Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Secret Proposal
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After receiving the message, I pondered for a bit.
This audition was fairly fair. But if one of the participants met with an official staff member, it could be seen as unfair in some way.
The message said that if it was hard to come in person, online was fine, or if it was really inconvenient, refusing the meeting wouldn't lead to any disadvantages. Still, I was honestly curious.
What did they want to say?
Advice about streaming? Or could it be they were taking bribes like in my old school days?
After agonizing over it all day, I decided to go.
Just to hear them out, at least.
The next day at lunchtime after getting the message.
I stood in front of a building.
"Looks like they're doing pretty well."
The shiny building suggested the company was making good money.
Of course, they didn't own the whole building—just one floor in that tall structure—but that was still something.
As I blankly stared at the building, a woman emerged from it.
She wore horn-rimmed glasses, her hair loosely tied back, and a checkered shirt. She came out, looked around, then pulled out her phone and made a call somewhere.
*Vrrr—*
When my phone started ringing, I instinctively knew. That must be the person I was meeting today.
"Yes, hello."
[Ah, this is Handler Lee Ha-yeon. Where are you right now?]
"Right in front of you?"
[Yes? Ah... Huh? Ah...]
At my words, the handler, who had been looking around, locked eyes with me. Her eyes widened, and she came running over.
"Miro-nim?"
"Yes, that's me, Miro."
"Ah, haha... I see. Please, come inside."
Confirming I was indeed Miro, the handler gave an awkward smile and led me into the building.
"How did you get here?"
"I took the subway. Took about 30 minutes."
"Good thing you live in the capital area."
We made small talk as we rode the elevator, arriving at the company's sixth-floor office in seconds.
"This way, please."
The place she guided me to clearly looked like a one-on-one consultation room. Probably where affiliated creators met their handlers.
"What would you like to drink?"
"Ah, water for me, please."
"Got it."
After seating me in the consultation room, the handler quickly returned with water and some snacks.
'...Do consultations here last long enough to need snacks?'
Well, if it was just casual chat, they wouldn't have called me in.
"Feel free to snack as you like."
She poured the snacks onto the table between the facing chairs, handed me a bottle of mineral water, and sat across from me.
"You must be wondering why I called you here today."
"Yeah. Have other participants come in before?"
This was pure curiosity.
If they called me, it meant others might have been called too.
"Ah, no. Unless we're calling everyone, that would be a disaster."
"Yes? Then why me...?"
Fortunately, the handler seemed aware of the issue. So why did she call me?
"Um... Before we get into it, can you keep our conversation here confidential?"
"What kind of talk requires that...?"
"It's nothing that would disadvantage you, Miro-ssi. But it might seem unfair to others."
"Then I'll keep it secret. Do I need to sign an NDA or something?"
"Haha... No need. We'll have you sign the company's internal nondisclosure agreement later if you pass and sign a contract."
Mentioning contracts already...
It sounded like passing was a done deal.
Feeling somewhat specially treated put me in a good mood.
Sure, it was unfair treatment—but if it was unfair in my favor... did I really need to object?
"Understood. I'm curious what this is about."
I nodded and gazed at her intently. The handler flinched slightly, cleared her throat, and began.
"We highly value your potential, Miro-nim."
"My potential?"
What? She can spot talent?
To recognize my potential already—guess the company has some real ability.
"For starters, your streams are fun. You have a natural talent for hosting. And your voice is great too."
The handler began praising me.
A typical audition participant might smirk inwardly at that.
"Your singing tone and sound are so unique and appealing."
But I knew those weren't empty words.
Those praises included the strengths I felt every time I saw the female Kim Suhyun through the eyes of the male Kim Suhyun—a third-party perspective, sort of.
After finishing the compliments, the handler paused, then got to the real point.
"However, the current direction of your streams feels too far off from what we envisioned. To be honest, we're looking for a virtual idol who receives unconditional support and love from fans."
I nodded slightly at her words.
I knew what the problem was.
My streams definitely had a different vibe from the other participants'.
Seeing my small nod, the handler, who had been gauging my reaction, continued.
"So, we've decided to make you one proposal here."
"A proposal?"
"Would you consider completely overhauling your stream's atmosphere? Uproot it from the ground up and rebuild the foundation."
Hearing that, I furrowed my brow slightly.
Making my displeasure clear through my expression.
As I frowned, the handler flinched again, took a sip of water, and pressed on.
"O-Of course, it'll be tough at first. But after passing the audition and releasing songs, you'll attract a lot of new viewers. At that point, your current vibe could actually hinder you."
She didn't say it outright, but the implication was clear.
If I promised here to change my stream's atmosphere, gradually weed out the current viewers, and shift the room's vibe, I'd pass.
I closed my eyes and thought it over.
From my perspective, seeking long-term gains, a viewer base refresh made sense.
But separate from growth, I didn't hate the current atmosphere.
Sure, it was a bit intense, but was it bad enough to uproot entirely?
I could tone it down by making an example of a few.
It'd be nice if all viewers loved me unconditionally, but honestly, I found the back-and-forth more fun.
What fun was there in a stream full of unconditional yes-men? It needed some who pushed back to stay engaging.
Especially since my streams lacked real content and relied on my mouth.
Should I just say no?
I might fail the audition then.
But even if I did, I'd grow slower than the official passers, but I had confidence I could steadily become a proper streamer.
But did I have to?
Couldn't I have both?
Just like how I had the memories of both male and female Kim Suhyun.
Was there really no way to greedily take both the audition pass and my current viewers?
No, there was.
I opened my eyes and met the handler's gaze directly.
The woman in the checkered shirt and horn-rimmed glasses subtly lowered her eyes as I stared straight at her.
'Unintentionally took the momentum.'
Did she have bad memories from school?
Whatever it was, gaining the upper hand was good.
"Could you tell me how many passers you're aiming for overall? Even just your personal opinion."
I asked with a gentle smile.
The handler pondered briefly, nodded slightly, then spread her hand wide.
"About five, I think."
"Five... Then wouldn't one wild card be fine?"
"Yes? Wild card?"
My upcoming tantrum-like proposal probably couldn't be handled at her level alone, but maybe she'd pass my opinion upward?
"Viral marketing."
Viral marketing.
In short, marketing that makes viewers spread the word themselves.
"Having one person occasionally stir things up draws attention, right? Not forcing incidents, but when you're around playful viewers, slips of the tongue happen."
Was that a bit arrogant coming from someone handling audition participants? But no choice—I wasn't scripted; I was freestyling like in a stream.
"Hm... But wouldn't that harm the other passers? We're forming one group, and if one person's fandom gets... too intense."
The handler countered cautiously. Despite the careful tone, it hit hard.
"On the flip side, couldn't some of those intense newcomers settle into my room... maybe?"
Mid-sentence, I felt like I was forcing it.
Imagining my viewers doing the same in other passers' rooms made my head spin.
My confidence waned midway, but my intent was firm.
"...Would it really be that hard?"
"Yes... We could soften the atmosphere a bit, but uprooting it entirely seems tough. That way keeps the stream fun too."
"I see... Alright, I'll bring it up with the higher-ups."
"Yes... Thank you."
And so, the meeting with the handler ended somewhat shortly and awkwardly.
"Ha... Did I screw it up?"
As I left the building, I habitually tapped the cigarettes in my pocket, debating whether to smoke. The momentum was good, but yeah, it was a stretch.
I'd spoken seriously, but boiled down, it was "I don't want to change my stream vibe, but pass me anyway," right?
Practically childish.
Do my viewers know how hard I'm working?
Of course, I couldn't talk about today's convo on stream since it was confidential, but still, it'd be nice if they appreciated it.
...Though, like always, I had no prepared content today either.