I Want to Be a VTuber

"Just 100 days. Exactly 100 days."

A man in a suit looked around at the 20 people standing in front of the gray building and spoke.

"All you have to do is live in that building for exactly 100 days. During that period, we'll provide you with basic supplies and a few missions."

The gazes of the 20 people shifted to the building behind him. It was a lone structure built in the middle of a secluded mountain, hardly a place that could be considered ordinary.

"We won’t interfere with anything that happens inside. After 100 days, we’ll reward you with five billion won."

"Fi-five billion won?"

"Is that for real?"

"Of course."

The man in the suit smiled broadly, showing his white teeth.

"In other words, you all will decide how to split up the five billion won. The reward will go to the one who scores the highest in the missions. Think of it as the first place winner dividing the five billion won among you."

Everyone’s faces brightened. According to what he said, as long as they completed the missions and spent 100 days lazing around in that place, they’d walk away with at least 2.5 billion won each, provided the first-place winner distributed it evenly.

'With that money, I could pay off my debt and buy a house...' 'But...'

The people glanced at one another. The prize amount meant that if the number of participants decreased, the amount of money each person could take home would increase.

Realizing this, a tense silence spread among them.

"I’m telling you, folks, you’ve really lucked out with this opportunity."

The man in the suit, clean-cut and neat, beamed at them with a face devoid of malice. That only made the situation feel more surreal and heightened the tension.

"The Grand Game."

Just one hundred days.

"All you have to do is get along for that time. Really."

With that, the first episode of The Grand Game ended. The following day, the second episode aired, continuing directly from the events of the first.

In the first episode, they introduced the participants and the setting of The Grand Game. In the second, the story focused on the protagonist and the heroine.

"Someone is... they're targeting me."

The first month passed without incident. They completed missions, idly passed the time, and went about their days peacefully. One day, as the protagonist leisurely read a book, a woman knocked on his door, setting the scene.

"Since, uh, the fewer people there are, the more money we take home. So, surely..."

"Calm down."

The protagonist managed to remain composed, even in such circumstances. He navigated through the situation with logic and his intellect.

He attempted to catch the person who had first targeted him, but when he went to confront the man...

"He's dead. Already, by someone else."

The first murder. The moment the seemingly peaceful The Grand Game fractured. And thus, the second episode concluded.

The reaction was explosive. Discussions popped up across various communities, debating the details of the first and second episodes. Who could be the murderer?

Some complained that the protagonist was too flawless.

Despite some complaints, the overwhelming praise made PD Baek Tae-soo beam with joy.

He knew the drama would do well, but he hadn't anticipated such an enthusiastic response.

"Go Mieun did a fantastic job. She's one of the top actresses these days. Her performance was very steady."

Other staff members gave a thumbs-up, and Go Mieun, who was present, smiled bashfully.

"It’s all thanks to everyone’s hard work. I just followed the script and did my best."

"Oh, so humble!"

"It’s thanks to PD Baek for giving me this opportunity, so of course I should be humble."

Baek Tae-soo chuckled at her words. He’d managed to cast her at a reasonable rate, so it was a win-win situation.

"Isn’t Sky Garden airing today?"

"Yes, but considering the situation..."

The staff laughed among themselves.

'I was right to stick with PD Baek.' 'He sure knows how to pick a hit.'

While the others chuckled, PD Baek Tae-soo kept a composed expression, cracking only a slight smile. The others thought nothing of it, assuming he simply had no interest in Sky Garden.

Ju Seoyeon.

Meanwhile, Go Mieun, who had been cast as the heroine of The Grand Game, mentally repeated the name. She was also a lead actress in a KMB drama, like herself.

Ju Seoyeon was also the actress who had overshadowed her own achievements over the past year.

'This year should’ve been my year.'

This was Go Mieun’s third project of the year, her third drama.

All of them had achieved decent ratings, averaging over 10 percent each. Once as a supporting role, twice as the lead.

She’d received praise, particularly for her performance as a lead, which applied to The Grand Game as well. Yet, until The Grand Game aired, Go Mieun had not managed to make a strong impression on the public.

All because of Ju Seoyeon. The Chaser, multiple variety shows, and even Dream Future.

Each project was enough to bury Go Mieun.

This year was supposed to be Go Mieun’s year, but it was Ju Seoyeon’s as well.

'But, in the end, the one who laughs last wins.'

The end-of-year awards were approaching.

In the end, it all came down to who made the strongest impression.

If it were a movie, maybe Ju Seoyeon would win, but for drama, she was confident. Dream Future? She was sure she’d surpass it.

What was important now was the fact that Sky Garden was Ju Seoyeon’s first leading role in a drama.

She absolutely had to win.

The industry was small, and it was particularly tough for young actresses like Ju Seoyeon to land roles.

With that resolve, Go Mieun lit her competitive spirit, determined to emerge victorious with The Grand Game.

“What are you doing?”

Park Jungwoo asked, finding his father sitting in the dark on a large sofa.

“Waiting for tonight’s drama to air.”

His father’s tone was rigid. Park Jungwoo used to dislike it, but he’d grown accustomed to it by now.

His father, Park Sunwoong, was a legendary actor in Korea.

He’d never been involved in a failed movie or drama and was known for being the male actor with the most ticket-pulling power. Even Park Jungwoo, regarded as one of the best among young actors, still struggled to emerge from his father’s shadow.

“You mean Sky Garden? It’s not going to be easy.”

“You speak so easily. Aren’t both sides acquaintances of yours?”

“Yeah, but what can you do? It’s not going to be easy.”

Ju Seoyeon and writer Min Sehee. Both were closely connected to Park Jungwoo.

Especially Ju Seoyeon. Honestly, even Park Jungwoo wasn’t particularly eager to see her fail.

“How was the script?”

“I think it has the potential to succeed, but I’m still not sure.”

The Grand Game had come out too strong. While he had faith that Sky Garden would do well, the timing might leave it overshadowed.

With a sudden thirst, Park Jungwoo sipped cold water.

“Ju actress recommended you.”

“Cough.”

Almost choking, he steadied himself and looked at his father.

“How did you know?”

“Jo Seohui told me.”

“Huh.”

“That girl is quite polite and well-mannered. No wonder actress Jung Eunseon likes her.”

When did she get close to his father? Jo Seohui had an unexpected knack for building connections, particularly with older actors, despite her appearance.

The sheer grace she brought to the family was always astounding.

“Yeah, she asked if I’d be interested in joining Director Jo Bangwoo’s film.”

“Director Jo Bangwoo?”

“What do you think?”

“...Well.”

Park Sunwoong picked up the remote control. As he turned on the TV, the dark living room brightened.

“He’s a good director. But right now, he’s not the most reliable one.”

“I feel similarly.”

“Jo Minta is talented. He might even surpass my own career. But Jo Bangwoo...”

He trailed off, watching as Sky Garden prepared to air.

“It’s a full count. The slightest mistake, and it’s over. But on the other hand, it means there’s one last chance to pitch.”

Ju Seoyeon knew there was a final opportunity. And she had recommended him for it.

Park Sunwoong understood the weight of that final chance.

'It’s not heavily funded, but it’s his last shot at securing an investment.'

It would be all or nothing. Whether that proved beneficial or not, one thing was clear: the production would be intense.

He knew what it was like to work on a project with a desperate director.

“Please, no more baseball metaphors.”

“A full count is common knowledge.” 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Let’s just call it a last chance.”

Park Jungwoo took a seat beside his father, ready to watch the drama he’d returned home early for.

“Hmm...”

Park Sunwoong said no more.

He’d grown to appreciate his once-arrogant son, who now seemed to have his head on straight.

'I heard you’re still thinking it over, but it seems you’ve already made up your mind.'

Sometimes, a bit of stubbornness is needed.

As his father, he should warn him against a risky film, but...

'If he can turn the full count into a winning strike...'

It could lead to a comeback.

And then, a voice filled the room as the drama began.

“This era of endless competition, I’ll show you how to find your way.”

The day after the first episode of Sky Garden aired, Seoyeon headed to her agency with ease.

She’d seen the online reactions, which were more positive than expected. In fact, it was great that the show was receiving any reactions at all.

‘As expected, broadcast TV has more visibility than cable.’

Recalling the initial atmosphere of Sky Garden, Seoyeon felt quite satisfied. But upon arriving at the agency, her manager, Park Eunha, seemed concerned.

“Seoyeon, what are we going to do?”

“About what?”

“The ratings didn’t turn out as expected. I heard...”

Seoyeon felt a bit tense. Was it possible the ratings were much lower than the online feedback indicated? She listened closely.

“It’s 6%. Half of The Grand Game’s rating.”

6%!!

Seoyeon was shocked. What had been the original ratings for Sky Garden’s first episode?

'1%.'

Though it had aired on a cable network, it was still a very low rating. The ratings gap between cable and broadcast networks had narrowed over time, but a 1% rating was practically rock bottom.

And now it was 6%? While that’s a standard figure for a public network show, it was staggeringly high considering the original reception of Sky Garden’s first episode.

'I’m up by six times!'

What would this mean for the future?

Seoyeon grew serious.

Interpreting her seriousness as disappointment, Park Eunha’s expression mirrored it, worried about how the low ratings might affect her.

This kind of setback could be damaging for an actor.

'I should practice my signature just in case.' 'Oh no, Seoyeon seems really down.'

As they thought these things in silence, online communities were busy comparing the two dramas.

The online discussions were mostly negative toward Sky Garden, with The Grand Game enjoying the upper hand.

It seemed that, for now, The Grand Game was victorious.

Or so it seemed.