Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Searching for New Gems
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News about the second generation was one thing, but we had something even more important on our plate.
The Blue LUV debut first anniversary collab stream, that's what.
And with preparations for the first anniversary merch underway, the whole company was buzzing.
『Wow, our first anniversary already. Time really flies.』
『Tell me about it. Feels like it was just the other day we started working with Lulu.』
『Congrats in advance, President.』
"Hehe, thank you. Sorry for working you all so hard because of the anniversary."
And our staff—aka the LUDongbu crew—weren't exempt either.
Truth be told, the LUDongbu folks didn't have much anniversary prep on their end.
So things weren't overwhelmingly busier than usual.
But with me swamped, confirmations and miscellaneous processing were running a bit late, leaving me feeling guilty on multiple fronts.
I'll make it up to them with Chuseok incentives next month.
I've been keeping quiet on purpose—it's a surprise gift.
Hope they like it.
『By the way, didn't we plan a LUDongbu collab after our first anniversary?』
"Oh, right. I figured since I've let my voice slip out occasionally, it'd be fun to introduce you all to the Cherries and have a good time."
『Whoa, score! A collab with Lulu too.』
『Gonna clip it and request it at my funeral.』
"Ack, you're all overdoing it."
What kind of collab footage plays at a funeral?
The poor soul watching would die of embarrassment.
『Interviews for the second gen are coming up soon. How're you feeling?』
"Hmm... Honestly, nothing special. Just a little curious about who's gonna show up?"
『Yeah, definitely curious. Maybe there's someone overflowing with cuteness like Lulu in the second gen?』
"Wh-who says I'm overflowing with cuteness...!"
『Hey now, no rude remarks to the president. Leave it to me—I'll handle it.』
Good, take care of it. Ha Secretary.
『But President.』
"Yes! Sseungsseung-nim."
『Just curious—what kind of content do you have in mind for the LUDongbu collab?』
"Uh... Not sure yet. We'll do some game collab, but I think having a separate intro time beforehand would be good..."
『Like a casual low-chat vibe?』
"Yeah, exactly."
Since none of them are streamers, keeping up a long low-chat might be tough.
A simple spot for self-intros and chatting about LUDongbu should work fine.
『No worries then, Lulu! I'll unleash Surprise Worship right away!』
『Gotta hype up our president!』
"N-no need for that! Just keep it normal!"
...Yeah, those two make me a little uneasy.
But with Sseungsseung-nim as the brake, it'll be fine somehow.
Probably.
"Anyway, let's wrap up today's meeting and call it. As always, don't overdo it—pace yourselves!"
『As always, it doesn't carry much weight coming from Lulu.』
『True that.』
『Right. Don't overdo the anniversary prep—take it easy, President.』
Uuu....
I meant it as encouragement, in my own way.
Ended up getting scolded instead.
But it's true I've made them worry often.
No comeback for that.
"I-I won't overdo it...! Promise!"
『Promise!』
『Pinkie swear?』
『Neoul-nim, you'll get hit by her.』
『Sorry.』
Amid the staff's teasing, I replied in my usual cowering tone, but made sure to show my resolve.
Though Neoul-nim did blurt out something dumb as usual midway.
And got Sseungsseung-nim's signature icy retort, shrinking right away like always.
Something feels off about Neoul-nim and Sseungsseung-nim's vibe lately.
They bicker a lot, sure.
But they look out for each other the most and have great chemistry.
Come to think of it, according to Hayang-nim's rumor mill...
Word is they met up IRL during the recent vacation....
Hmm, smells suspicious.
『Agh, seriously! Why are you so immature at your age—immature!』
『I may lack iron, but I've got copper...』
『You wanna die, Neoul-nim?』
『W-wasn't it funny? It was my best gag.』
『Just go die outside.』
See? Even now.
Less bickering, more Sseungsseung-nim coming off prickly.
But it kinda looks like lovers' quarrel.
No way someone's starting an office romance in our LUDongbu?
Hmm, gotta watch this.
Kang Haneul had been insanely busy lately, with no time to even breathe.
Post-vacation paperwork was piling up, plus Blue LUV's first anniversary merch prep and second-gen interviews.
And on top of streaming separately, her days felt like 48 hours weren't enough.
Pour...
"Have some coffee at least, President."
"Oh, yeah. Thanks. Phew, shall we take a quick break then?"
"That'd be best."
Yoon So-eun, Blue LUV's head manager and her secretary, poured her a fresh drip coffee herself.
Leaning deep into the backrest, Haneul sighed and shoved the mountain of papers aside for a moment.
"Looking at them must make you sick by now."
"Nah, it's not that... Just scared after that one spill last time."
"Yeah, that was something."
So-eun thought Haneul had just tired of staring them down, but that wasn't it.
Actually, not long ago in a similar crunch, she'd sipped coffee...
And spilled it on crucial docs, causing a disaster.
Since then, Haneul cleared papers or stepped away before drinking near them to avoid repeats.
"Any raw gems catching your eye, President?"
"Luckily, yeah. Guess our girls' success drew a crowd. Way more applicants than at first..."
"Six times more, after all."
So-eun gave a wry smile, as if gauging Haneul's ordeal.
Of course, Blue LUV's launch had decent apps too.
Haneul Bom was huge in Korea as a streamer.
A virtual group she nurtured herself? Interest poured in.
But the domestic VTuber market was tiny.
The concept was still novel.
No successful VTubers in Korea yet, so apps didn't match her fame.
This time? A whopping sixfold.
Nearly 400 applicants.
More gems to pick from, sure...
"But my workload's six times bigger too."
The owner's burden had ballooned accordingly.
"Not hating it though, right?"
"Of course not."
Still, Haneul didn't mind one bit.
This proved Blue LUV's success.
And solidified VTubers' foothold domestically.
Everyone affirming her choices were spot-on.
What business owner would hate that?
Body tired, but heart happier than ever.
Tap tap—
"First-round passers narrowed to these should do."
Revived by coffee, she resumed work.
Pulling applicant forms for first-round yeses, she tapped the stack neat on the desk and spoke.
"Faster than expected."
"Yeah, thought it'd take longer."
Haneul replied flatly to So-eun's mildly surprised wide eyes.
With so many apps, figured it'd drag, but sifting first-rounders was easier than thought.
"Anyone you're eyeing?"
"Interviews not even yet—what?"
"You never know. Someone might shake you up like Da-jeong did."
"Hope so."
Doubtful it'd top that impact.
But as Blue LUV's owner, she wished for it earnestly.
Chuckling softly, Haneul nodded without much expectation.
Honestly, Da-jeong was an extreme outlier.
Her audition line hit hard, sure.
But that gaze burned into memory, leading Haneul to expand spots just to pass her.
"Urgh... Anyway, that's enough for today. Let's head out and rest. Dinner?"
"Anything you treat me to is fine."
"Cool. Gamjatang in ages—gamjatang it is."
"Sounds good."
Work done, Haneul grabbed So-eun and left the office.
Hoping those paper stacks hid new gems to lead Blue LUV alongside them.
Thud—flutter—
Then, a breeze from closing the door.
Dislodged the top sheet from the pile, fluttering to the table.
The name written there:
[Jang Ji-won]