Overthinking? Time for Camping!
Yep, when you've got a ton on your mind, nothing beats camping. Right then, my smartphone buzzed. The caller ID read [Nana Channel Manager Kim Manho].
...I'm screwed.
I picked up with trembling hands. "H-Hello...?"
I braced myself for a collab cancellation notice or at least a stern warning. Whatever it was, I'd take it like a champ.
But the voice booming from the receiver was the opposite of what I expected—practically buzzing with excitement.
"Areum! That live stream just now was amazing!"
"...Huh?"
"It was straight-up a godsend move! You started off all awkward and tense to lower the viewers' guards, then bam!—you exploded at the perfect moment and etched your character into their minds perfectly!"
...Character? I had no clue what he was talking about.
"That rock-solid camping philosophy! The charisma of a pro who tolerates no apostles! That's what the viewers went nuts over! It was such a smart, calculated performance!"
Charisma...? Calculated performance...?
I was floored. What I'd done was just a total failure to control my anger. And this guy saw it as broadcast strategy?
"We can't just let this genius broadcasting instinct go to waste. Areum, sign with our MCN officially. We'll give you the best terms—full professional management, editing team, legal support, everything. And we'll push hard for collabs with Nana too."
What the hell was this situation? I couldn't even process what to say.
"Um... could you give me a little time to think it over?"
Even after hanging up, I sat there dazed for a good while. First things first, I needed to assess the damage.
I fired up my computer and loaded the Camping Gallery. It was a total festival in there. Clips and screencaps from my live stream were flooding the concept posts.
I clicked the one with the most recommendations.
A hollow laugh escaped me. The next concept post was even worse.
"That's not camping, that's just moving house, moving...!"
"How dare you start camping with such heretical gear combos!!!"
"Camping national rule: pork collar over belly."
"Not even accepting the large cup of yukgaejang."
...Boomer Gramps?
Now even her nickname didn't have a whiff of "camping" in it! This was dangerous. Kind, gentle healing camping girl YouTuber—my grand dream of a channel image—shattered overnight.
I dove onto the bed and flailed around like a drowning man. Those three syllables "Boomer Gramps" wouldn't leave my head. I kicked off the blanket, hurled pillows, thrashed my legs.
Gentle girl my ass. I'd become a pretty-faced old-man curmudgeon.
"Urghhh...!"
Mid-growl of rage, I bolted upright.
Fine, let's see. How many people are gawking at this mess?
With the intent to check viewer counts or comments, I logged into YouTube Studio. That's when I spotted the email icon next to it, marked 99+.
[Ad Inquiries], [PPL Offers], [Sponsorship Requests]...
One in particular caught my eye. I opened it.
The attached proposal was packed with photos of cute, pastel camping gear. My philosophy? Camping equipment should be sturdy and practical above all.
These were the polar opposite.
She wants me to promote this?
Definitely not a fit for my channel. Sure, some people love that stuff. I scrolled past without a second thought.
Then, on the final page, I froze at the unexpected numbers. It was several months' worth of my old salary as a guy.
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly without realizing. With that money, I could cover living expenses and splurge on top-tier gear I'd always dreamed of.
I cupped my face and scrubbed hard.
...Get a grip.
I couldn't sell out my camping philosophy for chump change. After a moment's hesitation, I typed back.
I hovered over send, squeezed my eyes shut, and clicked. The confirmation popped up, but instead of relief, anxiety hit first.
...Was that the right call?
Once the worries started, they snowballed. MCN recruitment, bizarre nicknames, overwhelming ad inquiries. It all crashed down at once, and my head felt ready to explode.
Ah, screw it! When my head's a mess, it's camping time!
I closed the YouTube browser and pulled up camping site booking pages. While scrolling through photos, memories of camping with Im Nana flashed back. It was noisy, but there was a different kind of fun from solo trips.
Solo time's great, but two wasn't bad either. I grabbed my phone and called Im Nana.
Ring, ring—
"Hello, Areum!"
"Hey, Nana. You free this weekend by any chance?"
"Weekend? Yeah! Totally free! What's up?"
"Thinking of going camping this weekend..."
I swear I heard her gulp on the other end. "Wanna come with?"
"For real?!"
Her cheer nearly pierced my eardrums.
"Yes! Love it! Where we going?"
"Haven't picked yet. I'll scout spots."
"Okay! Oh man, I'm so excited...!"
Listening to her bubbly chatter, a smile crept onto my face unbidden. Then it hit me—an important detail.
"Oh, right. Nana, did you buy more gear yet?"
"Nope, not yet... I've just been looping your videos. No clue what to buy..."
Figures. Weirder for a newbie to pick gear solo.
I thought for a sec. "Then let's make time midweek. Hit up a gear shop together and pick solid stuff."
"Huh?! For real? Won't it be a hassle for you?"
"I need stuff too anyway. I'll text times."
"Yes! Thank you, Areum!"
After hanging up, a practical issue dawned on me.
...But what do I even wear?
Camping used to be easy—no-brainer hiking clothes or a hoodie. With a sigh, I flung open the closet. Still a foreign world inside: flowy dresses, skin-tight skinny jeans, navel-baring crop tops.
"How the hell do people wear this stuff out?"
Griping, I grabbed the first flowy floral dress that caught my eye. "This pajamas or what?"
I tried it on and stood before the mirror. The reflection nearly made me hurl—flowers fluttering everywhere like a human wreath.
"Blech. Out."
No hesitation, tossed it. Next, skinny jeans. These weren't pants; they were leg paint. Holding my breath to button them, circulation cut off and my head spun.
Skinny jeans. Out!
After grunting through closet raids and mirror checks, I found the safest combo: white shirt layered with beige knit, loose-fit jeans that looked comfy.
Redressed, back to the mirror. A neat college girl fresh from the library stared back. Pure, clean image. Anyone would like her.
If she wasn't me, I'd be smitten.
"Best option—safe and neutral..."
I scooped up the rejects, shoved them back in, and flopped onto bed. Where to camp? Or just car-camping? Revenue hits next month anyway...
Shook my head. Nah, gotta shop for Nana's gear and break it in. That's the fun of shopping.
Phone out, hunting uncrowded sites. Flipping sites, one caught my eye: Gangwon-do mountainside campground.
Decent terrain for mountains. Chilly, but prep right... yeah, looks good?
Early November, cusp of late fall and early winter. This weather sends campers to park-style sites, not mountains. Mountainside = low crowds. Plus, drivable right up. Bonus.
"Whoa, a site like this? Where? Pyeongchang?"
Oh, near that goat-filled Sky Ranch?
Site picked, schedule fell into place. Camping fun includes local sights.
Get there early, hit the ranch.
"Phew, that works. Grab food en route."
Satisfied, about to set phone down—then a crucial fact flashed.
Wait. Im Nana's a 1.8 million sub YouTuber.
I'd just invited a celeb to daytime shopping. Cold sweat trickled down my spine. Too late, I realized my massive blunder.