The recent Switch Eo War Streamer Battle.
During the official Switch broadcast, it was widely praised as one of the best, becoming the most viewed broadcast for recent Switch viewers.
Naturally, the participating streamers garnered attention, and even more so for the winning team, who became the focal point.
Especially when there’s a broadcaster from that winning team who consistently attracts large audiences with every broadcast.
As the broadcaster’s influence grows, whether good or bad, excessive attention becomes inevitable.
People start becoming interested not just in the broadcasts but also in the broadcasters themselves.
Who this person is, what their personality is like, who they broadcast with, and whether the on-screen chemistry is good—these elements and more start gaining attention.
Up until this point, it’s not really a problem. Fans can somewhat understand such interest.
However, crossing that line is far too simple, and some malicious viewers may not even realize there is a line—or they pretend not to.
They investigate like the FBI: What did my favorite streamer eat today? Who did they meet? How do they spend their days during breaks?
They don’t consider how their actions might affect the streamer or cause them distress.
To them, it’s no longer important.
In the virtual world, behind the mask of anonymity, people become more brutal and cold-hearted.
They freely vent their emotions towards a specific target, like unleashing repressed aspects of their personality.
This is why certain streamers are俗called “emotional trash cans.”
<Mr. Naeri Sulmun has donated 1000 won!>
“Yesterday? How was yesterday?” This message, known as a “high rice bowl,” replayed through the computer voice with repeated questions.
Ryu-a clutched her aching head as the mechanical voice stuttered due to a bug.
Ryu-a is live now!
[Good to be back (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑]
Ryu-a, after a two-day break, found her channel flooded with viewers—more than usual.
[Share your drinking story!]
[Why no camera?]
[Ryu-a, hello!]
[Is Mollu pretty? Is Mollu pretty? Is Mollu pretty?]
[Microphone seems off.]
[So many people are making it dizzy, moderator is trash ㅋㅋ]
[Alright.]
It was two days after the drinking party.
Ryu-a, the first member of Jackie’s team to go live, drew a large group of waiting viewers.
She carefully chose her words.
“Drinking party day, let’s get started with the stories. I’m not sure where to begin…”
[Is Mollu pretty? Is Mollu pretty? Is Mollu pretty?]
[God, leave Mollu alone.]
[Whatever.]
[Your choice.]
[Just start talking.]
“I guess… I might have made a mistake after drinking too much, something I don’t normally do.”
[kekkekkekkekkek, already hilarious.]
[What kind of mistake?]
[Did you confess to Tex?]
[What?]
[Congratulations ^^]
“No, no confession. Stop saying that or I won’t share the story.”
The chat filled with “Sorrysorry, just joking ㅋㅋ.”
When viewers realized Ryu-a might not continue her story, the aggressive comments stopped.
As the mood settled and the anticipation built, Ryu-a began.
“So, I met up with Tex at Busan Station and we took the KTX. It was freezing, so good thing I dressed warmly. Since we were coming from afar, we bought tickets early, worried about missing our appointment, but guess who got there first? Typically, people from far away arrive first, right? Hmm, seems I was being too amateurish… But since I am the youngest, a bit of waiting was acceptable.”
Ryu-a clicked her mouse and showed the train tickets she had bought, drawing the viewers’ attention. Conversations shifted to winter, transportation in Busan, why streamers are often late, and more, as Ryu-a interacted naturally with the audience.
“So when we entered the restaurant, it was just Director waiting for us. We waited and chatted for a bit, then Cheol-woo arrived. Who was the last to arrive? Should I say?”
Ryu-a gave a meaningful smile, prompting immediate donations.
<Demon Temptation has donated 10,000 won!>
“Speak it out already.”
[kekkekkek]
[Ryu-a used to look flustered, now she’s handling all aspects.]
[Pro broadcaster material.]
[Team members are all sly.]
[Who was late?]
[No images yet?]
“Yes… Mollu was the last to arrive. It seems she lost her way and wandered around a while. We initially thought she wouldn’t show up, so we ordered food. Eventually, she appeared. Did anyone go get her? Well… No one had Mollu’s number.”
[This is legendary.]
[Why no exchange of contact details?]
[They’re just lazy.]
[Mollu and her fans apologize…]
[Surprising she came at all.]
<True Warrior Park Hanbeom has donated 10,000 won!>
“So, is Mollu pretty?”
Right in the middle of the Mollu discussion, a perfectly timed donation appeared.
Ryu-a had intentionally avoided talking about Mollu’s appearance, but it looked like she couldn’t dodge it this time.
Ryu-a opened her mouth, seemingly expecting this moment.
“Mollu’s face… but, Mollu streams without a camera, right? So it’s not right for me to say anything without permission.”
[Just say it.]
[Half the people here are here just for that story.]
[If she didn’t want to be talked about, she should’ve skipped the drinking party.]
[It’s bound to come up.]
[Why care about it if it’s not your business?]
[Seems pretty ugly then.]
“No! Mollu is beautiful! When she opened the door, no one recognized her at first because we’d become friends… Oops.”
With that remark, the chat scrolled by faster than anyone could read, with only the word “Mollu” visible through the chaos.
*
“Hello, did you all come here directly from Ryu-a’s room? I was also watching while eating.”
After finishing the drinking story, Ryu-a ended her broadcast, claiming she was too drunk to continue.
Satisfied viewers sent Ryu-a off warmly and moved in droves to Tex’s broadcast.
Viewers interested in the afterparty tale, especially Mollu’s appearance, left Tex the same question.
“Looks question… I knew this was coming. But honestly, it’s a loaded question. See? If I dodge, they’ll say ‘Clearly, she looks terrible.’ If I say she’s beautiful, they’ll either think I’m lying or go bananas exclaiming how gorgeous Mollu is.”
[Accurate kekkekkekkekkek.]
[Observe Tex’s insight.]
[So, is she pretty?]
[People who scream are just loud; I take it at face value.]
[Foreseeing the future…]
“I did get a loose confirmation from Mollu. She knew this might happen. When asked how to handle appearance questions, she said to speak freely.”
[Kya.]
[Mollu’s confidence wow…]
[So, is she pretty?]
“I’ll be honest based on what I feel. Yes, she is beautiful. What Ryu-a said is true. She is truly that beautiful.”
The viewers, getting the answers they wanted from Tex, began to explore other destinations after his continuation of the game stream.
The rotation then moved to Papijoa’s broadcast.
Like locusts, viewers surged into the broadcasts of Jackie Team members whenever someone went live and left after the afterparty tale concluded.
This cycle continued through Papijoa and Jackie, finally ending with Cheol-woo.
With no one left to follow, the viewers’ final destination became Mollu’s still unopened broadcast.
In the chat of an empty stream, the viewers chattered among themselves, waiting endlessly for the streamer who might or might not broadcast today.
Answering to their expectations:
Mollu’s broadcast finally went live.
