Chapter 102: Everyday life in winter, Part 3

[BGG Company 2nd Generation Vtuber Audition]

Judges: Scarlet, Haru, Manager D.
Requirements: Female.
Openings: 2.
Preferred: Good health, consent to studio streaming, born after 1998.
Audition Dates: Starting December 25, 2021.
Application Form: -https://www…………………

BGG Company’s requirements were strikingly blunt.

-Younger is better.

-Love the honesty.

-Finally, an agency that’s upfront about age. This will prevent all the whining from older applicants.

The online community loved it. Idol agencies rarely accepted trainees over 20; why should Vtubers be any different? Online “experts” supported BGG’s decision.

-The CEO is still in high school; she can’t manage someone in their late 20s.

-She’s really still in high school?

-Yeah, she runs a Patreon, posts on Pixiv, does Scarlet’s thumbnails, and occasionally updates her avatar. She streams sometimes, pretty chill.

-Even the ’98 liners are six years older than her.

-The ’98 liners will be at a disadvantage.

The fact that Hayoon’s age was public reinforced the requirements’ validity.

While she might have been criticized if she were older, it was a reasonable decision for management purposes.

-Wasn’t there a Vtuber who got kicked out for neglecting her streams?

-This isn’t discrimination; it’s a smart move.

-If you can’t manage your talent, you shouldn’t run an agency.

Vtubers frequently retired. Unreliable streamers would lose their audience.

The online consensus was that Hayoon had made a smart decision. Of course, not everyone agreed.

-This is unfair. I wanted to be a Vtuber, but I’m excluded because I’m a ’97 liner… Should I lie about my age?

-Ooh, good idea. I believe in you.

And.

-How is this company even allowed? Only accepting those born after ’98 is discriminatory.

-The CEO is a woman.

-So? Women can be discriminatory too! This is unacceptable and should be retracted. They should be punished.

-But the CEO is a minor, how can they punish her?

-That’s ridiculous! A kid is discriminating against older women?

-That’s why you’re excluded, grandma.

-You little…

There was opposition, but most men preferred younger women, and those born after 1998 were happy, so the source of the complaints was clear. And someone was monitoring the situation.

“These usernames…”

Do Jin-ho compiled a list of usernames criticizing Hayoon and BGG.

“These old hags are hysterical.”

He subtly provoked them, collecting their usernames. Any applicant matching these usernames would be disqualified.

“I’m an ‘02 liner; I don’t want to work with some grandma.”

This was the perfect job for him. He gathered intel, earned a bonus from Hayoon, and since he used a VPN, there were no legal risks. He unleashed his inner troll for the good of the company.

“Ooh, here we go.”

He was perfectly suited to his role. He’d soon be training junior moderators.

Meanwhile.

“How is it? Does it capture the original while updating the color scheme?”

“Definitely.”

Hayoon and Choi Arin were pleased with Lucy’s revised design. Her original design lacked consistency. Hayoon had standardized the color palette.

“Hair color is key for Vtubers. After a year of thumbnails, the fans will be used to the changes.”

“Right? It’s also easier to subtly add new elements.”

People adapt. Lucy’s subscribers would adjust quickly. They’d recognize the changes as Easter eggs by the time of the debut. The year-long lead time was a significant advantage.

“I’ll send the final design to Ji-woo. Unnie, you can start the rigging.”

“Ugh… back to the grind… I’ll try my best.”

Choi Arin shuddered dramatically but started working. Hayoon sent the design to Ji-woo.

“This is the final design. Any changes…”

…you’d like? As soon as the “read” notification popped up, Ji-woo called.

-Ring, ring-

“I’ll take this.”

“Is that Ji-woo?”

“Yeah, she calls a lot.”

Hayoon answered.

-Hayooooon!

An overly familiar voice greeted her.

You know, you know, today at school…

The avatar was forgotten. Ji-woo needed an excuse to talk to Hayoon. She had been waiting for an opportunity to call. Hayoon, anticipating this…

“Oh really?”

-Yes, yes! So…

…still had to listen to two hours of mostly uninteresting stories about Ji-woo’s life on Ulleungdo.

‘What is this…?’

She felt like an emotional dumping ground.

‘An emotional support plushie…?’

Perhaps Ji-woo saw her as a virtual friend.

-Thanks for listening! I can’t wait to move to Seoul and live with you. Dad said he’d get me an apartment.

“Oh?”

After two hours, Hayoon resolved to properly train Ji-woo once she arrived.