episode_0234

EP.234: A Big Blow with Something Big.

The next day. Mystic Headquarters.

“…Really?”

CEO Kim Iseo blinked her eyes as if surprised.

“Harin? You mean, you scouted Yang Harin?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“It’s surprising that Sua thought of Harin, and it’s surprising that she accepted. I think we saw her briefly at the fan meeting? Did you become friends then?”

“It’s not really a friendship. In the first place, I was going to scrap the whole thing if you opposed it, CEO-nim.”

Sua answered clearly and articulately.

…Actually, it was just Yu Han-Sua who gave the advice.

Kim Iseo shook her head.

“No. Sua thought of her after careful consideration, so there’s no reason for me to oppose it. I’ll trust Sua again this time. Let’s do it with Harin then.”

Sua thought. Not at all. It’s not like I came up with her after very careful consideration!

Well, the reason Sua thought of Harin was simple.

In fact, there were two candidates she thought of first.

Yang Harin and Deer─Go Eunbi.

But soon Sua’s scales tipped toward Yang Harin.

‘Since I see Eunbi often anyway, it’s easy for me to take care of her separately, and we’ll probably do a collaboration someday.’

Eunbi is definitely a precious friend, but she’s easily accessible, so Sua can take care of her in various ways anytime. So this time, she wants to take care of Yang Harin, so to speak.

‘I also feel a little sorry for causing a misunderstanding with the mirror.’

Didn’t the Sumiho channel get off to a good start, even climbing to the top of the trending videos? If Yang Harin participates, it will definitely help her too.

Kim Iseo said, writing things down on her phone.

“Let’s see, so the next video will be with Harin… I’ll tell you about the future direction of the channel. After the meeting with the MuTube team yesterday, detailed policies have been decided.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Revealing Sumiho’s identity will probably happen after all episodes of ‘Alien Game’ are uploaded to Netplix and filming of Director Yusaku’s ‘Weeds’ begins.”

Here, Kim Iseo raised the corners of her mouth.

“The reason is… you know without me having to say it, right?”

“Of course, I know.”

Sua nodded shamelessly. Actually, I don’t know at all! I just think that’s probably the reason.

…So what’s the real reason?

Fortunately, Kim Iseo explained it herself.

“We’re not running the Sumiho channel as a hobby, are we? Of course, there’s a strategic reason. And to maximize it, that’s the right time.”

“Oho…”

Just now, Sua’s new move was born. Sua Oho.

“When Sua and Sumiho’s rivalry is established on music sites, and when interest in Sua is at its peak in Japan, we’ll reveal the inside story and bring all the influx to MuTube.”

“Ah?”

“We’ll direct people who like Sumiho to actress Lee Sua, and we’ll direct people who like actress Lee Sua to Sumiho. The effect will be tremendous.”

“Ah, you’re using the influx from both sides to help each other.”

“That’s right.”

Kim Iseo’s expression became quite serious.

“Of course, that’s just a good story in theory. To make it a reality, we need enormous conditions. First of all, Sua’s success story has to continue in the future. If the work fails, we won’t be able to roll anything.”

“I guess so.”

“Besides, people who watch movies and dramas aren’t interested in Vtubers, and most people who enjoy Vtubers aren’t interested in movies and dramas. In other words, Sua has to be successful enough to break down that barrier.”

Only then did Sua realize how heavy a task had been placed on her shoulders. She has to achieve such great success that water and oil are mixed into one name, ‘Lee Sua.’

“It’ll be tough, but if you succeed, the effect will be enormous.”

Only then did Sua nod her head sincerely.

In the end, it’s most important to make Sua’s works successful.

If, only if, I succeed, the effect will be amazing.

All sorts of people will become interested in fields they hadn’t been interested in because of Sua, and that will naturally lead to popularity and revenue.

Kim Iseo patted Sua on the shoulder. *Tok tok.*

“Our Sua, please continue to do well in the future.”

“Yesss.”

Kim Iseo smiled but her mind was working busily.

‘There must be a reason why Sua pointed out Yang Harin. Sua calculates everything, seeing ten things when others see one.’

Kim Iseo sincerely thought so, and soon came to a certain thought. It felt like a light bulb went on in her head.

‘Wait, Harin recently terminated her contract with CT Entertainment early. And now she’s filming Crescendo with Sua from tomorrow… Could it be? Is this Sua’s stamp of approval?’

Kim Iseo’s speculation made sense to her.

Harin was released into the transfer market, Sua saw some potential on the set of ‘Crescendo from Tomorrow,’ and if that led to a move to Mystic…

‘…I should focus on observing Harin-ssi once too.’

Kim Iseo’s eyes lit up.

And Sua, on the other hand.

“Hmm…”

Scratched her head and looked at her phone screen.

[Sender: Yang Harin]

▷ I can sing if I want to.

▷ More importantly, Sumiho? Who is this Vtuber?

▷ You have to tell me what it is.

‘Hmm… Hmm…’

Sua couldn’t write a reply.

She wants to help Yang Harin, but she’s also embarrassed to reveal that she’s Sumiho? In a word, Sua-complicated, Sua-indecisive, Sua-punch-inducing herself.

▶ Just come to the studio on the date I told you.

…Well, the only way is to talk in person.

◈◈◈◈◈

Time goes back slightly to the past.

“Ugh.”

In fact, Yang Harin was horrified when she first received the link from Sua. Her expression crumbled along with it.

“What is this? Some Vtuber?”

The Vtuber market is growing these days, but before that, Yang Harin was someone who hated Vtubers.

What can I do if I don’t respect tastes?

Perhaps it’s because she’s from a girl group, but from Yang Harin’s perspective, who actually sweats and performs on stage, Vtubers are strangely unpleasant. I mean, there’s demand even if you don’t shower at home and just put on an avatar and turn on the broadcast.

…There’s no intention to belittle. Vtubers have their own lives, but Yang Harin and Vtubers are just incompatible. Like water and oil, they don’t mix.

“Ugh, I hope my MuTube algorithm doesn’t get dirtier after watching this. I didn’t want any Vtuber videos to appear on my MuTube…”

But even as Harin said that, she couldn’t easily let go of her phone. Why? Because of the person who sent it. It’s Lee Sua who sent the link.

‘If it’s Lee Sua, there must be a reason why she sent it.’

The mirror, which seemed to be handed over without any meaning, actually had a very great meaning. So there must be something in this Vtuber link too. Something…

…But what is it?

[Recipient: Lee Sua]

▶ What is it?

▶ Suddenly, you want me to sing with this Vtuber?

▶ Tell me something, at least.

Again, there’s no reply.

Soon she understood. A task has been given again this time.

“Ugh…”

Yang Harin ended up forcibly analyzing the Vtuber named Sumiho. First of all, the MuTube channel seems to be just a channel for singing. It seems to be quite a hot topic, even reaching 3rd place in the trending videos.

‘Singing… singing…’

Yang Harin suddenly realized something.

‘Could it be? Am I still attached to singing?’

Sua knows that Yang Harin is an actress from a girl group. Is that why she suddenly made this suggestion?

Is she telling me to sing as much as I want in a place like this, now that the main filming of ‘Crescendo from Tomorrow’ is about to begin?

From Harin’s point of view, it was a condition she couldn’t refuse.

Recording a song exclusively for a MuTube video wouldn’t take so long that it would interfere with her schedule, and the Sumiho channel seems to be quite a hot topic. It will be a great help to Harin’s recognition as well.

Now I understand.

The reason is probably one of two things.

Yang Harin thought that she was attached to singing and would interfere with the filming of Crescendo from Tomorrow, or she just wanted to help Yang Harin purely.

…Judging by the personality I’ve seen so far, it’s probably the former, right?

But I feel quite upset thinking it’s the former.

‘I’m upset. I’m being treated like a young child who needs meticulous management. I’m not a young child. I’m a rival, a rival! I’ll become your rival!’

Yang Harin clenched her fist tightly.

‘Good.’

I’ll burn my soul in both singing and acting. I’m going to do a great job and surprise Sua.

‘Lee Sua, you’re my rival, after all.’

I’ll be recognized in every field! I’m going to beat you!

In her head, imagination is already unfolding.

Singing with excellent skills and then leaving as if she doesn’t care. Surprising Sua while letting her know that she’s not attached to singing, and imagining her showing off her excellent acting skills in the movie shooting.

…Kind of cool, isn’t it?

‘Good, it’s cool. That’s how you beat a rival.’

After that, Yang Harin started investigating Sumiho.

Looking at the comments on the cover song video uploaded on MuTube, there was a mention of NeoLive, and after searching for NeoLive, there were quite a few videos with clips of Sumiho’s broadcast uploaded on other channels.

After watching that for a while. At some point.

“Hmm?”

Yang Harin tilted her head without realizing it.

“What is it.”

I don’t want to admit it, but it’s kind of annoying…

“…She’s kind of cute. Is she retarded or something?”

If a real person did this, it would be disgusting, but I think it’s okay because of the beautiful avatar. Is it because it’s not a real person?

Besides, I keep leaving it on like a radio. It’s funny when she says things that I can’t normally understand sometimes.

Is Sumiho human?

Isn’t she an AI that someone quit developing?

“Ugh, no, but this isn’t it. Vtubers are a bit…”

Yang Harin didn’t know it, but she was already in the denial stage of becoming a fan.

◈◈◈◈◈

Back to the present.

In the MuTube studio, Sua put the headset back in place and came out of the recording room. She’s coming out after just finishing singing her part in the duet song.

The PD gave a thumbs up.

“I heard it was very good. I put on the tone, so Sua-ssi should listen to it again.”

─♩♪♬

“Ooh.”

Sua move, Sua Ooh.

Sua thought. This is very good.

‘Is it because I put on a little tone correction? It doesn’t sound like I sang it. It feels like a different singer really sang it.’

The PD smiled brightly and said.

“Good. Sua-ssi, let’s sing this song in English this time. The original song is English after all.”

“Okay.”

For reference, this song isn’t J POP, it’s just a pop song. Sua can speak not only Japanese but also English. There was no reason not to do it in various ways.

─♩♪♬

Singing the song again like that, the PD’s mouth kept going up. It almost reached her ears.

“Sua-ssi, just the pronunciation of pop songs alone would make people crazy. And on top of that, your singing skills are good too.”

“Thank you.”

“You said you’re going to reveal your identity after various dramas and movies are released, right? When people flock to you then, the reaction will be considerable, won’t it? Because you sing so well.”

“Hehehe…”

Sua scratched the back of her head and tried to hold back her laughter as much as possible. Oh my, I’m weak to compliments.

Anyway, Sua’s part of the recording was finished, and the PD and Mystic CEO Kim Iseo started discussing the details.

The PD asked.

“CEO-nim, when are you thinking of uploading the next video?”

“Let’s just make the video first. It’s important to make it. It’s important to be able to upload it right away when the optimal timing comes.”

“I guess so. Sua-ssi’s schedule is so busy. Let’s make a lot of them in advance.”

Listening to such difficult and difficult conversations between adults, Sua sucked on orange juice with a straw.

‘Yeah. Orange juice is delicious. It’s sweet and sour.’

─…Isn’t the word ‘adults’ conversation’ a bit strange? First of all, *sunbae* is an adult too.

At that time, Sua was trying to ignore Yu Han-Sua’s words.

*Bang*─

“Hello.”

A familiar figure. Yang Harin appeared.

Sua stood up quickly and faced Yang Harin.

“…Hello.”

“Hey, Lee Sua. Hello.”

“…”

“…”

After that, silence.

In fact, the two were in an ambiguous relationship.

They weren’t close, and they weren’t on bad terms…

“Ahem.”

In the end, in situations like this, the person who needs to say something more urgently breaks the silence first. This time, it was Yang Harin. She cleared her throat and said.

“I knew what you meant by sending me the text. I was surprised that you were so considerate of the actors around you before the movie shoot.”

“Huh?”

“But you’re wrong. I have no attachment to singing at all. So you don’t have to worry about… that is, worrying that I won’t be able to concentrate on filming because of my attachment. I’m just doing today because it’s your request.”

In fact, this was slightly mixed with Harin’s lies.

After watching the video, she became slightly interested in Sumiho. Just a little. So I thought about making a song video together, but I couldn’t say that.

For Sua, of course, she couldn’t understand it.

“What are you talking about?”

“That’s it. I won’t say it twice. More than that…”

Harin looked around.

“…Where’s Sumiho’s real body? Isn’t she here?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Sua hesitated.

What should I do, should I tell you who I am now?

However.

“If she’s not here, that’s fine. Let’s just sing.”

“Ah, I’d appreciate it if you did.”

They were two people speaking the same Korean language but not communicating at all. The problem is that they both think they understand each other.

Yang Harin asked.

“So, what should we sing from now on?”

“This song.”

When Sua showed it, Yang Harin was startled.

“…You want me to sing this as a duet? With a Vtuber?”

It couldn’t be helped.

[Pattern of You]

A song that topped the Billboard charts for 52 consecutive weeks.

Because it was a cover of “Pattern of You.”

◈◈◈◈◈

Two days later.

─♩♪♬

Kim Iseo’s phone rang from early in the morning.

“Hello. This is Kim Iseo of Mystic.”

“Hello. I’m Director Yusaku’s translator.”

“…!”

Kim Iseo widened her eyes and sat up straight in bed. Director Yusaku was calling.

She quickly adjusted her posture and grabbed her phone.

“Yes. What’s the matter?”

“Actually, I’ve confirmed that you released a statement about Sua-ssi’s alexithymia in Korea.”

“You’re right. It’s true.”

“That hasn’t been fully spread to Japan yet. Therefore, the director is asking if he can include this element when he releases the ‘Weeds’ article.”

Kim Iseo pondered for a moment.

She made a quick decision.

‘Director Yusaku must be having a very difficult public opinion battle right now. His opponent is Akiko-jakka (author Akiko) after all. He must have been in need of a big topic. But…’

After all, the most important thing is Sua, the person involved, and her decision. Even if Kim Iseo sees that it is a hundred or a thousand times right to utilize it.

Therefore, the answer Kim Iseo gave was:

“I’ll ask Sua and give you an answer right away.”

“Understood.”

Fortunately, Sua expressed her willingness to use it, and Kim Iseo quickly delivered this to the Japanese ‘Weeds’ side.

.

.

.

.

.

.

One week later. Japan.

In Japan, they were predicting the defeat of Director Yusaku and Sawako. The reason was simple. Unlike her mother, Akiko, she didn’t release any articles.

【Japan】

[Mother Minami Akiko… creates a noir with a luxurious cast. Actor Yamada Shun joins! ]

[Minatsu Mana after Yamada Shun? Top Japanese actors follow the best-selling Akiko’s popularity.]

While her mother, Minami Akiko, is already showing off and promoting her work, the other side is not giving any publicity.

A scene that looks like surrender to people.

Therefore, the community has already decided that the battle has been decided.

─Akiko, the mother, keeps getting articles here and there, but there is no news from the daughter’s side.

─There has to be news of progress for there to be articles. Isn’t it possible that the production itself has been canceled altogether?

─It’s possible. In the first place, it’s a script that didn’t win the noir competition. There was no strange part even if it was canceled and disappeared at any time.

The funny thing is that some Korean reporters are seeing this and starting to tie it up with Sua, saying that this is the current public opinion in Japan.

Therefore, even in Korea.

【Korea】

[ ‘Genius Detective Kim Yuhan’… Is Lee Sua’s trip to Japan in trouble? Collaboration with Director Yusaku canceled? ]

[ Is it the aftermath of alexithymia…? Director Yusaku is silent. Uncertain about going to Japan. ]

As each reporter who receives the news adds a little bit of stimulating seasoning, things that are completely different from the initial content are pouring out on the Internet.

“…Hmm?”

Sua also found these articles, and felt doubts, so she immediately called Kim Iseo and asked.

Kim Iseo only smiled.

“There’s nothing to worry about. I talked to Director Yusaku, and he has his own thoughts too.”

“Aha. That’s a relief.”

“Besides, those articles aren’t the main ones, right? Korea still has absolute support for Sua.”

Sua nodded.

Even if the reporters who import overseas articles and edit them as they please run rampant, they are only a minority. Still the majority.

─No matter what anyone says, I support Lee Sua. I hope that one day she will understand all her emotions and become a happy actress.

Because they absolutely supported Sua like this.

Kim Iseo continued.

“More than that, the foundation for ‘Celebrity Zoo’ is all set.”

Sua looked at the paper she received from Kim Iseo.

The filming date and time, location, and even the approximate number of audience members were all written there. In a way that even Sua could easily understand.

Then suddenly.

Sua thought of things that had been a hot topic recently.

“CEO-nim.”

“Yes. Sua.”

“Are all the audience members Japanese?”

“So far, yes.”

“Hmm, then maybe…”

Sua carefully opened her mouth.

“There are old acquaintances who wrote about my past in the fan cafe, right? What if we added those people?”

“Those people? As audience members?”

“Yes.”

This was Sua’s pure thought.

She had prepared handwritten letters or snacks for her old acquaintances, but there was no space in her schedule to hold a fan meeting exclusively for old acquaintances.

So it was a simple idea to call them as audience members. She can meet them there, talk to them, and take care of them.

Then Kim Iseo widened her eyes.

“…A head-on breakthrough? Crazy idea? I love it!”

Somehow, she seems to have understood Sua’s words a little aggressively.

Anyway, Kim Iseo immediately left to talk to the main PD of ‘Celebrity Zoo’, and Sua also picked up her phone. I’ve been texting a lot lately.

The first person to hear this news will, of course.

[Recipient: Japanese Tutor]

▶ Teacher….

▶ Have you been well…?

◈◈◈◈◈

One week later. Japan.

*Bang*─! *Bang*─!

Flashes burst wildly.

On a large conference room desk, a middle-aged female writer wearing a lot of luxury goods is sitting facing the cameras, holding a microphone.

Her identity is best-selling author Minami Akiko.

She is doing various interviews regarding her noir yakuza work ‘Rage.’

A reporter asked Akiko.

“While Akiko-nim’s work is attracting attention by casting top actors one after another, there is no news from your daughter, Sawako-yang’s work. Do you know anything about that?”

“I don’t ask them one by one. Sawako is definitely my daughter, but she is also a competing writer. However…”

Akiko continued calmly.

“…I’d be quite disappointed if the recent lack of news leads to the cancellation of the production. I thought she was at least ready to move forward bravely, but that means she wasn’t even that. It’s a shame.”

Reporters stuck out their tongues at Akiko’s sharp words and fired their flashes. Some praised her as the author with the best professional spirit.

Akiko thought to herself.

‘I thought it was time to let my daughter be independent, but it seems that it was just a childish runaway. When I actually pushed her, she must have felt the wall of reality.’

She clicked her tongue.

Still young. My daughter.

But then.

“…?”

It was then that Akiko sensed something strange.

There was something of a commotion among the reporters. Akiko’s instincts told her. It wasn’t because of her that they were making a commotion.

You can tell at a glance. Because they are so distracted by something more important than Akiko.

“This… is this real?”

“What! You’ve been in hiding all this time?”

“D, did it just come out now? Officially?”

It was then that Akiko narrowed her brow. Her secretary approached her and handed her a cell phone with an urgent voice.

“Writer-nim, you must see this right away.”

On his phone screen, there was a large article title.

[ Director Yusaku says of MDD 808’s Lee Sua, “I was sure when I learned about ‘alexithymia’. We will create a work that can never be contained by a contest.” ]

“…What?”

Akiko frowned without realizing it.

Yusaku and her daughter hadn’t run away. They were just crouching down to detonate a stimulating blow that even Akiko would be interested in.