Chapter 22
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: [Meerkat's While We're At It, To The King]
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Kangyul recalled that 'What's Up Man' had hit 3 million subscribers back in 2022. But this time, he had a feeling they could reach it even faster.
"Let's upload What's Up Man on Thursday."
The 'What's Up Man' channel was already set up, ready to go live with a video at any moment.
Kangyul scheduled the upload and set 'Gourmet Kangyul A' and the recommendation channels as featured links.
'Gourmet Kangyul A' was closing in on 70,000 subscribers.
👥 Subscribers:69,743
📈 Average Views:112,149
The average views had surpassed 100,000, showing just how popular it was.
The channel had grown this much in less than a month.
'I've applied for monetization too. Revenue should start rolling in next month.'
Even if they made money off 'Gourmet Kangyul A', it was still a massive loss for the company overall.
Kangyul's minimum goal was to build at least five channels with a million subscribers each.
'Only then can we call ourselves a real content production company—and an investment firm.'
Now that 'What's Up Man' was up and running, Kangyul started brainstorming other content.
Next on his mind was a gaming channel.
Something like new game reviews in the style of Daedoseogwan, Uwakgood, or Pungwolryang could work. Or specializing in horror games like Sutaek or Kim Oenpal.
'Cheolgu or Kim Seongtae-style streamers would be great too, but they're too niche for streaming only.'
When Kangyul first brainstormed, he thought recruiting gamers would be the quickest route. But Kim Donghwan, who was out scouting, said gamers were the hardest to recruit.
Surprisingly, they weren't into money or being in front of people. Most just wanted to game quietly at home or compete in tournaments for the wins.
'Ugh, can't just pick anyone at random... I wish I could drag a company employee in to film.'
Kangyul picked up a cold french fry and popped it in his mouth.
The soggy texture felt heavy and stale.
Ding―
[Kim Min-a]: President. Want me to make you some coffee? Or maybe cocoa?
Ever since learning Kangyul was a kid, Kim Min-a had started treating him more warmly.
She never said it outright, but her attitude made it obvious.
'Cocoa? Come on, I'm not a real child.'
[President]: No cocoa. Could you make me some misutgaru? It was thick and tasty last time.
[Kim Min-a]: Got it! ^^
A moment later, Kim Min-a entered with a tray holding a cup of misutgaru.
Since learning his identity, she'd been coming in and out of the president's office freely.
"Here you go."
Kangyul picked up the cup right in front of him and took a sip.
"Ahh, sweet and nice."
"Yeah, my parents sent it from our hometown. Vice President tried it too and said it was delicious."
"Really?"
Kangyul sipped the misutgaru again while eyeing Kim Min-a.
Then, something flashed through his mind.
"Hmm? President? Why are you staring like that? Is there something on my face?"
Kim Min-a tilted her head and patted her face.
"Kim Min-a. Mind if I ask you something? Do you watch a lot of scary stuff?"
"Scary stuff? I hate it. I don't even watch horror movies."
"Oh, perfect."
Kangyul scanned Kim Min-a up and down slowly.
She had a cute face, fair skin—definitely good on camera.
'...Her scared reactions would be adorable too.'
"Kim Min-a. Want to sign a contract with me?"
"Huh? A contract? I already did."
Kim Min-a pointed to her Midas Corporation employee ID around her neck.
"No, not that one. A YouTuber contract. I'll make you big."
"What?"
Kangyul unleashed a torrent of persuasion.
300,000 won per shoot, no hassle—just play games.
From her perspective, it was a no-brainer.
"Just play games, really?"
"That's right. Sign first, then we'll talk details."
Kim Min-a's eyes widened at the contract Kangyul prepared.
One shoot per week for 300,000 won. And all filming during company hours.
Plus 10% of YouTube revenue. Refusing would be foolish.
"Yes! I'll do it! I even did some Afreeca BJ stuff before!"
"Great! Sign here!"
"Yes, President!"
Kim Min-a signed without hesitation.
And a few days later, she regretted it wildly at her first shoot. Upon learning it was horror games.
"What? W-what do you mean? Me, a horror game YouTuber? I can't do horror games!"
No matter how much Kim Min-a whined, the filming team stayed silent.
"G-get the President!"
[Kim Min-a]: President! What's going on? Horror game YouTuber? I really can't do it!
[President]: You can do it, Kim Min-a! Lots of filming crew there—no need to be scared!
Click―
The moment Kangyul's message arrived, the studio lights went out, leaving only Kim Min-a's seat and monitor glowing brightly.
[Kim Min-a]: Eek! I really don't wanna!
[President]: 400,000 won! Bumping it to 400,000 per episode! And once you try it, it's not that scary. Don't worry.
Tempted by 400,000 won, Kim Min-a nodded. Finally, she placed her hands on the mouse and keyboard.
Eerie background music flowed through her headset.
That was the name of the horror game Kim Min-a had to play today.
The next day, Kangyul received the edited version of Kim Min-a's 'While We're At It, To The King—Outlast' episode.
Being a long gameplay video, it was split into three 20-minute parts.
[Park Gyusu]: President. Here's Kim Min-a's Outlast edit. Cut it short and highlight-focused like What's Up Man.
[President]: Good work. How'd Kim Min-a do?
[Park Gyusu]: She's amazing—freaked out the whole time but cleared it all. Makes for a fun video!
The horror game Outlast told the story of a journalist sneaking into a mental hospital running secret experiments.
Kangyul had said it wasn't scary, but it was so intense some players passed out mid-play.
'She took the day off exhausted, so I was worried. Guess she nailed it.'
Kangyul smirked and clicked play.
Dark studio.
Video opened with Kim Min-a alone at the computer.
Outlast booted up on the monitor, eerie BGM playing.
Only her spot was brightly lit.
―Ughhh. I really don't wanna do this. Don't wanna do iiiit.
Kim Min-a grumbled nonstop but kept her hands on mouse and keyboard.
Bottom of the screen: timer started at game launch.
[00:06:21]
―Auuugh. When does this end?
Click―
―Kyaaack! What the fuck! What was that!
Kim Min-a jumped at even the tiniest in-game sound, glancing around wildly.
Like a meerkat in the desert. The editor agreed—overlaid a meerkat pic and dubbed her "Meerkat".
'Meerkat's hilarious. Haha.'
―...Crazy protagonist goes into a mental hospital alone at night. Totally nuts, right?
Terrified and mumbling, but her gameplay skills were solid.
―Kyaaaaack! Don't chase me! You bastard!
Screaming and fleeing—hilariously funny.
'Hmm, solo play looks tough after a while. Pair her with someone for more fun.'
Ideally another Midas employee.
[08:23:52]
Her total playtime: over 8 hours.
Definitely grueling solo.
'No wonder she was wiped out.'
[President]: Checked your video, Kim Min-a. Great job. Next time, I'll pair you with a buddy. ^^
[Kim Min-a]: ...Y-yes T_T Got it. Solo was too scary.
[President]: Rest up today. ^^
Kangyul sent the messages and closed the screen.
New gaming channel: 'Meerkat's While We're At It, To The King'.
He messaged Park Gyusu thanks and scheduled the upload.
'Three channels now. Long way to go.'
Kangyul leaned back in his chair to clear his head and buy some toto when Jang Deokcheol knocked and entered.
"President. Time to head back to school."
"Already?"
He hadn't done much, yet school dismissal time.
Kangyul got in the car and headed to elementary school.
Waiting for his siblings by the window, a familiar face caught his eye outside.
His cousin, Im Myeonggi.
Im Myeonggi looked deflated, being dragged off by peers.
'Hmm. School violence or something?'
Kangyul tried ignoring it but sighed and got out.
'Hopeless guy, but family—can't just leave him.'
Kangyul followed to the school back where Im Myeonggi and the kids had gone.
Soon, he spotted them.