sun Hun closed his eyes, accepting his fate with a sense of helplessness. He didn’t want to be eliminated so unjustly. But what was done was done. He could only accept it. Wait. The voice of Judge Mong rang out. The gloating pair suddenly fell silent. Mong spoke slowly. How strange. Your explanation completely contradicts what I observed. You claim Kong Seung Hun made the noodles while you handle the broth and plating. Yet I saw Kong Seung Hun selecting ingredients and preparing the broth while you Jong Man were kneading the dough. Am I correct, Jang Man? The judge’s words struck a nerve. Fear gripped Jong Man. Yet he refused to admit fault, continuing to shift the blame onto Sun Hune. He stammered. At that moment, I was focused on kneading the dough. Then he suddenly asked me to make the noodles. Judge Mong pressed on. You say you were focused on kneading the dough? Are you certain? I observed that when you selected the flour, you unhesitatingly chose flour number three, which was precisely why the dough became stiff, failed to bind, and crumbled easily. Time was running out, and the noodles still weren’t ready. I suspect Kong Sunun spoke with you. He must have corrected the mistake in that dough. If I am mistaken, we can review the video recording together. Mongs words were irrefutable. There was no room left for denial. Ashamed, Jang Man lowered his head, admitting his fault. Chef Ji Sun coldly reached out and without hesitation ripped the name tag from Jong Man. Contestant Jong Man, thank you for your participation. Incompetent and deceitful, Jong Man’s elimination was only natural. It was just unfortunate for Seung Hun saddled with a teammate who though lacking talent was cunningly shrewd. Jiang turned to Se Hun. You were eliminated because of your senior. How do you feel? Se Hun frowned, answering frankly. I feel very disappointed. Jiang continued, “Are you disappointed because your senior ruined your dish and lied to everyone?” Kong Seung Hun, holding no resentment, replied, “No, sir. It’s because I couldn’t perform well on my part of the challenge. We could have done better. I’m only disappointed in myself.” Jung stated cool, “To be honest, the ribs you made yesterday were delicious, but that’s as far as it goes. As for Jong Man, yesterday’s grilled ribs and shrimp were subpar, and today he makes cold noodles like this.” It seemed Jiang held some prejudice against Kong Seung Hun. His tone exceedingly harsh. He declared loudly, “Yesterday’s organic dish was just luck. And today’s cold noodles have exposed the true level of your hotel. You from Joelia Hotel are the team with the lowest skill level. You are eliminated.” Yin Jang, disagreeing with Jiang’s decision, spoke up. “Wait a moment. We still need to give a score. Why are you deciding everything yourself?” Jiang maintained his rigid tone, saying, “There’s no need to score this dish.” Yin Jang countered, “The noodles might have been made hastily, and their quality is indeed lacking, but the broth is entirely different.” Mong also agreed that the broth was delicious. He didn’t mind taking another sip, appearing quite satisfied. Yang asked, “You used beef and chicken to make the broth, didn’t you?” Kong Seung Hun answered honestly. When I opened the refrigerator to prepare the broth and garnish, I saw chicken. So, I used both chicken and beef to make the broth in the traditional style. To remove any gameiness, I added pepper and bay leaves while cooking. Yang was very pleased with his answer and his resourcefulness, giving Kong Seung Hune 85 points. Mong concurred, turning to Jiang. Do you still think there’s no need to score it? Jiong looked annoyed that his decision was being challenged. It seemed there was also some conflict brewing within the judging panel itself. However, Jiang defended his decision. He still wanted to eliminate Joel Ria Hotel from the competition. He demanded Kong Sun Hun return his name tag to leave the competition. Kong Seung Hun remained silent for a moment before speaking. I have no hope left, but even though it’s just a four-star hotel, it’s a wonderful hotel. My senior is also a good person. It’s just that the pressure was too immense, causing him to make a mistake. I hope the judges will consider this fairly. In the end, Kong Seung Hun still covered for his senior. This made Jong Man feel guilty because he had treated Kong Seung Hun so poorly. Jiang held out his hand, demanding Kong Seung Hun return the name tag, but Kong Seung Hun reached into his trouser pocket, pulling something out. It was an immunity card. Kong Seung Hun used it to save himself. Jiang, though displeased, had no choice but to accept it, for those were the rules of the game. Thanks to Jong Man, this pair of underperformers managed to escape elimination. Yet, that couldn’t alter the fact that Jong Man had been eliminated. Given his performance and his actions, allowing him to remain was simply unacceptable. That evening, Jong Man boarded the bus back to the hotel. Kong Seong Hun, setting aside all that had happened, went to see his senior off. He hoped that after this incident, his senior might change. Because if he refused to change, the events of today were bound to repeat themselves sooner or later. On the journey home, Jong Man carried a heavy burden of anxiety. His failure and his lie would be broadcast on television for everyone to see. The thought filled him with shame, leaving him unsure how he would ever face it. Turning our attention to Judge Go. At this moment, he was alone in his room drinking alcohol. The events of the competition had left him feeling deeply irritated, primarily because judge Mong had openly opposed his decision. Jiang always projected himself as the leader, demanding others follow his word. He leveraged his standing in the culinary world, seeking to impose his will upon others. As he was drinking, a knock sounded at the door. It was Judge Kimong coming to see him. Jiang’s annoyance was playing on his face. Yet, he still invited Mong in to talk. He asked nonchalantly, “What is it?” Mang asked bluntly, “Why did you do that? Scoring their dish today? Were you deliberately withholding a perfect score?” Jiang stood by his assessment, insisting that the dish, in his opinion, was simply terrible. But Mong brought up their underlying intention. The challenge required cold noodles ostensibly so the contestants would focus on making the noodles. Yet, their true purpose was to evaluate the broth. And the person who had proposed this very idea was G-Sung himself. Being questioned by his junior made him extremely uncomfortable. He took a large gulp of alcohol, then slammed the glass down hard on the table, raising his voice. It seems you’ve forgotten. We have to crush that insulent brat. Have you forgotten how you were humiliated at Harvard in America for 15 years? That kid was the first one audacious enough to present a dish like that before us. He dared to lie about being the youngest chef. We shouldn’t give him any chance. We must eliminate him as soon as possible. It appeared that Kong Seung Hun’s initial dish presentation had seown a deep-seated prejudice in Jiong. This bias now drove him to exploit his authority, aiming to eliminate the person he disliked. Mong disagreed strongly with Jiang’s conduct. No, I cannot understand this. Evaluating a chef must be based on their skill and their food. What you’re doing now is discrimination. You gave Go Yong T a perfect score, didn’t you? Those noodles did not deserve a perfect score. Faced with Mong’s questioning, Jiang coldly retorted, “Remember, we are in Korea, not America. You and I come from different backgrounds. I have solid backing in Korea. Even after the show airs, you might step into politics. You should make a wise choice. Whichever side you take, the outcome will remain unchanged.” Jiang openly declared his power, intending to leverage it to promote his protetéé, Go Yong. Mong countered just as frankly, affirming he would support Sun- Hun because Sun Hun had made a very strong impression on him. Seung Hun had fulfilled his duties well, even attempting to correct his teammates mistakes. Although the dish wasn’t perfectly executed, Sun Hun remained calm and bravely admitted his teammates’s errors. It was that steady, confident gaze that had captivated him. Miong Sun could clearly sense Sun Se Hoon’s immense potential for growth. Thus, he wanted to wholeheartedly support the young man. His decision made Jiung tremble with anger. This was tantamount to defying him. Mong stated bluntly, “Let me tell you, I will not let you do as you please in this competition. From guessing 50 ingredients to the surprise challenge, you always claim this is a fair contest. If you want to change my decision, I think you should stop covertly helping the Hilton Hotel and World Junk to die. Having said what needed to be said, Mong had no desire for further explanation or argument. He turned and left, leaving Jiong simmering with resentment. He couldn’t believe someone dared to challenge his authority. Fine, do whatever you want. I have my ways too, he thought. Ultimately, this competition was already rigged. Everything was nearly under his control had it not been for the appearance of one Kong Seung Hun from a three-star hotel. In the production team’s meeting room, they were discussing the selection of a standout figure from the remaining contestants. They wanted to choose someone with high commercial value, a compelling personal story, which would bring more attention to the show, thereby boosting viewership ratings. Both the script writer and the producer had their eyes on Sunun. She felt he was hiding something since the very first interview and had someone investigate. She discovered that Sun Hun’s mother was seriously ill. They both agreed this was a very compelling backstory for a contestant. Another person suggested choosing Go Yong because he had achieved a perfect score and was a chef at a top tier hotel. He was an ideal figure. Everyone agreed with this suggestion too and the script writer conceived a brilliant scenario. Pit these two against each other. One, the youngest chef impoverished from a three-star hotel. The other, a formally trained chef from a leading hotel. This would make for a fantastic story. Just then, the producer received a phone call. Seeing the caller ID, his expression turned serious. He stood up stating he had urgent business and had to leave immediately, asking everyone to finalize their ideas. They would continue after the meeting concluded. Song Mina sense something was a miss. What on earth could have happened to make him leave? in such a hurry. This might have something to do with that man currently flaunting his power. After the producers’s hasty departure, the rest of the program’s production team continued diligently writing the script. Song Mina was calculating the fastest time it would take to get to the hospital. As she pondered, her phone received a text message. It was from Seung Hun. He was asking her permission to go out over the weekend. Songmina guessed Sun Hun wanted to visit his mother and she immediately seized the opportunity, pretending to inquire casually. As expected, Sun Hun was indeed going to visit his mother. She felt overjoyed as if she had struck gold. She was still wondering how to arrange the timing when Seung Hun himself had reached out. This was truly perfect timing because after the second round of the competition ended, both the contestants and the production team had the weekend off. Song Mina immediately texted Songhoon saying they wanted to film him during his visit to his mother this time explaining they were planning to shoot and broadcast the everyday behindthe-scenes stories of each contestant. Seung Hun hesitated slightly, thinking for a moment. He texted Song Mina back, “What about the filming fees?” This blunt question made Smina break out in a cold sweat. She hadn’t expected Sung Hun to demand image rights fees like this. Early the next morning, Se Hun and the program’s production team were already up early preparing everything before starting the shoot. Song Mina was still thinking about Sun Hoon’s issue from yesterday. Unexpectedly, he asked about the filming fees again. I really didn’t expect him to be this kind of person. She thought to herself. Only after the filming equipment was set up did Sun Hune notice Mina. Without hesitation, he walked up to her asking about the filming fees he had mentioned. Seong Mina had thought he was joking, but she realized he was serious. She said she would transfer the money right after the shoot ended, but Se Hun insisted on being paid right then and there. Se Hun’s expression was quite cold and somber, making it hard to guess what he intended to do, why he needed the money so urgently. Song Mina felt a little scared. What’s wrong with him? Is he obsessed with money? I feel a bit uncomfortable talking about money. He seems like a different person when money is mentioned, she thought. Song Mina felt somewhat awkward due to Sung Hoon’s attitude, so she told him to wait there for a moment while she went to ask if anyone had cash. A short while later, she returned and handed Seoon an envelope containing 100,0001. This is an advance. The remaining amount will be paid after the program airs. Seung Hune cherished the money in his hands, letting out a soft sigh of relief. Only then did his demeanor return to normal. It seemed this sum was incredibly important to him right now. With everything settled, the group began their journey. The filming commenced from that moment. Seung Huns mood was somewhat subdued. He focused solely on a view outside the window, trying to conceal his emotions. Semina broke the silence, striking up a conversation. Seung Hun, when did your mother first become ill? Sean Hun didn’t hide anything, sharing, honestly, about 3 years ago, she started getting sick. She has a condition called CRPS, a disease that causes unexplained pain throughout the body. For those who want more details about this illness, you can ask Google. Previously, my mother stayed at home because we hadn’t found a treatment method. But recently, her condition worsened and she had to be hospitalized for monitoring. So, I visit her every weekend. Se Hun added. Se Hun also thanked Smina for her help, which allowed him to visit his mother during the competition. Hearing his story, Semina felt a pang of guilt knowing she had exploited Son Hun’s situation to make the program more compelling. After more than an hour’s drive, they finally arrived at the hospital. Sun Hun was overjoyed to see his mother and younger sister again since his mother couldn’t walk or care for herself. His sister Eugene had been constantly by her side taking care of her. Seeing his mother dressed in normal clothes, Sun Hun asked, “Mom, have you been discharged already?” “Yes,” his mother replied. His curious younger sister asked why people were following them carrying cameras. Seung Hune explained that this was the filming crew from team five of the competition wanting to record his visit to his mother. Looking at Sun Hoon’s injured mother, Semina couldn’t help but feel sympathy. Her body was almost entirely covered in casts. The cameraman was also very perceptive. Knowing this was a sensitive matter, he advised Smina to ask for permission before filming. Se Hun’s mother was very cheerful and had no objections at all because the program was filming for her son. The younger sister told Sun- Hun that although she was being discharged today, she still needed to see the doctor for treatment before leaving the hospital. The two siblings helped their mother to the doctor’s office. The doctor carefully examined her body. Her right arm was bruised and swollen. It was evident how much pain she must have endured. Every time they saw the wounds on their mother’s body, both siblings felt heartbroken. The filming time was sufficient. The two producers decided to conclude the shoot. Seung Hun asked Song Mina to stay and look after his mother while he went to settle the hospital bill. Left alone, Se Hoons mother asked, “Which rounds has Seung Hun passed?” Semina smiled and replied, “He has passed the first two rounds and is now heading towards the finals.” She told Se Hun’s mother that the show would continue airing next week and that she could come watch it live. Smina mentioned that she didn’t need to watch the entire thing. Just arriving for the awards ceremony would be fine. But Songhoon’s mother was immensely proud. No matter what, she wanted to witness her son compete with her own eyes to cheer him on. Back with Sung Hune, he and his younger sister were waiting to pay the hospital bill. The hospitalization cost was 45,0001. Mijene handed her card to the cashier, explaining that she had just received her overtime pay and wanted to help her brother share the burden. But unfortunately, her card had insufficient funds. Mijene grew slightly anxious. She hadn’t received her salary yet. Seung Hune immediately pulled an envelope from his pocket, paying in his sister’sstead. She was well aware of her brother’s financial difficulties, but Sun Hun brushed it off as nothing significant, handing the remaining change to his sister, telling her to use it for her living expenses. Witnessing Se Hun’s circumstances, Semina finally understood why Sung Hune had requested payment for filming, why he had to pour everything into winning the championship. It was because of that 1 billion one. With that money, his life and his families would improve immensely, she thought. As dusk settled, it was time to part ways. Mother and son shared a reluctant farewell. Seung Huns mother maintained an optimistic demeanor, encouraging Seung Hun not to worry too much about her, to focus on the competition to make her happy. Sun Hun beamed, promising to do his utmost to clinch the champion title. That evening, on the balcony of a former couple’s room at the resort hosting the competition, a young woman’s mood was foul, having just finished a match. Meanwhile, her boyfriend seemed almost unaffected. She was clearly upset, having narrowly avoided elimination. No matter what he said, Jihi’s mood remained unchanged. He tried to approach her, but was bluntly rebuffed. Only then did he realize his girlfriend was still angry about the previous day’s competition. If Sun Huns team hadn’t suffered from Jong Man’s foolish mistake, her team would have been sent home early. She felt deeply disappointed, realizing she had placed her trust in the wrong person. She glared at her boyfriend. The more she thought, the more absurd it seemed. The sue chef of the Fisha Hotel, losing to some lowly sue chef. Meanwhile, her boyfriend acted nonchalantly as if nothing had happened. Jihai didn’t want to say anything more, turning and walking back into the room. Naturally, Jihi’s attitude greatly displeased him. His girlfriend giving him the cold shoulder because of another man. He couldn’t stand it. That bastard must have instigated Songhoon. That bastard definitely cheated me. I swear I won’t let you near Jihai. The next morning, the program’s crew was busy preparing the location for the next round. Naturally, the producer couldn’t be absent. He walked straight over to where Song Mina was sitting and sat down, sighing, looking utterly exhausted. Song Mina, perceptive as ever, noticed and asked, “Is something wrong? You look like you’re facing a difficult problem? Is the meeting urgent?” He sat there lost and thought about what had transpired yesterday. It was an urgent phone call from Mr. Jung. After they met, the man got straight to the point, making a very strange request, changed the judging panel. I cannot work with Kimong. The producer was stunned by his demand, unable to comprehend what conflict could exist between them to warrant such a reaction. He told Jiang that even if he and Mong were at odds, they couldn’t replace someone immediately because the show was already airing. If there were a sudden change, the audience would surely protest vehemently. Furthermore, the program had already garnered government attention. Changes couldn’t be made arbitrarily without a valid reason. What the producer said was not what Jung wanted to hear. He asked menacingly, “Are you implying I shouldn’t interfere.” The producer didn’t answer Jung’s question directly. Instead, he brought up a project they had collaborated on previously, a show called Food Casting Chasing Dream. They had become entangled in a scandal because a restaurant backed by Gi Song had defrauded customers. The meat they supplied wasn’t from Korea. The restaurant owner was arrested and prosecuted. As the show’s producer, he had struggled to cover up the fact that Ji Sunung and other powerful figures had accepted bribes. He was forced to seek help from the director of KBC station because he couldn’t control the situation. Therefore, this time he could not comply with Ji Sung’s request. He stated, “It’s very difficult. Remember what I did for you.” Faced with the producers’s firm stance, Jiang had no choice but to accept not pressing the issue further. Returning to the set, the producer, back from his meeting with Ji Song, wore an unusually serious expression. He told Song Mina, “Contact the program’s editing team. Tell them to reconsider the course language. Don’t cut the scenes where the judges swear.” Song Mina, since something was a miss, and questioned him. Are you sure? Won’t the communications commission intervene? The producer affirmed, “No problem. Since the program is backed by the government, they will surely turn a blind eye.” He smiled cryptically. Go Jung, it’s time to stir up some trouble for the show. The set was ready. The chefs present were all those who had passed the preliminary rounds and entered the finals. Go Jung began his opening speech. It’s great to see you all again. Welcome to the final round, but don’t get complacent because of it. Not everyone here made it based on their own abilities. Some of you might be standing here because your teammates performed exceptionally well. I’m sure there are those who aren’t truly outstanding, but starting today, things will be different. We will begin testing from the very basics. And now the first task of the final round will be revealed. Some of you have never killed any living creature, even though you have prepared them before. A large truck rolled onto the set, its cargo bed teeming with hundreds of live chickens. The chefs recoiled as a pungent foul odor assaulted their senses. Each one visibly uncomfortable. Their usual work involved handling ingredients already prepped, offering almost no opportunity to slaughter live poultry themselves. Therefore, this first task, personally processing a live chicken until it became a finished ingredient, would prove to be no simple challenge. Even an incredibly daunting mission for some. This initial direct contact with living creatures, the characteristic stench of these fresh raw materials, left every chef present feeling distinctly uneasy. Only Yun Jang seemed rather enthusiastic about this particular test. All right, everyone. You must catch a live chicken and process it into a perfect ingredient. Now begin. All contestants must personally go to the truck and catch a chicken. Remember this well. The task starts with catching a chicken. All the cooking utensils at the station below can be used freely. Go Jiang announced loudly. Your time is 40 minutes. The final mission begins. The moment the judges words ended, the chef scrambled, rushing towards the truck to start catching chickens. As expected, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t bear the foul stench emanating from the birds. Everyone gazaced, one even muttering, “God, this damn smell is worse than my ex-girlfriend.” Some chefs facing the live chickens looked as terrified as if confronting monsters. They reached out clumsily, hands trembling, hesitant to grab hold. Some even getting pecked until their hands bled profusely. Giung approached, asking with fain concern. Are you injured? Let me see. There’s a medical team behind the truck. Go there and you’ll receive medical attention. Alternatively, you can return to the rest area immediately. Then pack your belongings and leave. Please hand over your name tag. This was Ji Song’s very clever way of eliminating her. The female chef could only stand there mouth agape, speechless, unable to explain or justify herself. Her first task, catching a chicken bare-handed, had ended in complete failure. Yun Jang looked slightly surprised. Why are these people having such trouble catching chickens? Do they work in hotels or something? Mong stated the obvious. Nowadays, nobody really catches chickens by hand anymore. Jiong agreed, saying, “The last time I caught a chicken myself was 15 years ago.” Gi’s purpose in devising this test was to eliminate as many contestants as possible. The current situation clearly showed these people utterly lacked experience. This was a perfect task to help him achieve his goal. Jihai’s boyfriend also struggled immensely, but he managed to catch a chicken, fulfilling the requirement. When it was Jihigh’s turn, she appeared frightened, unsure how to control the chickens. As she trembled, a voice sounded from behind. Grab its two front legs, then grab its legs, and flip it over. It was Sung Hune. He didn’t hesitate at all. Seung Hune calmly approached the chicken coupe and began to act. He reached out, grabbed the chicken’s two legs, then flipped it upside down. With just one simple move, the chicken lay dosily still, no longer struggling. Xihai was slightly embarrassed. Are you helping me? Kong Seung Hun Seung Hun replied coldly. I’m not helping you. You’re just taking up space, wasting the time of those behind you. I just wanted to show you how not to delay others. Seung Huns gaze turned cold. I want to see you being left behind like last time, watching you make mistakes around everyone. Being scorned by Seung Hun, Jihigh naturally felt annoyed. But he wasn’t wrong. She had abandoned him to rely on an inferior man. Seung Hune ignored whatever she wanted to do. carried the chicken straight to his station and placed the chicken on the cutting board. Seung Hun was also a bit anxious about handling the chicken. Like the others, he had never killed a chicken himself, nor had he ever processed one before. Seung Hune used his ingredient memory ability, closed his eyes, placed his hands on the chicken, and began to sense it. He saw a chicken farm, a farmer entering to catch a chicken exactly the way he was doing it. The image of the separated pair of chickens was truly heartbreaking. Just then, a voice pulled him back to reality. It was Ji Sung paying attention to him, observing him meticulously. At this moment, Sun Hune was like a thorn in his side. He wanted by all means to catch Sun Hun making a mistake. He spoke up to Object, but Se Hun simply replied that he was thinking about how to handle this chicken. Ji asked again in a sarcastic tone. You mean you don’t know how to butcher a chicken? Contestant Kong Sun Hun Se Hune also realized this judge was deliberately making things difficult. always scrutinizing, intentionally trying to corner him. Seung Hune calmly replied, “I know how, but I’m considering the methods I can use. I will choose the most perfect way to accomplish it.” Seung Hune’s answer made him appear indifferent on the surface, but inwardly he was furious. “Damn it, is this kid bluffing again?” “Fine, sooner or later, I will humiliate you, kick you out of the show, using power to suppress a junior.” This judge was truly a petty man. He demanded that Seung Hun process the ingredient right now in front of him so he could watch. Facing his oppression, Se Hun showed no fear or anxiety. His face became determined, his eyes filled with fighting spirit. He answered firmly, “Yes, chef.” Jiang stood beside him with his arms crossed, staring intently at him. “Good. Demonstrated in front of me. Let me see how you handle the chicken.” His oppressive attitude was unconcealable. His face darkened, his eyes bloodshot, staring fixedly at Seung Hune without blinking. Seung Hune told himself the harder that man made things for him, the calmer he needed to be. It was okay to be a little slow. He had to proceed slowly, precisely following what he had seen. Seung Hune began processing the chicken in the way he had observed when accessing the ingredients memory. The first step being to bleed it. He held the chicken’s legs firmly, preventing it from struggling, then inverted the chicken to let the blood drain out. Next, he waited for the water to come to a rolling boil before turning the heat down to medium and put the chicken in to scald it briefly. To ensure the chicken didn’t cook through, it needed to be scalded for about 10 minutes, then removed. He prepared a large basin of water for plucking the feathers. The feathers had to be plucked cleanly, and the plucked feathers needed to be cleaned up immediately afterward. After cleaning the chicken feathers, he used a knife to chop off the chicken’s knee joints, separating the thighs. By this point, Sung Hune was already sweating. Next was processing the internal organs. Sun Hun put on a pair of nylon gloves. Use a knife to make an incision from the chicken’s belly down to the tail, conveniently removing the tail section as well. The tail is the tastiest part of the chicken, discarding it like that was truly a waste. He used his hands to split the chicken open, then carefully reached into the chicken’s cavity, slowly removing the internal organs. Completing this step meant 99% of the processing work was done. The final step was to use clean water to thoroughly wash the chicken’s cavity, removing any remaining fine feathers and debris. A perfectly processed chicken was complete. Se Hune let out a sigh of relief. Finishing his part of the challenge, he turned to speak to Judge Ji, startling the man. I’ve finished processing the chicken. Do I need to chop it up further? Jiang’s jaw dropped, exclaiming in surprise, “Wait, you’re done already?” “That fast,” I was staring so intently, trying to find fault, that I didn’t even notice he had finished processing it. Moreover, the chicken was processed perfectly with nothing to criticize. Yun Jang also came closer excitedly to look. She hadn’t expected any contestant to complete the task so quickly and perfectly. Y Jang couldn’t stop praising the processed chicken, saying the feathers were cleaned impeccably, and the completion time was a mere 15 minutes, the fastest among all contestants. Yun Jong turned and asked Jiong with a hint of teasing. It’s processed so perfectly, should we just pass him? Mong chimed in, I think he did very well. This made Jiang even more furious, his face turning purple. What infuriated Jiong further was Mong deliberately asking, “What do you think of his processing?” Judge, go Jiang. Jiong gritted his teeth and replied, “Fine, let it be.” So, Sun Hune with his outstanding performance, walked Head held high to the second floor to rest as the first place finisher of the first round, waiting for the others. This news caused Jihai to exclaim in astonishment, “What he finished that quickly? His friends were overjoyed by Se Hoons excellent performance. While those who were jealous felt resentful and annoyed, Yai’s boyfriend was still fumbling around down there, unsure how to process the chicken. He looked up at the contestant ahead because this person seemed to know how to handle a chicken. He wanted to imitate them to complete his own test. The female chef’s name was Jun Sanongi from a high-end hotel. Previously, she had run a Jins Singh chicken soup restaurant, and although the business did quite well, she didn’t have much passion for managing it. At 40, she harbored a new dream, which was to become a hotel chef. She was very fortunate that the hotel’s head chef greatly valued her enthusiasm, taking her directly under his wing as an apprentice and personally instructing her. Now 48 years old, she possessed 5 years of experience as a chef. She was thrilled to participate in this program. Processing chicken was her forte. But not only had Sung Hune finished incredibly quickly, Go Yong had also swiftly raised his hand to signal completion. This made her slightly uneasy. Handling Chicken was supposed to be her strength. Yet, she had been surpassed by two younger individuals. Falling behind wounded her pride. She also felt extremely annoyed knowing that those behind her were still mimicking her technique. She didn’t want anyone else to overtake her, nor did she want those behind to keep copying her. She pulled on nylon gloves and began to pick up the pace. Her speed became too fast for the man behind her to keep up, making it impossible for him to imitate. Soon enough, she finished plucking the feathers. Next came severing the chicken feet. After that, she used a long knife and began to slit open the chicken’s belly. The pace was too quick for the man behind to follow. Unexpectedly, this man shamelessly called out, “Hey, miss, could you slow down a bit? Let’s do it together.” She sighed in exasperation, ignored him, and raised her hand to signal to the judges that she had completed the task. Junghi’s sudden signal of completion startled the inscrupulous man behind her. His eyes widened fiercely, teeth grinding audibly, unable to contain his anger, he slammed his hand hard onto the kitchen counter. The loud noise startled Junghi. Ji sung angrily bellowed, “Who is that? Who dared to slam the counter?” Faced with the judge’s fury, the man hastily explained that he had slammed his hand because there was an insect on the counter. He was genuinely worried that he wouldn’t pass this test. He grounded his teeth, cursing under his breath. Damn it. Damn it all. That woman just left like that, except for the very last part. I saw everything else. If I can’t watch her, I can just watch the other contestants. 40 minutes passed. The judge announced the end of the test time. All contestants currently processing ingredients had to stop whether they had finished or not. Next, the judging panel would inspect and score each station one by one. Jihai also managed to pass the test, but she wasn’t satisfied with her performance. Her boyfriend, the man, was also lucky enough to make into the top seven, but with such a terrible performance, Jihai would surely dump him soon. Yung, he ranked third. Go Dong T ranked second. And of course, the number one spot belonged to none other than Se Hun. Meanwhile, in a resort hallway, Mijene had also brought their mother to cheer Sun Hun on. Both mother and daughter were overjoyed. The mother immensely proud that Songhoon was participating in such a wonderful program. She felt her son now had a chance at success. She had no regrets left. Suddenly, she mentioned Jihai also being in the program. She had mistakenly thought Jihi was her son’s girlfriend, assuming she and her son were participating in the show together. Just then, Jihi emerged from inside, followed closely by that inscrupulous man, H min. He was trying to stick close to Jihi, pleading insistently, his loud voice, startling Jihai, making her look embarrassed. Se Hun’s mother greeted her cheerfully. “Jihi, it’s been a while. Are you also competing with Seung Hun?” Faced with the question, Jihi looked flustered, unsure how to respond. Because Sun Hun hadn’t yet told his mother that their relationship was over. The inscrupulous man stepped closer, slinging an arm around Jihi’s shoulder, looking displeased as he asked, “Who is this lady? Why is she pretending to know Jihi?” Jihi, startled, cried out, “Aa,” making both Mijene and her mother feel uneasy. The mother inquired cautiously, “Who is he? Is he your older brother? Surely not your boyfriend?” Jihai stammered, unable to speak clearly. This This is him mining cut in loudly. Do I look like her brother? We’re lovers. Jihi, mortified by his rudeness, pushed his hand away. That’s enough. Seung Huns mother is ill. Don’t shout like that. Realizing this was Seung Hoons mother, the man became visibly annoyed, showing his impatience. Oh, so you’re related to that brat Kong Seung Hun. Did he arrange for you two to meet? So Jihi would change her mind. Hearing such coarse words, Mijene became furious and retorted. Even if there’s a misunderstanding, there should be limits. We just came to see my brother. He grew even more arrogant, shouting, “If you know that, then just meet him quietly. Why pretend to know us?” He continued his loud tirade, and hearing his words, Sung Hune’s mother suffered a heart episode. Her face turned deathly pale, sweat pouring down like rain. She looked extremely distressed. Just then, Sun Hune also came out. Seeing the argument and his mother’s condition, he rushed over anxiously. Mijene, get mom to the hospital quickly. Call an ambulance. Mijene, panicked, hurriedly wheeled her mother away. Sun Hun stood frozen in place, consumed by anger. The unscrupulous He-Min continued to ramble nonchalantly. Seung Hune’s face darkened, looking truly terrifying. If he could, he truly wanted to send this man straight to hell. He spoke slowly, his voice thick with fury. My mother is ill. Any emotional distress can trigger an attack. No one is to raise their voice in front of her nor put any pressure on her. Jihai hastily apologized. I should have just ignored them. Walked right past. He Min still refusing to acknowledge his own fault shifted the blame. If he had just told them clearly that you and Jihigh broke up, it wouldn’t have come to this. Se Hune spoke, his voice low and grave. I already told you, don’t let my mother get agitated. She just got out of the hospital. I was planning to wait until she was a bit stronger before telling her stressful news like this. Besides, we only broke up a few days ago. The timing wasn’t even clear. Dissatisfied with Seung Hoons words, H min pointed a finger right in his face. You stay away from her. Se Hun stated bluntly, “It seems you’ve misunderstood. I have never cared for or looked after her. In short, right now, she is an outsider. As for you, Jihi, you should ask yourself if there are any misunderstandings between you two later. Resolve them yourselves. Sun Hun’s hands clenched into fists. He turned around, fixing the two of them with an icy glare. If either of you dares to pull a stunt like today in front of my family again, I absolutely will not forgive you. Sun Hoon’s murderous gaze seemed to convey that if anything happened to his mother, someone would pay dearly. He wanted them to know messing with him was one thing, but messing with his family crossed his absolute limit. Just as this drama unfolded, Song Mina also came down from upstairs. Witnessing the entire event ever since she had known Seung Hune, this was the first time she had seen him so furious and frightening. Having said what needed to be said, Sung Hune paid the two no further attention. Turning to leave, having been warned, H minuriously shouted, “You bastard. Stop right there. Who the hell do you think you are? You think you can do whatever you want? Just you wait. Ignoring the torrent of curses, Seung Hun walked away in silence. Returning to his room, Seung Hune quickly called his younger sister, asking about their mother’s condition. Hearing his sister say their mother was fine, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He felt guilty that he had to continue competing. Unable to be by his mother’s side at that moment, Mijene took the opportunity to ask about him and Jihai. Se Hun felt it wasn’t the right time and didn’t want to elaborate. He asked his sister to pass the phone to their mother, but not wanting him to worry, she told him to just focus on the competition and then hung up. Se Hun was still a bit anxious, but trusted his sister, so he returned to his room to prepare for the competition. He once again took out his father’s notebook, seizing the chance to study the cooking techniques within. This notebook was incredibly important to him, the final wish left behind by his late father. Just then, the program’s loudspeaker crackled to life with an announcement. The second round of the competition is about to begin. All contestants, please proceed to the first floor lobby. Sun Hun closed the notebook, murmuring to himself. Seung Hun, you can do this. At the first floor lobby, all the chefs who had passed the first round were already gathered. While waiting, he went over to greet his friend Go J. And the two chatted cheerfully. Jonte mentioned he was very surprised by Seung Hun’s performance in the first round and that he was eagerly looking forward to facing Seung Hun in the final match. Seung Hune suddenly asked Jante, “You’re really skilled. Do you know how to make chicken dishes?” Se Hun’s question elicited a somewhat strange reaction from Jonte. It seemed there was something he found difficult to say. In truth, he already knew the test topic from Jiang and had prepared accordingly. Jonte felt a pang of guilt over his cheating, but couldn’t bring himself to reveal it. He had no choice but to concoct a story in response to Se Hun. Jonte claimed that during his military service, he had learned by helping local villagers processed chicken. Janta then turned the same question back on Seung Hun. Seung Hun also found it difficult to speak openly. He couldn’t tell Jay that he had learned from the ingredients memories. Seung Hun resorted to lying, stating that he had learned while assigned to cook for the messaul during his time in the army. Their awkward conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the judges. They shook hands, offering words of encouragement. Let’s do our best. See you in the finals. Afterward, the judges invited all the contestants into the hall. The second round would take place there. Entering the hall, Sung Hun spotted some familiar faces and his eyes filled with indignation. It was none other than Yung Ilwu and Cian Sububach, the two seniors from the Mia Angong Hotel. The very individuals who had bullied him, forcing him to abandon his culinary dreams for so many years. Yung Ilw saw Sung Hune, too, shooting him a contemptuous look. How did someone like that Kong Se Hun even make it this far? Seeing Yung Ilwa’s detestable face fueled Sun Hoon’s anger further. Seung Hun closed his eyes, telling himself, “Ignore them. Just focus on the competition.” The contestants lined up standing neatly, ready to begin the second round. Myang was very enthusiastic about this competition. Nearly 200 contestants had participated on the first day, and now only the top 24 remained. This heightened his anticipation for the next round. He announced the rules for this stage. The competition would proceed in a one-on-one format. In each match, two chefs would prepare the same dish and present it to the judges. The contestant with the lower score would be eliminated. Contestants could choose their opponents based on their ranking from the previous round. Sun Hune, having ranked first in the chicken preparation preliminary, would be the first to designate an opponent. This was a difficult decision as the chefs who had advanced to this round were all far more seasoned and experienced than he was. As Se Hun was contemplating whom to choose, Go Jonte suddenly spoke up. Excuse me, may I request a match against Chef Kong Seung Hun. Mong asked, “Go Jonte, why do you wish to challenge Kong Seong Hun?” Janta replied, “The reason relates to something that happened eight years ago.” Sean Hun immediately understood the hidden meaning in his friend’s words. The competition 8 years ago, he mentioned, was actually the military cooking contest from 5 years prior. Back then, Jonte had won first place, while Sun Hune had taken second. The results from this morning’s preliminary round were the reverse of that day. This ignited within him the desire to win. So that was the meaning behind their earlier handshake. However, another pair of displeased eyes were also fixed intently on Jong T. Jiang felt extremely annoyed. His own student had made such a decision unilaterally. This kid should have chosen a weaker opponent. What was he thinking choosing the top ranked contestant? Just get through this round. Then once we’re on a live broadcast, I’ll help you secure the championship. Yun Jang asked enthusiastically. Your opponent is the number one contestant. Are you really that confident? Yong T replied seriously, “Yes, it’s not a problem.” Since he was a student, Jiang didn’t say anything further, but he knew Yanjangs provocative style would only strengthen Yong T’s resolve. Yan Jang turned towards Sun Hoon, asking, “What do you think of this challenge? Do you accept?” Se Hune hesitated slightly. He also wanted to compete against his friend at least once, but he had other matters to settle. Seeing Sun Hune’s hesitation, Judge Mong spoke up with a reminder. “You don’t have to accept the challenge. Feel free to directly choose the opponent you want. Se Hun hesitated no longer, immediately selecting his opponent. The person he wanted to defeat was none other than the insolent brute who had been rude to his family. He Minhi Min still displayed immense disdain for Seung Hun because Se Hun was merely a lowly inter at the hotel. Seung Hune calmly asked, “Your chef at the pressa hotel, correct? I want to know what the standards are for hotels ranked in the top 20 like yours.” Seung Hun’s confidence only fueled H min’s anger further. He turned to Seung Hun, his voice dripping with contempt. I heard your hotel is ranked 100th, right? A 100th rank hotel is just a third rate establishment and you’re just a gopher in that garbage hotel. What do you mean you want to know the standards? Why don’t you just admit you want revenge because your girlfriend was stolen? Facing this insolent man, Se Hun maintained his composure as if nothing had happened. It was unclear what level of self-mastery he had achieved to be able to ignore such insults. He Min thought his provocation would affect Sun Hoon, but it didn’t. Seung Hune replied nonchalantly, “I already told you in the hallway, you’ve misunderstood. I genuinely just want to know your hotel standards. I want to see if sue chef John Hen here is truly skilled at cooking or if only his mouth holds the title of sue chef.” These subtly sarcastic yet profoundly human words, though delivered gently, drove the venomous Jon he men into a fury. He was about to unleash more curses when the competition organizers announced the start of filming. The two stood before the judges, a cart laden with cooking ingredients positioned between them. Everyone eagerly awaited the unfolding of the first showdown. The ingredients concealed beneath a black cloth further peaked the curiosity of the chef’s presence. Ji Sung announced the ingredients before you are the theme for this round. This is one of today’s direct elimination rounds. All eyes turned eagerly towards the black cloth, concealing the ingredients beneath. Sun Hune and He Min answered in unison, seemingly already knowing what lay hidden. Jiang approached slowly, pulling the black cloth away and tossing it aside. That’s right. This round’s theme is the chicken and chicken eggs that you pre-prepared earlier. You may freely use these ingredients to create dishes beyond our expectations. The time is yours to manage. Create the most perfect dishes possible. After the match begins, partitions will be installed on the cooking stations. So, even we won’t know what you’re doing. The time limit is currently 30 minutes after hearing the signal. You two will begin selecting the remaining ingredients to prepare the dish you wish to make. Se Hoon was still contemplating what dish to make for a surprise. His eyes filled with determination. He wanted to create a dish that no one could anticipate, and the main ingredient he chose was none other than the chicken eggs beside him. His opponent, John Hi Min, had also finished selecting ingredients and begun preparations. Damn it, Kong Seung Hun, whatever tricks you pull, you won’t surpass me. I’ll show you the skill level of a sue chef. Indeed, his skills were not to be underestimated. His speed in handling ingredients was rapid, incredibly precise, and neat. As he worked, he glanced at Seung Hun with eyes full of hatred. You, you dog, I’ll send you down to the hell called elimination. Unlike Seung Hune, who focused solely on his own work, Himman occasionally stole glances at Seung Hune. He had seen the ingredients Sun Hune selected, guessing the dish he would make. It seemed he too had chosen eggs as the main ingredient. He was very confident in his ability to prepare egg dishes because before becoming a sue chef, he had worked as a kitchen assistant and the ingredient he handled most was eggs. He poured olive oil into the pan, heated it to a specific temperature, then took a square mold, cracked eggs into it to shape them, frying them slowly over low heat until the yolks were perfectly runny. Very quickly, he finished making four incredibly beautiful sunny side up eggs. The flawless, perfect sunny side up eggs boosted his confidence even further. Next, he cleaned the pan, poured in about 200 ml of olive oil. There were seven types of pre-prepared ingredients. He added them all to the pan, stirring evenly. When the ingredients firmed up, nearly cooked through, he added tomato paste, then added 500 milliliters of fresh milk, adjusted the heat, and waited for it to boil. When the sauce began to boil, he added the previously fried eggs along with cheese. Finally, adding a few basil leaves. The perfect dish to defeat you is complete. Kong Seung Hun, let’s see what dish you’ll make now. As the 30 minutes concluded, Judge Jiang called for both contestants to cease their preparations and swiftly plate their dishes. Both stood in silence, awaiting the judge’s command. Please reveal your dishes. Se Hune and John Hmen simultaneously reached out to unveil their creations. He Min’s dish, vibrant with eye-catching colors, looked utterly enticing, immediately making a strong positive impression on the judging panel upon reveal. turning their gaze to Se Hoon’s dish. However, expressions of disappointment flickered across their faces. Yun Jang openly displayed her disdain. What on earth is this? Egg sushi with a fried egg. Even Mong, who wished to support Sun Hun, felt a sense of secondhand embarrassment for the utterly unremarkable dish. Judge Jiang was also profoundly astonished. He couldn’t fathom how the contestant, who had surprised him multiple times, could produce something so utterly ordinary. Why would he make this? What is this young man thinking? He cleared his throat with a slight cough and announced that let us first sample John Hmin’s dish. The judges showed considerable enthusiasm for his creation. Much to He Min’s smug satisfaction. Eight portions were presented before the panel. Ms. Yun Jang observed that the dish was not only beautifully colored but also possessed an alluring aroma. Her interest clearly peaked. She inquired, “What is the name of this dish?” Johnny Min replied with a smile. This is a signature egg dish from North Africa, also known by the name Shikshuka or Hell’s Eggs Chef. The name alone sounds intriguing. Chef Jung scooped up a spoonful of the sauce, slowly bringing it to his lips to savor. The tomato flavor is very refined, further accentuating the taste of the egg, though delicious. How many milliliters of olive oil did you use to prepare this? 200 ml, sir, he answered. Chef Jsung’s expression turned serious. Have you tasted your own dish? Look closely. There’s a significant amount of oil floating on top, isn’t there? You’ve used far too much olive oil for me. Aside from this point, everything else is quite well done. Receiving praise from Chef G Sun filled him with immense joy. However, his elation was short-lived as Mr. Mong offered his critique. I feel it’s a pity about these eggs. Perhaps you focus too much on shaping them, using fully cooked fried eggs to achieve such an appealing form. Traditionally, shukshuka shouldn’t use this type of egg, but rather raw eggs poached directly in the sauce with the yolk remaining runny like a softboiled egg. This dish is very tasty, and the egg should have been the star. But unfortunately, Ms. Yun Jong also commended the creativity in Jon Hein’s dish. Garnering wholehearted support from one judge bolstered his confidence immensely, convincing him he could undoubtedly defeat Sun Hoon’s plain egg creation. The evaluation of Jon Hein’s dish is now complete. Next, we shall turn our attention to the dish by Kong Seung Hun. Could there be something truly special hidden within this simple plate of eggs that lent Sun Hoon such confidence? Next, it was Sun Hoon’s dish brought forth for evaluation. The presentation was rather simple, featuring just three pieces of egg sushi alongside three pieces of sunny side up eggs. Could there be some hidden surprise within? Judge Jiang tried to suppress his own irritation. “Hm, just looking at the presentation, it’s clear you put no thought into this. What are you aiming for with this dish?” Mong inquired, “What is the theme of this meal?” Se Hun slowly replied, “I’ve given this dish a very special name.” As soon as he uttered the name, even Miong couldn’t help but reveal a look of astonishment. “This dish is called the prejudice-breaking breakfast. A dish that looked so ordinary yet bore such a grand name. Slightly irked judge Ji Song. But regardless, they had to taste it before they could pass judgment. One couldn’t judge the flavor solely by its appearance. Mongs mind was now filled with questions about this deceptively simple dish. She asked again, “Does this dish need to be eaten in a specific order?” Sun Hune pointed towards the plate, explaining, “The egg sushi on the right is the main course, and the sunny side up eggs on the left are the dessert.” Mong asked sternly, “Are you sure? I see both of these as main dishes.” Sunny side up eggs are definitely not dessert. Se Hun elaborated, “Appetizers are typically seasoned with salt. They just need to be placed alongside the main dish. That’s why I named this dish the prejudice-breaking breakfast.” Seeing Sun Hoon’s confidence, Hen felt a surge of irritation, cursing inwardly. “Why is this kid so confident? How could something so ordinary break any prejudice?” After Sung Hoon finished his explanation, the judges had no further questions. They began to taste the dish in the order Sung Hoon had introduced. All three judges simultaneously picked up a piece of egg sushi and placed it in their mouths. As they started chewing, their reactions were less than favorable. Judge Yun Jong showed clear disappointment. What is this? I truly expected too much. It’s just incredibly ordinary sushi. Judge Jiang immediately showed his agreement. Only Mong offered a more objective assessment. The egg yolk is beaten very evenly and the egg part is cooked beautifully. The rice is also perfectly sticky and the sourness is just right. The seaweed is also delicious. He asked Se Hune, “Did you cook the rice yourself?” Sun Hune answered, “Honestly, no, chef. I just heated up instant rice and season it again to make the sushi.” But no matter how he explained the preparation, the dish remained exceedingly ordinary. a far cry from the theme of a surprising dish. Although Mong tried hard to find positive things to say, in reality it was merely an average dish. He frowned, speaking with a hint of regret, is he perhaps overestimating himself. While the judges hesitated, Sun Hun spoke up, reminding them, “If everyone has finished the main course, please enjoy the dessert.” Se Hun picked up the plate and spoon. It’s best to enjoy this dessert with a spoon. Mr. Mong felt it was a bit strange. Judge Ji Sung, harboring no hope, said, “Hurry up. Let’s get this over with.” Anyway, the main course and dessert are the same type. Nothing worth anticipating. Let’s just taste it and score it. The three judges each took an egg, placing it on their plates. Outwardly, there was indeed nothing special, just a sunny side up egg. The yolk wasn’t fully cooked, so it seemed a bit tough. Ms. Yun Jang also remarked, “If this is a sunny side up egg, the white is too raw.” There’s no sincerity in this at all. Mr. Miyong was the first to taste it. He scooped up the entire yolk with his spoon, quickly bringing it to his mouth. A second later, his face showed clear satisfaction. He exclaimed excitedly, “Unbelievable this.” Seeing the judge’s reaction, Se Hun smiled confidently. He knew his dish was a success. Mr. Mong enthusiastically turned to the other two judges who were hesitating to eat. “You two should try it. You can score it right after. There’s a surprise waiting.” Although somewhat skeptical of Mr. from Yongsung’s words. Judge Jiang and Miss Yun Jang decided to try it. As soon as they put it in their mouths, a sensation like an electric shock shot straight to their brains, startling both Judge Ji and Ms. Yun Jang, their faces revealing utter astonishment. This is egg, right? But why does it taste so strange? It’s sour. Judge Ji Sun, though silent, had to admit inwardly the white is indeed egg white, but the yolk is made from a different ingredient. The sensation of chewing the yolk is truly wonderful, especially its characteristic sour taste, he asked delightedly. Did you use mango? Yes, that’s right, Sean Hun replied. Judge Jiang looked very pleased, praising, this is the first time I’ve happily praised you, Se Hun. How interesting. The blandness of the egg highlights the sourness of the mango. The use of the egg white is also maximally integrated with the ingredients of the main dish. Mr. from meong side in relief as if a burden had been lifted. Smiling as he said, contestant Kong Seung Hune, “Honestly, I feel like I’ve just been ambushed.” Within 30 minutes, you used molecular gastronomy to make a spectacular comeback. Endless praise was showered upon Seung Hune. Even the demanding judge Gi had no words of criticism. This made Hein feel extremely anxious. A judge asked with a laugh, “Where did you learn to cook molecular gastronomy?” Not from comic book again, was it? Sun Hun replied slightly embarrassed. This time it wasn’t from a comic book. I learned it on YouTube. The once again flippant answer left judge G. Sun feeling very displeased. We need to deliberate and assign scores. Now after tasting, the judges took time to discuss and evaluate just like previously in Master Chef before reaching a decision. Concluding their discussion, the judges solemnly prepared to announce the evaluation results. Judge Gon commented on H min’s meat wrapped egg. This dish’s flavor is imperfect. There are still too many basic errors. I believe you focused too much on the presentation and neglected the fundamentals. As for contestant Kong Sun Hon, the egg sushi roll was indeed very ordinary. Nothing special, but the fried egg was absolutely outstanding. The yolk made from mango created a perfect dessert. Judge Mong added, “That’s right. In Manhattan, I rarely encounter molecular gastronomy. I never expected to taste such a perfect dish in this competition. Your dish completely fits the theme of surprise that we said the winner of this round we unanimously decided with a score of three to zero. The winner is contestant Kong Seung Hun. Congratulations on your victory. After the results were announced, H min hung his head unable to accept the reality. The dish he had intended to use to drag Sun Hun down ultimately became his own downfall. He gritted his teeth, his heart filled with bitterness. A sue chef from a top 20 restaurant, yet he lost an intern from a mediocre hotel ranked outside the top 100. Where could he possibly hide this overwhelming shame? Seung Hun walked up to the second floor with his head held high, awaiting the next round. As for Hin, he had no choice but to accept defeat. Watching Sun Hun’s retreating back, Judge Jiang couldn’t help but think, “This kid, first it was those ribs. The second time it was the chicken preparation method and this time a dish like this. Moreover, he’s equally proficient in all of them. This sense of perfection makes me feel uneasy. It’s too familiar. Kong Seung Hun. Who exactly is this kid? Why does he keep lingering in my mind like this? One competition, two individuals, two different mindsets, two divergent paths. One walks the road to victory with his head held high. The other carries envy and bitterness down the path of the defeated. That bastard. How could he lose? How could those chefs choose that bastard? He gritted his teeth and cursed. It wasn’t just ordinary eggs, but eggs made from ordinary eggs. I thought he didn’t know how to cook, so he only made simple dishes in Vietnam. He glared daggers at Sung Hune, thinking inwardly, how despicable. It wasn’t a conventional dish, so the judges were surprised, causing me to lose. Just you wait, Kong Seung Hune. No matter what happens, I will escape the elimination list. This grudge, I will repay you a h 100,000 times over. Se Hun stood on the second floor, watching the situation below with amusement, reflecting on the match that had just ended. Absolutely fantastic. The judge’s feedback was even better than I imagined. If I hadn’t found those ingredients in the refrigerator back then, that dish, even just as an experiment, I wouldn’t have been able to make it. I didn’t expect there to be so many highquality ingredients in the fridge. The way they arranged the ingredients like that, it felt like they were telling me, “Go ahead, make it.” At that moment, I resolved myself, determined to create a dish that no one could look down upon. Sun Hun still harbored some suspicion. Could the production team have deliberately arranged it, allowing someone to make such a dish? Otherwise, those things couldn’t possibly have been in the refrigerator. The outstanding performance of the molecular gastronomy dish in the first round left the production team immensely satisfied. It was Song Mina herself who had intentionally placed those ingredients there. He lavishly praised her idea. Song Mina hadn’t expected her idea to be utilized by Se Hun so immediately. The production team told her to go interview Se Hune later to see how he felt. The first contestant was Kong Seung Hun. He had chosen his opponent and emerged victorious against them. Next, let’s invite the second place contestant, the one who ranked second globally in the previous round, Yangi, to step onto the stage. Choosing an opponent made Yangi ponder for a long time. This irritated judge Ji Song, who thought inwardly, what’s there to hesitate about? Just pick the weakest opponent. As long as you pass this hurdle, you can rightfully advance to the finals. Stop clinging to that useless pride. Yanti and his mentor thought differently. He wanted to prove his own abilities fair and square. Go Yandi felt it was a pity he had missed the match against Se Hune. But there were a few people who truly irked him. Those guys from Ayand Dong Hotel. He had encountered them during the seminar. It had been too rushed then. So he hadn’t known the connection between Sun Hoon and them. Only later did Yandi find out. They were the ones who had bullied Seung Hun causing him so much despair that he gave up his job as a chef. More importantly, they had also passed the previous round easily, proving their skills were not insignificant. Go Yanti silently resolved. I must rise above those from Myandong Hotel. Just looking at them is repulsive. Letting them remain in the competition makes me feel very uncomfortable. Go Yanti made his decision. He wanted to choose the sue chef of Mayong Dong Hotel. Naturally, his decision displeased judge Ji Sung, but the choice was made and the judges had to respect the contestants decision. Yung Ilwa’s name was called. He was slightly surprised, but still stepped forward confidently. Just like the previous round, they had 30 minutes to prepare their dish. Yung Ilw carried an air of immense arrogance, provocatively saying, “How interesting, the sue chef of one of Korea’s most famous inner hotels. Why choose a chef from a mediocre hotel like Myong Dong as an opponent? If it were me, I’d pick some bottom tier hotel. Wouldn’t that make winning easier? Or perhaps you want revenge for your friend. Go Yang paid no mind to his taunts. Get serious. Teach that brat a lesson. Make him focus his energy on cooking instead of boasting. 30 minutes later, both carried their dishes up before the three judges. The judges asked the two contestants to introduce their dishes. Both lifted their lids simultaneously. Go Yandi’s dish was a chicken breast medallion and sunny side up egg crafted from chicken and egg. Yung Ilwa’s dish was Jins Singh chicken soup. Naturally, Master Ji Sun showed favor towards his own disciple. He chose Go Yandi’s plate to taste first. Miss Yun Jang had already taken a bite. Master Jung, however, held the plate. A hint of doubt in his eyes. What’s this pill leaf sauce sprinkled on the side of the plate? And there’s lemon flavor, too. Isn’t the steak and fried egg already drizzled with teriyak sauce? Go Yiani explained. After processing, chicken can sometimes have a gy smell, so I added pill leaf and lemon. It also allows people to choose their dipping sauce according to their preference. If the sauce feels too heavy, one can pair it with the sunny side up egg, then taste the steak. Master Jung was quite satisfied, but he kept it to himself, thinking inwardly. The pan seared steak is cooked perfectly. The seasoning is spot-on. The pill leaf sauce isn’t bad either. It pairs well with the sunny side up egg. Masterang was the first to voice his praise for Go Yangti. Good. The dish is delicious. However, even without the pill leaf sauce, the gaminess was already eliminated. The chicken is also very tender. Before Yanti could fully savor the compliment, Miss Yun Jong let out a sigh. A pity. Truly a pity. It seems she harbored some dissatisfaction with the dish. her expression revealing as much. Master Jiang immediately inquired a pity about what I find it delicious. Inwardly, he grumbled, “What is she planning to find fault with now?” That old woman, she commented, “The pallet is too simple. Are these elements just for decoration?” Overall, the dish lacks vegetables, so it cannot achieve harmony and unity. This dish needed just a little more to become perfect. Isn’t that truly a pity? Miss Yanjongs words made Yangdi aware of his mistake. He had focused solely on the theme, rendering the dish indeed too monotonous. Nevertheless, the dish had received positive evaluations. Next was Yung Ilw’s Jinseng chicken soup. Ms. Yin Jang inhaled the rich aroma, a look of satisfaction gracing her features. He too was a seasoned hand. To cook Jinseng chicken soup, Samji Tang within 30 minutes was truly no simple feat. It appeared he had chosen a young chicken and used a pressure cooker to stew it. Master Jiang wanted to try the broth first. The three judges simultaneously took a sip of the soup. Ms. Yun Jang lavishly praised the flavor of the broth. Next, they began to savor the chicken. The meat was stewed until tender, incredibly soft. A gentle nudge with chopsticks was enough to separate the meat, requiring no effort. The chicken had just the right amount of chewiness, neither mushy nor tough. Young Ilwu had thoughtfully prepared a small dish of salt for the judges to use if they found it bland. The three judges began to taste the chicken. Both contestants anxiously awaited their comments. Master Miang voiced his praise. To cook such delicious Jinseng chicken soup in just 30 minutes is truly impressive. However, it’s a bit bland. Since salt was prepared, this small flaw can be overlooked. Ms. Yun Jang appeared very pleased. The dish suited her pallet perfectly. Judge Ji Sun also agreed that the dish was delicious, but he added, “We are selecting the master chef, not just an ordinary cook. A dish should tell a story. It should possess creativity.” Yung Ilw’s dish, while tasty, is too commonplace. Master Miang, standing nearby, knew he was supporting Go Yangi and deliberately found fault to prevent Go Yandi from losing. In the final evaluation round, Miss Yun Jang cast her vote for Yung Ilwu because his dish was more delicious than she had anticipated. Naturally, Judge Ji Sun supported his own protege. Yanti’s dish is more creative, so I vote for him. The power to decide victory or defeat rested in Master Mong’s hands. It was an awkward situation because the person backing Yanni was Judge Gi Song, but Master Mong showed no favoritism. He delivered his critique. Both dishes are very delicious, but neither offers any surprise or breakthrough. Go Yanti created a distinction with a pill leaf sauce. I don’t know what Judge Jiang thinks, but I feel it’s somewhat regrettable. Hearing Master Mong’s assessment, Judge Jiong’s face darkened. He knew this man was extremely fair and wouldn’t show bias just for him. Master Mong continued his critique. The sauce is very tasty, quite perfect, but in terms of harmony, it’s still lacking. As I mentioned earlier, the gaminess of the chicken was handled very well. So, the pill leaf sauce wasn’t strictly necessary. But the result is after dipping in the pill leaf sauce, the steak tastes slightly salty. That is the regrettable point. Therefore, I will choose the more delicious dish, which is Yung Ilw’s Jinseng chicken soup. At this moment, veins pulsed on Judge Jiang’s forehead. If the show weren’t being broadcast live, quite a scene might have unfolded right there. The final result, Yung Ilwan. Go Yandi was eliminated. Yangti couldn’t believe he’d been eliminated in just the second round. He stood there stunned, lost in thought, reproaching himself. Was I too confident? If only I hadn’t made the pill leaf sauce and focused more on the presentation. Well, regret is pointless now. I need to prepare thoroughly for the next competition. Seeing that detestable fellow swagger up to the second floor, Yong D felt a pang of irritation. The man even deliberately glanced back at him with a provocative look, making this defeat feel even more humiliating for Yandi. Just then, Kong Seung Hun emerged from the interview room. He seemed somewhat pensive, having been asked many personal questions, especially the final one. Thinking of Yandi’s match, Seung Hun pushed aside his thoughts and hurried back to the main hall. Meanwhile, Song Mina was in the interview room, also lost in thought. She stared at the script with a dejected expression. The photographer called out to her, startling her, “Don’t just stand there spacing out. Get ready to interview the next person.” However, he also felt the previous interview questions have been somewhat excessive, so he added, “Why did you ask Kong Seung Hun that question Mina stammered unsure how to respond backstage at the competition, Sun Hune had managed to overhehere the judge’s comments?” Go Yangti losing to that despicable Yung ill will left Seung Hun utterly astonished. Given Yanti’s skills, it was impossible for him to lose so easily. That detestable young Il Woo upon reaching the second floor immediately put on an arrogant expression. He approached Sun Hune, provoking him with a mocking tone. Look at your friend. One of the contestants who lost and is about to be eliminated. Competing against me is feudal. You don’t need to be ashamed. Se Hune, not to be outdone, retorted. Mind your own business. Do you cook with your mouth? Stop causing trouble. We’ll see you in the next round. The competition isn’t over yet. Taken aback by the retort, the despicable man didn’t know what to do and started spewing venom again, saying contemptuously, “Oh dear, this dog getting cocky just because you got into that run-down hotel. Stop bragging. Sit tight and watch. Your chance is over.” Though furious at the hateful words of that despicable man, because this was the competition he had always dreamed of with a goal of winning the championship, he had to endure it no matter what. He needed to defeat him thoroughly in this kitchen. Returning to the competition, the next contestant was a beautiful female chef with 9 years of experience from the Versa Hotel, Ju Yong Hi. She chose Sogi, he as her opponent. Soji, he was surprised to find that the woman knew her name. While Soji, he knew nothing about this female chef. But Soji, he knew that the Versa Hotel was one of the top six hotels. Their chef skills were certainly not to be underestimated. The showdown between the two beautiful female chefs was indeed something to look forward to. The judges asked Young Hi why she chose Soji. She replied that there was no particular reason, but Soji Hei still felt there must be a reason why she was chosen. If there was nothing more to say, the competition began. The two contestants were invited back to their kitchens. Soji he thought the judges have tasted many dishes and must be full by now. So she decided to make a light dish. The dish she chose was a Mediterranean salad with ingredients including purple cabbage, lettuce, broccoli and cherry tomatoes. Salad is a simple dish making it difficult to create distinction and moreover mixing a salad doesn’t require cooking. But even so there were two key points the egg and the dressing. After preparing the vegetables, soji he turned to the pot of water, boiling vigorously on the stove, she placed the eggs into boil. The eggs shouldn’t be overcooked or undercooked. Boiling them just right is best to achieve a perfect softboiled egg. After the water boiled, the eggs were added and boiled for about 6 and 1/2 to 7 minutes. While waiting for the eggs to cook, Soji he started preparing the sauce. Soji, he wondered what dish her opponent was making. On the other side, Yangi was also busy with her own creation. This gentle-looking girl possessed an entirely different inner self. Her choice of Sogi, he as an opponent had its reasons. Not born of personal vendetta, but simply a sisterly rivalry. There were few female chefs on the show, and Soji, he was beautiful around the same age. To catch the producers’s eyes, one absolutely had to rank high. To become famous, image was paramount. To be easily remembered by the audience and producers, one’s image couldn’t overlap with anothers. Therefore, eliminating Soji he was a must because Soji he was prettier than her. If soji he got screen time, she feared she herself would be overshadowed. She also astutely noticed the judges had tasted many dishes and might already be full, so she too chose to make a light dish. She chose dessert. So Jihi’s pancakes. The person the producers are interested in is definitely me. truly women outwardly showing nothing but internally full of schemes. The 30 minutes of cooking time was almost up. Soji he picked up her pace completing the final steps. She used mayonnaise mixed with a little honey to concoct a salad dressing then mixed it thoroughly creating the sauce for her salad. So he felt a little anxious, her mind swirling with all sorts of confusing thoughts. If you can’t eliminate others, you yourself will be eliminated. She didn’t know what the elimination entailed, but it was best not to be eliminated like He-Man. So Sogji, he suddenly recalled Sun Hoon’s words. I don’t want to see someone who only focuses on others mistakes while falling behind themselves. This sentence made her instinctively turn her head towards the mezzanine. Her eyes searching around. But Sun Hoon was no longer there. He wasn’t watching her competition at all. That proved it. She was no longer important to him. So Jihi’s gaze dimmed. She thought to herself, “If you can’t have it, don’t force it. Don’t search anymore.” Sacrificing a long-term future for a fleeting benefit. Lost deep in these wandering thoughts. Soji he suddenly realized with a start she had forgotten to turn off the stove. The eggs were overcooked, a look of clear dismay spread across her face. Soji he hurriedly turned off the heat, scooped out the eggs, and quickly plunged them into cold water. As she peeled the eggs, she prayed they weren’t boiled too hard. But when she cut an egg in half, the truth was irreversible. The eggs were overcooked. The yolks had hardened completely. There was no time left to boil new eggs. Could she really just give up like this? Without the eggs, the salad wouldn’t be complete. Quickly thinking on her feet to salvage the situation. Soji, he used an egg whisk to mash the hardened yolks finely, then sprinkled them evenly over the salad surface. The remaining eggs. She used a spoon to scoop out the cooked yolks and added them to the previously prepared sauce, stirring it all together. Doing so could make the sauce smoother and creamier, enhancing the eggs flavor. She divided the salad into three equal portions, placing them in small bowls, just enough for the judges to taste. Finally, she sprinkled a little crispy fried flour on top to complete the dish. Soji, he let out a sigh of relief. She had finally finished the dish within the allotted time. Despite the unexpected hiccup, the dish was brought before the judges and Jiang asked the two contestants to introduce their creations. Soji Hei and Yang Hei simultaneously lifted the lids, then took turns presenting their dishes. Soji’s dish was a Mediterranean salad, while Yonghes was a bacon wrapped egg pancake roll. Jiang was quite pleased. Both were very thoughtful, preparing lighter dishes, assuming the judges might already be full after tasting so many entries. Miong found young his bacon wrapped egg pancake roll particularly interesting. Praising her creativity and boldness in using bacon as the pancakes outer layer. Actually, there was a specific reason for this choice. When she thought of making pancakes, she looked for a mold. But unfortunately, the competition didn’t provide one. Without a mold, shaping the pancake would be very difficult. But this young woman was quite clever. She immediately thought of using a platinum mold substitute, wrapping the flour and egg mixture with bacon, creating a base that acted like a mold. Though perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing, it was acceptable. Young also felt satisfied with her performance this round. Although it was a last resort, judging by the judge’s praise, it seemed to have been successful. Both dishes were beautifully presented, making the three judges eager to taste them. Mong suggested starting with the salad as it looked more like an appetizer. Soji he explained how to eat it. Simply drizzle the sauce over before eating, then mix everything together. The judges followed Soji He’s instructions and began to savor the dish. Watching the judges eat with apparent enjoyment. Soji He’s tension eased considerably. But a mistake remained a mistake. Even if compensated for in another way, it was still a flaw. Yungjun was the first to offer his critique. Regrettably, I believe the egg in this salad should have been softboiled, but this is a hard-boiled egg. And furthermore, it’s been mashed. However, the flavor is still very good. Mong added, I also find it delicious, but in the style of Mediterranean salad, the egg should typically be hald and placed on top, not mashed. The judge’s accurate assessments made Soji he increasingly anxious. But fortunately, they didn’t criticize the overall taste of her dish. Jiang maintained his cool demeanor, offering no comment yet. He wanted to try Ju Young Heath dish first before giving his evaluation. For the pancake roll, all three judges adopted a rustic approach, picking it up with their hands and taking a large bite to enjoy it. Juang, he looked towards Yun Jang, confident in her creation. She had accurately grasped Yongjin’s palette. The closer a dish leaned towards traditional Korean cuisine, the more readily it earned the judge’s approval. Yongjin, while savoring the creation, offered effusive praise. The flavor is exquisite, and the chewiness is perfectly judged. The balance between salty and sweet is spot-on, and the egg itself tastes remarkably fresh. Mong readily concurred, “Absolutely.” Given the bacon, one might anticipate a strong saltiness, but the critical achievement here is how perfectly the meat salinity is controlled. You’ve executed this brilliantly. Only Ji Song remained silent, offering no immediate critique as he returned thoughtfully to his designated seat. A wave of anxiety washed over Ju Yong Hei, her thoughts racing. What is going on? Two of them have already given their verdicts. Surely they haven’t struck a deal with the network, predetermining that the other girl should win. Having regrouped, the three judges continued their deliberations regarding the two competing dishes. After a pregnant pause, Jiang finally spoke. I shall now announce the winner. Jiang declared, “Ju Yong He’s name.” The word striking Soji he like an unexpected thunderclap. Jiang elaborated on the rationale behind their decision. The core evaluation criterion for this challenge was the preparation of the egg. From my perspective, neither contestants dish viewed holistically was exceptionally groundbreaking. That is why I initially reserve my judgment. However, comparing the two directly, I found Ju Yang Hi’s dish to possess superior flavor. Yet, this was not the ultimate determinant. My focus remained primarily on the treatment of the egg. Soji, he utilized the egg as merely a supporting element, whereas Ju Yong, he actively strove to elevate it to the role of the main ingredient. This distinction significantly swayed my decision. Congratulations to you, Ju Yong he. The judging panel further commented that Ju Yong He’s dish was indeed exceptionally tasty with all judges concurring that it represented the most outstanding culinary creation presented during today’s competition segment. Zu Yang he emerges victorious. Please ascend to the second floor. So Jihi kindly returned to the back area and await the elimination round with heavy steps. So he retreated the weight of a self-inflicted outcome pressing down on her. Hegami materialized before Sojihi, offering solace like a considerate gentleman, finding her disheartened by defeat and in need of a comforting presence. Sojihi accepted his embrace with a semblance of sweetness. Completely unaware that this egg mixer harbored ulterior motives, the competition arena required a brief interlude for rearrangement. The contestants vanquished in the initial round now brace themselves for the impending elimination challenge. Before the commencement of this next crucial battle, the judges had one further announcement to deliver. The top performer from the preceding round was Kong Seung Hun. The moment the words left the judge’s lips, every gaze in the room converged upon him. A mixture of admiration, resentment, and undisguised envy palpable in the air. Crucially, however, the victor of that round was granted an additional significant advantage, the power of immunity from elimination. Yet, this immunity was not for personal use. Instead, it was designated to be conferred upon one of the 12 contestants poised on the brink of the elimination round. This signified that Sun Hune possessed the discretionary power to deploy his privilege, potentially rescuing any contestant who might falter and face defeat in the upcoming challenge. Following this revelation, the judges proceeded to unveil the theme for the current round. A trolley shrouded mysteriously by a large cloth was wheeled into view, concealing beneath its veil the pivotal ingredient for the next test. Yungjin step forward excitedly, reaching out to lift the covering cloth. The main ingredient for this round challenge is cooking with traditional Korean sauces. The time limit is 30 minutes. And in this task, the two contestants with the lowest scores will be eliminated directly with no chance for redemption. Officially entering the match, this is a direct elimination round. Contestants must maintain intense focus, being more cautious with her chosen dishes. Jihigh anxiously asked her boyfriend what dish he planned to make. The dish he chose was stir- fried octopus with chili paste. Jihai wanted to cook tofu soup as she was very confident in this dish. This time, Jihigh was extremely focused. She wouldn’t let wandering thoughts cause her to make a mistake again. Judge Jiang announced there were only 5 minutes left. Jihai was very pleased as her dish was nearly complete. This dish was inherently beautiful, requiring no decoration. Once finished, it just needed to be placed in an earththenware pot. In stark contrast to Jihai’s calm composure, it seemed Hegami was in deep trouble. His detestable face clearly showed helplessness. How terrible. I’ve overcooked it. Never before had I seen someone with as much sue chef experience as him make such a basic stir frying error. The meat in the pot was burnt dry. Just looking at it was off-putting. He watched as the other contestants successfully completed their dishes. His eyes glancing over jihai. Zu Yang, after tasting the tofu soup, couldn’t stop praising it. He knew that with his disastrous dish, elimination was certain. This scoundrel then devised a despicable plan to save himself. But the most repulsive part was that he targeted his own girlfriend. He pretended to suggest to Jihai, “There’s still time. What do you think about adding some green onions to the tofu soup?” Jihi thought it was a good idea and followed his suggestion. Without much thought, she turned back to the ingredient pantry to get more green onions. He stealthily followed her until she was out of sight. His eyes darted around nervously, surveying the surroundings. Everyone else was busy finishing their dishes. Even the cameraman focused his lens elsewhere. He glanced at the judges and saw they were engrossed in conversation. The moment was ripe. Without hesitation, this vile man grabbed a packet of salt and poured it straight into Jihai’s soup pot. Truly, even fierce tigers don’t eat their own cubs. How absurd. For his own benefit, his girlfriend meant nothing. He flashed a sinister smile, sneering inwardly. Sorry, Jihi. This is the only way to save myself. Jihai returned with the green onions, noticed nothing unusual, and began chopping them to add to her soup. Her face beamed with confidence, full of anticipation for her soup. The cooking time ended, and the judges would proceed directly to each contestant station to taste and score their dishes. Jihai had absolutely no idea she was about to be eliminated. That despicable man, Hegomi, still wore an impassive face, staring without a shred of remorse at Jihai’s soup pot, observing her satisfied expression. Surprisingly, the judges chose his station to taste and score first. Just seeing his unappetizing dark brown dish, Xiang already felt disgusted. What is this supposed to be? Grilled beef. It’s clearly burnt to a crisp. Do you expect us to eat charcoal? Hegami vehemently denied it, justifying himself. I only added soy sauce and chili paste, so the color is a bit dark. Yong Jin firmly asserted the dish was burnt. They refused to taste such a terrible creation. Hearing the refusal, Megumi’s face darkened. Jiong pointed directly at him, asking, “What’s wrong? Why do you look so agrieved?” He stammered. “You should at least taste it before judging.” Jiong reluctantly agreed, but instead of tasting it himself, he pushed it towards Mong. Though slightly displeased, Mong was nonetheless the senior, so he braced himself and reached out. He carefully picked up what seemed to be the tenderest piece of meat with his chopsticks, took a deep breath, and put it in his mouth. His expression turned sour, his voice laced with clear disgust. What kind of sauce is this? It’s obviously burnt. All I can taste is bitterness. Mong bluntly criticized. As a hotel sue chef, you must take responsibility for your dishes. Failing to control the heat is a major flaw. But making excuses for your flawed dish is even worse. I advise you to pray someone else performed worse than you, but I doubt that’s possible. Ignoring the vile little man Hegomi further, the three judges moved towards Jihai’s dish. That scoundrel Hegomi was eagerly anticipating the judges delivering negative feedback on Jihai’s dish precisely because he had sabotaged it. He hoped that at the very least he wouldn’t be the only one eliminated. Yong Jin spoke enthusiastically about the dish. He had tasted a little earlier and was very impressed. However, the inevitable moment arrived. After tasting a spoonful of the soup, all three judges wore grim expressions. Jihai’s face turned deathly pale, utterly drained of color. She still couldn’t comprehend what had happened to her soup, why it had turned out so terribly wrong. And naturally, the two individuals with the worst dishes would face elimination. Yung Jin said angrily. One person burns the meat and excuses it as the color of soy sauce. Another seasons perfectly, even receiving praise, yet somehow ends up with a pot of brine. Jihai felt incredibly wrong, grinding her teeth as she tried to figure out why. After being praised, she hadn’t touched her soup pot again. Why was it so salty? There was nothing wrong with the green onions either. It turned out that despicable man Hegami, driven by jealousy, had framed Jihai for elimination. Earlier during the competition against Ju Yang Hi, he had glanced up at the balcony, seemingly looking for Kong Seung Hun. A fickle person like him, sensing Jihai might be wavering, possibly want to get back with Seung Hun, decided to strike first. Moreover, this scoundrel would do anything, sees even the smallest chance to remain in the competition. Yong Jin added something that stunned Jihai completely. Quite the romantic relationship. Your boyfriend already revealed it during his interview. Jihai had wanted to keep this relationship secret throughout the competition, never expecting him to spill everything. Yongjin, furious, pointed directly at him and continued. Because you were afraid of being eliminated for your terrible cooking, you deliberately added salt to Jihai’s soybean paste soup, didn’t you? Jihai quickly explained, “No, that’s not right. I didn’t do that.” Only then did Jihi, startled as if guilty, glanced towards her boyfriend. Wait, could it be him? This scoundrel knew Jihi might have suspected, but she had no proof. More importantly, he was banking on Sun Hoon’s immunity power. He deluded himself into thinking Sun Hoon would use the immunity to save him. What a pipe dream. Seung Hune just wanted him gone from the competition. Yet, he still hoped to be saved. His scheme was to push Jihai towards elimination alongside himself to increase his own chances of being saved. Because he thought Jihi was Sun Hoon’s ex-girlfriend, he assumed Sung Hoon would definitely hold a grudge and refused to save her, thus making it highly probable that he himself would be saved. Not only were his cooking skills abysmal, but his heart was also wicked, and his mind seemed troubled, too. Having such a prize for a boyfriend, she was truly asking to be betrayed. The judges had lost all interest in these two disastrous dishes. Judge Ji Sun spoke up. Contestant Se Hune, holder of the immunity power, please step forward. Se Hoon moved forward, standing before the judges. To the two standing beside him, he now seemed like a savior. Judge Jiang asked, “Between the two candidates for elimination, who do you wish to save using the immunity you possess?” Sun Hun suddenly cut the judge off. Wait, I want to clarify something. Could it be that Sung Hune had discovered some shocking secret within the competition? Seung Hune’s words made the guilty party flinch. The judges slightly surprised asked, “What is it?” Sun Hoon spoke causing Hegami’s face to turn deathly pale. Someone deliberately sabotaged contestant so Jihisai’s dish. The despicable villain. Sweat poured off him like rain. He was sure he checked carefully before acting. How could this bastard have seen? Judge Jiongs expression turned stern. Immediately after, Songhun directly pointed out Hegomi as the one who put salt in Jihai’s dish. Before Seung Hun could finish his sentence, Hegami leaped up, protesting vehemently, “It wasn’t me. I absolutely did not do that. You have no proof. How can you falsely accuse me?” Yong Jin angrily retorted, “Falsely accuse. Stop making a scene and be quiet.” I believe this might explain why contestant So Jihai soup was unusually salty. She asked Son Hun if he had any proof. Of course he did. Otherwise, Sun Hun wouldn’t have so confidently exposed Hegmai’s deceitful face. Seung Hun stated that the camera following the judges must have certainly captured the scene. Jiang requested the production team to replay the footage from a camera. After watching the video, their expressions turned to disgust. The judges announced the footage showing Hegomi pouring a large amount of salt into Sojihi’s dish, leaving him unable to deny it. So Jihi glared furiously at him as if wanting to devour him whole. If not for the competition setting, a homicide might have occurred. Judge Ji Sun, outwardly calm, but with a voice filled with indignation, declared, “This is an unforgivable act. To cover up for his own terrible dish, he sabotaged a chef from his very own hotel. This is the worst thing I have ever witnessed. This act is not just sabotage of a dish, but also an insult to the very hotel he represents.” Mong asked, “So how shall we evaluate soji’s performance?” Although aware of this, he was a stern man unwilling to reconsider the evaluation. He decided that this competition would no longer have a place for Pria Hotel. After moment of thought, he made his decision. The evaluation of contestant Soji’s dish will remain unchanged. This statement struck Hegami like a bolt of lightning. Ji Sun continued, “Aren’t you two a couple? Do you view cooking as merely a tool to settle personal vendettas? Jihai wanted to explain but stammered, unable to form words. Ji Sun criticized, “What have you learned from your sue chef? Someone who cannot even cook basic dishes well. I suspect even if the dish hadn’t been sabotaged, its quality would still have been the poorest. Therefore, I will not change my assessment.” Yangjan added, her voice tinged with regret. “I don’t entirely agree with Judge Jiang’s recent remarks. I have tasted that dish before and know its flavor. But the fact that these two are engaged in such a lover’s quarrel is truly terrible. Therefore, I too will not change my evaluation. With both deciding to maintain their scores, Miong also upheld his decision. Both so Jihai and Hegami were eliminated. At this moment, all eyes turned towards Seung Hune because he held the immunity power. Judge Mong asked contestant Kong Sean Hune, “Have you used your immunity power?” Hearing this question, Hegomi suddenly became flustered. Why was it have you used and not are you going to use? Could it be? Sun Hun spoke slowly. The person for whom I used the immunity power is not present here. His words landed like a resounding slap across both their faces. This wretched bastard sacrificing even his lover but gaining nothing in return. All his elaborate schemes had crumbled into dust. The immunity wasn’t meant to be used at the show’s conclusion, but had been decided before the competition even began. He glared at Seung Hune, his eyes filled with bitter hatred. This time, he had lost everything, both his lover and his own honor. The judges officially announced, “Contestant Jihigh and contestant John Hegami, the two contestant from the Praia Hotel, you have been eliminated from the Master Sep program. Please leave your name tags and return to the hotel. Today’s competition has concluded. We will see you again tomorrow after the match ends. The love story of Jihai and the scoundrel Hegomi also reached its end. How could she forgive him after he had done such things? His attempts to hold on to her only fueled Jihai’s resentment further. She resolutely pushed his hand away, turning her back and walking away, ignoring his explanations or please. Before leaving, she had gone to Sung Hoons room but couldn’t muster the courage to knock. Perhaps she wanted to offer a belated apology. After standing before his door for a moment, Jihigh decided to leave without a word of farewell. Sung Hun knew she had come, but deliberately pretended not to notice. Drinking alone in his room to drown his sorrows. Perhaps outwardly he appeared strong. But deep in his heart, he still yearned for Jihi, the one who had callously abandoned him. At the end of the first day of filming for the final round, the program’s production team immediately held a meeting. The producer was very pleased that the filming had gone smoothly. After today’s competition, the contestants would have a two-day weekend break to prepare for the next round. While everyone was engaged in lively discussion, Song Mina was lost in thought. She recalled the scene she had accidentally witnessed. The argument between the couple, Son Hun and Jihi. She remembered that Se Hun used to date Jihai, but now that same Jihai was handinand with Hegami. Song Mina had guessed that the ending for Seung Hune and Jihai wouldn’t be pleasant. But what she couldn’t understand was why Seon Hune had helped her expose that terrible boyfriend before the elimination results were announced. The question of why kept swirling in Song Mina’s mind without an answer. She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the producer calling her name repeatedly, only snapping back to reality when the producer raised his voice. Song Mina hastily explained that she was brainstorming ideas for the next round. They then discussed featuring the chosen main character on television. After broadcasting the behind-the-scenes story last time, Sun Hun had gained widespread affection from the audience. But through Dong T’s interview, they also learned that Seung Hun and Dong T had been comrades in the military and had a very good relationship. Mulling this over, the producers suddenly recalled how Sung Hun hadn’t hesitated for a moment to use his immunity power for his friend. This struck them as perplexing because Dong Tay, having secured the top spot in the first round, already possessed immunity. They speculated that Sung Hune must have felt responsible, believing Dong Te’s potential elimination was his fault. Sun Huns file indicated he had previously worked at the Mayong Dong Hotel, coincidentally, the same place Yung Il Wu had worked. However, it seemed his time there hadn’t been pleasant. More tellingly, Sun Hun had personally approached the producer, requesting this detail be kept confidential. Dung Tay, aware of the strain relationship between Sun Hune and Yung Ilwu, had deliberately chosen Yung Ilw as his opponent. This confirmed the producers’s theory. Contestant Se Hune felt a sense of responsibility and thus used his immunity power. The producer knew that even without Seung Hune using the immunity, Dong T couldn’t have been eliminated because he had influential backing, people who wouldn’t let that happen. The producer turned to Song Mina, inquiring about her next ideas for Sun Hoon’s highly popular backstory segment. He also revealed that Se Hoon’s mother had been hospitalized again. Semina appeared genuinely worried, remembering the look of immense pride in Seung Hoons mother’s eyes when she spoke of her son. The producer added that Seung Huns mother was in a hospital in Wanju City and Se Hun had already contacted him to request permission to visit her on his day off. He hoped Semina would plan to film this story, certain it would deeply resonate with the audience. Song Mina hesitated slightly, perhaps reluctant to broadcast more of Sun Hoon’s misfortunes, she suggested they refrain from filming segments like the previous one and instead slowly plan for different content. With a brief chat concluded, the production team refocused their discussion on the theme for the following week’s first competition. Only Song Mina remained preoccupied, her thoughts lingering on the health of Se Hoon’s mother. The next day at the bus terminal, Sung Hune was also waiting for a bus to visit his mother. He sat down, letting out a weary sigh heavy with exhaustion and anxiety. Se Hun had been utterly stunned when his younger sister called, informing him their mother had been readmitted to the hospital after her health took a turn for the worse. Initially, her condition had seemed stable, but it had gradually become serious. Not wanting to disrupt Sun Hoon’s participation in the competition, his sister hadn’t told him immediately. Beyond the worry for his mother’s health, Sun Hune grappled with another pressing issue: finances. His paycheck from the hotel wasn’t due yet, while medical bills and daily living expenses continued to mount. Despite the overwhelming convergence of troubles, Sun Hune poured all his energy into the competition. This resilience spoke volumes about the true strength of Sun Hoon’s character. Lost deep in thought, he was startled by a woman’s voice beside him. Excuse me, may I sit here? Se Hun looked up, surprised to recognize the woman as Semina. Perhaps she wanted to accompany him to the hospital, too. Today, she wasn’t wearing her usual work attire, but rather a light dress, exuding a gentle, beautiful charm. And so, the two boarded the bus to Wanju together. They sat side by side, but gazed in different directions, neither speaking a word to the other. In truth, both felt a little awkward. Se Hun, perhaps because of his breakup with Jihai, found it difficult to initiate conversation with other women. Song Mina took the initiative to break the awkward silence. Kong Seung Hun, I heard your mother had to be hospitalized again. She’s in a hospital in Wanju. So, you’re on your way there, right? Se Hun, slightly surprised, replied, yes, but why is writer Song heading there? This question puts Smina in a difficult position. In reality, she was worried about Sun Hoons mother and had decided to go with him to see how things were. But admitting this reason felt too awkward, so she quickly fabricated another. My old university is in Wanju. I have a day off today, so I agreed to visit a professor. I see that professor must have been very helpful to you, writer, for you to personally go visit him,” Sean Hun responded. Smina nodded stiffly. In truth, there was no such arrangement. She had indeed studied there, but had dropped out midway and held no fond memories of the place. The awkward atmosphere returned just like before, and both fell silent. Sun Hun recalled the post-match interview. At the end of the interview, both were lost in their own thoughts. Se Hun spoke up. The interview is over, so I’ll be leaving now. Semina remained pensive, not speaking. She turned and whispered to the cameraman. Turn off the camera. Then she asked Se Hun a question unrelated to the topic. Kong Hun, were you so Jihi’s boyfriend before? The question took Son Hun slightly by surprise. He stared intently at Song Mina’s serious expression, unsure how to answer. Songmina explained that she had accidentally overheard his story in the hallway after the chicken preparation competition ended. Seung Hune composed himself and asked, “Is this an interview question or do you personally want to know?” Semina looked embarrassed, replying softly, “I want to know.” Se Hune said nothing more. Slowly standing up, turning to leave, worried that her question had offended Se Hune. Semina quickly stood up, intending to explain. Seung Hun slightly irritated said, “Are you really that curious?” “The interview is over.” Yet you still asked this kind of question. Realizing she had asked something inappropriate, Song Mina hastily apologized. “It was nosy of me. I was too curious. I apologize.” Without turning back, Se Hun said coldly. If the interview is finished, then I’m leaving. The conversation had suddenly become tense. What did Song Mina mean by asking such a sensitive question? Did she perhaps have intentions towards Seung Hun? Returning to the bus ride to Wanju, Sun Hune gazed thoughtfully out the window and took the initiative to speak. Writer Song, I apologize for some of my excessive reactions during yesterday’s interview. Se Hun’s words brought a sigh of relief from Song Mina. She looked at Son Hun earnestly, smiling gently. No, I think I was mistaken. Finally, the bus arrived at the terminal. Se Hun got off, ready to head straight to the hospital. Song Mina had mentioned earlier that she needed to meet a professor, so she couldn’t accompany him. They bid each other farewell. Watching Son Hoons retreating figure fade into the distance. Semina felt a pang of disappointment. At Ganja Hospital, according to Son Hoon’s younger sister, their mother had just fallen asleep. Sung Hune’s face was etched with worry for his mother’s health. He reached out, gripping the bed rail tightly, then used his special ability to recall the past. It was a painful memory. He saw his mother groaning in agony, wrestling with the tormenting pain which was slowly draining her life force. The pain seized her in relentless waves, seemingly endless, torturing the poor woman until the painkillers finally took effect. Only then did her convulsions subside, and she drifted into an exhausted sleep after her struggle. Seung Hune’s face turned pale, tears welling up in his worried eyes. The siblings sadly stepped out of the hospital room. Mijene mentioned that their mother wanted to be discharged the next day. Out of love for her children, knowing they weren’t well off, she didn’t want to be a burden. Didn’t want them to bear the hospital expenses. Mijene said helplessly, “It’s useless to argue. Mom is very stubborn. You know how she is, right?” Se Hune fell silent, deep in thought. Indeed, their financial situation made it difficult for their mother to stay in the hospital for long-term treatment. Seung Hune blamed himself for his incompetence for not earning enough money, leaving his mother to battle illness while worrying about her children. They went to the payment counter. The treatment cost this time amounted to 360,0001, exceeding the appearance fee Sun Hoon had received from the show, but Mene took out her own card to pay, surprising Sun Hoon greatly. Mijene explained that the logistics team from the show he participated in had called her, saying this was the fee he earned from his previous video appearances. Se Hun found it hard to believe because he had already received his payment after the show aired. So where did this money come from? It turned out that this was the money Song Mina had transferred to Eene. Knowing Se Hun and his family were facing difficulties, she had secretly helped them. From the Wanju bus terminal, she had quietly followed Seung Hun. Seeing Son Hune smile, she silently encouraged him. Kong Seong Hun, stay strong. Had she developed feelings for Seung Hune, or did she merely feel guilty for exploiting the contestants backstory to make the show more compelling? Flashing back 8 years at a famous restaurant in France, the deeprooted Mango Tree Restaurant. The man meticulously preparing exquisite dishes was the restaurant’s head chef. His name was Cadlov. At that time, Sun Hun and his father were also present. Judging by the way the head chef addressed Kong Yong Sup and his expression, it seemed they had known each other for a very long time. Head chef Cadlov was delighted to see Young Sup. He warmly invited the father and son to a table to wait for a moment, promising to bring out some delicious food. Very quickly, he prepared soup for the two of them. Seung Hune picked up his spoon, stirring it back and forth, yet he hesitated to eat. His mood at that moment seemed rather bleak. Kadlov noticed and inquired gently. Sun Hun’s father explained that his son seemed to have been bullied at the Mayong Dong Hotel. He expressed concern that the culinary industry still harbored violence and bullying. He had always hoped his son would become a great chef. But if his son lost his passion and no longer wished to continue, he wouldn’t force him. Understanding the sentiments of his old friend, Cadlov cheerfully took out a business card, handed it to Seung Hune, and proposed, “If you wish to continue cooking, become my apprentice.” Sung Hune, however, bluntly replied, “I don’t want to cook anymore. I don’t like the tense atmosphere in the kitchen.” Cadlov patiently persisted. “Perhaps that’s how you feel now, but the future can change, can it? Besides, I don’t give this car to just anyone. Keep it. If you change your mind later, come find me.” Returning to the resort, Sun Hun went to the hospital to visit his mother. As usual, whenever he had free time, he would take out his father’s recipe notebook and read it. He found Cadlov’s business card tucked inside it. Sun- Hun tried contacting him several times, but to no avail. It seemed too much time had passed. He likely wasn’t using that phone number anymore. At the same time, the producer arrived at Gi Song’s room. He appeared extremely tense, wondering what he had been summoned for this time. As soon as he entered the room, he asked anxiously, “What is it this time? You know, if we’re seen meeting frequently like this, it will be very awkward.” Jiang asked in a low voice, “What is the next test?” The judges will cook. Then the contestants will guess the ingredients. Correct. He replied, “That’s right.” Jung asked again. “Has it been decided who will cook?” Just as the producer said, “It hasn’t been decided yet.” Jung immediately interjected. “Then let me cook for that test.” The producers’s worry was evident. “Oh no, if he becomes the chef, the show will become increasingly irregular.” He declined tactfully. “I’ve conducted many tests recently. We should give others a chance.” However, this time Jiang did not yield. He was determined to be the chef of the next test. The producer felt extremely conflicted. If he let Jung act arbitrarily, the show would surely face more disadvantages. He said, “The chef hasn’t been decided yet, but a judge has already expressed interest in doing first.” He mentioned Judge Mong, which made Jiang visibly annoyed. He said, “I can’t give you an answer right away. If Jiang wants to cook in the next test, please speak directly with Judge Mong. That way, I can avoid putting either side in an awkward position. Jiang was very reluctant, but since the producer had spoken, he had no choice but to step in himself. The day after, before the competition had even begun, the three judges held a private conversation. Yin Jang, still unaware of the test content, inquired, “What kind of test is it this time?” Miong explained, “It’s an ingredient guessing test, but unlike the first round of the competition, this time the contestants need to taste and identify the ingredients of a pre-prepared dish.” Yin Jang remarked, “I don’t fancy cooking for 22 contestants.” Mang eagerly replied, “I’ve already spoken with the producer. I’ll handle this.” Yan Jang readily agreed. Just as everything seemed settled, Jiang unexpectedly interjected. Yin Jang, don’t you find it strange? The first ingredient guessing test was proposed by Kim Yong Seung and I heard he graded it incorrectly. Kong Seung Hun’s score should have been a perfect 50 points. Yun Jang showed a hint of surprise at this revelation. Jiang pressed on and then there was the cold noodle dish. Seung Hun’s team should have been eliminated, but the scores were changed in the end. Also, at Mong suggestion, he’s trying to turn an ordinary story into something extraordinary. He attempted to paint Mong as a cheat, claiming he was deliberately favoring Kong Seong Hun. He insisted that without interference, a young chef from a three-star hotel could never have secured first place in the competition. Hearing these accusations, Mong flushed red with anger, retoring loudly, “This is unbearable. Senior go Jiang, what exactly are you trying to achieve? Are you accusing me of favoring Kong Hune?” Jiong sneered. What’s wrong? Did I strike a nerve? Are you planning to leak the ingredient list to Kong Seung Hoon again this time? Mong was furious but lacked evidence to refute these baseless accusations. He could only yield the cooking duty for the next test to Jiang. Having achieved his goal, Jiang flashed a sinister, triumphant smile. However, Mong didn’t let him savor the victory for long. He stated bluntly, “This test was designed by me. If today Go Yang Tia, who comes from the same hotel as you, wins first place, then all the accusations you’ve leveled against me will backfire right onto you. Although he had achieved his objective, Jiang hadn’t expected to be blindsided by Mongs counter move, leaving him in an awkward position. Yin Jang, sensing the friction between the two, but unwilling to interfere, decided to let them resolve it themselves. As the competition time drew nearer, the chefs began to gather in the competition hall. Seung Hun observed the setup on the table in front of the judges area with some suspicion. Haha, surely it’s not that boring taste and guess the ingredients type of test again, right? Go Yantia forced to laugh. Haha, probably not. His expression, however, betrayed that he already knew the nature of the upcoming test. He recalled his surprise when Jiang had revealed the test content to him. Jiang had said that not only their hotel, but all contestants from the top 10 hotels already knew. Yantia wondered aloud. Then what about the contestants not from the top 10 hotels? Jiang showed impatience. Why do you care about them? You seem to have misunderstood something. This competition isn’t merely a contest. The ranking of this competition is the ranking of the hotels. Therefore, as people from the number one hotel, we must maintain our rank no matter what happens. Moreover, the higherups desire it this way. Remember this well for me, Yangia. You are just a lowly subordinate. Besides obeying orders, you can do nothing else. Even if you wanted to rely on your own abilities to win this competition, you couldn’t. This competition has already been arranged. You’re just a pawn, an actor who just needs to play their role. Well, the competition time has arrived. The three judges have taken their positions. Gi stood up, announcing the theme for today’s test. Today’s test is tasting the dish to guess the ingredients. There are a total of 24 different ingredients. Guessing even one ingredient incorrectly will result in immediate elimination. The competition will be conducted individually except for the contestant currently competing. Everyone else must leave the testing area. The first contestant called was Go Yontia. San Hune innocently cheered for his friend, completely unaware that everything had been predetermined. Go Yantia replied somewhat shyly, “Yes, I will do my best.” The contestants waiting for their turn appeared extremely tense. Sun Hune was no exception. The door opened and a staff member announced he was the next to enter the testing room. After Seung Hun stepped inside, he didn’t see Yantia coming out. He assumed that after finishing the test, contestants exited through a different door to avoid revealing information. Seung Hun stood before the judges with a serious expression, ready to begin his test. A food trolley was wheeled out from the kitchen, stopping in front of Seung Hune. The testing time began, and the judge instructed him to lift the cloch. Se Hun looked at the dish, feeling utterly surprised. It was a Chinese dish, Sichuan spicy stir- fried chicken. The testing time is 5 minutes. You may taste or observe, then state the ingredients in the dish. Seung Hun began his test, leaning closer to the dish, smelling and observing it intently. The first ingredient sung Hoon guessed was Chinese broccoli. Mang took out an overturned plate, placed it in front of Se Hoon, then slowly revealed it. inside was indeed Chinese broccoli. The first ingredient was guessed correctly. Next were shiake mushrooms and winter mushrooms. These two types of mushrooms were also absolutely correct. Seung hun continued naming the ingredients. Bamboo shoots, green peas, cabbage, green chili peppers. Not a single mistake. Mong lifted the ingredient cover, a pleased smile spreading across his face. Xiang’s mood, however, was the complete opposite. The irritation radiating from him was palpable even to the person sitting beside him. You seem uneasy. Oh no, it’s not like that. He stammered in response, his heart pounding with a worry that Seung Hune would guess every single ingredient correctly. The ingredients revealed so far were all ones that could be identified by sight. Now he could only hope Seung Hun wouldn’t be able to guess the remaining ones. He had even intentionally added some ingredients during cooking that even he himself wasn’t entirely familiar with. He was clearly very anxious, even if it meant being seen as stubborn. This was his last chance. The previous evening, he had received a call from the chairman of a five-star hotel, who also seemed displeased. Everything he was doing felt forced upon him by his superiors. Seeing the number displayed on the screen of the limited edition iPhone 15 Pro Max, sweat beated continuously on Jiong’s forehead, his face etched with anxiety. He couldn’t refuse this call. He had to answer. From the other end of the line, the deep voice of the chairman of a luxury hotel association resonated. Are you well? Being a judge must keep you very busy. Jiang maintained a calm facade, but in the presence of this man, he felt incredibly insecure. The voice on the other end continued, gentle yet laced with threat. Do you know why I’m calling you? Jung could utter nothing more than a simple yes, sir. The association chairman continued, I’ll be blunt. I’ve watched the program. Why is this happening? That strange kid seems quite popular. What’s the deal with this Tang Sun Hun from Joel Ria Hotel? How can such a mediocre hotel even squeeze into our association? Jiang stammered in reply. No, chairman. It’s just a third rate hotel. Hearing this, the association chairman flew into a rage, grinding his teeth as he yelled, “What? Why does that trashy hotel still exist?” Head chef go, “Do you have any idea how much effort I’ve put into this program? Do you remember what was discussed in a meeting? The top hotel in the program must be Mayong Dong Hotel and the top chef must be go Yantia from Hilton Hotel. Have you forgotten the agreement? Since you’ve taken the judge’s seat, you have a responsibility to eliminate the riff raff. Everything was already arranged. What’s happening is practically just a performance. Yet unexpectedly, some third rate hotel chef appears, ruining all their plans. Faced with these accusations, Jiang could only resort to the excuse that someone was obstructing him. The chairman pressed again, his voice rising. What I want to see is effort, not a situation like this. They had already planned the content of the test to be given in the program, aiming to give their own people an advantage. Jiang used the other two judges as an excuse, saying that those plans couldn’t be pushed forward just yet. The association chairman didn’t care how Jiang wanted to do it. He only wanted to see results. Jiang was just a chef. He couldn’t possibly fight against power. He was merely a pawn acting under orders. The association had just given him an ultimatum. He hadn’t been able to renew his contract with the Hilton Hotel. Unemployment and ruin were not far off. His cooperation with the association was because it was his only path to survival. He was determined to eliminate Sun Hoon at all costs in the next test. That was why he had resorted to inscrupulous methods using slanderous words applying pressure forcing Miong to give up cooking the dish for the test. The reality unfolding before him was the complete opposite of what he had expected. Seung Hun still stood there not having guessed a single ingredient incorrectly. The ingredients visible to the naked I were done. Seung Hune scooped up a spoonful of the food, then slowly savored it. Taking only a few seconds, he began again to call out the ingredients within. There are green onions and black pepper perfectly accurate. Se Hun had correctly identified 16 types of ingredients and moreover showed no signs of stopping, causing Ji Sun’s expression to darken. Seung Hun only needed to guess two more ingredients correctly to taigo Yanti his record. Even Yin Jang couldn’t help but exclaim, “How does he guess so quickly? He must have practiced a lot.” Jiang’s heart pounded like a drum. He continuously muttered prayers. Please let him not guess correctly anymore. If he surpasses Yung Tay, it will be very difficult to eliminate him. Only 3 minutes remained. Seung Hun stood thinking for a few seconds, then spoke enthusiastically. Only 3 minutes left. Then I’ll quickly name the remaining ingredients. Seung Huns confident attitude frightened Jiang. Sweat beated unceasingly on his forehead. Sun Hun began to list the remaining ingredients, including mashed potatoes, using pork fat instead of cooking oil, using rice wine instead of cooking wine, using chicken and Thai fish sauce instead of anchovies to make the sauce, and also pear and onion. Mong slowly lifted the bamboo lid covering the ingredients. Completely correct. All the ingredients Sung Hoon mentioned were there. Mong was astonished by Seung Hune’s talent, his impression of Se Hoon deepening further. But Sung Hun didn’t stop there. He said there was one more ingredient. It was chili, but not ordinary chili, rather Tabasco chili. This answer startled Jiong. His face became incredibly unsightly. Or more accurately, he was feeling shocked. Unbelievable. Even connoisseurs would find it difficult to distinguish this flavor. I pureeed the chili. Its original form is completely unrecognizable. Even the spiciness and shape are different from red chili peppers. That’s why I deliberately used very little of it. Yet, he could discern this distinct spiciness with his tongue. How could this be possible? Mong excitedly revealed the final ingredient, and indeed, it was Tabasco chili. The answer was perfectly correct. Mong announced loudly. Contestant Kong Hoon has correctly identified all 24 ingredients. Jiang couldn’t bear it any longer, leaping up to ask, “How did you know it was Tabasco chili?” It’s very difficult to distinguish different types of chili by taste alone. Sun Hun slowly replied, “It just tasted like Tabasco, so I answered Tabasco.” This nonchalant answer left Gi Sun speechless. A judge laughed heartily, saying, “Ha, that’s right. If it wasn’t Tabasco chili, how could it taste like Tabasco?” Sung Hune had brilliantly completed his test. He bowed to the judges and exited through another door. The moment he turned to leave, Se Hoon’s expression completely shifted. The cheerful look vanished entirely, replaced by anger, extreme anger. Surely, while recalling the memories of the ingredients, he must have seen the obstacles that judge Jiang had deliberately placed in his path. Sun Hune correctly identifying all 24 ingredients dealt a heavy blow to Ji, who sat there stunned like a man who had lost his soul. All his schemes and tricks aimed at eliminating Sun Hune had utterly failed. The producer also noticed Gi Song’s unusual behavior. What on earth was Go Ji Song trying to pull in this test? When his own protetéé guessed correctly, he looked thrilled. But when Kong Hoon guessed correctly, his expression turned incredibly sour, revealing such expressions, even during filming, could easily lead people to misunderstand that he and the show were colluding. Just then, Song Mina rushed in from outside reporting. The broadcast station just called, saying someone from the high-end culinary association called them. What going on? What did they say that made you rush like this? Song Mina hesitated slightly before answering. Ah, I’m nothing special, sir. They just asked if our program needed anything. The producer pressed, “Is that all? Anything else?” Song Mina looked worried. The station already declined since we don’t need anything. The association said they would contact us again. Could it be that the luxury hotel association is deliberately trying to pressure us? The producer, who had already vaguely sensed this, said slowly, “Perhaps that’s exactly it.” From the beginning, our show received significant attention from the government. And we’ve done our best to prevent other organizations from interfering. The producers seemed slightly puzzled. If they wanted to pressure the show, shouldn’t they have called right from the start? Why contact us only now? The producer suddenly realized something. His gaze shifting towards the judging panel. Could it be that they are secretly supporting someone from the luxury hotel association? Song Mina gasped. You mean someone on our production team is colluding with the association? The producer stared intently at Gi Song seated there, saying, “I only suspected before, but after hearing that phone call, I’m certain the show is still filming for now. We’ll discuss this matter in more detail later.” The ingredient identification challenge had concluded and the most tense moment arrived. The judges were about to announce the results of the round. The first name called was Chef John May from the Mazagi Hotel. Judging by her fearful expression, one could guess her performance wasn’t stellar. She had only correctly identified 11 ingredients, making her the contestant with the lowest score in this round. Contestant John Mayal, you have been eliminated from Master Sept. Please leave your name tag and exit the premises. Next, the judges announced the contestant with the highest score. Meongs satisfied smile indicated that person was none other than Se Hune. Jiang loudly called out, “Contestant Kong Sun Hun, please come up.” Hearing a name other than his own being called, Dong was stunned into silence. He had prepared meticulously, identifying 18 ingredients. Yet, unexpectedly, Kong Seung Hun had surpassed him. Good heavens, just how many ingredients did he actually guess correctly? Seung Hun stood tall, awaiting the announcement of his results. Jiang slowly began in this ingredient identification round. Sunung Hun. Before he could finish, he was cut off. Mong excitedly declared, “It’s 24 ingredients.” He identified every single one correctly. Dong T’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide with disbelief. What? 24 types. Not only Young Tay, but the two contestants from the Myong Dong Hotel also showed clear signs of displeasure. With the exception of Ji Song, the other two judges cheerfully congratulated S Hoon on his outstanding achievement. The day’s competition schedule concluded. The contestants who passed the test returned to their rooms to rest, preparing for the next challenge the following day. Jiang’s displeased gaze remained fixed on Seung Hune, not wavering for a moment. All his plans had utterly failed. On the way back to his room, Se Hun happened upon Semina waiting in the hallway. She had sought him out specifically for a private conversation. They went to a coffee shop together and began their talk in silence. After sitting for a long while without either speaking, Se Hun broke the silence, asking, “Um, is there something you wanted to tell me?” Song Mina remained still, her expression clearly showing her unease. She recalled her conversation with the producer after filming had wrapped up. In the office, the two spoke privately. The producer got straight to the point. We’re just using Go Jung up to this point. As I said before, I’m certain now Go is the attack dog for the Luxury Hotel Association. Have you seen the score sheet? Song Mina being busy hadn’t had a chance to look yet. The producer handed her the score sheet from the just concluded round. She looked it over carefully before asking curiously, “What do these numbers next to each contestant’s name mean?” The producer replied, “That’s the ranking of the hotel where they work.” Only then did Song Mina realize it wasn’t the competition order, but the hotel rankings. The producer explained, “Not just this round, but in all rounds overseen by Goji Sun, the scores and rankings of the contestants perfectly match their hotel’s ranking, except for Songhoon. Song Mina wondered again. So Se Hun has nothing to do with the association.” Se Hun Mina’s sweet English pronunciation of his name made the producer slightly suspicious. He responded, “If Kong Seong Hun had connections with them, then what explains Go Jongs attitude towards him?” Goji holds Go Yong T and his hotel in very high regard. But with Seung Hun, it’s the opposite. He’s always finding fault, looking for any way to eliminate him. Moreover, he comes from a third rate hotel. There’s no way he’d have a chance to get involved with the luxury hotel association. I knew he favored Go Yong T, but I didn’t expect him to be the association’s hunting dog. We have to get rid of him before he affects the show. The producer instructed her to find a skilled chef, someone unconnected to the association to replace go Ji Song as a judge. Song Mina asked if they should tell Se Hun about this since apart from him. All the other contestants had benefited from the situation. Just as the producer said, because Kong Seung Hun was the key figure drawing attention to the program, he worried that if Sun Hun found out, he might withdraw from the competition, which would be a significant loss. Despite feeling guilty towards Seung Hun, the survival of the program was the top priority. So this matter had to be kept secret. However, Song Mina didn’t want to deceive Seung Hun. It seemed she had developed a special affection for the young man. After thinking for a moment, Song Mina unexpectedly bowed her head and apologized to Se Hune, leaving him bewildered. “Writer Song, why are you apologizing to me?” Song Mina closed her eyes, mustered all her courage and said, “In all the rounds and all the competitions involving judge go, there’s been cheating on his part.” Song Mina pointed out his irregular behavior and scoring based on hotel rankings and the possibility that competition information had been leaked. I’m truly very sorry. As the managers, we should have prevented this from the beginning. Se Hun replied calmly, “I see.” Semina was slightly surprised. Could it be that Se Hun already knew? Sun Hune explained that because Go Jiang had consistently made things difficult for him on the show, he had already had a feeling about this. He recalled the situation during the competition when he tasted the spicy stir- fried chicken and guessed the final ingredient. At that moment, he hadn’t just read the memory of the ingredient, but he had also seen Go Jung’s deceitful face. Back then, Go Jung was only thinking of ways to eliminate Sun Hune. After the frank conversation, the atmosphere became heavy. Se Hun proactively asked, “So, how will the show change going forward?” Song Mina revealed their plan. First, we will immediately find a replacement for Judge Go Jung. The newly invited judge will definitely have no connection to Giang’s faction. At this point, Song Mina hesitated again, remembering the producers’s earlier words, worried that telling the truth would make Songhoon quit. But she didn’t want Son Hun to suffer injustice. So she continued, “If Seung Hun wants, we can stop the competition immediately.” Seung Hune was surprised by this offer, but Semina’s eyes were very serious. Seung Hune gently replied, “It’s okay. Just having Judge Go Jung leave the show is enough.” Semina remember the image of Se Hun determined to win during the previous interview. Seung Hune said cheerfully, “Thank you for telling me the truth because the show could have continued to hide the truth, continue the competition, but you chose to speak out. You said you will manage the show strictly from now on. I trust you. I will still participate in the competition with all my passion. Se Hun’s trust made Mina blush. She lowered her head in embarrassment, hiding her shy expression. That’s good then. I will also do my best. After the meeting with Song Mina, Se Hun returned to his room. As he was about to open the door, Gi and Go Yandi approached. It was Go Ji himself who initiated the approach to Seung Hun. Unable to eliminate Sun Hoon in the competition, what other tricks did he want to play now? Go Jiang asked Sung Hune to go outside to talk privately. But Se Hun refused without hesitation. If you have something to say, say to my face right here. Being rejected, Go Jiang’s face immediately darkened. Unable to eliminate Sun Hun, he took the initiative to approach him, intending to win him over. I heard from Yandi. Both of you started as chefs. Regardless of what Goji said, Sun Hun just looked at him with contemptuous eyes. Go Jiang took out his business card, making an attractive offer, which was to come work at his hotel. Starting from the position of sue chef, Sun Hun refused without hesitation. Thank you for your offer, but I’m not interested. Not expecting his sincere invitation to be ignored by a junior. Go Jiang immediately became angry. His tone stern. What? You should think carefully. You will have the opportunity to work at the best hotel in the country. A genius like you shouldn’t be in that shabby third rate hotel. Hearing Go Jiang belittle the hotel where he worked, Sun Hun didn’t back down either. A head chef of the country’s top hotel. Yet having such a narrow-minded view, I refuse. Moreover, during the competition, you always try to make things difficult for me, wanted to eliminate me. And when that failed, you resort to this method to recruit me. Sean Hun looked straight into Giang’s eyes, full of contempt. Don’t you have any self-respect being called out face to face by a junior? Go Jiang was so angry he gritted his teeth. You bastard. How dare you talk to me like that? He couldn’t control his anger, raising his hand, intending to hit Sun Hun. But Sun Hun wasn’t the type to be easily pushed around. He immediately grabbed Go Jungs hand squeezing it tightly. His eyes were sharp as if to say, “If you dare touch me, you’re finished.” Se Hune spoke coldly. “What’s wrong?” Did I hit a nerve? Can’t argue back, so you resort to your fists. Is this how the Hilton Hotel trains its staff, too? Go Jiang, not giving up, continued his threats. You do you think you can treat a judge like this and get away with it? Sun Hun looked at Go Ji and sneered, “Judge, you’re not a judge anymore. I’m met with the writer. She told me everything about your despicable cheating.” Yangti, worried things would escalate, advised Sun Hun to stop. Sun Hun turned to look at Yongi, his eyes filled with disappointment. Despite this, Seung Hun released Go Jiang’s hand. He spoke about Go Jsung’s cheating. I heard you leaked the test questions to contestants from high-end hotels, letting them practice beforehand. I just confirmed it. The production team must have noticed this already. Because of this, it’ll be hard for you to continue as a judge. Seung Hun turned to Yangi, hoping for a shred of trust from him. You received special training, didn’t you? Yi lowered his head, not denying it, admitting it. So, what did you mean by let’s try hard together? Yandi wanted to explain. How dare you even speak? Even if you didn’t want to, the fact is you’re undeniably involved in this cheating scandal. Seung Hune glared at the two of them. If you two have nothing else, I’m going inside. Se Hoon turned and walked into the room, leaving the two standing awkwardly outside the door. He slammed the door shut, showing his anger. Because of the scandal he caused, Giang was ultimately forced to leave the show. However, there was one thing he couldn’t forget. The name Kong Seong Hun. He always felt he had heard it somewhere before. The name was very similar. The person he was referring to was Kong Dong Suk, Sun Hoons father. What’s his relationship with him? Yanni asked. Go Ji replied disdainfully. He’s a sickeningly hypocritical person. What a small world. Who knows what happened between them in the past? Having said that, Goji didn’t elaborate further, telling Yandi to help him with his luggage. He seemed full of regret. Those people at the TV station honestly just a slight suspicion and they immediately revoke my judging credentials. Before leaving, he couldn’t help but offer Yanti a word of encouragement. You must try your best until the end when the championship for our hotel. Yandi appeared lacking in confidence. Perhaps he still felt guilty about his wrongdoing, even if he was forced. They bid each other farewell. Go Jiang pulled his heavy suitcase, walking step by step towards the waiting car. Inside the resort, the producer and Songmina were walking together. Both breed a sigh of relief that Go Jung had left. Fortunately, the scandal remained contained. Its potential explosion averted. The most pressing task now was the search for a new judge. Song Mina informed the producer she had already identified a potential candidate, though she hadn’t yet managed to make contact. The person she had in mind was the head chef of a two-star Michelin restaurant, a foreigner. This choice was deliberate. The producers sought a chef of Michelin caliber who had no ties to the influential high-end hotel chefs association. Searching within Korea would prove difficult, hampered by the association’s pervasive influence. Thus, Song Mina had cast her net abroad. The producer voiced his concern about the potential need for an interpreter. But Song Mina simply smiled, reassuring him, “Don’t worry, his Korean is excellent.” Meanwhile, in France, at the two-star Michelin restaurant note, Rev Mong head chef Carlos was meticulously preparing his uniform, ready to greet the new day. Another chef approached, informing him of a phone call. The caller wished to speak with him directly. It was an international call originating from South Korea, peing his curiosity. On the other end, Song Mina held the receiver, her heart pounding with anxiety, wondering if he would even pick up when a voice finally resonated through the line. She felt an almost delirious wave of relief. This is Carlos from Note Revy. After the initial pleasantries, Song Mina cuts straight to the chase. My name is Song Mina, a writer for the program Master Chef Korea. We are currently in the midst of our cooking competition, but we’ve encountered an unforeseen issue due to the sudden withdrawal of one of our judges. I sincerely apologize for disturbing you, but I’m contacting you in the hope that you might consider lending us your time to fill this vacant judge position. Carlos found the proposition intriguing. He astutely noted that Song Mina had bypassed numerous Korean chefs to contact him instead, sensing there was likely an unspoken reason behind her choice. With remarkable ease, Chef Carlos readily agreed to the invitation. Song Mina was overjoyed, scarcely believing how smoothly everything had fallen into place. Part of Carlos’s reason for accepting was a personal desire to visit Korea. Anyway, after hanging up, Song Mina let out a profound sigh of relief. The most daunting obstacle had been surmounted with surprising ease. Turning our attention back to Sun Hoon, the night was deep, yet sleep eluded him. As was his habit, he had his father’s notebook open, pouring over its contents, studying intently. But tonight, his thoughts were relentlessly invaded by images of judge go Jes. In the moments he had confronted the judge, Sun Hune had glimpsed the man’s darker side, the blatant abuse of power, the acceptance of bribes, illicit affairs, a life steeped in scandal. Everything Sung Hune had witnessed were fragments of Go Ji Song’s own memories, a tapestry woven with sorted threads. Yet amidst these tainted recollections, Sung Hune perceived fleeting moments, flashes of something strangely familiar. But no matter how hard he tried, the connection remained just beyond his grasp. Shaking off the chaotic thoughts, Sun Hune forced his mind to focus on the upcoming competition. His resolve hardened. In the next round, I must achieve an even greater result and continue until I finally win. I absolutely will not give up. Se Hun closed his eyes, concentrating, visualizing intricate dishes coming together under his hands. Suddenly, a distinct knock echoed from his door. Seung Hune rose and went to open the door. It turned out to be writer Song Mina seeking him out. What business could she possibly have with this handsome man in the dead of night? Semina explained she had a new announcement for him. Sung Hune asked her if the matter would take long. If it would, she should just come inside to talk. Invited into the room, Song Mina’s heart leaped with joy, though she maintained a hesitant facade. Ah, is that so? Well, then I’ll come in. Oh dear, she just walked right in. What was she going to do now? What long announcement? It was barely a 10-second matter. Even though I adore the situation, she thought, “My body is reacting uncontrollably.” Songmina walked straight into the room, awkwardly settling onto a chair. Seung Hun asked what she needed to announce. Song Mina stammered, “It’s like this. Chef Goji Sun has left, so there’s a vacant judge position, right? Therefore, we’ve invited a new chef. He’s from abroad and needs two more days to arrive in Korea. Due to the lack of a judge, the program will temporarily halt filming. During this period, we’ll give the contestants a break. Everyone can relax comfortably, enjoy this rest time, or go out.” Semina asked Se Hune if he wanted to use this time to visit his family. Seung Hun pondered for a moment, then replied, “Although my mother has been discharged from the hospital, this place is very far from my home and transportation isn’t convenient.” Unexpectedly, Son Hun posed a question that startled Song Mina. Writer Song, didn’t you say you had a lot to tell me? Song Mina blushed, hastily, opening her notebook, pretending to search for something. All right, how strange. I clearly wrote it down. I must have misremembered. It’s so late. I feel terrible bothering Songhoon. Song Mina quickly stood up then swiftly moved towards the door, eager to escape the awkward atmosphere. In her haste, she accidentally slipped. It was truly a familiar scene from a romance drama. Just as the beautiful girl was about to fall like a slippery banana peel, the male lead, quick as lightning, extended a strong arm to catch her. The two fell into each other’s arms, gazing at one another with shy eyes. Seung Hune grasped Mina’s shoulders, helping her stand upright. Write a song. Are you all right? Faced with Sung Hoon’s concern, she seemed not to hear. Standing frozen like a statue, her face flushed pink. Song Mina murmured softly, I’m fine. I thought I heard you call me just now. Did you want to say something? But in reality, Sun Hun only wanted to ask if he could use the kitchen to practice cooking. During the break, Song Mina still lacked the courage to turn and face him, merely replying, “Since it’s an internal program matter, this is a mandatory rest period. I’ll ask the production team to see if you can use the program’s ingredients. Song Mina bowed her head, adjusting her clothes. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going from start to finish. Song Mina didn’t dare turn back to look at Se Hun. She didn’t want him to see her embarrassed expression. Song Mina took slow steps at first, then quicken her pace, finally breaking into a hurried run. Her heart pounded like a drum in her chest, her flushed face radiating happiness. I’m crazy. I’m absolutely crazy. If I keep falling like this, it’s like I’m just sherking my responsibilities. But but why did he catch me? Aa I’m going insane. He even held my shoulder. Could that be considered natural contact? Carrying these happy thoughts, Smina ran straight back to her room, not feeling tired in the slightest. Returning to his private room, Se Hun initially closed the door calmly. But very quickly, his face also flushed red. He recalled the moment he had just caught Song Mina. It was just an unintentional move to steady her. Yet in doing so, he had seen her memories and emotions. Sung Hun saw Song Mina’s feelings for him. He also learned about what had happened earlier at the hospital. She was the one who helped pay his hospital bills. The more he thought about Song Mina, the redder his face became. Lately, he could not only read others memories, but he could also see their emotions. This sparked an idea in him to create a dish that contained emotions and memories. He wanted to use the two-day break to make such a dish. The next morning, while the other chefs were still sleeping or enjoying their break, Sun Hun appeared at the competition venue. He wanted to try making the dish containing emotions and memories. Since no one else was around, he wasn’t afraid of his secret being exposed. Se Hun wanted to attempt some dishes he had never made before. He was thinking of making a dish that held beautiful childhood memories with his family. Song Mina also arrived at the competition venue. She noticed that seemingly no one but Seung Hun cared about practicing. Seung Hun was preparing to make pastries. Song Mina naturally approached asking about his work. Seung Hun, ever since seeing her memories the night before, felt a little shy. She looked toward the oven and asked, “I could smell the sweet fragrance from the doorway. What are you making?” Se Hun replied, “I’m just making some pastries.” Writer Song Mina, would you like to taste them after they’re done? Being invited like this filled Mina with indescribable joy. What could be happier than eating food made by the person she liked? And so Smina stuck close to Se Hune all day. She watched Se Hoon’s every move, every second, every minute, eagerly anticipating the taste of the dish made by Se Hoon himself. Se Hune slowly cut a piece of cake, then covered it with a layer of pure white cream, decorating it with bright red strawberries. While working, Se Hun occasionally stole glances at Song Mina, his heart filled with a fluttering sensation. Song Mina’s face was full of smiles as she intently watched that piece of cake. Right now, she looked truly happy. Every time Se Hun looked at her, he couldn’t maintain his focus. Her memories and emotions kept swirling around in his mind. After a considerable struggle, the pastry was finally complete. Though simply decorated, it exuded an incredibly appealing appearance. Even Se Hune himself didn’t quite know how he had managed to finish it. Semina couldn’t stop marveling and praising it. Seung Hun used a knife to cut a piece, placed it on a plate, and handed it to Song Mina. He wanted her to be the first one to taste this pastry. I’ve already eaten. What’s there to be shy about? Song Mina wanted to yield, suggesting Son Hun, the one who made the pastry, should enjoy it first. Se Hun wanted her to try it first. He wanted to know how she felt when eating this creation. Refusing indefinitely wouldn’t be proper etiquette, she cheerfully picked up the fork, speared a piece of the pastry, and brought it to her mouth to savor. Seeing Song Mina standing silently without a word, Sung Hun felt a pang of anxiety. Could it be that the pastry was a failure? A few seconds later, Song Mina excitedly exclaimed, “Ah, it’s delicious. So delicious, I feel like I’m about to faint. Just one bite, and I felt my whole body relax, filled with joy. It brings about a very uplifting, very euphoric feeling. Se Hun thought to himself, an uplifting feeling. Could it be that the memories had merged into this dish? Se Hune asked writer Song, “Do you perceive any images, for example, the sea, or perhaps?” But Smina replied that she didn’t perceive the images Seung Hun mentioned. She asked, “Sung Hune, did you really learn cooking from comic books? Is it possible to sense the sea just by eating pastry? There’s no seafood in this pastry. Se Hun feeling both embarrassed and helpless. Writer Song. Now that you finished eating, please head back. Semina asked somewhat reluctantly. Why? There’s still plenty of pastry left. She didn’t realize that if she stayed there any longer, Son Hun wouldn’t be able to concentrate on his cooking. At Inchan airport, Chef Carl, after 2 days, had finally set foot in Korea. The program’s team was also very considerate, arranging for someone to meet and welcome him right at the airport. After exchanging greetings, the two members from the program team informed him they would take him directly to the program’s resort. Returning to the resort right from their first meeting, Chef Carl, with his friendly and magnanimous personality, quickly became acquainted with the program’s panel of judges. Mong and Carl were both chefs who worked abroad, so they had heard of each other’s reputations. Mong asked doubtfully, “Where is Judge Go Ji Sung? Why has Chef Carl been invited?” The production team explained, “Judge Go Jiang will not be joining us anymore. We have confirmed his biased actions favoring the luxury hotel. Our production team’s investigation revealed that he colluded with the luxury hotel association to manipulate the competition’s results. Therefore, we have invited Chef Carl to replace him, serving as this week’s special judge.” Mong showed disappointment towards the senior chef whom he had once respected. The production team provided the list of remaining contestants and informed the three judges that the program would commence in 30 minutes. Carl saw the name Kong Sun Hun and felt immensely pleased. He was truly looking forward to this. This was his friend’s son. The next round of the competition began. All the chefs were present, their moods generally relaxed. Only Yong T felt a wave of tension and embarrassment whenever he caught sight of Seung Hune. Miong also announced to everyone that due to Judge Go Jung having urgent matters to attend to, Carl would be taking his place. Hearing the name Carl, Se Hune felt a flicker of recognition. He searched his memory trying to place the name. It dawned on Sun Hoon. Then this was the man he had met with his father at the Red Pine Hotel. The judges got down to business, announcing the theme for the challenge. Today’s competition would be divided into three groups. Unlike previous rounds which eliminated only 12 contestants, this round would eliminate the five weakest competitors. The challenge was to prepare dishes from various national cuisines. The three judges would act as mentors, guiding the contestants to create their best possible dishes. Carl would oversee French cuisine. Yin Jang would handle traditional Korean cuisine. And Mong would be in charge of Italian cuisine. As usual, Se Hoon, having the highest total score, was the first to choose. As he stepped onto the stage, Sun Hoon could feel the pressure emanating from the other contestants. They watched him with eyes filled with a mixture of fear and envy. Seung Hune wanted to try his hand at all three cuisines, but he could only select one of the three judges. While he hesitated, Carl proactively suggested, “Choose me, Mr. Kong. Pick me. I will be your mentor and help you create the finest dish.” Receiving the invitation and remembering their previous encounter and promise, Sun Hun happily agreed. The second contestant to choose was Go Jun, who selected Judge Mong. The pair from the Beehive Hotel chose Yin Jong. Once all contestants had made their selections, they formed teams with their respective mentors. Carl felt slightly troubled by the somber atmosphere within his group. Aside from those who had actively chosen him, the others had ended up with him simply because their lower rankings denied them the freedom to choose their mentor. Dissatisfaction was clearly written on their faces. Before the cooking commenced, Carl took a moment to speak about French cuisine. Generally, there are three most beloved cuisines in the world. He began Chinese, Italian, and French. The question is, among these three, which is considered the most favored? Sun-hun offered his judgment. French cuisine. Carl nodded in agreement with Sun Hoon’s answer. French cuisine has its roots in Italy. But later, Queen Katherine Demedi, who carried Italian royal blood, married into the French royal family, bringing Italian culinary arts to France. Subsequently, cuisine developed independently, becoming Ho Cuisine in the 18th century. However, in Korea, it’s quite difficult to find a restaurant specializing solely in French cuisine. There are two main reasons for this. The first reason is that French cooking methods are incredibly complex, demanding the use of special high-end ingredients. The second reason is that the flavors of French dishes are very unique, making them challenging for some pallets to accept. Carl aimed to shatter this preconception. He intended to use his extensive knowledge of French cuisine to help the contestants broaden their own capabilities. First, we need to select two team captains. I’ll let everyone volunteer freely. Just as Se Hun was contemplating whether he could handle such a position, a chef raised his hand to volunteer. He was Joe Seakyan, the sue chef from Sanuro’s hotel, boasting 7 years of experience. He declared that he had graduated from a vocational school in France named call Friendy. With great confidence, he asserted that his understanding of French cuisine surpassed that of any other chef present. Another chef promptly stood up, stating he also knew of Call Farendy. It was Sue Chef Bang. He countered that it was merely a place teaching basic knowledge not intended for professionals. He argued that appointing Joe Seakan as team captain would be a grave mistake. Before a captain could even be chosen. Incessant arguments erupted within the team with no one willing to yield. The female chef Jangi spoke up suggesting they hold a vote to select the captains. Carl agreed with her proposal. Since this competition must take place over five hours, I want to allocate two hours for instruction. The person chosen as captain will be decided by whoever makes the most delicious cream puff. Due to the internal discord within the group, Carl set aside 2 hours for guidance. Whoever could produce the best cream puff within the group would earn the right to be captain. Yungi remarked, “Anyway, we all graduated from culinary school. Is there anyone here who didn’t graduate from culinary school?” only. Seung Hune hesitantly spoke up. A me I didn’t. Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to mock you. Janghai looking slightly embarrassed quickly apologized, learning that Sun Hun hadn’t graduated from a formal culinary school. The other chefs displayed their dissatisfaction towards him. But Carl paid no mind to such things. He began explaining crepes. Crepes are made from a well-mixed batter, then spread thinly into a circular shape, forming the shell. That is the most basic crepe. Once you have the shell, you can add ingredients according to your preference such as ham, cheese, fresh cream, or strawberries. But ultimately, the ingredient that determines whether this dish is delicious or not is the filling. Now, I will make a simple example to guide you. After preparing the batter, you need to prepare the crepe pan. You can use a flat bottomed concave pan. Wait for the pan to heat up. Then, pour the mixed batter in, pouring slowly and steadily. Then gently swirl the pan to spread the batter evenly into a thin layer. Wait until one side is golden brown. Then flip it over. Wait for the other side to turn golden brown as well. And just like that, we have made a perfect crepe shell. The rest is up to your creativity to fill the crepe. Whoever makes the most delicious crepe will be the team captain. Sun-hun found Carl’s challenge this time quite interesting. Although he knew how to make them, he still wanted to take this opportunity to practice. The crepe filling showcases the chef’s creativity. Everyone was striving to become the captain because if they didn’t try, they could very well become one of the five eliminated. Sun Hune was no exception. He wanted to be the captain to best understand Chef Carl’s cuisine and master the techniques. Sun Hun hadn’t started yet. He was still using his creativity to think about the filling. He thought of banana cream and strawberries, a popular and beloved cake filling combination in Korea. Surely it would be delicious. but simply replicating it wouldn’t demonstrate creativity. He wanted to create a crepe with a unique filling, something that would surprise people. Sun- Hun’s eyes suddenly lit up. He thought of something novel. He asked Carl if he could pop out to the convenience store for a moment. Carl was surprised, wondering what Sun Hoon wanted to buy at the convenience store. The Korean cuisine group was also discussing, but Yun Jong wasn’t there. Dong Enu loudly declared, “I will be the captain of this group. Does anyone have any objections?” Of course, there were objections because everyone wanted to be captain, thus minimizing their risk of elimination. A chef from the Chu Sang Hyan Hotel objected. We should wait for the judge to return before discussing further. Everyone here wants to be captain. How can you just decide like that? Faced with opposition, Dong Enu’s face darkened, clearly annoyed, and he started speaking recklessly. He used his hotel’s ranking to intimidate. Don’t you know Myion Dong Hotel? Our hotel wins the Korean cuisine championship every year and we even handle state banquetss for the Blue House. If I, a chef from that hotel, don’t become captain, then who is worthy? Seeing Dong Enu getting agitated and worried something unpleasant might happen, his colleague quickly tried to restrain him. Just then, Yin Jang returned. Dung Enu arrogantly announced that he had been chosen as captain. He acted hottily, seemingly looking down on Yan Jang. He coldly said, “Ignore him. Leave it to me.” Yan Jang was also taken aback by this junior’s arrogant attitude. Meanwhile, in the Italian cuisine group managed by Mong, selecting a captain seemed rather easy. Mong directly appointed Go Yandi as the captain. However, Go Yandi felt quite awkward as he was the youngest one there. But the other chefs in the group readily agreed. They trusted the judg’s decision and besides Go Yanti scores in the competition had consistently been in the top two. Receiving everyone’s trust, Go Yandi felt some relief from the guilt he carried for cheating. Go Yandi was indeed a skilled chef and he also possessed a deep understanding of Italian cuisine. Stepping into the role of captain, he shared his knowledge generously with his teammates. Fortunately, the Hinton Hotel, where he worked, also specialized in Italian food, granting him and his team a significant advantage, helping them navigate this round smoothly. The confidence go Yandi exuded as he shared his insights greatly pleased Miyong. Truly a wonderful young man, having just accepted the captaincy, he had already set a course guiding the members forward. Even without Gogis support, he was genuinely outstanding. Returning to the French cuisine group, the members had completed their crepes and were now presenting them one after another for Carl’s tasting and evaluation. The first to be selected was Chef Hyanu. His crepe filling consisted of kiwi and tomato. Carl cut a substantial piece and placed it in his mouth, chewing slowly, absorbing the flavors. The clean sweetness of the kiwi mingled with the gentle tartness of the cherry tomatoes. The taste itself wasn’t bad, but the sensation of the tomato in the mouth lacked a certain smoothness. Next up was Yo Sukhyan’s crepe. Featuring a combination of tuna salad and balsamic sauce. It was passable yet overly conventional, feeling much like an appetizer and failed to leave a lasting impression. Following her was the female chef, Yang Hi. Her crepe was meticulously crafted, sparking curiosity about the secret filling concealed within. Carl eagerly sliced off a large piece and began to savor it. The shell radiated the rich, fatty aroma of butter, which combined with syrup created a novel sensation. Inside lay a fragrant sweet egg filling. Yang Hi conceived the idea of using the crepe shell itself to encase the filling. Remarkably unique. Carl was thoroughly pleased, praising her. You’ve done exceptionally well. This is the finest crepe I’ve had the pleasure of tasting today. Barring any surprises, I intend to select you as captain. However, there are still many contestants awaiting evaluation, so we must wait a little longer. Next, he wished to sample Sung Hoon’s crepe. Diverging from the traditional broad crepes, Sun Hoon’s creations were dimminionive, resembling small ice cream cones. Carl found himself quite taken with this concept. He immediately lifted one and popped it into his mouth to taste. The filling comprised banana, chocolate sauce, and syrup along with cream. Though small, it contained everything. Just as he registered the thought that this crepe was perhaps somewhat ordinary, he suddenly felt something popping inside his mouth. This peculiar sensation took him completely by surprise. Unable to identify the source, he inquired aloud. Kong Seung Hun, there’s something crackling in your crepe. What is that? Se Hun replied with a smile. Yes, that’s foot candy. This inventive touch astonished the other chefs in the group as well. Seung Hun elaborated on the inspiration behind his idea. While contemplating a distinctive filling, he had recalled a type of candy he used to enjoy during his childhood called foot candy. This type of candy was very popular among children because of the fun popping sensation it created in the mouth. Moreover, its sweet and sour taste was also quite delicious. But under the program’s constraints, it was very difficult to find or make this type of candy from scratch. Therefore, Sun Hun asked for permission to go to the convenience store. There, he bought a readily available product containing foot candy, which was ice cream. However, the head chef felt it wasn’t quite like ice cream because it had a chewy texture. Seung Hun had added rice paper. He soaked the rice paper in water to soften it. Then he used it to wrap the ice cream. This method could both keep the ice cream cold and prevent it from melting and leaking out. Sun Hun’s creativity and delicious flavor left Carl deeply satisfied. He announced, “I hereby declare the captain of our team is Kong Seong Hun. A moment ago, I was planning to choose Yang Hi, but after tasting that delicious crepe just now, I have changed my mind. The other chefs, though slightly jealous, reluctantly applauded in congratulations, accepting him as the captain. Just as the internal competition round ended, Chef Carl looked quite tired, perhaps because the weather in the east was much hotter than in the west. He sat resting on the stairs outside, and Sun-hun also came out to greet him. During the competition earlier, I recognized you, so I wanted to come out and greet you privately. It had been 8 years since they last met. Fate had brought them together again on the path of a chef. Carl showered Sung Hune with praise. He had boldly experimented with the crepe, which was not only delicious, but also highly creative. Sung Hune humbly said it was just luck. But with his vast experience, Carl knew very well it wasn’t luck. He also realized that the others on the team didn’t initially approve of him being captain. But after tasting his crepe, they had changed their perspective. Although Sun Hune said he made many crepes because they were small, Carl once again saw through his intentions. He had deliberately made so many so that all the members could have taste. Carl shared that he was very surprised to be a judge on this program and even more surprised to meet him again, especially since he had performed so well. He offered Sun Hun some sincere advice. Don’t become complacent. Delicious food should contain emotion. If you start thinking you’re always right, the taste of the food will change accordingly. Sun Hune thanked Carl for the advice, mentioning that his father had also taught him the same thing. Carl recalled a time when Sun Hoon’s father had prepared a signature dish at the previous five-star restaurant. Sun Hun still had some impression of that occasion. He remembered there was always accompanying music throughout the dining experience. Carl wanted to implement that idea this time as well, but ultimately deciding the flavor of the dish was up to Seung Hune. Before the official training session, Carl wanted to introduce Sun Hoon to someone, saying this person was directly related to Se Hun. Sun- Hun was somewhat surprised, unable to imagine who could be related to him. The competition continued. Now it was time to prepare the main course. The judges announced the rules and evaluation methods. The evaluation method will be carried out using a cross assessment format. Each team’s dish will be tasted and judged by two judges from the remaining two teams. After the tasting, the judges will proceed to score the dish. The final score will be the average score given by the two judges. And for the two teams with the lowest scores, all members will become candidates for elimination. To determine the competition order for each team, judge Mong suggested the other two judges draw lots using cups marked with order numbers. Once the draw was complete, Miong Sun announced loudly. The first team to compete is the French cuisine team. The Italian cuisine team is second, and finally, the Korean cuisine team. Seung Hune readied himself for the competition, brimming with fiery determination when suddenly the voice of a production staff member cut through the air. He approached Se Hune and whispered, “Sung Hune, could you step out to the break room for a moment?” The main camera wants to get some more shots of you, so we need to touch up your appearance a bit. Se Hune had no choice but to excuse himself from his adviser and teammates following the production staff’s request to the breakroom. Seeing Sun Hoon step out, Song Mina looked slightly suspicious. Can people just leave in the middle of a live broadcast competition? The production staff member replied evasively. It’s quite normal. Unexpected things happen occasionally. The makeup artist and stylist said that those receiving the most attention need to look a bit more polished. A surge of jealousy flared within Song Mina, her thoughts racing. Humph. So, Hyan and Jimn, you two must be, she spoke with an acidic tone. I’ll wait for him to finish his makeup and bring him over. With that, she turned and headed straight for the breakroom. Just as she stepped out the door, she heard someone call her name. Song Mina turned around to see Gong T, who offered her something, hoping she would accept it. Suddenly, receiving a gift caught her completely offguard, leaving her unsure how to react. Inside the breakroom, Sun Hun was getting his makeup touched up, enhancing his handsome features. Indeed, after a light application of foundation and lip balm, he looked even more vibrant and attractive. The blonde makeup artist wasn’t just applying makeup. She was deliberately trying to capture Sun Hun’s attention, seemingly interested in him. She mentioned that she greatly admired him for working so hard, all for his family. Meanwhile, Se Hun chef uniform was being meticulously ironed by a beautiful purple-haired girl. The wrinkles from not being pressed for a long time vanished without a trace. Sean Hun felt slightly awkward receiving such sudden attentive care and hastily expressed his thanks. He asked puzzled, “I don’t think I’ve met you two before. Are you new staff members?” Se Hun’s unexpected question left both women flustered. Just as they were about to explain, a voice drifted in from outside the door. “Son Hun, you’ve met them before.” Semina appeared, her face grim, her eyes sharp as daggers. With a voice laced with a subtle threat, she introduced the two women beside her. This is Yo Sohan, head of the makeup team. She’s perpetually tired, usually wears glasses, hair tied back, looking like an old Andy. And that one is Kim Jimn, a stylist from the broadcast station. Normally, she couldn’t care less about her clothes and loves hiding under a hat. Only then did Son Hoon recognize them. Their transformations were so drastic. Song Mina let out a chilling laugh. You recognize them now, don’t you? These two old Annies, they wouldn’t even bother with makeup for a colleague’s wedding. What wind blew you two here today? All dressed up and even wearing contacts. You actually clean up quite nicely. Her fierce attitude seemed ready to devour the two women who turned pale with fear, rendered speechless. Song Mina glared, grinding her teeth as she commanded, “Hurry up.” Contestant Kong sung, “Who needs to return to the competition floor as soon as possible?” In an instant, the lovely, gentle woman had transformed into a roaring lioness. The two women dared not hesitate any longer. They hastily removed the borrowed scarves. Returning Sun Hoon’s chef uniform and then quickly bid their farewells. Before leaving, they couldn’t resist a playful jab. Song Mina, really now? If you wanted to critique us, you should have given us a heads up. Song Mina blushed, retorting, when did I critique you? I didn’t. You’re just flattering yourself, getting all shy now. Se Hun asked if she had rushed over because the filming schedule was delayed due to his absence. Of course not. Semina’s stammer in reply. Well, maybe it seems so. Hearing this, Se Hun didn’t want to delay any further and quickly prepared to leave. Song Mina hastily stopped him, then handed him a carton of chocolate milk. Seung Hune was slightly surprised, but accepted it nonetheless. Song Mina explained, “This milk isn’t from me. Go Yong T asked me to give it to you. Hearing it was from Go Yong T Hoons hand suddenly tightened, nearly crushing the carton. Noticing Se Hune’s somewhat agitated state, Song Mina quickly elaborated when he gave me the milk. His face clearly showed remorse. He insisted I hand it to you personally, saying he wanted to apologize for Judge Go Jong’s inappropriate behavior. I don’t know what he meant, but I guess he genuinely wants to apologize. Seung Hun seemed not to hear Song Mina’s words, only snapping back to reality when she called his name loudly. Song Mina suggested, “I think Songhoon needs some time to compose himself. I’ll wait for you outside the door. Come out when you calm down.” Se Hun insisted he was fine. Semina immediately countered, “Fine. Your expression says it all.” She closed the door, waiting outside. Seung Hune’s face still held a trace attention. He picked up the chocolate milk carton, murmuring to himself. Why would he give me chocolate milk without saying a word? A moment later, Sun Hun recalled an old memory. Back then, they were both serving in the military. During one conversation, they had argued about this very subject. It was he who had initiated the conversation, asking Go Yang T, “Do you know the meaning of chocolate milk?” Back in school during lunch, did you ever receive chocolate milk? Go Yang T pondered for a moment before replying. Thinking back, it seems I never did. I only ever got plain milk. But what significance could changing from plain milk to chocolate milk in our military rations possibly hold? Does chocolate milk have some special meaning? Sung Hune answered, “It’s merely symbolic. Just as long as it isn’t plain milk, that’s enough.” Of course, I understand we must all eat the same things because we are soldiers. After all, military cooks like us having to prepare meals for so many cannot possibly cater to every individual preference. But receiving milk is a different matter. Even if our only option is plain milk, just like when we were children, it’s because we lack the power to choose. But now that we are adults, I wonder if I should demand more choice. Ultimately, I believe the prevalence of plain milk stems from tradition. It isn’t a regulation, nor is it something immutable. I hope at the very least I can choose the type of beverage provided. If we do this, the amount of wasted milk will decrease and the soldier satisfaction with military meals will improve. Go Yong T found Hun’s idea quite interesting, but he countered, “We’re in the military now, so making changes will be difficult.” Seung Hun once again steadfastly expressed his determination. “If I win the upcoming military cooking competition, I will voice all of this in my victory speech.” It was a conversation filled with joy, and the friendship between Sun Hune and Yang taped deepened progressively. Eight weeks together in the service had bound them together. Although Sun Hun later didn’t get the chance to express his thoughts as the final victor was Go Yong T, it didn’t matter. The most important thing was that they had become close friends. The carton of milk was sent as a reminder to them. Now we have left the military participating in this competition as respectable chefs. We can compete fairly against each other, become rivals, and together strive to be the finest chefs. No matter the difficulties, no matter how high the obstacles, I will overcome them. I will advance using my own talent and strength. That was what Yong T wanted to convey to Seung Hun. Also serving as a sincere apology from the bottom of Yang T’s heart. Seung Hun through his ability to read the memories of ingredients completely understood Yong Taye’s intentions. Back at the competition venue, Yong T’s teammates were engaged in lively discussion while he alone bowed his head in contemplation. He must still have been wondering whether the milk carton had reached Seung Hun and whether Sung Hoon had grasped its meaning. Noticing Go Yong T’s apparent unease. A team member approached him and asked, “You seem worried about something.” Concerned about alarming his team, Go Yong Tickly explained, “Well, I do have a few things on my mind, but don’t worry, it’s not about our dish.” Suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder, startling Go Yong T. It was Kong Sean Hune who had returned. He spoke to Go Yong T. I finished the milk. Just a simple greeting, but was enough for Go Yang Tay to understand the unspoken message. I’m back. Let’s both do our best. Kong Sean Hun strode back towards his own team to resume the unfinished part of the competition. Upon returning, Sun Hune immediately asked Judge Carlo, “Sir, are you ready?” Judge Carlo smiled and replied, “Of course, I’m ready. We can begin anytime.” Sun Hoon turned to his team members, encouraging them, “Everyone, let’s give it our all. Let’s complete our part.” well together. The entire team, brimming with determination, responded in unison, “Yes, captain.” before beginning the food service. Seung Hun’s team made a slight adjustment to the judge’s table position, moving it towards the entrance. Both judges were intensely curious, wondering what Sun Hoons team was preparing that required such secrecy. After arranging the seating for the two judges, Judge Carlo turned towards the production crew, requesting their assistance in setting up a stage. Everything remained shrouded in mystery, peing the curiosity of everyone present. They were eager to discover what Dish Seung Hoon’s team had created that necessitated such elaborate preparations. The stage curtain was drawn back slowly, gradually revealing the secret hidden behind it. When a stage curtain was fully raised, both judges were stunned. Behind the curtain was not a dish, but a symphony orchestra. The other two teams remained bewildered, unable to comprehend why there was an orchestra instead of food. The conductor introduced himself. His name was Kim Yong Seup, a friend of Judge Carlo, invited to perform for this culinary competition. Se Hun’s team would be pairing their dish with music. Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, the conductor raised his silver batten high, beginning to lead the orchestra, and enchanting sounds began to fill the air. Mong, clearly knowledgeable, recognized it from the very first notes as the carnival of the animals by the famous French composer. Simultaneously, as the music swelled, Sung Hune’s team commenced their food service. Two wine glasses were placed before the judges, each containing three small ice cubes. Then, the finest French white wine was poured. A few slices of fruit were added, and finally, they addressed the judges. Please enjoy this operry teeth, a cocktail made from the renowned French oper white wine. The two judges hesitated, reluctant to drink because the glasses looked too beautiful. Judge Carlos spoke up. I propose we savor this after the conclusion of the third part of the symphony, the wild asses. The two judges simultaneously raised their glasses to their lips, taking a delicate sip, clear delight was etched on both their faces as they praised in unison. Truly wonderful. Waiting until the two judges had finished savoring the operry teeth, Sun Hun officially commenced the serving of the meal. Seung Hun loudly called for his team members to wheel in the food carts, serving each dish sequentially from the appetizer and the light course to the main entree. Amidst the melodious strains of music, the food seemed to become even more delectable. Its flavors perfectly balanced. The distinct characteristics of French cuisine vividly expressed, resonating with the performance of the symphony orchestra. This sensation, it was France itself, the splendor of Paris. The image of beautiful France materialized vividly before their eyes. Just as the judges were immersed in the French atmosphere, Sun- Hun’s secret weapon was unveiled. The dessert was served. Two exquisite pastries were placed before the judges. Accompanied by the suggestion, esteemed judges, “Please take a bite.” As the pastry melted in their mouths. The judges eyes widened. They felt as if brilliant, colorful fireworks were blossoming across the Parisian sky. The melodious music swelled continuously, not only transporting the listener souls to an ethereal realm, but also immersing the musicians themselves in a vibrant melodies until its conclusion, its resonance lingering persistently. It took a long moment for the two judges to emerge from that state of euphoria. Only then did they begin to applaud appreciatively, expressing their respect for the symphony orchestra. The dinner concluded and the orchestral performance drew to a close. The conductor and his orchestra bowed to everyone and departed. Miong sung, still immersed in the afterglow of the dinner, remarked just as everyone said, “This was a truly wonderful dinner. We had just finished enjoying the dessert when the music concluded perfectly.” Ms. Yun Jang praised effusively. The result of the pastry was marvelous. “It’s the first time I’ve ever eaten something that exploded in my mouth like that.” Mong added, “It created an explosive sensation, making me feel as if I were watching brilliant, colorful fireworks in the sky. Truly amazing.” Judge Cadlov spoke up, “I cannot believe it. In just 5 hours, you accomplished everything so perfectly.” But Judge Carlo countered, “This must be credited to the brilliant leadership of team leader Kong Sun Hune. His team performed exceptionally well. Se Hoon’s team received high praise from the two judges. The meal they created was deemed nearly perfect. The French cuisine team’s presentation concluded, followed by the Italian cuisine team’s turn. Sun Hune, having witnessed Yung City’s outstanding performance, felt a degree of pressure. But as the team leader, he remained determined to give his utmost, fueled by the trust placed in him by everyone. While awaiting the judge’s scores, Judge Carlo suggested that Sun Hoon should take the opportunity to rest while he himself would go bid farewell to conductor Kim. At that moment, conductor Kim and the members of the orchestra were in the room packing up their instruments. Judge Carlo expressed his sincere gratitude to conductor Kim for assisting them in today’s competition segment. Conductor Kim replied that they were old friends and helping each other was a natural thing to do. However, he expressed surprised that the musical piece Se Hune had chosen possessed a style remarkably similar to that of his father, Chef Khan. Fortunately, they happened to be rehearsing that very piece. So everything proceeded smoothly. Judge Carlo remarked that Sun Hun shared habits identical to his late fathers, finding it quite miraculous. Conductor Kim offered a different perspective. I believe it’s more than just habit. He mentioned the anniversary of Sun Hoon’s father’s passing, which fell on this very weekend, wondering if Judge Carlo plan to pay his respects. Judge Carlo affirmed, “My trip to Korea this time was specifically to visit Master Kang’s memorial.” Both men expressed their profound gratitude towards Sun Hoon’s father, acknowledging that his very existence had paved the way for their own successes today. Judge Carlo returned to the judge’s table, preparing to commence the tasting of the Italian team’s dishes. He held high expectations for their cuisine, as this would be his first proper meal since arriving in Korea, and he was now quite famished. Everything was set. The Italian team confidently wheeled in their food carts. Much like Sun Hoon’s team, they also opted for wine as an oper. Following this was the appetizer, a simple garlic butterb bread paired with salad, cold cuts, and olives. Immediately after came the first course, an authentic seafood spaghetti. The main course featured beef steak with a red wine reduction sauce. To counteract any potential richness, they thoughtfully included an appealing side salad. Dessert consisted of a chocolate cake, concluding with a cup of rich coffee brewed from Brazilian golden bee pollen. Judge Carlo took a sip of the coffee, expressing a satisfaction with the Italian team’s meal, lavishing praise upon them. Nevertheless, he offered a critique. I feel your execution was very textbook, or rather, I haven’t yet perceived the unique character of the dishes, but this is merely my personal opinion. You have performed admirably. Judge Carlo turned towards Ms. Yun Jang seeking her opinion only to find her unresponsive her face etched with worry after judge Carlo called her name several times she startled finally responding to him Yun Jang offered only brief prefuncter comments on the Italian team’s performance Dong Tay felt a flicker of concern but Mong’s words of encouragement helped lift everyone’s spirits and ultimately they successfully completed their presentation the Italian team’s segment concluded making way for the Korean team’s turn. However, Ms. Yun Jong displayed no enthusiasm for this upcoming segment, regretting her decision not to oversee the team’s entire practice process. It was solely because Yung Ilwu had been overly confident, excessively arrogant that she had refrained from intervening. Only now did she step into the kitchen for the first time to check on the team’s progress. However, upon entering, she froze. What on earth was happening? Why was everyone just standing still like that? There wasn’t a shred of unity or cooperation in the kitchen. Each person was working on their own task. Nobody listening to anyone else. All of this was the result of the arrogant Yung Ilw’s doing. The food was still simmering in the pots. Not a single dish was complete. Yung Ilw stood frozen in place, his face dark with anger. Ms. Yun Jong roared, “How are the dishes coming along?” Rewind to 30 minutes earlier. The Korean team was still focused on preparing their dishes. But the atmosphere in the kitchen was incredibly tense. There was no communication between them, no coordination. Everyone was busy with their own tasks. Dissatisfaction was clearly written on every face. The arrogant young Ilw showed none of the qualities of a team leader. He only knew how to shout orders, barking commands without actually guiding the members. He turned to the person in charge of the tearrop porridge, ordering him to ladle out a bowl for tasting. The chef trembled as he scooped a small bowl and handed it to Yung Ilw. Young Il Woo took just one sip, then made a disgusted face, completely ignoring the chef’s reaction and loudly berated him, “What the hell are you cooking? Why did you add so much seasoning?” Terra porridge isn’t like regular porridge. It needs to be seasoned according to individual taste. After cooking, you must prepare the seasonings separately for the guests to add themselves. Don’t you even know that? The chef explained that this was his first time making the dish, so he wasn’t entirely sure. Yung Ilw, the team leader, was only concerned with his own dish, offering no guidance to the other members. When problems arose, he only knew how to yell and shift the blame. He didn’t just scold that chef. He vented his anger on the others as well. Harsh words continuously spewed from his mouth, making the kitchen atmosphere even more strained. Finally, one chef couldn’t tolerate Yung Ilw’s contemptuous attitude any longer and immediately retorted, “Who the hell do you think you are? Even if Myandong Hotel is a top hotel and Korean cuisine is high class, you have no right to act superior and insult people like this.” Being talked back to, Yung Ilwu flew into a rage, roaring, “How dare you raise your voice at me? Are you crazy?” This chef had long been irritated by Yung Ilw. And this time he couldn’t hold back anymore, shouting, “Stop thinking only about yourself. You need to think about the team.” Ms. Yian Jang previously suggested that the tearrop porridge could use some seasoning, but Yung Il Wu was too confident and dismissed it. Besides, each person only needed to choose one dish to make. They already chose their main course, and now you pretend to care. Yung Il Woo was speechless, only able to angrily shout, “Shut your mouth. Just do as I say. What experience do you have to talk such nonsense?” The chef looked straight into Yung Ilw’s detestable face without hesitation, saying, “I have 9 years of experience, but I’m not a chef from Myandong Hotel. You shut up. Don’t use that vulgar tone with me.” He seemed to think that his bluntness could change the situation. But Yung Ilw remained incorraible. He sneered, saying, “Get lost. Don’t bother cooking anymore.” At this point, the chef no longer had any interest in working with this bastard. He retorted, “Fine. I thought this pointless competition was over anyway. Having said that, he walked straight out the door, not sparing Yung Ilwu a single glance. Things not going as planned drove the bastard nearly mad. In this situation, failure was inevitable. Returning to the present, Ms. Yun Jang entered the kitchen to check, but before her eyes was only chaos, the atmosphere in the kitchen was incredibly tense, and the dish showed no signs of progress. She bellowed, “Is the dish done yet?” Yung Ilw tried to justify. It’s just a little off. We just need to change the dessert. Miss Yun Jang noticed someone was missing and immediately questioned it. Yung Ilw’s teammate lied, saying the person went to the restroom, telling her not to worry about the food. Although suspicious, Miss Yun Jong still allowed them to continue finishing the dish. She turned and walked out to the hall, but not without a warning. Finish the dish properly and bring it up to me. If you embarrass me, I won’t forgive you. Finally, the Korean team finished preparing the dishes and pushed them before the judges for presentation. The appetizer they prepared was terra porridge, a porridge that looked very simple, lacking creativity, causing Mong to hesitate slightly. Cadlov, very interested in Korean cuisine, decided not to add any seasoning to savor the original flavor. As the two judges tasted it simultaneously, disappointment was clearly written on their faces. Both agreed the porridge was terrible, far too bland, with no special taste whatsoever. They didn’t want another bite and wished to move immediately to the next dish. The appetizer had left the judges utterly disappointed. Miss Yun Jang was furious. Yung Il Woo, desperate to salvage the situation, quickly brought out the next course. The next dish prepared by the Korean team was pumpkin rice. The rice and ingredients were cooked together inside a pumpkin, ready to be enjoyed upon opening the lid. The dish was quite unique, peing Cadlov’s curiosity. He lifted the lid, revealing rice, pumpkin, and mushrooms stewed together inside. However, Mong’s disappointed sigh echoed once more. “What kind of rice is this?” Everyone look. Is this rice or porridge? A dish must reach a certain standard to be tasted and judged. It doesn’t even meet the most basic requirement. How are we supposed to evaluate this? Kadlov also spoke up. I see. Even the order of the dishes is incorrect. Yung Ilwu interrupted. Could the two judges please taste the main course first before evaluating? The main course is the specialty of our Mayong Dong hotel. There will surely be no problem with it. As soon as he finished speaking, Cadlov reacted strangely. He suddenly burst out laughing, saying, “How amusing did you hear that?” Mong making the main course together and then offering such excuses for themselves. I don’t even need to see the subsequent dishes. Mong concurred with Cad. The two judges declared in unison. Team Korea zero points. The verdict left the entire Korean team stunned. Their dishes were eliminated before even being fully tasted. Yung Il was stammered. Are you two joking? Mong replied sternly. Do we look like we’re joking? Yung Il Wu intended to offer an explanation, but was silenced by Ms. Yian Jang before he could speak. She spoke angrily. I told you all, “Do not embarrass me. Look at the way you cooked. Your attitude was sluggish, completely lacking any fighting spirit. It’s precisely because you were overconfident that I overlooked the fact that you were short one person. But acting like this is tanamount to smearing dirt on my face. Hearing this, Kadlov noticed that team Korea was indeed missing a member. He inquired about the situation, but Yung Ilw remained silent. Ms. Yun Jang stated furiously. The production team informed me that the person quit. Cadlov and Mong were discussing the elimination of five people, but since one had already quit, only four more needed to be eliminated. Yung Ilw overheard their conversation and immediately sought to seize this opportunity to avoid elimination. He addressed the judges. Although you’ve given us zero points to select who gets eliminated, shouldn’t you still try each dish? That would make it easier, wouldn’t it? The judges found his point reasonable and agreed. Yung Ilwch achieved his goal. a sly smile spreading across his face. But Mizian Jang stepped forward to intervene. Why give him a chance? All members must be eliminated. As I said from the beginning, she pointed her finger at Yung Il Woo, saying furiously, “Do you think I only look at the final result? I’ve been watching since you started cooking.” As the team leader, “Not only did you fail to manage and guide the members, but you only cared about your hotel’s matters.” The members lacked flexibility, devoid of any fighting spirit. Despite that, I still asked each person individually if they wanted to continue the competition. Do you remember what you said? Utterly foolish, without a shred of thought, no ambition, just acting like robots waiting for orders. The producer asked, “Do we really have to eliminate five people?” The producer also felt conflicted, but Ms. Yian Jang was known for her firmness. Once angered, she wouldn’t change her decision. Furthermore, eliminating them outright would affect the program’s runtime. Seeing the producer look troubled, Mina spoke up. If you’re worried about the program’s runtime, there’s no need. We’ve already planned to film a special episode after the mission concludes to enhance the standards of the other hotels. The producer was surprised to hear Mina already had a plan, but Mina explained that besides the main content, the program team had prepared a contingency plan for this exact situation. Now, everything was settled. The producers signaled their agreement with Ms. Yanjang’s proposal. Ms. Yun Jang, having waited for this moment, declared in a low voice. All members of the Korean team are eliminated. The decision was made. It could not be changed. Yung Il Wu couldn’t help but curse under his breath, then snatched the chef’s hat from his head and threw it violently to the ground. He had utterly failed, defeated by his own arrogance. Truly, you reap what you sow. To save time, Cadlov and Mong agreed to announce the rankings together and then conclude the program. The three remaining teams lined up neatly, awaiting the results. The producer handed the scoring sheet for the round to Cad. The eliminated team was already determined. Cadav slowly announced the champion with 9.5 points. The French team takes first place. The Italian team secures second place with 8.5 points. Yantia felt a pang of regret for only achieving second place. He bowed his head apologizing to his team members for not leading them to the championship title. But the members were all cheerful. They didn’t blame Yontia and instead felt happy with the result they had achieved. Receiving everyone’s acknowledgement, Yangtia felt somewhat comforted. The competition day thus concluded with an unexpected outcome. Today was a successful day for Son Hun. Not only did he reunite with an old friend, but he also learned more about French cuisine. Most importantly, he had secured the champion title once again. Yangi approached Sung Hun, striking up a conversation. Team leader, “Oh no, Sun Hun.” Her gentle tone, sweet address, and friendly smile all hinted that something was unusual. She continued, “Thank you, Sun Hun. Thanks to you, I also got first place today,” Sun Hun modestly replied, attributing it to the entire team’s effort. A team member spoke up, asking, “Hm, with skills like yours, why are you working at that hotel?” The somewhat dismissive tone towards the hotel where Sun Hun worked made him feel uncomfortable. Seung Hun answered awkwardly. Um, the main reason is that I applied to many places but only that hotel accepted me. Before that, I was even rejected by Hyan Wu Bangs Hotel. Hearing this, Hyan Wu Bang showed a look of regret. Yang Hi chimed in, “Anyway, Son Hun, if there’s a team competition next time, I hope you’ll help me out.” Yang Hi’s attitude seemed like she wanted to get closer to Son Hun. Luckily, Mino wasn’t present, or else a conflict might have erupted. The program’s aotted time was over. Everyone said their goodbyes and headed home to rest. Just as Se Hun was preparing to leave, the sound of an argument erupted behind him. It was Ms. Yun Jang and Yung Ilw. It seemed a conflict had broken out between them. Both were furious, neither willing to yield. Don’t forget to give me a like because it’s free. Your likes not only motivate me, but also help me cover the cost of buying books. So, don’t hesitate. Take a second to support the admin. Thank you for always following and accompanying me. The competition day had ended, but the story wasn’t over yet. Go Yantia wouldn’t let that arrogant man off easily. Yantia demanded that he apologized to the people he had humiliated before leaving the competition. Hearing the demand, the man scoffed. Huh? What the hell are you talking about, kid? A thud by nature. He grabbed Yang Tia by the collar, intending to strike him. You piece of trash. It’s because I ended up with trashy members like you that we got eliminated. I’m really pissed off right now and you want me to apologize to that bunch of garbage. Yangia remained stern as he faced him. It was your mistakes that caused the entire team to be eliminated. Stop blaming others all the time. Kong Seung Hune, the one you bullied the most. Don’t you have anything you want to say to him? The mention of Seung Hune only fueled his anger. What is there to say between me and that brat? Say his name one more time and see what happens. But his threats had no effect. Today, Yangtia was determined to make this man bow his head. Nothing to say. I heard some things from Sun Hune. He left the hotel because you oppressed him. Your despicable behavior was fully exposed during today’s competition. Someone younger and more talented than you. Yet, you bullied them using your authority to trample them. So, apologize to them now for being jealous of them. Being exposed infuriated young Ilw. And he roared, “You bastard. I’ll smash your mouth in.” He swung his fist, preparing to attack Yangtia, but a hand grasped his shoulder, stopping the action. He yelled, “Who dare stop me? Smack!” A punch, swift as the wind, struck Yung Ilwu across the face. Sun Hune, his long-suppressed anger, finally unleashed, had delivered the retaliatory blow. Yung Ilw staggered and fell to the ground from the force of Sun Hoon’s powerful punch. Yantio witnessed the scene, his mouth agape in astonishment. He never expected the always gentle Sung Hoon to be capable of such a forceful punch. As the old saying goes, no fight, no friendship. After punching Yung Ilwu, Sun Hun felt a flicker of concern, but he didn’t forget to ask Yantia, “Are you okay?” Still reeling from the shock. Yia stammered in reply, “Uh, I’m fine.” Yong Il Wu struggled to get up, clutching his swollen face, his expression filled with terror. He couldn’t believe he had actually been hit by Sung Hun. Trembling all over, he yelled furiously, “You you bastard, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” At this moment, Sung Hune calmly replied, “Oh, he was about to hit Yantia. I just conveniently stopped him. Is there a problem? You dare lay a hand on me?” And then asked if there’s a problem. So when he was about to hit Yantia just now, that wasn’t a problem. Don’t you dare open your mouth just to spew nonsense. This man remained unrepentant, continuing his threats. Just you two wait. You’ll regret what happened today. I won’t let you survive in this industry. Yangtia is scoffed. Not survive in this industry. Is that something the department head of Korea’s top hotel should be saying? Yeah, we’ll see. Just enjoy it while you can, you pieces of trash. He glared furiously at Sun Hun, then turned to leave. Seung Hune immediately retorted, “Whether we survive in this industry or not, are you planning to talk to Chef Sanji of the Mywan Hotel? I think the chairman of the hotel association holds more power. He could influence other high-end hotels. Seung Huns words made the other man flinch slightly. It seemed that when Sun Hun touched Yung Ilwu, he had read his memories. He frowned, questioning, “Where did you get this information? Surely you know the consequences of messing with me.” Seung Hune looked directly at him, continuing his veiled remarks. “Oh, let me see. Do you really think everything will be fine?” With the hotel association’s arrogant attitude, I don’t think they’d accept you losing to a third rate hotel chef like me, would they? As far as I know, the chairman even disclosed this matter to other high-end hotels. I think what happened? One only needs to use their knees to imagine how utterly shameful it must be. And about the contestant information being leaked during the competition, can public opinion just ignore that? Is doing so really not a problem? Every word from Sung Hun made Yung Ilwu turn pale, leaving him speechless. He couldn’t understand how Sung Hune knew these secret details. After dealing with Yung Il Wu, the two returned to their room together, perhaps still haunted by the previous cheating incident. Neither said a word. Yantia broke the silence awkwardly. Thank you for what happened just now. Also, about the exam questions being leaked, I want to apologize to you again. It’s okay. Se Hun’s brief reply brought a sigh of relief from Yantia. It was the hotel that forced me, made me join Gaja. That’s why I had to do it. I understand. Also, seeing you forced the guy to apologize earlier, I felt a bit moved. So, don’t be down anymore. Cheer up. The two good friends slung their arms around each other’s shoulders, chatting cheerfully. The misunderstandings between them had been resolved. That evening, Song Mina was walking while reviewing documents when she was suddenly startled by Seung Huns voice calling her name. Se Hun’s abrupt appearance made Song Mina’s heartbeat faster. Writer Song, I have something I need to talk to you about. Song Mina blushed, her heart fluttering as she thought. What could be so important that he needs to tell me directly? Could it be that he? But the truth was Se Hun only wanted to ask if she was free this weekend. He needed to go to Chong Yan for something important since it was quite far from the resort. Se Hun wanted to give her advanced notice. Semina check her schedule and said there was no filming scheduled so she could go. Suddenly Mina asked feeling a bit shy. Director Seung Hun This isn’t something you needed to tell me in person, is it? Is there a special reason? Song Mina lost in a hopeful daydream was abruptly brought back down to earth. Ah, it’s because I texted you but didn’t get a reply. Calling didn’t work either. Just as Song Mina was imagining she might hear something wonderful, reality hit her. Oh, I’m sorry. I had my phone on silent while filming. I just remembered. So, director Seung Hun, what brings you to Chong Yen? Sung Hune didn’t say anything, just offered a warm smile. It was because that day was the anniversary of his father’s passing. His father was laid to rest at the memorial park in Chong Yen. Every year, he visited the grave with his family. No matter how busy he was, he always made sure to be there. This year, it wasn’t just Sun Hoon’s family. His father’s friends came, too. Mr. Carlo and Maestro Kim also paid their respects, which made Son Hun’s mother very happy. Seeing his mother acquainted with the two men surprised Se Hun slightly. His mother explained that Mr. Carlo and Maestro Kim used to work at his father’s restaurant. Not only that, Mr. Carlo had been his father’s apprentice. Their connection began 25 years ago. Flashing back two years prior, Sun Huns family owned a small restaurant called Dawn. Every day, Se Hun’s father arrived at the restaurant very early to prepare. But today was a bit different because a foreigner had appeared in front of the shop. Not only that, but the man was dozing off. It seemed he had been waiting there for a very long time. It was Carlo back when he was young. Seeing this foreigner asleep in the cold, Mr. Kong hurly woke him up. As soon as he woke up, the young man exclaimed excitedly, “Master Kong, please accept me as your disciple.” Mr. Kong dong frowned, annoyed, pushing the young man’s hand away. Master Kong, who? I don’t know you. Something about this address clearly made him very uncomfortable. Rejected, Carlo was incredibly dejected, unable to accept it. 3 years ago, on a cruise ship, I was the hotel’s representative chef, preparing delicious dishes. Master, you’re Kong Chun. Carlo brought up the past, making Mr. Kong Dong sub even angrier. He lowered his voice and replied, “That was just a professional name I used when I was a hotel chef. I’ve discarded that name. Now I’m Kongyong Suk. In short, please leave. I don’t want to take any disciples.” Despite the blunt refusal, Carlo didn’t give up at all. He still tried to make Mr. Kong understand his sincerity. Master Kong, the dishes I ate back then were truly wonderful. They completely captivated me. It was because I love those dishes so much that I left France for Korea without hesitation. Please accept me as your disciple. Mr. Kong Dong Sup remained silent, looking somewhat troubled. But in the end, he still refused. He went straight into the restaurant, slamming the door shut, leaving Carlo outside. Carlo, however, was an incredibly persistent person. Despite being rejected, he still refused to give up. He sat there resolutely waiting. Whether rain poured down or the weather turned bitingly cold, he remained seated in silence. He hoped his sincerity would move Mr. Kong. Yet, after sitting in the rain for what felt like an eternity, there was still no sign of Mr. Kong. Suddenly, an umbrella opened, sheltering Carlos’s head. It was Mrs. Gi Kong Suk, Sanghun’s mother. In her youth, she was as lovely as a flower, possessing a beauty far surpassing that of the girl who betrayed her son. She spoke gently. It’s terribly cold out here. You’ll catch a cold sitting in the rain like this. Carlos stammered in reply. I come from a school of refined French cuisine. But no matter how long I practiced cooking back in France, I felt I could no longer improve. It was as if there was an invisible wall I simply couldn’t break through. Just as I was losing my passion and sense of direction, I received an invitation from Korea for a hotel’s cooking competition. Truthfully, I wasn’t particularly interested in the competition itself at the time. I mostly came for sightseeing, but there I witnessed a dish created by Master Kong. The dish he made was a crepe, a very common sort of pastry. Really, in France, it’s merely street food. At that moment, I tasted it without any particular expectation. But the flavor, it was beyond belief, impossibly delicious. It evoked memories from my childhood. I never imagined a crepe this exquisite could exist anywhere in the world, let alone here in Korea, which isn’t even the birthplace of the crepe. Right then and there, I decided I had to come to Korea. I absolutely must become the disciple of the man who crafted such an incredible dish. If I cannot become Master Kang’s student, I will not return to my home country. Hearing Carlos’s story, Mrs. Kong offered a gentle smile. I see. In that case, you must be even more persistent. My husband, he has a very soft heart. She handed the umbrella to Carlo, then slowly entered the ery. A night passed. Mr. Kong dongked up awoke, his face etched with fatigue, ready to open his shop. Perhaps it was due to overworking the previous night. He had assumed the heavy rain would surely have driven the foreigner away. But the reality defied his expectations entirely. Carlo was still sitting there, worn out by the long night. He had drifted off to sleep without even realizing it. A flicker of unease stirred within Mr. Kondong sup. Just then, Mrs. Kong emerged from behind him, holding Young Sun Huns hand. She asked, “How is it, dear? You were planning to ask if he truly waited here all night, weren’t you?” She was gently nudging Mr. Kong Dong’s subconscience, hoping he would accept this determined young man as his disciple. Perhaps in part, she also wished to help her husband alleviate the burden of guilt he carried for abandoning the name Kong Chan. Seeing a foreigner for the first time, Sun- Hun chirped with fascination. “Daddy, look, that person is a foreigner.” Sun Hun’s voice startled Carlo awake, finding Mr. Kong Dong standing right before him, he scrambled to plead urgently, “Please, sir, please accept me as your student.” Faced with Carlo’s unwavering persistence and palpable sincerity, Mr. Kong Dongup finally relented, “Very well. In that case, you can start by cleaning the ery while I take my son to school. you stay here and clean the restaurant. After that, you can start learning to cook. Mr. Kong Dong Sub found himself quite intrigued by this young Frenchman. Carlo, having received Mr. Kong Dong Sub’s consent, accepted with boundless joy. From that day forward, Carlo became a helper in the restaurant. Besides cleaning, he received dedicated instruction from Mr. Kong Dong Sub, learning the art of cooking. His culinary skills steadily improved day by day. The invisible wall hindering his growth consequently crumbled. It was precisely through this period of apprenticeship in that humble ery that he accumulated the knowledge to eventually become a renowned two Michelin star chef. Returning to the present gathering, upon hearing the story, Se Hun vaguely recalled some childhood memories, but they were memories involving Mr. Carlo. Se Hune asked, “Then what about Maestro Kim?” Carlo continued recounting their fateful connection not long after I became your father’s disciple. Maestro Kim arrived as a new employee at the restaurant. Maestro Kim added reflectively, “Initially, I was a regular customer at Master Kang’s restaurant. At that time, I couldn’t find a job and was utterly lost. It was thanks to your father taking me and that I could work here.” Mrs. Kong smiled gently, saying, “Don’t say that. Without the two of you, this restaurant wouldn’t be what it is today. Because we had such good employees, the number of customers visiting grew day by day.” Suddenly, Mrs. Kong lowered her voice. a hint of melancholy clouding her features. Her voice choked thick with regret, although we can now speak cheerfully about the restaurant. There was a time when his father and I argued a lot because of it. With two young children and the restaurant’s income being modest, there was a period when I took Sung Hun and left the restaurant. That’s why Se Hun doesn’t have many memories of you two masters. Looking back as parents, we truly failed our children in many ways. Seeing his mother blaming herself, Sung Hune quickly comforted her. It’s all right, Mom. It’s all in the past. I don’t really remember it anymore. Please don’t blame yourself. It had been a long time since the family had gathered like this to visit the grave. Not only Sun Hoon’s family, but also his father’s two disciples were present. Mr. Carlo and Maestro Kim, now both men of renown and standing in their respective fields, had not forgotten the one who had helped them on their arduous career paths years ago. After visiting the grave, Sung Hune finally had a moment to thank Mr. Carlo for his help during the recent competition. He asked Mr. Carlo if he would continue serving as a judge, but Mr. Carlo informed him he would soon return to France due to personal matters. His trip to Korea this time was only temporary to serve as a judge. The main purpose was to visit the grave of his respected teacher. It was truly fortunate that they could meet again during this visit to Korea. Mr. Mr. Carlo looked at Sun Hune for a moment, then asked, “Do you remember what I told you when I gave him my business card?” Sung Hune certainly remembered. He had even tried to contact Mr. Carlo, albeit unsuccessfully. Mr. Carlo smiled and posed the question again, “So, do you want to become my disciple? Come to my restaurant. Don’t worry, you can work while you learn. Furthermore, the benefits are even better than what you currently receive working in the hotel kitchen. Your life will be better than it is now. What do you think?” Faced with Carlos’s sincere offer, Se Hun pondered for a moment before replying. “Thank you for your kind offer, but I must respectfully decline.” Carlo was somewhat surprised by Seung Hun’s refusal. But the truth was, Sun Hun had lingering ties in Korea. He continued, “If I go to France with you, I won’t be able to take care of my mother.” Seung Hune loved his mother dearly. He was a man devoted to his family. Carlo understood this and didn’t press further. He smiled gently, pulling a blue notebook from his coat and handing it to Seghun. Master Kong gave this to me before he passed away. He told me to give it to you if you ever returned to the path of cooking. The item Carlo gave Seung Hun was a photo album. Carlo himself didn’t understand the significance of this photo album, but he believed Se Hun would because it was a keepsake his father had left for him. As Dusk settled, the grave visit concluded. Seung Huns family and Master Kangs disciples bid each other farewell, preparing to leave. Carlo looked at Sun Hune, giving him a wink. It seemed there was some secret between them. Seung Hun smiled, seemingly expressing his gratitude. He recalled their earlier conversation besides his father’s photo album. Carlo had also given him an envelope. Opening it, he couldn’t help but be startled. It contained a considerable sum of money, leaving Sun Hoon quite flustered. I can’t accept this money, but Carlo insisted that Sun Hoon take it. He said it was Maestro Kim’s intention as well, that they owed Sung Hoons father a great debt of gratitude. By the time they had established themselves in society, Sun Huns father had passed away, leaving them no way to repay him. Moreover, they had only just learned about Mrs. Kangs illness. This money was a small token from both of them, hoping to help with Mrs. Kang’s medical treatment and also to alleviate Sun Hoon’s financial burden. Good deeds beget good fortune. When one door closes, another opens. Heaven does not forsake those who strive. Watching the figures of the two old friends depart, Sun- Hun silently expressed his thanks in his heart. Back at the Joel Ria Hotel, the kitchen work was as busy as ever. Only Sun Hun’s absence seemed to make the daily tasks feel heavier for everyone. One senior colleague muttered while working without the youngest helping out, peeling, “All this will be the death of me.” Just as he spoke, Sun Hun suddenly appeared like a godsend, startling the senior colleague, who exclaimed loudly, “Hey, Se Hun, what are you doing here?” The other senior colleagues hearing the commotion quickly turned around seeing Sun Hun. Everyone was overjoyed showing just how beloved he was in this third rate hotel kitchen. However, this time Seung Hun hadn’t returned to the hotel alone. Beside him were script writer Song and a cameraman. They had come today with a purpose. The production team wanted to film Sun Hoon’s daily routine in the hotel kitchen. According to what Sun Hune said, there had been prior notice about this, but these seniors were completely unaware. The kitchen manager’s voice echoed from afar. It was me who deliberately didn’t tell anyone. The reason he kept it secret was the worry that if he announced it beforehand, the atmosphere in the kitchen wouldn’t feel natural. Song Mina reminded them, “Everyone just worked normally. Don’t mind the camera.” Everyone felt excited about this. The seniors immediately assigned Se Hoon his usual tasks, washing vegetables and prepping ingredients. Se Hune began his workday just like any other, starting with preparing ingredients, handling logistics cleanup, and washing vegetables. He worked naturally and enthusiastically, completely oblivious to the fact that he was being filmed. While Sung Hune was busy preparing ingredients, the other chefs were also engrossed in their own tasks. It was only then that song Mina remembered that in the kitchen Sun Hune was just the youngest member and these tasks were inherently his daily routine. Having returned to the familiar kitchen after the competition, Se Hun immediately threw himself into work, losing track of time. He told Smina that he would finish his work before leaving. Suddenly, the kitchen manager ordered everyone to take a 30-inut break. Then he told Songhun to follow him, but forbade the camera crew from coming along. On the way, Sunung Hun asked the kitchen manager where they were going. The kitchen manager replied. After he reported the filming plan, the general manager wanted to see him. So now they had to go meet the general manager. Sun Hune suddenly remembered why hadn’t he seen Jong Man at work. The kitchen manager told him that Jong Man had resigned. Se Hun felt a pang of guilt. Could it be that he quit because he was eliminated from the competition? Actually, the kitchen manager knew well. Some of Jong Men’s inappropriate behaviors had angered the general manager. Perhaps that was why he was forced to resign. Sun Hun was brought to the hotel general manager’s office. As soon as they met, the general manager said softly, “You’ve worked hard recently.” The phrase sounded eerily familiar, like something every person about to be dismissed had heard before. The general manager’s expression looked very serious. Could it be that Sun Hun, like Jong Man, was about to be fired? Could the clutches of the hotel association have reached even this third rate hotel? Not only Sun Hoon, but the kitchen manager also appeared extremely anxious. He stood frozen in place, staring intently at the general manager, waiting for him to continue. The general manager spoke slowly as I was saying. Suddenly, his eyes glistened with tears and he said emotionally, “You’ve worked hard. Our chef Kong Sung Hune, I’ll watch the program because your mother is ill. You often have to take care of her, right? Se Hune let out a sigh of relief. He thought he was about to be fired. The general manager spoke of the hardships in Se Hoons life, reprimanding the kitchen manager, asking why no one cared about Son Hun when he was living under such difficult circumstances. However, the kitchen manager felt helpless because Sun Hun had never mentioned anything. If Sun Hun hadn’t participated in the Master Chef program, no one would have known about his difficult situation. The hotel’s general manager was moved by Sun Hoon’s circumstances and his efforts, which is why he had arranged today’s meeting. The general manager took out an envelope, handing it to Son Hoon, which surprised him slightly. The general manager said this was a reward he had personally prepared to commend Sun Hun’s contributions to the hotel during his time here. Open it when you get home. The amount inside won’t disappoint you. Thank you, Chef Seung Hun. You may return to your work. I need to speak privately with the kitchen manager. Receiving the reward from the general manager, Seung Hun emotionally expressed his thanks, then returned to the hotel kitchen. On his way back to the kitchen, Sun Hune, filled with anticipation, opened the envelope. Indeed, inside was a considerable sum of money. Sun Hun was overjoyed. This is great. If I add this money to the amount the uncle from the repair shop gave me, I can finally settle the hospital bills that have been piling up. Good. I’ll leave work early today and go to the hospital. Song Mina suddenly appeared, startling Seung Hun. He quickly hid the bonus envelope. Song Mina noticed Se Hun was hiding something and to avoid making things awkward, she proactively asked, “How did the talk with the general manager go?” Se Hun scratched his head, saying shily, “He just called me up to offer a little encouragement.” The two chatted for a moment, Sun Mina blushing slightly. Actually, she had arranged this behind-the-scenes filming plan with the purpose of meeting Sun Hun privately, but it seemed things weren’t going according to plan. Song Mina resolved to encourage herself. She couldn’t give up. This won’t do, she thought. She had put in so much effort to get this opportunity. She absolutely had to do something. Song Mina, be strong. You can do it. Just say it. Song Mina gathered all her courage and said, “Sungun SSI, are you free after work tonight?” They looked at each other. both their faces flushing red. Tonight, Song Mina asked again seriously, “Yes, after work tonight.” Semina’s heart pounded, waiting for Seung Hun’s answer. Judging by Sun Hun’s expression, it seemed he really wanted to as well. But just then, he remembered his mother. Seung Hun covered his mouth with his hand and replied, “I’m sorry, I can’t go. I absolutely have to go to the hospital today.” Though very disappointed, Song Mina tried hard to maintain a calm appearance. She replied, “I understand. It’s okay. Let’s head back to the kitchen then. My shift starts this afternoon. Let’s go. Song Mina walked sadly behind him. Was I just rejected? She wondered. Is there really nothing about me that attracts him? That evening, work finished very late. It wasn’t just Son Hun and everyone in the kitchen. Song Mina and the film crew were also busy from morning till night. Se Hun was about to head home to rest when some of his senior colleagues called him over. They invited him for a few drinks asking if Sung Hun wanted to join them. Seung Hune scratched his head and declined. He explained that he had an important family matter to attend to and couldn’t make it. Se Hun also bid Song Mina a farewell before leaving. From their earlier conversation, Song Mina guessed that the important family matter Se Hun mentioned must be related to the hospital. And indeed, despite the late hour, Sung Hune went straight to the hospital. He wanted to pay off a portion of the debt, hoping to reduce the monthly interest payments. The 5.5 million1 was not an insignificant sum, but it only managed to clear about a quarter of his debt. Seung Hune still faced an outstanding balance of over 15 million1 that needed to be paid. Stepping out of the hospital, Se Hun couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude towards Cadlov and the hotel’s general manager. Just then, he recalled the slightly crestfallen look on Song Mina’s face when he had turned her down. Sun Hun sighed, thinking to himself, “With my financial situation as it is, how can I even think about romance? It would only be a burden to her.” Carrying this lingering melancholy, Sung Hune walked alone silently through the late night. Back at the hotel, Song Mina’s workday had also concluded, but she still needed to review the footage shot during the day. It was very late, and the cameraman felt uneasy about Song Mina, a young woman, heading home alone. He mentioned his parents lived nearby and offered to borrow their car to give her a ride. Song Mina declined, saying she wanted to take a walk by herself before heading home to rest. walking solitarily along the street. Song Mina’s mind was a tangle of thoughts. Did he really go to the hospital because of family matters? Or is he deliberately avoiding me, feeling like I’m bothering him? Whatever the reason, he’s clearly putting distance between us. If I keep showing my interest in Sung Hune, perhaps it will only annoy him, maybe even affect his focus for the competition. Song Mina bit her lip inside. Should I just give up? Maybe I need a drink. I should stop by the convenience store, grab something, and head home. Being turned down so bluntly really stings. Song Mina headed towards a nearby convenience store, planning to buy some alcohol to soothe her troubled heart. Just as she reached for the door handle, she froze, sensing a familiar presence nearby. Song Mina turned her head and sure enough, it was Sung Hune. He looked rather unsteady on his feet, clearly having had quite a bit to drink. Song Mina quickly covered her mouth, stifling the gasp of surprise that threatened to escape. Why is Sung Hune here? Could he possibly live nearby? If he sleeps out here on the street like this, he’ll definitely catch a cold. Worried about Seung Hun, Sem Mina stepped forward, gently shook him awake, calling Se Hun. Seung Hune in his drunken haze, mumbled indistinctly, “Is the script finished? Why are you here? It seems I’ve had a bit too much to drink.” Songmina worriedly asked if Sun Hun live nearby. Offering to take him home, Sun- Hun raised the liquor bottle, took a long swig, then replied, “I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to go home. That’s why I’m staying here. Song Mina asked softly, “Why? Why don’t you want to go home?” She pulled over a chair, sitting down beside Se Hun, gently inquiring, “Is there some reason you don’t want to go home?” Se Hun, still drunk, answered vaguely, “A reason? I can’t believe I’m talking to writer Song. You shouldn’t be here right now. It’s okay.” Song Mina reluctantly thought, “Well, I am here and I’m glad, so I’ll stay.” Se Hun began to ramble. Have you ever experienced something you just wanted to forget? But it keeps popping into your head, especially in a quiet room. Normally, I’m so busy, so tired, I hardly have time to think about those things. But when I get off work and return to my quiet room, those thoughts start creeping in, weighing down on my mind. That burden makes one depressed, but I’m used to it, so it’s sort of okay. But for some reason, today feels really, really difficult, so I came here. Song Mina hesitantly asked, “Is it because you went to the hospital today?” How did you know? Yes, that’s right. But suddenly, Se Hun narrowed his eyes, staring at Song Mina, startling her. “Huh? Why are you looking at me like that?” Se Hun mumbled drunkenly. “Strange! Are you really writer Song?” He reached out, trying to grab her, but Song Mina, like a true martial artist, dodged everywhere, not letting Sung Hun touch her. After trying for a moment, Se Hun still couldn’t catch her. He pulled his hand back, sign, “That’s right. How could she possibly be here?” Song Mina breathed a sigh of relief. her heart still pounding. She’d almost been caught by the drunken demon inside him. Seung Hun started pouring his heart out again. You asked if I had time to have dinner with you tonight. I was really happy at that moment. I kept wondering what made writer song do that. But when I compared that happiness to my current reality, I realized I couldn’t possibly reciprocate your feelings. I would surely disappoint you. So, I refused. I was afraid that one day you would see my weak side. I thought I’m just a young chef. Well, you’re the headwriter of a successful TV show, not someone like me. Before Se Hun could finish his sentence, Song Mina took his hand. He felt the warmth from her hand, looked into Song Mina’s intense gaze, and Se Hun felt uneasy, thinking inwardly. What did I just say? Song Mina spoke up. Don’t put yourself down like that. Even though I don’t understand everything about you, Se Hun, I believe you’re someone who always strives hard, even in the most difficult times. So if you let me see your vulnerable side or the difficulties of a young chef like you, I wouldn’t mind at all. Song Mina’s words jolted Seung Hun. His face flushed red as if he had a 40° fever. Seung Hune stammered. Wait, you are you really writer Song? You You heard all my complaints just now. Yes, I heard everything. Song Mina replied gently. Se Hun’s face turned beat red. He sheepishly covered his face with his hands, stuttering. Uhhuh. Oh. He had absolutely no idea what to say to hide his embarrassment. Although Songhoon was still feeling shy, Song Mina wasn’t going to miss this golden opportunity. She seized the moment, asking Se Hoon again, “Though it’s past dinnertime now. Do you have some time currently?” Semina’s face beamed with happiness as she looked deep into Seung Huns eyes, awaiting his answer. This time, she got her wish. Seung Hun responded in a warm voice. “All right, I agree.” And so the two spent a pleasant evening together. Though it was freezing cold outside, inside both their hearts felt unusually warm. The next day, the latest episode of the Master Chef program aired on television. All the members of the Korean cuisine team were eliminated, including two chefs from the top Myand Dong Hotel. Chairman Bang of the Soul Hotel Association was incredibly angry after learning the results. Where the hell did that damn goat Gi run off to? Why was there a foreign chef there? And where are the contestants from our Mayondong Hotel? They were all eliminated. What will people think of our hotel? He furiously demanded information about the Hilton Hotel, but his secretary reported that there was no news from their side, which only fueled his anger further. He placed all the blame on Go Jung for concealing the fact that he had been replaced. By the time the program aired, it was already done, and there was nothing he could do. When a show focused on Kong Seung Hun, a chef from a three-star hotel, he became even angrier. After this program, the Food Safety Agency would rank hotels based on the competition results. As a chairman of the Premium Hotel Association, he didn’t want the three-star hotel, which he considered trash, to make it into the top 20. Since the program had aired, the results couldn’t be changed. So, he immediately thought of another way to crush some Hoon’s Jewel Ria restaurant. He turned to his secretary asking, “Has the MRI team been selected yet? Especially that secret judge.” This was the team specialized in evaluating hotels and restaurants. They would conceal their identities, posing as customers dining at the restaurant, inspecting the products and services of the hotel or restaurant. The secretary reported that they had finished selecting the judges, including a secret guest who was a celebrity named Bertrand. He instructed the secretary to keep a close watch to pinpoint the moment this guest arrived to evaluate Joel Rio restaurant. He would seize that opportunity to sabotage Joel Rio restaurant’s Michelin star evaluation. After resting for a day, Sung Hune returned to his breakroom at the resort where the competition was being held. Sitting on the bed, he reminisced about the romantic encounter with Song Mina the previous night, his heart still floating with happiness. After their conversation at the convenience store, as it had gotten late, Son Hun had walked Smina home. The feelings between them still carried a hint of shyness on the surface, but it secretly blossomed within. As they walked side by side, the air was thick with a slight awkwardness. Neither spoke. However, the warmth radiating from them dispelled the coldness of the night. Upon reaching her home, though very happy, Song Mina politely said, “Thank you for walking me home, Sung Hune. You really didn’t need to escort me. Seung Hune scratched his head, replying, “It was on my way. Don’t mention it.” After the polite exchange, the awkward atmosphere returned, both hesitant to look directly into the others eyes. Song Mina took the initiative, asking, “I saw you drank quite a bit earlier. You must be drunk, right? Can you get home by yourself?” “What I mean is, if you’re too drunk to go home conveniently, you could stay at my place for the night.” He, “The green light’s on. Come on in.” But Sun Hune, being a straightforward person, replied shily. Actually, I’m much more sober now. If I said anything improper earlier, I hope you can overlook it. Though drunk, he wasn’t easily swayed. Skillfully sidest stepping her offer. Someone else might have jumped at the chance. He Song Mina replied, “It’s nothing. Hearing you speak so frankly like this feels quite good.” Suddenly, Song Mina blushed, her voice becoming softer, stammering. Se Hun, that thing that you know that thing. Seung Hun was startled. He knew what Song Mina wanted to say. He raised his hand to cover her mouth, signaling her to stop. I I know what writer Song wants to say. So, for now, please don’t say anything yet. Lately, you’ve always been the one taking the initiative. If I get the chance, I want to be the one to confess my feelings first. But not now. Please wait until I’m truly sober, completely clear-headed, then I’ll say it. Song Mina smiled happily, replying, “Yes, I don’t know what you’ll end up saying, but I’m really looking forward to those words.” For those nursing a one-sided love or a secret crush, try using a little alcohol. Let it guide you. It’s all or nothing. Where you fall is where you get back up, fall down, and get up again. I love you so much. I could declare to the whole world that I love you. Are you only saying that because you’re drunk? Will she even notice him? This is normal. I’ve been through it many times. My love is only for one person. From childhood to adulthood, I’ve only loved Hong. The blue shirt is proof of my love. I love Hung until my last breath. Just remembering it was enough to make Sung Hun blush beat red. So embarrassed, he wanted to disappear into the ground, only coming back to his senses after a moment. Putting romantic matters aside for now, he needed to look through his recipe notebook. No sooner said than done, Sun Hune reached into his pants pocket, intending to take the notebook out. But he suddenly remembered what lay in his trouser pocket was a notebook his father had given him inside, which was a photo album of ingredients and dishes. Sun Hun had looked through it many times, finding it to be just an ordinary photo album of food. After some thought, Sun Hune suddenly realized perhaps what his father wanted him to do was to feel the memories within it. Seung Hune closed his eyes, beginning to use his ability to perceive. He was shocked to discover. Within the memories he perceived, appeared the image of a young Giang. At that time, he was standing in a kitchen beside him another man, none other than his father. It turned out that his father and Giang had once worked together at the inner hotel, and moreover, his father was Giang Senior. At this moment, Giang was awkwardly fumbling with a flounder, unsure how to handle it. Se Hun’s father enthusiastically guided Go Ji Sun, meticulously explaining step by step the most effective way to handle the flounder. While explaining, he deafly wielded the sharp knife in his hand, and in the blink of an eye, the flounder was neatly processed. He skillfully cut the flounder into three perfect fillets. Go Jiang still appeared lacking in confidence. Se Hun’s father patted his shoulder, smiling encouragingly. “Don’t worry, I’m here. Just follow my instructions.” Back then, their relationship was very good, but who knows what happened in the future. Sun Hun’s father abandoned his original name, left the Hilton Hotel, while Goji Sun, on the other hand, showed hatred towards the name Kong Yong Suk. As Se Hoon was immersed in the stream of memories within the notebook, his nose suddenly started bleeding. He assumed he had overused his ability and paused. The senior junior relationship between his father and Go Jung also left him quite surprised. Seung Hune wiped away the blood, pondering deeply, I never expected Goi Sun’s memories would be in here, too. Could it be that Father intentionally prepared this for me to revisit these memories? The photos of the dishes were all taken by father with a passion for cooking. Just by briefly reading these memories, I can learn these wonderful recipes. It’s amazing to possess this now. It will surely be very helpful for the next competition. Se Hun put the photo album away and rested. The competition would resume the next day. As usual, Sun Hun and Yanni arrived very early. Seung Hun still couldn’t shake off the memories he had seen in the photo album yesterday. He realized Go Jung was highly regarded by his father. It wasn’t merely a senior junior relationship. What puzzled Sun Hune even more was that he had never seen his father wear a chef’s uniform. So when did the memories he saw begin? He only remembered his father loved telling stories about the students or juniors he had taught, but he had never heard anything about Goji Song. Sun Hun was curious to know what unpleasant incident had occurred between them. Seeing his friend lost in thought, Yanti approached to strike up a conversation. Seung Hune replied that he was wondering what today’s test subject might be. He then teased Yandi with a smile. Surely you don’t know anything, do you? Yandi sighed, admitting sheepishly, “Don’t bring up that last time again. Truly, I have no defense, but I genuinely don’t know what they’ll test next. Seeing Yangdi’s expression, Sun Hun burst into hearty laughter. Haha, I was just kidding. Let’s go. Let’s head to the hall. After a two-day break, the next stage of the competition commenced. With fewer outstanding contestants remaining, this round promised to be a fiercely contested battle. They would have to give their absolute best to even hope for advancing. Only two judges remained on the panel, Mong and Yin Jong. Chef Kadlov had returned to France due to personal matters, some less critical issues having been resolved. Mong prepared to announce today’s challenge, and all the contestants were tense with anticipation, eager to discover what dish they would be making. Suddenly, the boisterous shouts of children erupted from behind, capturing everyone’s attention. Children, so many children. Miang announced with a smile, “Today’s challenge is to create a dessert for these kids. Your judges are these very children. These children had clearly watched the show before. Upon seeing Sun Hoon, they cheered with delight. Miong said, “Could two representatives please come forward? We’ll ask the children what kind of dessert they’d like.” A mischievous little boy and a shy little girl were chosen as representatives. Miong gently asked the little girl, “Hello, dear. What would you like to eat today?” Children being children. They liked everything. And this little girl was no exception. She replied, “I want cake with yummy strawberries on top, please.” Meanwhile, the mischievous boy wanted bread filled with cheese and sausage. The challenge had been set. Mong called forward the first two contestants, and unsurprisingly, it was Seung Hun and Yandi. One anticipated matchup. They were the top contenders, not just friends, but also admirable rivals. Se Hune and Yandi were summoned to the stage by the judges, both feeling a touch apprehensive. Were they to be the ones kicking off today’s competition? Mong offered no further explanation, letting the contestants continue to guess why they had been called up. Because today was once again a team challenge. The contestants below began to worry. Another team competition. It seemed many would be eliminated today. We will divide into two teams. If the two top contenders were on the same team, it would be quite unfair. Therefore, Sun Hun and Yandi will serve as the captains of the two teams. There are currently 14 contestants remaining, so each team will have seven members. Unlike last time, the captains can choose their own members this round. Sun Hune hesitated, unsure how to make his selections. Yangi made a suggestion. He wanted to divide the teams based on the lineup from the previous competition. The judges were somewhat takenback by the suggestion. If Kong Seung Hune has no objections, we could divide the teams based on the previous lineup. Seung Hune pondered for a moment. The members of his previous team were all highly skilled. If Yanni had made such a proposal, agreeing wouldn’t hurt. Se Hune readily accepted Yanti’s suggestion. With the team division settled, the two returned to their respective teams to prepare for the competition. Se Hune believed Yanti made the suggestion as a way to compensate his team members given they had only secured second place in the last competition. Indeed, these close friends understood each other well. Yandi truly did think that way. Part of his reasoning was that the members of the previous culinary team had trusted and followed him. They were all strong contenders and Yangti believed their previous failure was solely due to the French team having the support of a symphony orchestra. He felt confident that this time without such obstacles, focusing solely on cooking would surely lead them to victory. The two teams needed to prepare desserts which would then be judged by a panel of children. The children would use flags to choose the dish they thought tasted better and the team receiving more flags would win. There were 15 children in total. Therefore, each member had to make at least two dishes. It didn’t matter if members dishes overlapped, but each person had to create two distinct desserts. The 15th dessert required the members to collaborate, making it quite a complex competition indeed. The challenge having been announced, each team was given time to discuss the dishes they would prepare. The members of Sung Hoon’s team were delighted to be working together again, and they immediately launched into a lively discussion about what to make. Every child has different tastes, so they discuss together, each devising their own menu items. After selecting their dishes, they would cross reference to avoid duplication. As captain, Sun Hune was tasked with checking the flavors during preparation, and he asked Yang Hi to assist him by paying attention to the details and minor flaws in the dishes. Seung Hun trusted her, recognizing her excellent baking skills. With the crucial tasks assigned, one member suggested they should first choose the team’s collaborative dish before selecting their individual ones. Yangi spoke up, “Haven’t we already chosen it?” She was referring to the impressive two-tiered cake Sung Hune had made in the previous competition. The other members all agreed, recalling how delicious and appealing the cake had been. However, Sun Hun objected to using that cake as the team’s collaborative dish. He argued that while the cake might be novel to adults, it wouldn’t necessarily appeal to children in the same way. It could, however, be included in someone’s individual menu. Yi asked Se Hun if he already had an idea for the team’s collaborative dessert. Se Hune hesitated slightly before sharing the dish he was considering. The discussion time had ended. The judges requested both teams to write down their menus and submit them to avoid any potential issues. The dishes must be prepared exactly according to the registered menu. Song Mina was responsible for recording song Hoon’s team menu. The two exchanged glances, a hint of awkwardness still lingering between them after last night’s conversation. The production crew delivered the menus to the judges. Mong and Yun Jong both showed surprise after reviewing the menus. Haha, how interesting. It seems those two understand each other quite well. This round of the competition is quite captivating. Everything was ready. The competition began. As soon as the judges gave the command, both teams filled with determination, quickly set to work. Everyone focused intently on completing their individual tasks. Each contestant had to prepare their two chosen desserts. As each dish took shape, the atmosphere in the kitchen grew hotter than ever. Everyone was serious, pouring all their mental energy into their work. The competition was nearing its end, and those remaining were all formidable opponents. If they couldn’t give their all, the chance of elimination was very high. Delicious pastries gradually took form under the chef’s skilled hands. Yangi was also concentrating on baking her dish. This time, she again chose the bacon sandwich, the dish that had greatly pleased the judges in a previous round as one of her two entries. The cooking time has ended. We invite both teams to present their dishes on the two tables up front. Please bring forward your team’s first dish. The two team captains simultaneously brought up their first dishes, both looking at each other in surprise. Unexpectedly, they were both responsible for the first dish. The dishes were placed on the table. Please introduce your dishes. Se Hun’s dessert is French toast served with fresh cream and juicy strawberries. And Yanti’s dessert is tiramisu cake served with chocolate sauce. Y Jang spoke up, “How interesting! Neither of you made the desserts you prepared in the previous round.” Mang added, “No, that’s not quite right.” He elaborated further on the French toast. This dish first appeared in ancient Roman times in Isius, initially called Alita Duchia. Later, similar recipes appeared in many countries and became known as French toast. “All right, if there are no further questions, please ask Miss Yongyang to guide the children.” The teacher kindly turned to the children and said, “Children, please form a neat line.” 15 children immediately formed a line, eagerly awaiting their turn. Before they began tasting, the teacher explained once more. “Children, after you’ve tasted both, if you find one more delicious, “Please take the flag of the corresponding color back with you.” A mischievous little boy asked, “Teacher, can I take the flag of that handsome man?” The teacher smiled and gently replied, “You can’t do that, dearba. No hitting friends. No hitting friends. The first one to step up for the tasting was a little girl named Yona. Standing before the two tempting plates of dessert, she observed them intently, unsure which one to try first. After hesitating for a moment, she cheerfully picked up a piece of French toast and began to eat with enthusiasm. Yangi felt a pang of disappointment. The girl had chosen the French toast first. Perhaps it was because the tiramisu had a soft, smooth texture, requiring utensils. requiring utensils to eat while the French toast could simply be picked up and bitten into. She quickly finished Sun Hoon’s pastry, even licking the remaining cream from her fingers, leaving not a single crumb. Next up was Yante’s dish. Seeing this type of cake for the first time, the little girl stared with fascination, her eyes wide. Because the cake was very soft and fragile, it couldn’t be held by hand, and using a fork might be a bit dangerous for a child. Yanti quickly fetched a spoon, handed it to her, and said, “You can just use the spoon to scoop it up normally.” The little girl scooped up a small piece with the spoon and quickly put in her mouth. Watching her eat with relish, Sun Hune felt quite fortunate. It was lucky she ate the tiramisu last. Had she eaten the French toast first, she wouldn’t have been able to perceive the flavor of the tiramisu anymore because the French toast had less sweetness. The little girl quickly finished the entire plate. The judges asked her to make her decision. She stood still, arms crossed, pondering deeply for a moment. Seung Hun and Yanti both held their breath, awaiting her decision. After a few moments of internal debate, she finally chose the blue flag belonging to Yanti’s team. Yandi was overjoyed while Sun Hun felt a wave of dejection. In another head-to-head confrontation, he had once again lost his friend. Mong spoke up. “Juna, could you come here for a moment? Please tell us why you chose the blue flag.” The little girl hesitated slightly before replying. Both dishes were very delicious, but the one from the red flag seemed to have cooled down and it was a bit wet, too, which felt a little strange to eat. Hearing the little girl’s feedback, Sun Hun reflected on his mistake. I was too complacent. The dish cooled down right after it was made. After all, you can’t expect it to stay hot once the lid is off. I shouldn’t have chosen a dessert that needs to be eaten hot. That was a miscalculation on my part. Seung Hun and Yandi returned to their respective teams with completely opposite emotions. One elated by victory, the other downcast over his own flawed decision. The members of Yangti’s team cheered enthusiastically because their captain had secured the first win for the team. On Sun Hoon’s side, however, the atmosphere was somewhat subdued. He sighed, bowing his head apologetically to his teammates. I really should have won that round. I was the first one to cook. I’m truly embarrassed. He braced himself, expecting reproaches from the others. But no, everyone understands that in a competition, winning and losing are part of the game. Sigh, don’t be so tense. Looking at you, one might think something terrible has happened at home. Come on, relax. It’s just one point. We can still catch up. Be optimistic, captain. But Sun Hune grew even more anxious. This isn’t just about one point. Each team has 15 flags. At first glance, it seems like each team has 15 chances. But that’s just a psychological trap. In reality, each team won’t get a full 15 chances. Whichever team secures eight flags first wins. The outcome could be decided even before the final dish is judged. Now, if the second dish can tie the score, the situation will stabilize. Sun Hune blamed himself. It’s such a pity. I should have been the first one to compete. I should have won. Now, there’s no other way. We can only trust in everyone’s abilities. However, reality proved harsher than Sung Hune had imagined. The next two members from his team, Siaun and Hyan Wu, both lost. How could this happen? Did they both lose? Seaun made banana bread. Hyan Wu made malines. I tried them both. Both were delicious. Yandi’s team’s dishes and ours were the same type. Why did the children choose their flags and not ours? Is there some special reason here? Sun Hune racked his brain, trying to figure out what mistake his team had made. Suddenly, Ju Yangi spoke up, breaking the heavy atmosphere. It’s just luck. It’s just luck, Sun Hun. The three of us just weren’t that lucky. Anyway, the menu is already decided. Finding the reason now won’t change anything. Just relax. We haven’t lost yet, encouraged by Yonghi. Se Hun’s expression eased slightly. But doubts still lingered in his heart. Yungi continued to explain, “When I say we were unlucky, I’m not just saying it without reason. Take a look at the kids. They seem to really enjoy holding up the flags and showing them off to each other. The first little girl who chose a dish definitely did so based on her own preference. But the second child, I guess, just copied the first one and the third did the same. At that point, the taste of our team’s desserts didn’t matter anymore. I think we lost because the children’s desire to fit in to be part of the same group was too strong. Juu Yongi’s words made Seung Hun feel even more guilty because the first little girl choosing the blue flag was entirely due to his own skills not being good enough. Seeing Sun Hun’s embarrassed expression, Yang Hi quickly added, “If I said too much, I apologize. Don’t worry too much. Although our team missed out a bit of luck, we just need to make up for it with skill.” Yang Hi confidently carried her dish forward, meeting the expectant gazes of her teammates. In the next round of competition, Juu Yong Hi and Junghi were the next contestants. The lids were lifted. Both had chosen pancakes, but their methods differed slightly. Juu Yang Hi remained faithful to the bacon and egg pancake, while Junghi opted for a traditional almond pancake. Yun Jong showed considerable interest in the almond pancake. The pancakes were ready, and the next judge was a mischievous and lively little boy. He ran over and just like his friends before him, he hesitated, unsure which side to try first. Zu Yangi flashed an adorable smile, asking the boy, “Would you like to try this one first?” The little boy blushed, approaching her pancake. So young yet already smitten by a pretty face. Jun Sani, witnessing this couldn’t help but protest, “Judges, is using such methods to attract children aloud.” The judges felt awkward and turned to consult the show’s producer. However, the producer gave the green light, allowing the show to proceed. He believed that such situations arising during the program would actually attract more viewers. The boy hesitated no longer, opened his mouth wide, and took a large bite of the pancake. The runny egg yolk flowed out, filling his mouth, causing him to savor it with delight. Ju Yang Hi was very confident in her dish this time. Unlike the previous attempt, she had modified it to better suit young children. She had paid attention to two points. First, children are often losing teeth, so the bacon on the outside didn’t need shaping, just grilling until tender. Before she could even contemplate the second point, the boy had devoured the entire pancake. He excitedly ran over to the other pancake, exclaiming, “I want to eat all of this one, too.” Without any hesitation, he picked up the pancake and wolfed it down. Very quickly, he finished Jun Sun’s pancake as well. Now, both contestants anxiously awaited the boy’s verdict. Just like the little girl before him, the boy fell into deep thought, torn between the two delicious pancakes. After a moment of contemplation, he finally chose the red flag. Sun Huns entire team erupted in cheers, shouting excitedly, “We won.” We finally got her first point. Ju Yangi had used her skill to bring the first score to the team. She glanced at Jun Sanghi, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. From a moment the boy chose to eat her pancake first. Victory was already firmly within her grasp. Yang Hi’s second point, the pancake. Unlike the previous bacon, the entire pancake part was made soft while the saltiness of the bacon was not reduced at all. This would stimulate the children’s taste buds as their pallets are still developing. The psychology of children is such that once they like something, it’s hard for them to like something else. Children are often not allowed snacks by their parents, and if they do eat them, they’re usually bland foods. Junghi, when cooking, surely incorporated a mother’s love into it. Her dish would surely be very bland, its sweetness very low. After eating her dish, one certainly wouldn’t be able to appreciate the deliciousness of her pancake anymore. Indeed, on the fiercely competitive stage of life, besides skill, one also needs profound calculation to survive. Amidst the cheers of her teammates, Yonghi returned to the ranks. She had used a perfect plan to bring a precious point to the team. Yungi’s victory also made Sun Hunhiv a sigh of relief. It’s fortunate that she won. She brilliantly turned the team’s passive situation around. Now, all that’s needed is for the remaining team members to perform well. When it’s my turn to compete again, I will definitely score a point. Seung Hun was both expectant and full of confidence while his teammates were also determined to seize the opportunity to continue winning. Seven rounds of competition ended. Kong Seong Huns team earned three points while Go Dong T’s team was slightly ahead with four points. The first round of competition concluded. Song Mina approached the program’s producer offering her opinion. I noticed just now perhaps we should reduce the number of flags. After all, the team that gets the most flags out of eight will be the winner, right? So why place more than eight flags? However, the program producer insisted on keeping it as is. He believed having a few more would be better. The producer also had no intention of ending the program as soon as one team won. All teams had prepared their dishes, even if the outcome couldn’t change. He still wanted the contestants to be able to present their creations. Song Mina found this baffling and retorted. If the winner and loser are already decided, will the audience still want to watch the program until the very end? The program producer already had countermeasures. The show itself was edited before broadcast, so it wasn’t necessary to show the entire competition footage. Some parts would be cut, used for trailers, or added to the program. Although it was the producers’s command, Song Mina still felt unconvinced and displeased. Back in the kitchen, the second round of competition was about to begin. Just like the first round, Se Hun was still the first to compete. Yungi stated bluntly, “The order has been decided. There’s nothing to object to, but can you win this time? How can you say such demoralizing words? A teammate spoke up in rebuttal. Yni continued, “Am I wrong? Didn’t the initial confidence end in failure? Moreover, if the result of this round is the same as the first one, we will definitely lose this time. There won’t be another chance to present the subsequent dishes.” Everyone, though harsh, Yungi’s words were entirely accurate. The team, which had been calm, suddenly erupted into commotion. See, hearing those harsh words couldn’t hold back any longer and retorted, “You mean we lost because of bad luck, right?” Besides cooking skills, it seems Miss Yangi here is also very good at attracting attention, other contestants trying to get the kids attention made such exaggerated gestures that the judges had to step in and forbid it. Faced with such sarcastic remarks, Yungi remained calm and confident, she replied softly with a concise sentence. “So what?” The team’s atmosphere grew even more tense. A minor issue had led to internal conflict, she continued. Anyway, I won. Moreover, I relied on my luck to turn the situation around. I did that to distract the children. So, if you don’t want to lose again, don’t blame me for being blunt. See, though furious, could only swallow his anger and remain silent. Arguing was wrong, and arguing with the women on the team was even more wrong because fundamentally, there was no chance of winning against them. Se Hun quickly stepped in to stop the argument. Everyone calm down. Yi isn’t wrong. Don’t worry everyone. I will definitely win this time. For the second dish, I won’t repeat the same mistake as last time. San Hun’s confidence defused the argument. Everyone trusted their team captain. This was the third confrontation between the two friends. Yangi had won twice. Could he secure a third victory? Se Hun’s dish in this second round was called creme brulee. It was a dessert with a rich custard base topped with a layer of hardened caramelized sugar. Go Yandi’s dish was called canoli, an Italian ricotta cheese pastry. Both desserts were western dishes quite unfamiliar to children. The taster this time was a chubby little boy. Down below, Yungi looked worried. Having children taste test had a drawback. The dish tasted first had an advantage because the second dish tasted would seem less appealing. Yungi silently prayed. Please choose Sun Hoons dish. However, reality often contradicts wishes. The boy reached out and grabbed Yandi’s pastry. Yandi seemed to realize this too, looking very pleased. Se Hun’s face was tense. Could he be losing again? The boy held the pastry, put in his mouth, and ate with relish. The chubby boy held Yangi’s pastry with both hands, munching away. It looked delicious. Yangi rejoiced. Great. The boy chose my dish first. Se Hun’s dish is also a type of pastry quite similar to mine. He’s already full from my dish. My chances of winning are higher. Yanti glanced at Sun Hoon’s dish, having to admit that this dish was perfectly made. The color perfect. The caramel layer on the surface boasted a beautiful brown hue. However, perhaps a touch of fruit syrup or cream should have been added to introduce a novel flavor, but he hadn’t done that. This time, I’ll definitely win. While Yandi was analyzing the situation, the boy had finished eating. Seeing the boy’s calm expression, Yangi felt a flicker of worry. Could it be that he didn’t like my dish? The boy’s face seemed rather uninterested. The boy approached Seung Hun’s dish, leaned down slightly, observed it meticulously, then took a deep breath, inhaling its aroma. Seung Hune enthusiastically instructed, “Use the spoon to eat, please.” Se Hune’s mood appeared very relaxed, seemingly brimming with confidence in his creation. The boy also began to scoop up his first spoonful of the dessert, preparing to taste it. Sun- Hun had a reason for making this dessert. 25 years ago, the first time he ate this dish, the person who made it was Chef Cadlov back when he was young. Tasting this novel dessert for the first time, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Chefloav, this cake is delicious.” That was the first time Mr. Kong had seen his son so enthusiastic about a dessert. A moment later in the kitchen, he had asked Chef Cadlov to teach him how to make this dish. Chef Cadlov, slightly surprised, asked in return, “Haven’t you already learned it?” Mr. Kong had indeed learned it, but he had only taught himself from cookbooks. He thought learning directly from a native would be better. More importantly, this was Seung Hune’s favorite dish that fueled his desire even more to make delicious desserts for his son. The master wishes to learn, “What reason is there to refuse?” Chef Kadablav then began making the dessert step by step, slowly explaining the secrets to making the perfect and delicious pudding as he worked. Once the dessert was finished, Mr. Kong produced a camera from somewhere and took a picture of the dish. Chef Cadlov was a bit surprised, asking, “What is this for?” Mr. Kong explained it was his habit. Whenever he finished a dish, he wanted to capture it to show Sun Sean later. Just having a picture would be enough. It seemed he understood his son’s abilities well. He had specially created a photo album filled with photos of delicious dishes he had collected throughout his life and gifted it to Se Hun. Those memories Se Hune had forgotten. But through the photo album, he remembered. He poured all his feelings, all the happy memories of his childhood into this dessert, hoping that the children who tasted it could also feel this joy. The chubby boy had now finished his first bite. He stood still, chewing slowly, savoring every bit. Suddenly, he picked up the dessert, brought it to his mouth, no longer needing the spoon, and devoured it as if he hadn’t eaten in days. Not until there wasn’t a single crumb left on the small plate, did he stop putting the plate down, the boy, without the slightest hesitation, picked up the red flag. Round two, first match. Kong Seung Hun’s team had brilliantly secured the first point. This victory wasn’t just a win for the team. It was also his first triumph over his talented friend, Go Yangti. Seung Hun returned to his team amidst the cheers of his teammates. “Amazing, Sun Hune. Congratulations on your win,” Se Hune humbly attributed it merely to luck. Recalling the boy’s comments, Se Hune still felt a stir of emotion. “Tell me, why did you choose a red flag?” The boy answered boldly, “Actually, I don’t really like sweets, and I rarely eat cake. But eating that cake was like eating pudding. Sweet yet very refreshing. Really delicious. I don’t know why either, but while eating it, I thought of my parents who were busy working. I wanted to eat it with them, so I chose it. Se Hun was somewhat taken aback by the boy’s answer. He had successfully infused emotion into the dessert and more importantly had won the precious first point for the team. Although Sun Hune considered it his good fortune, Ju Yang he thought otherwise. The boy doesn’t like sweets, but his comments mentioned his parents. This proves Se Hoons dish was deeply impressive. That wasn’t luck. That was your skill. Kong Seung Hun. Following Se Hoon’s impressive start, Siaan also secured a victory in the second round. But in the third round, Hyan Yu faced defeat. However, in the next round, Yang Hi once again used her skill to bring victory to the team. World and Juhi unfortunately were defeated. Luckily, in the final individual round, Kong Miny Young was victorious. Just one more win and Kong Seung Hun’s team would clinch the overall victory. But regrettably, Part Ji Hyan stumbled in the very last match. Ultimately, the two teams ended the two rounds tied at 7 to7, requiring a final collaborative dish to determine the winner. Everyone felt a pang of disappointment. They had been so close to ending the match sooner. Sun Hune encouraged the team, urging them to trust the dish they had created together. Seek voiced some reservations. He looked at the dish on the plate, asking doubtfully, “This dish we made, are we sure there’s nothing wrong with it?” A wave of anxiety passed through the team because the dish on the plate seemed in their eyes utterly ordinary. Although the other members harbored doubts, Sung Hune appeared remarkably earnest, placing his complete faith in it. He looked at Song Mina, replying softly, “Don’t worry, I’ve made this dish before. Someone once praised it as delicious. I trust that person.” Finally, the most anticipated moment arrived. “Will both teams please present your final collaborative dish?” The two team captains led their teams, solemnly carrying up the collaborative dish. The atmosphere in the hall was incredibly tense and suspenseful. No one knew what unique dishes the two teams would present, nor which team would claim the final victory. Team Yangi’s dish was an Italian creation called aranchchini. It was made from rice, cheese, and tomato sauce mixed together, formed into balls, then rolled in breadcrumbs, and fried until perfectly golden brown. Se Hoon’s team’s dish, as expected, was a sweet cake incorporating succulent strawberries. This was the very cake he had made for Songmina during the previous holiday. The final judge turned out to be the little girl who had been interviewed at the beginning of the show. At that time, the dish the little girl wanted to eat was precisely the cake made by Se Hun. Whether it was coincidence or luck, the last person to taste the dishes was indeed that little girl. Yandi felt a bit tense, recalling how the girl had mentioned wanting strawberry cream cake during her interview. He couldn’t help but wonder, could it be that Sun Hun had anticipated this and prepared in advance? But this was something Son Hune hadn’t expected either. It was merely a coincidence. He only wanted to make this cake because someone had praised it as very delicious. The little girl walked straight to the cake without hesitation, observing it carefully, her eyes full of interest. She picked up a fork and pierced a bite-sized piece of cake. Not only were there strawberries on the outside, but inside were many layers of cake. Each layer neat and orderly, looking incredibly beautiful. The little girl put the piece of cake in her mouth, chewing slowly. Those standing behind couldn’t see the little girl’s expression, unsure if she liked the dish or not. But the fact that she just stood there silently without any reaction made Kong Hoon’s team a little worried. After finishing the bite, the girl suddenly turned around and asked, “Mr. Judge, I’ve had a bite of this one. Can I go try the other dish now?” The judge agreed. The little girl immediately walked over to team Yandi’s dish. Sun- Hun also felt a bit worried, not understanding why the girl stopped after just one bite, especially since she showed no reaction while eating it. Yangi, seeing the girl seemed unimpressed with the cream cake, felt overjoyed internally. The little girl used a spoon to scoop up a piece of aranchchini, then took a bite. This time, the girl reacted. She exclaimed loudly, “So delicious.” Yandi chuckled while Seung Hun felt uneasy. Uh-huh. It seems my dish suits the little girl’s taste better. There are many cases where some unexpected dishes receive higher praise, and the little girl finished everything on her plate with relish. The judge prompted, “Now, please choose a flag.” The little girl stood between the two tables, reaching out her small hand. Both teams held a breath, focusing intently on this decisive moment that would determine victory or defeat. The little girl picked up the red flag and raised it. Surprisingly, she had chosen the red flag belonging to Kong Se Hun’s team. This reversal was something even the judge hadn’t anticipated. “Why didn’t you only take one bite of the cake?” The judge couldn’t help but clutch his head, muttering in frustration. Kong Seung Hun’s team breathed a collective sigh of relief, smiles blooming on everyone’s faces. As the judge declared their victory, cheers erupted from the group. Only then did the judge asked the little girl, “Why did you only eat one bite of the cake? Isn’t it more delicious?” The little girl answered somewhat shyly, “Yes, it’s more delicious, so I want to save it to eat slowly.” It’s true that the best things are saved for last, especially for children. If they encounter a dish they particularly love, they often save it to savor slowly. Out of the 10 people here, surely 11 of them did the same thing when they were young. The little girl asked, “Are you done asking questions? Can I take the cake home now?” The judge agreed. The little girl happily ran over, picked up the cake, and left. Kong Hun’s team emerged victorious, advancing to the next round. As for Go Yangti’s losing team, they would have to face the pressure-filled elimination round. Mong granted Yun Jang the honor of announcing the theme for the elimination round. This round’s challenge is grilling steak and plating the dish. It sounds simple, but grilling a perfect steak is actually very difficult. Your task is not only to complete the dish, but also to pay attention to the grilling method and preparation process. While the program prepares the kitchen area, you may rest freely. Go Yandi felt a bit stressed about having to participate in the elimination round. He was lost in thought, completely unaware that Sun Hune was watching him from behind. Sun- Hun also felt regretful. His friend had faced the elimination round twice now. But he wasn’t worried because Go Yanti’s skill was undeniable, and furthermore, he still held the immunity privilege he had won at the beginning of the program. Yet, Go Yandi seemed excessively tense. Could the defeat have crushed his spirit? Rewinding to 4 hours before the competition began, he and Sung Hune were on their way to the studio. At that moment, he received a call. It was Go Jung. What could he have said to make Go Yandi distressed? Lost in thought, Sang Hai called out to him, greeting Yandi. She mentioned he was skilled in Western cuisine and stakes. So, his chances of passing the elimination round were very high. She then asked O Yandi about the immunity privilege. Hearing this, his attitude immediately shifted, his tone laced with irritation. Immunity, you want me to use it? I will only use it in the final round. I absolutely will not use it at any other time, so let’s never mention this again. Go Yanti grew more agitated as he spoke, his voice becoming increasingly sharp. The kitchen area was now ready. Next, the seven members would face the elimination round challenge. You may freely choose your ingredients from the pantry. The competition officially begins. At the signal, the chefs scramble into the pantry, viney gather the ingredients they need. Yandi still appears incredibly tense, unable to focus. He recalls his conversation with Go Jung. Despite being eliminated from the competition, Go Jung is still monitoring Yandi’s every move. Don’t be content with your current position. Even a lowly place in the best hotel is no excuse for losing face. Just step on others to get ahead. I don’t want you using your immunity to save someone else. Nor should you concern yourself with that meaningless friendship with Seung Hun. Absolutely do not do anything that diminishes my hotel. He used his status as the hotel’s head intern chef to deliver an ultimatum to Yandi. If you want to stay at the hotel, if you want to be a chef, you must do as I say. Yandi had almost no right to object, only able to obediently reply, “Yes, sir.” Back at the competition venue, seven portions of steak have been completed and beautifully plated, arranged before the judge’s table. The two judges approach each dish in turn, beginning to taste and evaluate. Sun- Hun watches from the sidelines, noticing Yanti seems extremely tense. Strange. Why is he so stressed? He still has immunity. There’s no need to be this afraid. Or is there some reason he absolutely cannot lose? After tasting all the dishes, following several minutes of discussion and deliberation, the time finally comes to announce the results of the elimination round. The only one staying is Yandi. The remaining contestants have all been eliminated. Please leave a name tags and exit the area. You all worked very hard. The eliminated contestants are crestfallen. Some even on the verge of tears. Their journey in Master Chef sadly ends here today. Only then does Yangi relax his tightly wound body, wondering what harsh demand go to cause him such intense stress. The competition has concluded, marked by the joy of the victor and the tears of the defeated. After the competition, Sun Hune heads back to his room, his thoughts lingering on his friend the entire way. Yanti seemed unusually sensitive earlier, especially after taking that call in the hallway. Could have been Go Jung who called. What happened to him? At this thought, Se Hun furrows his brow, a hint of anger clouding his expression. Suddenly, a sweet voice calls out from behind. Se Hun script writer song approaches. Their eyes meet for gazes locking both faces flushing crimson. Next, the audience is treated to a sweet complimentary scene. Sun- Hun, you worked hard today. Competing as a team must be much more tiring than usual, right? Not at all. The team members all did very well. The two continued their awkward conversation. Could it be that script writer song came here personally for a specific reason? Indeed, she came to deliver some news. After this round, only eight contestants would remain. The next round would be the semifinals and filming would no longer take place at the resort but directly at the KBC station studio. They had two weeks to prepare. So during those two weeks, can I work in the hotel kitchen? Of course you can. No problem at all. Song Mina replied. Se Hun bowed his head expressing his gratitude. Thank you script writer Song for coming all this way to inform me personally. The two shared an awkward laugh bowing to bid farewell. Se Hun actually wanted to say something else. Two weeks, 14 days without seeing each other. He couldn’t just end it with a simple thank you. That day he was drunk. They went home together and she had already seen through his feelings. How could he now casually talk about work and say goodbye? Se Hune encouraged himself. Now is the best chance. I need to be brave. Se Hun took a deep breath and called out to Song Mina. Script writer song. Shall we go to the amusement park together this weekend? Song Mina hesitated for a moment then immediately replied, “I agree. Let’s do that then. This guy is really great. Quite impressive.” He The next day at S Park in Guangju, the two arrived as planned. Song Mina wore a radiant smile while Sung Hun was a bit shy, not daring to take her small hand. Se Hun stammered, asking, “Script rider song, are we really okay going to the zoo?” Song Mina smiled gently and replied, “It’s no problem. I really enjoy looking at animals, too. Do you like it? Also, don’t call me script writer song anymore. I don’t like it. Just call me by my name. The sweet suggestion made Sun Hoons cheeks flush red. This statement meant you can call me more intimately. Aha. Se Hun scratched his head, replying. Then I’ll call you Mina. Song Mina sighed. I really don’t know what to do with you. I understand. Se Hun. Just like that, the two happily spent the day together. They admired the adorable animals in the zoo. Song Mina was as excited as a child, thoroughly enjoying herself in the amusement park. They went from one enclosure to another. Semina playing beside Seung Hun all day, a happy smile constantly on her lips. Se Hune also stole many glances at her adorable expressions, unable to help but smile. Time truly flew by quickly, and soon it was getting dark. Time to leave the park. Se Hun walked beside Song Mina, hesitating inwardly. Just now was a good moment. He was about to speak when Seong Mina asked, “Sung Hun, sorry for interrupting you. What were you about to say?” Oh, no. It wasn’t anything special. Mina, you go first. It wasn’t anything special either. Just How about we go to the amusement park? Since we’re already in Guanju, we can’t miss this chance. Aha, you’re right. He outwardly appeared thrilled, but inwardly, Sun Hune was worrying about the cost of the entrance tickets. Not only that, but he’d also missed the chance to confess his feelings. It’s okay. After all, this is our first date. Saving a bit on living expenses in exchange for her happy smile is worth it. Mina, let’s go in. Se Hun, let me tell you a secret. I just booked the tickets on the app, so we don’t have to worry about the entrance fee. Song Mina was such a thoughtful girl. She understood Sun Hoon’s financial situation clearly and didn’t want him to worry about the cost. Truly a beautiful and kind girl, and so after visiting the zoo, the two had a wonderful time at the amusement park, enjoying thrilling and dramatic rides. Song Mina was excited to try all the thrill rides. While Seung Hun, perhaps because it was his first time, was a bit scared. After the adventurous rides, the two strolled under the moonlight, admiring the park’s romantic scenery. Every passing moment was filled with joy. Suddenly, Sung Hun spoke up. I don’t know if I’m mistaken, but it seems like someone is taking pictures of me. His words startled Song Mina. She had sensed it too while they were on the rides. Sung Hun had gained some fame through the television program. He had become a celebrity. Next time we go out, maybe I’ll have to wear a mask. Song mean aside. It’s true. Someone was taking pictures of you. It seems you’ve been so focused on cooking that you haven’t notice people’s reactions online. You’re famous now. Everyone pays attention to you. As soon as they recognize you, they take pictures. Se Hun scratches head a bit embarrassed. Sorry. You’re getting attention because of me, too. At that moment, a flicker of jealousy passed through Song Mina’s heart. Because Se Hun was receiving so much attention from so many people, but it also meant the show was successful, she had to accept reality. Se Hun said with a smile, “Well, then for our next date, maybe we should go somewhere more secluded.” Song Mina was delighted but pretended to ask, “Next date. Where?” Sun Hun scratched his head, stammering, “Ah, well, Mina, I feel I’m still quite awkward. I don’t have much money right now either, so I can’t take you to amusement parks or zoos often, but I will definitely try. Mina, will you agree to date me?” Needless to say, Song Mina blooming with joy immediately replied, “I agree.” Haha. So, how should we address each other? Ah. Haha. If that’s the case, you’re one year older than me, so I should call you older sister. Really, Mina? Are you serious? Of course. I know the information of all the contestants, but I don’t want to be called older sister, so let’s just address each other like before. Okay, let’s stick with that. Se Hun. The two walked happily through the romantic night. Sung Hune, thanks to his courage, finally had a girlfriend. And for you single folks, do you have a girlfriend yet? Anyone who doesn’t have a girlfriend shouldn’t go out. It’s embarrassing. Stay home and sleep. Sleep through this cold weather. Wait until the weather gets warmer before going out. It’ll be less boring that way because the semifinals won’t start for another 2 weeks. After his date with Xiaomina the next day, Sung Hun returned to the Gaga kitchen. He didn’t expect such a warm welcome from his seniors who had even prepared colored paper to congratulate him. Did everyone know I was coming back today? So you came to welcome me? Haha, of course. The head chef told us. He’s usually so stern, but this time he wanted to pass on a message to everyone congratulating you on making it to the top four. Sun Hun didn’t see the head chef and asked his seniors about him. The seniors explained that the head chef was in the kitchen. He let everyone else come out to greet Son Hune while he went to check the ingredients. Everyone whispered amongst themselves. Perhaps the head chef was too shy to show his face. Just as they were talking, Hyman o opened the door, walked in, and said, “Now that the congratulations are over, hurry back to the kitchen.” After everyone had gone into the kitchen, he also turned around and offered Sun Hoon a word of congratulations. After straightening their uniforms, everyone lined up standing before the head chef. The seniors put their arms around Sung Hoon’s shoulders, joking with the head chef. Head chef, were you planning to congratulate Sun Hune on making the top four? The head chef’s face flushed slightly as he replied, “Haven’t you all congratulated him already?” Of course, Sunung Hun is also relevant to what I’m about to say. The head chef solemnly declared, “Kong Seung Hun, from today onwards, you are no longer an intern, you will officially become a chef. Congratulations.” The head chef’s words left Seung Hun wideeyed with surprise. He stood stunned for a few seconds before bowing his head in thanks. Initially, Sun Hun thought his status as the youngest member would disappear, but the head chef said that since there was currently no one to replace him, he would temporarily have to continue with those duties. However, now that he was an official chef in addition to his previous tasks, he also had to learn more about cooking. The head chef assigned Hyan and Suzu to guide him on seafood dishes. All right, if there are no more questions, let’s begin today’s work. And so on his first day as an official chef, Se Hun received dedicated guidance from his seniors. He observed and learned very attentively. Even jotting down small details in his notebook for future reference. Although Sun Hun already knew some of these things, learning directly from his seniors made him feel very happy. Suddenly, Sun Hun thought of his father and Gi, he vividly remembered Go Jung learning from his father, always sensing the affection between them. Seung Hun wondered why Go Jiang had now become someone chasing power, losing his passion for cuisine. Lost in thought, Sun Hune was startled by his senior’s question, “How long are you staying this time?” Um, the competition doesn’t resume for another two weeks. And so the two brothers continued, one guiding, the other diligently learning, working, and chatting simultaneously. How do you find a competition? It must be exhausting, right? Yes, of course, it’s very tiring. The competition is tough and the opponents are all formidable. The senior chef chuckled teasingly. Haha, really? Watching the show, I thought you won quite easily. There was even molecular gastronomy, which you’ve never studied before. How did you manage that? Sun Hune scratched his head, unsure how to explain, and came up with a random excuse. I mentioned on the show that I learned from YouTube, but actually I learned it from a cookbook. Wow, you really have a knack for it. The head chef is very interested in you. Se Hun asked again in surprise. The head chef? Why? You don’t know. Do you know why he asked me to teach you about seafood dishes? Se Hun shook his head blankly, genuinely looking confused. Because this competition has never featured seafood dishes before. He wants to prepare you in advance. The head chef takes this competition very seriously. I wonder if your father knows about this. He must be very proud. The achievements of our youngest member from this 100th ranked hotel have actually surpassed even chefs from high-end hotels. Seung Hun smiled silently, thanking the head chef for his concern after hearing his senior’s words, telling himself he had to try even harder. The next day, the head chef assigned tasks as usual. Everything proceeded normally, and he even gave Sun Hun special additional instruction. Suddenly, an office staff member from the hotel rushed in, speaking urgently. Head chef, team leader, something’s happened. The high-end hotel culinary association just called. This news startled the head chef, forcing him to leave the kitchen to see what was going on. On the way to the office, he walked while pondering this unexpected call. Honked confusedly, “What on earth happened? Why would the association contact us? We aren’t even members.” The head chef also felt uneasy. He recalled, “I have contacted them before.” A few years ago, wanting to improve benefits for ordinary hotels like ours, I tried to establish a national culinary association together with chefs from other third- rate hotels. But due to interference from the high-end culinary association, the plan was scrapped. Since then, I haven’t had any contact with them. I wonder what scheme they’re plotting this time. Seeing the head chef arrive at the reception desk, the staff member hurried over, handing him the phone. The head chef took the phone, greeting softly. From the other end of the line came the voice of the president of the high-end culinary association. Long time no see. This is Bang Sanjian, president of the Highend Hotel Culinary Association. He commanded in a stern tone. I’ll get straight to the point. I need you to come here immediately. The head chef felt a slight unease and asked, “Do you mean you want me to come there right now?” Sanjiun chuckled dryly. Apologies. Let me cut to the chase. First, I want to inform you of something. In a selection competition organized by the Food Safety Bureau, “Your hotel has been chosen for the list of the top 20 candidates.” “This news couldn’t help but startle the head chef,” Sanjiun continued in an unpleasant tone. “How do you feel about that? For a third rate hotel like yours, this must be a first, wouldn’t you say?” The association president’s tone made the head chef even more suspicious. Being nominated for the candidate list was a good thing. But why was the association informing him and not the food safety bureau? Could it really be? As he said, the head chef remained silent, not responding. Sanjiun, guessing the other party’s thoughts, asked mockingly. It seems you’re worried about whether this is true or not, aren’t you? I heard it directly from the bureau chief. I don’t have the time to trick you like this. Let me say it again. Your hotel has been nominated for the list of the top 20 candidates, but the ranking hasn’t been decided yet. As you know, discussion is needed to determine the rankings. Today is the day of the evaluation seminar. The head chef felt troubled. The association president relentlessly pressured him, forcing him to attend the seminar. The head chef was caught in a dilemma. This was highly suspicious. A man who previously didn’t even want him to participate in the seminar was now personally creating an opportunity for him. He was definitely plotting something. Faced with his insistence, the head chef, not wanting to negatively impact the hotel, had no choice but to agree. Hearing the head chef’s reply, Bang Sanjian chuckled sinisterly. Excellent. Be at the Myang Hotel before 11:00 a.m. Also, you must bring along a colleague whose rank is no lower than team leader. This additional requirement put the head chef in a difficult position. In the Joel Ria Hotel’s kitchen, only O’Hanjerman met the criteria. If he also left, the kitchen would have no one in charge. This was precisely the intention of the president of the High-end Culinary Association. He wanted the Joel Ria Hotel’s kitchen to be unsupervised today because today the mysterious judge would be visiting the Joelia Hotel for an inspection with the head chef and Hyunam having to leave. Soul Sue temporarily took over managing the kitchen. The A-grade, B-grade dishes, and the regular morning and evening special menus pose no problem, but the Joel special menu, usually handled by the head chef, might present some difficulty because this was a menu pre-ordered by customers based on their specific requests. Everyone would just have to try their best. Each person had to be responsible for their own duties. Just as expected, without the head chef’s command and supervision, the atmosphere in the kitchen grew somewhat tense. Sung Hune, having experienced the pressure of competition before, remained calm and completed his tasks. As a grueling day finally came to an end, Soul Sue let out a sigh of relief, and everyone else also relaxed, finally having survived a day without the head chef. Sung Hun noticed that there seemed to be more customers than usual today, even though the hotel hadn’t received any tour groups. A chef chuckled in response, “Haven’t you realized it’s because of you? You’re famous now. Thanks to the Master Chef program, you have a lot of fans. You’re not just an ordinary person anymore. Because of you, our hotel has become famous, too. There are even female fans who know you work at the hotel and want to take pictures with you.” Sun Hun blushed slightly, saying shily, “I’m still not used to being famous.” As everyone was chatting lively, a chef rushed in breathlessly, holding out an order ticket. A customer wanted to order the jewelry special. Soul man took the order ticket, feeling extremely troubled. Could they really refuse a customer’s order? But saying no wasn’t an option. Yet, they couldn’t just casually cancel it either. Soul man felt utterly perplexed. Just then, the manager also entered the kitchen. He stated, “This dish cannot be cancelled.” He led everyone out to the main hall to explain the reason. Seated at a dining table was an elderly man possessing an elegant demeanor and an extraordinary heir. The manager vaguely recognized him. If I’m not mistaken, that’s the food critic Bo Tran. The manager’s words sent a wave of shock through the staff. Oh my god, I’ve heard of him. He’s the most influential food critic. But why? What purpose does he have visiting our hotel? The manager looked worried. I suspect he’s here for more than just a meal. To be safe, I contacted other hotels. They said he’s already dined at several famous hotels. I guess he’s here to evaluate our hotel’s cuisine. He insists on trying the Joelia special, but the head chef hasn’t returned yet. This dish is an enormous challenge making everyone feel uneasy and lacking confidence. Only Sung Hoon spoke with confidence. No matter what, we have to do it. We must make this dish. The senior chefs thought Sun Hoon’s idea was crazy because only young man could truly replicate this dish. They could only handle some basic dishes. But now there was no other choice. If they delayed further, they would only receive a lower evaluation. Even knowing that it was truly difficult, all eyes turned towards soul son, awaiting his decision. With no way out, he thought for a moment and then decided they would make the special dish. While everyone else was anxious, Sung Hun alone felt confident and excited. Soul Sun decided to trust Se Hun. He asked the manager to tell Mr. Borrand to please wait 1 hour for the preparations. Everyone returned to the kitchen, bustling with this difficult task. The Joelia special couldn’t be prepared carelessly like ordinary dishes. They had to carefully consider every item on the menu. The main course needed slight adjustments to suit the season, and almost all the main dishes and appetizers required changes because ingredients varied with the season and time. The head chef’s special menu was built upon the finest ingredients available, tailored accordingly. However, selecting those ingredients was far from easy. As Souls son frowned in thought, he heard Sun Huns confident voice. “Leave it to me. I’ll prepare the best ingredients for the hotel. After all, I’m the one in charge of ingredients.” Seeing Sun Huns confidence eased some of his tension, he assigned Se Hun responsibility for the main course, which was fish. Seung Hun stood before the ingredient cabinet, lost in thought. He remembered how the head chef had taught him each dish individually, while others had mostly only observed once. So today, Sun Hune wanted to try his best to help everyone. Seung Hune reached out and touched the ingredient cabinet using his ability to read memories. He searched for the best fish to prepare this season. Through the memories, he discovered that flounder was the best preserved fish in the hotel, making it the optimal choice. The appetizer would be scallops. A dish incorporating lemon would also be suitable after the scallops. With this decided, Sun Hun began preparations without hesitation. He opened the cabinet, selected the ingredients, and brought them back to the kitchen for the team. Seeing the ingredients Sun Hun had chosen, Soul Son was deeply satisfied. He felt it was quite a coincidence. The items Sung Hune prepared were exactly like the dishes the head chef would have selected for this season. This kid, though he doesn’t say it, he knows the head chef’s menu like the back of his hand. Truly talented, his worries vanished before he knew it. Full of confidence, Soul Son announced loudly, “Everyone, let’s begin.” An hour passed. Mr. Bo Tran waited impatiently. Just as he was pondering, the manager brought out the first dish. A plate of beautifully prepared and garnished scallops was placed before him. It was grilled scallops with pumpkin sauce. Mr. Bootran observed the dish, looking quite pleased. He speared a piece of scallop with his fork, examined it closely before beginning his assessment. It looks perfectly grilled, tender inside, not chewy at all. Without hesitation, he put the scolop into his mouth, chewing slowly. His expression clearly showed astonishment. Mm. Just a light chew revealed the rich creaminess of the butter. The pumpkin sauce was also a perfect match, enhancing the scolop’s flavor. Very delicious. Truly perfect. I didn’t expect this hotel could create a dish that satisfies me so much. This is a first. I truly look forward to the next course. He lifted his wine glass, took a sip, and waited. Soon after, the manager brought out the second dish. Please enjoy the passion fruit pancakes made from passion fruit from the Gohi Mountains. Yet another dish that intrigued him, serving passion fruit at this point, how refined. It will make the main course even more appealing. He scooped up a piece with a spoon and brought it to his mouth to savor. His eyes widened, clearly showing his amazement with the dish. Wonderful. The pancake looks ordinary, yet its flavor is so unique. The fish wasn’t anything special. The dish itself is quite common, but why does it leave such a profound impression? Mr. Bertrand held the octagonal bowl and the spoon, eating continuously. The passion fruit gave the dish a bright acidity, yet was incredibly smooth and deep, so delicious, Mr. Bertrand finished all eight pieces of pancake in one go before stopping. Satisfied, he lifted his wine glass, took a sip, and awaited the next course. Excellent. It makes me anticipate the main course even more. Not long after, the manager brought out the next dish. This is the halibet steak marinated in seaweed for 10 days. Please enjoy. Before eating, he observed and commented. Usually, if a dish includes steamed cabbage, the main ingredient is also typically steamed or stewed, but here they’ve combined grilling and steaming. This interesting preparation method makes me very eager to taste it. He cut a piece of the golden brown grilled halibet and put in his mouth. His eyes widened once more. It was unclear what he perceived, but his face was filled with emotion. The corners of his eyes glistened with tears of emotion. What about this dish evoked such a reaction as he ate the halibet? Mr. Bertrren’s eyes welled up because it reminded him of a memory from long ago. 35 years ago at a restaurant in France named PL. He was just 23 then, working as an assistant cook in the kitchen. He held a plate of food, standing rooted to the spot. Seated opposite him was the head chef of PLE restaurant, Pierre Dee. He presented the dish to the head chef, his heart filled with anxiety. It was with seaweed sauce, but the plating was too plain, not appealing enough. It needed more practice. After evaluating its appearance, the head chef cut a piece of fish and tasted it. Watching the head chef chew slowly, Mr. Bertrand fidgeted restlessly. A moment later, the chef had finished the entire plate of halibet. He smiled faintly, but the smile held a hidden satisfaction. He praised, “Well done. You’ve reached this level already. You can conclude your training. From today, you are a chef, a proud new chef.” The head chef’s declaration sent Mr. Bo Tran into raptures of joy. Eating this flounder dish today, he once again felt the happiness of that long ago moment. The instant he was acknowledged and became a true chef. That feeling of surprise was now conveyed through this flounder steak. He cut another piece of the fish. This time not eating it hastily, but observing it closely. Outwardly, it was just an ordinary flounder steak with steamed cabbage. What created such a special flavor? With every bite of the fish, I feel that same emotion. Thinking back now, this dish is much like this hotel. Seemingly ordinary on the outside, yet hiding the extraordinary within, something one can sense after just one taste, this hotel is named Ura. I need to write this review down. Mr. Bor Tran had a wonderful evening at the hotel, enjoying the impressive menu. As he was settling the bill at the counter, the hotel manager approached and asked, “How did you find the meal today, sir?” Mr. Borran smiled, replying with satisfaction, “Thank you. It was truly wonderful.” from the kitchen. The chefs couldn’t help their curiosity, peeking out expectantly. The manager nodded towards them, giving a thumbs up, signaling their success. The three chefs jumped for joy, cheering, “Amazing! We did it! All right, team, let’s clean up the kitchen.” Late at night, Sun Hun still hadn’t gone home. He was folding his chef’s uniform when, just then, the head chef and Hyan Mang returned together. The seminar ended quite late. “Nothing special happened today.” Seung Hun scratched his head, recounting what had transpired. “What?” The food critic, Mr. Borran, was here. The head chef asked in surprise. “Yes,” Sun Hun replied. “But don’t worry, head chef. We handled it smoothly.” The manager observed him very carefully. He even cried while eating. The head chef guessed that being called away to the seminar was related to Mr. Bo’s visit. He wanted everyone to keep this secret until the results were out. The head chef sent Hyan Mang home first. Keeping Sun- Hun back, he had something to discuss privately. The head chef’s serious expression made Sung Hune both nervous and curious. He wondered what the head chef wanted, having never taken the time to speak with him privately before. The head chef seemed to find it difficult to speak. The two walked together for a long stretch before he finally asked, “Sung Hune, have you been enjoying your work lately?” “Yes, chef. I like it very much. My position has been elevated and my knowledge has expanded significantly.” Sun Hoons answer made the head chef pensive. He recalled his conversation with the hotel manager, the time Hun received his bonus. The manager had told the head chef that Sun Hun, despite being promoted, had his salary kept the same under the pretext that the hotel was facing financial difficulties. Naturally, the head chef disagreed, retoring why. Last time, it was thanks to Sun Hune that a major Chinese company booked rooms here. Furthermore, he achieved excellent results in the chef competition. Why, after he has strived so much to earn this promotion, does his salary remain unchanged? The manager argued that Sun Hun had been compensated with a bonus, still clinging to the excuse of the hotel’s tight budget to refuse the salary increase for Seung Hun. That was precisely why he had hired new chefs. So, it turned out the reason Se Hun was hired here was as bland as that. New, low paid, fitting the manager’s criteria perfectly. He claimed that if Sun Hune’s salary were increased now, the other chefs, including the head chef himself, would face pay cuts. Hearing this story, the head chef turned pale with anger. He wanted to fight for Seung Hune, but felt powerless. Because this involved the interests of many people, he couldn’t act unilaterally. This matter kept weighing on his mind. So, he wanted to find an opportunity to speak privately with Seung Hun, but it was a difficult subject to broach. Sun Hun, let me tell you a secret. I actually hate being a chef. The head chef’s words utterly surprised Seung Hun, who asked bewildered, “Head chef, what do you mean?” The head chef gazed at the distant sky, continuing, “I don’t like being a hotel chef.” He hesitated slightly with each sentence. “Being a hotel chef, I’m not satisfied. The work is demanding, but the pay is meager. In the end, all you get is the prestige of working in a luxury hotel. But even that only holds true if we work for a branded hotel.” Seung Hun asked, “Then why do you continue, head chef?” The head chef paused thoughtfully, not answering immediately, then sighed. From the moment I started as a chef, there was no turning back. I worked at one hotel, then moved to another. All I accumulated was experience. When a URA hotel was established, I was invited here and have worked here ever since. I worked diligently day after day. Then I got married and I had responsibilities towards my small family, but I missed a chance to quit. Hearing this, Se Hun felt something wasn’t right. He asked, “But why are you telling me these things, head chef? Today, I was promoted to chef.” The head chef hesitated, still not revealing the truth. At this point, Sun Hoon understood the issue. I see. Even though I was promoted, my salary remains unchanged. Se Hune felt a wave of unease. The salary remained the same. While he had hospital bills, living expenses, and many other costs to cover. “Does it bother you?” the head chef asked. Sean Hun pretended it was no big deal. Haha. It’s all right, sir. I suppose if the hotel is really struggling, it might be like this. The head chef, a man of experience, spoke frankly. You don’t need to hold back when talking about this with me. Just tell me what you really think. Back then, after hearing what the manager said, I argued with him for a long time. He used my salary to control me. If I insisted on demanding a raise for you, then all the other chefs, including myself, would be affected. I felt like a coward, but I had no choice but to bow my head. In the end, every hotel chef has their own struggles. But that’s fair to them, but not to you. You’ve been a kitchen assistant here for 4 years, yet your salary has always remained the lowest. You appeared on television effectively promoting the hotel for free, yet you’re treated like this. Your salary is low, and your bonus isn’t much either. When I told you I don’t like being a hotel chef, it wasn’t to console you. Those were my honest words. Sun Hun felt the head chef’s concern for him. I understand, he replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Sun Hun also shared his story. When I was born, my father had already quit his job at the hotel. When I started learning to cook, everything felt very natural because my father was a chef. I also worked as a kitchen assistant at a famous hotel, but I had conflicts with the seniors there. So, I quit. At that time, I completely lost my passion for cooking. After my father passed away, I returned to the path of cooking once more, becoming a hotel chef. It was my father’s last wish. He wanted me to become a chef. I rekindled the flame of passion once again. I truly wanted to become a chef. But now, hearing the head chef’s words, “I’m genuinely worried about my current situation.” The head chef felt remorseful, apologizing to him. I’m sorry. It was I who put you in this difficult position. Looking at Sun Hune, he remembered his own passionate youth in the kitchen. The disheartened head chef thought about his own circumstances. Seung Hune couldn’t bear it either. He comforted him. What are you saying, head chef? I just don’t want to make things difficult for you. Thank you, head chef. It feels good to hear your heartfelt words. Seeing Sun Hoon’s calm demeanor, the head chef also felt some of his burden lift, he chuckled softly. It’s nothing. If I may, I want to tell you that the path to becoming a chef isn’t limited to just hotels. Think carefully about it. Seung Hun pondered for a moment, then broke into a bright smile again. He understood the hidden meaning in the head chef’s words. Seung Hune was filled with energy once more. “Yes, head chef.” Ah, by the way, when does the next competition start? In 2 weeks. Yes. Then please prepare well, head chef. Yes. All right. Two weeks later, at the VTV studio in the waiting room, the producer of the Master Chef program, Hyansu Song, was meeting with a new judge. This chef also seemed very enthusiastic about the program. Hyan Su asked slightly hesitant. Actually, this job is quite demanding. I hope that won’t be an issue. Haha, no problem at all. Anyway, I’m currently on my annual leave. So, this invitation came at the perfect time. Hi Su beamed. That’s wonderful. Then, I’d like to invite you, Chef, along with Chef Mong and Chef Junyang to serve as judges until the final round concludes. Thank you, Chef Bohan. The newly invited judge was remarkably young, yet he was already the head chef of the Estonia restaurant. Just then, outside the studio, the nine tiered stands were already packed tightly with spectators. The electrifying atmosphere made the chefs participating in today’s competition feel slightly overwhelmed. The audience and the charged environment amplified the pressure manifold compared to their time at the resort. Welcome back to the Master Chef program. Only eight contestants remain. So from now on, the competition will take place right here in this studio. Our previous judge has returned to France. So we have a new judge joining us. And now, please allow me to introduce this judge, Chef Bo Kong, head chef of the Burj Khalifa restaurant at the Estonia Hotel, Dubai. His appearance stunned the chefs below. So young, how could he be a head chef? Bik Kong stepped onto the stage, introducing himself. Judge Mong announced this round’s challenge. assistant, please bring this in. A dish concealed under a cloch was wheeled in, making Sung Hune wonder if this competition round would again involve guessing ingredients. Judge Bo Kong approached the dish, reaching out to lift the cover. Inside lay an exquisitely presented dish, made even more mysterious by what seemed to be a wrapping of fine threads. The judge declared, “This dish is today’s challenge.” Observing the dish, the contestants furrowed their brows in speculation. Kong he searched her memory, certain she had seen this dish somewhere before. Sun Hun also couldn’t identify the dish. What is that? He still assumed it was an ingredient guessing challenge. Judge Bo Kong pointed to the plate, speaking enthusiastically. Those who have studied cooking in France might be very familiar with this dish, but for some contestants, this might be the first time seeing it. The French call this dish popets, also known as bajgeoa cuisine. The French method involves using a mallet to pound a slice of beef fin, then adding the filling inside and rolling it up. That concludes the explanation of the dish. Now I will announce today’s task. Hearing this, Sun Hune was 99% certain they would have to replicate the dish. As expected, it was just as he predicted. But the difficult part was that the judges wouldn’t allow direct tasting. Contestants could only rely on sight and smell. This challenge seemed tailorade for Seung Hune. He just needed to activate his hacker mode. A light touch, read the memory, and he could grasp 80 to 90% of the method. Some chefs felt a surge of joy having studied in France. They believed this would be their advantage. But Judge Boang’s next words were like a splash of cold water dousing their hopes. Don’t celebrate too soon. Even if you have seen this dish before, you cannot afford to be complacent. There are many variations of popettes and the fillings differ greatly. Surely you didn’t think I would choose a common meat filling. Hearing this, Kongi immediately raised her hand. Chef, you said the filling varies, so it’s almost impossible to guess just by looking at the outside correct. The judge acknowledged Kongi’s point. He had anticipated this question. Bo Kong picked up his knife and fork. He would cut a piece for everyone to observe. The meat was sliced meticulously, then separated into two halves. Everyone, please note once the cut is made, the competition timer will start. You have 45 minutes to complete the dish. After you finish, the judges will immediately begin scoring. The maximum score is 15 points. The evaluation criterion for this round is not how delicious your dish is, but how closely it resembles mine. Judge Mong then revealed a detail that brought a collective sigh of relief from the contestants. No one will be eliminated in this round. The scores from this round will be carried over to the next round, which will determine who is eliminated. The number of contestants to be eliminated in the next round is five. It sounded simple, but the reality was far from it. Although no one would be eliminated today, everyone still had to give their absolute best. A good result in this round would significantly increase their chances of avoiding elimination later. The prospect of five eliminations hung heavy in the air, creating palpable tension. The top three scorers would advance directly to the subsequent round. While the five contestants facing elimination would have to endure a pressure test, assuming only one survivor emerged from that pressure test. Only four contestants would remain for the round after that. Successfully navigating this round and the next meant securing a place in the semifinals. Se Hun’s eyes glinted with fierce determination. Judge Bo Kong had finished cutting the dish, presenting the cross-section for the contestants careful observation. The competition officially began. Eight contestants sprang into action. Interestingly, they immediately split into two distinct groups. Those familiar with the dish headed straight for the ingredient station while the remaining five gathered around the judge’s plate, intently observing and trying to sense the dish’s secrets. Bo Kong eagerly anticipated the results of this first round under his judgment. He moved closer, observing Sun Hune with particular interest. Suddenly, a memory surfaced. He had eaten this dish as a child, prepared by the very hands of the judge known as the Wheel Critic. But back then, his family circumstances were difficult, and the dish served was far from perfect. The outer layer was made from cheap meat, and the filling was a simple mixture of various vegetables. Trying to replicate the dish based on that distant memory would indeed be incredibly difficult to achieve the most accurate imitation. One would almost certainly need to activate hacker mode. But using such an ability openly here was impossible. 7 years ago during their last trip together, father and son were watching the sunset when his father asked, “Do you know why we came here on this trip?” Sun Hune hesitated, unable to guess his father’s meaning. His father smiled gently, took his son’s hand, and said with a hint of regret, “This might be our last trip together, but it’s worth it. I brought you here to unlock your hidden potential.” Se Hun asked in surprise, “My potential?” “That’s right. When you use ingredients for cooking, don’t you feel anything? When I was young, I could feel it very clearly. But lately, it seems to have become faint. That is your ability. Your younger sister doesn’t seem to have this gift. We can read the memories of ingredients.” Seung Hune asked astonished, “Does such an ability really exist?” His father calmly replied, “Yes, this special ability, even with talent, isn’t easily acquired. You need to use your heart to feel the ingredients. Use your eyes to see, your hands to touch, your nose to smell, and your tongue to taste. Even when you close your eyes, all your senses will become sharp as if you’re holding it.” To make your senses sharper, I took you to train in markets all over the world. It depends on how you train your ability. You can not only read the memories of food but also directly read the memories of objects and people. Hearing his father describe the wonder of his innate talent, Sun Hune fell into deep thought. Young Suk took a few coffee beans bought from a Kenya market out of his pocket, handed them to Seung Hune and told him to try using his ability. Seung Hune took the coffee beans without hesitation, held them in his hand, activated hacker mode, and began to sense. He said, “I see a coffee plantation and workers harvesting. Why can I see these images so clearly? It’s so real.” Young Suk smiled with satisfaction, knowing he had successfully awakened his son’s ability. He continued asking questions to test him. “Can you see what color headscarves those workers are wearing?” Se Hun immediately replied, “Red with white patterns on them. Their short-sleeve shirts are white and their trousers have fruit patterns printed on them.” Sun Hun’s answer made Young Suk joyfully pat his son’s shoulder. Well done. You’ve recognized everything. But to maintain this ability, you need to constantly keep your senses sharp. That’s also the reason my ability disappeared after I grew up. It turned out Se Hun had inherited his father’s ability. Sung Hune also felt happy discovering this special ability he thought he had long forgotten. Well done, son. Now I can rest assured. He laughed happily because his wish had finally come true. Returning to the competition, Se Hun faced the dish, closed his eyes, and calmly relaxed his entire body. It was time to distill what he had learned and utilize all his senses to perceive the dish most accurately. Seung Hune bowed his head slightly, eyes wide open, focusing his observation. First, I will use my sight. In Korea, wrapping the outside with bacon is a common method. But looking closely, this isn’t bacon. It’s vibrant color. Could it be chicken? Even the grain of the meat looks identical. Look closely at that slice. Why does it seem so vibrant, too? Is the filling inside also chicken? Those small green specks inside are most likely parsley. It seems to have been added along with mushrooms, but I’m not entirely sure. Now, I will use my sense of smell. Sun Hun took a deep breath, inhaling the aroma. The smell of butter is very strong, yet feels refined. It’s highly likely they added fresh cream when making the sauce. Also, what is this faint fragrance? It smells like wine. I think I understand now. Actually, only by tasting can one determine the exact ingredients inside. Through sight and smell, I can only perceive limited things. Se Hun seemed to have guessed the young judge’s thoughts. The aroma of wine usually doesn’t linger for too long, yet it remains so distinct. Could this be an intentional hint for me that I can only rely on sight and smell to perceive and I’m not allowed to touch it directly? Thus, Sun Hun had no opportunity to activate his hacker mode. He thoroughly utilized his sight and smell to identify the dish’s components. Filled with confidence from the information he had gathered, Sun Hun rolled up his sleeves, ready to begin the test. After a period of observation and selecting ingredients, all eight contestants focused their minds entirely on the challenge. standing aside seemed a bit dull. So, Bo Kong stepped down into the preparation area, observing the busy figures of the contestants. As Se Hun concentrated on chopping ingredients, he noticed that Bo Kong had at some point positioned himself beside a station watching. A smile played on the judge’s lips, giving Seung Hun the feeling that this judge seemed to want to mock him, thinking he was too distracted for a contestant. Just carry on. I simply have a habit of watching others cook. Besides Sun Hun, he also visited the stations of all the other contestants, displaying a different demeanor at each place. Overall, his casual behavior only added to the contestants tension. So, I look at him just pacing back and forth like that. Young people truly are full of energy. He looks so vibrant. The judge clapped his hands, announcing, “Only 5 minutes left. Everyone hurry up and finish. Time is running out.” Everyone raced against the clock, completing the final steps while plating their dishes, trying to make them resemble the original as closely as possible. Time’s up. Now we will inspect and evaluate each dish in turn. Se Hune gazed at his plate, his heart thrumming with a touch of anxiety. Though deeply confident in the flavor, he couldn’t be certain how closely his creation mirrored the original. “Come on, my victory or defeat rests entirely on you,” he thought. The first contestant selected by the three judges was Go Dong T. The moment Bo Kong laid eyes on his dish, he immediately offered praise. The appearance is perfect, almost indistinguishable from our own dish. Judge Mong added, “I’ve also glanced at the others works. Everyone has crafted dishes that closely resemble the original. Truly, the skills of the contestants who’ve made it to the top eight are formidable, but the flavor must still be assessed.” All right, let us begin. Go Dong Te’s dish was sliced into three portions divided equally among the three judges. Seeing that the colors within the dish were nearly identical to the original, all three judges showed considerable interest. Simultaneously, the three judges brought the pieces of meat to their mouths, savoring them. Madame Yan Jang, after tasting, immediately remarked, “The flavor is indeed very similar.” Mong also concurred with Madame Yanjangs opinion. Only Bo Kong remained silent. He pondered for a moment, then inquired. May I ask what cut of meat you use for the outer layer? Chicken breast. Go. Dong T replied, “Yes, sir.” Bo Kong continued, asking about the filling inside. Dong T promptly answered, “I finally minced chicken thigh and beef shank together, then added mushrooms and mixed it all thoroughly.” Bo Kong said nothing further, merely offering his thanks before proceeding with the other two judges to the next station. Sun Hun couldn’t help but admire his competitor’s ability. The ingredients go dung ti had chosen perfectly matched his own deductions. However, Sun Hune remained confident in his own dish because a crucial difference still existed between them. Now it was Sun Hoon’s turn to present his dish. Much like Go Dong Te’s, both the external appearance and the internal filling of Seung Hun’s creation were identical to the judge’s original. The key deciding factor between victory and defeat lay in the taste. Bo Kong immediately after tasting asked, “Inside, it seems it isn’t beef, but ground pork. Is that correct?” Sun Hun quickly explained, “While observing the dish, I detected the distinct aroma characteristic of pork. Although it was almost completely masked by the scent of the wine, I could still perceive a hint of it.” Sun Hune scratched his head, adding somewhat sheepishly. Of course, this is just my personal perception. I wasn’t entirely certain if it was pork or not, but I did indeed mix lean pork loin with chicken to make the filling. This time, offer praise, “Your reasoning is excellent.” Setting the plate down, Bo Kong seemed eager to move on and examine the creations of the other contestants. Hearing Boang’s compliment, the knot of anxiety in sung, Hoon’s chest loosened somewhat. The judging period concluded. The eight contestants stood in a straight line, nervously awaiting the judge’s announcement of the results. Thank you all for your patience. We will now announce the results. I will read them starting from the first place downwards. The judge’s words heightened the tension among the contestants. Everyone held their breath in anticipation. Seung Hune prayed fervently in his heart. Please grant me this. I absolutely must achieve the highest score. The results announced by the judging panel left Seung Hun utterly crestfallen. The person who secured first place in this round was Go Dong Tung Hun couldn’t believe it. He felt as though he couldn’t trust his own ears. Why? Where exactly did I go wrong? Could it be that I guessed the ingredients inside incorrectly? Could it be that the beef and chicken he chose were the correct answers? Go Dong T has secured first place with an average score of 4.6 points. Judge Mong was about to elaborate, but Bo Kong cut him off. Hold on, let’s announce the rankings first, then we will explain. Second place goes to Kong Sun Hune. Although he hadn’t won first place, second wasn’t bad either. Seung Hun felt a wave of relief wash over him. Bo Kong explained his average score is a 4.3 points, but I personally gave him five points. Bo Kong stated his thoughts frankly, slightly surprising the other two judges. There’s nothing to hide. What’s quite interesting is that actually the other two judges still don’t know the exact ingredients in my dish. Judge Mang spoke up. Didn’t you say that the evaluation was primarily based on taste, not the ingredients? That’s correct. I did indeed prioritize evaluating the flavor for scoring. Go Dong Te’s dish had the flavor closest to the original, hence he secured first place. The other contestants also achieved quite high scores, but only Sun Hune was able to identify this ingredient, white wine. I truly didn’t expect him to be able to recognize it. I was very impressed by his ability, so I gave him a perfect score. Of course, the flavor was also very similar. Se Hun was puzzled, but didn’t I guess the ingredients in the filling incorrectly? I used pork and chicken, while Go Dong T used beef and chicken. Boon clarified, “That doesn’t matter because actually, I mixed all three types of meat.” Since pork is easily overwhelmed by the flavors of other spices, I intentionally included it to increase the challenge. was genuinely impressed. Not only did Sung Hune guess the white wine, but he could also discern the pork based on smell alone. Truly remarkable. He is a genius with immense potential. Seung Hun also felt satisfied with his second place achievement. Even though it’s only second place, I didn’t make too many mistakes. Perhaps next time, if there’s a similar competition, I shouldn’t rely so heavily on my sense of smell. The third place contestant was Yang Hei, which wasn’t entirely unexpected. She had achieved four points in the previous round. She bowed her head as she reflected. This girl wasn’t as simple as she appeared. Though a smile always graced her lips, she harbored her own calculations to ensure her safety. The rankings unfolded just as I predicted. Kong Seung Hun, that guy’s like a monster, always capable of securing first place. Therefore, from the very beginning, I had no intention of competing with him. Go Dong T is also very strong. At best, only able to rank behind Kong San Hun. I knew from the start with my current abilities, trying to squeeze between those two was impossible. So, the current situation is more than enough. As long as I can hold on a third place in the next round, I definitely won’t be eliminated. If I can make it to the semifinals, perhaps I can attract even more attention. She’s the only female chef left in the competition. That title sounds quite nice, doesn’t it? This girl is really just trying to survive until the end to be on TV. She craves fame more than a passion for cooking. Fourth place is Caen Joe with 3.6 points. He doesn’t seem too pleased with his rank and score. Bo Kong immediately explained, “Your score was beyond my expectations. You were very confident in yourself because this was your specialty dish. It was that very confidence that made you careless prepping the ingredients without double-checking. Fortunately, you managed to grasp all the main ingredients, so the flavor of the resulting dish was very similar. Your ability is commendable, but be more careful next time. Don’t be so hasty. Fifth place is Minyong Kong with 3.3 points. Sixth place is Hyan Wu Bang. Seventh place is Jihyang Park. And eighth place is Jua Kuan, achieving only an average score of 2.6 points. Now, we will announce the challenge for the second round. The task for this round is to create an appetizer paired with a popette. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a French dish. Just whatever dish you feel is most suitable. The time limit is 45 minutes. Please showcase your talents freely. Choosing a suitable appetizer is not easy at all. Sun Hun still didn’t know which dish to choose. At this moment, he suddenly remembered a head chef named Cadlov. 8 years ago at his restaurant, Sun Hun had once asked, “Why is the appetizer always soup? Is there a special reason?” Chef: Ha, what are you talking about? There are breadcrumbs inside, too. Can’t you see? But still soup, isn’t it? I’m just curious why it absolutely has to be soup. Only then did Cadlov become serious. You really are a handful. Let me tell you, in French, the appetizer is called entree. Did you know that this dish can stimulate the pallet? Not only that, it can also warm the stomach while waiting for the main course. The main courses of Mediterranean countries are often very oily, suitable only for those with a heavy pallet. If you eat those dishes first, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed. Therefore, everyone needs to eat something life first, then enjoy the main course. In our restaurant, the main courses are all rich, fatty meats. That’s precisely why I always prepare a soup as an appetizer. Hearing Cadlov’s explanation, Sun Hun finally understood the significance of the appetizer soup. It was Cadlov’s appetizer soup that had reawakened the passion for cooking that had cooled within him back then. Recalling Cadlov’s description of the soup, Sun Hun decided he would also use it as the appetizer for today’s challenge, he chose mushrooms as the main ingredient for this soup. Initially, he intended to use chicken broth as the base, but the competition time didn’t allow for it. So, Sun Hun wanted to try using red wine to awaken the flavor of the soup instead. First, it was necessary to slice the mushrooms. Finally, chop the cilantro and onions, peel the garlic, and crush it thoroughly. Once the ingredients were prepared, next came the cooking time. Add butter to a pot, heating it until melted. After the butter had completely melted. Add the previously prepared chopped onions and garlic. Stir gently, mixing well until the onions gradually turn translucent. Then add the sliced mushrooms. Continue stirring until the mushrooms are cooked. It’s important to stir gently to avoid breaking the mushrooms. Remove the cooked ingredients, leaving the cooking liquid in the pot. Pour in a sufficient amount of red wine. Simmer over low heat until the mixture boils. Thus, the sauce base was complete. Set aside a few mushroom slices for garnish. Put the rest into a blender and puree. Don’t blend too finely, otherwise it will affect the chewy texture when eaten. Pour the pureed ingredients into the pot with a simmering deglaze sauce. Add equal amounts of heavy cream and fresh milk, stirring well. Continue until all ingredients and the delaze sauce are well combined. Simmer over low heat and just before the soup boils, add half of the cornstarch slurry to adjust the thickness. It’s necessary to stir quickly and evenly to avoid lumps. Finally, sprinkle a little black pepper on top. Ladle into a bowl. Garnish with some chopped cilantro. And the mushroom soup was complete. The cooking time was also up. The judges spoke. All contestants, please stop what you were doing. Now we will taste your dishes one by one. Go Dong T was still the first one chosen. Please introduce your dish. This is a raw vegetable salad served with pickled cucumbers and cilantro. God ti was also very clever. Because the popette was quite rich, he prepared a light appetizer. The judges also praised him for his good culinary thinking. Judges, please enjoy bonapetit. The three judges began to taste dung tea salad. Although the flavor of the dish quite satisfied the judges, Mong felt it still lacked a unique taste. Bo Kong commented, “Although this salad fits the menu well, and the ingredients are very suitable as an appetizer before eating the rich popette, but I find spending 45 minutes to make a salad like this a bit too simple. This dish isn’t impressive enough either. The judges only took a small bite before moving on to Sung Hun Station. The aroma of the mushroom soup immediately captivated Miong with its familiar scent. Bo Kong spoke up. Soup is also a common appetizer in a formal menu, but isn’t it too rich before eating a greasy popette like this? Without hesitation, Sun Hun shared, “This is something I learned from French chef.” He said, “One should start with smooth soft dishes so that eating the rich main course afterwards won’t feel overwhelming. I also carefully selected and prepared the ingredients so that people wouldn’t feel it’s too heavy when eating.” Hearing Sung Hoon’s explanation, the judges were all eager to taste this mushroom soup. Each took a bowl and together they tried the first spoonful. Judge Bo Kong immediately exclaimed, “How surprising. This dish has a rich, creamy taste with added fresh cream, yet it feels refreshingly light and strangely pleasant.” “That’s right,” Mong added. “It’s not heavy at all. Quite the opposite, it’s very easy to eat. Please tell us what is the secret to this soup.” Se Hun enthusiastically shared, “It’s thanks to the finely minced onions and garlic.” Judge Bo Kong immediately asked, “Very meticulous. Did you intentionally choose garlic to create that refreshing taste just now?” “Yes,” Sun Hune replied. “In Europe, appetizers usually don’t use garlic as a seasoning for soup.” But because the dish I cooked is based on Korean tastes, eating French food in Korea, I thought about what it would be like to add a touch of familiar flavor. And so, I decided to add garlic to the soup. Of course, because garlic has a strong influence on the dish, I only added a little. As for onions, I use more than mushrooms. I chose seasonal onions because they are sweeter and more refreshing. The female judge Yin Jang, known for being strict, couldn’t help but exclaim and praise, “Wow, delicious.” It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a delicious soup. All three judges expressed their satisfaction and lavish praise on Sun Hoon’s mushroom soup, which made Sung Hune very happy and also eased his tension. However, there were still other dishes yet to be tasted. All the contestants were capable individuals, formidable rivals for the four advancing positions. Sun Hun also acknowledged Yang Hi skills, believing that besides Dong T, she had a strong chance of making it into the top three. Han Wu Bang is very fast and also possesses beautiful food plating techniques. As for Sia Kenhao, although his cooking speed is the fastest, the way he prepares his dishes seems somewhat careless. No. What am I thinking? Why worry about who will be eliminated? I need to worry about myself first. The judges completed their rounds, evaluating and discussing the entries, and the most tense moment had arrived. Attention please. The rankings and scores for this round will now be announced. First place in the appetizer round went to contestant Kong Se Hun. The other contestants applauded in congratulations. Seung Hun, though overjoyed, tried hard to keep his expression neutral. In this round, he had received a perfect score from all three judges, thus achieving the maximum possible total score of five points for the round. Bo Kong explained the reasoning behind the perfect score. Choosing soup as an appetizer might seem ordinary, but it was actually a very bold choice. He considered the origins of French cuisine, selecting the most fundamental European appetizer soup. However, he also added a bit of a Korean style twist. Both the choice and the flavor were outstanding. Seung Huns face flushed momentarily with joy. Next came the announcement for second place. Seung Hun silently thought that second place would surely go to Dong T, but the judge’s words startled him. It wasn’t Dong T. Second place went to Yang Hi. She herself seemed surprised by this ranking. In this round, she had made a side dish for the appetizer. She created a variation by mixing smoked salmon, onions, mango sauce, and mustard into an egg yolk. The ingredients harmonized well, making the dish very palatable. Congratulations to contestant Ju Young. He for excellently securing second place with a score of 4.6. Young he delightedly covered her face, expressing her gratitude. She rejoiced inwardly. This is wonderful. This means I’ve definitely made it into the top four. Sun-hun also acknowledged that this young woman was not only capable but also very sharp. Second place was welld deserved. At this moment, Sun Hun started to worry about his friend again. Although Dong Tay had achieved first place in the previous round, given the current situation, he absolutely needed to secure third place to guarantee moving forward. Go Dong Taye’s face was now deathly pale, incredibly tense. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the result. This tense anticipation made Go Dong Tay feel as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest. Once again, the unexpected happened. Third place did not go to God Dong Tay, but to see a Kyanjo. Hearing this result, Gong T seemed stunned, feeling as though he had fallen into a bottomless abyss. He was once again crushed by the invisible pressure from Goji Song, a pressure that grew ever larger. Failing in this competition meant losing his future at the Inter. This seemingly invisible burden felt as heavy as a,000 lbs, nearly causing Dung Tay to break down. He suddenly clutched his head, let out a pain cry, and collapse to the ground. Dung Taye’s actions caused everyone to worry. He quickly explained that he often suffered from anemia and would occasionally faint. Sung Hun was the most worried about Dong Tay. He realized something was wrong. Since the last time, Dong’s emotions have been somewhat strange. Why was he so stressed? He still had the elimination exemption. After all, worried about his friend, Sun Hun decided he absolutely had to ask him clearly during the break. The judges explained Suk Hyan’s ranking. The dish he prepared was a mango crepe filled with shrimp as an appetizer. Typically, this would be made using flat pasta mixed with minced meat and tomato sauce. But Suk Hyan had innovated. He used mango instead of pasta, thinly slicing and drying it to create the crepe shell. It was somewhat regrettable that the shrimp was overcooked, making it a bit dry to eat. Aside from the shrimp, however, the remaining components were truly outstanding. Judge Yun Jang continued the critique. Personally, before eating meat dishes, I prefer something lighter and more delicate. Therefore, we decided to award him 4.3 points, although he placed third in this round. When combined with his score from the previous round, he only had a total of 7.9 points. If Dong Tay placed fourth and scored at least 3.4 points, then he Sukian would be able to advance directly to the next stage. Mong announced the contestant who had achieved fourth place. Go Dong Tay held his breath, his body rigid with tension. If he couldn’t secure fourth place, or if his score wasn’t high enough, he would become one of the five contestants forced into the high-pressure elimination round. Fourth place belongs to Go Dong Tay with a score of 3.6. As the score was announced, it was as if Dung Tay had narrowly escaped Death’s Door. His total score across the two rounds placed him within the top three overall, signifying that the remaining contestants would have to face the elimination round. Bo Kong commented on Dung T’s performance. The dish he chose was overly simplistic. This was a significant drawback. Yet, the salad and sauce combination was absolutely perfect. Perhaps this too was something he had meticulously calculated. The dish was also quite delicious. Thus, we awarded him 3.6 points. Dong Taye’s entire body trembled as though a thousand pound weight had been lifted. He bowed deeply, his voice shaking as he offered his thanks to the judges. The three contestants with the highest scores for this round had been determined, rendering it unnecessary for the judges to announce the rankings of the remaining participants. Kong Seung Hun, Go Dong T, and Ju Yang. He would advance directly to the next stage. The five remaining contestants would proceed to the supplementary round to determine who would earn the right to continue. The judges were preparing to announce the rules for the elimination round when the production team signaled. The supplementary round would resume after a break and the details of the challenge would also be announced at that time. The contestants would have a 30inut break to prepare themselves before entering the intensely stressful elimination round. Sung Hune hurriedly went searching for his friend, but after scanning the area, he couldn’t find Dong Tay anywhere. As for Dong Tay, wanting to prevent anyone from seeing his distressed state, he had hidden himself away in a deserted emergency stairwell. He was anxiously rubbing his hands together when he heard Sun Hoon’s voice, “What are you doing hiding here all alone? Why run off to this little corner instead of taking a proper rest? It’s nothing. I was just thinking about a few things.” Sun Hune seized the opportunity, just the two of them, and asked directly, “I noticed you seemed a bit strange since the last round. Is something bothering you?” Speaking with his friend, Dong felt he no longer needed to hide anything. I’m under pressure about being eliminated. Sun- Hun followed up, “But don’t you still have the elimination exemption pass?” Go Dong let out a long sigh and replied, “All right, I forgot I still had that.” He said nothing more, just lowered his head, his expression utterly dejected. Kong Sangho knew it was difficult for Dong Tay to speak up himself, so he took the initiative. He patted Dong Taye’s shoulder comfortingly while simultaneously using his mindreading ability to grasp the situation. It’s go Jiang, isn’t it? Kong Seung Hun asked. Dong Tay was startled. How did you know? Who else could it be besides him? Who else would pressure you like this? Stop bearing it alone. Tell me about it. Faced with his friend’s sincerity, go Dung Tay didn’t hide it anymore. He began to recount. Actually, he was removed from the judging panel, but he controls me every day. Puts pressure on me. He forces me to show everyone the level of a chef from a high-end hotel. Told me not to even think about using any elimination exemption pass. Only then could I stay at the inter hotel. What Dong Tay recounted completely matched what Kong Seung Hun had read in his mind. He had seen Go Jiang calling Dong T at the resort, speaking words that applied pressure. Kong Seung Hun was curious about Go Jiang’s final demand of Dong Tay. Dong Tay continued his story. Even if I don’t use the elimination exemption. If I get eliminated, the Hilton Hotel will quickly fire me. Others don’t know what their purpose is for joining this program, but now I have no way back anymore. Are you sure? Kong Hun smiled calmly. He always uses his status as head chef to force you to do his bidding. That’s why you couldn’t focus on the competition, right? Dong replied dejectedly. That’s right. Sorry for letting you see me struggling like this. It’s okay. Cheer up. I’ll head off first. See you later. Although he said that Kong Seung Hun still couldn’t get Go J song out his mind. Returning to the program, the producer announced the reason for the break was because he felt the supplementary round was too simple and wanted to increase the difficulty. Song Mina once again proposed an idea that pleased him greatly. Her workability was truly excellent. Just then, Song Mina received a text message. She wondered who would text her at this time. Who else could it be? Of course, but Kong Seung Hune, the man of her dreams. A sweet message arrived. Can you spare some time for me today? Song Mina blushed, her heart blooming with joy. Oh my god. He actually texted me during the break, asking if I could spare time for him today. How romantic. The producer saw Song Mina looking at her phone, smiling brightly like a flower, and asked curiously, “Who are you texting? You look so happy.” Song Mina quickly made an excuse. I received an order notification just replying to the courier company. The producer announced some shocking news. The semifinals might be filmed overseas. Not only that, the filming location for the semifinals is one of the most luxurious places in the world, none other than the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, located in Dubai. This was the idea and proposal of Judge The entire cost will be sponsored by the Arab governing body. Furthermore, the competition venue might even be judge Bo Kang’s own workplace, the Astonio restaurant. All right, let’s return to the studio. At this moment, Sun Hun was also on his way to the studio. Song Mina had also sent an equally sweet message. Okay, but I have an urgent meeting right after filming. He, “Please wait for me for a bit.” Just those few short lines of text. And Sun Hoons face flushed as red as an apple. He thought to himself, “This would be the first time the two of them met privately since the amusement park outing. Why hadn’t he asked her out sooner? What a shame.” He felt a little embarrassed. Back at the competition venue, five contestants were facing the elimination round. Let’s invite Judge Bo Kong to introduce the mission. We’ve had the appetizer in the main course. What do you all think is missing? That’s right, it’s dessert. Your mission is to create a dessert that compliments the previous pulps dish. The time limit to complete the dish is 30 minutes starting now. Bo Kong was quite pleased with this mission, partly because the previous submission had been rejected. Initially, it was just a simple test of thinly slicing onions. But during the short break, he had conceived this perfect mission. His eyes scanned towards the production team as if searching for something. He was surely looking for some hidden talent within the production crew. While the five contestants prepared their desserts, the three safe contestants were also chatting amongst themselves. Yi asked Sung Hun who he thought had the highest chance of advancing. It was indeed a difficult question. The five contestants were all evenly matched. Dong believed that Bang Hayenu and Sukian were stronger than the other three. Seung Hun also considered Suk Hyan very strong, believing him to be the most skilled among the five. Yungi agreed with Sun Hoon’s assessment. Being together, they understood his capabilities well. Though perhaps not the most outstanding chef overall, his speed was absolutely exceptional. This competition round lasting only 30 minutes played greatly to his advantage. Whatever the dish, he could complete it swiftly. Whenever the judges announced the challenge, he wouldn’t flinch immediately diving into cooking. He truly was a formidable opponent. Just then, Dong T admitted, “If I had been more careful in the first round, I would be the one participating in this elimination round right now, not Sukian.” However, that was just speculation. The final outcome still depended on the competition results and the judges evaluations to be decided. Speed didn’t necessarily mean deliciousness. Indeed, the result was not outside the predictions of the three. Sukian had won the supplementary round. He had made a delicious strawberry shaved ice dish. Its flavor was light, sweet, and cool, refreshingly cold upon eating. Very thirst quenching. To be able to create such a delicious shaved ice dish within 30 minutes was truly outstanding. Bo Kong laughed heartily, saying that’s because he didn’t follow the traditional method. He used shaved ice and strawberries to make it. Am I correct? Worried the taste might be a bit bland, he added yogurt. This was a solution he thought of during the process, but his creation was truly not inferior to the authentic desserts of a high-end restaurant. Boang’s accurate remarks showed that he was a talented young man. Becoming a head chef was truly welld deserved. Regrettably, for the four contestants, thank you for your hard work during this time. Please leave your name tags and depart. Your journey at Masteref has ended. The final round has also concluded. From the initial eight, only four remain now. Despite facing some difficulties, Yangti has still advanced smoothly to the next round. The two friends encouraged each other before leaving. Se Hun secretly glanced at Semina, his face flushing red as well. She was bidding farewell to the judges. Seeing Sun Hun looking at her affectionately, she waved back. The feelings between them were abundant, yet they still felt shy each time their eyes met. That evening, as previously arranged, Sun Hun waited for Song Mina at the gate of the television station because she had an urgent meeting. He waited nervously. This was his second date with her. Song Mina, after finishing her meeting, also hurried to meet him. Sorry, am I late? It’s okay. I just arrived too. Have you had dinner yet? Shall we go eat? Song Mina replied gently. Yes. The meeting ran long. You must be hungry from waiting. Since I was late, this meal is on me. Haha, it’s okay. I invited you so I should be the one treating. Song Mina revealed to Songhoon that the next round of competition would be filmed abroad. Hand in hand, the two strolled down the street looking for a place to have dinner because they had waited for each other. They were eating dinner quite late now. The feeling of hunger made the aroma of the food even more enticing. Seeing it, Song Mina immediately wanted to indulge. Seeing you eat so heartily right now, I just want to take a bite myself. Indeed, when love reaches its depths, it naturally deepens. The two sat eating together, yet maintained a sense of reservedness. Sun Hun, please eat. This place is delicious. Emma, you eat, too. Sung Hun looked at the plate of stir-fried rice cakes before him, thinking inwardly. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten this. Finally get to eat again. He picked up a piece of rice cake and utilized the memory inheritance skill. So delicious. These rice cakes are truly fresh. And the preparation is excellent. It lives up to its reputation as a famous stir-fried rice cake place. The spot Mina recommended is really good, Sun Hun remarked. Song Mina narrowed her eyes curiously, asking, “Thank you, but you haven’t even eaten yet. How do you know it’s good?” Se Hune was suddenly taken aback, hastily finding an excuse. Because I’m a chef, I can tell just by looking. Semina remained unconvinced. Really? Let’s not talk about it anymore. You might reveal a secret. Seung Hune changed the subject. All right, then. Let’s eat together. He quickly picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, savoring it before signaling to her, “So delicious it really is.” Seeing Sun Hun enjoying the food, Mina felt something was missing. Eating delicious stir- fried rice cakes like this without a little alcohol would be a waste. Don’t you agree? Two bottles of soju and one beer, please. Song mean suggestion to drink surprise Se Hun slightly. Is that okay? will affect work tomorrow. It’s fine. The busy phase of work is over. Now we just need to prepare for the overseas filming. Although slightly embarrassed, Song Mina gave the green light, hoping to warm up their relationship further. Se Hun scratched his head shily. Then let’s drink together. Song Mina opened the bottle, pouring a glass for each of them. Cheers. The two clinkedked glasses, then down their drinks together. Ah, that’s good. Beyond the initial shyness, a touch of alcohol now brought a natural blush to both their cheeks. Noticing Sun Hoon gazing at her affectionately, Mina shily covered her cheeks with her hands, murmuring, “Sorry, did I drink too fast? It’s been a while since I drank, so I might have overdone it. I’m not usually like this.” Sung Hune scratched his head, saying, “Not at all. It’s just that I find you so adorable. I couldn’t help but look a few extra times.” Complimented by her date, Song Mina blushed happily, stammering, “Sung Hune, you really know what to say. Did you know you look younger? Sorry, Mina. I didn’t realize you’d be this shy.” To prevent the dating atmosphere from becoming more awkward, Song Mina quickly changed the subject. Let’s talk about the overseas filming for the show. Starting next round, the competition will be held abroad. It was the judge’s proposal. We’re going to the United Arab Emirates to Dubai. That’s right. Se Hun added that it must have been Judge Boang’s suggestion, right? Se Hun keenly deduced it was Judge Boang’s proposal because he is from the Astonia restaurant at the world’s most luxurious hotel, the Burj Khalifa. Song Mina said, “Perhaps the judges want to offer the audience a completely new experience. However, because the overseas filming plan wasn’t arranged in advance, the five producers of the show faced quite a few difficulties. Even the contestants like Sun Hoon will probably face challenges. Mm. Let’s just go with it. Let’s consider this our date now. From now on, when you contact me, you don’t need to be so formal. Just say, “Let’s grab dinner together. That’s fine.” Sun Hun scratched his cheek, looking slightly embarrassed. Then he suddenly fell into thought as if contemplating something. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke seriously. “Actually, I contacted you because I wanted to ask for your help with something. Since it’s a private matter, I wanted to meet you in person. talk. Song Mina asked curiously. A private matter of yours. What is it? Se Hun replied. It’s about Go Ji Song. Could you help me investigate? Chef Go Ji Song. Song Mina asked again in surprise. Investigate Go Jong. He’s already been eliminated. Is there still a problem? Could you tell me more clearly what happened? Se Hun paused thoughtfully for a moment, then told Smina about Go Jung situation. Because Gi was pulling the strings behind the scenes, Junk couldn’t fully focus on the master competition. This matter was quite complicated. Sun Hun initially intended to ignore it and focus on winning the competition. But Giang’s actions were truly excessive. Even after being removed from the judging panel and fired from the hotel, he still pressured Junk. Sun Hun couldn’t bear to watch his friend fail so miserably in a competition like this. This was unfair to J. Junk loved cooking very much. He surely just wanted to participate in the competition normally. Se Hun really cared deeply about his friends. Semina thought with a smile. Even during the competition, even hearing him tell this story today, I understand their bond even more. Se Hun and Junk both care deeply for each other. They truly value one another. Sean Hun wants the competition to be fair, unaffected by external factors. He sees Junct as both a rival and a comrade, a competitor he respects and strive alongside. Now he wants to completely eliminate Goat Jung’s influence over Jun. However, this wouldn’t be easy. Song Mina asked, “What should we do now? What needs investigating? How should it be done? I’m just a script writer, not a professional detective.” Sun Hun had already thought about this and had a plan. He wanted Song Mina to help him find all the behind-the-scenes footage of Go Ji Song’s past activities, hoping to uncover some clues. Seeing Song Mina seemed troubled, Se Hun quickly added, “Don’t overthink it. If Mina isn’t comfortable, you don’t have to force yourself. I know this is a difficult request. Plus, searching for behind-the-scenes footage might expose some unpleasant things about your superiors, right?” Semina was quite surprised to hear Sun Hun mentioned such a sensitive issue, but Sun Hun explained he had his reasons. During one instance of reading memories, Sun Hun accidentally saw the producer drinking with Goji Song. Their relationship seemed very close. Song Mina started to feel a bit shocked. Wait a minute. Suddenly hearing such a shocking story feels a bit hard to believe. Could you explain a little more clearly? Why investigate? Go Jung and the producer too. What’s the issue with him? Seung Hun then voiced his thoughts. Chef Goji Sun might be using the show to polish his own reputation. He frequently promotes restaurants or products owned by his friends or relatives. Although few articles condemned it at the time, some did mention it. Even though this matter was covered up very carefully, I found out about it now, meaning you found this information yourself. That’s right. After hearing what Mina said about Chef Go Jung’s wrongdoings, I secretly investigated some things on my own. Song Mina seemed to grasp something. The producer, you mean he made some sort of deal with Chef Go Jiang, which is why he let him join the show. Se Hun replied slightly embarrassed. Mina might find this hard to accept, but I think so. After his first TV appearance, Chef Go has always participated in shows directed by Hyanu Song. If you consider him a famous chef, this might seem like a reasonable arrangement, Song Mina added. But actually on the Master Sept program, Chef Kimong Wong was the truly famous chef who left a deep impression on the audience. But thinking about it, when planning Master Sept, Hyan Su did indeed nominate Chef Go Jsung. It’s highly possible there was some kind of exchange between them. So you want me to investigate the program’s records to find evidence of Chef Go Jung’s misconduct, right? What started as a romantic date had suddenly turned into a somewhat tense conversation. Sun Hun truly hadn’t expected this. Mina, it’s okay if you refuse because if we start investigating, it could affect you. Although, I want to expose his wrongdoing. I’m truly sorry for making such an unreasonable request. Se Hun felt like he had ruined their date. However, Song Mina was very calm. She picked up the bottle and poured a glass for each of them. She said something that stunned Son Hune. Seung Hune, don’t worry. I’ll help you. Even if we get caught, even if I lose my job, it’s okay. Se Hun will take responsibility. Right. Sung Hune hadn’t expected her to support him so wholeheartedly. His face turned beat red, burning like the midday sun. He said joyfully, “Of course, Mina. I’ll take responsibility.” Mina smiled happily and replied, “Although I was just joking. I’m really grateful to you, Sun Hun. Let’s forget those thoughts and just enjoy our date today. Cheers. Let’s drink until we drop tonight.” And just like that, the two had a simple and warm evening. Waking up the next morning, Sun Hun clutched his head, mumbling, “Am I home? How did I get in here? I don’t remember anything. What time is it now?” Song Mina’s voice sounded beside him. “It’s about half 9 now.” Se Hun blushed flustered. “Oh no, my 28 years of life.” Song Mina is sitting right beside me now. Could it be that I got drunk last night? Se Hun stammered, asking, “Mina, why are you in my room?” Song Mina replied with a mischievous smile. You really don’t remember anything. Sean Hun, did I somehow force you to stay here? Song Mina replied cheerfully, “Absolutely not. That really didn’t happen.” Recalling last night after they finished discussing Go Jung, the two of them had drinks together. They drank quite a bit, chatting about their upcoming trip abroad. As they drank, they agreed to go get their passports done together the next morning. Se Hun only vaguely remembered up to that point how he got home and the fact that Song Mina was also here. He had no recollection whatsoever. He turned to ask, “Is your place far from here?” Song Mina didn’t answer directly, but brought up something else. “Last night, you said your passport expired, and you also said we should go get them done together today. Do you remember?” Seun mumbled in response. “Uh, yeah, I remember. I remember.” So, I had to wake up a bit early to avoid going back and forth. I stayed over at your place. Seung Hun blushed, covering his face with his hand, stammering, “Ah, is that so? Well, then I’ll go take a shower first.” After they both finished freshening up, Se Hun spoke up. Let’s go get our passports done together. Semina nodded in agreement. Okay, Sun Hun. Se Hun stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Only then did Song Mina reveal her flustered state. I must be really crazy. Even if he was drunk, he was alone, yet I stayed here. Have I gotten old and lost all sense of embarrassment? Luckily, nothing happened. We just slept. How fortunate. But is it really fortunate? Though relieved, Song Mina felt a tinge of regret. Lost deep in these dark thoughts. Seung Huns voice called out, “Mina, you can go shower now.” Looking at Seung Hun drying his hair, Semina’s eyes lit up, almost wanting to devour him whole. He looked so adorable. Seeing Mina still sitting there, staring intently at him, Se Hun called out her name again. Only then did Song Mina snap back to reality, her face flushing red as she hurried into the bathroom. Once ready, they headed to the passport center together. walking side by side. Both their hearts were filled with anticipation. They took photos together, collected their passports together. They spent the entire day together. Although it was for an errand, it felt more like a date. Their feelings for each other deepened. It wasn’t until evening that Sun Hun took Mina home. They lingered saying their goodbyes. Seung Hun said, “I’ll head in now. Thank you for today, Mina. Goodbye. Let’s meet at the airport. Goodbye, Sean Hun. See you at the airport.” The next day at Inchan airport in Chiol and Sun Hun had arrived very early. Seung Hun walked in alone, pulling his suitcase, but someone else had arrived even earlier than him. It was Go Yang Tia. He was already there waiting. His spirits seemed to have stabilized, full of anticipation for the upcoming competition. This competition would surely be captivating. Truly captivating. As soon as Se Hun arrived at the airport, Yantio was already there waiting. Unlike Se Hoon’s usual simple appearance, Yantia was dressed unusually so elegantly that it took Se Hun a few seconds to recognize him. “Hey, Yantia, what are you wearing? What kind of style is this?” Yantia casually replied, “You don’t recognize it. Look around. Everyone is looking at us.” Yantia explained, “The King of Chef show is getting more famous and we’re getting noticed along with it, so we should pay a little attention to how we dress.” Haha. Se Hun hadn’t really paid much attention. Only now did he remember the day he went out with Mina. At the amusement park that day, quite a few people had indeed taken pictures of them. He hadn’t expected so many people to still be interested in them. Now, as the two friends were chatting animatedly, a voice suddenly called out from behind. It was Yonghi and Sukian who had also just arrived. The four greeted each other cheerfully. Sukian mentioned he took the subway to the airport and met Yonghi on the way. They excitedly discussed how the show would be filmed at one of the most luxurious hotels abroad. While the four were talking, they heard Song Mina’s voice. Everyone, let’s go check in for our flight. The show’s production team had also arrived. Following Song Mina’s instructions, the four completed their departure procedures one by one and boarded the plane to Dubai. Dubai is one of the most extravagant cities in the world. After just a few hours of flying, they landed safely and arrived at the world’s tallest hotel, the Burj Khalifa. Traveling abroad for the first time and to the most luxurious hotel in the world at that. Everyone couldn’t help but be amazed. A staff member called the four of them, asking them to follow him to check in and then rest in their rooms. Song Mina could only watch Son Hune from afar, noticing that the simple jacket he wore was frayed and torn in a few places from paint stains. A pang of sympathy arose in Song Mina’s heart. She knew Se Hun wasn’t well off and certainly wouldn’t spend much on himself. After checking in, everyone was tired from the long journey and returned to their rooms to rest. Seung Hun and Yantio were assigned to share a room. Entering the luxurious room, Se Hun couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. “This room is really spacious, and it has a super beautiful city view, too.” Yantia asked, “I heard we’ll have a short tour, right?” Sun Hun replied, “It seems the judge’s flight was delayed, so they’ll arrive late. Maybe the production team wants to take the opportunity to film some travel scenes.” “Well, I’m going to change then. This outfit is a bit hot.” “Songh, you should change into something more comfortable, too.” Se Hune scratched his head. “I feel comfortable enough like this. If needed, I can pop out to a nearby store and buy something.” Se Hune reached up and touched the paint stained collar of his jacket, feeling a bit hesitant, right? I should have bought a shirt before coming here. I forgot. It’s been so long since I bought clothes that I didn’t even think about it. From outside the room, the voice of the production team echoed. If you two are ready, please gather at the main entrance. At the hotel entrance, the production team was already waiting. The producer announced today’s schedule. Today, everyone just needs to comfortably visit the locations suggested by the tour guide. You can also enjoy the distinctive street foods of Dubai. Everyone was excited except for Sung Hune, who remained somewhat quiet. He looked up at the surrounding sky, walking slowly while thinking to himself, “Just consider it a trip.” Ending a day of sightseeing. Upon returning to the room, Yangia immediately collapsed onto the bed, groaning. They said today would just be simple filming. But it turned out we walked the entire day. I’m dead tired. Yia sat up, reaching for the black bag beside him, pulling out a few cans of beer bought along the way. Yantia held out a can to Segh. They have this beer here, too. Seun asked in surprise. Really? I heard it’s very difficult to buy beer here. Yantia replied, “It used to be like that, but now I hear it’s quite easy to buy in hotels exclusively for tourists. Have a can today.” Se Hun refused. I can’t. Tomorrow we have the competition filming. I can’t drink alcohol. Before Sun Hun could stop him, Yantia popped open the beer can with a fizz, then tilted his head back and took a long gulp. It’s fine, just a little beer. 30 minutes later, Yang Tio was completely drunk, slumped over on the bed, asleep. Seung Hun looked helplessly at his friend. His alcohol tolerance hadn’t changed at all. Could he really get drunk after just two cans of beer? Yangtia, still mumbling in his drunken state. Sean Hun, you absolutely must win first place. Absolutely must win first place. You can’t get eliminated. If I get eliminated, I really can’t accept it. Se Hun understood the pressure Yantio was under. Yangia acted very normal on the outside. But inside, he carried immense pressure. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Who could be knocking at this late hour? But when he opened the door, there was no one outside. Could be a ghost. Just as he was about to close the door, he heard a soft voice. Se Hun, are you in there? It was Mina holding a shirt in her hands. Se Hun stepped forward asking somewhat shily, “Is something wrong? Was it you who knock Mina?” “Yes, because I didn’t know if contestant Go Yontia was inside. I only dare to knock and stand here. Learning that Yang Tio was drunk and asleep. Mina let out a sigh of relief. Having a secret relationship like this is truly exhausting. Please take this. It’s a shirt. Se Hun was surprised, his face flushing as he asked. This is Song Mina, also a bit embarrassed, replied. Yes. Today I noticed you were wearing very thick clothes even though the weather was hot. So I bought you a more comfortable shirt. You can wear it even though it’s very cold in Korea right now. Please wear this when the weather gets warmer. Mina’s thoughtfulness brought joy to Sung Hune, but he still politely replied, “Thank you, Mina. I’m sorry for making you worry.” The two were lost in their sweet exchange, completely unaware that Yangi had stepped out of her room and accidentally witnessed their interaction. They’re talking so intimately. What is this? Is that contestant Kong Seong Hun and writer Song Mina? What kind of relationship do they have? Meeting so late and even giving gifts. They look quite close. Could they be dating? To avoid being caught witnessing this scene, Yung Hei pressed herself against the wall, then stealthily crept up the stairs. Unaware, Song Mina didn’t notice her presence there at all. Watching Song Mina’s retreating figure, a wicked thought flashed through Yi’s mind. This is just perfect. If I run into trouble during the competition and Kong Seung Hun scores high, I can use this as a trump card to turn the tables. What if the competition’s content was leaked beforehand? Thinking this, Yungi revealed a sinister smile. True to Yungi’s nature, she was capable of resorting to any means for fame. Because they were in the middle of a competition, this matter was highly sensitive. If revealed, it would be incredibly difficult to explain. The next day, the following round of the competition officially began. After many intense rounds, the Master Chef competition now only had the top four contestants remaining. Judge Bo Kong warmly welcomed them. Welcome to the Utopia restaurant. We are delighted to bring you the world’s finest cuisine. That’s right. Thanks to judge Bo Kong, we have the opportunity to hold the competition at this wonderful restaurant. I heard head chef Biko Kong has prepared the task for this round. Let’s reveal it to everyone. Judge Kong Biko Kong announced today’s challenge without hesitation. Your task today is from this restaurant’s menu. Choose a signature dish to prepare. Yi glanced at Seung Hune, wondering if he had known the content of the challenge beforehand. But seeing Sun Hoon’s surprised expression, she wavered slightly. He seems genuinely surprised. Or is this just an act? Judge Bo Kong further explained the rules. Everyone can freely choose any dish from the menu. You can adapt it. Be creative to make the dish more appealing. Kinford, but you must not change the main ingredient. As soon as he finished speaking, the program staff brought each contestant a copy of the hotel’s menu. Sun Hun took the menu and pondered thoughtfully the Arab region. Most ingredients depend on imports. Domestically produced and supplied ingredients are mainly seafood. Fresh ingredients always offer many advantages in cooking. Se Hun recalled the knowledge about seafood that the hotel’s head chef and senior chefs had specifically taught him before. Feeling incredibly fortunate inside. After the contestants had chosen their dishes, they would have 60 minutes to complete them. The judges announced to the four contestants that this time they would not be the ones grading the dishes, but rather the task would fall to the three chefs of the Utopia restaurant. The judges revealed one more thing. No one would be eliminated in this challenge, but the person with the highest score would earn the right to choose one of the remaining three contestants as their opponent in the semi-finals. This was a significant advantage. Choosing a weaker opponent meant securing a 67.1% chance of victory. All right, if there are no more questions, the challenge officially begins. The four contestants stepped into the restaurant’s kitchen together. The ingredient Sun Hoon sought was lobster. He opened a refrigerator. Inside lay two live lobsters. Sun Hoon observed them meticulously. There was no need to use both. He just needed to select the one in the best condition. The best way to check was by touch. Sun-hun put on gloves, gently pressing down on the lobsters. The firmer the lobster, the denser and fuller its meat. Since this was a high-end restaurant, all ingredients delivered were of superior quality. The two lobsters Seung Hune examined were of similar quality, making it difficult to judge. Sun- Hun utilized his memory reading ability, instantly reviewing the scenes of the lobsters living on the seabed. How healthy it was, how fiercely it hunted its prey. He was very satisfied with this ingredient. There was nothing to fault. It looked truly vigorous. He decided on that one. Seung Hun’s choice greatly intrigued the judges. Mong also eagerly anticipated whether Sun Hun could, like before, infuse the dish with some novel creativity. Bo Kong, seeing Sun Hun choose the lobster, had already guessed the dish he intended to make. As you both know, with lobster, the most crucial aspect is the steaming. The steaming time must be precisely controlled. It also depends on the size of the lobster. Generally, 20 minutes is the most common, but steaming it longer while making the meat softer will cause it to lose the lobster’s peak flavor. Not only that, but the lobster meat will also lose its elasticity. Although seasonings can be used afterward for adjustment. Fundamentally, the flavor of the main ingredient will hardly change. Sun Hun’s choice of a high difficulty ingredient greatly interested Boon. He was very curious and looked forward to the dish hun was about to present. 60 minutes are up. Contestants, please present your dishes. The four contestants stood straight, placing their respective dishes on the table one by one. Please lift the covers. The four dishes prepared by the four contestants were all exquisitely decorated, drawing gasps of admiration from the onlookers. Though the taste remained unknown, the beautiful appearance alone was enough to make one eager to taste them immediately. Is everyone satisfied with their dishes? Very well. Now, let us invite the restaurant chefs to savor these wonderful creations. This round will be judged by three chefs from the hotel. Chef Pierre Trio, Chef Lucille Langru, and Sue Chef Evnabos. They will be the ones tasting and scoring, and they will taste randomly without knowing who prepared which dish. Each chef will score one dish on a scale of 15. As mentioned before, this is not an elimination round. The contestant with the highest score will earn the right to choose an opponent for a one-on-one cookoff. Once an opponent is chosen, the remaining two contestants will automatically be paired against each other. This is a significant advantage, so everyone should think very carefully before making a decision. If there are no further questions, I invite the three chefs to proceed with the tasting and scoring. The three chefs moved together towards the table where the dishes were displayed. Chef Luzu Lonroe chose the fish salad as the first dish to taste. It was a traditional Dubai dish. Chef Pierre Trio, on the other hand, selected the MacBook dish, appearing extremely intrigued and curious. This too was a signature Dubai dish, yet it was prepared by a Korean contestant. Sue Chefan chose Sun Hoon’s lobster dish. He looked at Sung Hune and said, “I am deeply moved.” Se Hun didn’t understand what he meant. Sukyan noticed the three judges focusing on the other contestants dishes and not his own. A flicker of anxiety stirring within him. Aren’t they coming over here? Isn’t my dish appealing enough? The three chefs tasted each contestant’s dish in turn. Judge Bo Kong spoke up, reminding them, “If you have finished tasting this dish, please move on to the dishes of the other contestants.” Watching how the experienced chefs readily followed Boang’s direction. Miong couldn’t help but remark with admiration. Bik Kong being the head chef here is truly impressive. So young and yet Bo Kong modestly replied, “Not at all. You two are also outstanding.” Mong and Jun Trong conversed in low tones. “This round, just observing feels a bit strange. Besides, I’m getting hungry, too. It’s all right.” Mong replied by the semifinals. We’ll return to our roles as judges. Just wait patiently a little longer. The tasting and scoring concluded. The sue chef compiled the scores in a notebook, then handed it to Bo Kong. All right, everyone. I have your scores right here. Contained Ren are not only the scores the chefs awarded the dishes, but also their personal opinions on the dish with the lowest score. Next, I will announce the contestant with the lowest score in order. The contestant with the lowest score in this round is Ju Yang Hi. She received a total of 11 points from the three chefs. The announcement struck like a thunderbolt, draining the color from Yonghi’s face. She couldn’t believe she had ranked last. Mang spoke up asking Bo Kong, “The dish Ju Yang he made is called Fishy Fuga. Correct.” Bo Kong explained, “That’s right. This dish is prepared with meat and various spices. Then rice is added. The part cooked with spices and rice is called chicken foe, but since fish is added on top, it’s called fishy chicken foe.” Regarding Young He’s creation, the one who gave the lowest score was Chef Evnos. His assessment of the dish was as follows. In terms of appearance and aroma, it felt very appealing. But in reality, too few spices were used. There was no focal point. It resembled a home-cooked meal more than an elaborate hotel dish. It seems you researched Arabic cuisine, but apparently you haven’t studied it thoroughly enough. Your learning seems too rushed and superficial. Please consider whatever the next mission may be. If you continue to use traditional Arabic dishes, it appears you will likely fail again. Hearing the unfavorable comments, Young Hei felt a surge of anger but managed to suppress it, keeping her expression neutral. Bik Kong proceeded to announce the third place position. Surprisingly, it was Go Yandi who landed in this spot. He had been considered one of the contestants with the highest potential to win. Yandi’s mockbus received 12 points. Jun Trong inquired slightly puzzled, “Fugga and a mockb are very similar, only the names are different.” Bo Kong clarified both terms refer to a specific type of dish. Mockbus is the more common name internationally. However, they are distinguished by the main ingredient used. Fuga and mockbus typically feature a primary ingredient. If the dish contains chicken, it’s called and machbus. If fish is used, it’s called fishy fuga. The judge who gave the lowest score for this dish was Chef Lucille Langru. Her evaluation was as follows. I’ve been following this program and Go Yandi has consistently performed very well. However, this time there are a few points to note. Besides being slightly mushy, everything else was acceptable, but the flavor of the dish was simply too ordinary. Yes, I understand. Yandi replied dejectedly. Bik Kong continued announcing the second and first places. Only one point separated the two. This ranking was even more surprising than Go Yanti placing third. The winner was Suk Hyan, the contestant who had received the least attention. Kong Seung Hun’s grilled lobster with butter and bis sauce received 13 points, while Sukian scored 14 points. The lobster dish Kong Seung Hun made was grilled lobster with butter and a bis sauce for garnish. Correct. There was one chef who awarded this dish a perfect score of five. That was Chef Bio. He offered this assessment. Actually, lobster isn’t a traditional dish in Dubai. In Islam, there are places that classify lobster as haram food. Haram refers to foods that are forbidden for Muslims. Therefore, this dish might face opposition from various sides. I’m very grateful to Kong Seung Hun for being able to create this dish because it’s one that I stubbornly insisted on including in the menu. I was truly moved. So, that was the meaning behind his words before the tasting. However, despite the perfect score, I have a slight regret. Sun-hun was also curious about what that regret might be. It was about the bisk sauce, Judge Miong inquired. Bikon replied, “If it’s the bisque sauce, then it must be the type of soup made by grinding lobster shells.” Correct. Precisely. He continued reading Chef Bio’s comment. The rich flavor of the bis sauce was prominent, yet it lacked a certain freshness. Bisk sauce is typically made from the broth of various shellfish. However, perhaps due to an overabundance of lobster meat or the absence of certain seafood ingredients, the broth lacked that vital freshness, rendering the flavor somewhat flat. It was likely this point that led the other chefs to deduct points. Seung Hune listened intently, feeling a sense of gratitude. It was thanks to Chef Bio’s critique that Seung Hun recognized his mistake. He had focused too much on the freshness of the main ingredient, adding excessive amounts of lobster meat and sauce. As for Sukian, he had chosen to prepare grilled lamb skewers. Do you have a particular reason for choosing a lamb dish? Judge Bikong asked, Sukian answered, “Not just in Dubai, but throughout the Middle East, lamb is a renowned ingredient. Furthermore, I am very confident with lamb, which is why I selected it.” pressed further. “When you choose to make a well-known dish, the judging standards tend to be stricter. You were aware of this, yet you still chose this dish. The truth was, Sukian hadn’t thought that far ahead. He had simply chosen the dish he felt most confident in presenting. I apologize. I didn’t consider that aspect. Bo Kong smiled in response. No need to apologize. I think he performed very well. Contestant Suk Hian’s performance astonished everyone present. Chef Evan gave the lowest score for points with a concise comment, a bit lacking in depth. And with that, the evaluation concluded. Thank you all for your tremendous efforts in today’s competition. And now it is time to select opponents for the semi-final round. Sukian having secured first place earned the right to designate his opponent. Unsurprisingly, Sukyan without hesitation chose Ju Yang he as his adversary. He understood his own capabilities well enough to know he shouldn’t face the other two. His first place finish in this round was simply because the others weren’t yet fully familiar with Dubai’s traditional dishes and flavors. Being chosen left Juang, he feeling inwardly displeased as it made her feel underestimated. Suk Hyan hadn’t hesitated in picking her, believing her skills were the weakest among the three remaining contestants. The two semi-final matches were set. One featuring Suk Hyan against Ju Yong Hi and the other a fateful clash between the close friends Kong Seung Hun and Go Yandi. Now we will announce the task for the semifinals. The judge gestured forward towards three platters holding mystery ingredients. These three ingredient plates contain respectively beef, lamb, and seafood. Whoever chooses an ingredient must use it to create the most perfect dish, thereby winning the showdown. Will the two leading contestants please step forward? Seung Hun and Sukyan stepped forward, each choosing a plate to reveal. Se Hun chose seafood while Sukyan chose beef. The ingredients were decided. The battle was about to begin. The producer held up a sign with the words, “Let the leading contestant from the previous round compete first. Go Yanti and especially Seung Hun are capturing the audience’s attention. They will compete last to boost the show’s ratings. Therefore, next we will proceed to the match between Sukyun and Ju Yong Hi. Ju Yong he felt extremely annoyed. H the leading contestant has to compete first. Are they deliberately arranging for Kong Seung Hun to compete last? Never mind. It doesn’t matter. As long as I can overcome this challenge, I’ll make it to the finals. This suspicious girl surely still believed Kong Hoon had covert support from the show. Lost in thought, she walked slowly. Juang, he approached Bo Kong, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. It seemed she received a satisfactory answer from a young judge. Everything was ready. The two returned to their respective kitchens and began their tasks. Young was very confident about this match. At least she didn’t have to face the two she considered the strongest. She rolled up her sleeves and started working. Young, he finely chopped onions, then added them to a bowl of ground beef prepared beside her. She added some black pepper and cumin powder, seasoning to taste. Young he used her hands to knead the mixture, ensuring the meat and spices blended well. She prepared a plate and five skewers. Juang, he rolled the meat into small bite-sized balls and threaded them onto the skewers. Before long, Ju had completed five skewers of delicious looking meatballs. She looked at her creation and smiled with satisfaction. All right, now they just need to be grilled. She glanced over at Sukian, wanting to see his progress. Yung Hi’s face turned pale, utterly horrified. What? He’s already finished cooking and plating. That’s Sukian for you. When it comes to speed, he truly has no rival. Yangi had just finished prepping her ingredients. While Sukyan had already sliced the beef and was preparing to arrange it on the plate. Speed, though an advantage, could also become a fatal weakness. Sun Hune and Yangi watched from behind, commenting with worried expressions. That beef isn’t exactly raw, but you can’t call it cooked either. It’s too late to grill them more now. Zu Yang, he seemed to overhear Yanti and Sun Hoon’s conversation, a smug smile appearing at the corner of her lips. Well, that’s just perfect. Sukian remained focused on his work. He began arranging the beautifully trimmed slices of beef onto a long plate. Next, he lifted a small pan filled with hot sauce from the stove, drizzling it evenly over the surface of beef. Only then did Yangi and Sun Hune understand why Suk Hyan had handled the beef in such a manner. It turned out he intended to use the heat of the sauce itself to complete the final stage of cooking. With the dish finished, Sukian carried his creation towards the judge’s table. Witnessing Sukians method of preparation, Yong Hi smile vanished, replaced by a worried expression. Zu Yang. He continuously shook her head, trying to calm herself. Stay calm. Now is not the time. I need to go grill the meatballs. She picked up the plate of prescured meatballs and stepped into the hotel’s kitchen. It turned out she had planned this dish in advance. Before the competition began, Juang, he had asked Bikong if there was a grill available. Inside the kitchen, Ju Yong, he showed no signs of awkwardness. She calmly placed each meatball skewer onto the grill rack. She observed them meticulously, timing precisely when to turn the meatballs. During grilling, time and temperature are the two most crucial factors. The time for the cooking competition passed swiftly. Both dishes were completed outstandingly. The judges appeared very pleased with both creations. Mong rubbed his hands together, speaking up. Just smelling the aroma is enough to make one crave it. Bikong also expressed admiration. Indeed, if we get to taste it, the flavor will surely be even more wonderful. Thank you to both contestants for bringing such highquality dishes to this semi-final round. Without keeping everyone waiting any longer, the three judges began the tasting. Mong used a fork to spear a piece of beef, slowly bringing it to his mouth, savoring it carefully, experiencing its flavor. His face clearly showed delight as he exclaimed, “The meat is tender. The taste is superb. The flavors of butter and beef blend perfectly, spreading throughout the mouth. Bo Kong asked, “What kind of butter did you use?” So, Kian replied, “Yes, that’s correct. Regular butter has a low smoke point and burns easily.” Clarified butter is different. Its high smoke point means it doesn’t burn easily, sir. Yun Jang inquired further. You use hot butter to pan sear the beef, didn’t you? Yes, that’s right, judges. Sukian answered confidently. Mang once again praised effusively. Truly astonishing. This dish is absolutely delicious. Sukian bowed his head, thanking the judges for their compliments. Outside, young he appeared calm, but inwardly she was extremely nervous. She considered herself the weakest contestant in this competition. After finishing Sukians dish, the judges turned their attention to Ju Yong He’s creation. Mong asked in surprise, “Oh, is this dish by Ju Yong he K-pop?” Hearing the question, Ju Yong Hi, who seemed lost in thought, was suddenly jolted back to reality, unsure how to respond. Yun Jang commented, “This doesn’t seem like traditional K-pop, does it?” Bo Kong assessed, “It looks more like gazomi style with minced and processed beef.” Mang was again the first to taste. He used his fork to cut a small piece and brought it to his mouth. Seung Hun observed and stated decisively, “It looks like it might be slightly overcooked.” Yangi disagreed. If it’s served in a bowl, it should be fine. This competition is truly captivating. Yin Jang took her first bite. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she exclaimed, “Oh, this is toen biguma.” Unmistakably, “Gazomi is typically mixed with minced meat and various vegetables, then rolled into balls like meatballs. It has a flavor similar to ti gone by. This dish is grilled over charcoal, similar to how bowl dishes are prepared. It possesses a very distinct aroma. Though it appears dry on the outside, the inside is moist and succulent, it has a pleasing chewiness and texture. Deeply flavorful, this dish truly embodies the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine. Zu Yang he bowed her head, accepting Boang’s praise for her dish. The tasting concluded. After a period of deliberation, the judges announced their evaluation and returned to the stage. Honestly, both contestants performed exceptionally well, making the decision incredibly difficult. Sukian crafted a dish of fresh, succulent beef with clarified butter. While Juang, he presented an incredibly appealing and unique charcoal grilled gum. But there can only be one result. After careful consideration, we have decided the winner advancing to the final round is Yonghi. As her name was called, Yang Hi bloomed into a radiant smile like a flower. behind her. Seung Hun silently congratulated her. Yang Hi, you finally made it to the finals. While she was lost in the joy of victory, Go Yangi suddenly spoke up. Seung Hun, it’s our turn now. The two close friends would face off once again. This was a battle of destiny. Seung Hun had long desired a chance to compete against his talented friend to prove himself. The first semifinal round concluded with Yonghi emerging victorious. Both contestants created highquality dishes worthy of being featured on the menus of luxurious restaurants. However, Ju Yang, he earned higher scores due to the creativity in her Dubai dish. She had transformed a signature Middle Eastern dish into a unique version serve in a bowl. Both of you put in tremendous effort. Thank you both. The judges expressed their gratitude before the two contestants left the stage. Se Hun also silently congratulated the winner. Lost in thought, he was suddenly startled by Go Yandi’s reminder. Sun- Hun, are you ready? It’s our turn. Finally, the most anticipated showdown of the competition had arrived. The two top contenders would battle it out. Not only that, but they were also close friends. All three judges were incredibly excited, eagerly awaiting this match. Vik Kong stroked his chin, smiling as he announced, “For this round, you two will have to prepare a dish using seafood.” Go Yanti chose tuna. While Seung Hun wanted to challenge himself with a salmon dish, Go Yani worked with intense focus. As soon as the match began, he meticulously handled the ingredients. He selected the finest cut of meat, dicing it into perfect squares. Then, he sprinkled a bit of salt and pepper on top, using his hands to rub it in evenly, ensuring the seasoning permeated every fiber of the fish. Next, Go Yandi placed a flat pan on the stove and turn on the flame. Waiting for the pan to heat up, he added just enough cooking oil. Once the oil sizzled, he began to fry the fish. Seeing how carefully and meticulously Go Yangi handled the fish, Miong was very pleased, remarking, “It seems he’s making tataki. However, if the heat is applied for too long, the fish piece will have problems. It might fall apart, unable to hold its shape.” Go Yandi remained intensely focused on his dish. When the fish was seared golden brown on all four sides, Go Yangi transferred it to a cutting board and began slicing it into bite-sized pieces. The golden brown crust outside, contrasting with the rosy pink inside, showed that Yangi had handled the salmon very well. Bo Kong couldn’t help but exclaim and praise, “Very well-handled fish. Perfect.” Goanti quickly finished his dish. He arranged the fish on a plate, decorating it into the shape of a flower, finally squeezing a bit of lemon juice on top to enhance the flavor. Looking at his creation, Go Yandi was very satisfied, thinking to himself, “All right, perfect. I’ll definitely win. I wonder how Sung Hune is doing.” Go Yandi stealthily glanced over at Seung Hun station. Strangely, Sun Hune was standing calmly with his arms crossed, staring intently at the pan before him. Yandi asked in surprised whisper, “What are you doing? I’m waiting, Sunung Hun replied nonchalantly. Seung Hun glanced at the clock. Half the cooking time had already passed. Only then did he turn and step away from the cooking area to retrieve something. Seung Hun headed towards the storage cabinet nearby, taking out a tray. Yangi’s eyes widened, murmuring, “No way.” marinating fish for only 30 minutes. Unbelievable. For the fish to absorb the seasoning, it should take at least half a day, maybe even a full day. Yangi found it baffling. He watched Sung Hun take the fish out of the liquid-filled tray, his heart filled with doubt. The surface of the fish was smooth and white, looking cooked, yet there were no signs of it having been cooked. And yet, it somehow looked like it was already cooked. Yanti gritted his teeth, a sense of unease rising within him. Sun Hun took the fish out, placed it on the cutting board, and sliced it into small bite-sized pieces. Then he added cooking oil, garlic, chili, and the fish into the pan, beginning to fry. Seung Hun carefully adjusted the heat, stirring constantly to ensure the fish cooked evenly without breaking apart. This time, I won’t make the same mistake as with the Big K sauce. Se Hun told himself, the cooking time ended. Se Hun’s dish was completed just in time, beautifully presented before the three judges. The dish looked so appealing that the judges couldn’t wait any longer and wanted to taste it immediately while it was still hot. Mong was the first to volunteer to taste. He chose Go Yandi’s dish. Using a fork, he speared a piece of fish drenched in sauce and brought it to his mouth to savor. The flavor spreads right from the tip of the tongue. The sesame taste is very fragrant. The fish meat is fresh and delicious, not all heavy. The belly part is rich yet delicate. The fish is perfectly prepared, highquality ingredients. The chef’s skill is clearly evident in this dish. Hearing such praise, Go Yandi was overjoyed. He bowed his head, thanking the three judges. Next, the judges began to taste Sun Hoon’s dish. Holding the plate of simply marinated salmon, Miong mused marinated salmon for the semi-final round. The dish seems overly simple. However, this was prepared by Kong Seong Hun. Could he possibly create a unique flavor with such a straightforward dish? Se Hun waited nervously for the judge’s comments. Curiosity about the dish’s flavor made it impossible for the judges to wait any longer. All three judges began tasting simultaneously. Bo Kong picked up a piece of fish, tasting it slowly, he murmured, “What is this flavor? It reminds me of many earthnware jars as if a hand is reaching into one of them. Opening the lid, taking out a piece of salted salmon from within.” Bikong turned to Seung Hun with interest and asked, “Oh, so it’s salted salmon. Does this mean you did nothing during the first half of the competition time? Yes, sir. Seung Hun replied. Mong astonished by the flavor, exclaimed, “Indeed, when the fish is salted, the taste becomes significantly richer.” Yong Jin asked curiously, “How did the fish achieve such elasticity? This texture couldn’t possibly come from simple salting alone.” Seung Hun revealed, “I use vinegar to marinate the fish for a short period, which not only preserve its freshness, but also maintain the fish’s crisp texture because Koreans enjoy eating raw seafood to appreciate the crispness of the ingredients. I thought a short marination would preserve the fish’s crispness better than a long one. The judges appeared very pleased with Sung Hoon’s performance. After finishing the tasting, the three judges retreated to confer and deliberate. A few minutes later, they returned. Now we will announce the results of the Master Chef semifinal round. The most anticipated and also the most dreaded moment had arrived. Seung Hun and Yangi held their breath waiting for the results. The contestant advancing to our final round is congratulations to contestant Kong Sun Hun. Hearing the victorious result, Sun Hun showed no sign of joy. Instead, he frowned and turned to look at his friend Go Yandi. Go Yangti stood rooted to the spot as if turned to stone. The pressure go Jiang had placed on Yandi was immense. Being eliminated here meant his culinary career at the Hilton Hotel would also come to an end. Looking at his friend, Yanti felt extremely distressed. He clenched his fists, his whole body trembling with anger. Right now, he just wanted to quickly expose the shady dealings involving Giang. Only then could his friend escape that man’s control. Go Yangi raised his hand, proposing, “I want to use my elimination immunity.” He had finally broken the constraint against using the immunity pass because even without using it, the outcome of elimination was already beyond what Giang had planned for him. Ultimately, Go Yangi still had to use the immunity. Although Go Jiang had warned and forbidden him from using it under any circumstances. Now Goani had no way back. Failure here meant his future at the Hilton Hotel would also end. possessing this immunity. If he could continue forward, everything could still be salvaged. Bo Kong asked in surprise, “What is elimination immunity?” Mong explained, “At the beginning of the competition, he hadn’t joined yet. In the first round, the ingredient guessing challenge, the contestant who ranked first received a reward, which was the elimination immunity. That person can use this card to save themselves or someone else from elimination.” Bo Kong found this very interesting. They discussed whether this is semifinal round should be held again. While the judges were still deliberating, Sun Hun turned to look at his friend Go Yandi. Goi Yandi stood there, tension clearly etched on his face, the pressure weighing heavily on his shoulders. While everyone was confused about what to do, the program staff displayed an announcement on the screen signaling it was late and the competition would be postponed until the next morning. The semi-final round would be reorganized. The judges also realized it was late and decided to conclude the day’s work. They hoped both contestants could rest to enter the competition tomorrow in the most comfortable state of mind. Both bowed to the judges and then left. Go Yangti walked heavily in silence. Se Hun was also caught in an awkward situation, although worried about his friend. Choosing between his family’s career and friendship was truly difficult. That evening, after they both returned to their room following the competition, the atmosphere became even heavier. Se Hun still didn’t know how to start the conversation with his friend when Yanti spoke first. Sleep early. We still have the competition tomorrow. This time, I will definitely beat you, so give it your all. Sun Hun hesitated for a moment before saying, “Even if you get fired from the Hilton Hotel, you still have a lot of cooking experience since childhood. Plus, you were formally trained abroad. You can still have a good career. Why be so stubborn? You just need to start over. Hearing these words from Sung Hune, Yangi couldn’t contain his emotions, he sat bolt upright, shouting, I can’t be like you working at a hotel like Julia. I won’t give up. I will win. I will continue to be a chef at the Hilton Hotel. Sun Hun wasn’t wrong, but for someone as self-confident as Yangdi, giving up the job at the top hotel he currently held, starting over from scratch was tantamount to admitting defeat. Yang’s angry words hurt Sun Hun slightly. The phrase a hotel like Julia left Sun Hoon stunned speechless. Yanti also realized he had misspoken, but he didn’t say anything more, just pulled the blanket over his head, turned his face inward, leaving Sun Hoon sitting there lost in thought. Se Hun clenched his fists, his hands trembling. That crude remark had truly affected him deeply. A restless night passed, and a new day dawned. The weather was beautiful today, the sky clear and blue, the sun shining brightly. The program’s crew had prepared everything early on to ensure the show ran smoothly. The three judges and the two contestants were also present. On the table in the middle were the two ingredients selected from the previous two rounds. The judges approached and opened the remaining tray. On the board inside the tray was lamb, the final ingredient now determined. Kong Hune and Go Yangi both wore serious expressions. Last night conversation seemed to have made Sun Hun clearly understand the path he needed to take. He resolutely turned to go Yanti and said, “Today I will definitely defeat you. I will shatter all your thoughts, including Go Jung’s threats and temptations. I will show you that everything, even a first class hotel, becomes meaningless. So don’t overthink it anymore. Focus all your strength and spirit to face every challenge. I want to defeat you at your best.” Sun Hun’s serious expression combined with the words Yandi had spoken last night only strengthened his resolve. After speaking, Seung Hune stroed towards the ingredient table. Using his ability to read memories, Sung Hune selected the freshest ingredients. Thanks to his special ability, it was as if Seung Hun could see healthy flocks of sheep grazing leisurely on lush green meadows. See naturally grown onions and plump potatoes. Seung Hune was very pleased with these excellent ingredients. Lamb grains. The ingredient selection was complete. Yanti also began preparing his dish. He was prepping the lamb. Beside him, a pot of grains bubbled vigorously on the stove. After the grains were cooked, he poured them into a colander, rinsing them under cold water. The lamb, potatoes, and carrots were cut into neat cubes. Then, he placed all the ingredients into a large pot, seasoning to taste, and that was it. Now, all that was needed was to simmer it long enough for the dish to be complete. Yanti stealthfully glanced at Seung Hune, observing his movements. It seemed both had a similar idea for the dish. But unlike Yangi, who used a gas stove for stewing, Sung Hun put all his ingredients into a rice cooker and pressed the button. Yandi was slightly surprised by Se Hun’s method. It was now 10:06 a.m. The cooking time was nearing its end. Yangi lifted the pot lid, checking his dish one last time. Se Hun had also finished his dish and was plating it. Both wore satisfied smiles as they looked at their creations. They raised their hands simultaneously, announcing, “I’m finished.” The three judges approached carefully, observing their dishes. Boon exclaimed in surprise, “You both made the same dish.” Although the presentation of the two dishes differs slightly, the ingredients and preparation methods are almost identical. The competition is truly something to look forward to. Who will be the one to secure the ticket to the final round? Go Yanti and Kong Seung Hun both chose the same dish. Bik Kong excitedly exclaimed. You both chose bopus. Miong turned to ask Bik Kong. What is bopus? It looks like soup. Exactly. Bikong replied. It’s a traditional Middle Eastern soup made with lamb. It’s quite surprising that both contestants chose a Middle Eastern dish for their final challenge. Yin Jang sitting beside them also showed great interest in this round, saying even though they use the same ingredients because their preparation methods differ, the flavors will certainly be different, too. If both dishes are equally outstanding, choosing the final winner will be truly difficult. Bo Kong said enthusiastically, lifting a spoonful of soup to his mouth. Yan Jang is right. Let’s taste them now. First, let’s try Go Yandi’s Bopa soup. Bo Kong slowly brought the spoon to his mouth, savoring the flavor carefully. The delicious taste of the soup spread the moment it touched his tongue, surprising Bikong. It wasn’t just him. Both judges Mong and Yun Jang felt as if they were enjoying a warm home-cooked meal. Miong praised, “So delicious. This soup is common in Western cuisine, but it’s truly a delicious and easy to make dish.” Yun Jang took another sip of the soup, remarking, “It’s elegant and refined. The soft sweetness of the lamb blends perfectly with the spices. This is truly the authentic flavor. It contains all the fundamental tastes.” Bo Kong eagerly added, “Exactly. It’s a wonderful dish, a perfect combination of unique and familiar. It truly gives us an extraordinary taste experience. The delicious soup satisfied all three judges, giving them a warm feeling like being at home.” Mang gave a thumbs up, offering generous praise. Bikong also agreed with Yanjang’s assessment. Judge Yian Jang is absolutely right. All the ingredients blend together perfectly, creating a wonderful flavor. The seasoning is very delicate. The balanced saltiness makes the dish refined. Contestant Go Yandi, “You did very well.” Go Yandi received countless compliments for his Bopa soup. He bowed his head in thanks. After finishing Go Yangti’s evaluation, the judges moved on to taste and assess Sun Hun’s dish. As soon as Yun Jang scooped up a spoonful of soup, she immediately commented, “It seems the vegetables are overcooked. The cooking times for both were nearly equivalent. But it appears the vegetables were cooked for too long, making them overly soft, even a bit mushy. Mong looked at Seung Hune, a hint of regret in his eyes. You’ve done very well up to this point, showing many culinary ideas and creativity. But now, with both of you choosing the same dish, the technical differences between chefs become very important. Kong Hun, it seems luck might not be on your side this time. With this thought, Mong brought the spoonful of soup to his lips. As the soup touched his mouth, memories of the past flooded back. He recalled his youth, remembering the warm family meals featuring delicious Korean dishes cooked by his own mother’s hands. Mong was suddenly jolted from the warmth of his reminiscence. Not just him. Both the other judges were also startled awake, simultaneously shouting the slogan, “Unbelievable.” Everyone looked at each other in astonishment. Judge what is it? Could it be that he too? Bo Kong hesitantly replied, “I felt it too.” He rested his chin on his hand, gazing intently at the bop’s soup, slowly remarking, “The flavor of the broth is very rich. The meat and vegetables are cooked until tender, blending together perfectly, making the taste deeper and more profound.” Bik Kong couldn’t help but wonder how Kong Seong Hun had managed to create such a unique flavor. Just then, Bikong recalled the detail. He had seen Sun Hun using a rice cooker. Mong added, “That’s right. I’ve also used a rice cooker for cooking before. Dishes like braised pork or stewed chicken often turn out more fragrant when cooked in a rice cooker. However, using a rice cooker for a western dish, that’s truly novel.” Yun Jang asked curiously, “Amazing. How did you come up with this idea?” Sun Hun hesitated slightly before answering. “Since I was young, my family often used a rice cooker to make stews, so I’m very familiar with this method. One day, I tried using a rice cooker make soup and discovered that without needing to stir constantly, the dish’s flavor became much richer. Go Yandi was taken aback by this answer, and the judges were also stunned. Bik Kong let out a soft sigh, expressing admiration for Sun Hoon’s bold idea. Well, then, should we announce the winner now? Mong spoke up, looking directly at the two contestants. He solemnly declared, “I hereby announce the winner of this semifinal showdown, earning the right to advance to the final round is congratulations to contestant Kong Sun Hun.” As the judge’s decision was announced, Kong Seung Hune was overcome with joy while Go Yandi’s mood was the complete opposite. His dish had been highly praised by the judges. Yet, he had ultimately failed. Go Yandi, still unconvinced, spoke up. “Judges, please tell me the reason.” Bo Kong explained without hesitation. Contestant Go Yanti’s dish maximize cooking techniques and the flavor was truly excellent. But that alone is not enough. Although the dish was delicious, what we wanted to see was a dish that was not only delicious but also bore the distinct signature of its creator. As for contestant Kong Sung Hoon’s dish, though simple in appearance, the use of a rice cooker to enhance the depth and richness of the soup was a uniquely creative highlight. That is precisely why we unanimously chose contestant Kong Sun Hoon as the winner. Both of you performed very well. This was an incredibly compelling match. You both put in tremendous effort. Congratulations and thank you for your hard work. The judge’s explanation left go Yandi utterly convinced. However, this defeat was a significant shock to him. He lowered his head, his face etched with disappointment, and quietly walked off the stage. Sun Hun followed behind, wanting to console him. Go Yandi turned around dejectedly, saying, “I lost. I apologize for looking down on you before. You prove me wrong with your skill.” Sean Hun wanted to offer comfort, but didn’t know what to say. Go Yongi smiled faintly and said, “It seems I was too arrogant. I think instead of just focusing on five-star hotels, I should go anywhere and everywhere to learn more about cuisine. You were right. I’ll start over from the beginning.” Go Yanti offered a fleeting sad smile along with a sincere words which somewhat eased Se Hun’s mind. Caught between family and career and now friendship, Se Hoon truly felt conflicted. Go Yanti’s realization also lessened Se Hoon’s feeling of guilt. Go Yandi extended his hand, wanted to shake Sun Hoons in congratulation, encouraging him. You absolutely must win first prize this time. No, I hope that wherever you are, you’ll do well. Kong Seung Hun grasped Go Yandi’s hand firmly, stating resolutely, “I promise you.” Seeing that Go Yanti seemed to have gained clarity about his career path, Sun-hun took a business card from his pocket and handed it to him. This is the card to the head chef at the Chelsea restaurant. This show will air in 2 weeks. It will be edited before broadcast. Go Yandi. If you get fired from the Hilton Hotel, call this number. There you can continue your work without worry. Go Yanti stammered in surprise. Why? Why would you do this? This is something you earned. Before Go Yangti could finish, Sun Hun quickly interrupted. Just take it. Your experience and professional skills in this competition far surpass mine. Although I won, the truth is you perform better. I’m giving this to you because I think the opportunity should go to the more deserving person. Besides, I don’t need it because I’m determined to win. You are a talented person. You’ll do well wherever you work, right? Go Yandi was still astonished by Sung Hoons generosity, fumbling for a response. Not giving Go Yandi a chance to refuse, Sung Hun cheerfully said goodbye and turned to run off. Go Yanti, surprised, reached out as if to call after him, but Se Hun didn’t notice, simply running off with a satisfied smile. The competition ended in the morning. By the afternoon, Sung Hune and Mina arranged to meet on the stairwell to avoid being seen. As soon as they met, Mina exclaimed happily, “Congratulations on reaching the finals.” “Have you figured out how to combine a rice cooker with western cuisine yet?” Seung Hune didn’t answer, but quickly stroed over to Mina, taking both her hands. Mina looked at him in surprise. Seung Hun’s face was serious, his intense gaze making her blush and unable to meet his eyes. Her lips parted slightly as if anticipating sweet words. But then, Sun Hune unexpectedly dropped a bombshell. Mina, how is the investigation into Go Ji Song progressing? Mina stood frozen by the unexpected question rendered speechless. Sun Hun spoke gravely within the two weeks before the episode airs. We absolutely must expose his crimes so that Go Yandi can return to the hotel with peace of mind. Mina showed a hint of regret. Sun Hun also realized he had been somewhat abrupt and quickly released her hand, apologizing to Mina. Mina stated that she hadn’t gathered much information yet. Seung Hun appeared slightly anxious, eagerly asking, “So, can we complete the investigation after returning to the country?” Seeing Sun Hoon’s impatience, Mina quickly reassured him. “I know. Don’t worry too much. I will try my best to resolve it.” Hearing these words, Sung Hune felt somewhat relieved. “Sorry for troubling you for so long, and by the way, thank you for congratulating me. It’s all right. This is all I can do.” Mina smiled and said, “Look, this is the outfit I got for you.” Sun Hun replied gently. “It suits me very well. This outfit is beautiful and it fits perfectly.” “Mina, you’re someone I cherish deeply. Thank you so much.” Mina’s face clearly showed happiness. She softly responded to Se Hune. I should be the one thanking you. The conversation ended and that evening the entire production team boarded the plane back to Korea. The semi-final round in Dubai concluded with a somewhat surprising result. The ones advancing to the final round were Ju Yong, Hei, and Kong Seung Hun. Go Yang Di, despite using his immunity, still had to stop here, leaving many feeling regretful. This round was filled with a spectrum of emotions. Jealousy, joy, anger, and happiness, all intertwined. This truly made my mood incredibly excited. But in the end, everything proceeded smoothly, and the filming process was a great success. Returning to Korea, preparations for the final round were necessary. But first, some issues needed resolving. On the very night of returning to Korea, Mina immediately went to the office, searching for evidence related to Go Jong. She was trying her utmost to help Sun Hun find records about him at the KBC station. Mina took a deep breath, mustering her courage, she began to gently sift through the information. After searching for a while, she opened a drawer and discovered a yellow folder. Opening it, she found numerous expense records from Korean and Japanese restaurants inside. As she focused on reading, she suddenly heard footsteps outside the office, startling her in panic. It turned out to be the producer. Fortunately, before the producer entered, Mina managed to return to her seat, pretending to organize documents. “Why are you still here at this hour?” Mina stammered in reply. “I’m just tidying up some documents. What brings you here so late?” The producer mentioned he was just stopping by to revise the script slightly. With those words, he walked straight to his desk and opened a drawer. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice that the yellow folder was no longer there. He reached in, pulled out a notebook, and stood there looking through it. Mina, striving to remain composed, tucked the folder between other documents, and slipped it into her handbag. She rose to her feet, bid the producer farewell, and hastily departed. Having secured the necessary folder, the two arranged to meet at a coffee shop. Seung Hun wore a hat this time to avoid drawing attention. Mina handed the folder to Seung Hun. Seung Hune asked, “How did you find it so quickly?” Mina speculated. Perhaps he anticipated being threatened by Go Jung early on, so he prepared this in advance. So, what should we do now? Se Hun considered contacting reporters to bring the matter to light. Mina fell silent, lost in thought. This wasn’t going to be simple. Is there a problem? Sun Hun asked, concern etched on his face. “Yes,” Mina replied. “This also involves the producer. If this gets exposed, it could significantly impact the show currently on air.” Despite the potential fallout, she still supported Sun Hoon in pursuing this, not wanting to put Mina in a difficult position, Sun Hune said, “Then let Mina decide.” Se Huns gaze was intensely serious. So, shall we release it tonight? The following morning, just as Go Jsung was preparing to leave home for work, the KBC station broadcast the news. It was a report concerning a famous chef who had gained popularity through a television program. The reporter explicitly named him Go Jung. This renowned chef is suspected of accepting money to promote restaurants on the show he participates in. to substantiate the bribery allegations against Go Jung. The reporter also displayed images of the restaurants he had allegedly collaborated with and accepted bribes from. This shocking revelation caused Go Jiang’s face to drain of color. He felt as though his entire world was crumbling before his very eyes. Mere minutes after the program aired, Goji’s phone began to ring. On the other end, the furious voice of the Hilton Hotel’s general manager barked, “Is this true?” Go Jung stammered in response. No, it wasn’t me. I’m watching the news right now, too. This is completely absurd. Wasting no words, the general manager demanded Go Jung come to the hotel immediately, straight to the general manager’s office before abruptly hanging up. Go Jiang stared blankly at the phone for a moment. Then he made his way to the general manager’s office at the Hilton Hotel. The general manager angrily confronted him. This situation is severely damaging the hotel’s reputation. Goji Sun could only sit there silently enduring the tirade. He declared that he would write an article to refute the allegations. The general manager instructed him to take a temporary leave of absence until the matter subsided. Goji Sun remained stubbornly defiant, asserting his non-involvement in the affair. Nevertheless, the general manager stood firm on his decision to suspend him until the incident could be thoroughly investigated. If he were found innocent of any wrongdoing, his job would be immediately reinstated. Despite his reluctance, this was the final decision and he could only accept it helplessly. Anxiety nod at go gi. His position as head chef was hanging precariously by a thread. If he couldn’t smooth this over, he wouldn’t just lose his job. His reputation would be ruined, leaving him utterly disgraced. Stepping out of the hotel gates, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, still trying to figure out who was behind this. He recalled the phone call with Minion Young, the president of the hotel association and general manager of the Minion Hotel. He had struck a deal with him regarding the viewership ratings for the Master program. But thanks to Kong Seung Hun’s interference, the deal had fallen through. Goji Sun concluded that Kong Seung Hun must be responsible for this mess because he hadn’t upheld his end of the bargain. He suspected they wanted to use him as a scapegoat, cut their losses, and pretend nothing ever happened. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Go Ji ground his teeth, fury surging within him. Fine, then I’ll expose all of your dirty deeds. Go Ji decided to go all out this time. He wanted to drag everyone else down with him. He couldn’t be the only one to fall. If he was going down, they were all going down together. Back at the KBC station studio, the program team was busy preparing the stage for the upcoming finale. The producer was on site overseeing the preparations, ensuring everything was perfect and ready for the final recording. Just then, Go Sun called, but the producer didn’t answer. The producer held his head in his hands, his expression one of frustration. He sighed, wondering how many times he had received such calls. Why did Goji’s scandal have to erupt at this exact moment? The producer felt like he was sitting on pins and needles racking his brain. Only he knew this information. Who could have leaked it? Song Mina standing nearby observed the producers’s reaction and guessed the trouble he was facing. She felt incredibly awkward herself. Just then, someone entered through the door, catching her attention. It was Sun Hune bringing his mother and younger sister to cheer her on. Yangi accompanied them. Songmina warmly welcomed everyone, thanking them for coming, explaining that there would be a private interview before the competition started. She suggested Seung Hun and Yang Hi wait in the breakroom first. Se Hun scratched his head and asked, “I brought my family to watch the competition today. Mina, could you help arrange seats for us?” “Yes, leave it to me.” Song Mina readily agreed. “Take everyone to the breakroom first. I’ll bring them in.” After arranging seats for Son Hoons mother and sister, Song Mina approached to greet them. “Hello, ma’am. We’ve met before. Do you remember me? Of course, I remember. Seung Huns mother replied, “You’re writer Song Mina, aren’t you? Please come in. If anything is inconvenient, just let us know.” Watching the three of them leave. Yi’s face was clouded with suspicion, likely still misunderstanding that Sun Hoon had relied on Mina, leaking the questions to prepare in advance. Having settled Sun Hun’s family, Mina returned to the waiting room to prepare for the interviews. Zu Yang, he was the first to be interviewed. She was still contemplating whether or not to reveal that Son Hun and script writer Song Mina were dating. Lost deep in her thoughts, she didn’t catch what Mina had just asked and had to ask Mina to repeat the question. Mina inquired if as a famous and beautiful chef, she felt confident about winning this competition. Yangi offered a faint smile, replying tactfully. To me, winning or losing isn’t important. As long as I’ve tried my best, that’s enough. Song Mina turned to ask Se Hun, “Kong Sean Hun, do you think the same way? That winning or losing doesn’t matter. Only trying your best does, right?” In stark contrast to Yongi’s fame modesty, Seung Hune answered confidently, “No, now that I’ve reached the final round, I want to win to claim the prize.” Se Hun’s goal from the beginning was the prize money for his family. Semina scratched her head, asking somewhat sheepishly, “So, what do you intend to do with the prize money?” Se Hune didn’t hide his true intentions. I’ll use it to pay for my father’s hospital bills.” And Sung Hune paused here for a moment, remembering his father’s old restaurant, a place that held so many beautiful memories for him. He smiled happily and continued, “I’ll think about other things after I win.” Finally, the final match began in the studio stands. Every seat was filled with spectators. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, anticipating a spectacular contest. The heated atmosphere left Kong Seung Hun and Ju Yang. He feeling slightly flustered. The stage lights shone down on the two outstanding contestants. Judge Mong excitedly announced. Now the final match officially begins. Our two best contestants are Kong Seong Hun and Yang Hi. The judge announced the competition rules. There will be three rounds. The contestant who wins two rounds will be the champion. If each wins one round, they will proceed to a third round to determine the winner. Contestants, please note we will now announce the theme for the first round. Everyone, please look up here. Judge Mong reached out and pulled a red cord behind him. A rolledup banner slowly unfurled, revealing the dish the two contestants needed to prepare. The theme for the round was to create a royal court cuisine dish. As expected of the final round, the challenge was truly complex. Judge Mong turned to Judge Yun Jong with keen interest. Royal Court cuisine is your area of expertise, isn’t it? Yes, Judge Y and Jean replied with a mysterious expression. This time, I decided to invite a senior colleague who understands this theme even better than I do. Suddenly, the entire studio erupted. Sun Hun and Yang Hi were also drawn in, their eyes turning towards the stage wing. A guest dressed in traditional attire stepped out. Hello, the dignified elderly man introduced himself. I am Gaol, the fourth generation successor of intangible cultural heritage number 38, specifically the royal court cuisine of the Josian dynasty. It is a pleasure to participate as a judge for today’s royal court cuisine competition. The program’s existing judges quickly stepped forward to shake his hand and greet him, showing their respect for the master. The guest judge took the microphone and continued, “Today I am delighted to explore the royal court cuisine of the Josian dynasty with all of you.” The daily meals included the cosian breakfast and the swasang breakfast dinner. The lunch was similar to the swasang and the dish you must prepare is the main course served during lunch. This marked the first of three rounds for the day. Faced with numerous options for the main dish, Se Hun found it difficult to make a decision. He hesitated, glancing up towards the audience where his mother and younger sister sat, watching his every move intently. Se Hun’s mother noticed her son looking at her. She raised her hand, mouthing words of encouragement. Seeing his mother cheering him on despite her pain, warmed Seung Hun’s heart. Suddenly, as if remembering something crucial, he exclaimed inwardly, “That’s it. I found it.” Standing beside him, Yonghi also noticed the subtle shift in his demeanor. After the theme was announced, the two contestants returned to their respective kitchen stations to begin the competition. Brimming with newfound confidence, Sun Hune calmly surveyed the meticulously selected ingredients. No matter how delicious a dish, it couldn’t exist without quality components. Fresh vegetables, chicken raised in the best environment and conditions, spices, and everything else were carefully chosen natural ingredients. Resolutely, Sun- Hun rolled up his sleeves, telling himself, “All right, let’s start cooking. First, boil the chicken.” While waiting, he began preparing the cucumber sauce. Once cooked, the chicken was immediately removed. Not chopped, but shredded by hand. Then he placed the shredded chicken, rice wine, and some of the chicken broth into a blender, pureeing the mixture until smooth. Deeply focused on his dish. Seung Hun suddenly heard excited cheers erupting from the audience, capturing his attention. His gaze shifted towards Ju Yang Hi. Her face also radiated confidence in her creation. Employing masterful knife skills, Ju Yang, he crafted a piece of meat into a unique shape. Achieving such dexterity required years of arduous practice, her cuts were precise. The meat sliced thinly and evenly, both sides possessing the same thickness, even intricately carved with tiny diamond-shaped slits. Truly no simple feet as Juang, he rolled the piece of meat. The judges watched her intently. Judge Gaol couldn’t help but exclaim his admiration. Magnificent to cut such clear diamond patterns. I have never seen anything like it. She is truly a genius chef. Judge Yun Jang nodded in agreement. Indeed, she is an outstanding contestant, having overcome many formidable opponents to reach this final round. Bo Kong also appeared impressed by Young He’s meat cutting technique. Making small even cuts helps the seasoning penetrate more evenly, making the meat more tender and delicious. Judge Miong realized she was preparing to make grilled meat skewers. Just as the judges predicted, Yonghi began to prepare a charcoal brazier. Then she placed a grill rack on top and started grilling her piece of meat. Yangon he focused intently on grilling the meat, striving for a beautiful golden brown color. Her concentration was so intense that neither the surrounding cheers nor the crackling sound of the charcoal could distract her. Under the heat of the glowing embers, the meat gradually turned a glistening golden brown, releasing a rich, fragrant aroma that spread throughout the studio. The captivating scent made the audience swallow hard, their faces clearly showing their craving. She subtly glanced at the audience’s reaction, smiling with satisfaction. Young, he turned her head to look towards Seung Hun. At that moment, he too was focused on preparing his dish. Young, he thought confidently. The dish is complete. Victory in this round is mine. In the audience stands, Sun Hun’s mother and sister looked at him with worried expressions. What’s he doing, Mom? I can’t smell anything. I’m a bit worried. Mom, do you know what dish he’s making? His little sister asked. The mother looked at her son, unsure how to answer. Suddenly, she remembered something. She had previously seen her husband diligently working on a similar dish in the kitchen when he had brought out eight bowls for her. She had been very surprised and delighted. That was the very dish Se Hoon was now recreating. Se Hun had also finished his dish and brought it to the judge’s table. As soon as the eight bowls were placed on the table, all four judges were surprised by this dish. Seung Hun said confidently, “Please, esteemed judges, enjoy. This is the royal court dish I have prepared named initutang. A cold chicken soup favored by the nobility. Seung Huns dish left the judges somewhat takenback. In contrast, Yang His fragrant grilled meat captured their attention. Therefore, Yangi felt very confident about winning the first round. She glanced at Se Hun’s cold chicken soup, thinking silently, and Mayaang. Even Judge Gaol seemed perplexed. He remarked when speaking of royal court cuisine, one usually thinks of shinso teaky. Why did he choose to make a mayautang? I’m very curious to know. The competition is truly very interesting, Sun Hun explained calmly. Visible emotion on his face. I chose this dish because it is very familiar to me. It’s the dish my father used to make for my mother whenever she was ill. This dish requires a great deal of effort to prepare, showing the boundless love my father has for my mother. Hearing Sung Hune’s explanation, his mother in the audience couldn’t help but be moved, her eyes brimming with tears. After hearing the story, she picked up her spoon, scooped a spoonful of soup, and brought it to her lips. As soon as the soup touched the tip of her tongue, she felt as though a wave of vitality spread throughout her body. It was the perfect combination of the aroma of roasted sesame and the rich sweetness of the chicken broth, creating a truly unique flavor. Bik Kong. After tasting it, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, it’s truly delicious and refreshing. This is the first time I’ve tried a myasetang, but it’s absolutely wonderful. It’s very nutritious. After eating it, I feel my body is significantly invigorated.” Judge Yun Jang enthusiastically explained, “The character in the dish’s name refers to sesame seeds, a highly nutritious food often used in the summer to replenish energy. Furthermore, it’s also a common ingredient, very easy to find. Although it’s just a humble ingredient, it is an excellent remedy, effective in purifying the body, fighting oxidation, prolonging life, and preventing many diseases. Royal Court cuisine holds the belief that delicious food and good medicine share the same origin. The purpose of Royal Court cuisine is precisely to manage illness through diet. The royal chefs used royal court cuisine to care for the king’s health. This Amaya Sutang dish can be said to have truly grasped the essence of royal court cuisine. I see. Bikong was very intrigued by this dish. That’s why the chicken meat was boiled separately then dipped in cornstarch to enhance the flavor of the broth. Exactly. Gaol added. It was created because of its nourishing effects. The most crucial aspect of a mayetang is creating a sweet refreshing flavor for the broth. Additionally, to make the broth clearer and more delicious, hold sesame seeds must be used. In the Amaya Sutang, prepared by contestant Kong Seong Hune, he used whole sesame seeds and meticulously strained them, creating a very refined flavor. Mr. Gaol looked directly at Seung Hun and asked, “Was it your father who taught you how to make this dish?” “Yes, sir.” Se Hun replied respectfully. Mr. Gaol smiled kindly. “Very good. You have learned very well.” Following the judge’s commentary, the audience in the hall listened in silence. Some couldn’t help but swallow hard, wiping away the drool gathering at the corners of their mouths. A few whispered to each other about visiting Kong Seung Hun’s restaurant after the competition to savor the dish. Sun Hun’s younger sister saw her brother receiving positive feedback from the judges, her face beaming with joy. She excitedly turned to her mother, whispering, “Did you hear that, Mom? I feel like big brother is going to win this round.” Despite her daughter’s joy, the mother maintained a calm demeanor, saying, “Don’t be hasty. Let’s keep watching.” Ju Yongghi’s dish hasn’t been judged yet. Downstage, after tasting Sun Hune’s dish, the judges expressed their appreciation for his excellent creation. Next would be the evaluation of Ju Yang he’s grilled meat. Seung Hun’s performance made Juong he’s slightly anxious. Indeed, contrasting sharply with the enthusiasm and vibrancy she displayed while preparing the dish. Judge Mong looked at the plate of grilled meat, his voice lowering as he asked, “Is this everything you prepared?” Yangi stammered in reply, “Yes, judge.” Judge Yun Jang showed clear regret. Within 60 minutes, yet the presentation of the dish is overly simple. What a pity. Let us examine the flavor of this dish. Gaol was the first to taste the dish. He picked up a piece of grilled beef, put in his mouth, and began to chew. The moment the meat touched his tongue, its flavor took him by surprise. Delicious. The beef was incredibly tender. She had captured the essence of Royal Court cuisine. The seasoning perfectly balanced, neither too salty nor too spicy. Finally, chopping most ingredients to create a rich sensation is a crucial aspect of Royal Court cuisine. The flavors were harmonious. Her handling of the premium ingredients not only enhanced the dish’s aroma, but also made the meat practically melt in the mouth after just a few chews. Hearing the experts praise, Yangi allowed a satisfied smile to grace her lips, but immediately after she was hit with cold water. Judge Shin Guu Jan spoke in a low voice. However, it is indeed a bit regrettable. Grilled beef is a simple Korean dish often used as a test of a chef’s basic skills, typically with a time limit of about 25 minutes. Therefore, with a 60-minute limit like in this competition, choosing a more complex dish would have been better. Bo Kong also expressed his agreement. I concur with his point. Grilled meat is something I eat often, so I think attempting something more challenging than this would have been a better choice. I fear she chose to play it safe. The judge’s comments made young he realize she had been overconfident in her abilities in this particular dish. The final outcome was far from what she had envisioned when she began preparing it. The evaluation and commentary concluded. The final winner of the first round was about to be revealed. Both Seung Hun and Yang, he held their breath waiting for the judges announcement. Given the positive reviews for the cold chicken soup, it came as no surprise when the judges declared Kong Seung Hun the winner of this round. Se Hun joyfully accepted his victory while Yangi pensively accepted her first defeat. His mother and sister in the audience also rejoiced at his triumph. Judge Mong explained a reason for choosing Sung Hoon as the winner. He adhered correctly to the fundamental principles of royal court cuisine and the dish he prepared was also delicious. Regrettably, contestant Yang Hi, despite demonstrating good cooking skills, showed limited understanding of royal court cuisine. We hope she will strive harder in the next round. The defeat left young he somewhat disheartened. She closed her eyes, let out a soft sigh, and offered a thanks. The competition had proceeded smoothly and left a strong impression. Just as Mong finished speaking, he received a signal from the production team indicating to continue the program. He turned to the two contestants announcing the second round will resume this afternoon. That same afternoon, the second round commenced. But unlike the first round held in the studio, the second round would take place at a different outdoor location. Seung Hune and Young, he were already present at the competition site. Their second task was to operate a food truck serving real customers. Staring at the two food trucks before them, Sun Hune and Young, he were still feeling bewildered when a voice called out from behind. Food trucks, aren’t they? Quite surprising, isn’t it? Mong approached them, speaking excitedly. This place is a set where a television drama is currently being filmed. The judge announced the task for the second round, the final round. Right here, your task is to prepare and sell food. Your goal and mission are to create delicious dishes to serve customers within 60 minutes. Whoever achieves the highest revenue will win this round. We have prepared basic ingredients. You are free to create your own dishes. If you need anything extra, you can inform the program staff and they will assist you. I have a small piece of advice. The dish itself isn’t the most important thing, but choosing a dish suitable for the target audience will make selling easier. Wouldn’t you agree? Now both of you go prepare the dish that your food truck will sell. Business will begin in 1 hour. Se Hun returned to his food truck, beginning to ponder what dish he should make. He recalled Judge Mongs advice, wondering whether he should choose a simple, easy to eat dish aimed at the target audience. With this thought, Sun Hun turned to observe the staff members of the film crew. They were busy with their filming duties, completely oblivious to the famous cooking competition taking place right there. Sun Hun observed and analyzed. The ages of the film crew members were quite diverse, but most were young people, actors, also young, often concerned with healthy eating habits. This type of menu would likely attract them. If I could create a dish that combines healthy food with simplicity, it would be a great idea. After analyzing the situation, Sun Hun broke into a bright smile. A salad immediately came to mind. Without hesitation, he walked over to the ingredient area prepared by the program. His hand touching the fresh, vibrant green cabbages as he activated his ability to recall dishes. Se Hune envisioned lush green cabbage fields. Farmers tending carefully just to harvest the finest cabbages. Seung Hune chose his first three ingredients: cabbage, cherry tomatoes, and oyster mushrooms. As he reached for the chicken, Young Hei simultaneously picked up several boxes of bright red succulent beef. The two turned around at the same time, their eyes meeting. Beef. He chose chicken. They remained silent for a second, then both simultaneously placed the ingredients into their baskets and turned to leave without another word. After the ingredient selection concluded, the program staff announced a short break. young. He suddenly flashed a mischievous grin, turning to Seung Hune and saying, “How about we reveal what dish we plan to make?” Se Hun agreed without hesitation. “All right, let’s say it together.” Yonghi began the countdown. 1 2 3. Seung Hune quickly spoke first. “Chicken salad.” Yang Hi, however, said nothing, smirking triumphantly. “So Sun Hun is making chicken salad. Huh?” Se Hune, beads of sweat forming on his brow, countered. “And what about you, Yonghi? What dish are you planning to make? She didn’t answer, turning her back to walk away, leaving him with a parting shot. The world of competition is ruthless. Good luck, Sun Hune, taken aback by her words. Seung Hun acted without hesitation, grabbing Yonghi’s hand, intending to use his memory reading ability to probe her thoughts. Seung Hune’s sudden action startled Yonghi. She questioned him loudly, “What do you think you’re doing?” Se Hune, however, smiled and explained as if merely returning an onion to her. You dropped this onion. Yung Hei flusteredly took the onion, stammering a word of thanks. Seung Hune smiled, turned, and walked away, not forgetting to glance back and add, “Young he, good luck with your beef sushi.” Yang Hei gasped in astonishment. “How did you know? Impossible. How could you possibly know?” It was only then that Young He noticed the camera lens still pointed directly at her. She instantly masked her flustered expression, regaining her beautiful, elegant composure. Truly, beautiful women are dangerous. Returning to the food truck, Sun Hun carried his ingredients back to his station, immediately rolling up his sleeves and beginning his preparations. First, he tackled the chicken breast. He made two even scores across the chicken breast to allow the seasoning to penetrate more deeply. Afterward, he pan fried it until golden brown on both sides. While the chicken was cooking, he submerged lettuce in cold water, keeping it fresh and crisp. Next he sliced king oyster mushrooms thinly. This type of mushroom is not only delicious but also rich in fiber and betaglucen. Then he have cherry tomatoes and chopped some romaine lettuce. Arranging all the ingredients on a plate. He drizzled them with balsamic vinegar. The chicken salad was complete. Sun hun was very pleased with his healthy creation. Mushroom chicken salad. A simple, refreshing, delicious and nutritious dish. The preparation time also came to an end. The judges arrived on set announcing the official start of the second final round. Thanks to the film crew for their support of our competition, providing these two food trucks. Everyone, please choose the dish you wish to try. Feel free to enjoy. Each person may only taste once, so please choose carefully. The condition set by the judges was quite strict. Each person could only choose food once. They couldn’t taste both dishes simultaneously and make a comparison, causing people to hesitate in their selection, worried they might miss out on the better dish. While everyone was still hesitating, an actress approached Se Hoon’s food truck. She possessed stunning beauty and a sweet voice. One salad, please. The actress’s captivating charm momentarily stunned Seung Hun. He praised her silently. She’s so beautiful. Is she the lead actress in this film? Seung Hun was lost in admiring the beauty, only snapping back to reality when the actress asked again. “Yes, yes, right away,” he stammered. He quickly grabbed the plate, preparing her food. A few minutes later, a beautifully presented mushroom chicken salad was handed to the actress. “Wow, it looks amazing.” The actress was immediately captivated by the beautiful presentation of the dish. Without hesitation, she picked up her fork and took a bite. Oh, it’s delicious, the actress exclaimed her praise, her face radiating happiness. The chicken was fragrant and tender, and the vegetables were incredibly fresh. After finishing her bite, the actress couldn’t stop praising it, and the onlookers, who were still hesitant, began to buzz with discussion. They felt the salad perfectly suited their healthy eating habits. A crowd quickly gathered at Seung Hun’s salad truck, starting to place orders. Seung Hune rejoiced inwardly. The first step of the second round was successful. The target customer group he aimed for had arrived as expected, but the situation wasn’t as smooth as he had imagined. Turning his head, he saw that the line in front of Young He’s food truck was even longer than his. Young He, holding a blowtorrch, was searing beef sushi right at the counter before handing it to customers. The aroma of grilled meat wafted everywhere. Even the pickiest eaters couldn’t resist the call from their stomachs. That was the allure of a food truck. Being delicious wasn’t enough. It also had to emit an enticing aroma to dispel people’s hesitation towards an unknown flavor. The outcome of this match might differ from predictions. The second round using food trucks, the highest revenue would determine the winner. Contestant Yang, he prepared beef sushi, while contestant Kong, whom prepared chicken and mushroom salad. The two contrasting dishes unintentionally created a clear divide in the competition. This contest is getting more and more interesting, everyone. Meong exclaimed excitedly. That’s right, he replied. The two contestants have targeted different customer groups. It’s still impossible to say who will win. For the young people concerned with weight loss and healthy eating, they will choose Sun Hun. As for the middle-aged group, they think differently. They need to eat to ensure their health. So, they will support Yang Hi. The judges, after making their comments, were also eager to taste the contestants dishes. They asked a crew member to bring back two servings. Miong picked up Sung Hoon’s chicken salad, immediately drawn in by its fresh, clean aroma. Oh my goodness. Since did this fragrance spread like this, he took a bite without hesitation, then immediately praised it profusely. So delicious. The chicken is both tender and flavorful. The vegetables are also very palatable. They’re truly fresh. The sauce and ingredients are perfectly balanced as expected of contestant Kong Seong Hun. You haven’t disappointed me. Jung Jin asked with a laugh. Can he really find such fresh ingredients every day? It seems like he possesses some kind of special ability. Mong replied, Sunung Hun seemed to overhear their conversation, breaking into a slight sweat. Seung Hun was very clever to add mushrooms to the salad. It compensated for the lack of satiety typically associated with salads. Truly an excellent choice. Bo Kong added, “Let’s try contestant Juang. He’s sushi now.” Bo Kong picked up a piece of sushi, placed it in his mouth, and chewed slowly. He remarked with surprise, “The meat is incredibly tender, melting right in the mouth, just like last time.” She even made a small incision on the beef slice. When the sauce seeped in and it was grilled, the flames aroma permeated those seared marks, blending all the flavors together, creating a rich sweetness. Her dish is also truly excellent. Haha. The female judge laughed heartily. Let’s wait and see who the final winner will be. Miong pondered. In terms of taste, it’s already very good. But is that enough? Suddenly, he pointed towards the food truck in surprise where indeed a change had occurred. The captivating aroma of grilled beef wafted everywhere, irresistibly drawing in many people. Enticed by the scent, quite a few began to leave Son Hun’s food truck, heading over to Yonghes. Bo Kong observed meticulously, a look of interest clear on his face. Look, contestant Ju Yong, he seems to be preparing something in her kitchen. Young, he was performing a fire show, grilling many beef sushi pieces simultaneously, which intensified the meat’s aroma, stimulating the eagerly waiting customers. They cheered with excitement, their faces showing clear craving, wanting to devour the delicacy before them immediately. Juang, he has done very well. Creating something that makes people crave it is the key to attracting customers, not just simply preparing and selling food. It seems this time contestant Ju Yang, he understands how to operate a food truck better than Kong Se Hun. Se Hun’s situation grew increasingly dire. His customers had almost all left. Seung Hun felt anxious and uneasy. He truly hadn’t expected events to unfold like this. Seung Hune was now trying his utmost to serve customers quickly to avoid losing even more patrons the longer it took. On Yang Hi’s side, she was no less competitive, giving her all to serve as many customers as possible. Not only the show’s judges, but even the production team were eagerly anticipating the outcome of this dramatic contest. After an hour of intense competition, as evening approached, the contest drew to a close. The suspenseful moment of waiting for the final results had finally arrived. Judge Mong held the results sheet. It is now 6:30 p.m. and I have the tally results. The results are not drastically different. Among the 100 guests participating in today’s competition. 43 chose the chicken mushroom salad and the number choosing the beef sushi is 57. Thus, the winner of this round is contestant Ju Yong Hi. Congratulations to contestant Ju Yong Hi. Thank you both for your wonderful performances. You both worked hard. As it stands, each of you has secured one victory. Therefore, we will have to hold a third round to determine the ultimate winner. And now I will announce the theme for the third and final round. The theme for the third round is freestyle. You are free to choose the dish you are most confident in. However, the ingredient for the dish must be personally prepared by the contestants themselves. From now until the third round begins, you will have 3 days to prepare. Let me repeat. The ingredients for the third round must be prepared by yourselves. With this freestyle theme allowing for self-prepared ingredients, Sun Hun possessing the ability to read the memories of food held a considerable advantage. Seung Hun was lost in deep thought. Ju Yong Hi, standing beside him turned to chat with him. Seung Hune, you worked hard today, too. Congratulations, Yong Hi. You performed very well as always. Seung Hune casually congratulated her but received a cryptic reply from Yang Hi. “Yes, I will compete using my own abilities, won’t I?” Seung Hune froze, not understanding her meaning. Immediately after, Yang Hei whispered a sentence that sent chills down Seung Hune’s spine. “I’m not like someone who has to use underhanded tactics behind the scenes to win.” Yang Hi’s words seemed to imply Sun Hoon had received help for behind the scenes. She had always been suspicious of Seung Hune, having discovered the romantic relationship between him and Song Mina. Seung Hun thought uneasily. Could she have vaguely sensed his special ability? Se Hune recalled when he received the task for the third round of the Master Chef competition. He had started pondering what kind of unique dish to create. But then he suddenly thought, “What brought me here today?” That’s right. It was food that brought me to this program. It was soy milk and porridge. I’ve decided to choose that food itself opened the door to this place for me. It is the beginning of everything I have today. Back then, only soybeans and rice were the available ingredients. So, I was forced to use them to prepare the dish. But now, it’s different. From this moment on, I will search for the best beans and present the most perfect dish. Sun Hun lingered at the food festival for quite some time, having already purchased a fair amount of ingredients, but it seemed he still had no intention of leaving, making the production team anxious. They asked, “Kong Seung Hun, haven’t you bought enough yet?” Seung Hun shook his head, saying he still wanted to look around a bit more. He noticed a stall tucked away in a corner of the food festival, which for some reason seemed to have no customers visiting. The stall owner was a middle-aged man, his face carrying a somewhat unapproachable air. Sun Hun approached and spoke up, “Excuse me, sir, may I touch these beans?” Although his face were a less than cheerful expression, the owner replied very warmly, “Go right ahead. Don’t be shy. Seung Hune then picked up a handful of beans and activated his hack mode. Through the memories of the beans, Se Hun saw a lush green row of beans cared for by the diligent hands of the owner. Undoubtedly a premium ingredient. Seung Hune smiled and asked, “These beans must be very delicious, mustn’t they?” The owner was a bit takenback, not quite grasping Sun Huns meaning. Seung Hune elaborated. These beans have been meticulously cared for under conditions with significant temperature differences. The owner, bewildered, asked, “How did you know that?” Se Hune scratched his head, stammering, “Um, well, ah, I mean, I could just tell by looking.” Before he could finish, the owner exclaimed joyfully, “Aha, that’s right, young man. You seem quite knowledgeable. My vegetable garden is situated in a mountainous area, higher than others, so the temperature fluctuates greatly throughout the day. That’s precisely why my beans are of superior quality. These delicious beans are the fruit of my own sweat and tears, tended to with painstaking care. They are my pride and joy. All right, you’ll take 2 kg. Then the production team, who have been closely following Se Hoon as he selected and purchased ingredients at the food festival, still couldn’t fathom how he managed to choose the best ingredients merely by touch. He had already bought the finest items available there. Yet those weren’t all the ingredients he required. The next item on his list was rice. And so the quest for the finest ingredients resumed. To find the best rice, Kong Seung Hun traveled to the Gianbuk region. He was searching for a specific variety called Sun Dongmi. This rice was renowned for having the largest cultivation area in South Korea. It was said to have larger, softer, sweeter, and more fragrant grains, making it more delicious than other varieties. This time, Sun Hun didn’t just browse through rice shops. He went directly to the cultivation areas to search. However, selecting the rice proved difficult this time. He still wasn’t sure what criteria to use to choose the best ingredient. He tried using his hack skill again, but ultimately yielded no results. Shaking his head in frustration. This time, Sun Hun was truly giving it 200% determination, aiming to create the most perfect dish for this decisive final round. Early the next morning, Sun Hune rose early once more, continuing his journey to find the rice he desired. The production team was also feeling utterly exhausted. The finals were tomorrow, yet he still hadn’t found the right rice. Just then, his phone rang. It was Song Mina calling. She informed him that the filming location was ready and asked when he would be returning. The finals were starting tomorrow, and the production team was getting anxious. How long would they have to dejectedly follow Seung Hune on his ingredient hunt? Filming with the other contestant, Ju Yong Hi, had already been completed. After finishing her report, Semina asked with a hint of worry, “What if you can’t find the ingredients today? A producer side, then we’ll just have to return. The competition must go on. Time is running out.” Se Hun suggested they all grab lunch first before continuing their work. The production team was somewhat surprised. How could he remain so calm and composed, casually going for lunch in such a pressing situation? The three of them entered a modest eery nearby. The husband and wife owners quickly prepared three traditional Korean set meals for them. The meal appeared simple yet was quite refined. Having run around outside all morning, everyone was hungry and eagerly anticipating this meal. The three of them bypassed the other dishes, each first scooping a spoonful of plain white rice into their mouths. The moment those grains of white rice entered their mouths, they all couldn’t help but exclaim in astonishment. The production team was stunned. This sweet, delicious flavor, this was definitely Sundong Mi. Sun Hun immediately shot up from his seat and asked the owner, “Excuse me, may I ask where you bought this rice?” The owner smiled kindly and replied, “The rice is delicious, isn’t it, customer?” Seung Hun put down his bowl and chopsticks, asking urgently, “Excuse me, please tell me where I can buy this rice.” The owner told them that this was rice his family personally planted and harvested. Sun Hune hastily grabbed the owner’s hand, pleading earnestly. “Sir, please consider it saving my life. Could you please give me the address?” The owner enthusiastically gave Sun Hoon directions, handing him a piece of paper with the address. “Just go to this address and you’ll find it.” Seung Hune rushed back to that rural area, but reality was harsher than the dream. The middle-aged man there told him that the rice had been sold out long ago. Seung Hune trembled as he pressed, “No, it can’t be. Is there really not even a little bit left?” The elderly man smiled kindly and replied, “Truly, not a single grain is left. This year’s harvest was bountiful, but it’s all been sold.” Se Hune collapsed onto the ground in despair, choked up and unable to speak. There were only 15 hours left until the final round. The next day, the final round proceeded as scheduled. Everyone was eagerly waiting to see the dishes the two contestants had prepared. MC Mong announced enthusiastically. Welcome everyone to the final round of Master Sep. The two contestants were free to choose their ingredients for preparation. Are both of you ready? The two contestants replied in unison. We are ready esteemed judges. All right. First, let’s see what ingredients contestant Juang he has prepared. Young he reached out and lifted the lid. The ingredient she had prepared was beef. From the very beginning of the competition, she had shown great confidence in her beef dishes, and even now in the final round, she still chose premium beef as her ingredient. Judge Mong praised, “If it’s beef, then this is the best, most expensive cut. The color of the meat looks magnificent.” Young, he replied, “Yes, judges, I chose first grade Korean beef, and the meat was just brought in, ensuring its freshness.” Very good. Beef is highly suitable for making light dishes or grilling. Well prepared. Yes. After some thought, I decided to make steak. This dish is a main course on the hotel menu. Young’s excellent ingredient preparation made the audience below tense with anticipation. The ingredient alone was enough to make one’s mouth water. Sun Hun glanced over. Seeing young, he looking extremely calm, indicating her immense confidence in her dish. Yin Jang spoke up. Next, let’s see what ingredient contestant Kong Seong Hun has brought. Seung Hun slowly lifted the lid, causing the entire audience to gasp in amazement. Rewinding to earlier, when Seung Hune heard the farmer say there wasn’t a single grain of rice left, he had nearly collapsed. Seeing Sun Hoon’s dejected state, the farmer also felt awkward. Seung Hun looked behind the farmer and spotted several sacks of rice still remaining. He quickly pointed and asked, “What about these sacks?” Then the farmer explained that was the rice reserved for his family’s own consumption. Sun Hun seized the opportunity, putting on a pitiful expression, pleading, “Please, sir, I don’t need to buy much, just a little bit.” The owner didn’t want to sell, but Sun Hoon clung to him like a hungry leech, his tearfilled eyes relentlessly begging. In the end, because Sun Hune was so shamelessly persistent, the owner had no choice but to give in, just to escape this tenacious man. Returning to the studio, Se Hune announced proudly, “The ingredients I have prepared are beans and rice.” As these two ingredients were named, the audience seemed slightly disappointed, apparently not holding high expectations for a dish made from such traditional and familiar components. Seung Hun looked at his two ingredients, his face brimming with happiness, though they were just beans and rice. Obtaining them had cost him considerable effort. Yi also found Seung Hun’s ingredients puzzling, thinking to herself, just beans and rice. I have a feeling he’s lying. Is he really planning to make a dish with just those two things? What is he plotting? Does he genuinely believe he can win this way? MC Mong asked curiously. Contestant Kong Seung Hun’s ingredients seem very simple. I wonder if there’s anything special about them. Sun Hun replied enthusiastically. Yes, I have prepared Jang Su longevity beans and sanjiangi rice from the Gianbuk region. Bo Kong still looked perplexed by these two ingredients. Yun Jang smiled and said, “The ingredients he chose are excellent. Both the rice and beans are the most famous types in the country. Although they might seem ordinary, their quality is truly exceptional. He must have gone to great lengths to prepare them.” Yanjas assessment was incredibly accurate. Seung Hun simply nodded slightly and replied, “Yes.” With the ingredient introductions concluded, the MC announced, “Are you both ready? The final round begins now. Start the clock.” As soon as the words were spoken, Sun Hun immediately began cooking. He took out a large pot and started heating water. On the other side, Yang Hi wasted no time either, beginning to work on her ingredients. For her dish, the most crucial first step was to remove the meat juices. Yangi used string to tie the piece of meat tightly, squeezing out the juices. Not only that, but tying it also helped ensure the meat wouldn’t fall apart during cooking. Then, she used a knife to cut the large piece of meat in half. Next, Yang Hei lightly seasoned the piece of meat with olive oil, pepper, and salt. While waiting for the meat to absorb the spices, she began preparing the sauce. Yangi carefully dabbed a little sauce onto the back of her hand to taste it. immensely pleased with the flavor. The sauce was ready and the meat was marinated. It was time to grill the meat. As Yonghi focused on her cooking, she heard the audience cheering and glanced curiously towards Son Hune. The audience was captivated by the aroma wafting from his dish, murmuring incessantly, “Wow, it smells amazing. Wonderful.” The scent of the beans is subtle yet incredibly rich. young. He suddenly paused, exclaiming in astonishment, “This aroma is a beans.” Over at Songhoon Station, Sun Hune was concentrating on processing the beans. The fragrance of the beans spreading throughout the studio, causing not only the audience, but even the judges to close their eyes, savoring this magical scent. A worried expression flickered across Yonghi’s face. This aroma alone was enough to make her feel she might have already lost. She stammered, unable to speak. No, it can’t be. Has the scent of the beans already filled the entire studio? After the judges announced the start, Sung Hune immediately began preparing his ingredients. First, to make soy milk, the beans needed to be soaked beforehand, then boiled until cooked. The cooked beans were immediately transferred to a blender. The beans needed to be blended into a smooth mixture. The next step was filtering. Using a filter cloth or a thin piece of fabric, he poured all the blended soy milk into it to strain. The soy milk needed to be filtered multiple times to extract the purest essence. Discarding the pulp, Sun Hune, focused on his dish, was unaware that the subtle fragrance of the soy milk had already permeated the entire studio. This delicate, pleasant aroma made everyone present feel incredibly comfortable and relaxed. A fresh, pleasing scent, the rich fragrance of beans. The aroma spreading through the studio caused Yan Jong’s face to pale. A sense of unease rising within her. She realized that this dish had the potential to defeat hers. Young shook her head repeatedly, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. She regained her composure, refocused, and continued preparing her dish. Young placed two steaks onto the pan. The meat sizzled on the hot surface, the aroma of beef spreading accordingly. The smell of the beef made the audience members shift restlessly in their seats. A smile returned to the corners of Young He’s lips. Her confidence in her dish restored. One side of the steak was golden brown. Young, he flipped it to sear the other side. She added butter and a few sprigs of rosemary to the pan to enhance the steak’s appearance. She tilted the pan, using a spoon to base the meat evenly with the hot butter. Looking at her creation, young he smiled with satisfaction. The two steaks were evenly seared, boasting a beautiful brown color. All that remained was to plate them. Seated above, the audience witnessing Yungi’s visually stunning dish couldn’t help but applaud and admiration. Although confident in his own dish, Sun Hun felt a flicker of anxiety. Yungi’s dish was made with meat, premium meat at that, a luxurious creation certain to be delicious. It would undoubtedly capture significant attention from the judges. Yi’s dish was complete. Son Hun also picked up his pace, finishing his own dish. This time he didn’t add ice to the soy milk because the head chef had previously taught him that the drink would taste better without it. The soy milk was ready and the porridge was also cooked through. Sun-hun ladled the porridge into a bowl without elaborate decoration. The cooking time was nearly up. Both contestants quickly completed their final steps. The judges were also observing both contestants intently, eagerly anticipating the flavors of the two dishes, which would determine the master chef champion. Now it was time for tasting and evaluation. Contestant Yang Hi’s dish is Kong Seung Hun quickly interjected. It’s porridge and soy milk. MC Mong asked again. Porridge and soy milk. Yes, that’s right. Se Hun replied firmly. Mong pondered for a moment, then said, “Then I will try contestant Yi’s dish first.” Mong slowly picked up his knife and fork, beginning to cut the steak. The meat was handled very well, tender, easy to cut. The outside had a beautiful brown sear, while the inside was a fresh pink. The dness of the meat was just right. Mong cut a bite-sized piece, dipped it in the sauce, and brought it to his mouth. He chewed slowly, savoring the flavor of the meat. After swallowing, he immediately exclaimed with excitement. “The meat is very tender, melts right in your mouth. The seasoning is just right, and the meat is also fried perfectly. The color is also very beautiful.” also concurred. I agree with Judge Mong’s opinion. The outside of the steak is fried perfectly, yet the inside is very moist and tender, and the sauce is also very well balanced with the flavor of the beef. This is truly a perfect classic steak in the truest sense. Yangi beamed with a radiant smile, she said, “Thank you, judges.” Watching Yonghi continuously receive praise from the judges, Mina couldn’t help but feel worried. She quietly asked the producer, “Who do you think will win this round?” The producer wasn’t sure either. He replied, “It’s very hard to say.” It’s impossible to tell right now, but in my heart, I’m leaning somewhat towards Seung Hune. Remembering that meal, I think he has a very good chance of winning. He explained, “Before, I never intended to try the food cooked by the contestants, but this time is different.” “That dish was cooked with the type of rice we ate for lunch. I really want to try it again.” The three judges, after finishing their evaluation of Yonghi’s dish, turned to Seung Hun’s simple offering, porridge and soy milk. Myang asked, “Why did you choose this dish for the freestyle theme? There were so many better options.” Seung Hun calmly replied, “While thinking about what dish to make, I recalled the challenges I’ve faced throughout this competition. Since joining this cooking contest, I’ve learned so much. This competition helped me rediscover my joy. Before I had hit rock bottom, lost my passion for cooking, and even thought about giving up. Participating in this program, cooking again, it felt like I was just starting to learn how to cook. It brought me pure happiness. This is the dish I wanted to present. It’s the very essence that brought me to this competition. The judges appreciated some Hoon’s concept. However, during his cooking process, they had observed, expecting perhaps some special ingredient to be added. Yet, the entire preparation involved no such additions. The dish was completed in its purest form. Although the aroma was magnificent, the judges remained skeptical about its taste. It was, after all, just a simple bowl of white porridge. Two of the judges decided to try the porridge first, while Yin Jang opted to take a sip of the soy milk. All three slowly brought the food to their lips, savoring this simple and unadulterated creation. Mere seconds later, Mongs eyes flew wide open in astonishment. This this Mong was rendered speechless. The sublime flavor of this humble dish washed over their souls, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility. The three judges felt as if transported to a vast green meadow. Gentle spring breezes caressing their skin as they bathed in warm sunlight. With just a spoonful of porridge and a sip of soy milk, the delicate yet profound taste ushered them into a vibrant new world filled with comforting light, soft winds, and the fragrance of grass and trees. Miong remained dazed, still lost in the moment. It took a while before he fully returned to the studio’s reality. He exclaimed, overcome with emotion, just a simple dish like this. How could he possibly achieve such a thing? Using such basic ingredients, yet creating a flavor so deep and resonant. The three judges exchanged looks of sheer excitement, beginning to voice their assessments of Sun Hoon’s dish. Indeed, just selecting the finest ingredients, cooking them in the freshest way possible. That sensation immediately comes through, Bo Kong added. Yes, this dish is truly magnificent. The three chorus, it seems we have found our ultimate winner. Observing the judges expressions and hearing their comments. Yang, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of anxiety. Kong Seung Hun, in contrast, simply smiled, confident in his creation. Seung Hun’s younger sister and mother sat in the audience, hands clasped tightly in prayer. The entire studio held its breath, awaiting the final announcement. On stage, the three judges had reached their unanimous decision. Mong stepped forward, declaring the Master Chef final. Congratulations to the ultimate winner. Suddenly, the studio lights plunged into darkness, leaving only a single brilliant spotlight focused center stage, illuminating the victor. Congratulations to the final winner, Kong Seung Hun. The voice resonated, filled with excitement. Yungi closed her eyes, accepting defeat. Seung Hune stood stunned, unable to believe he had actually won. He remained motionless for 5 seconds. Then, tears of happiness streamed down his cheeks. Dazzling fireworks and the audience’s fervent applause merged into one, celebrating the victor. Thank you to both contestants for brilliantly completing the final competition. You’ve worked hard. Thank you sincerely. Se Hun and Yong Hei also bowed their heads, thanking the judges who had accompanied them throughout the competition. Miong Seung enthusiastically announced. Let’s present the award to the winner. Congratulations to contestant Kong Sun Hune. Your prizes are an 80in Samsung TV, the right to design your kitchen interior, a cash prize of 100 million1, and the use of a mobile food truck sponsored by Ji Company. Commiserations to contestant Yonghi. You were also outstanding. Would you like to say a few words? Yungi spoke calmly. Although I didn’t win the championship, I learned a great deal from this program. I realized I still have many shortcomings, much more to learn. There are still weaknesses I need to improve upon. Cooking Royal Court cuisine was truly a wonderful time. And I also congratulate Kong Seung Hun. I was happy to compete with you. It was an honor for me. Se Hun turned, looking at Yang Hi with surprise. Did she no longer suspect him of cheating? Judge Mong turned to ask Sun Hoon how he felt about winning the championship. Seung Hune bowed respectfully. I thank everyone who has followed, supported, and encouraged me throughout this time. I sincerely thank you. I send my thanks and love to my mother and younger sister who have always loved, encouraged, and cared for me most sincerely. I also want to thank my seniors at the Rio Hotel. Without everyone, I certainly wouldn’t be standing here today. Thank you to all the viewers who watched and cherish me. The program ended. Sun Hun walked alone down the television station corridor, his mind filled with tangled thoughts. The competition was over. He had thought victory would bring everlasting joy, but somehow a flicker of emptiness remained in his heart. He walked aimlessly, then looked up to see Yang Hei standing before him, also preparing to leave. The two looked at each other, neither saying a word, silently passing by. Could be that Yangi still didn’t accept his victory. No. Yungi stopped saying softly, “Sung Hune, why set on stage with sincere congratulations?” Having said that, Yungi walked straight on without looking back. Yungis words resolved a knot in Sun Hoons heart. He smiled and raised his hand in response. “It was also an honor for me to compete against you. Goodbye. See you again.” Yonghi instinctively turned her head back. Seeing Sun Hun hurrying towards his beloved family, they embraced each other, brimming with happiness. She smiled cheerfully, thinking to herself, “Anyway, I had the chance to enter the finals as a talented chef, so that’s already a success. I’ll keep trying. Keep going, Ju Yong Hi.” As she was walking leisurely, a young man suddenly approached to greet her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ju Yong Hi.” He handed her a business card. Yung Hi accepted the business card in surprise. He was a program producer. He mentioned that he had been following Master Chef, was very impressed with the delicious dishes Yungi made and extended an invitation. I’m preparing a new show that will be broadcast on the YouTube platform. Yangi, are you interested? Join me. Yi was taken aback by the offer, but she gladly accepted immediately. Yangi had participated in Master Chef to enhance her image and attract media attention. Now her wish was beginning to materialize. After being broadcast on KBC channel, the Master Chef program achieved record high ratings, creating a social sensation. Many people showed interest and praised the program. Not only that, the champion Kong Seong Hoon’s name quickly became famous, consequently boosting the reputation of the Rio Hotel. Fans even established a fan club for him, and the membership rapidly surpassed 30,000 people. In stark contrast to the popularity of the Master Chef program and its contestants was Go GI song. At this time, he was facing public criticism amid suspicions of accepting bribes for false advertising. Even the main producer of KBC station was suspected of being involved with Go. Faced with the continuous uncovering of scandals, they finally had to bow their heads and admit everything. Go confessed and pointed out the mastermind behind it all. Consequently, head chef Park Hyen, after resigning from the Hilton Hotel, was sentenced to 2 years in prison. The chairman of the luxury hotel chef’s association, Bang Sanji, was also sentenced to 3 years in prison for bribery. In the end, the wrongdoers had to face the punishment of the law. The next day, at a coffee shop, Sun Hune and Mina were on a date. Although they dressed very discreetly, they were still recognized by people around them. After the program aired, his fame had spread throughout the country. However, Sun Hun still couldn’t adapt to being the center of attention everywhere, all the time. The once quiet coffee shop suddenly became noisy. Song Mina jumped up, asking loudly, “What did you do?” Her action drew the attention of everyone in the shop. Sung Hune looked flustered, scratching his chin, unsure how to answer. What on earth had happened to make her so agitated? It was unclear what Seung Hun had said to provoke such a reaction from Song Mina.