I Want to Be a VTuber

“Fishing variety show?”

Liam, a member of the boy group Thunderst, who has just debuted for a year, thought he must have misheard.

Fishing, really?

It’s obvious, but Liam, just over twenty, had never tried anything like fishing.

“That’s totally for middle-aged men…”

“Are you really going to pick and choose now?”

“……”

Sunshine Planning, one of the three major management companies, was primarily focused on the idol business, but they hadn’t made significant achievements.

At least Thunderst had managed to secure a decent fan base, but…

“I’m just saying, it’s a bit rough, Ho-seung.”

“Please call me Liam.”

“Why? Kim Ho-seung sounds nice and easy to pronounce.”

Of course, he didn’t hate the name Kim Ho-seung.

It just didn’t quite fit in the boy group context.

“Anyway, it’s not the time to be picky about the variety show these uncles like. We need to gather fans.”

“……Yes.”

That was true.

Like the team leader said, Kim Ho-seung was particularly unpopular among the Thunderst members.

He had an ordinary, average face.

His dancing was average, his singing was average too.

He didn’t have particularly good speaking skills, so even when he appeared on variety shows, he couldn’t draw much attention.

Honestly, he sometimes wondered if this job really suited him.

“But still, appearing on [Star Fisher] could help you build connections with veteran actors and gain a new image.”

“Well, that would be nice.”

“Oh! By the way, they say the guest appearing with us is a female.”

“A female? Is she an actress or an idol?”

“I don’t know.”

“Seriously? You don’t know anything.”

“Ahem. But no matter who it is, isn’t it a good opportunity to build your image? We can help each other learn fishing, and, uh, if that happens, it’ll be a great chance to enhance our image.”

After all, it was said she was also a beginner at fishing.

Fishing requires a lot of physical strength anyway.

“Looks like she’s in a hurry too.”

Even more surprising, a female guest on a fishing variety show.

Female celebrities usually tended to shy away from outdoor shows.

It’s tough and perfect for getting sunburned.

So, Liam was thinking it’d be a great chance to improve his image.

He thought, whoever it was, if he could help the female celebrity convincingly, he could leave a good impression on viewers.

With such thoughts, he headed to the shooting location.

“Hello.”

“……”

There stood an actress he had seen in a movie not long ago.

She was popular lately in [The Chaser] and [Dream Future].

Joo Seo-yeon.

She was carrying all sorts of equipment and looking right at him.

*

Lee Sang-soo felt a little uneasy.

[Star Fisher] was the only variety show where he could find healing.

Although it was broadcasting, he had a connection with Song Kwang-min.

It was a variety show about fishing and having fun with new guests.

So when he heard a young actress would be a guest, he felt a little uncomfortable.

“Does she even know anything about fishing?”

To be honest, he didn’t expect much.

If she didn’t know, they could just teach her.

But whether she’d really try to learn was another question.

He was sure a senior actor’s words would be heard, but she might just pretend to enjoy it.

Being an actor, Lee Sang-soo could easily see through such acts.

He was naturally good at reading other people’s emotions.

“Especially since she has had consecutive hits recently, it’s honestly predictable.”

He wasn’t trying to slander Joo Seo-yeon.

It’s just how human nature works.

After all, she had a breakout role as a child actor and disappeared for a bit before returning to hit again.

Particularly at her age, it was no surprise she’d get a little conceited.

Still, he thought…

“Hello, I’m Joo Seo-yeon.”

She bowed politely with a graceful demeanor.

At first glance, she seemed cool but emanated a strangely warm vibe.

Like she was really looking forward to what was to come.

That feeling was clearly apparent.

“……I’m Lee Sang-soo. You mentioned it’s your first time fishing, right?”

“Yes.”

Seo-yeon was loaded with various supplies.

The fishing rods were provided by the show, so she had brought everything else needed.

Spare gear and tackle for fishing.

“I’m Song Kwang-min. Nice to meet you!”

A rather hefty Song Kwang-min extended his hand for a handshake with Seo-yeon.

After the handshake, he clicked his tongue inwardly.

“Just as I thought, those hands have never done a hard day’s work.”

Had she ever even exercised?

Her skin was soft and smooth, without a callus in sight.

She looked far too fragile to grip a fishing rod and withstand the ocean currents.

Her physique was small, she didn’t even seem that strong.

If a big fish took the bait, it felt like she would be dragged right into the sea.

“Let me introduce myself! I’m Liam from Thunderst!”

“Oh wow, nice to meet you.”

“Feel free to talk casually!!”

With Liam’s lively shout, the gloomy expressions of Lee Sang-soo and Song Kwang-min eased.

After all, guys were easier to get along with anyway.

While their first meeting was being filmed, PD Jeong Seung-hyun thought they were ready enough to begin.

“Today, we’ll be doing jigging fishing here in Wando.”

They would take a boat out to the sea to do jigging fishing.

And the basic plot of [Star Fisher] would be to split into teams and compete against each other.

“We’ll categorize the sizes by fish types. The team that catches the largest fish wins.”

Just catching a lot of fish would not contribute to the score.

After all, they planned to release the unsuitable ones anyway.

“Then, let’s move.”

With PD Jeong Seung-hyun’s words, everyone moved to the boat for sea fishing.

“Seo-yeon, have you ever been on a sea fishing boat before?”

“No. This is my first time on a fishing boat.”

“Oh dear, that sounds rough.”

“I’m fine.”

Lee Sang-soo smiled as he said that, but honestly, concern outweighed his comfort.

Fishing boats required remaining on the sea for long periods.

So there was always a chance of seasickness, right?

“Is she really okay?”

That question crossed his mind, but PD Jeong Seung-hyun didn’t seem overly worried.

After all, he had heard countless things about her.

“I heard she pierced her finger.”

“I heard she caught dozens of fish with a spear on a deserted island.”

“I heard she started fires by rubbing sticks together?”

“It’s rumored she has immense strength…”

“No one has ever seen her exhausted on camera.”

…Honestly, it was hard to discern what was real and what wasn’t.

Anyway, the common consensus was that she had good stamina and excellent athletic skills.

So, there was a hope that she would learn fishing quickly.

“Since it seems like it’s everyone’s first time fishing, let me show you how to use a fishing rod…”

First, Song Kwang-min took the initiative to teach Seo-yeon and Liam how to use fishing rods.

“Like this, right?”

“Wow, nice form! Young people today really have skills.”

As Liam swung the fishing rod, the line stretched out and splashed into the sea with a plop.

“If you could have lifted your index finger off the line a bit quicker…”

“Should we do it again?”

“No, you did great already.”

As the show began in earnest, the two veteran actors started speaking casually to Seo-yeon and Liam.

If they kept it formal, the show might risk becoming boring.

“Seo-yeon, come on, don’t be scared, just give it your best shot. You can do it, right?”

“Yes!”

Seo-yeon was brimming with enthusiasm.

Fishing!

Honestly, it was one of the things she had wanted to try since her past life.

Watching others having fun and seeing their triumphant faces after catching something made her want to feel that thrill herself.

‘Thrill!’

That electrifying feeling.

Seo-yeon wanted to truly experience it.

With that motivation, she gripped the fishing rod tightly and swung it mightily.

Suddenly, a whoosh sound shot through the air.

Then came an incredible crack as the fishing rod bent dramatically, propelling the metal jig— which looked like a fish— through the air.

“Whoa…”

Lee Sang-soo had never seen a metal jig fly straight like that while fishing.

Usually, it would fly in a round arc, but this jig shot straight down into the sea.

No, it almost seemed to have been fired.

It looked like it could pierce through a person if it hit.

‘…What was that just now?’

Liam, who thought he had done quite well for his first fishing attempt, rubbed his eyes.

Is fishing usually like this?

The noise when swinging the rod was chilling, and that metal jig flew like a bullet!

Could it be, is fishing about shooting the fish with a bait?

“Well, you don’t need to swing so hard.”

“Yes.”

Though her voice was calm, an oddly excited vibe was evident.

“Loose the line, loosen it!”

Anyway, it seemed Seo-yeon had studied fishing properly.

After throwing the bait, she calmly made sure the line was taut.

Thus began the fishing.

Though initially, the two actors were interested in Liam, their main focus soon shifted to Seo-yeon.

And it made sense, as Seo-yeon’s posture with the fishing rod was upright and solid.

She clearly had practiced well.

Her continuous jerking to keep the bait moving was impressive.

Unless one had considerable stamina, they couldn’t keep it going like that without even breaking a sweat.

“Seo-yeon, didn’t you bring a hat? Want mine?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Seo-yeon shrugged.

“The sunlight can’t do anything to me.”

Her pale skin had never been tanned by the sun.

Invincible skin.

Still, out of courtesy, she had applied sunscreen, but honestly, she didn’t even need that.

“Oh, really?”

He didn’t know what she meant exactly, but if she felt alright, then that was good.

Meanwhile, it really was tough on Liam.

‘Isn’t she tired?? Is this even possible?’

Seo-yeon was joyfully shaking the fishing rod nonstop.

Once you start doing it, it might seem okay at first, but continuing to shake it would feel like your arms would fall off!

Typically, this kind of approach was uncommon.

Yet Seo-yeon carried on like it was nothing, and it made Liam feel uneasy.

If he just slacked off and watched, it seemed as if Seo-yeon was working hard while he was goofing off.

“They’re both really fit.”

“Wow, we can’t do that!”

On the other hand, Lee Sang-soo and Song Kwang-min simply laughed, enjoying the moment.

For reference, Lee Sang-soo was on one team with Seo-yeon.

And Song Kwang-min teamed up with Liam.

Of course, they understood Seo-yeon was being unreasonable, but they decided it was fun enough to continue.

“Oh.”

At that moment, Seo-yeon felt a tug on her line.

“Oh, it’s here! How does it feel?”

“Do I just reel it in like this?”

Seo-yeon seemed calm, and Lee Sang-soo thought she might have caught a small fish.

“Stay calm and reel it in. If it gets too heavy, let me know, and I’ll help!”

“I’m fine!”

With a serious expression, Seo-yeon pulled and reeled.

Looking closely at her tongue peeking out, she seemed to exert quite a bit of effort.

‘Is it a red snapper? Or maybe a flounder?’

Just catching a red snapper could mean victory.

He hoped it would be at least 5 chong (50cm).

Then, as she reeled in, the fish caught on Seo-yeon’s hook surfaced.

“Whoa! …Huh?”

At first, it looked quite substantial.

But then it seemed something was off with the perspective.

That fish looked pretty big, doesn’t it?

In fact, it looked gigantic.

“Wh, what, what?”

The startled PD Jeong Seung-hyun jumped up.

“Se, Seo-yeon! If it’s dangerous, let out some line!”

At the PD’s surprised reaction, Liam turned his head.

Lee Sang-soo and Song Kwang-min also rushed over to Seo-yeon’s side.

What was going on?

Suddenly realizing, Liam quickly ran over.

“……Huh?”

A massive fish was being dragged along by Seo-yeon’s line.

It was about the same height as Liam, himself!

“No way! Hold on! What is that?”

“Quick, help Seo-yeon! Help her!!”

But Seo-yeon shook her head, signaling she was okay.

“I’m fine! I’m stronger!”

“No, being strong isn’t the issue!!”

That fish was a 1.7-meter-long Japanese amberjack.

It was an ultra-rare species caught only a few dozen times a year off Wando’s coast.

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