Chapter 99: Utaite Lucy, Part 5

Seo Ji-woo was ecstatic.

She had been planning on becoming a Vtuber anyway, and now, all she had to do was sign a contract to get a free avatar and a year’s worth of free YouTube thumbnails.

They even offered to partially cover her mixing costs. Her life was about to become much easier. She could finally enjoy her channel without the stress of production costs.

“It’s a 1+3 year contract, starting with a 50/50 split, which will be adjusted in your favor later.”

Ji-woo happily nodded.

Even after four years, she’d only be in her early twenties.

She could enjoy her youth and explore other options if it didn’t work out.

With her decent singing ability and a 150,000-subscriber Utaite channel on her resume, she could easily find work as a vocal trainer. There were plenty of options.

“50/50…”

Her father, however, wasn’t thrilled with the terms. A 1+3 year contract, essentially a 4-year contract, wasn’t a short commitment, and the 50/50 split seemed less than ideal.

“I think it’s fine. Even after 4 years, I’ll only be 22. There’s nothing to lose.”

Ji-woo, oblivious to her father’s concerns, tried to convince him.

“We’ll provide basic streaming equipment and studio space after your debut, so you don’t have to worry about the initial investment.”

“We guarantee top-tier treatment.”

Hayoon and Do Jin-ho chimed in, leaving Ji-woo’s father with little room to object.

“Very well. Since my daughter seems eager, and the terms are reasonable, I agree.”

He took out his personal seal. Do Jin-ho quickly presented the parental consent form, and the contract signing proceeded smoothly.

“Please sign here.”

“Okay.”

Even the seemingly indifferent Ji-woo stamped her seal, officially binding Utaite Lucy and the future Vtuber Lucy to BGG Company.

“The contract is now finalized. The terms are effective immediately, and we promise to fully support Lucy-nim.”

Hayoon extended her hand, and Ji-woo, after a moment of hesitation, shook it.

With the official business concluded, Hayoon and Ji-woo sat down again.

“What are your plans now? I heard you came from out of town. Do you have any other appointments?”

“I’ll probably rest at the hotel, and my daughter wants to do some sightseeing.”

“How about visiting our studio? If you’re free, it might be a good opportunity.”

“That would be great. I’m sure she’d prefer to spend time with someone who shares her interests rather than her old man.”

Hayoon successfully secured Ji-woo’s company through her father.

While they had signed the contract, it wasn’t uncommon for young people to disappear after signing.

She wanted to solidify Ji-woo’s commitment to BGG Company.

“Shall we go, then? I’ll take care of your daughter.”

“Yes, let’s.”

“Wow, where’s the studio?”

“A 15-minute taxi ride. Let’s go.”

Ji-woo, excited about sightseeing, readily followed Hayoon.

“This is the studio?”

“Yes, it is.”

They arrived at the BGG Company headquarters. Hayoon entered the building’s passcode and led Ji-woo inside.

“It’s small, but we have an elevator, so it’s easy to move around. Convenient for carrying equipment.”

“Ooh… nice.”

Hayoon pointed out the practical advantages, but Ji-woo, fixated on the shiny elevator mirror, was busy fixing her hair.

She seemed more impressed by the clean mirror than the elevator itself.

Hayoon glanced at Do Jin-ho, who simply shrugged.

‘Does she have ADHD…?’

Ji-woo exhibited many traits of Vtubers with ADHD, and from experience, Do Jin-ho knew that such people rarely changed, even with criticism. It was easier to just accept it.

“I’ll give you the door code when you officially move in.”

“Okay.”

Hayoon was getting used to Ji-woo’s curt responses. It seemed to be her natural way of speaking, even in person. Hayoon’s expectations were steadily lowering.

“It’s spacious, right? Two rooms, a living room, and a kitchen with everything you need for simple cooking.”

“But the living room is empty.”

“Yes, we’ll install soundproof booths for the second generation, including Lucy-nim, once they join us. We’re not furnishing it yet.”

After the living room tour, they moved on to the bedrooms, each equipped with a soundproof booth and a cot. The lights were on, and the air conditioner was running in one of the rooms, indicating that Hong Seo-hyun was streaming.

“This is where Scarlet-nim, your senior, streams. We’ve also set up a cot for her to rest.”

“Ooh…”

“And we’ll install another soundproof booth in this space.”

“Amazing space utilization…”

Ji-woo, seemingly visualizing the layout, nodded in admiration.

“So I’ll be streaming in the living room or this room?”

“Yes, you can choose now if you want. Since you’re the first of the second generation to sign, we can offer you that privilege.”

“Then…”

Hayoon strategically gave Ji-woo the option to choose the location of her soundproof booth.

It was a small gesture to build rapport with the Utaite with 150,000 subscribers.

Such considerations increased the chances of contract renewals. Whether the Gen Z-minded Ji-woo would appreciate the gesture was a different matter.

Regardless.

“I want this room. It has a bed, and I think streaming in a room is better for privacy than the living room.”

“Okay, then we’ll order a soundproof booth of the same size as Scarlet-nim’s. Feel free to visit whenever you come to Seoul.”

“Okay!”

These small gestures would contribute to a successful contract renewal. Hayoon, satisfied with her efforts, moved on to the next room.

“This is where your virtual avatar and YouTube thumbnails will be created. It’s the illustrators’ room, including mine.”

The studio, filled with art equipment, was dark since no one had arrived yet. Ji-woo, seemingly uninterested, glanced around and nodded before leaving.

“Then, I’ll be going now. It’s my first time in Seoul, and there are so many places I want to visit.”

Ji-woo, with the satisfied expression of a museum visitor, said she had other places to see and entered the elevator.

“See you again soon.”

“Goodbye.”

Hayoon and Do Jin-ho saw her off. After the elevator descended and the sound of the entrance door closing echoed up the stairs, they…

“Phew, that’s done.”

“Cash cow secured.”

…collapsed onto the steps, relieved to have finalized the contract.

“Since Lucy already has a character, I’ll ask her if she wants a redesign next week and start working on the illustrations. We need to get the virtual avatar done quickly so we can start on the 3D model for her debut concert at AGC next year.”

“That’s true, but what about the auditions? Will Lucy be a judge?”

“No, even though she signed first, she has no Vtuber experience. It’ll just be you and me.”

“Sweet.”

Do Jin-ho grinned, already anticipating the auditions.

“Please start drafting the audition announcement, senior. We need to give them at least a month’s notice.”

“Got it. I’ll start working on it as soon as I get home.”

“And let’s focus on singers. It’s a common strategy, but with the Korean Utaite scene practically wiped out by the pandemic, we can use the same formula that worked for Scarlet.”

“Okay.”

They briefly discussed the upcoming auditions for BGG Company’s second generation and went their separate ways.

They could discuss the details over the phone; there was no need to linger on the stairs.

The following Monday.

-I’m sorry…

Ji-woo called, her voice unusually subdued.

It seemed she had been thoroughly scolded by her father after returning to Ulleungdo.