Chapter 62
Chapter 62
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 062
Chapter Title: Masked Tube Star
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In fact, my lifespan had been coming in pretty steadily these past few days. I’d thought it was due to the drama reruns. But no, there was actually another source.
“Ignorance is no excuse. Not knowing doesn’t make the crime disappear.”
Kwon Seonghyeon’s voice was firm. His usual smile was gone, so it looked like he wasn’t going to let this slide easily.
“I-it’s true! I had no idea it was Yeonwoo-ssi! If I’d known, I wouldn’t have uploaded it or I would’ve asked for permission first. As you know, I never posted the busking footage anywhere except the broadcast.”
It could be seen as a sort of happenstance. If he’d known it was me and uploaded it anyway, that would’ve been pretty malicious, but it didn’t seem like that was the case.
[Truth]
Without even consciously activating it, the additional ability ‘Intent Discernment’ kicked in naturally. It was specialized for script reading, but judging simple truths like this was a piece of cake.
[Man, our actor is seriously impressive……]
The Child Spirit, perched on my head like it owned the place, chimed in.
[How’d he spot that it was you from such crappy footage? As expected of a top actor’s sharp eyes?!]
That was something I was curious about too.
‘No way. It’s impressive he even found it. Oh. Was it because he rode with me that time?’
He’d even discovered it right before the staff member came to confess.
“R-really, I’m so sorry. It wasn’t intentional, but I still caused harm, so I have nothing to say……”
The staff member bowed his head again.
“Yeonwoo-ssi. What do you want to do?”
Suddenly, the arrow turned back to me.
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Leaving the video up as is doesn’t seem feasible. It’s already spreading in real-time. If you want, we can handle it at the agency level.”
“Gasp……”
The staff member made a choking sound. If the agency got involved, this would no longer be a personal matter—it’d escalate to a legal battle.
“We’ll follow whatever Yeonwoo-ssi wants.”
Kwon Seonghyeon’s gaze fixed straight on me. He meant it. If I said sue, he’d mobilize the legal team immediately.
But.
“Why make it complicated?”
I shrugged.
“You said you came here first to address it?”
“Yes? Oh…… yes! It got so much attention that I got scared. Messages and emails started flooding in from everywhere……”
He shuddered, as if just thinking about it gave him goosebumps.
‘Come to think of it, I saw comments like that earlier.’
-Hello. This is XXX from FXX Media’s entertainment desk. Emailing regarding the video in question. Please check.
-I’m an assistant director from music survival show MXXX. Wondering if I could inquire about booking that performer? Could you share contact info?
-We’re NO.1 classical label RXX. We’d like to do an interview—please reply with your contact if possible……
I’d only skimmed while checking testimonials, but even to me, several big-name companies stood out.
“I just happened to film it and upload it, but now everyone’s hunting me down. It’s giving me full-on neurosis. And that’s not all. Some crazies tracked my account and even found my private SNS, sending comments and DMs……”
The staff member shuddered again.
“I work in broadcasting and see celebrities all the time, but…… I can’t imagine how they endure this. It’s so overwhelming it’d drive you mad…… They’re all amazing.”
How? If you don’t want to die, you make it work somehow.
“It wasn’t malicious, so no need to blow it up. A proper notice should suffice.”
“Yeonwoo-ssi. You mean leave the video up?”
“Yeah. Why delete it?”
Leaving it would keep the lifespan rolling in naturally. No point wasting that.
But their reactions were odd.
“No! You can’t! Please do something about this video! Since you’re the star, can’t you take it?”
“Yeonwoo-ssi. Think carefully. This involves your portrait rights and copyright too. The more it spreads, the harder it’ll be to prove your originality later.”
“Y-yes! You have to clarify fast, or someone could swoop in and claim it as theirs!”
I got Kwon Seonghyeon’s point, but the staff’s reaction was extreme.
“Please take it! I’m so scared—can’t you help?”
Most would get greedy over a viral hit, but this guy seemed decent. A bit too timid, maybe.
“How do I ‘take’ an already-uploaded video……? Feels wasteful to delete it.”
“There’s a way!”
The staff member shouted desperately.
“Just open a Nutyube channel, Yeonwoo-ssi!”
“Pardon?”
As I reflexively questioned the out-of-left-field suggestion.
“Oh. That’s a good idea. We file a copyright claim from this side, and your account name pops up. Viewers will naturally flow to your channel.”
“Pardon……?”
Kwon Seonghyeon nodded, looking convinced.
“Phew. If you do, I’d be grateful. Deleting it without explanation means contacts keep coming, so linking properly is way better! Thank you so much. Sorry for the mess, and thanks for caring this much……”
“Didn’t think of opening Nutyube, but it’s gentler than suing. No backlash either. Thanks to you, it’ll wrap up as Yeonwoo-ssi wants—so thank him.”
“……?”
Things were moving at lightspeed suddenly.
“Then I’ll leave it to you. Sorry again. I’ll remember your understanding and repay the favor later. Thank you!”
The staff, who’d looked half-dead, brightened up and bolted like a rabbit.
“What just happened? What’s this about a Nutyube account?”
The mood had flipped to resolved.
“Simply put, we make a Nutyube channel in your name and upload the video there.”
“Why go to that trouble?”
“You become the original creator. Anyone covering or sampling your music pays you royalties.”
“Not really after money……”
Lifespan from the video’s reach was what mattered.
“It’s not just money. Hearing that guy…… Lately, even big celebrities dip into Nutyube.”
“Really?”
“There’s backlash, sure, but Nutyube’s influence is huge now. Easier access than TV too.”
Influence. My ears perked at the word.
“Is Nutyube that influential?”
“Yep. Some Nutyubers outrank celebrities in fame. Just my take, but…… Your music’s too good to bury. How about uploading to Nutyube?”
“Nutyube?”
“Lee Juha’s pretty known there too.”
Kwon Seonghyeon pulled out his smartphone and showed me.
“……Why so many numbers?”
One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand…… Hundred million?
“More than Korea’s population?!”
“He’s big overseas too.”
The follower count was insane.
“All fans of Lee Juha’s music?”
“Surprised?”
Very. I knew he was successful, but this was beyond.
‘100 million……?’
Even roughly calculating, harvestable lifespan would explode exponentially. Why I wanted musical talent? Music transcends language barriers, sharing emotions naturally with top accessibility. Same reason for radio. But Nutyube was an even bigger market.
‘Maybe…… start light?’
Tempting. Intensely so. Test music’s influence. See if it delivers. Perfect opportunity.
“What do you think, Yeonwoo-ssi?”
“Sounds good.”
My head nodded readily.
“But no need to reveal it’s me right away.”
“Ah. I get it. Your fame could bias judgments here.”
Kwon Seonghyeon was quick.
“Anyone would fall for your music, so revealing later amps the impact.”
Hadn’t thought that far, but it made sense.
[Weird. Never thought I’d see Yeonwoo on Nutyube.]
The sparrow overhead—the Child Spirit—muttered.
That night, three videos uploaded to a bare-bones new channel.
The quiet first step that would later spark a massive storm.
***
A desolate channel with nothing but a few uploaded videos.
When the staff’s video got taken down, curious folks trickled in, but only questioned.
-?? What’s this channel?
-What? Is this really the original uploader? Only three videos—imposter?
-This’ll get taken down soon too; dummy account obvious.
-No proper concert footage, but that one shaky video had hooked millions with its music.
Still, nearly ten million had become true fans of the faceless musician.
So they wouldn’t take kindly to some random claiming ownership.
-What…… Same person? Kinda basic……
-Imposter confirmed ㅉㅉ Reporting to Nutyube ㅃ
-Feels similar maybe?
ㄴYour ears broken. Nothing alike.
-Technique, theme—pathetic compared to ‘that’ video.
As new tracks uploaded one by one, they listened and trashed the channel owner with “As expected!”
But.
-What? This new track slaps. My ears broken? :(
ㄴNah. It’s gorgeous to me too?
-Maybe owner changed?
ㄴHiring for paid promo? ;;;
ㄴA composer this good doing promo? Pride wouldn’t allow.
As tracks kept coming steadily, doubts faded.
Even haters started questioning.
-This one…… actually really good?
-Not classical’s a shame, but OST-level.
ㄴFelt a whole story unfold.
-Quality jumped, right? Previous violin/piano were solid too.
ㄴMixing added last time, getting sleeker.
ㄴAgreed.
Initially waiting to hate the next.
-Now when’s the next?
ㄴWeek feels like a month.
ㄴMine’s a year.
ㄴBig plan? Baited us with aggro to hook……
Now, pure anticipation replaced suspicion.
The channel owner, Yeonwoo, was oblivious.