Friends: Episode 3 Lee Gi Hoon's Daily Life
Introducing "new friend" Lee Gi Hoon, a young CEO in the coffee industry, who reveals his daily life on Friends.
MCs: Lee Sang Min, Heechul, Seunghee (Oh My Girl), Shindong
Lee Gi Hoon's Daily Life Reveal
After the introduction of "new friend" Gihoon earlier in the episode ("Friend-some Day" meet-up with Dokyun), time to learn more about his daily life. Next day, 9am. A day off for Gihoon. Bright morning sunshine lights up the house as he is already up to start the day. "He does look like Seunggi," says Heechul. Quite handsome.
Gihoon's Breakfast Menu
As soon as Gihoon wakes up, the first thing is coffee! Of course~ He takes out a gooseneck water kettle, and then a tea bag? Turns out to be coffee in a tea bag. He pours in hot water to allow the coffee to steep. He says, "Coffee tastes best when you drink it as soon as you wake up...It feels like a dose of nutrients." Next, he begins to prepare breakfast to have with his dose of caffeine. A healthy menu consisting of fresh salad, an apple, and chicken breast but that is not all. In addition, his favorite breakfast menu is... raw oysters!
"I like raw oysters. I've liked oysters ever since I was young," he says. As a child, he would visit the market with his grandmother. The oysters are scooped up into a bag so he would take it out to eat as a snack on the way home. "I eat a lot of oysters during winter," he says. Shindong is shocked, "He just eats it like that?" For breakfast, he really just pops the oysters into his mouth as is. No condiments needed.
CEO Gihoon's Concerns
While enjoying breakfast, he gets a phone call from an employee about work matters. Even on a day off. Surprised by the sudden report, Gihoon gasps loudly. Shindong wonders, "Did something happen? He can't even eat..."
Gihoon says, "We have a lot of partners. We have a good relationship, but I keep hearing unfortunate news. Times are tough. There's not much sales right now, so they try to reduce costs by using cheaper beans. I understand, but it's a pity to hear such news. It breaks my heart..."
As Heechul says, "Because of Covid-19..." Customer turnover is low nowadays so businesses need to reduce cost wherever possible. Note: Gihoon's company is the official distributor of Australian brand Dukes Coffee in Korea.
After breakfast, Gihoon brings out his laptop. Even a company CEO needs to work from home. Another call comes in... Despite hoping for some good news this time, it turns out to be more bad news. The employee reports sudden news of another employee's resignation. Like Heechul says, "Being a CEO must be hard." Sangmin can relate, "Of course it's hard." Managing people is the hardest task as Gihoon sighs deeply. He says, "It's morning, but I already feel weighed down." Despite laughing and joking around about how heavy his hoodie is, one can feel the weight of the burden on his shoulders. After receiving 2 gloomy phone calls, he enters the bedroom and plops face down on the bed. Eventually, a mental shock... sigh...
Exercise to Relieve Stress
Later, mysterious grunting sounds can be heard... "Aigoo" as Shindong is confused by what is going on. Turns out, Gihoon is in the midst of working out. Inhaling and exhaling heavily. This unfamiliar equipment is a rowing machine that mimics rowing exercises. Helps improve cardiorespiratory endurance.
Gihoon says, "Actually, I'm not the type to yell. But when I breathe out while exercising, it relieves stress. As if I am shouting."
A healthy way to train the mind and body. Sangmin says, "It's a very difficult full-body workout." Shindong agree on how it is really difficult. While Heechul thinks, "Isn't it just pulling...?" Nope, no. Though it does look like just pulling, the main exercise is the lower body. Seunghee watches with amazement. It really is a total body workout. While he is exercising, the phone rings again so he stops to take the call. The work never ends for a CEO...
Gihoon's Cooking Skills
3pm, Gihoon is now in the kitchen preparing for the guests. Some employees are invited over for dinner while they meet to wrap up the week. Instead of ordering delivery, he plans to cook delicious food himself. Food ingredient #1 is... oysters again! The MCs crack up seeing the box of oysters. Shindong teases, "At this rate, he should be in the oyster business instead of coffee." Gihoon uses a toothbrush to thoroughly clean the oysters. Next, food ingredient #2 is a huge chunk of pork. Whoa~ Is he going to make suyuk (boiled pork)...?
The slab of pork is evenly sliced into thick pieces and nicely seasoned with salt and black pepper. The pork is then packed into bags...? Then fresh rosemary and sliced lemongrass are also added to the packs. What kind of food is he preparing? Gihoon explains, "It's sous vide where food is cooked slowly over a long time at a low temperature." The temp is usually set around 60℃ for pork or beef. That way, the meat juice is much better preserved. Shindong excitedly says, "I'm having that tonight!" Sangmin teases, "You can't do it, you're too impatient. It takes hours..."
Gihoon crushes a piece of leftover lemongrass, and adds it to a glass of sparkling water for a refreshing beverage. A head of kimchi is then chopped up and added to the other pack of pork. Shindong wonders, "Is that kimchi jjim?" Time to start cooking sous vide~ A bunch of fancy devices show up that are unfamiliar to the MCs. Gihoon plugs in the sous vide immersion circulator. Then air is removed from the prepared packs using a vacuum sealer. Lastly, he sets the right temperature (50℃ - 60℃) and submerges the prepared vacuum packs into the pot of water. Heechul is amazed by the fancy cooking techniques. A final step is to sear the meat on a well-heated pan to add color.
Meat Party at Home With Staff
While Gihoon prepares the dinner table with sincerity, the doorbell rings. The special guests have arrived, greeting the CEO like close friends. As he reveals, it must be the 6th or 7th time already for the employees who have come often. Quite a lot for the last 3 months. Now that all the dinner guests are here, Gihoon takes the meat and gives it a final sear on the pan. Sizzling~ The MCs go crazy once the meat is sliced on the cutting board. Whoa~ Beautiful pink center, cooked so well... Torturous to look at! Daebak~
The meat party begins! Menu #1 is light and moist sous vide pork. Menu #2 is sous vide pork with plenty of kimchi. And menu #3 is bright and fresh oysters. Heechul jokes, "That employee who is quitting should come to eat. Could work for at least 3 more months." Gihoon proposes a toast, "Thank you for your hard work this week!" Cheers! The employees have a sip of cold beer and enjoy the food deliciously. Yum~
The reason why Gihoon sits together like this to have a meal with his staff is... "It's like an expression of gratitude," he says. "At the beginning, it felt like I got a new friend." A friend who he can openly communicate with, and also a dependable colleague who he can rely on. In this way, time goes by. Everyone is now in their 30s including himself as the business enters its 5th year. There are those who have gotten married and became a father, and those who are planning to get married. He asks 'Our sales must increase by what % next year?' while feeling a greater sense of responsibility. But because of the Covid-19 situation right now, the sales have suddenly dropped. He reveals, "It was difficult for me too, and I actually didn't see a way... My goal is to retain employment. I wish to get through this without losing anyone."
Who Will Be Gihoon's New Friend?
After enjoying a delicious meal, it is now time for the staff to go home. Gihoon sends them off while they thank him for the food. But thanks to the staff, Gihoon was able to relieve the pent-up stress from earlier today. "I feel like I'm going to have a good night's sleep tonight," he says. A staff jokes, "We're the best, right?" Chuckles~
Now that everyone has left, he plops down on the couch looking a little empty. A message alert arrives... The "Pick a Friend" capsule toy vending machine is here! He unboxes it, and reads out the names on the booklet. Seunghee teases, "Is he interested in her, hoxy (perhaps)?" Time to turn the knob~ Gihoon records the pivotal moment... The capsule comes out, and the MCs are all hoping for a guy/girl combo. His head drops, feeling flustered, after seeing only $30 for the allowance. The name is not revealed... He says, "I think we were meant to meet like this." Find out who the new friend will be later in the episode... to be continued...
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