Why Us?

Why should we have to...? Vroom-. Rattle-rattle-rattle. The familiar vibration hummed up through my butt. The Galloper's rugged engine noise. Some might call it a racket, but to me, it was a beat that set my heart pounding. Thump-chick. Thump-chick. Mmm, nice, huh? Seoul's towering buildings whipped past. I was on my way to Next MCN right now. Simple reason: I'd gotten the call.

A meeting, huh... A few days after wrapping up that bushcraft trip with Im Nana. I was just lounging on the sofa with Maximus like usual when—bzzz-. Who could that be? Checked my smartphone: a text from President Kim Manho. Something about a full review of channel operations and checking the rough cut of the uninhabited island episode that Ha Bong-seok PD had sent over. Heading to the MCN office for a meeting as a freelance creator. Felt kinda like a successful career woman now—shoulders popped back with pride.

Parked in the lot and hopped on the familiar elevator. Hit the floor with the meeting room and swung the door open.

"Hello."

The door opened to a familiar face greeting me.

"Areum!"

Im Nana? There she was, tearing into a bag of snacks.

"Oh? You got summoned for a meeting too, Nana?"

"Meeting? Yeah, the president said he wanted to see me."

I blinked, puzzled. Usually, stuff like channel direction or revenue settlements got handled one-on-one. That's how it'd always been. A joint meeting? Some big announcement coming?)

I sat down and asked, "Heard what it's about?"

"Nah? Minji unnie just said come eat some meat, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so here I am?"

...Yeah, that tracks. Complicated reasons don't matter to Im Nana. If there's tasty food, she'll go anywhere.

Moments later, the door opened again—President Kim Manho and Yu Minji PD walked in. Their faces looked brighter than usual.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No worries. We just got here too."

Quick greetings, then we all sat. President Kim Manho plunked a stack of documents on the table right away. He flashed a pleased smile and got to it.

"We called you both here today to review channel performance and discuss future directions."

My jaw dropped at the numbers.

"Whoa... two million..."

"The main channel has transcended beauty content to solidly claim its spot as a comprehensive creator channel. Especially the camping videos with Areum—the reactions have been scorching hot."

President Kim Manho kept going. Existing beauty fans plus an influx of casual viewers into camping and daily life—synergy exploding, he analyzed. But the real shocker was the sub-channel.

"'Great Table' hit 500k subscribers in just one month since launch. Fastest growth in Next MCN history."

Made sense. I'd binged it a few days back and was floored. First video: rematch at the conveyor-belt sushi joint. She demolished 100 plates, got the owner to wave the white flag. And that was just the start—jumbo ramen challenge cleared, full menu stampede at a Chinese place, mukbangs testing human limits. Viewers went wild.

"Hehe, it's all 'cause you keep buying me all that yummy stuff, President!"

Im Nana shrugged happily at the praise.

...Wait, you were footing the bill, President? Free food for real.

President Kim Manho nodded and turned to me.

"Next up: Areum."

"Main channel's topped 600k. The explosive influx has tapered off a bit due to the niche genre, but it's still on a steady upward curve."

True—the initial frenzy had cooled. But that's natural progression. Can't pull in everyone who hates camping. If anything, it meant a solid core fanbase was building.

"The surprise is the sub-channel, though."

He pointed to the sub-channel graph. Steep climb. Faster than the main by a mile.

"320k. Explosive reactions despite being so new."

"...Huh?"

I blurted it out before I could stop myself. The main channel? Built with every trollbait, dark history, and pro tip in the book. The sub? Just casual daily vlogs. Why was that blowing up so fast?

Reading my mind, Yu Minji PD smiled and chimed in. "Two big factors in the analysis. First: Maximus."

"Ah... Maximus."

Made perfect sense. That white fluffball's cuteness was straight-up cheat code.

"And second..."

Yu PD pulled up a video. Me walking Maximus. Him bounding ahead full of energy, me panting to keep up. Then, moments later—

Oh crap, not this video...!

Splat-. Me face-planting on the ground. People probably thought I tripped. Nope. Just collapsed from exhaustion. Sob... And that was after two months of workouts. Where'd all my effort go?!

The clip ended with me sprawled out, staring up at Maximus.

...Wait, now that I look—Maximus, you got that deadpan stare going? Why do I keep seeing expressions on a dog's face?

"...Ah."

A sigh slipped out.

"Areum's 'lovable klutz' vibe is giving viewers huge laughs and healing. The contrast with her perfect looks and that human side? Fans are obsessed."

"......"

I got it was praise, but why so bittersweet? I aimed for pro camper conquering the wilds. Damn it...

"That's the rundown. Truly impressive. It's an honor working with you both."

President Kim Manho stood and bowed deeply. The sudden formality threw me.

"N-no, it's all ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thanks to your great leadership, President."

"Yeah! President's the best!"

Im Nana threw up a thumbs-up. Warm vibes all around.

March now. Spring approaching. Camping season. Outdoor season. Just had to soar higher on the foundation we'd built.

Pfft? If spring's camping season, what's winter? Duh—camping season.

"Ahem."

That's when Yu Minji PD, who'd been quietly listening, spoke up cautiously.

"Um... This meeting's not just performance review. We wanted your input on something."

"Our input?"

Im Nana and I asked in unison.

Yu PD clicked the remote, bringing up a new screen. A Nertube channel homepage.

Profile pic: a woman with pink-dyed hair beaming. Round face, cute vibe. Thumbnails crammed with travel, mukbang, games—total variety content.

"Mind taking a look?"

"Who's this? Never seen her."

Im Nana tilted her head. President Kim Manho cleared his throat.

"Ahem. I'll explain. Straight to the point: we're looking to recruit her to our MCN."

"Recruit?"

My eyes widened. Time to scale up the company, huh.

"Yes. I've watched her for a while—huge potential."

His gaze was dead serious. If he said it, she wasn't average talent.

"Started as a game streamer, transitioned naturally to all-around Nertuber with her killer wit and charm. Great chemistry with old streamer buddies, super loyal fandom."

Yeah. Game streamer background meant proven live skills and engagement. 500k subs? Solid mid-tier already.

But a question hit me. "Wouldn't she already have an agency? That size solo's tough."

Usually at that level, they're MCN-affiliated or have dedicated editors.

President Kim Manho's face darkened at my question.

"She did. But..."

He pulled out his smartphone and showed an article.

"...Huh?"

Had to stifle a laugh at the headline. Embezzlement? Arrest?

"That's her old MCN."

"Ah..."

"Investigation showed the CEO pocketed over half the ad and donation revenue. No proper payouts either."

"Whoa..."

Nothing but awe left. Skimmed half? That's inhuman. Crime's a crime, but the scale was insane.

"What a scumbag. How does someone do that?"

"Right? She's flying solo now. Mentally wrecked, so streams are sparse."

Sad story. Talented creator clipped by some greedy jerk.

Im Nana slammed the table. "Then recruit her! You said she's got talent! We can help out!"

She was already hyped about a new family member. Simple, but warm heart.

I nodded too. "I'm in. If it's your eye, President, I trust it. Folks like her need a good environment."

President Kim Manho beamed. "So you're both on board?"

"What do we have to agree to? It's your call."

"Haha, thank you. Duly noted as approval."

He gave a meaningful smile. Hm? What's that grin? Feels ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠familiar. Like Ha Bong-seok PD right before dumping some weird mission on me. Chill ran down my spine.

As he stood, President Kim Manho said, "Now, you two convince her."

"...?"

"...Huh?"

Im Nana and I both gawked.

Convince? Us?

He sighed deeply, looking pained. "Sigh~ Tough nut. Tried reaching out a few times, but after that big scam, she's super guarded."

Made sense. Foot chopped by the axe you trusted—no, whole body. No wonder she'd swear off agencies.

"Set up a meeting spot next door, but..."

"Next door?"

"Yeah. But if I go in, she'll shut down hard."

He fixed us with pleading eyes. "Fellow creators, Next MCN members—your sincerity might crack her shell. Please."

"......"

Ding? So... you can't do it, so send ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠us to sweet-talk her?

"Why should we have to...?"

The words slipped out before I knew it.