Cheat day

Tired People and Depressed People (3)

First, Yuk Hye-rin compiled the issues she had organized along with the opinions of Park Jeong-a and Joo Ji-seung.

“The problem seems to be that lunch hour needs to attract office workers, but accessibility is poor,” Joo Ji-seung started.

There are plenty of food options from the market entrance, and many restaurants along the main road, so it seems unnecessary to venture deeper into the area.

It’s about a 10-minute walk from the nearby office, which means a total travel time of about 20 minutes. If the food takes 5 to 10 minutes to prepare, that means they would have to rush, making it a barrier for customers to visit Yuk Hye-rin’s shop.

“Even if we can’t move the shop, we need to make it a place worth visiting,” he added.

Yuk Hye-rin and Park Jeong-a listened intently.

“In fact, yukhoe is a bit too much of a burden for a lunch menu, including the price. However, I found the 물육회 (water yukhoe) with buckwheat noodles very tasty and unique. How about reducing the amount of yukhoe and shifting towards yukhoe cold noodles?”

“Oh.”

While yukhoe isn’t suitable for lunch, cold noodles are different. They can be appealing in the summer and also during spring, fall, and winter.

Moreover, the combination of yukhoe and the sweet and sour broth with buckwheat noodles provided a taste that was unlike anything else.

“If it’s a signature menu item from someone featured on the show, people will definitely endure the effort, just like when the shop first opened. Plus, it can work well for delivery too.”

“Cold noodles usually have a high order volume for delivery,” Park Jeong-a added.

“If we reduce the amount of yukhoe, we can also adjust the costs. How much are we currently using?”

“About 400g,” Yuk Hye-rin replied.

“That’s too much. What if we reduced it to just 50g?”

“Considering the profit margin… um… I think we could price it at around 12,000 won. Ah, maybe 11,000 won.”

“These days, cold noodle prices have been over 10,000 won for a while. Given that it includes yukhoe, that price should be reasonable.”

At Joo Ji-seung’s words, Yuk Hye-rin and Park Jeong-a nodded.

“Can I say something?” Baek Woo-jin raised his hand.

Not being an expert in the food industry, he was a bit more cautious than usual.

“This place is too clean.”

“Oh.”

While cleanliness is essential for a restaurant, I quickly understood what Baek Woo-jin meant.

The inside of the shop has a charming café vibe. Everything is pristine white, with only black accents on the tables.

The chopsticks and spoons are also beautiful, making it not feel like a place for eating yukhoe.

“When people think of yukhoe, they usually imagine having a drink. But this atmosphere doesn’t convey that at all.”

“That’s a valid point,” Joo Ji-seung agreed.

“I think it looks great for taking pictures, so we should consider that more,” I added, prompting everyone to think a bit deeper.

“But the bigger problem is dinner. While we might have a lunch option with yukhoe cold noodles, not many people eat cold noodles for dinner,” Yuk Hye-rin looked at me with wide eyes.

That was a bit daunting.

“I don’t know much about this, but I like to visit restaurants and read reviews, so I’ve seen something,” Yuk Hye-rin nodded.

“There’s a small space next to the shop. If we add a couple of tables and chairs, it might solve the issue of the narrow shop and create a nice ambiance. Imagine enjoying a plate of yukhoe and a glass of soju outdoors.”

“That could work once the weather gets warmer,” Joo Ji-seung chimed in, supportive of my suggestion.

“It could be beneficial, but running a food business is different from managing alcohol sales. If we go that route, drinks would be served at every table, which might be hard to manage alone,” Park Jeong-a raised a realistic concern.

It’s true that dealing with drunk customers wouldn’t be easy, but it seems Yuk Hye-rin is prepared to tackle any challenges as long as business picks up.

That once timid person now wore a rather determined expression.

“I will do it.”

***

After a week of research, Yuk Hye-rin succeeded in transforming 물육회 into yukhoe cold noodles.

The first recorded segment was uploaded to the Banyasikgyeong channel, and it seems that business has improved since then, as Yuk Hye-rin let out a sigh of relief.

The cold noodles made with yukhoe and a water-based seasoning base were exactly the flavor we expected, and after being introduced on the Banyasikgyeong channel, lunch orders surged starting the very next day.

In particular, delivery orders skyrocketed, prompting her mother, who used to run a food truck, to close her business and come help at the shop, filling me with a sense of pride.

“Wow. The view count is really good,” Joo Ji-seung remarked as he checked the two videos uploaded on the Banyasikgyeong channel.

The video from a week ago recorded 1.8 million views, while the second video just surpassed 500,000.

“I’m happy that we’re doing well and Hye-rin is doing well too, but I’m even happier that the comment culture seems to be changing,” Joo Ji-seung said with a contented smile.

Considering how much mental anguish can come from negative comments in this line of work, I had honestly wondered if that was even possible, but it seems the number of supportive comments from the Nam Sadangpa has been increasing.

“The news also aired,” Baek Woo-jin said, his shoulders nearly at his chin as he turned on the television.

The scenery of Yangyang Beach, which we visited last Wednesday, appeared on screen.

Baek Woo-jin collaborated with a YouTuber he knew; he usually travels to beaches around the country, collecting trash for recycling, and we decided to join him to promote our channel while cleaning up at Yangyang.

Even though it was winter and there weren’t any surfers, upon arrival, the area around the beach was filled with noisy entertainment establishments, making it chaotic and overwhelming.

“Have you heard of Nam Sadangpa? Many people think of traditional farmers’ bands, but it’s a trend on YouTube right now.”

“This is the WTV entertainment YouTube channel. Netizens who posted about the Nam Sadangpa are sending supportive messages like ‘Be happy,’ ‘Make a lot of money,’ and ‘Don’t work too hard.'”

“Reading negative comments affects me even though I’m not involved. I started this because I could get chicken.”

“Nam Sadangpa is a crew newly named by Ban Chan-yong, Cha Ji-chan, Baek Woo-jin, and Joo Ji-seung, who are cast members of the popular WTV show, Baekban Dda-ra.”

“Last year, these young people created a positive impact on society by providing healthy lunch boxes and participating in a nationwide hiking event, and this time, they’re rolling up their sleeves to create a positive online environment.”

“They’re running content that secretly helps those in need by giving chicken coupons to people who leave positive comments.”

“They’ve given farmers a day off, offered solutions to struggling small business owners, and even collected 2 tons of trash from a beach in Yangyang late at night.”

“How did you start doing this?”

“(Influencer Ban Chan-yong) It’s about image management. We need to look good to get positive attention.”

“Considering the time and financial costs, is it feasible just for that purpose?”

“(Influencer Ban Chan-yong) We’re filming and uploading videos, right? We want to be viewed positively. We can make money and feel fulfilled. I also think it’s nice if we can bring joy to others while helping each other out.”

Ban Chan-yong says there’s nothing to lose by doing good deeds; rather, one ends up gaining more.

Attention is now focused on whether the culture of helping neighbors and spreading kind words can take root.

“Hey, but why are you the only one getting interviewed?”

When the video ended, Cha Ji-chan frowned and asked.

“Exactly. Why him? I’m here too!”

Baek Woo-jin seemed quite disgruntled as well.

“This guy is treated like a celebrity. We’re not the same,” Cha Ji-chan added.

“Oh, come on. Anyone can do an interview.”

“Well, I guess I’m not anyone, so I couldn’t do it.”

“I think he’s starting to think he’s good-looking.”

“Ah! Hyung! You’re the worst!”

Cha Ji-chan openly insulted me, and Baek Woo-jin made me feel even more embarrassed.

I’m used to criticism, but I rarely get accustomed to compliments.

“Why? Is that sincere?”

“Ah! Stop it!”

“Ugh, hehehe.”

As we joked around like usual, time flew by quickly.

It was time for Muk Eun-ji and PD Lee Ji-hye to reach out.

“It’s about time we heard from them,” I said.

“Right? Is it not going well?”

“Ah, PD Eun-ji went, right? It’s probably just taking longer than expected.”

***

“1,000 chickens are too few. I would prefer 4,000 chickens,” Muk Eun-ji’s proposal surprised the marketing manager of the new chicken franchise, Padak Padak Chicken, Kyeong Jeong-bong.

They had hoped to supply chicken for the “Get Happy” event, leveraging the attention Nam Sadangpa had generated, in order to secure a positive brand image, but the amount they were asking for was unexpected.

Padak Padak Chicken’s main product, fried chicken, is priced at 20,000 won, meaning supplying 4,000 chickens would cost 80 million won.

For Padak Padak Chicken, which was expecting a big impact from a small investment, this was a dilemma.

“4,000 chickens?”

“4,000 chickens,” Muk Eun-ji confirmed.

Kyeong Jeong-bong asked again in hopes of a different response, but Muk Eun-ji’s answer was resolute.

“Well, how about 2,000 chickens?”

“4,000 chickens.”

Muk Eun-ji didn’t waver in the slightest.

Lee Ji-hye, the PD, didn’t quite understand what Muk Eun-ji was thinking but remained silent, knowing that she had successfully facilitated deals in the past.

“What about 2,500 chickens? That’s 2.5 times our original offer.”

Lee Ji-hye thought this seemed reasonable for negotiation.

She felt it was inappropriate to demand more from Padak Padak Chicken, who had initially offered to help with the “Get Happy” event.

“4,000 chickens.”

However, Muk Eun-ji did not budge in the slightest.

“Phew. PD, we’re giving this in good faith, so we really can’t go beyond this. Let’s settle on 3,000 chickens.”

“4,000 chickens.”

Muk Eun-ji showed Kyeong Jeong-bong some documents.

“This is the list of winners from the first event.”

Kyeong Jeong-bong hastily flipped through the thick folder. The last page had the number 1,000 written on it, indicating that there were 1,000 winners from the first round.

“Now that we’re entering the second week, the number of participants has increased significantly compared to the first week. Therefore, we need additional supplies beyond the original 3,000 chickens we secured.”

“…….”

“In addition to Padak Padak Chicken, 11 other chicken franchises have contacted Nam Sadangpa for sponsorship, support, and advertising inquiries.”

Kyeong Jeong-bong was taken aback.

If several competitors were already reaching out, it would be difficult to expect significant advertising effects.

“Nonetheless, the reason we approached Padak Padak Chicken first is that your company promised pure support, rather than advertising or PPL.”

“Y-yes, that’s correct!”

“But we know your company is expecting advertising benefits. No company invests funds in something without returns.”

Kyeong Jeong-bong was rendered speechless.

Advertising formats weren’t necessary.

Padak Padak Chicken had judged that they could gain a meaningful image through this significant event, branding themselves as a supporter of Nam Sadangpa in the media by providing chickens for free.

“We can partner at any time. Additionally, several brands whose images have deteriorated due to rising chicken prices are very eager to partner with us.”

That was certainly plausible.

With rising delivery fees and 30,000 won chickens, various companies had built up negative reputations, so they would want to improve their images through this event.

“You reached out to us instead of companies willing to give you 10,000 chickens, so shouldn’t Padak Padak Chicken also show sincerity?”

Words failed him, no matter how many mouths he had.

Hearing Muk Eun-ji’s explanation made the request for 4,000 chickens sound trivial.

However, if he were to spend 80 million won, shouldn’t there at least be some form of advertising or PPL involved?

‘This is insane.’

Yet, since the agreement was firmly based on goodwill from the start, he had no justification to bring up advertising.

“……Then, let’s go with 4,000 chickens.”

“Thinking it over, that doesn’t add up.”

“Excuse me?”

“Please give us 5,000 chickens.”

PD Lee Ji-hye slowly shook her head at the audacious act unfolding right before her eyes.