“…What do you mean by ‘long-term project’?”
It began with Kim I-seo’s question.
Then the team leader answered with emphasis in their voice.
“It’s a shame to reveal Su-a’s identity during the talent showcase. This could be something we can play big with, you know.”
“Hm.”
“Actually, we might need to reconsider whether revealing it would be better at this point. We never expected it to go this well. Completely unforeseen.”
“That’s true.”
Kim I-seo spoke while checking through the monitoring data.
From the communities to the ongoing broadcasts of the other NeoLive members, everyone without exception seemed to have taken a liking to Su-a. The anticipation was incredible.
Excitedly, the team leader continued.
“To be honest, the original plan was for the broadcast to flop miserably. Su-a was supposed to be thoroughly ignored until we turned the tide during the talent showcase.”
“But the clumsy character resonated too well, didn’t it? It looks like she’s already getting attention.”
“Exactly! We always thought that being too clumsy was automatically a downside, but Su-a’s character turned it into a strength! Anyway, the results are beyond amazing. We need to revise our strategy.”
Kim I-seo paused for a moment, deep in thought.
“Still, we need to carefully consider whether it should be a long-term project. Su-a, as an actor, is already thriving successfully, and she’s incredibly busy. There’s no specific reason we need to keep her tied to this strictly as a Virtual YouTuber…”
“So I’ve prepared something for you to check out.”
Kim I-seo quickly skimmed through the data handed over by the team leader. It was none other than data related to earnings, money.
“Hmm.”
Kim I-seo was inwardly surprised.
Virtual YouTubers, whose very existence Kim I-seo was previously unaware of, were earning an overwhelming amount of money, far beyond expectations. She knew the market was growing, but not to this extent.
“Of course, if we switch to a long-term project, we’ll offer conditions that match that commitment. We’ll ensure that it’s not a disadvantageous situation for Mystic or Su-a.”
“I’ll take that into consideration.”
“Moreover, I’ve heard that Su-a sings well.”
“Sings…?”
Though it was new information to Kim I-seo, she refrained from voicing her thoughts externally and simply asked.
“Did Su-a say that?”
“Yes.”
This time, the response came from Deer—Go Eun-bi.
Kim I-seo’s mind was working rapidly.
‘I’m hearing this for the first time, but if Su-a said it, she must have confidence. She’s always been like that.’
At this moment, the NeoLive team leader spoke up again.
“Lately, Virtual YouTubers’ songs have been making their way up the music charts quite frequently. You must see the picture forming in my mind, Director.”
“Hm…!”
The commonality between NeoLive and Kim I-seo was their pursuit of effective marketing and top-tier results in their respective fields. Thus, their thoughts soon aligned.
“We should treat Mi-ho and Su-a as separate entities, especially since there’s a possibility they might one day compete on the music charts.”
“Yes. Wouldn’t it be exciting to have a dynamic where they eventually compete against each other? Splitting them up right now makes no sense. Su-a as an existence alone is like a goose that lays golden eggs.”
Kim I-seo agreed with the other party’s reasoning.
‘Su-a and Mi-ho competing through music? It’s not an impossible idea. In dramas, they often give OSTs directly to actors. Assuming Su-a’s singing skills are excellent, if both manage to chart…’
…It would be impossible to even estimate the results and earnings.
Ultimately, Kim I-seo nodded.
“It depends on Su-a’s decision, but for now, I’m willing to consider it positively. It’s not a bad proposal.”
■■■■■
One hour later.
─♩♪♬
Su-a woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. She had fallen into such a deep sleep due to her first experience with the Virtual YouTuber broadcast being so enjoyable—it was the first time in a long while that she’d had such a peaceful sleep.
“Hello…”
“What, what is it? Were you sleeping, Su-a? You’re sleeping in this situation?”
The caller was Go Eun-bi.
Su-a immediately woke up. Anybody would feel anxious hearing such an urgent voice.
“…Why? Did something happen?”
“Something did! How could you possibly fall asleep after hitting it this big? Hey, Su-a. This isn’t a joke. Everything from one to ten is crazy right now.”
That was somewhat reassuring.
Of course, that didn’t entirely eliminate her unease.
“Uh… Was it okay that I leaked your picture?”
“It’s all part of the big hit! Right now, I’m getting immense praise! There’s been an incredible influx! More importantly, how did you come up with that broadcast concept?”
“Uh, e-err…”
It wasn’t really a concept at all.
“You surprised me. Who would’ve thought you could use that clumsiness like that?”
Thereafter, Eun-bi explained the parts she found surprising, her impressions, as well as the detailed results and earnings from Su-a’s first day. Listening to it all, it was quite astonishing.
‘…I just acted like myself, that’s all.’
Su-a had merely shown her true self—someone not particularly smart, prone to mistakes, and with nothing other than her honesty. Yet she was loved.
…Su-a herself didn’t feel especially great. Aren’t these Virtual YouTuber viewers just angels? Indeed, they are.
“Does savant syndrome have an effect on live broadcasts too? Anyway, Su-a, you seem to instinctively understand the Virtual YouTuber audience.”
“It’s probably because the viewers are just kind-hearted…”
“No, it’s because you know how to win theVirtual YouTuber viewers’ hearts. How many Virtual YouTubers get chased away because they rub people the wrong way? Even the NeoLive sisters are saying they need to learn broadcasting from you.”
Su-a scratched her head.
Su-a scratching… Su-a awkwardness… Su-a is proud!
“It seems like you’re getting a lot of attention within the Virtual YouTuber world right now. Let’s keep it going until the big showcase. Take good care of your voice! Practice singing!”
“Mm-hmm.”
“And finally…”
“What?”
“Thanks for real! I love you, Su-a!”
“…”
Without realizing it, Su-a scrunched up her face, emitted a “Waaaah,” and stared at her phone.
How come it’s so creepy all of a sudden? Su-a doesn’t approve!
■■■■■
Afternoon.
Su-a eventually dragged herself out of bed after catching up on some YouTube videos at home.
“Yes, Director.”
She was speaking with Kim I-seo.
The Director, like Eun-bi in the morning, discussed matters related to Virtual YouTubing, and Su-a nodded.
“Ah, I understand completely. Let’s do that.”
Do you really understand? No, you don’t! You understood nothing!
Then Kim Yu-han spoke up.
─The broadcast was wildly successful, so the plan is being changed. The idea is to continue working as an actor while dabbling in Virtual YouTubing as long as it doesn’t interfere with her schedule.
─It does look good, indeed. It seems like some surrounding dynamics might change because of this.
Su-a didn’t respond to Su-a’s Society.
Why not?
Because she was sulking. Su-a’s sulking.
─Hoh? This one is genuinely sulking?
─Ah, please! We only refrained from interfering for your own good. And look, it turned out to be a great success, didn’t it?
─That’s correct. Had we been monitoring it live, we might have tried typing with our butts! While we may have succeeded at that, the entire Su-a Society’s brains would have been destroyed.
‘….’
Is this praise or blame?
‘It would be nice if you just said something even while just watching. It felt like you had completely disappeared, and I was so scared.’
─We explained ourselves thoroughly and stepped back already!
Upon reflection, it seemed that that was indeed the case.
Hmm…
Su-a still maintained her sulky attitude. Changing her mood suddenly after being upset would make her feel even more embarrassed.
Anyway.
Su-a inserted a banknote into the karaoke machine.
“Let me try singing a bit…”
She was now seriously preparing to practice singing.
.
.
.
.
.
At the same time, in another karaoke booth.
Three high school students, wearing gym uniforms with their schoolbags on their shoulders, entered the karaoke room. They entered with boundless energy, like nothing in the world could scare them.
“I’ll start.”
“Aren’t we supposed to hit it with rap today?”
“Okay, let’s divide into parts, then.”
That’s when they stopped in their tracks. They noticed people gathered in front of a certain room.
“What’s going on? What are they all crowded around?”
“Is the equipment in that room that good?”
“Oh, wait, shhh!”
The boys fell silent and realized why people were gathered there. Due to karaoke’s imperfect soundproofing, they could faintly hear the singing from the room, and it was clearly extraordinary. The volume was low, but the skill level was undeniable.
“Wow, they’re really good!”
“A girl who sings well is my ideal type…”
“Your ideal type changes all the time.”
Though they were throwing out random comments, they all agreed on one thing: the singing was incredible.
Meanwhile.
The singer herself, Su-a, could feel her singing ability improving.
Of course, since it was her own voice, it couldn’t be entirely objective, but she could still sense changes in her body. For example, she found herself easily singing songs she could never have dreamed of tackling before.
‘…Do I actually sound pretty good?’
Su-a’s Society had also begun giving a thumbs-up.
■■■■■
Two days later.
“Aah, busy busy.”
With that thought, Su-a arrived at the meeting room.
Actually, Su-a was incredibly busy even before NeoLive was added to her life. She was already a busy actress, but it would be a pity to miss out on something just because she was busy, right?
You only live once. Success she’s experiencing for the first time, opportunities that might not come again… Su-a had decided to grab hold of them all, difficult though it might be. After all, one should still work hard while being a bit foolish.
Su-a’s diligence! Su-a’s passion!
“This was supposed to be a script meeting with Writer Hong Ye-ji, right?”
Untitled.
The schedule at hand was, in fact, a meeting for the Korean debut project of Netflix, a heavily anticipated work. She was looking forward to it, as Hong Ye-ji seemed like a good person.
As she walked down the long hallway,
“Geez.”
A person had naturally fallen into step beside her. Su-a internally flinched but her expression remained unchanged. It was someone she only vaguely recognized—Seo-jung Lee.
“What are you suddenly doing here?”
“Meetings happen spontaneously.”
Even after Su-a’s pointed remark, Seo-jung smiled slyly in response. She even licked her lower lip slightly, and Su-a couldn’t help but think this woman somewhat resembled a snake.
‘Then what? Looks scary but is actually dumb.’
That was how Seo-jung was currently imprinted in Su-a’s mind.
This was why Su-a didn’t fear Seo-jung.
For the first time in all her experiences, Seo-jung was someone Su-a found to be of lower intelligence than herself. With that thought, Su-a decided to ignore her and move toward the meeting room.
Suddenly,
Thud.
Something fell at Su-a’s feet.
“Oh.”
Seo-jung spoke briefly.
“My phone dropped. Can you pick it up for me?”
Su-a frowned.
‘Why does she have to ask me? No wait, this person is dumb. Helping this is also a duty of a smarter person, right?’
Su-a absentmindedly picked up the phone.
However,
“…?”
She stopped, startled.
‘Huh?’
Was she seeing things? No, she wasn’t. This was accurate.
‘…Isn’t that me?’
The background screen of Seo-jung’s phone was a picture of Su-a herself. Looking up slightly while still bent over, she saw Seo-jung looking at her with half-moon-shaped eyes.
“…”
Su-a thought about what this could mean for a moment.
‘Aha!’
She soon felt proud, straightening her back as she did.
‘Jackpot! This person looks up to me as a role model!’
