First, the cameo offer was accepted.
Actually, in this part, the problem was more on Heavenly Yuah’s or Moon Suyeon’s side rather than ours, but since both projects had investments from Heavenly Financial, it all naturally worked out.
It’s just that it wasn’t mentioned to me, but internally, the discussion had already been concluded?
Right now, they’re discussing with the writer which scene the two actors, who are currently appearing in other works, will make their cameo appearances in.
Our side?
There’s no reason for our side to reject it.
I mean, compare me with Heavenly Yuah + Moon Suyeon, where exactly would our side gain an advantage?
Obviously, our drama gains the most advantage.
Because, you see, not one but two people – Heavenly Yuah and Moon Suyeon – will be coming in for a cameo.
Moreover, through some media plays, the three works might even be tied together as rivals.
“Investments, cameos, and even media plays. With this much groundwork laid, it can’t fail, right? I’m really going to make this work.”
Writer Ok also decided to give it his all.
Since the actors are doing so much for us, we’d have to accept it, right?
There was no particular reason for the production company or the PD side to oppose such a proposal.
That’s how Writer Ok managed to finalize the script, and now it’s in my hands.
This happened during a meeting among the main cast where Writer Ok handed out the newly reassembled script.
“…My goodness…”
“No, how could this—”
Everyone is utterly speechless, mouths wide open, stunned.
It’s no wonder.
“Wait, is Juon supposed to be an alien who crash-landed on Cheese-Pia planet?”
“Even worse, he pretends to be a human to collect cheese energy sources…”
“And because of an apocalypse, only highly purified cheese energy can awaken the remaining Cheese-Pia citizens who are in deep sleep to survive…”
“The most efficient way to recover them is… Kang Min’s cheese sauce.”
“Therefore, Kang Min’s cheese sauce needs to be mass-produced?”
Whoa, this is crazy. I can feel my brain melting just thinking about Cheese-Pia…
Come on, I get that we wanted an over-the-top plot, but isn’t this taking it too far?
What’s worse, in the middle of the script, there’s a scene where the remnants of Cheese-Pia, failing to steal the recipe, conspire to raid Kang Min’s restaurant at night.
The French chef Kang Min, armed with Chinese chef’s knives, single-handedly knocks them all down.
After all, Kang Min once served as the leader of a bizarre anti-alien combat team.
“Wait, is this even a cooking drama?”
No, it’s not. Honestly, only something like this could handle Tae-kyu.
To make this drama succeed, we need to create an environment where Tae-kyu can shine as much as possible, which regular over-the-top drama can’t provide.
And it’s better to go all the way with something like this than to do it halfway.
Once such elements are included, we can pretty much laugh through anything else.
So far, no drama like this has ever been made, so whether good or bad, it will surely attract a lot of attention.
Let’s think positively. This is the best option.
“Ah, Writer Ok, are you sure this is okay?”
“Yes, it’s fine. PD Kim, we’ll add some CG elements, so could you prepare for that first? You know, if the CG looks weird, it definitely ruins everything!”
“No, this will just fail… CG or not, it’s doomed.”
“So you’re saying, you’re refusing? Do you know who I’m doing this for?”
“…Alright, I understand.”
PD Kim, too, protests at first but eventually concedes, realizing this might not work.
Indeed, a drama is all about the writers.
Until the final verdict comes in, no one can outdo the writer.
Especially since Writer Ok received additional funding, their influence grew even stronger.
“Hmph, this is incredibly fresh.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. I’ve watched all kinds of projects, but this is the most audacious setting I’ve ever seen.”
Upon reading the script, Tae-kyu exclaimed, astonished by how unique it was.
Of course, that’s expected.
A sane person wouldn’t attempt to create a drama like this.
“But I think it could work. It feels like reading a comedic webtoon. Everyone says it’s over-the-top, nonsense, but compare it to that popular drama, ‘Gold Rush, Joseon.’ This feels less over-the-top compared to Joseon turning into steampunk; aliens are tame in comparison.”
However, his enthusiasm doesn’t last long. The two female actors and even the PD are almost on the verge of meltdown, but Tae-kyu’s eyes are glowing with excitement.
This guy truly believes this will succeed.
He’s really extraordinary.
I may not like him treating the set like his personal practice space, but I do have to admit, his confidence is impressive.
Of course, comparing Gold Rush, Joseon to Cheese-Pia aliens is absurd.
Seriously? Comparing aliens from Cheese-Pia with steampunk Joseon… Does this guy have a single sane thought in his head?
Still, at least he seems pleased with his role, which is a relief.
“By the way, will I be able to act this? It’s a really challenging role, honestly.”
But here’s another strange thing: he’s worrying about something he doesn’t need to.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Tae-kyu, you can just do what you usually do.”
“Huh? But the emotional depth seems very complex, and I don’t even know how to approach it.”
“That will be handled by the PD on set.”
“…Alright, I’ll try it.”
Seriously? This guy is actually worried about acting this role, when all he has to do is use a mechanical human persona with Hyekyung (Yoon Yeonhee), and nod blankly when interacting with the other supporting cast?
It’s hard to tell now, but this guy seems more impressive than I imagined.
“Honestly, is everyone insane?”
Other than Tae-kyu, who is somewhat satisfied, the two female actors are already mentally broken.
So we took a short break, during which Yoon Yeonhee, who was playing Hyekyung, was chain-smoking in the smoking room.
She seems to be on the verge of losing her mind from sheer stress.
Of course, this reaction is justified.
Even I, who had anticipated the extreme absurdity of this script, was surprised.
But now is the time to cling to even the smallest possibility.
In particular, for this kind of work, it’s important that the acting holds up so it doesn’t look cheap.
In order to maintain even a thin thread of hope, Yoon Yeonhee will have to give it her all.
“What’s up?”
So, I wanted to have a conversation with her, but unsurprisingly, she’s defensive.
It’s something I expected.
I already knew what kind of actor Yoon Yeonhee was through rumors about Heavenly Yuah and Nam Hyun-ho.
Nam Hyun-ho once told me about an incident at an action workshop.
While shooting with Heavenly Yuah, Yoon Yeonhee allegedly got a stomach punch from Heavenly Demon and had to briefly go to the hospital.
That’s this actress.
Even Heavenly Yuah said it might be better to avoid working with her because of her attitude problems.
Still, there is one thing we can leverage: this actress strongly dislikes Heavenly Yuah.
It’s understandable, considering how intensely prideful she is, and on top of that, she ended up in the hospital after a supposed ‘accident’ with Heavenly Yuah.
Whether anyone witnessed or has proof is unclear, but she probably suspects Heavenly Yuah of intentionally hitting her.
Nevertheless, this gives her a strong motivation to compete.
“And you aren’t satisfied with the script?”
“How could I not be? This is even worse than a children’s game.”
“But we need to win this, don’t we? We need to outdo Senior Yuah.”
“With this? Are you serious?”
“Yes, exactly because of this, it has more chances. Over-the-top drama always has some unpredictability, you know.”
“Over-the-top is one thing, but this is—”
“So, if you’re sure we can pull off a well-made drama, go for it.”
“What?”
“Haven’t you been losing to Senior Yuah for years now?”
An interesting fact: this actress has had a history of following Heavenly Yuah’s projects.
She would wait for Heavenly Yuah’s work to be announced, then join the competition project, only to fail miserably each time.
Of course, from the start, she can’t beat Heavenly Yuah. They’re just on completely different levels.
Realistically, for her to beat Heavenly Yuah, she would need a huge risk that somehow pays off—like making a completely unpredictable hit like our current project.
“Personally, I’d go for something unconventional. Or, if you prefer, you can keep blaming the script and do it half-heartedly, like a tail-between-legs puppy.”
“…How dare you!”
“You know what? I’ll share an interesting piece of information.”
“…What?”
“While competing, Senior Yuah reportedly said this about you: ‘I don’t even consider her worth stomping on.’”
“…What did she say?”
“I said, she doesn’t even see you as worth stomping on.”
“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU!”
“Seems like you’ve already given up, huh?”
“…Are you done yet?”
As soon as I mentioned Heavenly Yuah, she instantly ignited.
Yeah, Heavenly Yuah’s provocation was strong.
It makes sense; people tend to change after experiencing the so-called ‘Heavenly Demon Punch.’
Even Jo Yoo-shin, who got a punch from the New Religion leader, might feel the same way.
By the way, what’s that guy up to these days? Is he eating properly?
Anyway…
After handling Yoon Yeonhee like that, all that’s left is Lee Hyerin, who needs to be approached differently.
“You’re serious? Investments from Siwoo’s side?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
To Lee Hyerin, who generally sides with the weak, I subtly hinted at news of investments coming from my side first to build some intimacy.
“This is a secret—Senior Yuah actually wanted to join this drama.”
“Come on, really? …Wait, are you serious?”
By revealing that the clearly higher-ranking Heavenly Yuah wanted to join this drama, I made this project seem even more appealing.
And it wasn’t even a lie.
Even if it was before the drama turned into pure absurdist chaos, it’s true Heavenly Yuah had her eye on this project.
“Why is she suddenly getting so worked up and making such a fuss?”
As Lee Hyerin hesitates, seeing Yoon Yeonhee burning with a sense of vengeance will also light a fire under her.
Thinking that a drama that Heavenly Yuah eyed and Yoon Yeonhee is pouring her heart into is worth competing in.
Especially since Lee Hyerin hates being outshone by someone she views as inferior, this should push her to deliver a decent performance.
I think with this approach, even if the script is absurd, they won’t give a lackluster performance.
*
-Michelin three stars. That’s my goal.
-Why? Can’t I do it? Is there any emotion left in me…?
-Senpai, this time, I’ll protect you.
-Don’t. Forget. The. Contract. Fromage Fantastique. We must discover its secret!
Then, the teaser trailer for “Restaurant, Fromage” was released.
Set against the backdrop of a restaurant, Bai Shiou (Kang Min), Yeonhee (Yoon Yeonhee), and Hyerim (Lee Hyerin) appear frame by frame, with the final shot featuring Juon (Choi Tae-kyu).
The teaser’s protagonist was clearly Juon.
With his eyes glowing fully green and speaking like an artificial intelligence, Juon clearly wasn’t a normal human being.
Judging by the teaser alone, this drama was utterly enigmatic.
On the very next day, the second teaser dropped, showing strong visuals of Bai Shiou wielding Chinese chef’s knives and chopping vegetables like a madman.
Wearing only an unbuttoned dress shirt, Bai Shiou was clearly no ordinary chef.
His physique and musculature were not those of a chef at all.
-???
-What have I just watched???
-Wait, isn’t this supposed to be a romantic restaurant drama??
-Is our Tae-kyu older brother maybe an alien??
A wave of question threads erupted across various drama communities online.
Even seasoned drama fans couldn’t figure out exactly what kind of drama this was.
