Chapter 7 : Debut Broadcast (2)

“Ahh! Brothers, today’s broadcast was really packed. Everyone agree?”

• Agree. They are just playing solo rank mindlessly all night.
• Is the next hell after Star hell going to be LoL hell? I think I’ll go out for lunch.
• Youngjun, let’s find your original spirit again. Bring in some fresh content.

“Geez. Brothers, I’ve been on air since 11 PM and it’s almost 12 hours now. Please be nice to me. I’m tired.”

• Please be nice to him.
• Look at the kids playing Battlegrounds. They grind for 15 hours running factories, but complaining after 12 hours? Haha.
• Aww, our Youngjun is tired? Here.

[YoungjunGeiya donated 5 candies.]

“……”

Youngjun, a streamer with 11 years of experience, sighed deeply.

Recently, the sentiment among viewers was becoming uneasy.

‘Maybe I should just focus on my main job. I shouldn’t have stepped into the Star scene…’

Youngjun was a streamer who gained recognition through League of Legends, commonly known as ‘LoL.’

But then the Star University period, which dominated PangeaTV for over a year, began, and after observing for a while, he subtly joined.

This was actually a common occurrence in the streaming world.

No matter how fun the content is, if you watch the same thing every day, you get bored.

Trending content eventually follows a certain cycle.

At those times, it’s the unwritten rule of the streaming world to put aside your main content and join the popular trend!

But the problem was that Youngjun caused a big scandal after joining Star University.

First, he messed up a few important matches in the University Tournament.

You might think, “What’s the big deal about losing a few matches?” but when you learn that the amount at stake in the University Tournament was several tens of millions of won, no one could take that lightly.

That alone was enough for him to be labeled a traitor by his university’s fanbase, but it didn’t stop there.

If his skills were lacking, he should have at least provided some broadcast entertainment, but after showing “real tension” a few times, he even created an embarrassing viral catchphrase, “Youngchang Natta,” derived from his name.

In a hurry, he did a broadcast apology and tried to win back the viewers’ favor by returning to his main job, but after streaming Star content for half a year, his original viewers had already split.

Moreover, malicious viewers flooded in, and the atmosphere of the broadcast turned into complete chaos!

With 11 years of experience, he was somehow managing to handle it, but it wasn’t easy.

‘This damn Star scene needs to end quickly, then maybe I can manage somehow.’

Although he had developed a negative reputation in the Star scene, once a new trend emerged, that too would fade away.

When that happens, the broadcasts that are currently awkwardly trying to keep up with trends will decrease.

The viewer count would rebound significantly.

Youngjun glanced at the viewer count.

107 viewers, compared to before the Star scene, it had halved.

Even though it was during the time when people were at work, this number was devastating.

Every time something like this happened, holding onto his mental state was the destiny of a streamer.

Youngjun forced himself to raise his energy and decided to have a short talk with the viewers before signing off.

At least by increasing the sense of familiarity, he could reduce the number of viewers leaving.

• Youngjun, come a bit earlier today. Work hard and reach Challenger before the season ends.
• Haha, how is an old man like you going to reach Challenger? Reaching Grandmaster would be an accomplishment.
• Just a few years ago, Youngjun was achieving Challenger with three accounts, and now even Grandmaster is tough? ;;
• Youngjun, are you watching the stream that’s ranking #1 in viewers? Haha, remember that cringe video you showed in a broadcast? It’s similar to that. Something like Virtual, I think.

“Mm?”

As he casually scrolled through the chat, there was something he couldn’t ignore.

#1 in viewers? And Virtual?

These words, which didn’t seem to match at all, made Youngjun blink like a fool.

But his body’s reaction was honest, and as soon as he heard #1 in viewers, he automatically clicked on PangeaTV’s main screen.

“Wait? Huh? Really?”

At first, he suspected it might be malicious viewers trolling, but it was real.

With 4,752 viewers, he was #1 on PangeaTV.

Of course, some luck was involved.

The big-name streamers representing PangeaTV weren’t broadcasting at the moment.

It was, in common terms, a once-in-a-lifetime empty house.

Where there are no tigers, the fox rules, and on such days, mid-tier streamers below the big companies tend to run wild. But today, surprisingly, they were being overwhelmed by a new face.

‘How is this possible?’

Although Youngjun had gone through many ups and downs, he was still an 11-year veteran streamer.

He was a seasoned veteran who had experienced everything on PangeaTV.

But even he had never experienced something like this.

A newbie taking #1 in viewers on their first day?

Moreover, this wasn’t a typical streamer, but a “Virtual” streamer.

• Virtual? Ugh! What’s that? Even just looking at the thumbnail, it makes me dizzy.
• Huh? How did something like that take #1 in viewers? Did the creepy fans from RabbitTV invade?
• What am I even watching right now? What am I watching? What am I watching?

Just skimming through the viewer chats, you could tell.

There was a deep-seated rejection of no-cam streams among PangeaTV viewers.

But surprisingly, there were also some positive reactions.

• I’m forty, and people my age all watch Virtual.
• Rather watch Virtual than Star 365 days a year. Haha.
• I watched Kirinuki’s video on YouTube, and surprisingly, it was pretty good?

Fatigue from the long reign of the Star scene.

As much as they were tired, the viewers were thirsty for a new trend.

In fact, streamers were no different.

PangeaTV needed a new wind.

Youngjun, almost mesmerized, entered the broadcast.

Fortunately, it was a stream that allowed exploration.

‘Maybe this could be the breakthrough?’

With a pounding heart, the first scene he saw as he entered the broadcast was…

“Kirat~☆”

A cute hand gesture with the index and pinky fingers raised.

The black-haired, red-eyed girl character brought it closer to the camera, smiling at him.

Strangely, sparkling effects followed the fingertips.

It looked like starlight flowing.

• Damn, haha, is this the latest technology?
• Wow! What is this? Holy shit, haha, this is Yaszi.
• Uh. Hmm. It’s cool, but… this is a bit…
• Hahahaha?

“……”

Youngjun’s brain, tired from the overnight broadcast, decided to stop thinking.

Phew! Guys, really, be good to your parents.

Making money isn’t easy at all.

At best, it’s a bit embarrassing to execute a pre-programmed action with just a click of a button.

Memories of the virtual streamers I encountered before my regression come flooding back.

Those who wore full tracking gear to perform sexy dances or act cute.

Thinking back now, they were true ‘pros.’

Ahem, or is it just me being overly self-conscious because I identify as male?

I collect my thoughts and glance at the chat.

-ㅋㅋㅋ? Kirat ㅇㅈㄹ

-I’m 40 years old. I’ve fallen in love with a virtual streamer.

I was watching the stream on dual monitors when my mom suddenly walked in. I want to die. Take responsibility. Ah…

-If you weigh over 100kg, blink once. You have 5 minutes.

-Is this what virtual streaming is like? Those RabbitTV ㅅㅂ guys kept this to themselves.

-Is this person really a newbie? Their energy is high, their stream flow is smooth, and their preparation is impressive. The PPT earlier too.

The chat was overwhelmingly positive.

Of course, it had to be.

Few people are cruel enough to throw stones at someone who puts in effort.

From the start, ‘debut streams’ have been a cultural staple of the virtual world.

Most streamers that PangaeaTV viewers were used to simply put “Newbie” in their stream titles and relied on spoken appeals to draw in viewers.

Naturally, my prepared PPT and short intro video set me apart.

[“Sangdo-dong Steel Fist” has donated 300 candies.]

-“I asked for a reaction to the 300 candies and got a Kirat ㅋㅋㅋ. Funniest moment in 5 years of watching streams. Will donate again if you have another reaction?”

[“YeocamBangJugDori” has donated 10 candies.]

-“How about 의챈? What’s the rate for that?”

ㅋㅋㅋ Is this virtual vs camgirl? Hilarious.

[“Return of Big Nose” has donated 5 candies.]

-“Do you know Wangkojaeng?”

“Sorry, I haven’t developed other reactions yet. As for 의챈, it’s possible, but I might have to set it as 19+? Wouldn’t want to scare off the baby viewers. And Wangkojaeng? Is that the PUBG streamer?”

I smoothly respond to the chats.

As expected, a flood of donations follows.

Humans instinctively reject ‘difference.’

The unfamiliarity of someone different triggers a sense of fear.

This was a major hurdle for the virtual streamers who switched platforms during the 720p incident.

RabbitTV and PangaeaTV had significant differences.

But I know PangaeaTV.

I know what they like and the reactions they crave.

I cater to their expectations with the enthusiasm of someone shouting, “Do you know Kimchi? Do you know Son Heung-min?”

“It’s been proven that candies are superior to donations through the Candy Calculator site. PangaeaTV is the top broadcasting platform in Korea, and I firmly believe its stock will break the 140th floor. The 234 shares in my account are proof.”

-ㅋㅋㅋ? Not nationalism, but Pangaea pride?

-“This is nuts, this is nuts, this is nuts!”

[“King Big Nose Pass” has donated 100 candies.]

-“I’m capturing this. If you ever sell all your stock and run to RabbitTV, I’m spreading this everywhere.”

PangaeaTV is a globally trending platform.

Plus, long-time viewers pretending to be newbies, shouting “Wow! Amazing! Sugoi!” only fuels the hype, going viral on FM communities.

-Streamer Seo-Ah, are they insane?

-Just had their first stream today, but their energy is off the charts, they communicate well, and their reactions are perfect.

-Plus, their preparation and effort are insane. Everyone, make sure to watch the VOD.

-I’ve never seen a debut stream this well-prepared in my entire life.

-This is real. I just clicked in because there was nothing else to watch this morning, and it’s been 2 hours already.

-Definitely not your average streamer. Starting with 15 million won on the 62nd floor? Chills.

-I was hesitant about virtuals, but this feels like a more advanced Dullahan. Pretty entertaining.

-Everyone, go check out Seo-Ah’s reactions.

-[Video] Kirat~☆

-ㅋㅋㅋ? What is this? Not an anime clip, this is live?

-Wow!

-Wow ㅋㅋ They’re actually doing this live on PangaeaTV.

-Debuting with this level of guts.

-[Video] Full purchase on the 62nd floor, PangaeaTV.

-“Man, even this kind of weeb streamer is on the 62nd floor, but here I am living on the 98th. My life is legendary.”

-Wow, ㅋㅋㅋ, a true broadcasting genius. I’ve never seen a debuting streamer buy platform stock.

-In a month, they’ll probably be down 10%, crying. ㅋㅋㅋ

I glance at my phone, which I had set up earlier, to check the viral community posts.

With the empty morning slot and the juicy bait I threw, the upvotes pile up quickly.

Popular posts start flooding in under my nickname.

Viewer numbers keep climbing.

It’s already over 5,800.

‘This is just the beginning. There are still the loyal viewers of PangaeaTV to win over.’

The so-called upper-tier audience.

As the view count soars past 8,000, the heavy hitters start to gather.

-“Wow, ㅋㅋㅋ 8,000? Is this normal for a first stream?”

-“Even the likes of YoungjunGae, Sontakgu, Choi Sarang, and FifaMan are peeking like mice.”

-“These weebs… Not bad, actually. Ugh!”

-“Oconmo, Oconmo, Oconmo!”

-“But have they done the Yoon Seo method?”

As donations and chat messages pour in, I suppress a laugh.

I’ve just set a record that surpasses the first-ever debut of a virtual streamer on PangaeaTV.

The first step on the royal road has been taken.