I Want to Be a VTuber Chapter 104 (104/718)

achieved 10 million admissions.

And achieved a 20% viewership rating.

As these two accomplishments happened almost simultaneously, interest in Seoyeon, who had appeared in both works, grew larger and larger. It was only to this extent because she was a supporting character in both.

If she had been a proper lead, she would have received twice as much interest as she did now.

"No, rather, this level of interest is strange in itself."

Lee Junbin, the head of the management business division of XN Entertainment, one of the top three management agencies, said so.

In the case of XN Entertainment, they tended to manage idols and actors together in the management business division.

"Characters with completely different images: a serial killer and a fresh idol who came up from the countryside."

Lee Junbin, sitting in the conference room, looked at the other executives and spoke.

"I heard that RY Entertainment has already contacted her."

"Seeing as she's still in Nova Ent or whatever, it probably didn't go well."

Lee Junbin had also heard that story.

They were probably one of the first to contact her.

"Since they contacted her first, they clearly didn't see her true value."

"Hmm. But thinking carefully, it's also true that things have been hyped up a bit too much right now."

"Hyped or not, there's such a thing as commercial viability. That merit is simply too huge."

Honestly, when she returned through a variety show, he didn't think much of it.

He only took a little interest when she caused a buzz in theater, and later thought she was quite a good actor with distinct colors in .

"Her age is young... rather, she's very young. Above all, her looks are extraordinary."

"That, definitely. Seeing the CF, she definitely shines."

"Eclat Etoile's sales increased by more than 10% compared to the previous quarter. This is the figure after a brief drop and her return."

On top of that, among those who visited the theaters to watch , there were definitely audiences who came to see Joo Seoyeon.

Of course, not many.

But the fact that they exist is what's important.

'An actor who makes audiences seek her out in her very first movie.'

This is a separate issue from an actor's acting skills.

No matter how well they act or how many works they appear in, there are plenty of actors without ticket power.

But the important thing was that Joo Seoyeon had created such audiences with just one work.

The greatest power an actor possesses.

Ticket power.

What if she shoots more dramas and movies from here?

"Her contract with Nova Ent hasn't been that long, right?"

"Yes, probably."

"A way to break the contract and bring her here..."

"If we push it, it's not impossible, but there are a lot of eyes watching."

"Ugh."

The executives made regretful noises in various ways.

XN was the largest agency among the top three management companies.

Naturally, the government was keeping an eye on them, and if they committed any unnecessary misdeeds, they were more likely to be hit harder.

"Still, should we try to do something quietly under the surface?"

"Quietly?"

"Ah, I heard Manager Park is acquainted with actor Hwang Minhwa."

"Didn't actor Hwang Minhwa move to Horizon Company?"

"Still, he was active in Nova Ent for a long time, so couldn't he somehow try to contact them?"

"...Hmm. Doesn't seem like a bad idea."

Would it be that easy?

Lee Junbin thought so, but it was Hwang Minhwa either way.

A 10-million actor.

And a real one who grasped the 10-million actor title by starring as a proper lead.

'If it's someone from the same Nova Ent and a senior actor, he might be able to put in a word.'

As the XN Entertainment business division reached that conclusion and wrapped up the meeting.

"Does anyone know actor Joo Seoyeon?"

"Nova Ent said their schedule is already full..."

"Full my foot! They're just testing the waters!!"

While other management agencies and various advertising industries were watching.

Seoyeon was a bit busy.

"Hello, I am Kang Taejin, Director of the Cultural Business Division at GH Group."

GH Group.

Because she had a meeting scheduled with a major corporation ranked 12th in the business world.

***

Seoyeon first received the contact the day after hearing the news that had surpassed 10 million.

A sudden call from Director Bae Jinhwan to Manager Park Eunha.

Wondering what it was about, she answered the phone.

「The director at GH Group said he would like to see Miss Seoyeon once.」

"Pardon?"

「He didn't explain the exact reason, but it shouldn't be a bad thing.」

Director Bae Jinhwan's words were as follows.

was a film made with GH Group's investment from the very beginning.

But it seemed GH Group itself was half-doubtful about 's box office success.

They gave full authority to Director Bae Jinhwan, and it's true they supported it in many ways, but it seemed was a much bigger hit than GH Group had expected.

「I heard they originally expected around 6 million at most.」

6 million.

It was a sufficiently large number.

There are surprisingly few movies that surpass 6 million in a year.

Because to reach 6 million, everyone must have heard the name at least once.

「But it achieved 10 million. As Miss Seoyeon knows, 10 million is very special in the film industry.」

In the history of South Korea, there are really not many 10-million movies.

took a place that was practically a Hall of Fame.

Considering its artistic quality, it was worth expecting results overseas as well.

「In particular, it seems GH Group judged that Miss Seoyeon played a big role in the box office success of .」

Bae Jinhwan was a famous director.

The lead actors who played the two detectives were also well-known and famous.

Besides that, Jung Sihyun, who played Han Yehwa, was also a famous actress known for her acting skills.

Weighing their ticket power and the film's commercial viability, the predicted figure was 6 million.

Yet reached 10 million.

Considering the remaining screening period, it was a situation where they could even expect double that.

「So, if the opportunity arises, I will try to arrange a meeting with GH Group.」

Bae Jinhwan left the choice for GH Group's proposal in Seoyeon's hands.

Honestly, it was a very big deal for the still young Seoyeon to choose on her own.

When she consulted her mom, Sua, about it.

"If Seoyeon wants to do it, then do it, but if it's too big of a deal, wouldn't it be better to refuse?"

Seoyeon nodded.

It certainly wasn't good to be too greedy.

And when she asked her dad, Youngbin.

"Dad, I'm in the middle of a game."

Seoyeon tore the bulletproof vest right in front of his eyes.

"Dad thinks Seoyeon's thoughts are the most important. If you want to do it, trying it once will be a good experience."

Anyway, hearing such advice, Seoyeon worried all night.

And lastly, she talked with Jiyeon.

"GH Group?"

"Yeah."

"A big place reached out to you?"

Jiyeon roughly understood Seoyeon's dilemma.

GH Group was not an ordinary conglomerate.

Even the cable drama Jiyeon was starring in was under GH Group's influence.

"...If you have this meeting, it'll be hard to refuse whatever the proposal is."

"I think so too."

"But still, I think you should do it."

She didn't know what the proposal was.

But she was certain it wouldn't be a bad thing.

"And I think it won't be as huge of a deal as you think."

"Really?"

"You know it too, so weren't you asking just to check?"

Seoyeon nodded faintly.

GH Group's proposal might not be as big of a deal as expected.

First of all, at the point the meeting was set, GH Group's proposal could become a situation that's hard to refuse.

An absurdly huge deal is a problem, but.

Even if it's less than expected, it's something you can't refuse.

'I could be called a 10-million actor, but.'

Everyone calls Seoyeon a 10-million actor.

And also achieved good results.

However, to a conglomerate, there was one flaw in that.

That neither was ultimately a lead role.

A role with a heavy presence.

It brought impact, but she wasn't the lead.

At least in , she played a villain with a lead-level presence, but she was still a villain in the end.

Companies judge everything by numbers, and they weigh whether it's a lead or supporting role more than one might think.

Because a lot of response on community forums doesn't directly translate to numbers.

Data-wise, a lead has more influence than a supporting role, so even if Seoyeon is mentioned a lot in communities, they half-doubt it.

Rather, if there was a data-driven influence, it would be Eclat Etoile's quarterly performance that had an effect.

"Hmph, must be nice. I want to meet with GH Group too."

Jiyeon said that and poked Seoyeon's side with her elbow.

Jiyeon was greedy in many ways, so she was quite envious of such a proposal.

'Well, if it's her, it makes sense.'

She also felt a bit proud inwardly.

Hoping for her success, she had even promoted her a bit on broadcasts.

'I need to work hard too.'

Anyway, just as Jiyeon was a very big presence to Seoyeon.

Seoyeon was also a very big presence to Jiyeon.

Consistently, since they were young.

"By the way, Lee Jiyeon."

"Why."

Seoyeon hesitated a bit before speaking.

"Later, Jo Seohee wants to meet you once. Of course, with me."

"She's your friend."

"She's not a friend."

For someone who wasn't, Jo Seohee felt like she acted very friendly to Seoyeon.

Honestly, Jiyeon didn't like her in many ways.

'Even though she called her a parachute when she was young.'

Seoyeon didn't seem to care much, but Jiyeon didn't forget.

Because Seoyeon had chattered on and on about what happened at the kindergarten audition back then.

Lee Jiyeon had an annoying personality, and was persistent.

She was the type to absolutely never forget a wrong done to her.

Still.

"Okay."

It might be good to have a proper conversation with her at least once.

Anyway, since she was the most successful actress among her peers.

***

"First of all, congratulations on achieving 10 million admissions."

Director of the Cultural Business Division, Kang Taejin, said so and smiled softly at Seoyeon.

Of course, his mouth was smiling, but his eyes weren't.

'Uncomfortable.'

People of this sort were uncomfortable to deal with in many ways.

Because she had encountered them several times in her past life too.

'Eyes that see a product.'

Ironically back then, because Seoyeon couldn't properly feel emotions, she didn't think much of it.

So they were rather easier to deal with.

Because she had observed others' emotions for a long time in many ways, she could immediately know what they desired.

"I also enjoyed watching . First of all, the emotions of the villain Cha Seoa were felt really vividly. It was a very different feeling from the explanation I first heard from Director Bae Jinhwan. It felt like the actor's personal interpretation was added. And the action scenes were really excellent. I heard you learned at the Cheonghong Action School? When I asked Professor Kim Hongbaek, I heard you showed great talent in action acting. I heard you handled all the stunt actions yourself, so many people inside GH were surprised to hear that."

"...."

"And I'm also an avid viewer of lately. At first, to be honest, it didn't resonate much with me as something my daughter would watch. I remember there were harsh reviews on the internet at the time, but the acting of Jo Harin shown in episode 1 received great reviews. I also feel that if I had watched it live then, I would have felt a greater emotion. After that, I heard there was a small conflict with the drama writer. That happens sometimes. I think it's best not to care too much. After episode 7, her presence increased significantly again, and the viewership exceeded 20%. It's a drama worth that. I'm also enjoying watching it these days. Honestly, Jo Harin's..."

"Director."

When a person who looked like a secretary beside him gave a small warning, Director Kang Taejin nodded.

"I enjoyed watching it."

"Thank... you."

Seoyeon looked at Director Kang Taejin, who was smiling brightly at her, and agonized a little.

His eyes were still not smiling.

'What is it?'

Did he perhaps memorize the acting or good points?

He was a completely incomprehensible person.

"The Director said he very much enjoyed the movie and drama that Actor Seoyeon appeared in."

The secretary next to him emphasized the words again.

It seemed like he meant it.

Hearing it like that, Seoyeon became genuinely curious.

'Perhaps, is he someone who has a bit of a problem with expressing emotions?'

Like herself in her past life.

To the point where such a discourteous thought occurred to her, Director Kang Taejin's impression was very intense.

"Returning to the main point, I mentioned it because I have a few proposals to make."

"Proposals?"

Even a few things?

In Seoyeon's mind, the proposal tilted further toward the 'excessive side'.

"It's an action movie."

An action movie.

"And before that, we are planning a large-scale audition. It's a variety show."

Saying so, he smiled softly again.

With eyes shining sharply like a snake.