I Want to Be a VTuber

Seoyeon’s First Day of Exams: Social Studies and Korean.

Needless to say, she hadn't properly studied for either subject.

"Well, at least I managed to get through Korean somehow."

Seoyeon was relatively decent at Korean. Even reading web novels consistently had its benefits.

Without much studying, she could still manage a steady third grade—a middle-tier score based on the five-grade system.

"No, that's not 'steady' at all!"

Seoyeon tightly shut her eyes. While a third-grade score seemed average, it absolutely wasn't.

Still, from Seoyeon's perspective, it was an acceptable outcome given her circumstances. As for social studies... better not mention it. That subject was already a lost cause.

"......"

Seoyeon sat calmly at her desk after finishing her first exam, Social Studies, and prepared for the next one, Korean. Others around her were frantically flipping through textbooks and self-study guides, making last-minute reviews, but they couldn't help but be curious about her.

"Is Seoyeon that confident? She doesn’t even bother reviewing."

"See? Look at her—just like in Sky Garden. I told you, Seoyeon’s a top student!"

"But from what I know, her grades... aren’t great."

"There must be some conspiracy behind it."

"Really?"

Regardless, Seoyeon was a superstar in her class, always attracting attention.

Part of it stemmed from her role as Lee Yoojoo in Sky Garden. Additionally, a recent commercial had boosted her profile, leading many to mistakenly believe she was an exemplary student.

For example, whenever she went shopping with Sua, she’d overhear comments from nearby moms.

"If only my daughter could study as well as Seoyeon."

"Exactly. Just look at how put-together she is, even while shopping."

Having grown up in the neighborhood, most locals viewed Seoyeon warmly and familiarly. Often, she could hear their hushed chatter as she walked past.

"Seoyeon."

"Yes?"

"I think it’s fine if people have their illusions about you."

"......"

Sua’s tone was tinged with resignation, as if holding back from saying more.

Regardless, everyone around her assumed Seoyeon was a stellar student!

"But if my scores this time are disastrous..."

Her current middling rankings could plummet to rock bottom. People would definitely start talking.

Seoyeon broke into a cold sweat.

For someone trying to restore her public image as Princess Yeonhwa, a devastating academic performance could spell disaster. What if the elegant Princess Yeonhwa turned out to be a dunce? That kind of label would be unbearable.

"Why doesn’t my knowledge from my past life help me here?"

Seoyeon was genuinely frustrated. During break time, she didn’t dare open a textbook or self-study guide. While her classmates thought she had already finished reviewing, the truth was far from it.

She had simply resigned herself to defeat, knowing no effort at this point could change the results.

"This won’t do."

If things went on like this, she might end up dead last in the school rankings—a perfect recipe for public humiliation. Someone could say, “Did you hear? Seoyeon ranked last in the entire school!”

The studious image she had built up through commercials and her character, Lee Yoojoo, would be completely shattered.

Even if sponsors like A.Daze wouldn’t cancel her contracts over poor grades, rumors would undoubtedly spread online.

Fans in her community could start gossiping, and while the chances were slim, the mere possibility was terrifying.

So, Seoyeon resolved to find a way out of this mess.

"Huh? You want me to help you cram?"

"......"

And so, Seoyeon sought out Gildahyeon, the class president, immediately after the day’s exams.

"Seoyeon, exams reflect your regular efforts. Cramming doesn’t really help."

While Dahyeon’s words were sound advice, they didn’t apply to Seoyeon.

"I see. You’ve been busy with acting, so you didn’t have much time to study."

Dahyeon acknowledged that Seoyeon wasn’t an ordinary student. Considering her grueling schedule, no one found it strange.

"Alright, I’ll help you."

"Really?"

"Yes. But you’ll owe me a favor after exams."

Seoyeon tilted her head, puzzled about what kind of favor Dahyeon might ask for.

"Okay."

"Good. So, where should we start? How much have you studied so far?"

At Dahyeon’s house, Seoyeon opened her textbook and self-study guide with a serious expression.

How much had she studied? Seoyeon clenched her fist and raised one index finger.

Dahyeon looked at her, wondering, “Could she really mean she’s only completed one subject?”

"Page one."

"What?"

"I’ve finished up to page one of Integrated Science."

"Seoyeon... that doesn’t count as studying."

Fortunately, tomorrow’s exams were Korean History and Integrated Science—subjects that relied heavily on memorization.

"Math is on the last day... somehow, I’ll manage."

Dahyeon steeled herself. No matter what, she couldn’t let her friend rank in the triple digits.

"Actress Ju Seoyeon won’t be attending today due to exams."

"......"

Director Han Yegun stifled a laugh as he noticed Arthur’s expression darken.

"He’s really holding a grudge."

The tension among the surrounding actors was palpable, mirroring Arthur’s growing discomfort.

"What a remarkable actor."

Han admired not only Arthur’s acting skills but also his command of language.

Arthur’s proficiency in Korean wasn’t merely impressive—it was near perfection.

For actors, delivering lines in their native language versus a foreign one often carried entirely different nuances. Perfectly grasping those subtleties required exceptional skill.

There’s a saying: Hangeul is easy to learn, but Korean is hard to master.

Arthur had mastered both the nuances and emotional expressions embedded in the language, to the point where even a simple script reading left his co-stars overwhelmed.

"I was right to test this."

Before the script reading, an investor had questioned Han Yegun:

"Why hold the reading without Ju Seoyeon? Can’t we wait until her exams are over?"

"Why not postpone the schedule, even if it’s set?"

GH Group’s department head, Kim Changgyu, had all but demanded an explanation. It was only natural.

is a drama centered around Seoyeon.

Twelve episodes in total.

An OTT drama, still a rarity in Korea.

And yet, the script reading was proceeding without the lead actress present.

To Kim Changgyu, this decision by Director Han Yegun was incomprehensible.

When questioned, Han Yegun replied:

"Arthur Diaz is very conscious of Ju Seoyeon."

"Yes, precisely why they should..."

"The other actors barely pay him any attention. In fact, they feel burdened acting alongside him."

"......"

One of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

To say there’s no pressure would be a lie.

The sheer number of personal staff he brought to the set was enough to overwhelm anyone.

Veteran actors might handle it without issue.

And Han Yegun wasn’t particularly worried about them.

But in this drama, Mine, there weren’t many veteran actors.

The cast was overwhelmingly young—actors with little experience, mostly focused on action.

"If Ju Seoyeon is the only one who can keep up with Arthur Diaz’s performance, isn’t that a problem?"

"It’s not just about that. The lead anchors the rest of the cast..."

"What about on days when Ju Seoyeon isn’t on set?"

A Korean actor capable of matching Arthur Diaz.

With Seoyeon there, the other actors would likely feel less pressure.

But filming doesn’t work that way.

Seoyeon couldn’t always be present on set.

And as for the veteran actors?

They’d avoid entangling themselves with Arthur altogether.

A young actor whose talent surpasses even seasoned veterans.

Standing alongside him would feel daunting.

So, under equal conditions—or rather, with someone younger and exceptionally talented—attention naturally turned to Seoyeon.

"Will the cast continue relying solely on Ju Seoyeon? What about the actors who have to act directly opposite Arthur Diaz?"

"......"

"And Ju Seoyeon is still a young actress. Isn’t it irresponsible to put everything on her shoulders? Wasn’t casting Arthur Diaz GH’s decision in the first place? Did you not anticipate potential challenges?"

"......That’s..."

Han Yegun sighed as he spoke.

"Do they think this is all some kind of joke?"

A script reading isn’t just about showcasing acting skills.

It’s about interpreting characters together, adapting to one another, and building chemistry.

Arthur and Seoyeon could handle it.

But what about the others?

Avoiding the challenge now would only make things more difficult on set.

"You’re right. That’s not something we should interfere with. I apologize."

Kim Changgyu finally understood Han Yegun’s intentions.

"So, you intentionally scheduled the reading without Ju Seoyeon? But she’ll start filming without participating in any readings?"

"Don’t worry about that."

"Excuse me?"

"In my opinion... it might actually be better this way."

Arthur Diaz didn’t know Ju Seoyeon.

Meeting her raw and unfiltered on set might be a more stimulating experience.

Of course, additional time would be allotted later to make up for her absence during the readings.

"Think of it like this—there’s a saying about WWE and UFC. Script readings are like WWE. Filming is like UFC."

"I have no idea what you mean..."

Han Yegun shrugged at Kim Changgyu’s response.

It wasn’t a comparison he expected him to understand. Han Yegun was never one to explain himself thoroughly to investors anyway.

"In any case."

Having convinced the investors, Han Yegun continued holding script readings without Seoyeon.

The results?

"Not great."

Han stroked his chin in thought.

Even Narumi Sora, a finalist on Hyper Action Star, couldn’t hold her ground.

She barely managed a few lines before faltering. Watching her performance, Han couldn’t help but sigh, wondering, "Was this the same actor who made it to the finals?"

"...Narumi Sora seems genuinely nervous."

Given her history, she wasn’t the type to crumble under pressure.

But she couldn’t withstand the intimidation Arthur exuded.

"She’s not the type to soften her performance like Ju Seoyeon."

Frankly, even in the Hyper Action Star finals, Narumi’s acting was only decent. She showed potential but wasn’t exceptional.

"Still."

Arthur’s disdainful gaze toward Narumi Sora was evident.

She trembled like a scolded puppy under his scrutiny.

"Things might change during action scenes."

Aside from someone like Ju Seoyeon, Narumi Sora would outperform anyone in stunts.

Han was certain of that.

*****

Five grueling days.

The final exam ended with math.

As soon as it was over, Seoyeon collapsed onto her desk.

It had been ages since she’d used her brain this much.

"Do actors really need math? Managers handle all the calculations anyway."

Seoyeon was serious.

To her, math seemed utterly useless in everyday life.

"I think I was pretty good at studying in my past life."

She had been smart enough to narrowly miss getting into Seoul’s top universities.

Not bad, right?

"Or maybe not?"

Seoyeon was always lenient with herself.

Anyway, thanks to Gildahyeon’s help, she felt she’d narrowly avoided the worst-case scenario for this final exam.

Probably...

"At least it shouldn’t be a total disaster."

Seoyeon sighed in relief.

"Seoyeon."

"Yeah?"

As she exhaled, Gildahyeon approached her.

"How’d the exam go?"

"...Thanks to you."

"That’s a relief."

In truth, she couldn’t say she did well. But she couldn’t admit that to the person who helped her.

"Should I have just cheated?"

If it were Seoyeon, she might have managed it.

By keeping a close eye on Gildahyeon’s movements /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ during the test, she could probably pull it off.

Or not.

She’d never tried it.

"This isn’t some ninja test..."

No matter what, she didn’t want to resort to that.

Exams should reflect your own abilities—even if cheating could technically be considered a skill.

"By the way, do you remember what I mentioned earlier?"

"What you mentioned earlier?"

"About helping me with something after the exams."

Seoyeon recalled Gildahyeon’s initial offer to tutor her in exchange for a favor.

What kind of favor could it be?

"Does she want autographs from celebrities?"

If not... Seoyeon pondered.

Surely, it wasn’t something shady, right?

"We’re throwing a class party at the end of the semester."

"A... party?"

"Yeah, a Western-style party."

"......"

Do high schools do that these days? A class party?

"Can’t I bring someone from another class?"

"Nope, it’s just our class."

Seoyeon’s eyes darted nervously.

A party with just her classmates?

Without Jiyeon?

She glanced around the room.

All eyes were on her.

Faced with their stares, Seoyeon had no choice but to respond.

"Ah... okay."

"Really? I’ll share the location! Just wear something party-appropriate!"

Seoyeon nodded mechanically.

How could she refuse with all those eyes watching her?

"What am I going to do..."

To Seoyeon, this party felt like a bigger challenge than the finals themselves.