episode_0009

-Kya!

-Let’s go!

-It must be really hard.

-Let’s skip the bridge part and do the rest…

Everyone seems worried about the bridge part. I silently placed my hands on the mini keyboard. Skill is better proven than explained in words.

I definitely started with this feeling, right? I swept my hand down, remembering the sound I just heard.

-Kya

-Kya

-Oh…

-Nice.

-Is it really your first time playing?

-Your piano playing looks so beautiful.

And just as people talk about the highly anticipated bridge part, I smoothly transitioned through it without much difficulty. Even if it’s considered difficult, remember that it’s a piece created by a person. Can a person not play it?

-Oh

-Kya hahaha

-You’re good at this.

-Acting, you already knew how to do it, huh?

“It’s not acting. I just have a particularly good ear, so once I hear something, I don’t easily forget.”

Of course, there was quite a lot of effort involved in translating those heard songs directly onto the keyboard.

-Wow

-So this is why they call you a genius, haha.

-This is talent?!

“Haha. Being called a genius vocalist makes me feel so embarrassed.”

-Haha

-Even humble.

[Mimiming has donated 10,000 won!]

[I was deeply moved by your performance. I can’t believe you played it on the spot like that.]

“You don’t have to give another 10,000… Thank you! I’ll put it to good use. And since I tried playing this song once, I think it would suit the electric guitar even better than the keyboard.”

The electric guitar shown earlier, Flare. I moved the keyboard aside and picked up the guitar again.

“Should we try playing the guitar on the spot too? Since we received another 10,000.”

-Kya hahaha

-You’re getting great reactions here.

-So you’re saying you’ll arrange the song you just heard into a guitar version for real?

“Well, not a perfect arrangement. More like a rough, intuitive one… It should look good on camera.”

Zing!

The guitar sound resonated loudly.

“Shall we start? An anime song requested by Mimiming, guitar version.”

-Let’s go!

-We’re getting both an ear and eye treat today.

Translating piano performances directly into guitar playing. Some songs can be perfectly substituted, but this one seemed challenging. So, I improvised and composed on the spot to fix the occasional awkward parts.

-Oh

-Wow

-What? It seems different from the original, but it fits well.

-My heart is full.

And now, the bridge part is approaching. The guitar’s unique bridge, different from the piano’s. It’s a matter of personal preference, but coming from a rock background, I lean towards this side. Forgetting about the viewer chat for a moment, I focused intently.

“Phew…”

As the performance ended, the chat window caught my eye again.

[Mimiming has donated 10,000 won!]

“Awesome…”

-Wow

-Wow

[User has donated 10,000 won!]

“I’m listening for free, and yet I feel compelled to donate immediately.”

-Awesome;;;

-Amazing

“Just listening is more than enough, really. How was it? An anime song, guitar version. Do you think it will get a lot of views?”

-Of course, it will.

-Easily hit ten million.

-I’m definitely going to listen to it ten million times starting today.

“Ten million times. I’d be happy with just one million. Well then, I’ll upload it later.”

[User has donated 10,000 won!]

“It was visually stunning.”

“Hahaha!”

Having been a man before, I can fully empathize with their reactions. But I couldn’t see how I looked while focusing on playing the guitar. I’ll review and check my guitar playing after the broadcast ends.

The second day of the broadcast is already nearing its end. As I start to wrap up, viewers seem to mysteriously sense it and shed tears.

-Sob sob sob

-Don’t go.

-Stay a bit longer, please.

-Don’t leave us sob sob

“Just a moment. It hurts too much, doesn’t it? Then a little longer? No. Let’s end here because of today’s guitar performance video. Let’s have fun tomorrow.”

Master Teacher said it’s good to teach when needed and to end decisively when it’s time to end, looking forward to what comes next.

-Okay

“Playing tomorrow, haha. Feels like a kindergarten teacher.

“Like a teacher? Haha. Well then, thank you to our viewers for today’s hard work. See you again tomorrow.”

Recalling the teacher’s tone I had seen at the childcare center, I spoke.

“Goodnight, children.”

-Haha

-Yes, Teacher, goodnight to you too.

-My ears are melting.

-That voice is so energetic, haha

[Donation from User ‘il_dang_baek’ of 100,000 won!]

[Tuition Fee]

-Is this tuition fee following the friend fee, haha?

-Wealthy kids.

-Haha

-Resolute kids.

“No, don’t say things like that! It’s okay.”

On the second day, the broadcast ended. The highest number of viewers increased by about double to 230 compared to yesterday. I had promised myself not to worry about the viewer count, but on days like this, it’s okay to be a little happy, right?

Even though I said there was no need for donations, people seemed even more eager to donate, and I ended up receiving nearly 240,000 won, almost double from yesterday. Let’s save up and reinvest in the broadcast.

Now, shall we check out the mini concert and guitar video from today? Watching the replay, I noticed my mouth involuntarily widening. Definitely. It was noticeable, and once something catches your attention, you can’t help but focus on it.

Especially when playing the guitar, I unintentionally leaned over it a few times.

“Oh…”

This is my body. Laughter and admiration come simultaneously. Alright. Let’s start a channel and upload videos. As mentioned earlier, it’s for portfolio purposes. If the response is good, more viewers will come in, so it’s all beneficial.

[Seoa Channel]

[Singing Anime Songs, Tried Playing Guitar.]

As I tried to sleep, I kept refreshing out of curiosity.

[30 comments]

“Huh?”

Did I misread something? Suddenly, there were over 30 comments? Usually in cases like this, it’s referred to as being doxxed or mentioned in another community. Let’s check if that’s the case.

[Popular Post) Just Uploaded: A Guitar Performance by an Unknown Player…]

“Is this it?”

Clicking it revealed numerous comments.

-Amazing

-Oh…

-I heard she’s Kwon Seoa, the vocalist and leader of the indie rock band Scarlet, currently active as a streamer.

-Wow, thank you

-Wow

-She’s really good at playing, haha

-I heard the indie rock scene is crazy, did she smoke and get some secret tattoos?

Not everyone in the indie rock scene is like that.

While there might be people like that, there are far more who aren’t.

Since I originally entered the childcare center, I’ve avoided tattoos, smoking, piercings, etc., to protect the children. Even in situations where alcohol was involved, I made sure to air out the smell and come in after a few days. Should I explain this or not? As I pondered, a reply appeared below.

“This is from an interview, read it and come back. This person is a kind rocker, I’ll clear things up since I feel bad. (https:://www.xxxxx…) It’s written there that she takes care of children at a childcare center and doesn’t engage in tattoos, smoking, or drinking. Get informed before speaking.”

Clicking the link, an old interview from when I was active in the rock band Scarlet appeared.

When did I do this interview?

Was it right after releasing the first album? Around the time when I earned the nickname “genius.”

Back then, when money was tight, I went for the interview because they said they would pay me. Looking back now, an interview is a great opportunity for promotion, but at that time, I felt a sense of shame just by doing the interview.

“Oh…”

Suddenly recalling that time makes me cringe. The good thing is that I approached the interview sincerely and didn’t create any controversies. I should be grateful that I didn’t manufacture a dark history through that interview.

With embarrassment creeping up, I continued reading the interview until I paused at one question.

[Vocalist and leader Kwon Seo-ah prefers to be called “Foster Care Rocker” rather than being known as a genius. What does this mean?]

[Yes, when I was young, being from a foster care background was truly embarrassing. But looking back now, being from foster care is something I’m proud of and feel accomplished about. I’ve met better people and had better experiences since then. So if there’s someone like me, I hope they don’t feel ashamed. It’s not a crime. That’s the meaning behind it. Let’s stand tall together.]

That’s right. Those days come to mind. They remain unchanged even now. Instead, a new goal has emerged. Let’s become more famous and be a role model from the foster care system.

***

A few days later, an exciting message arrived.

[Congratulations on passing the document screening process…]

I made it through the first round of the virtual idol project audition that I applied for last time. The message continued with details about the second in-person interview.

[Thanks to the many applicants who supported us, many have passed the first round of screenings. Therefore, we plan to conduct the second in-person interviews over 5 days. Please make sure to note your date! Once again, please remember the date!]

How many people must have applied for a five-day audition?

Big companies are indeed different. My interview day is a week from today, Friday morning. Don’t forget to mark it on your schedule. Beneath were kind reminders of essential questions and preparations.

[Interview Essential Preparation]

1. 30-second self-introduction

2. Sing one verse of a song acapella

3. Showcase a talent other than singing

4. Build upon the question from the first round, ‘What kind of YouTuber do you want to be?’, assume you’ve been selected and simulate a mock broadcast.

(Note: Numbers are assigned arbitrarily and do not reflect the order of the interview.)

Remember these well and prepare thoroughly for the interview.

And…

I guess I should tell our teachers now, right? Where should I start and how should I explain it? In a way, being a YouTuber is harder to describe than online broadcasting.

“Um, teachers.”

As usual, during breakfast with the teachers, I rehearsed the statement I prepared while nervously plucking up my courage.

“I have an interview next Friday morning.”

“Huh?”

“What interview?”

“Oh? Weren’t you doing that internet broadcasting thing?”

Just like teachers who enjoy gossip, a barrage of questions followed. After clearing my throat, I explained slowly.

“Well, it’s about being a virtual streamer, a YouTuber… It’s like an extension of online broadcasting. If you think about what a YouTuber is…”

Wow. This is harder to explain than I thought. Let’s pause for a moment, but they quickly jump in.

“Why complicate things unnecessarily? Seo-ah, are you sure you’ve checked properly?”

“I have. Even people in their twenties are into this nowadays. Be careful, okay?”

“No, no. It’s not multi-level marketing…”

It won’t work. It’s early, but let’s use the ultimate weapon.

“It’s with Linu.”

“Linu? The IT giant Linu? Are you getting a job at a major company, Seo-ah?”

“Really?!”

“Oh my. She’s going places!”

Wait a minute.

Isn’t this working out much better than expected?!