Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Chapter 31: New Territory (2)
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After safely wrapping up the big event, Kang Han-do could finally relax.
The first day had been stressful with unexpected mishaps, but the second day was all about leisurely strolling through the venue.
He'd snap photos and videos with the devs and the Raysive cosplayers manning the booth. That was the plan for day two.
Having spent the night at a Busan accommodation, Kang Han-do grabbed breakfast the next morning at the hotel restaurant.
The Raysive staff were already there.
"Han-do, over here!"
Team leader Kim Yeo-na, her voice brimming with energy even at breakfast, waved him and Nemid over to her table.
Plenty of empty seats around, but Kang Han-do made a point of joining her anyway.
Couldn't just ignore her invitation.
"You must've been exhausted yesterday. Sleep okay?"
"Yeah. Think I crashed the second I hit the bed."
"Too bad. Since you're in Busan anyway, why not squeeze in some sightseeing before heading back to Seoul?"
"Got Pobokjeoldo filming tomorrow, so I'll probably wrap up in the morning and bolt right after."
"Figures. You're always so busy."
Truth was, even if he had the time, he wasn't itching for a Busan tour.
He'd seen enough ocean this summer during those driving practice runs to last a lifetime. And the markets, food alleys—he'd hit those every time he'd come before.
Nothing new, so no real urge to wander.
After breakfast, Kim Yeo-na and the Raysive booth crew headed out early to the venue.
Opening was at 9:30 a.m. Had to get set up well ahead.
Kang Han-do and Nemid used the downtime for their routine check-in.
Nemid reported on South Korea's average happiness index.
"Up 2 to 3 points from last time."
"Nice. Momentum's solid."
Three months straight of gains.
No major scandals rocking the nation lately. Plus, the shows Kang Han-do guested on were hitting peak national buzz. No wonder the numbers kept climbing.
Timing was perfect.
But no slacking.
'Could tank hard any second.'
Better pump it up as much as possible while he could.
After the upbeat update, Kang Han-do and Nemid headed to the venue.
Straight to the Raysive booth.
En route, Kang Han-do spotted a guy weaving through the crowd differently from everyone else.
'That dude... where do I know him from?'
Face ringed a bell.
A PD? Fellow comedian? Didn't scream showbiz.
'Where'd I see him...'
Memory fuzzy.
Just then, the guy—masked Kang Han-do in tow—passed by.
Selfie stick gripping his smartphone.
"Alright! Next up, that hot game everyone's hyped for: Infinity Crowns. Word is the new DLC drops a fresh storyline. Not long ago, I uploaded my playthrough on Acatube. Got roasted in the comments for sucking... but DLC's out, so I'll dive back in. Goal this time: fewer flames."
Chattering away solo, no chat partner in sight.
The hot new gig these days.
One-man creator.
They reviewed games, cars, toys, whatever—uploading to platforms like Acatube for cash flow.
Top rising job: one-man creator.
Big shots raked in insane dough. Close to 2 billion won a year solo—outpacing mid-tier companies.
This selfie-stick wanderer looked like one too.
'Wait... no way...'
Kang Han-do suddenly placed him.
Kim Dong-woo. The guy who'd blow up into Korea's king of one-man creators down the line.
His star turn kicked off in about five years.
'Must be grinding hard right now.'
Hardworking broadcaster type, but early flaw: no killer hook to hook viewers big.
Needed that one breakout video to define him and his channel.
Get that, and Kim Dong-woo's skills would handle the rest.
'Internet streaming, huh...'
Kang Han-do mulled it over.
Media world's shifting. From TV and radio only to full internet era.
SNS, Acatube-style platforms leading the charge.
Master those, and you could go global, not just Korea.
Even singers forced into world fame via Acatubers.
'Might try it myself.'
Some comedian pals were dipping in already.
New turf sparked Kang Han-do's ambition.
'Bond with Kim Dong-woo now. Pay off big later.'
He sidled up casual.
"You're Kim Dong-woo, right?"
"......?"
Stranger's voice startled him; shoulders twitched.
"Who're you?"
Kang Han-do skipped words, pulled down his mask.
Kim Dong-woo's eyes blew wide.
"K-Kang Han-do?!"
"Yeah, that's me."
"No way! What're you doing here?"
Shock locked his words.
Chat—dead at 123 viewers—exploded the instant Kang Han-do showed.
Bumping into a celeb at the event? Jackpot for Kim Dong-woo.
"Here for the event. Official Raysive promo model, remember?"
"Right, yeah! But how'd you know my name?"
Should've led with that.
Kang Han-do flashed a light smile.
"Actually, big fan of yours."
"Huh? What do you—"
"Your Acatube uploads? I never miss 'em. Caught the latest one too."
Straight up, not every vid. But long shoots? He'd kill time with subscribed channels.
Kim Dong-woo's was one.
Mostly game vids, sprinkled with mukbangs and outdoorsies.
Dong-woo wasn't a pro gamer. But he had that entertainer flair for fun plays.
Kang Han-do rated his talent high.
Hearing a star watched his stuff? Kim Dong-woo flailed, flustered.
"A celeb like you following my no-name channel... Anyway, thank you! Huge honor!"
"You streaming now?"
"Yeah. Thinking E-Star special. Oh—mind greeting the viewers?"
"Hey everyone, comedian Kang Han-do here. Hope most of you know me from chat."
Chat flooded: 'Not knowing Kang Han-do? Spy alert.'
All 123 knew him cold.
'Hard work paying off in weird places.'
Kang Han-do never figured it'd hit like this.
He pitched future hangs first.
"Time later, grab a meal?"
"Gasp, for real?! Not dreaming?"
"Haha, nah. Free next week—Sindorim Station area? Close from Hongdae hood."
"Huh? How'd you know I live near Hongdae?"
Oops, mental facepalm.
Kim Dong-woo never spilled his address on stream.
Kang Han-do knew from a pre-regression interview mag.
Dong-woo mentioned Hongdae living; Kang Han-do thought, 'Not far from me.' Stuck in his head post-return.
He bullshitted an out.
"Saw you round Hongdae once by chance. Looked fresh out the house. Guessed you lived nearby."
"Sharp eye—makes sense for a pro broadcaster."
Slid by smooth.
They swapped numbers over meal plans.
Kang Han-do sent him off after.
No stream, he'd have carved out deeper chat.
'Internet stars outshining celebs these days.'
Can't lag trends.
Era shifts—you adapt or die.
Fear not change!
That's showbiz longevity.
* * *
Morning event duty at the booth.
Kang Han-do topped photo requests with the cosplayers.
"Ready—one, two, three!"
"Cheese!"
Snap!
Lost count of shots.
Not just pics—autographs on merch too.
Body ached, but fan meets over shared games lit him up.
Laughing, bonding over common ground.
'Never felt this before.'
Pure joy.
Event high faded; he prepped Seoul return pronto.
"Better beat the traffic."
Nemid fretted gridlock already.
Fair worry.
Busan-Seoul: jam hits, you're trapped 5+ hours.
Driver tires; passengers too.
Plus tomorrow's Pobokjeoldo shoot.
Condition key—haul ass to Seoul, rest up.
En route, video calls with Hwang Yeon-ji and Oh Min-tae drilled tomorrow's stage.
Nemid joked.
"Phone bill's gonna sting."
"No choice. Better than bombing stage. And this? Pocket change."
Kang Han-do could tank it.
Rich guy perks—phone tab? Laughable.
'Wonder what Kim Dong-woo's pulling now.'
Post-blowup, billions yearly—known fact.
But not all creators swim in cash.
Suddenly curious about Acatuber life.
'Next week meet—tons to grill him on.'