VTuber RP Is Not a Concept - Chapter 85

Blooming Core is a leading company in the Korean Vtuber market.

It has standards for verifying and discovering talent, a systematic support system, and appropriate marketing strategies.

As operational know-how was established, this infrastructure was becoming more sophisticated.

Nevertheless, there was a clear reason why CEO Baek Sojin considered the joining of her affiliated Vtubers as good fortune.

Because no matter how perfect everything is, in the end, ‘people’ are the most important thing in the Vtuber market.

The power of the company is important, but ultimately, the charm of the individual exerts a greater force in the industry.

Charm cannot be quantified and is difficult to predict.

Even with outstanding talent, perfect design, and thorough planning.

In the end, if the public doesn’t feel the charm, it won’t succeed.

Therefore, it was fortunate that all the affiliated Vtubers had enough charm to appeal to the public and had successfully established themselves.

And some luck is bigger and brighter than others.

Sometimes, to a slightly overwhelming degree.

“CEO, Manager.

Hello.”

That was Esmi Leah, who was just entering.

“Yes, Leah.

Let’s order delivery first and then talk.

Is sushi okay?

Take a look at the menu and see if there’s anything you want to add.”

“Okay.”

I watch her as she takes the phone and examines the screen.

It was an unrealistic appearance that I had seen many times but could never get used to.

It was also the reason why we decided on delivery food today, as we couldn’t arrange a room.

We absolutely needed a private space.

“I’ll just have one Jinmi sushi too.”

“Alright.

Then I’ll order a few more things.”

Because sushi doesn’t fill you up much, I added sides like tempura, soba, and pork cutlet.

“I don’t know how the CEO eats like that and doesn’t gain weight.”

I often hear that from the General Manager, so I replied with a light laugh.

“It’s my secret weapon.

If things get tight financially, I’ll cover it with a mukbang.”

On the surface, it was a meeting to hear in detail about the project Leah was planning to undertake, but it also had the personal purpose of checking her condition.

I deliberately created a casual atmosphere.

Because she might feel pressured.

“Okay.

How’s your condition lately?”

“It’s good.”

“Leah, you don’t even have regular days off.

Is it really okay to broadcast like that?

It’s okay to take some breaks.”

“I haven’t felt the need for a break so far.”

Even as I heard it, I wondered how she could be like that.

I know it well because I occasionally stream.

Broadcasting isn’t just about consuming physical strength.

It’s also quite mentally exhausting.

You need a way to relieve stress.

I wanted to force her to rest at least once a week, but I could guess that she wouldn’t listen even if I told her.

Leah was firm in her opinions about broadcasting, despite her short career.

That’s why I wanted to see her in person and check her emotional state.

There were things that were difficult to check online, such as whether she needed psychological support.

Currently, Leah was also the subject of special management at the company.

Rapid growth, ranking first in average viewers among affiliated Vtubers in less than a month since her debut.

Although she seemed to be forming a solid fandom, it wasn’t enough to be complacent.

Because she succeeded too quickly.

She must be feeling a lot of pressure.

I’ve seen cases where people couldn’t overcome the pressure and went on long-term hiatus.

And there was also the recent issue.

It was unexpected, but Leah had become the core talent of the company, growing the fastest.

It was necessary to directly care for her so that she could continue to be active in the future.

I continued to talk in a light atmosphere, but it was very difficult to read Leah’s mind.

‘She’s like a doll.

There’s almost no change in her expression.’

I was thinking of just letting it go, but I couldn’t figure it out no matter how much I looked.

If she didn’t open up on her own, I had no choice but to ask first.

So I threw a slightly blatant question.

“Don’t you have any worries lately?

It doesn’t have to be anything big.

Even just a passing thought.”

“…Actually, I do have a concern.

It’s related to my past life as ‘ElfChoeun’.”

The General Manager’s eyes widened.

Baek Sojin was also quite surprised.

She seemed calm on the outside, but she was actually still worried about this issue.

Seeing that the topic she was worried about came up right away.

I also felt grateful that she gave me the opportunity to solve it by speaking up herself.

“Really?

What part worries you?

The company can help you in any way.

We can even change the existing response strategy.”

“Originally, the final plan was to indirectly acknowledge that I am ElfChoeun, right?

Just leaving a vague nuance.”

“That’s right.

In the end, we can’t hide it forever, and Vtubers can’t officially acknowledge their past lives.”

“I want to officially acknowledge it.”

It was a bit of a surprising statement.

“Leah.

If you officially acknowledge your past life, it can disrupt the fans’ immersion.”

“I didn’t show a very different appearance back then either.

I’m just a little more proactive now.”

I thought for a moment about what she meant, and the General Manager chimed in.

“She means that the concept is the same then and now.

Because she’s still an elf.

The difference is that she talks more about RP on the broadcast now.

Leah.

Is that right?”

“It’s similar.”

How can it be interpreted like that?

Having been in charge of her, it seemed like the General Manager had become some kind of Leah interpreter.

But the problem still remained.

“Even if the concept is the same, Vtubers are basically seen as starting in a ‘new worldview’.

Because fans try to immerse themselves in the debut as a new beginning.”

“It’s different this time.

It could rather disrupt the immersion.

Because I carelessly used the name ‘Choeun’.

The Pias will think that there is another person behind the elf playing ‘Esmi Leah’.”

‘Why?

Isn’t that the very definition of a Vtuber?

Everyone thinks that about other Vtubers too?’

That thought crossed my mind for a moment, but then I remembered that Leah was different from other Vtubers.

Leah’s identity is that she claims to be showing her true self, not acting out an RP.

“Then how do you plan to acknowledge it?”

“I’m going to reveal that the goddess who sent me to Earth gave me another name so that I could adapt well to the human world.

Then it’s okay to have two names.”

“I see, you thought of a way to integrate the worldviews like that…”

Leah was a special case, so it seemed like this method could be used.

“Okay.

Do it as you wish.

Is there anything else you’re worried about?”

“No.”

So, the worries related to her past life weren’t about the influx of viewers who disrupt the quality of the broadcast.

Or that it’s difficult to be the topic of discussion for something else, when she’s already burdened by the rapid growth.

‘Her only concern is maintaining the consistency of her RP.’

It was a little absurd, but I also thought it was very Leah-like.

Knock, knock.

“The delivery must be here.”

Sera got up from her seat.

Leah also went out the door with her.

Each of them took a sushi, and the sides were placed in the middle, and they started eating.

“So, about the project you want to proceed with personally.

I heard from the General Manager that it’s animation production.

Is that correct?”

“Yes.

Among the wars I’ve experienced, it had a big impact on me.

And it’s an important event in the political situation afterwards.

I want to show it realistically through animation.”

“Don’t act like that outside, be a little normal… No, never mind.”

Seeing that the General Manager became a part-time interpreter, she must have been talking like that until recently.

Although the content was like that, at least she had corrected her (tone/way of speaking) to be like a ‘modern person’ compared to after she passed the audition.

I decided not to put any more pressure on her.

The General Manager put down her chopsticks and said.

“Leah.

As I told you, the company cannot support the production of a one-time animation for broadcast.

Unlike music videos, there are limitations in long-term promotion and utilization.”

“I know.

I didn’t say it because you said we would talk about it in detail today, so I’m thinking of doing it with my own money.”

It was more surprising than when she said she had a concern earlier.

Baek Sojin asked involuntarily.

“…With your own money?”

“Yes.

I heard that there are cases where Vtubers do personal activities with their own money.

Isn’t that right?”

“That’s true, but… Why are you going so far?

Isn’t it too wasteful to spend a lot of money on one broadcast?”

“It’s not wasteful.

I thought about it while receiving many donations yesterday.

I thought providing an experience that would help the Pias understand me better would be a way to repay them.”

“Of course, viewers’ donations are appreciated, but you don’t have to feel obligated to repay them.

They expressed their satisfaction with just the broadcast you provide.”

“It’s not an obligation.

Repayment is one of the reasons.

It’s also because I just want to.

Since my debut, my goal for the broadcast was to properly convey my story.”

I couldn’t understand.

I couldn’t understand, but… once again, I thought it was very Leah-like.

Excessive immersion in her own RP.

Without this, could I have embraced Leah, this great fortune?

She was even someone who made me think that being a Vtuber might be confining her talent.

She was a talent who could have achieved great success if she went on to be a model, an actor, a singer.

Or maybe even a novelist.

Such a Leah chose Blooming Core.

Because she is full of potential to grow into the company’s flagship star who can increase the brand value.

Shouldn’t we express sufficient respect for the reason why Leah became a Vtuber?

“I’ll support half of it.

Don’t spend all your money alone.”

“CEO?”

Sera was surprised, and Leah also reacted as if she had heard something unexpected.

There are issues with efficiency compared to investment.

And considering the fairness with affiliated Vtubers, it’s difficult to use the budget at the company level.

But I can help her personally.

“Don’t tell anyone that I paid half.

General Manager, please keep it a secret too.”

“…Thank you.

I’ll prepare diligently.”

Leah bowed her head.

The General Manager shook her head and said.

“That broadcast will probably be very hot.

It’s a bit wasteful for the two of you to spend so much money, though.”