episode_0097

No matter how annoying my little sister may be, the future is something to worry about.

With the thought that a mediocre company would never do, I contacted Kwon Hanguil directly last week after Baek Cheongha passed the first audition.

“—That’s all. Would this be enough for a company introduction?”

Right after the call ended, I immediately realized how impressive KJ Entertainment was. Mr. Kwon Hanguil truly possessed the qualities of a gifted casting manager.

Ignoring difficult discussions about liquidity and financial stability, just looking at the successful activities of the idol group EJIS, who were currently at the height of their popularity, there was no need for any other portfolio.

In addition, new rookies were starting to make a name for themselves one by one. With unique stars from KJ Entertainment gradually gaining the love of the public, they were steadily occupying the market.

Thinking that it would be okay to trust Baek Cheongha with such a company, I was about to end the call.

“Um, since you called, would it be okay to ask Chae Won student one thing?”

Still lingering with regret, Kwon Hanguil offered me a position.

“Do you have any intention of being the center of a new idol group? To put it in terms of this group, the one that our company is pushing after EJIS—”

“No.”

Once again, I firmly rejected the offer.

“Is it because of your main job, as I mentioned before?”

“Yes.”

No matter how much he persisted, Kwon Hanguil seemed to have lingering regrets. However, I would never fulfill his request.

At least for the next three years, I couldn’t leave Siwoo’s side. I had to make sure he was alive and walking around before I could do anything else I wanted.

Above all, at the current pace, it seemed like Siwoo would have already gotten married by then, so being an idol was definitely out of the question. Where in the world would you find a 22-year-old idol who was already married?

“I’m sorry. You should look for someone else.”

“Understood…”

“I’ll hang up now.”

“Oh, by the way, about the YouT—”

The call ended abruptly, but Kwon Hanguil’s last words made me search the internet.

Interestingly, KJ Entertainment was the only large entertainment agency in Korea that had ventured into the future by reaching out to the YouTuber industry.

Although it hadn’t been long since the establishment of TF, their enthusiasm for the business seemed evident, as they had announced recruitment for the first batch of trainees by the end of June.

However, unlike a few years ago, there were already two companies in Korea firmly dominating the market.

Internet broadcasters with strong fan bases had formed their own YouTuber groups, ‘Risedol’ (Reverse World Idols) and ‘Liv-Stella’, leading the way.

KJ was a latecomer entering a market where these leading players were firmly established. Without a solid character and support, they would fade away from the market without even securing a position.

Perhaps the trainees themselves knew this, as the internet response was lackluster.

It seemed that even internally, the atmosphere was not great, as someone who seemed to be in charge complained on a forum, saying, “It seems like KJ’s first batch is doomed to fail.”

It was true. Starting from scratch wouldn’t be easy. In times like this, it might be better to attract individual YouTubers and build a foundation from there.

And coincidentally, I knew of a good candidate.

Although they were still relatively small compared to existing YouTubers, wasn’t Jin Saebyeok once able to reach a maximum of 4,000 viewers?

Most importantly, with a timid yet strong character that would rise up when pushed into a corner, like a hamster that suddenly stands up on its hind legs, she was suitable to be a pioneer for the first batch.

Upon searching, it seemed that there were already a few die-hard fans of Jin Saebyeok pushing her as their favorite in overseas markets—these fans would watch their favorite YouTuber’s broadcasts in real-time and edit highlights into short 3-10 minute videos for promotion.

It was a good sign. Although in Korea, she wasn’t even able to hand out business cards in the two major mountain ranges, at least having a solid fan base overseas meant something.

Perhaps this could be a stepping stone for Jin Saebyeok, who already had enough experience in overseas marketing and promotion.

Furthermore, once she joined a company, the need for editing would decrease. If the company actively promoted her and Jin Saebyeok personally interacted with her Kirinuker fans?

The Kirinukers who saw her potential would flock to her, and she might even reach a point where she wouldn’t need a separate editor. Just like the giant YouTuber groups in Japan.

It was a far-fetched idea, but wasn’t the supporting company KJ? Even if it was a new venture, it was worth a shot. If things didn’t work out well, she could just terminate the contract since she had been doing well on her own until now.

The most important aspect of the broadcast was Jin Saebyeok herself.

However, after listening to the explanation, Jin Saebyeok expressed confusion.

“But… but. If I’m affiliated with a company… wouldn’t I not be able to edit other people’s videos…? I feel like I should do my best for the broadcast…”

Is the revenue generated through editing that significant? If she increased the number of broadcast days, wouldn’t she receive more sponsorship revenue? It seemed she was hesitant to try because the amount was uncertain.

If she didn’t understand the economic situation properly, she wouldn’t be able to help her. But it would be odd to push her to confirm that she sees me as a ‘friend’ right now.

In that case, it would be better to hand her a sweet candy and ask again.

“Then, would you like to be the exclusive editor for Accleret again?”

“…Huh? Huh? Me?”

Currently, Accleret had around 1.2 million subscribers, with about 6 million monthly views. Since the subscriber count and total views increased by 10% each month, it was practically like a goose laying golden eggs.

Excluding the small revenue I used for pocket money and sponsorship, roughly twice the amount of views accumulated as income each month, and I used the entire amount to help the less fortunate.

While fans who supported my past actions now expressed concerns through comments. They were saying that if I kept giving everything to others, what would be left for me.

“It’s the perfect time to reinvest the income.”

If a timid person finds it difficult to deal with others but does their best in personal broadcasts, there must be a reason for it.

She didn’t necessarily wish to be charitable, but it was likely true that she did.

Because Jin Saebyeok was Ji Seo-woo’s bad ending.

“What if we split the income from donations and subscriptions, excluding the income, 50-50?”

A startled Jin Saebyeok clapped her hands.

“W-what are you talking about? That’s… that’s absurd…! How many Accleret subscribers are there…!”

“Shh, shh!”

Her voice was too loud. It seemed like she was going to go around telling everyone that I was the owner of Accleret.

I continued the conversation, blocking Jin Saebyeok’s mouth.

“Who was the first to start this? It was you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have come this far.”

“Uh… um… ugh.”

“Speak softly.”

With a pitiful expression, Jin Saebyeok nodded her head. I removed my hand from her mouth and calmly waited for her to speak.

“But… that’s true… but… is it okay to accept this so easily…? If it continues like this… the person who used to edit Chae Won’s channel… will be completely… abandoned, right…? And the other broadcasters who were working with me…?”

You shouldn’t have to hold back just to please others.

“Do you get paid to edit?”

“Oh, no. It’s a one-time payment… per project…”

“Well, that’s fine. It’s not like you’re unilaterally terminating the contract.”

“But… still. There’s… a sense of attachment…”

Is attachment going to feed me?

If you don’t want to collapse from overwork, grab my hand right now!

…I barely managed to hold back the urge to shout.

I learned a good way to deal with timid people from Yoon Jiyu.

“Oh… I see, you’re not my friend’s friend….”

“Huh? Huh? No, no?!”

“Well, you might not want to work with me. I didn’t think about that.”

“No way?! What are you talking about!”

“That’s how it is. Even though it’s our first collaboration…. I guess I just thought we were really close like friends….”

“Ugh. Ugh….”

Jin Saebyeok’s lips kept trembling, and her mind couldn’t handle it, so she collapsed on the table.

Thud.

“Oh. No… I’ll… work with Chaewon….”

It might have been a bit cruel, but it was a success. I never dreamed that the day would come when I would be grateful to Yoon Jiyu.

Well, if it’s not just a dream. If the person who made her like that is her father. If she promises to go and apologize to everyone she has harmed.

“Really? That’s great.”

“Is it… really great?”

“I told you. You’re my precious friend.”

“Uh… uh… uh.”

Jin Saebyeok hesitated, but in the end, she accepted and acknowledged that we were friends.

Without this opportunity, I would have been just a benefactor to her for life. I would never have been able to have a heart-to-heart conversation with her.

I gently clasped Jin Saebyeok’s hands, which she had carefully placed in front of her chest.

“Once things are settled, and you’re ready to work with me again, contact me. I hope everything will be sorted out by the end of this month.”

“This month? There are only 5 days left…?”

“Yes.”

When making a decision, you have to make it quickly and decisively. Just like I did three years ago, the longer you hesitate, the harder it becomes to make a difficult decision.

“I’ll wait for you, unnie!”

Although Jin Saebyeok’s expression showed various emotions, it ultimately ended with a ‘hee hee.’

This person is really cute.