I Declare Myself a VTuber
Yep, looks like it's true.
I slammed my phone shut and muttered under my breath.
"...Fucking assholes."
When I came to my senses, the entire community was on fire. Everyone online was like they'd been hit by some hypnosis app, piling on to tear me apart. And these were people who called themselves my fans just days ago.
"Well... not surprising. The group turned into that mess."
Seohee Shin's sex scandal, Hamin Do's drug bust. And Ayaka's parachute corruption allegations. I'd been stuck between those three hopeless idiots for three years. Getting treated like just another crazy bitch was bound to happen eventually.
But still...
-So what happens to the Jamsil concert?
"......"
Jamsil Olympic Stadium. Korea's largest multipurpose venue, with a insane capacity of 70,000. A symbol that only the absolute elite of the industry could grace. The stage every idol dreams of standing on at least once.
And the one that slipped right through my fingers.
"If it weren't for those fucking scumbags."
No, fuck. It just doesn't make sense. Selling out your own idols for money? And not just any idols—Zenith, Korea's top group?? It makes zero goddamn sense. What the hell was their reason for pulling that shit?
"And on top of that."
The CEO got bought off and betrayed us at the crucial moment, losing us two trials. Not content with that, the drug, hooker, bribe trio scandals tanked public opinion completely. Like some master's secret sauce, it was 'and that's not all~' with the hate piling on relentlessly.
In the end, as expected, I had no choice but to terminate my contract and retire.
And just like that, I quit being an idol.
......
...
...
-So what happens to the Jamsil concert?
"...No, fuck. That's not how it should go down."
Who am I? Seong Eunha, Zenith's proud idol. The professional bus driver who dragged those drug-hooker-bribe losers all the way to a Jamsil concert.
Quitting like this felt too unfair. Especially since those scumbags were the cause.
I'm going on stage. Jamsil if possible, or even overseas tours beyond that. I'll carve my name into the highest peak a star can reach.
Singer, band, broadcaster, utaite, faceless artist... whatever it takes. As long as I can perform, I'm ready for anything.
"I'm not in a position to be picky right now."
Hell, I could even throw on a reverse bunny maid outfit and do the O-tan-go dance.
...Nah, on second thought, that might be pushing it. Prostitution isn't my specialty, after all.
Anyway, that's how desperate I am. No one's actually crazy enough to do that shit for real, right?
"......"
Though I have a feeling there's at least one who might...
Whatever. Moving on.
Click.
I turned on my computer. Then I scoured the internet desperately for examples, no holds barred.
Click. Click, click.
Hours passed with my eyes glued to the monitor, staring holes through it.
In the corner of some news site I clicked absentmindedly, I finally stumbled on the 'example' I'd been hunting for.
"VTuber...?"
Actually, maybe it was inevitable that I'd find that article.
* * *
Not that long ago, back when I was still a guy.
"Kitsune Ai... or something like that."
The first VTuber existed. She shook up the internet the moment she appeared—a total monster.
Then came the COVID pandemic, and subculture exploded into a full-blown VTuber boom.
"Some shark from who-knows-where... or the old-maid captain... or that bunny girl with the weird laugh..."
Why do I know all this? Because before debuting as an idol, I was a total otaku.
Subculture was my home turf. Sure, the last three years of idol life kept me too busy to touch it...
But even I knew as common knowledge that the internet was now ruled by VTubers.
The era of great VTubers.
And in this era, one VTuber had seized wealth, fame, power—all of it.
[Indie VTuber ‘Angel’, Solo Concert at Jamsil: "Sold Out"]
Angel, the 2-million-sub VTuber. The one who burst onto the scene three years ago and sold out Jamsil solo.
Reading the article, I stroked my chin and murmured.
"VTuber... tch... VTuber, huh..."
Honestly, it was a pretty tempting option. First off, it's easy to prepare for.
...You might call bullshit, but hear me out.
Yeah, I retired, but Zenith was a top Korean idol group. The savings I have left are astronomical for a normal person.
"A few million won for virtual modeling?"
Chump change to me.
...Okay, not exactly gum money, but totally doable.
"Unlike someone who blew it all on gambling and drugs, I've been saving diligently."
Anyway. No money worries.
And once funding's sorted, another huge perk of VTubing stands out.
"Anonymity."
Performing without showing your face. For me, that's the biggest advantage.
"What if I tried going public with my face right now?"
Now that Zenith is branded the drug-hooker-bribe group, showing my face is risky. One wrong move, and some pissed-off community gallery turns my dome concert into a stabbing party.
Plus.
"Zenith's trademark rights are still with the company."
Even after terminating the contract, strictly speaking, my face isn't fully mine. Sounds insane, but they could seize it with 'that's not your face anyway,' and I'd have no comeback.
Best not to stir shit right now.
Especially since...
"I've still got the third trial ahead."
I'm not ending the lawsuit here. Cases flipping on appeal exist, even if rare. It'd go back to retrial.
If not for that CEO bastard's betrayal, we could've won.
So I'll fight to the bitter end, pulling every dirty trick. Starting with that fucking CEO. Then the hooker, junkie, parachute... up to BK Entertainment's chairman. All of them. Locked up, not one left in this world.
...... Enough bullshit.
"VTuber it is, decided."
Goals are simple: Jamsil concert within three years. 2 million subs.
Seems impossible now, but... wasn't every idol like that once?
More urgent: how to debut.
"Hmm..."
I rested my chin, humming.
Two choices: corporate agency VTuber, or indie solo.
Agency's a no-go. They'd see my name on the resume and reject instantly. Hooker, drugs, bribes, Seong Eunha—let's go. Even I'd tell Voldemort to fuck off and wish them prosperity.
So agency out. Leaves indie...
"But that's tricky in its own way..."
Indies do everything solo, no company help. Means prepping every damn thing from scratch. Takes massive time and effort.
Not impossible with my idol track record, but why take the hard road when easier exists?
"You'd be great at streaming."?
Even a monastery dog recites poetry after three years. An idol? Forget it.
Surviving entertainment's cesspool clean is near impossible. I did it my way.
Riiiing──
"H-hello...?"
Connections, basically.
In three years as an idol, I met tons of people and built ties with plenty.
Luckily, one who could help me now.
"Ah, unnie."
A 7-year streamer and 1-million NewTuber.
And...
"I'm thinking of going VTuber."
She's doing it right now.