I Want to Be a VTuber

Seoyeon first searched for information about the game she would be advertising.

She didn’t even need to ask Youngbin; Raywill Games was a relatively large company.

It wasn’t difficult to find information online.

“Eternity Camp. Is this it?”

Since it was said to be a new game advertisement, it probably wasn’t an existing game that was still running. In other words, it wasn’t the kind of pay-to-win game that older men usually played.

“It’s similar to AOS, but a bit different.”

She had heard it was officially launching on Steam, so this much was clear. Although it had been made more than a year ago, it seemed to have been available on Steam Early Access until now.

It looked like they were planning to launch it properly with a large-scale patch.

“The community is pretty active too...”

As she thought this, she casually browsed through the reactions in the community. Then, by chance, she stumbled upon an emoji. A small girl giving a thumbs-up. Seoyeon tilted her head in confusion.

“...Is this emoji the one here?”

Wasn’t the emoji more famous than the game itself? Looking at the state of the game, it seemed like it was barely alive at this point...

Would things change once it officially launched? It reminded her of an old game that had only spun in circles for a long time.

Would it follow a similar fate?

“Hmm.”

Looking at the history, it had originally been a mobile game. In other words, it was based on the mobile game that Youngbin had briefly worked on.

One of its advantages was that, similar to the games Seoyeon often played, like League of Legends, you could move the characters. What she liked most, though, was that it didn’t have any lane battles. It seemed like you just had to watch for an opening and fight when the timing was right.

“Well, it seems like it has a decent operating system...”

After briefly checking the game info, Seoyeon closed the internet browser. Even though she had said she’d do it, the ad campaign would probably begin in about a month.

She didn’t know what would happen in the meantime, so this was about all the investigation she would do.

“Still, it wouldn’t hurt to play it occasionally, just in case.”

In fact, she hadn’t really cared about the game since it was from Youngbin’s company, but the characters were pretty cute.

“The characters are more to my liking than in League of Legends.”

In the end, Seoyeon was an otaku at heart, so this kind of visual was her style. It was odd that she hadn’t noticed that before.

“I’ll play with Jungwoo oppa.”

Just when the cold wind was picking up, this worked out perfectly. It was said to be a 3-player party, so she’d have to tell Jiyeon or Sehee later.

“Well then...”

Seoyeon lightly stretched and stood up. It was almost time for her to work out.

“Oh, Seoyeon, are you going to exercise?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to get stronger again, Unnie?”

“Suyeon, I’m just going to exercise.”

“I want to get strong like you, Unnie!”

What a battle-like comment. If she said that, people would misunderstand the genre of the story.

Anyway, Suyeon had pretty good athletic skills herself, even if not as much as Seoyeon when she was young, so it wasn’t something impossible.

“By the way, Seoyeon.”

“Yes?”

“Kyungsung Lady. Do you think it’ll reach ten million?”

Suah spoke with an unusually wistful tone. Despite all the attention it had brought, it seemed like she was disappointed it hadn’t reached ten million viewers domestically.

“If it hit over five million in Japan, it’s actually a better result than that.”

But human greed knows no bounds, and people tend to look for even higher achievements.

“Probably by the day after tomorrow, it’ll be at eight million. By mid-next month, if it stays in theaters, it’ll probably pass nine million...”

Ten million. Seoyeon realized anew just how absurd The Chaser had been.

The Chaser had steadily gained viewers until it hit ten million.

In contrast, Kyungsung Lady had actually started better than The Chaser in terms of initial momentum.

It had even approached 2 million viewers in the first week.

But it lacked staying power.

“In the end, it’s the genre issue.”

A work involving homosexuality, especially one dealing with same-sex relationships between women, faces a significant barrier of preference that’s hard to overcome. So, even for the production team...

“At this point, it’s really an unbelievable achievement.”

“Of course. We might not hit ten million, but we did achieve great results in Japan, didn’t we?”

“We can also look forward to the overseas awards next year.”

They all said this as though satisfied, but their disappointment was still evident.

Kyungsung Lady, with actor Lee Sangsoo and Stella joining, had taken the internet by storm, so given that buzz, hitting ten million seemed possible. However, the audience pool ended up being too small.

But...

“It’s still possible.”

“Huh?”

“Fortunately, there’s one more chance.”

Seoyeon zipped up her tracksuit and said. She thought it had been below freezing outside, but the cold wouldn’t bother her.

She was, after all, Han Seobulshim Ju Seoyeon.

“One more step, and we can make it further.”

Kyungsung Lady was really lucky. First, there hadn’t been any major competing films at the time of release, so it had pretty much dominated the theaters. Plus, GH Group’s backing allowed it to stay in theaters longer.

“Though, Extreme Martial Arts will probably be off the screen by next week.”

If Extreme Martial Arts’s poor performance caused it to leave theaters quickly, then Kyungsung Lady would most likely take over that spot. After all, there hadn’t been any major releases at the time.

And lastly, there was still a big opportunity to promote the film.

Even those who had been indifferent to it might reconsider with this chance.

“What’s that? Are we going to Japan again for promotion?”

“No.”

Even so, it wasn’t like she would be going to Japan frequently. She had already appeared so many times that any more might actually give her a bad image.

Right now, people were cheering, but if she tried to grab too much too quickly, she’d definitely provoke some backlash.

So what Seoyeon was talking about was limited to domestic opportunities.

That is, she meant...

“There’s an awards ceremony coming up.”

The year-end film festival, where they would select the best actor of the year, was just around the corner.

****

"Is the CG work done after the filming is completely finished?"

Director Han Yegeon glanced at Director Kang Taejin’s fleeting gaze.

'Why is he here?'

More importantly, isn’t he supposed to be looking over the footage, eyes glued to the screen?

Ah, now that I think about it, he mentioned he was coming today for a check-up.

She had vaguely received the call this morning but had completely forgotten about it. The investor side said they might stop by the filming set.

She hadn’t expected someone of his stature to come in person, though.

"It’s done simultaneously. If we want to release it early next year, we have to work on both at the same time."

"What about the quality? If there are any samples, I’d like to see them."

At Kang Taejin’s comment, Han Yegeon scratched his head. Was he so untrusting that he came all the way to the filming site to check the footage? Or maybe...

Is it because he’s invested so much into this drama?

Han Yegeon, who had subconsciously placed his hand near his mouth, lowered it slightly. He always abstained from smoking once he began filming.

Although he had the sudden urge for a cigarette, he quickly shook it off.

"We haven’t worked on anything to show yet."

"Is that so? That’s a bit disappointing."

"Still, since you’re here, I’ll show you a little."

"Even if I see it, I don’t think I’ll understand much."

At Kang Taejin’s words, Han Yegeon smiled.

"No, you’ll see it."

"What will I see?"

"How the CG will be incorporated."

From afar, the actors were rehearsing. Especially Seoyeon and Min Doha, along with the extras, Han Yegeon spoke as he watched them.

"The human eye takes in far more information than we think. And, human imagination is quite powerful. Once you see the acting, you’ll immediately know how the scene will unfold."

Han Yegeon said this as he looked at Seoyeon. Today, Seoyeon had asked for direct acting guidance from him.

She probably wasn’t satisfied with the performance she did before.

She’s good at the difficult things, but she struggles with the simple ones.

Acting that doesn’t truly grasp the emotions, acting that crosses the boundary between human and non-human, was portrayed well, but when it came to depicting a character who disregards others, she found it difficult.

It seemed to be an issue of ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ character depth. And then, there was the action.

"Do you think it’s better to use less strength?"

Seoyeon asked this quite seriously. After all, Seoyeon’s physical abilities were superior to others, which sometimes became an obstacle in acting.

Especially when she became deeply immersed in her character.

When she consciously tried to relax while deeply involved in her role, it would naturally break her immersion a little.

"There’s no need to worry about that. In fact, let’s try to use it as much as possible."

Actors who excel at using their bodies would take full advantage of that to bring out the scene.

In fact, there were actors who performed scenes of grabbing and pulling down a flying helicopter themselves.

"The extras, hold the mats here."

Han Yegeon then spoke to Seoyeon.

"Seoyeon, you just need to push this mat with all your strength. To the wall made of mats."

"Eh? Not hitting it head-on?"

"I was going to use wires for the shot, but I thought I’d try a different method this time."

At Han Yegeon’s words, Seoyeon nodded and faced forward. It felt like a narrow alley made of mats.

To the left and right, walls made of green mats stood. One extra held a thick mat in place.

It would likely be depicted as a shield in the movie.

"Alright, let’s go."

The filming began.

'I’ve seen it in movies or on TV, but it’s the first time seeing Seoyeon act in person.'

Watching her warm up, there was nothing particularly different about her. A normal, expressionless girl.

At the end of the alley made of mats, Min Doha stood. There wouldn’t be any action scenes between Seoyeon and him today, but there would be a conversation.

That alone made his face tense.

As the slate signaled the start of filming, the atmosphere changed immediately.

‘...!!’

From the normal girl warming up came a sudden intensity.

Her expressionless face held a faint smile as her eyes narrowed.

“It’s annoying to keep coming, isn’t it?”

A quiet voice.

The telekinetic holding the shield stared intensely at Jin Yeonseo, who was frozen in place.

“So, you’re not going to say anything, even though I’m coming to you directly?”

It was a valid point. There was no need to stop someone who was coming to the lab by themselves.

‘If we don’t subdue and take him, it’s dangerous.’

That sense of danger instinctively filled Min Doha. Especially because this telekinetic was leading a group of superhumans, namely Sim Sojin.

Min Doha swallowed dryly.

‘It’s okay. This time, it’s not a chase.’

A tense air surrounded the set. It felt like a real-life situation.

“You don’t want to answer? Then, I guess there’s nothing I can do.”

Slowly, Jin Yeonseo’s knee bent.

Seeing this, Sim Sojin’s eyes widened.

"What are you doing!! Grab that girl right now!!"

A performance completely immersed in emotion. At that shout, five superhumans rushed forward almost simultaneously.

The scene they had been rehearsing for days was finally here. Director Kang Taejin couldn’t take his eyes off the set, stunned by the intensity of the performance.

Bang!!

With the sharp sound of a blow ringing through the air, a person ricocheted through the walls made of mats like a pinball, zigzagging uncontrollably. Without flinching at the sight of a fellow actor in such a state, the superhumans continued to charge forward. Jin Yeonseo tilted her lips into a slight sneer toward them.

And just like that, the situation was over. There was no way Jin Yeonseo could be defeated with just basic physical enhancements, the most fundamental of superpowers.

Walking slowly through the alley made of green mats, she stepped over the fallen superhumans.

As she silently watched the situation unfold, Sim Sojin observed Jin Yeonseo’s approach.

With no sign of exhaustion, Jin Yeonseo approached. At the sight of her, Sim Sojin’s eyes narrowed, and she muttered under her breath.

"...Monster."

A voice filled with astonishment, fear, and even jealousy. Han Yegeon nodded in agreement.

Though the action was supposed to be cut off and resumed after a break, continuing as it was felt right in this moment.

“As expected, they’re both fully immersed in their emotions.”

Han Yegeon couldn’t help but admire Min Doha’s acting. The word monster she spat out carried with it a complex mix of emotions, similar to the feeling Han Yegeon wanted to evoke with the lines.

During practice, the performance never came out quite like this, but once they were in the real scene, everything fell into place seamlessly. It was fascinating how that worked.

“Yeah, thanks for the compliment.”

With a bright smile, Jin Yeonseo responded, now much more distinct in her personality than before.

Having lived with her new parents, Jin Yeonseo had learned to manage her emotions to some degree.

While the monstrous side of her, which had once been unaware of emotion, had faded somewhat, her "personality" had become even clearer.

"Okay, cut. Let’s wrap up for now."

Han Yegeon said, concluding the scene for the moment. The conversation between Sim Sojin and Jin Yeonseo would continue, but given how long it was, it made sense to stop here for now.

They would take a short break before resuming that part of the scene.

"Seoyeon, considering you said yesterday you were having trouble grasping Yeonseo’s personality, you did quite well."

"Ah, yes. I had a person in mind that I could refer to."

"Really? Who?"

At Seoyeon’s words, Jo Sehee, who had just finished her makeup, thought to herself.

‘Stella, she’s referring to her.’

Jo Sehee immediately realized that Seoyeon had used Stella’s personality as a reference when acting as Jin Yeonseo. After all, there wasn’t a better reference for Yeonseo’s personality than that.

Seoyeon had done a great job mimicking her, but Jo Sehee thought if Arthur Diaz saw it, he’d probably have a fit.

‘By the way...’

Jo Sehee narrowed her eyes as she noticed a man lightly clapping from one side.

‘Someone from GH Group.’

She vaguely remembered seeing him when she was younger. The son of the GH Group chairman.

‘No wonder so much investment went into Mine.’

If he was the chairman’s son, he was probably the director of the cultural affairs division. Jo Sehee assumed that much.

She hadn’t heard anything directly from Seoyeon, but piecing the situation together wasn’t difficult.

‘He really does go for the big fish.’

As Jo Sehee was thinking this, she saw Kang Taejin moving toward Seoyeon. Surprised, Jo Sehee quickly intervened between them.

"You can’t just speak to an actor on set like that."

No matter how much of an investor he was, there were certain boundaries that needed to be respected.

With that thought, she looked at Kang Taejin, who let out a low chuckle.

‘Why is he laughing?’

It was unsettling.

Was he mocking her? She thought about giving him a sharp retort, but before she could act...

"My dad’s friend."

“What?”

"I’m a high school classmate of Seoyeon’s father. So, I guess you could call me her dad’s friend."

“?”

What was this guy saying?

Who the hell is this guy and how does he know all these people?

‘Wait, did I hear something like this before?’

Had she dismissed it as a joke and forgotten? No, it couldn’t be. She never forgets things like this.

Seeing Jo Sehee’s bewilderment, Kang Taejin decided to lighten the mood a bit and shared something he had heard from Youngbin, with a touch of humor.

"Then, would you kindly step aside, ‘Parachute’ Jo Sehee?"

"..."

"I just need to speak to Seoyeon for a moment."

Naturally, Jo Sehee’s pupils shook violently at this.