I Want to Be a VTuber

"Author, you really need to attend this."

The meeting with the editor before the drama adaptation was more intense than usual.

The editor, rarely this assertive, spoke firmly.

"I’ve heard that it’s almost unheard of for lead actors to be cast this quickly."

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely. Normally, even if we send the script to various actors, it takes quite some time. But you know, right? The recent buzz around the Violle commercial?"

"Oh... yes."

The author, hesitant and unsure, responded to the editor’s words.

But she couldn't help it.

For Jung Haran, a web novelist with ten years of experience, this situation was overwhelming.

'The two actors from that trending Violle commercial.'

The production team didn’t expect both actors to agree to the roles so quickly.

Both of them, at the same time.

"Author, do you know Tales of the Moonlit Desert? The two child actors from that series will be starring in your work together! I was so excited I couldn’t sleep at all!"

Haran could empathize with the editor’s enthusiasm.

She hadn’t been able to sleep either.

'I know. Very well.'

Ten years ago.

Back when she thought she might have a chance with traditional novels.

When she first ventured into web novels.

At a particularly difficult time, she had watched that drama.

The child actors in it were exceptional, their performances far beyond what one would expect of children.

And yet, she had recognized it immediately.

She knew who the daughter was.

At first, she thought it was just her imagination, but after seeing the name, she was sure.

When she asked Kang Taejin, he confirmed it with a nod.

She loved that drama and those actors.

But involving herself with them personally? That was a different story—one that felt a little dangerous.

"Oh, I’ve always dreamed of seeing the young Princess Yeonhwa and Yoon Se-il from that series in a historical drama together!"

'Isn't that the same topic that keeps causing fights in Park Jungwoo’s fan community?'

Of course, Seoyeon and Park Jungwoo were only three years apart in age.

So, technically, there was nothing inappropriate about it, but neither of them was particularly old either.

Their fanbases were much more like those of idols—intensely passionate and emotionally driven.

Bringing a romantic connection into the mix was bound to spark backlash.

Naturally, there were plenty of fans like the editor, who reveled in the idea, leading to frequent debates.

"That’s why you absolutely must attend. The screenwriter and director will also be there, so you should make an appearance."

"Alright..." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

This was a rare opportunity.

Haran had already experienced several webtoon adaptations, but recently, even webtoons didn’t bring in as many new readers as before.

While another adaptation would still be welcome, simply producing a webtoon wasn’t as big a deal as it used to be.

With the lead actors confirmed so quickly, the drama production team seemed eager to move forward with input from everyone involved.

After all, production wasn’t scheduled to start until the second half of next year.

And so, today.

"I never expected both Park Jungwoo and Ju Seoyeon to agree to their roles at once."

Screenwriter Shin Jungyeon, sitting beside them, beamed as she spoke.

Her gaze remained fixed on Park Jungwoo, clearly a devoted fan.

"This is shaping up to be a blockbuster collaboration between one of the year’s most buzzworthy stars and Park Jungwoo, the hit-maker."

The director, Do Jaehyuk, was renowned for several hit dramas on major networks. Although Flower of the Imperial Palace was set to air on cable network YTBC, the gap between cable and major networks had been narrowing.

By next year, that gap might disappear altogether.

Caught between them, Jung Haran quietly sipped her iced Americano, avoiding the spotlight.

Occasionally, someone would ask, "What do you think, Author?" but all she could do was nod slowly.

'Adaptation...'

Haran was deeply moved by the idea of her work being turned into a drama.

Few web novelists ever saw their stories adapted.

And those who did usually ended up with web dramas. A cable network adaptation was incredibly rare.

However, as someone who had once explored various writing-related careers, Haran understood the realities of screenwriting.

It left a bittersweet taste.

Perhaps it was ungrateful to feel that way.

Amid the lively conversation, Seoyeon remained quiet, her focus solely on Haran.

Haran’s hands trembled slightly as she gripped her cup.

'This situation is already nerve-wracking. Why does she keep staring at me like that?'

Could she know?

Does she know about my connection to Yeongbin?

But they hadn’t seen each other in ages.

Even though Sooah might have insisted, completely cutting off contact felt harsh.

It was disappointing but understandable.

Sooah knew both Yeohee and Haran.

It made sense for Yeongbin to distance himself out of consideration for his wife.

That’s why Haran had received no calls for so long.

And she accepted it, because she would have done the same in his position.

"Production will begin in the second half of next year. I’m honestly surprised the lead actors were secured so quickly," said Kwak Jaeyeol, the PD from YTBC, his voice filled with excitement.

For him, this was a massive win.

Seoyeon’s exceptional success this year was already remarkable, but for Park Jungwoo to join as well? That was extraordinary.

"It was an absolute pleasure meeting everyone today."

"Likewise."

This meeting was more about sharing the general direction of the drama.

Given how easily both Park Jungwoo and Seoyeon had accepted their roles, it seemed the team wanted to ensure they stayed committed.

Park Jungwoo stroked his chin, nodding thoughtfully.

'The investors are solid. I was worried the production might be rushed since it’s a web novel adaptation, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.'

It looked like it would receive as much investment as a standard historical drama—a truly rare case.

'But still.'

His gaze drifted to the silent web novelist.

She hadn’t said a single word today.

She only smiled and nodded when addressed directly by the screenwriter or PD.

'She’s quiet.'

Park Jungwoo had initially been concerned that Seoyeon might say something odd.

But she, too, remained silent, as though entrusting him to handle everything.

'Unsettling.'

It was unsettling, especially since Seoyeon kept staring at the web novelist.

And then.

"That concludes today’s meeting..."

As the PD stood to wrap things up, Seoyeon spoke.

"May I ask one question?"

"Of course! Go right ahead!" the PD responded confidently.

But the question caught everyone off guard.

"To what extent will the original author’s input be reflected in the drama production?"

The PD, visibly startled, widened his eyes.

"Uh, well, we aim to respect the original work as much as possible while adapting it for the drama. Of course, dramas and web novels are different formats, so adjustments will be made accordingly. Web novel readers and TV audiences have distinct expectations, after all."

He patted the screenwriter’s shoulder.

"That’s why Jungyeon here will be working hard on the adaptation. She may only have two adaptations under her belt, but both were well-received, so you have nothing to worry about."

Shin Jungyeon was indeed a competent screenwriter. While not groundbreaking, her previous adaptations had been well-executed.

'Well, competent enough.'

Seoyeon narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp and unreadable.

Jungyeon flinched under the intensity of Seoyeon’s unemotional stare, unsure of what the actress was thinking.

"Understood."

"Great! Any other questions?"

"No."

Seoyeon stepped back for now.

Production wouldn’t begin until next year, and even if the screenwriter were replaced now, nothing would change.

'Besides, there’s still plenty of time before production starts. There’s no guarantee she’ll still be in charge by then.'

If changes were necessary, they would have to happen after production began or when the drama aired and initial results came in.

'Shin Jungyeon has delivered decent results, but nothing groundbreaking.'

And when do screenwriters get ambitious?

When their work becomes a massive hit.

Until then, they stick to the original material, minimizing their own liability in case of failure.

But if the drama becomes a major success?

'That’s when ambition takes over.'

Seoyeon knew all too well how that story usually ended.

****

"How did it come to this?"

Jung Haran wondered as she walked alongside the two actors.

Both of them were wearing caps and masks that covered their faces, but their proportions were strikingly impeccable—too perfect for ordinary people.

'Wasn't it supposed to end there?'

Haran felt a pang of discomfort in her stomach.

The entire day had been filled with overwhelming tension, and she rarely spent so much time outside.

Except for the occasional trip to a café to write, she was practically a homebody.

And yet—

"I’d like to speak privately with the original author."

"...What?"

"Would that be alright?"

Just as everyone was about to part ways, Seoyeon had made the unexpected request.

Naturally, the PD and director were startled.

If any issue arose between the lead actress and the author, and Seoyeon refused to take the role, it would be a disaster!

"Well, perhaps we should stay too—"

"Oh, it’s nothing serious. I’m just a fan of the original work and have a few questions. The meeting’s over now, isn’t it?"

"...You’re a fan of the original work?"

"Yes. That’s why I wanted to meet privately."

A personal meeting was hardly something they could interfere with, leaving the PD and director no choice but to exchange glances and nod reluctantly.

Park Jungwoo, standing beside them, was equally clueless about Seoyeon’s intentions.

So, of course, Haran had no idea what was going on either.

All she could do was tremble in fear.

'This must be what Yeohee was talking about.'

Haran maintained a steady friendship with Yeohee, and her mind flashed back to something Yeohee had drunkenly ranted about in a bar.

"She’s definitely not like that! Why is it just me?!"

Haran hadn’t understood it then, but now, it all clicked.

'Does she know? She must, right? Or... does she?'

She hadn’t done anything wrong.

And yet, this situation was unbearably suffocating.

The feeling of meeting the daughter of her first love—a man she’d never fully moved on from.

"It’s really nothing much; I just thought we could have dinner together. My treat."

"Oh, yes, yes."

Haran’s nervous bowing made Seoyeon flinch slightly.

After all, Haran was a friend of her parents.

'...For now, all I can do is act as a fan of the original work and express admiration.'

This would make it harder for anyone to dismiss Haran lightly.

If the lead actress openly praised the original novel, any changes made during adaptation would be subject to greater scrutiny.

Not that Seoyeon intended to take any drastic action—she felt just as awkward as Haran did.

"I read the original novel. I really enjoyed it."

Seoyeon was not the type to lavish excessive praise like some people, so their conversation remained straightforward. They discussed the novel over dinner, and that was all.

"The filming is still a long way off, but I look forward to working with you ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ then."

"Oh, me too."

Fortunately, nothing significant occurred between the three of them.

However, the fact that Seoyeon had actually read the original novel raised Haran’s impression of her.

Unlike earlier, when she hadn’t mentioned the original work at all, Seoyeon now discussed it in detail.

'The Princess Hwayeon character... she really was inspired by Princess Yeonhwa.'

The character was modeled after Seoyeon’s performance in Tales of the Moonlit Desert.

The whole situation felt surreal.

The inspiration for her character was now portraying her in a live-action adaptation.

'She’s inherited only the best traits from Sooah.'

Standing outside the restaurant after dinner, Haran watched Seoyeon and Jungwoo, finally allowing herself a soft smile.

Now that the tension had faded, she could see traces of the past in Seoyeon’s face.

Sooah’s face.

And the unmistakable confidence that reminded her of Yeongbin.

Perhaps you could call it an aura—although Seoyeon’s was far more pronounced.

'No comparison, really.'

Relaxing slightly, Haran felt only nostalgia as she looked at Seoyeon’s face.

The daughter of an old friend.

"Take care on your way back."

"Oh, thank you. You too, Ju Seoyeon."

As they exchanged their final farewells, Haran noticed something out of the corner of her eye.

Across the road, on a nearby crosswalk, a child and her mother were crossing.

The restaurant was situated right in front of the road, which was narrow but poorly managed. The traffic light at the crosswalk was purely ornamental and didn’t actually function.

And then—

A white Carnival van was speeding toward them.

'That’s dangerous.'

At that speed, they were bound to be hit.

The thought barely registered in Haran’s mind before she saw Seoyeon move.

It happened so fast that Haran couldn’t process it.

Even though the road was right in front of them, the distance to the child was still considerable—too far for anyone to intervene.

Yet—

"What?"

Seoyeon was already there.

She had pushed the child and her mother out of the way and onto the sidewalk.

It happened so quickly that no one else even noticed, not even Jungwoo, who hadn’t realized Seoyeon was gone until she reappeared.

"Thank you, thank you so much."

"It’s nothing."

As the driver of the Carnival hurried out of the car, bowing repeatedly in apology, Seoyeon returned to Haran and Jungwoo.

The situation had been resolved, but Haran couldn’t shake the shock.

'That was unbelievable.'

If Haran hadn’t witnessed the incident herself, she wouldn’t have believed it.

Seoyeon, noticing Haran’s dazed expression, looked slightly embarrassed.

Maybe she’d startled her by rushing off so suddenly.

"Well, aside from that little incident... I suppose this is where we part ways."

"Status window."

"Sorry?"

Haran’s thoughts spiraled.

No, this didn’t make sense.

It couldn’t make sense.

Wasn’t that the kind of superhuman ability you’d see in hunter novels?

That wasn’t a speed any human could achieve.

Could there be some sort of status window she didn’t know about?

'Ah, this must be a dream.'

Maybe she’d dozed off briefly in the restaurant.

Yes, that had to be it.

As if her novel being adapted into a drama wasn’t improbable enough, Ju Seoyeon playing her heroine?

"Status window! Status window!!!"

"...?"

"Or... just let me regress... back to high school, at least..."

Seoyeon, watching Haran mutter nonsense to herself, didn’t know what to say.