Chapter 85: This is something that people who contact Jina for first go through

Strictly speaking, there are three major corporate players leading the Korean VTuber industry.

One is Cosmo Live, which has shown rapid growth recently.

Having steadily grown alongside their 2nd generation ‘Astra’.

They properly unleashed the potential they had built up with their 3rd generation ‘Seasons’, emerging as a new powerhouse in the industry.

However, it was still somewhat lacking to be considered a firmly established member of the top 3.

Another is the traditional powerhouse of the Korean market, JeoSeSang Idol (Otherworldly Idol).

They have supported the Korean VTuber industry for a relatively long time, maintaining a loyal fanbase.

Although Cosmo Live’s recent growth is formidable, the gap with JeoSeSang Idol was still clear.

Anyone could see these two groups belonged to different leagues.

…For now.

But even combining these two groups, there was a separate entity much larger in scale.

Namely, Nise Live, the global VTuber corporation that practically holds a monopoly over the worldwide VTuber market.

Even limited to the Korean branch alone, they stood superior to the other two groups.

Expanding to the Japanese, North American, and European branches, comparison becomes impossible.

Their affiliated VTubers had the power to mobilize tens of thousands of viewers for the Korean branch, and hundreds of thousands, even millions, for overseas branches just by turning on their stream.

Their revenue and capital power overwhelmingly surpassed other competitors.

Such Nise Live had recently been eyeing one particular target.

The top 3D modeling expert in Korea who created Han Ari and Seasons, ‘jinha_na’.

To borrow the community’s expression, Jinaemon.

Or, Jina Mama.

Through the VR TRPG ‘Saving Yoo Da-hee’ that Summer recently played and the ‘VR Horror Game’ that Spring and Winter played(?), Jina’s technical skills began to attract attention once again.

The entire industry buzzed because she creates detailed models reminiscent of reality not only for avatars but across all 3D objects.

Many wanted to commission work from Jina.

Nise Live, called the empire of the VTuber industry, was one of them.

---

As Se-yeon opened the conference room door and stepped inside, the gazes of the officials already seated turned towards her all at once.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for her first words with a mix of slight tension and anticipation.

Tak- Se-yeon placed the tablet down and slowly opened her mouth.

“Everyone has checked the video, right?”

At her words, the officials quietly nodded.

“Then let’s review the key scenes and specifically pinpoint which parts we should focus on.”

Se-yeon’s fingertip moved across the screen.

Soon, a video began playing on the large screen filling the entire conference room wall.

As soon as the image of the dark, ruined hospital appeared, several people flinched unknowingly.

It was a scene they had watched over and over again. (Honestly, they really didn’t want to see it.)

Nevertheless, the quality was substantial enough to feel new and thrilling every time they watched it.

Each scene projected on the screen evoked a much more realistic atmosphere than an actual movie set. That says it all.

“Honestly, when I first saw this video, I thought CG had been added separately.”

One employee confessed his honest feelings in a low voice.

Following that, others nodded consecutively as if in agreement.

“It was hard to believe it was a VR game. I thought post-processing had been applied, but to think that’s the unedited version…!”

“Especially the detail in the background modeling is truly tremendous.”

Tearing the wallpaper.

Expressing the texture of the tiles.

Handling the shading of the lighting.

It’s not like anyone recognizes that hard work.

But gathering all those minor details together resulted in such vividness.

Amidst the continued praise, Se-yeon furrowed her brow and switched the screen.

“Let’s check this again too.”

What was reflected on the screen was none other than Winter’s debut concert video.

“When we first analyzed this video, we only focused on the avatar modeling and direction, so we didn’t examine it properly, but the stage quality was also considerable. Moreover, this stage was a live broadcast.”

Pre-recording the stage video and broadcasting it on YouTube was something the 3D artists affiliated with Nise Live could sufficiently do.

Just be a little more meticulous than usual, put in a little more time, that’s all.

But a real-time live stage is a different story.

Especially if the background and direction change in real-time according to the song.

“It’s comparable even to the 3D live stages we’ve conducted so far. No, strictly speaking, it could be considered much better.”

Honestly speaking, it’s superior to any company they had outsourced to so far.

Even more outstanding than Nise Live’s own affiliated 3D artists.

At Se-yeon’s added words, everyone kept their mouths shut, unable to continue.

After a short silence, she continued.

“But what’s more surprising is that the person who implemented that has AI research, not 3D design, as their main job.”

“…Yes?”

“Looking into it, there was even a paper published on the topic of generating 3D models with AI. Did you know?”

“I was aware… but wasn’t modeling their main job?”

“I thought so too. But, it turns out we know less about that person than we thought.”

It was natural they were mistaken.

Because AI-generated images or models guarantee a certain level of quality, but couldn’t produce top-tier quality.

But Jina, before being an outstanding artist, is an outstanding researcher.

Someone who can mass-produce top-tier 3D models faster than anyone else.

Just as a baseball player outstanding as both a pitcher and a hitter conquered the major leagues.

It wasn’t strange that a designer outstanding both artistically and research-wise conquered the industry either.

“Whether it’s modeling automation techniques using AI, or hyper-realistic direction techniques, anything is fine.”

Requesting them to conduct a technical analysis of how Jina proceeds with her work in as much detail as possible.

Se-yeon instructed the officials in a firm voice.

---

After finishing the weekly meeting.

Se-yeon continued the meeting with several team leader-level employees.

“Everyone properly recognizes the seriousness of this matter, right?”

At Se-yeon’s low, calm voice, everyone nodded in unison.

“Looking at the data we’ve gathered, Jina-nim can be called an unrivaled figure in the field of AI-based 3D modeling.”

Limited to Korea, there are no competitors.

Looking at the whole world, she’s talent coveted anywhere.

The technology team leader said with a stern face.

“It’s quite regrettable. Honestly, I wanted to entrust avatar modeling to her too… but the confidentiality principle imposed by the headquarters is so strict.”

Actually, Se-yeon had been paying attention to Jina for a long time.

Even before Seasons debuted.

To be precise, shortly after Han Ari debuted.

Not feeling anything even after seeing an avatar of such tremendous quality?

Then she should quit Nise Live immediately.

But at the time, due to the overly strict security issues regarding VTubers, she ultimately couldn’t contact the freelancer Jina.

Time passed like that.

The 3D stage, where such principles didn’t apply, was precisely.

Now was the golden opportunity to commission work from Jina.

“Starting with the 3D live stage, we will continue expanding contact points, with the long-term goal of recruiting her as Nise Live’s exclusive designer.”

Just then, the planning team leader, who had been listening quietly, spoke cautiously.

“I agree with the Branch Manager’s opinion… but her relationship with the artists affiliated with Cosmo Live is known to be very close. I’m not sure if she’ll move easily.”

“That’s a matter of properly conveying what value Nise Live can offer Jina-ssi.”

‘In the end, it’s business,’ Se-yeon said forcefully, implying personal affection means nothing in the face of money and fame.

“We must bring her over using any means necessary. Don’t spare the necessary funds if needed.”

Se-yeon looked around at the team leaders and added finally.

“That person is worth that much.”

---

Having secured Jina’s contact information, Se-yeon immediately made the call.

She had sent emails long ago.

But even after many days passed, not only did she not receive a reply, but they weren’t even checked. In the end, she had no choice but to call.

A short ringing tone echoed.

What returned shortly after was an indifferent voicemail message.

“Is she very busy…?”

Trying several more times yielded the same result.

Normally, she would have stopped here, but this time, she couldn’t give up.

Jina was that important a person.

Se-yeon hesitated for a moment, then recalled the fact that Jina often contacted Cosmo Live and let out a low sigh.

A slight displeasure was felt at the fingertips dialing Cosmo Live’s corporate phone number.

It was because this situation, having to contact a competitor directly, was unpleasant.

“Yes, this is Cosmo Live General Manager Kim Youngjun.”

“Hello, this is Nise Live Korea Branch Manager Yoon Se-yeon.”

Se-yeon took a brief breath, then started the conversation politely.

Starting with trivial industry talk.

Praising Cosmo Live’s recent content as impressive.

Mentioning the 3D models were particularly eye-catching…

“Ah… To Jina-nim?”

Youngjun’s voice became more cautious than before.

“If it’s not rude, may I ask what this is about?”

Se-yeon intuitively felt this conversation would become tricky.

“It’s nothing special. Jina-nim’s work left a strong impression, so I wanted to schedule a meeting regarding our Nise Live project.”

Saying so, she subtly mentioned that Jina wasn’t Cosmo Live’s exclusive designer but a freelancer.

Implying she would provide a referral fee separately, but not to block the meeting.

Silence fell once again.

That short silence felt unusually long to Se-yeon.

“…Understood. Then I will contact Jina and check.”

Youngjun replied in a businesslike voice and ended the call.

The hidden wariness within it was so blatant that Se-yeon unknowingly bit her lip slightly.