VTuber? Screw It, Let's Give It a Shot
The interview started with self-introductions. From the first person on the left to the fourth on the right. Unlucky or lucky, that fourth person was me. I hadn't prepared anything. Since I knew I'd get rejected anyway, I planned to just wing it.
"Alright, we heard you. Next."
The interviewer's words left me puzzled for a moment. Don't they usually ask follow-up questions during self-intros? The first woman who'd just finished looked confused too.
She said she was an indie streamer—aren't they curious about that?
What she'd streamed, her concept, her activity period—stuff like that. I figured they'd ask. But as I was thinking that, it was suddenly my turn.
"Yes, Chogyeoul-ssi. Please introduce yourself."
Tsupi, who'd been quiet until now, flashed a bright smile at me.
You were silent this whole time!
I sighed inwardly and opened my mouth.
"I'm Chogyeoul, an illustrator with six years of experience. I'm 20 this year, and I dropped out of university."
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
Tsupi pondered for a second. Meanwhile, I thought about my body. For some reason, I looked way younger than my original age, and yeah, I'd dropped out this year. That was all the changed ID and memories told me. I should've realized then. I needed to avoid Tsupi, who was prying so relentlessly.
As I tried to drop my awkward smile, Tsupi fired off another question.
"You mentioned six years as an illustrator—do you have a portfolio or activity history to show your skill level?"
"Uh."
Why ask that? Is this even relevant for a VTuber?
I hadn't expected questions about illustrator work instead of streaming experience.
"I didn't prepare anything."
"That's a shame. It would've been nice to see."
Why do you keep going?
As Tsupi's questions dragged on, the other candidates' faces grew darker. Was self-intro always like this? Fortunately, she stopped, and their expressions brightened again. The hope of still having a shot fueled their drive.
After that came questions on motivation, thoughts on Maerchen Live, broadcasting in general, differences from other companies—detailed stuff. The candidates answered eagerly, but the interviewers' faces weren't impressed.
They're out.
And I was the only one worrying about something else. I'd breezed through most questions without tension. No stuttering, no rambling. Among the four, I'd stand out.
It's fine. There are more candidates than just us four, right?
I comforted myself like that when—
"Good work. You can go now."
At Tsupi's words, we four gave quick bows and headed to the hallway.
"Ha. I bombed."
"Me too."
"That one over there got all the questions—lucky."
Those three must be friends. Or they bonded in the waiting room. Anyway, the three pairs of eyes on me weren't friendly. I got it, but still—jealousy's a thing, so cut me some slack.
"Take the stairs this way. And the first-floor cafe offers free coffee, so stop by."
"Whoa, thanks!"
I nodded to the staff and hurried down to the cafe. Big company perks—free coffee for applicants. The place was huge too. Sure, I'd made decent money as an ille, but memories of childhood poverty made me frugal. Most of my cash went to family anyway. Boy breadwinner? Girl breadwinner now? Yeah, that was my spot.
Lost in thought, I suddenly had coffee in hand. When did I grab it? Unconscious auto-hunting's dangerous. If it'd been a knife instead, straight to the slammer.
Sipping the warm coffee, I left the KR Maerchen Live headquarters.
Ah, should've gotten espresso.
A few days after the interview.
"But why'd I pass?"
As I scrutinized the email from Maerchen, a text from Tsupi popped up.
At least it wasn't a special interview. Fair enough—she didn't seem like the type to pull strings. Tsupi was lively, but at team lead level, she kept work separate. I thanked her congrats and got back to work.
Locking 3rd and 4th gens in hanbok felt too brain-breaking, so I went with yukata—looks good. VTuber debut means how to handle outfits? Someone else? KR Maerchen has other ille, but I handle most solo.
If I debut, guess I'll work on streams.
Whatever, cross that bridge later. No need to jinx it. Not even passed yet.
"Hmm. Since I passed the first round, might as well go all in?"
Pre-interview, VTubers weren't on my radar. Now? Kinda curious. Girl body, nice voice. Only talent's art, but demand's there.
I paused work and rechecked the email.
Thinking that, I logged into Trjjik. Platform popular with streamers, full of VTubers. They want us broadcasting here?
Then a thought hit.
Avatar how?
Phew. Back to Trjjik, checked VTuber category. Indies and agency ones aplenty. Top ranks? KR Maerchen Live crew. 23 streaming now. Dizzying—1st to 23rd all theirs. Debut means surviving among them, stealing seniors' spotlight, viewer flow.
I'm an asocial mess—can't do that.
Sighing at the grim future, but hey—woman now, why not try VTuber? Past first round—no backing out. Fine, transfer from ille to VTuber.
