I Want to Be a VTuber

The Last of Joo Ha-rin in Dream Future.

Originally, it wouldn’t have been a highlight that attracted so much attention.

But.

“Did you really say Joo Ha-rin is leaving today?”

“Huh? Seriously?”

“So, what about Park Min-yul?”

To the public, Dream Future was already a drama that stirred up buzz.

Ironically, that buzz began with a movie.

“Oh, are we streaming again today? Of course, we are!”

140,000 YouTuber Han Bong-sik nodded vigorously at the camera.

No matter what, how could he not stream Dream Future?

‘I hit the jackpot with this coin.’

Han Bong-sik chuckled oddly while looking at his subscriber count.

It’s understandable since the stagnation of his 1 million subscribers had finally started rising significantly. 140,000.

All of this happened after the release of The Chaser.

The number of people who had entered through the algorithm while searching for reviews for The Chaser or for a character that had appeared in Dream Future.

While Han Bong-sik was among the top three movie reviewers, he was now undoubtedly the second place.

If he could just surpass one more person, first place was within reach.

That being the case, the actor who helped create this version of himself.

‘I really love you, Joo Seo-yeon.’

His inner closeness to Seo-yeon was at its peak.

In that sense, anticipation for today’s episode 14 of Dream Future was through the roof.

‘Honestly, I wanted her to appear more.’

But it seemed like the script had changed, so there was nothing to be done about that.

He simply hoped that even if she left, it would be a departure filled with flair.

And.

“…Hmm.”

Jo Seo-hee squinted her eyes, waiting for the live start of Dream Future episode 14.

But, ‘This isn’t just a one-time gig, right?’

Whoever planned this drama clearly reflected the latest trends.

It felt just like waiting for a real audition program.

Simultaneously streaming drama and real-time online reactions.

“Let’s see…”

Jo Seo-hee was personally waiting for Dream Future episode 14.

It was because of the upcoming Gyeongseong Young Lady she might be filming with.

Inevitably, there would be a romance plot, making it essential to observe Seo-yeon’s romantic acting style in this episode of Dream Future.

‘According to Jung-woo sunbae, I heard the performance would be more straightforward.’

That was the script.

But would Seo-yeon really accept that?

She was a strangely cool girl whenever they met, but was she not serious about acting?

“….”

But why is she only cool to me?

Tailing other people happily, swishing her tail.

‘I guess this is why one should be cautious with words.’

Isn’t it definitely because of the parachute incident from when we were kids?

Yeah, that’s really obvious.

Jo Seo-hee concluded silently.

Honestly, Seo-yeon hadn’t thought deeply about that parachute comment.

To be honest, she almost forgot about it now.

The awkwardness she displayed towards Jo Seo-hee was purely due to her impression.

Her face was sharp like a villainess in a drama, making it understandably daunting for Seo-yeon to interact with her.

“Anyway.”

As the song flowed out, Jo Seo-hee turned her attention to the beginning of Dream Future.

The protagonist, Song So-ha.

With the final stage ahead, the two girls were about to determine the ultimate victor.

“You know, I was actually a little jealous of you.”

With a bittersweet smile, Joo Ha-rin spoke.

The cheerful Joo Ha-rin revealed the true feelings she had kept hidden from Song So-ha until now.

The viewers knew, but it was the first time Song So-ha heard about Ha-rin’s inner thoughts.

“Your singing is so dazzling….”

Idols are ultimately singers.

Singing takes precedence over dancing.

Joo Ha-rin could undoubtedly dance better than Song So-ha, but her singing skills were far inferior.

Though that gap narrowed over time, So-ha still excelled.

‘This is ironic.’

Seo-hee thought while watching their conversation.

Song So-ha and Joo Ha-rin.

While in the story, Ha-rin was in a part that envied So-ha, in reality, it was the reverse.

Park Jung-woo even mentioned it like this.

“Na-hee is too conscious of that girl.”

“Conscious?”

“Isn’t it obvious? If Joo Seo-yeon’s importance increases, she’s worried about being overshadowed.”

Cha Na-hee only regained her focus as a protagonist when Seo-yeon was sidelined.

In episodes 1 to 3, most reactions were directed at Seo-yeon.

So after the script was revised, she worked hard not to fall behind.

“As expected, Seo-yeon’s acting came to the surface.”

“And Na-hee’s acting controversy reignited.”

Seo-hee was aware of that.

Honestly, it wasn’t like she was getting torn apart like during Ma Yeon-woo’s time.

Merely feeling “disappointed” was the extent of it.

But it was the first lead role she had.

For Cha Na-hee, it must have felt like a dagger to the heart.

“I know you’re desperate, but…”

“Hmm, there’s probably no need to worry too much.”

“That’s a different story for her.”

“Heh, Jung-woo sunbae got overshadowed by Seo-yeon too.”

“….”

Jung-woo knew he didn’t have much significance, and his character was too dull to shine. He tried to speak, but his excuse sounded so pathetic that he decided to keep quiet.

“….I’ll be watching you in your next movie. Gyeongseong Young Lady, right?”

“Um.”

Anyway, like that conversation with Park Jung-woo.

This episode 14 dealt with the showdown between Song So-ha and Joo Ha-rin while requiring So-ha to show her impact as the heroine.

‘Otherwise, the finale might feel lackluster.’

However, this depended on Seo-yeon as well.

Seo-hee recalled Eyes Closed.

In that time, Seo-yeon played Hong Jeong-hee.

Her role was to elevate the protagonist.

Seo-yeon had performed her role splendidly back then.

Unlike theater, dramas are bound to spark ambition.

Plus, since everyone regarded Ha-rin as half a heroine, a clumsy retreat would spark controversy.

‘The conflict between the two characters in the drama.’

This episode leaned more towards the story of Song So-ha and Joo Ha-rin rather than male-female conflict.

That was the right choice.

Showing her inferiority complex, Joo Ha-rin.

Accepting Ha-rin was Song So-ha.

Simultaneously, So-ha herself admired Ha-rin’s bouncy charm and dance skills.

So when she felt shocked by Ha-rin’s jealousy, she couldn’t help but react.

“I cannot lose.”

Said So-ha.

“But that’s the same for you, right?”

The once timid So-ha exhibited a strong will.

And then the semi-finals commenced.

“In the semi-final, there will be two rounds.”

The host announced.

The semi-finals have two rounds of competition.

They sing a duet first to match their harmony.

Then in the next round, each one sings their individual song to determine the winner.

“Are you confident?”

It felt like a question for Song So-ha.

But for Seo-hee watching, it felt like a question directed at Cha Na-hee.

If she was ready to face the performance that would unfold from now on.

“Yes.”

So-ha’s concise answer.

And as the music began, their singing started.

‘As expected of idols, their skills must be superior.’

Just like Ma Yeon-woo showcased.

Yet, Ma Yeon-woo was who he was because he tailored his character to himself.

How would Cha Na-hee fill the stage as the character ‘Song So-ha’?

And then.

– Cha Na-hee isn’t bad at all?

– It definitely feels like a heroine now that they’re together.

Such internet reactions began pouring in.

Standing on stage together was their first time, besides the beginning.

When compared this way, Song So-ha still seemed superior in skill.

‘This feels weird.’

Han Bong-sik, the 140,000 YouTuber thought.

‘This hasn’t even started yet.’

Jo Seo-hee cautiously observed the screen.

In an audition, the desperate emotions that should be present felt missing.

And it wasn’t just Jo Seo-hee who felt that way.

‘Why did they let this air just like that?’

Director Kim Il-soo, watching episode 14, frowned.

As someone knowledgeable in directing, he couldn’t help but be bothered by that aspect.

Acting.

Yes, it felt too much like acting.

It didn’t feel like an audition program.

The audience’s reactions were pretty good, but…

But then.

Joo Ha-rin stepped forward, right in front of Song So-ha.

– Huh?

Initially a simple question.

However, upon seeing Seo-yeon singing as it was her turn.

Surprise filled So-ha’s eyes.

‘This isn’t acting.’

It was the real deal.

Right now, Song So-ha was genuinely startled.

Cha Na-hee’s ability was not enough to express such emotions in acting.

So she brought forth the genuine thing.

– Wow.

– Joo Ha-rin might actually be better, right?

– Isn’t the actress playing Song So-ha an idol? What will happen if she’s worse than the actress?

‘Was this intentional?’

Kim Il-soo blankly watched the scene.

It was likely Seo-yeon’s independent action.

You could see it from So-ha’s reaction.

The explosive emotions spilling from Seo-yeon filled the screen.

It felt as if they would erase So-ha’s presence.

‘I know now.’

Director Kim Il-soo understood how to draw out Song So-ha’s potential.

Stimulating the actor’s emotions.

‘Cha Na-hee is an idol, and she likely values her pride as a performer over her pride as an actress.’

But what if Seo-yeon overwhelms her on stage?

That could likely inflict a terrible wound on her pride and lead to her downfall.

‘Method acting.’

If immersing totally into a role is method acting, what would this be called?

Making someone who has been performing normally become drawn into their role.

It induced the emotions.

By immersing the counterpart into their character.

Stripping away the pride of an idol.

Making the grip of the microphone in Song So-ha’s hand tighten.

Cha Na-hee was an idol, having stood on stage countless times.

So she had to know.

When this is caught on camera, how she would look.

‘Similar to Ma Yeon-woo, but different.’

Ma Yeon-woo acted that way by choice.

This became a case of ‘inevitable direction.’

During this desperate stage before the finals.

The moment where Song So-ha and Cha Na-hee’s emotions aligned.

Even though it wasn’t method acting, it could appear like it.

Seo-yeon’s eyes turned red.

As she faced the overflowing emotions, she smiled.

To Song So-ha, and to the audience.

That smile was likely felt differently by each person.

While watching that smile, the viewers and Kim Il-soo clenched their fists.

And strength surged into Song So-ha’s mic grip.

And then.

The explosive emotion erupted forth.

*

“This, how long has it been?”

A PD from KMB’s drama department said.

“That a single actor has managed to sway the ratings of a drama.”

How much of a difference it made wasn’t precisely known.

But it had certainly made a significant impact.

“I had considered the potential of Dream Future to an extent.”

Dream Future episode 14.

An episode dealing with the final confrontation between Song So-ha and Joo Ha-rin.

The viewership ratings were.

“23 percent.”

The tension in the drama department was palpable.

It’s understandable because it was the highest figure seen in dramas aired over the past year.

If it were about a decade ago, it would have been considered “pretty decent,” but now ratings of this level were hard to come by.

It was close to the maximum figure recorded for a youthful drama.

No youthful drama had surpassed 20 percent in viewership in the past ten years.

“Yesterday’s episode 14… Honestly, there were some risky parts involved.”

“Was that intentional on Joo Seo-yeon’s part?”

“No one knows.”

Seo-yeon hadn’t commented at all about the performance.

It was merely the viewers who vaguely speculated about her intent.

“If it was intentional…”

“Then it’s playing with emotions at a level beyond the norm.”

Was it possible due to possessing a wealth of emotions?

Or was it due to an exceptional ability to understand others’ feelings?

How observant must one be of human emotions for that to be possible?

Emotion had always been Seo-yeon’s forte.

Anyone somewhat involved in this scene would have known that.

It was evidenced during The Moon That Hid the Sun.

And she had definitively showcased it recently in The Chaser.

In Dream Future, her strength had been somewhat dampened, but she delivered a considerable impact in episode 14 for a different reason.

“A new drama… Sky Garden, right?”

“Yes, it was originally said to be a scenario going to a general programming network.”

“By Min Se-hee.”

“That’s right.”

The reason everyone gathered here today was for a meeting regarding Sky Garden.

“Is this going to be her first lead role?”

“Without auditions?”

While having such conversations, the door to the meeting room opened.

A pleasant-looking middle-aged man walked in slowly, took a seat, and said.

“Yes.”

“But are those young actors not sensitive to such matters? Surely that could create issues?”

At those words from the others, Drama Director Ha Tae-oh smiled at them.

“On the contrary, that actor would be well-versed in such situations.”

“That’s…”

“There was a similar incident during The Moon That Hid the Sun.”

For example, the ‘parachute’ incident.

It was a decade ago, so perhaps everyone had forgotten it by now.

But thinking of how Seo-yeon overcame it back then, there was nothing to worry about.

If they’re going to promote her, it should be done decisively.

Mediocre promotion holds no meaning.

She needed to showcase enough to stimulate the other young actors.

To say, ‘If we present it well, we can achieve this much.’

“Oh, and regarding the OST for Sky Garden, wouldn’t it be good if Joo Seo-yeon took it on?”

There wasn’t anyone in the room who could reject Drama Director Ha Tae-oh’s suggestion.

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