Chapter 29

What is the key aspect of game development?

Graphics? Story? Sound? Gameplay?

Maybe all four?

Of course, this varies depending on the person.

However, the visual novel that Hayoon aims to create is a genre that minimizes the ‘functional’ aspects of games to the extreme.

Though, around 2023, visual novels with mini-game elements began to emerge…

“Why is that still considered a visual novel?”

Hayoon firmly believes that the identity of a visual novel is already well-explained by the category itself.

‘Visual’ and ‘Novel’—these are the alpha and omega of visual novels.

Some argue that the decline of visual novels is due to the lack of game-like elements.

Yet, the consistent demand for visual novels stems from their story-focused progression—not imitations of common mobile gacha games.

At least, that’s what Hayoon believed.

From that perspective…

“This is the right direction.”

The game “Cosplay Holic,” still far from completion—without even dialogue recording or BGM insertion—faithfully adhered to the essence of a visual novel.

Clean UI.

Concise dialogue and intuitive storytelling.

Stunning graphics.

It faithfully pursued ‘Visual’ and ‘Novel.’

“Let’s maintain the current approach? If we continue like this, it should work.”

—Agreed, let’s proceed while maintaining the current method, right?

“Yes, continuing like this seems appropriate. We need to keep sound in mind during the coding process as well.”

Hayoon believed this was sufficient, and she approved the continuation via a phone call with Jin Ho.

Additionally…

“Could we speed up a little if possible? The sooner we finish, the better.”

—Uh, wasn’t 3rd or 4th quarter release planned?

“Ideally, we should aim for March. Anyway.”

—I see. I’ll try to speed things up, but are the voice actors and BGM side contacts going well? We might release the demo without voicing, but it’s better to plan schedules in advance.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. There are plenty of voice actors available through the association.”

With a smirk, Hayoon’s lips curved upwards as she was talking with Jin Ho.

—Why the sudden silence?

“Um, it just occurred to me… Is it okay if I handle the voice actor contacts myself?”

—Yeah, sure… It’s your money anyway. If you’ve already discussed it with Arin, I have nothing more to say. You decide.

“Got it. Thank you for your continued effort. I’ll hang up for now.”

—Alright, confirmed.

Hayoon isn’t entirely sure when a certain stock will soar dozens of times, as she follows the accumulation method and doesn’t focus on charts like professional investors.

But…

“I know exactly when each voice actor hits their peak value.”

Given her love for both Japanese and domestic works, Hayoon is more knowledgeable about the direction of domestic voice actors than the fluctuations of stocks.

“Who among the voice actors just became a freelancer?”

With a subtle smile, Hayoon scanned the list of voice actors who graduated from public auditions.

In 2020, there were around ten female voice actors whose contracts with their broadcasting companies expired this year.

Among them, the one shining the brightest…

“Of course, it’s her.”

Having selected the name of the newly-freed voice actor who showed great potential, Hayoon focused on finding her contact details to secure a contract.

—

Surprisingly, domestic voice actors tend to be older.

Given the intense competition ratio of public voice actor auditions and the years of preparation involved—four years at university, a few at acting schools, and military service for males—it’s common for actors to be in their mid-30s when they finish their initial two to five years of exclusivity. Some even surpass 40.

Finding younger voice actors isn’t easy.

However, Hayoon views this as the biggest problem in the domestic visual novel industry.

The so-called “red pill” refers to the voice actors being too old.

The primary age group of visual novel players ranges approximately from late teens to early 30s male users, while most domestic voice actors are typically over 30.

Thus, the marketing strategy that turns game fans into voice actor fans, and those fans into customers for the next game, is difficult to implement.

If the pool of amateur voice actors were richer, it might be a different story. But it isn’t.

“It would be perfect if there were successful early-20s voice actors…”

Though disappointed, Hayoon needed to make do with the available options.

She sent contact emails to a 26-year-old voice actor and another who had just turned 30, both considered relatively young in the industry.

“Disappointing, but it can’t be helped.”

Believing that maximizing the dedication of the niche market is the best marketing approach for small visual novels, Hayoon identified four key elements to enhance fan loyalty: illustrations, story, merchandise, and voice actors.

While illustrations, story, and merchandise could be managed under Hayoon’s direction as the producer, voice actors were an uncontrollable factor.

Considering this, Hayoon thought she might try contacting some promising talent and build them from the ground up, similar to certain Japanese companies. She received a response within a few hours.

“Ah…”

-Hi, this is voice actor Park Ji-hye.

After careful consideration of your offer,

I believe we should first schedule a meeting to negotiate salary and recording schedule.

Thus, let’s arrange a meeting…

A newly-freed voice actor is literally “free.”

That is, they’ve just become a freelancer after their contract with a steady company has ended.

As a result, their workload temporarily declines, making the period right after becoming free unstable income-wise.

Which explains why Park Ji-hye, who claimed to have “carefully considered” Hayoon’s offer, sent a reply within three hours.

This period when work opportunities are scarce makes securing them as quickly as possible essential.

“Sure. I’ll conduct the meeting personally at a nearby café near Seodaemun Station…”

Hayoon replied promptly, considering Park Ji-hye’s needs, and upon confirming the email was sent, she exhaled sharply and clenched her fist.

“Got it!”

Park Ji-hye:

Currently 26 years old.

It’s rare to find such a young voice actor among those whose public audition contracts have expired in the domestic market.

“Even if she plays a role in the next two or three years, she’ll only be 28…”

With three titles, still 28.

This age gives her undeniable market value.

If we host an event like a signing at AGC with Park Ji-hye, many people will likely attend. And fundamentally…

“With a good enough look.”

With these conditions, anything is possible.

Park Ji-hye is also one of the fastest-growing voice actors that Hayoon recalls over the next few years.

Buying into a star’s potential at their lowest point in the industry is deeply satisfying…

Except for one minor issue.

The fact that Hayoon is too young to meet Park Ji-hye.

Of course, this is a solvable problem.

Hayoon isn’t alone anymore.

“Unnie.”

-Huh?

“I’ve arranged a meeting with voice actress Park Ji-hye. You’ll come tomorrow to our usual café. The time is 2:20 PM.”

-Huh…?

“You just need to smile and be there. I’ll handle the talking. I’ll also cover your transportation and bonus. Please come, I trust you!”

-What? No, wait…!

This concern could be easily resolved by bringing along Arin, who is older than Hayoon and taller at about 165 cm.

Compared to the still youthful Hayoon, Arin’s tall and distinctly collegiate figure would convey a more professional impression.

It’ll work out somehow.

“Oh, taxes.”

Now that I think about it, tax issues…

“Dad!”

“Huh? What’s up?”

“Let’s go register as a business owner next Monday.”

“Hm, okay. Got it.”

We’ll go together with Min Jeong-kyun and sort it out.

“Youth entrepreneur tax exemption.”

With the coming of May, we also need to calculate year-end taxes, so getting the business registration sooner is better.

“This is exciting.”

I’ll give them a clear deal they can’t refuse.

—

The next day.

Hayoon met Park Ji-hye at a now familiar café near Seodaemun Station, accompanied by Arin.

“You know… I dressed to the max, but is this alright?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Come on, it’s a professional voice actor. A real pro.”

Arin, who wore a sweater over a shirt, seemed uneasy.

It was understandable to react this way.

After all, Arin hasn’t produced any significant works as an amateur, while the other party is a professional voice actor.

“You know, she’s only 26. Only eight years younger than you. Do you have any older cousins? It’s just that kind of age gap.”

“No…”

Hayoon remained calm.

After all, the money is on our side.

“We’re paying, and if the voice actor refuses to work with us, their annual income will drop. She’s missing out on a chance to earn over 500,000 won per hour of recording. Would she reject this opportunity?”

“‘Drop in annual income’? Isn’t that a bit extreme…? Also, is our budget enough?”

“We have the capacity to offer 100 per hour.”

“100 won?”

“I’ll start with 55 and gradually increase if the other side negotiates, but there’s no way they won’t accept before hitting 100,000 won.”

If there’s a concern about funding, just increasing the money we offer should do the trick.

Park Ji-hye herself, having just gone freelance, would likely be eager for the immediate financial security.

Knowing the unstable income of freelancers better than anyone, Hayoon felt confident this deal wouldn’t fail.

-Ring.

Just then, a familiar face entered the café.

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