Michelin Chef Goes to Joseon (1)
A Two-Star Michelin Chef, Kim Inhyeok, Crosses Time to the Joseon
I now stand before the 21st king of Joseon — King Yeongjo.
“Kim Inhyeok, chef of the Royal Kitchen, hear my words.”
King Yeongjo’s solemn voice broke the heavy silence of the throne hall.
I bowed deeply, lowering my head in reverence.
“You have prepared the royal meals with utmost devotion, upholding the dignity of the palace and fulfilling my will.
Your culinary talent has brought new winds to Joseon, and thus, from this day forward, you shall ascend to the position of Jejo, a second-rank official of the Royal Kitchen.
This is not a title of skill alone but one of great responsibility.
May your sincerity and craft illuminate the palace and reach the hearts of my people.
Continue to serve the throne and the nation with all your strength.”
“Your Majesty’s grace is beyond measure,” I answered.
No sooner had the King’s speech ended than a familiar notification sound echoed.
Ding!
Before my eyes, a translucent window appeared — the last status screen I would ever see.
[Main Quest]
[“Become the Jejo (2nd Rank Official) of the Royal Kitchen.”]
[Progress: 100%]
[Main Quest completed. User ‘Kim Inhyeok’ — system permanently deactivated.]
‘Finally… it’s over!’
I sighed in relief, laughing silently to myself.
That cursed system had nearly gotten me executed more than once.
As I closed my eyes, memories of my perilous journey flashed before me — and I felt my blood run cold.
Earlier…
“This year’s really gone to hell.”
Seongsu-dong, Seoul.
Fine-dining Korean restaurant Yulhajeong.
Kim Inhyeok, owner and Michelin two-star chef, looked around the empty restaurant and sighed.
Ever since a celebrity chef opened a new place on the next block, his reservations had plummeted.
“Seriously… ever heard of business ethics? This is infuriating.”
He muttered bitterly and began extinguishing the candles one by one.
“Guess I’ll just head home. Should’ve gone to a year-end party instead.”
He was locking the door when unfamiliar footsteps approached.
“Excuse me — are you Chef Kim Inhyeok?”
“Yes, but we’re closed for the night,” Inhyeok replied, his voice weary.
The man in front of him was sharply dressed in a black suit, carrying a leather briefcase — very formal, very stiff.
“Could I have a moment of your time? I’ve come to deliver something.”
“To me?”
What is this, some weird cult recruiter?
Sensing Inhyeok’s suspicion, the man bowed politely.
“I’m here to deliver a keepsake from your late maternal grandfather.”
“…Sorry? My grandfather? I’m an orphan — I don’t have one.”
He didn’t even know who his parents were, and now someone was claiming to represent his grandfather?
Unfazed by his confusion, the man continued coolly.
“I only need your signature for receipt. Here.”
He handed Inhyeok a box about the size of a forearm and a paper form.
With a reluctant scrawl, Inhyeok signed it — and the man bowed once and left without another word.
“What the hell… seriously, what kind of day is this?”
Still grumbling, Inhyeok locked up and started walking home.
As he walked, curiosity got the better of him. He opened the box — and burst out laughing.
“Ha! A… rice paddle?”
Inside was a very old wooden rice paddle, worn smooth, one edge cracked.
It looked worthless, an ancient utensil past repair.
“What, did they think this was some kind of heirloom treasure?”
He clicked his tongue and brushed its surface gently, careful not to break it.
Oddly enough, despite the cold night air, the old paddle felt warm.
Then, suddenly — a faint blue light filled his vision.
A translucent square window appeared in front of him.
“…What the hell?”
Before he could react, text began to form.
[System booting…]
[User detected. Synchronization initiating…]
“What?! Synchronization?!”
Panicking, Inhyeok stumbled back, waving his hands through the air — but the glowing window followed his gaze, unwavering.
A progress bar appeared and began filling rapidly.
“No, no, no — why’s it going up?! Stop!”
But his protests meant nothing.
The bar hit 100%, flashing brilliantly, and another message appeared.
[Synchronization complete.]
“Oh… crap.”
A cold shiver ran down his spine — and instinct told him something had gone terribly wrong.
Moments later, brilliant light burst from the paddle, engulfing him completely.
When the light faded… there was no one left standing in the street.
“Ugh…”
The world was spinning. His stomach lurched.
After dry-heaving for what felt like forever, Inhyeok steadied himself and looked around —
and froze.
Low-roofed clay houses, dirt roads, people in straw shoes, the smell of burning wood in the air, horse hooves clopping in the distance.
“…Did I just teleport to a folk village?”
Impossible.
But one thing was clear — this wasn’t Seoul.
As he blinked, still disoriented, a familiar glowing screen appeared.
“Oh, for crying out loud…”
Before he could finish the thought, an overwhelming flood of information rushed into his head.
The once-blank screen filled with text.
[Synchronization Data]
Name: Kim Inhyeok (17 / Unmarried)
Family: Jeonju Kim Clan
Status: Second son of Grand Scholar Kim Jaehwon
Occupation: Apprentice Cook, Royal Kitchen (8th Rank)
Era: Joseon, 5th year of King Yeongjo’s reign (1729)
He gaped in disbelief.
A literal game-like status screen — floating in the air.
Then, a chilling realization struck him.
That old paddle he’d received.
“Don’t tell me… that thing did this?”
He reached into his pockets — nothing.
Instead, he noticed the light blue robe he was wearing and the gat (a Joseon-era hat) on his head.
His casual modern clothes were gone.
He stared, dumbfounded, sure he’d lost his mind.
But the system didn’t care about his sanity.
[Main Quest]
[“Captivate King Yeongjo’s palate and become the Jejo (2nd-Rank Official) of the Royal Kitchen!”]
[Current Progress: 0%]
“Joseon…?!”
He wanted to scream.
Just a minute ago, he’d been outside his restaurant in Seoul.
‘If this is a dream, I’ll wake up. If not, I’ll find that damn paddle and get out of here.’
Determined, he began walking quickly through the dark streets, ignoring the glowing window that followed him everywhere.
Then —
a man in shabby clothes ran toward him, panting hard.
“Sir! Young master! Where are you off to again? You must go home at once — madam insisted you come straight back!”
“…Who are you?”
“Oh heavens, young master, this is no time for jokes! Madam’s waiting!”
Another window appeared in his sight.
[Information]
Name: Manseok
Status: Servant of Grand Scholar Kim Jaehwan’s household
“Manseok…?”
“Yes, sir! So you do remember! You’ve been drinking again, haven’t you? Madam will scold you! Quickly, let’s go!”
Before Inhyeok could protest, the man grabbed his arm with shocking strength and dragged him through winding alleys until they reached a large tiled-roof house.
A red lantern hung at the gate, casting a warm glow.
“Wait—! I’m not your young master!”
“Enough nonsense, sir! Inside you go — and don’t even think about sneaking out tonight!”
The man shoved him into a room and slammed the door shut behind him.
“Hah…”
Left alone, Inhyeok exhaled.
“What the hell is happening…”
The small room was simple — white papered walls, a low table, a cushion, and a single oil lamp flickering faintly.
The glowing screen still hovered in front of him, now completely blank.
“This… isn’t a dream.”
The pain in his arm, the sound of footsteps, the smell of oil — all of it was too real.
Just as he was trying to gather his thoughts, a voice came from outside.
“You’re back?”
“Ah—!”
The calm, authoritative tone wasn’t the servant’s.
Before he could react, the door slid open, and a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard stepped inside.
“Tsk. You can’t even answer when spoken to?”
The moment the man entered, his deep, commanding voice filled the room —
and the blank status window flickered back to life.
[Information]
Name: Kim Jaehwan
Status: Head of the Jeonju Kim Clan
Occupation: Chief Scholar of the Hongmungwan, Jejo (2nd Rank) of the Royal Kitchen
