episode_0228

The NeoLive team leader swallowed hard.

‘Premiering it as a live broadcast, is this really okay?’

MewTube’s ‘premiere’ function doesn’t necessarily have to be live. That is, you can upload a fully edited and completed video as a premiere.

But Sumiho specifically chose a live premiere. The reason was that she also wanted to communicate with her fans in real time.

‘The reason is heartwarmingly wholesome, but the problem is her singing. A live broadcast means no mistakes allowed.’

If it’s a song for making a video, it doesn’t matter how many times you fail. You can just keep going until you get it right. But what’s the situation now? A whopping hundred thousand people are watching.

‘She must be confident, right? I wonder how Sua’s singing will be.’

This was the same for the NeoLive members as well.

“From 6 o’clock, our youngest Sumiho will be singing and chatting for a bit! I’m going to watch it for a little bit too!”

“Shanaami viewers, let’s watch it together!”

They were promoting it because they were looking forward to Sua’s singing, but at the same time, they were curious. What will Sua’s singing be like?

[ L I V E ] [ Premiere in 1 Minute ] [ 101K Viewers Waiting ] [【Sumiho】─ Mind Picking Cover ]

Now is the time to find out.

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The producer shouted.

“Premiere starting! Begin!”

As Sua swallowed hard, the sound engineers all sat down. In case any problems arise, they need to be able to stop and take action immediately.

[ Premiere Starting! ]

‘Ah, it’s starting…!’

But Sua only saw the premiere start notification for a moment. Because the chat was so intense.

‘Uh, uh-oh?’

[ NeoLive maknae…. You’re alive…. ] [ ㅅㅁㅎ ㅅㅁㅎ ㅅㅁㅎ ] [ Wow, the maknae is performing a debut song!! ] [ But why is she doing it on MewTube??? ] [ NeoLive up NeoLive up ]

The chat was moving so fast it was hard to even follow with her eyes. Sua’s eyes were already spinning.

“Ah, hello.”

As she greeted them with a trembling heart, the chat sped up even more.

Thump thump thump─!

Foolishly, her heart started pounding now. Emergency, emergency! Sua emergency! In the end, the Sua Association stepped in.

─Calm down. Haven’t you done a virtual-tuber broadcast before?

‘That was just a broadcast. I wasn’t singing, was I? Everyone seems to have really high expectations.’

─Just remember one thing. Sumiho and the viewers don’t know each other’s faces. Just remembering that will relieve a lot of the tension.

‘That’s… true.’

People don’t know that Sumiho is Sua. And Sua doesn’t know the faces of those people. Aren’t they just looking at each other through the MewTube screen?

Besides, her voice is slightly edited right now. Yu Hansua is right. When she thinks about each element one by one, there’s no reason to be nervous.

‘Alright.’

Sua soon clenched her fist. Sua’s will!

“I’ve been away from broadcasting for a while, so you must have been disappointed, right? I’ve been practicing singing. I’ll sing for all of you who readily came to see me even with the sudden news of my return to MewTube.”

Then, a heartwarming scene unfolded before her eyes.

[ (Emoji waving a light stick) ] [ (Emoji cheering) ] [ (Emoji waving a light stick) ]

‘Where did they create this kind of emoji culture? But it feels really good. It feels like I’m being sincerely cheered on.’

Soon.

Sua started singing.

『Hey, you know.』

Right after Sua sang the first verse.

[ Oh? ] [ Oooooo lol ] [ Good vibes ]

The chat room reacted first to Sua’s drastically changed vocalization. Next were the people on site. Those who had arranged the cover song’s accompaniment gave each other thumbs up.

‘See, I told you this would suit Sua?’ ‘Nice. If it keeps going like this, there won’t be any problems.’

And when Sua entered the highlight of the song, the part where the high notes stretched out smoothly.

“Wh- wh- what? What’s up with Sumiho’s singing?” “Crazy…!”

The eyes of the NeoLive members, who were broadcasting from the streaming site Pajijik, widened, and there was no need to check the atmosphere in the chat room.

[ ????? ] [ Wowwwwww ] [ Omgggg ] [ Wow lololololol ] [ Crazy lolololololol ]

They were also too busy admiring.

◈◈◈◈◈

The next day. At the airport.

With plenty of time left before the flight, the ‘Celebrity Zoo’ production team is having a meeting at the airport cafe.

“Everyone will have an Americano, right?” “Exclude me. I don’t want to eat anything before getting on the plane.” “Got it. The rest of you? Hot or cold?”

The youngest writer is quickly ordering food and drinks before the meeting. But the main PD is lost in thought. Because of the conversation he had with Kim Iseo.

‘Hmm, essentially the original plan was rejected.’

Mystic CEO Kim Iseo and Sua rejected the main spot in the Korean Wave special that ‘Celebrity Zoo’ had suggested.

But at the same time, they didn’t completely reject it either. Rather, they had conditions they presented to the production team.

The main PD vividly recalled the conversation.

─It seems like we’ll have to reject having Sua as the main focus in the Korean Wave special after all. I’m sorry.

─Could you tell me why?

─I appreciate you pushing Sua as the main lead, but the picture of alienating the other actors is not the picture we want. Sua is an actress who grows purely through her skills. She doesn’t grow by taking from others.

─…I see.

Honestly, the main PD was impressed here. He felt that CEO Kim Iseo and Sua had a very solid mindset. They had a rare kind of foundation.

Therefore, the main PD didn’t give up right away.

He immediately made a new proposal.

─Then CEO Kim Iseo, how about maintaining the Korean Wave special but only casting Sua?

─That won’t work either.

─Excuse me?

─Sua hasn’t even been in the industry for a year since her debut. It would be premature to go out representing Korea like that.

─Hmm….

Every word she says is right, but it’s a shame to lose Sua. In this situation, there was only one thing the main PD could say.

─Is there a method that you, the CEO, would like?

─There is one.

─Please tell me. I’m begging you.

─We want a Sua special, not a Korean Wave special or an actor special. Focus on Sua, not on nationality or drama.

─Ah?

─Either way, Sua will soon be actively working in Japan as well. I want Sua herself to be known.

The main PD, who had finished recalling the conversation, scratched his cheek.

“The actress and the CEO are no ordinary people.”

Asking the number one Japanese national variety show ‘Celebrity Zoo’ to do a special on a single rookie actress is, if you just look at the situation, a proposal that would make a passing dog laugh.

But the main PD couldn’t laugh.

Because if that rookie actress is Lee Sua, the situation becomes special. Somehow, he keeps thinking it might be possible.

‘It’s not that bad. For us, we don’t have to cast multiple people, and MDD 808 is really popular.’

He soon made a decision.

“Okay. I guess we have no choice. Everyone focus on what I’m saying.”

Then, the ‘Celebrity Zoo’ team members’ eyes turned to the main PD. They had just received a bunch of coffee and sandwiches.

The main PD said to them.

“This special, we’re going with a Lee Sua special.”

Ah, but now that he thinks about it, it wasn’t just a special with Sua appearing alone. Sumi also appears. SuaSumi!

◈◈◈◈◈

Two days later.

Vroom vroom─!

Mystic’s van is heading towards Hyeonhwa Arts High School today. The reason Sua is visiting the arts high school is simple.

‘Crescendo From Tomorrow’

Whew, Sua exhaled deeply. So we’re finally filming this. I’ve wanted to film it for a long time.

It wasn’t because she liked Director Go Taemin’s world of works, or because she liked piano so much.

The reason Sua wanted to finish filming ‘Crescendo From Tomorrow’ quickly was extremely simple.

[ Trait : Musician ]

‘The day I can learn the next trait is approaching…!’

Sua excitement! Sua sparkle!

Her current trait is Musician, and she can graduate from it by finishing filming ‘Crescendo From Tomorrow,’ which is a related work. Sua’s heart was already pounding. What should her next trait be? She wants to do something fun!

In the meantime, the Sua Association was also chattering.

It started with Wi Ji Hye Sua.

─School, school, huh…. Is that similar to a Muhakgwan concept?

─It’s much fresher and more beautiful than a Muhakgwan. You meet and make friends, and you also date…. Whatever you do, it’s a place that’s youthful and full of ups and downs.

‘Youthful? Full of ups and downs?’

Sua tried to recall such memories.

─Huh? ─Eh? “….”

But somehow, the more she tried to recall her memories, the stranger they seemed.

Memories of staying alone in the classroom during lunch and eating convenience store bread, and hastily ducking her head when someone came, memories of her face turning red and stuttering when the teacher said, “Since today is the 21st, let’s have number 21 stand up and read.”

Memories of lending out her gym clothes and getting rags back….

─S- sunbae? It’s probably best to stop reminiscing. ─….

‘Well, it just means there were days like that too. I’m okay.’ Even the memories are from before she became Lee Sua.

Sua scratched her head.

Rather, it’s because there were times like that that these days are even happier. Anyway, so she’s going to school, and the feelings that are rising in her heart are simple.

‘I wonder what it will be like to go back to school again now?’

─♩♪♬

At that time, Kim Iseo’s cell phone rang.

“This is Kim Iseo, CEO of Mystic. Hello?” Sua unintentionally could hear the conversation. The other person was so excited that their voice was very loud.

“CEO, have you seen the internet? If you haven’t, go look right now!”

Even an familiar voice. It was Seo Yeonju. “I look at the internet every day. Yeonju, what kind of article did you see that made you so excited?”

“What article would make me more excited? Of course, it’s about Sua! What kind of nonsense is going around?”

“Ah.”

Kim Iseo soon realized what article Seo Yeonju was talking about. She was looking at it too.

[ 【NextDay Exclusive】Lee Sua’s meticulous past laundering? Just a thoroughly created character? ]

An article that constantly suspects and bites at Sua. The photos attached as “data” are just photos that they scraped from internet community posts and organized themselves.

Seo Yeonju kept making a fuss. “Have you read the comments? CEO, you should read them and don’t show them to Sua. They wrote some weird things, okay?” “Yes, yes. That’s what I’m planning to do.”

Kim Iseo looked at the increasing number of comments.

─Is this real?

─If it’s NextDay, it’s not a completely unknown place, right? They wouldn’t have written complete nonsense….

─I thought they were treating her like a god too much on the internet. They were even ready to elect her if she ran for politician…. The bubble is bursting and she’s finally starting to get the right evaluation.

─What are all the comments above saying? Nothing proper has come out yet, but they’re already removing neutrality.

─But is all the data attached just community posts? There doesn’t seem to be any real evidence…. What are they trusting to say she laundered her past?

─That’s why I filter out everything but StarCatch articles.

“CEO, what are you going to do about this? Are you going to call NextDay first? Aren’t they out of their minds?” “There’s no need to do that.”

Kim Iseo quietly shook her head. She didn’t make a fuss like Seo Yeonju. She was just at peace.

Rather, she wanted this chaotic atmosphere.

“Yeonju, there’s nothing to worry about. I’m planning to resolve everything cleanly today.” “Today? You clearly said today from your own mouth?” “Yes, yes. I’m busy, so let’s talk later.”

Kim Iseo calmly hung up the phone.

Besides, the rewards for waiting with the posture of a fisherman were great.

[ 【Reporter Yu Hankyeong】Lee Sua’s growth stalled? ] [ 【Reporter Kim Hanul】Lee Sua is silent in response to the controversy…. ]

“Already two have been caught. Disgusting traitors.”

She noticed reporters who turned their backs on Mystic because they were blinded by views, or who subtly posted articles as if testing the waters.

Even people who had a relationship with Kim Iseo turned away. They must have calculated everything thoroughly and betrayed her. They wouldn’t know that Mystic had a hidden ace.

“Actions are free, but you have to take responsibility.”

Kim Iseo is relaxed. She didn’t have much to do either. It ended with just sending one text message to her employee.

[ Kim Iseo : Detonate what we’ve been preparing now. ]

◈◈◈◈◈

A little later.

‘Wowwww…!’

Sua’s eyes sparkled when she arrived at Hyeonhwa Arts High School.

‘Now that I see it, why is it so cute?’

It’s stylish and pretty. The school she went to was covered in dirt and dust and was a very old building, but she could diligently attend a school like this every day.

‘Ugh…. I kind of want to go back to my school days. I feel like I could get along better with my friends, and I could spend my time more meaningfully….’

Sua was getting all sorts of thoughts as she looked at the school.

She was immersed in heart-fluttering feelings at that time.

“Heo, the hero who saved our work has arrived.”

Director Go Taemin approaching with a smile.

Sua reflexively greeted him.

“Hello.”

But what hero is he talking about? Ah, it belatedly occurred to her. He’s talking about chasing out Kang Hakman and Lee Juhyeon.

But Go Taemin wasn’t alone.

He was with a total of two people.

A man on the left and a woman on the right. Go Taemin introduced them to Sua in turn. First, the man.

“These are the actors who filled the vacancies after Kang Hakman and Lee Juhyeon left, and I couldn’t not let Sua know about them, right? I’ll personally introduce them. First, David Park.”

Go Taemin patted the man’s shoulder. “He’s a male actor who just came back from Hollywood.” “Ah, yes.”

Sua nodded without much thought. It didn’t resonate with her even though he was an actor from Hollywood. Hollywood felt like a completely different world to Sua.

…Hollywood? Is that really on Earth?

In fact, David Park was scrutinizing Sua as if he were taking her apart, but still.

‘Is this the one, Lee Sua? I failed in Hollywood, but will this kid be able to overcome the wall?’

While the two people’s thoughts crossed in the air, this time Go Taemin started introducing the woman on the right. No, to be exact, Go Taemin didn’t even have a chance to introduce her. That’s because the woman suddenly strode towards Sua.

Sua was inwardly surprised. Her momentum is no joke.

Whoosh!

A woman abruptly sticks out her hand.

It was Yang Harin.

“Lee Sua, let’s do well. I’m not going to lose no matter what.” “….”

Sua didn’t react for a moment.

That’s when Go Taemin burst out laughing.

“Hehe, she’s not even giving me a chance to introduce her. It seems Harin wanted to greet Sua quickly.”

Whatever.

Sua looked at Yang Harin with a lukewarm expression.

“…Umm, what are you doing here?”