Chapter 160: Retrying the Dream (1)
Chapter 160: Retrying the Dream (1)
Lee Ji-yeon had expected this to some extent.
First of all, Seo-yeon wasn't the type to lie.
She would rather avoid the subject than tell a falsehood.
So, the fact that Seo-yeon had dodged the question was as good as a confirmation.
And what that meant was...
The number of people currently in Ramiel’s room was...
4,800.
It was a staggering figure.
It was the kind of number only a handful of top-tier corporate VTubers could hope to achieve, yet there it was, displayed on Ramiel’s screen.
Of course, more than half of them were likely just there briefly out of curiosity.
For context, Ramiel’s average viewership was usually around 500.
In other words, her audience had grown nearly tenfold.
"O-oh, there are quite a lot of people today."
In response to the regular viewers' reactions, Ji-yeon’s manager—not just her 'Ramiel' stream moderator, but her actual real-life manager—was working tirelessly.
However, when a crowd gathers, trolls are inevitable.
Even more so when the interest was sparked by a celebrity.
"…Ah, you’re saying Actress Ju Seo-yeon watched the stream. Let’s see."
Ramiel’s voice remained infinitely sweet, but behind the scenes, she was gritting her teeth.
To Lee Ji-yeon, VTubing was supposed to be her healing time.
"…."
Regardless of her feelings, the Super Chats were exploding.
Seeing the donations, the heat in Ji-yeon’s heart began to melt away.
While the Super Chats Seo-yeon sent were nothing but a nuisance, the ones from others were different.
The manager was handling things well enough.
At the end of the day, she was doing this to make money, so Ji-yeon couldn't possibly feel bad seeing the Super Chats pour in.
"Ah."
Following the comments of other viewers, Ramiel looked up the third episode of Golden Duckling that had recently aired.
The episode focused on two main things: her watching internet broadcasts and her time at the gym.
"So, she got caught trying to watch it secretly?"
It seemed Seo-yeon had tried to utilize her superior acting skills to the fullest.
With an incredibly serious expression, she stared at the monitor and took notes.
Only very occasionally would the click-click of her mouse be heard.
Looking at her, she seemed like a diligent student listening to an online lecture.
The only problem was that the monitor captured a suspicious character moving on the screen.
Ramiel sighed as she read the chat.
Furthermore...
A familiar nickname sent a massive Super Chat.
Of course, that’s how it looked on the surface.
But to Ramiel, it was money she’d have to return anyway.
Naturally, she hadn't told Seo-yeon that.
"Thank you."
Ramiel simply gave her usual greeting and signaled her manager with her eyes.
And just like that, Seo-yeon was banned.
Anyway.
The fact that Seo-yeon was caught watching Ramiel’s stream was a hot topic on the internet for various reasons.
That dead-serious face.
Watching a VTuber while pretending to study was bound to get people talking.
Of course, since it wasn't explicitly highlighted, the general public barely knew.
However, anyone who spent time in online communities couldn't miss it, as the clips were circulating everywhere.
Debates raged over whether Ju Seo-yeon was the "real deal" or not.
There were even rumors that the person who kept getting banned after sending Super Chats lately was actually Ju Seo-yeon.
While that theory was quickly dismissed, the possibility remained: What if it really is Ju Seo-yeon?
Naturally, after seeing this, Ji-yeon kept Seo-yeon on the ban list for a while.
And there was one more controversy related to Ju Seo-yeon.
The controversy first sparked during the swimming pool episode.
The way Seo-yeon fell into the water suggested a significant amount of weight.
But if that was just vague speculation...
The following third episode was much more specific.
The VTuber stream wasn't the only thing that went viral in episode three.
In fact, the VTuber incident was mostly something that spread through communities after the broadcast.
Most people were actually more interested in the gym segment that followed.
To start with, that day, Seo-yeon had focused on more "feminine" exercises to maintain her image.
Squats for a hip-up.
Very light weights.
Focusing on bodyweight exercises to improve flexibility.
When she did...
"Seo-yeon? Are you hurting? Not lifting heavy today?"
"Lifting heavy is the highlight of your day, Seo-yeon..."
"Ah, are you doing that? The plates are a bit light. Want me to add some for you?"
People who didn't realize they were filming kept hovering around her, saying things like that.
Naturally, the viewers watching the broadcast couldn't help but be puzzled.
"Are they being serious?"
"No way, surely not."
"But it looks like they really don't know they're being filmed. All the swearing is muted."
Despite the situation, Seo-yeon stubbornly stuck to her workout.
Up to that point, it looked like a relatively normal gym routine for an actress.
The problem came next.
"I will attempt the 'Ju Seo-yeon Challenge' with Actress Ju Seo-yeon herself!!"
"Ooh! I was just about to suggest that."
"Well said, Actor Jung. Let me try after you're done."
Unlike the other gym regulars who didn't know about the filming, Jung Hyun-woo realized it the moment he stepped inside.
They’re filming Golden Duckling here today!
The first episode had already aired.
There was no way he wouldn't know.
First, the gym layout was slightly different.
And there were things that looked like cameras attached to the ceiling everywhere.
This is my chance.
Was it called the "trickle-down effect"?
All those days of diligently coming to the gym Seo-yeon frequented were finally paying off.
Finally!
If I can just stand out here, I might get a role in a major network drama, not just cable!
He was confident in his looks.
He had been working hard on his physique lately.
And for his acting, he had been subtly asking Ju Seo-yeon for help.
She wasn't famous for her acting for nothing; whenever he asked, Seo-yeon would give him incredibly sincere advice.
Eye contact, line delivery—even though she was much younger than him, Jung Hyun-woo had learned a lot from her.
"Pardon? The Ju Seo-yeon Challenge?"
Seo-yeon looked a bit flustered.
"You need an Adiz chair for that, and there's no way a gym would have one..."
"We have one! The owner bought one recently!!"
"…."
Why on earth would a gym owner buy an Adiz chair?
Despite the thought, she felt that with that much enthusiasm, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.
Besides, most people failed the Ju Seo-yeon Challenge anyway.
Even people trying it with light women failed, so it wouldn't be strange if he failed with her.
"Alright, please sit here."
Jung Hyun-woo took a deep breath.
After glancing at Seo-yeon sitting in the chair, he grabbed the base of the frame.
And then, he heaved!!
He heaved... and failed.
"It didn't even budge?"
"Come on, Actor Jung, use some muscle."
He strained and strained.
Of course, the chair didn't move; only Jung Hyun-woo’s body was doing the straining.
Unable to watch any longer, the other gym regulars stepped in.
"Wow, this isn't happening."
"Seo-yeon, how did you even do this?"
Unaware of Seo-yeon’s actual weight, the men stepped back with awkward laughs.
Of course, the gym owner, who knew Seo-yeon’s InBody results...
"…."
He just stood there, his lips twitching in silence.
As if he had expected exactly this.
Like Ramiel, Jung Hyun-woo was the second person to benefit from this episode of Golden Duckling.
People found his inability to lift the chair funny, and they noted he was handsome and had a good body.
That was the general reaction.
Of course, there was also some controversy about him having "balloon muscles" since he couldn't lift her.
In fact, news broke that Jung Hyun-woo had received advertisement offers after Golden Duckling aired.
Naturally, he went to the gym and gave Seo-yeon a deep bow of gratitude.
So, while Ramiel and Jung Hyun-woo gained a lot...
There was one person who suffered.
Namely, Ju Seo-yeon’s father, Ju Young-bin.
He had essentially become a superstar of the online communities.
From now on, whenever anything went wrong at Raywill Games, he would be the first one dragged out to be roasted.
In contrast, Sua only gained a positive image.
The same went for Su-yeon.
Did... did my image actually improve?
Seo-yeon was unsure if the original purpose of filming the observational variety show had been achieved.
*
Afterward, the Ju Seo-yeon special concluded to rave reviews.
As for Producer Han Da-young of Golden Duckling...
"Please appear again sometime! I'll even make a permanent spot for you!!"
She spoke as if she were ready to kowtow on the spot.
She had every reason to; the viewership for the second part of the Ju Seo-yeon special had hit a staggering 14 percent.
It was a number rarely seen since internet broadcasting became the mainstream.
Consequently, Golden Duckling wasn't the only one looking for Seo-yeon.
"By any chance, aren't you close with Actress Ju Seo-yeon? Could you get her on our variety show?"
"Someone contact Nova Entertainment. Ju Seo-yeon’s variety sense is no joke."
Calls came in from various stations, including KMB, which had been close with Seo-yeon from the start.
They all wanted her to film just one more variety show.
While Seo-yeon generally enjoyed filming variety shows...
It’ll be difficult for a while.
She would do it if the opportunity arose, but her schedule was currently backed up.
Furthermore, after her appearance on Golden Duckling, Seo-yeon’s image had become very relatable to the public.
It’s an improvement, I suppose.
The memes of her fighting a spear-wielding gorilla had mostly faded.
Partly because it was just a passing internet fad.
While she failed to establish the "intellectual honor student" image she had aimed for through Golden Duckling, she was now being viewed in a "daughter" or "younger sister" light.
It meant she had become that much more familiar to people.
The 'killer' image from Cha Seo-ah seems to have faded a lot too.
She felt relieved about that.
She had worried she might only be cast in villainous roles from then on.
However, she planned to pace herself, fearing that doing too many variety shows might make her image seem too light.
"But, Ju Seo-yeon."
"Yeah."
"Did it really have to be fishing?"
Lee Ji-yeon asked seriously.
Today was the day they were meeting Actor Lee Sang-soo, as promised.
Sea fishing, just like when they filmed Star Fisherman.
The members were almost the same, too.
Just without the PD or the staff.
"It’s my first time fishing, and almost my first time on a boat."
"That’s good then."
Seo-yeon answered nonchalantly as she organized her gear.
Since she was going to see Lee Sang-soo, she felt it would be awkward to go alone.
After all, the protagonist of Gyeongseong Lady had been Lee Ji-yeon, not her.
Even Jo Seo-hee had contacted her personally yesterday.
Asking if she could come along too.
However, Seo-yeon had declined the idea of the three of them going together.
Jo Seo-hee seemed a bit disappointed but appeared to understand.
"Instead, please, please put in a good word with Actor Lee Sang-soo. However..."
"However?"
"Director Baek Min-chan seems to want to see him act once, even if Actor Lee Sang-soo says he'll do it."
Seo-yeon frowned at Jo Seo-hee’s words.
Of course, casting based solely on a name without seeing the acting wasn't ideal.
She knew that, but...
I wonder if Actor Lee Sang-soo will accept that.
He was currently very cynical about acting.
In fact, a few years from now, he would naturally decide to retire.
His final work would be some Hollywood movie that people wouldn't even remember.
Seo-yeon didn't want that.
"Ah, Miss Seo-yeon, you look as healthy as ever."
At the meeting place, Lee Sang-soo greeted them with a hearty laugh.
He seemed a bit awkward with Ji-yeon, who had come with Seo-yeon, but both he and Actor Song Gwang-min, who was always with him, welcomed them with smiles.
After all, having more fishing novices was a welcome thing for them.
Even more so if it was a girl the age of their own daughters.
"Actor Lee, here. You were looking for this, right?"
"Oh, thank you. Miss Ji-yeon is very sharp."
And so, the fishing began once they boarded the boat.
The two men, who were initially awkward around Ji-yeon, quickly warmed up.
Ji-yeon, who had complained about coming along, was acting incredibly charming toward them.
Seo-yeon, watching this while reeling in her line, found it fascinating.
She’s really serious about her social life.
I guess that’s why she’s good at streaming too.
Anyway, even if Ji-yeon wasn't good at fishing, she worked hard to support them in other ways.
She was a good conversationalist, and whenever Lee Sang-soo seemed to be looking for something, she would bring it to him like magic.
"Wow, I wish I had a daughter like Miss Ji-yeon."
"I agree. She’s very bright."
The two men chatted amiably.
Seo-yeon, listening quietly, narrowed her eyes.
She had gone fishing with them many times, but they had never said they wished they had a daughter like her.
Of course, the two actors, unaware of Seo-yeon’s thoughts, looked out at the sea and laughed as they continued.
"And looking at Miss Seo-yeon, it makes me think it would be nice to have a puppy."
"Ah, I know exactly what you mean."
The conversation continued, neither of them realizing Seo-yeon was eavesdropping.
Ji-yeon is a daughter, and I’m a puppy?
Seo-yeon felt a sudden, petty surge of annoyance.