Chapter 136

Seohui Jo had been in a good mood lately.

This was because Sooyeon, who had seemed a little upset recently, now felt quite amicable.

“Is it because we went to that upper-class party together?”

The reason wasn’t exactly clear.

However, it was evident that her favorability had recently increased.

The frequency of her replies had also risen, and at this rate, they might soon be able to speak with casual familiarity!

“Besides, the project I’m working on with Jiyeon is progressing steadily.”

To be honest, Seohui hadn’t been particularly interested in what Jiyeon had mentioned at first.

She had just thought of it as some internet broadcaster using a strange avatar for streaming.

“Still, it seems to have market potential.”

That thought came after understanding the situation a little better.

“The biggest appeal is that one doesn’t have to reveal their face.”

For broadcasters, having your face recognized is often the norm.

But this “Vtuber” concept doesn’t require the face to be revealed.

It’s unlikely for one’s identity to be pinpointed, so even if controversies arise, they’d only be related to the avatar.

It wouldn’t deeply affect one’s personal life, at least not for Seohui.

“…A relatively stress-free way to connect with the audience, right?”

As a broadcaster, there’s no way to avoid all stress, but the ability to communicate with the audience while hiding one’s personal details felt like a big benefit to Seohui.

Vtuber.

Avatar.

And animé-styled character design.

All these elements seemed favorable to Seohui.

Truthfully, it didn’t stir much emotion in her.

She thought, “I guess it’s just something like this here.”

If anything, she found it cute.

“You should spend money to make it pretty. That would be good.”

That was how Seohui felt after all.

In fact, neither Jiyeon nor Seohui, belonging to a similar category, were really into animé or Vtubers. They usually thought of it as “just something like that.”

“Yo, Seohui Jo. Aren’t you spending too much money?”

Seeing Seohui carefully researching the market and working hard on creating her avatar, Jiyeon was shocked.

She had only recommended it as something fun to do, but she didn’t expect Seohui to be this passionate.

“Feels good to do it as a side job on my off-days.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

There weren’t many platforms where one could genuinely interact with the audience freely.

Of course, she was keeping the fact that she was “Actress Jiyeon” a secret, but it was still a convenient way to subtly ask about public opinion.

For example, asking, “I heard the OO drama was interesting. Have you watched it?” and getting immediate feedback.

Although the viewer demographics might not overlap very much, she could still inquire about a variety of things.

For celebrities, interacting with the audience fulfilled a certain need in their hearts.

It was through Sooyeon that Seohui learned about Vtubers, but this aspect brought Jiyeon great solace.

“I thought she would have moderate interest…”

Seohui ended up doing more research than Jiyeon expected.

In fact, Seohui seemed to know more about it than herself at this point.

Unlike Jiyeon who received help from the ‘wizard,’ Seohui had used her family’s resources to gather all sorts of information like a sponge.

“But, is this something Sooyeon would like?”

“…Sooyeon?”

Jiyeon was puzzled by Seohui’s odd tone.

“Since the last party, I’ve been talking to her casually.”

“Only you?”

“…I guess just me.”

Hmph. Seohui crossed her arms, glaring at Jiyeon as if to say, “Do I really have to point this out?”

But soon, she slowly lowered her gaze.

Despite being known to others as someone who could be intimidating, Seohui considered Jiyeen’s appearance scarier.

If she herself exuded an authoritative vibe, Jiyeon had a look that made people fumble with money in their wallets.

People like her usually led a crowd of girls.

Jiyeon said she didn’t, but Seohui was still suspicious.

Perhaps there had been some school bullying rumors?

“…You sometimes look at me in a way that’s extremely annoying.”

“Ah, must be a mistake.”

Girl.

Perceptive. Seohui cleared her throat awkwardly, avoiding Jiyeon’s gaze.

Anyway,

“Lately, things feel good.”

Sooyeon supposedly liked this Virtual YouTuber thing.

Through ‘Ramiel,’ she could display a friendly side that Sooyeon would surely appreciate.

And Seohui had already watched Ramiel’s streams multiple times.

There was even the scene where someone Sooyeon was suspected of being poured a lot of money, only to be mostly ignored or occasionally acknowledged.

“Me too.”

Jiyeon said she’d guide Sooyeon to watch Seohui’s stream, allowing her to communicate with Sooyeon like Jiyeon.

Then, perhaps Sooyeon could become her fan.

It felt oddly fulfilling even just thinking about it.

“At this rate, we could become best friends soon.”

Thinking like this recently,

“Hum… Hmm. Hey, Sooyeon. Let’s work hard on today’s shoot?”

*Hyper Action Star.*

The final filming to determine the actors moving to Group A.

After this, only the quarterfinals and semifinals remained, leading to the final round.

Today being exceptionally important, Seohui had no intentions of betraying the team.

After all, betrayal here might have consequences worse than just annoyance.

With such fresh thoughts, she greeted Sooyeon.

“…”

Sooyeon’s gaze was unusually sharp.

It was as if she was scrutinizing Seohui from top to bottom.

“Why, why are you doing that?”

Startled, Seohui asked, and Sooyeon shook her head.

“Definitely someone like Seohui.”

Among those lately mixing with Jiyeon most frequently, Seohui was the most suspicious.

Of course, Seohui doing something like being a VTuber seemed strange, but her gut feeling pointed at her.

And Sooyeon’s instincts tended to be quite accurate.

“Hmmm.”

When did Jiyeon get this close to her?

This was a very complex feeling.

Of course, Sooyeon didn’t have any strong emotions about Jiyeon making new friends, given she had many anyway.

But it was different if she became friends with Ramiel.

“Too much.”

Sooyeon’s hands trembled.

She had been watching Ramiel since her beginning days, diligently interacting and supporting over long periods.

And then, Seohui swooped in like a hawk, claiming the seat beside her!

Her hands and feet naturally trembled, and her eyes overflowed with jealousy and other emotions.

Certainly, Jiyeon would be startled if she found out about the extent of her friend’s obsession with ‘Ramiel.’

But how would Jiyeon even imagine her friend being so devoted?

Still,

“Made Vtuber friends.”

That was something that pleased her.

If Seohui was indeed that silhouette, and had genuinely taken an interest in Vtubers to join Jiyeon…

Then, perhaps they could have relevant conversations, albeit not about her avatar.

A personal conversation.

She couldn’t have such conversations with Jiyeon, as she preferred seeing Ramiel and Jiyeon as separate entities.

However, Seohui seemed likely to initiate talks from some other angle, even if not directly about her avatar.

Then, naturally, they could delve into such topics, which she somewhat looked forward to.

Still,

“The final challenge today will be a large-scale fight scene.”

Today’s final challenge in *Hyper Action Star* auditions suited Sooyeon perfectly.

Although that was a separate matter.

Because Sooyeon still had a fire burning inside her.

“Why, why are you looking at me?”

Upon hearing the word “fight scene,” Seohui looked at Sooyeon with tension, as the latter’s gaze seemed ominous.

And then—

– Does Jo Sooyeon bear ill feelings towards Jo Seohui?

– She should get what’s coming to her since she betrayed the team twice.

– Jo Seohui’s acting is actually pretty good.

– ??? Acting?? Is that really acting??

– Jo Seohui not moving. Did she die??

– Poor Seohui…!

Seohui paid the price for past betrayals, tumbling hard.

She tumbled very well, and thanks to her somehow receiving it properly, the scene came out convincingly.

Whether that was intentional was unclear though.

“So now, we will announce the final auditionees.”

The top 16.

Proving action skills alongside remarkable acting, these were the first ones to reach the top 16 mark.

Do-ha Min waited anxiously while taking a sigh of relief as she waited for Cha Min-kyu’s announcement.

“Now it’s over.”

Oddly, Sooyeon hadn’t chased her today.

This let her take on the filming relatively relaxed.

Yeah, this is what filming is.

Up until now, what she had done wasn’t filming or acting but real life.

All that method acting stuff people talked about was nonsense. Min-do-ha had run for her life.

To survive from that monstrous woman.

But now even that monster, Sooyeon Joo, was parting ways.

“Since today was relatively uneventful…”

She thought her usual impact created by Sooyeon’s chases wasn’t matched.

“Right, this is my level.”

Through this audition, Min-do-ha recognized her limits.

She’d confidently thought that having good physical skills and a decent amount of acting would suffice.

There were plenty of actors who could do that.

She couldn’t match sophisticated acting like Jo Seohui or find roles that highlighted her like Han So-yoo did.

Just average.

She doubted if anyone would have even noticed or mentioned her if it weren’t for Sooyeon Joo.

“Alright, this is where I’m meant to stop.”

Min-do-ha muttered to herself again, gazing at actor Cha Min-kyu to see who would be the last qualifier for the top 16.

“Joo Sooyeon, Jo Seohui, Min Do-ha, and Han So-yoo.”

“?”

“Exactly, these four. Congratulations!”

Claps erupted from all sides.

Applause congratulating the qualifiers.

Or it could be applause for those who didn’t make it.

However, no one thought it was unfair that these four actors made it.

Everyone agreed.

“Congratulations Mr. Do-ha.”

“You put on an incredible performance. I learned a lot.”

The actors she performed with in the last mission congratulated Min-do-ha with applause.

Truly, Min-do-ha felt like crying, for various reasons.

***

KMB Broadcasting Company.

Drama Department meeting room.

Several PDs gathered to discuss the scheduling and programming of upcoming broadcasts.

Which shows to push in prime time?

And how to adjust releases according to the changing trends of the viewers.

“Let’s settle this first.”

With a smile, Baek Tae-soo PD started the discussion.

The one who had previously supported writer Im Jin-ha during *Dream Future.*

He quietly looked at Lee Min-hwa PD, responsible for *Sky Garden,* and spoke.

“How about *Sky Garden*?”

“Hmm…”

Other PDs hesitated slightly about Baek Tae-soo PD’s question.

If head of the drama department, Ha Tae-oh, were present, he might have approved.

However, he didn’t participate in today’s meeting.

It was due to some personal matters.

Anyway, this gave Baek Tae-soo PD more authority.

In KMB, Baek Tae-soo PD held significant power, with almost no peers matching his seniority.

He was practically in line for the upcoming drama department director position.

Hence, the PDs couldn’t help but notice.

“To be honest, I have several concerns.”

“That’s true.”

Baek Tae-soo PD again looked at Min-hwa PD, which made her furrow her brow slightly.

He enjoyed it, softening his gaze.

“Great actors were hired, and some of the most talked-about actors lately were cast, like Joo Sooyeon, for instance.”

Two projects so far, but with an impressive impact.

One of the talents that the market is recently focused on.

And then *Dream Future* followed by another youth drama.

“Still, to even call it a youth drama is a bit off, considering it’s more of a social satire.”

Baek Tae-soo PD wasn’t merely criticizing *Sky Garden*.

Clearly, there were signs of unease on other PDs’ faces.

“Wasn’t it originally planned for a cable channel?”

“…Yes.”

“With romance being somewhat lacking.”

Lacking wasn’t the right term; it was entirely absent.

In public broadcasting, it was a rather fatal flaw.

At least it’s what the higher-ups seemed to think.

“The writer who penned the script, well, this is his or her debut work. Of course, filling the void left by writer Im Jin-ha during *Dream Future* was impressive. I think this writer will undoubtedly achieve great things later.”

However,

“That doesn’t guarantee it with this production.”

The risks of a debut work were significant.

But *Sky Garden* couldn’t be dismissed simply for that.

Because the quality of the actors was exceptionally high.

“Are we adding any romance elements?”

“That’s supposedly out of the question.”

“Hmm…”

“Just in time, we do have other promising projects besides *Sky Garden*.”

“But the department head does seem keen on *Sky Garden*, doesn’t he?”

“Mr. Ha’s opinions have been largely incorporated already. But, there’s still another matter…”

PDs spoke like that, observing Baek Tae-soo PD’s reactions.

Currently, KMB was pushing three major dramas.

One was *Sky Garden.*

However, for the higher-ups, it was considered a risky production.

The other two dramas included one directed personally by Baek Tae-soo PD.

Cast-wise, it was strong, featuring actors who hit it big continuously.

The writer was also a hit-maker, Kim Myoung-yeon, and it was a drama laced with romance, favored by the higher-ups.

“So, which drama should we prioritize?”

The statement from Baek Tae-soo PD hung heavy in the air over the KMB Drama Department meeting room.

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