Became the Mother of Virtual YouTubers - Chapter 85
If we were to narrow down the companies leading the VR VTuber industry in Korea, it would essentially come down to three.
One of them is CosmoLive, which has recently shown rapid growth.
They have quietly grown alongside 2nd-generation ‘Astra’.
With the 3rd-generation ‘Seasons’, they have burst forth with the potential they have built up, rising as a new powerhouse in the industry.
However, it’s still somewhat lacking to say they’ve firmly established themselves as the top three.
The other one is the traditional powerhouse of the Korean market, Otherworld Idol.
They have supported the Korean VTuber industry for a relatively long time, maintaining a loyal fanbase.
Even if CosmoLive’s recent growth is impressive, the gap with Otherworld Idol is still clear.
Anyone can see that these two groups belong to different leagues.
…For now.
However, even if these two groups were combined, there was still a much larger entity.
That would be NiseLive, the global VTuber company that essentially monopolizes the world VTuber market.
Even when limited to its Korean branch, it stood superior to the other two groups.
When expanded to branches in Japan, North America, and Europe, it became incomparable.
The affiliated VTubers have the power to gather tens of thousands of viewers based on the Korean branch and tens to hundreds of millions based on overseas branches once they turn on their streams.
Their revenue and capital far exceed those of other competitors.
Recently, NiseLive has been keeping a close eye on one particular individual.
Han A-ri, the best 3D modeling expert in Korea, who gave birth to both Han A-ri and Seasons, also known in the community as Jin Ha-mong.
Or, Jin Ha Mama.
Through the recent broadcasts of the VR TRPG ‘Saving Yu Da-hee’, played by Summer, and the ‘VR Horror Game’ played (?) by Spring and Winter, Jin Ha’s technical skills started to gain attention once again.
Not just with avatars, but also creating remarkably detailed models that utterly resemble reality across 3D objects, the entire industry began to stir.
Many wanted to entrust work to Jin Ha.
NiseLive, known as the empire of the VTuber industry, was one of them.
*
As Se-yeon opened the conference room door and stepped inside, the gaze of the stakeholders who were already seated turned to her in unison.
With a mix of tension and anticipation, everyone held their breath, waiting for her first words.
Tap- Se-yeon slowly laid down her tablet and began to speak.
“You all checked the video, right?”
At her words, the stakeholders silently nodded.
“Then let’s focus on the key scenes and identify exactly which parts we need to pay attention to.”
Se-yeon’s fingertips moved across the screen.
Soon, a video began to play on the large screen that filled the entire wall of the conference room.
As the dark scene of a defunct hospital unfolded, a few people trembled involuntarily.
They had already watched this scene several times. (Honestly, they really didn’t want to see it again.)
Yet, every time they saw it, the quality was excellent enough to feel fresh and thrilling.
Each scene reflected on the screen exuded a far more realistic atmosphere than an actual movie set.
“Honestly, when I first saw this video, I thought they added separate CG.”
One employee shared his honest feelings in a low voice.
Then, others nodded in agreement one after the other.
“I couldn’t believe it was a VR game. I thought it had undergone additional post-processing, but to find out that’s the unedited version…!”
“Especially the detail in the background modeling is truly amazing.”
Tearing the wallpaper.
Expressing the texture of the tiles.
Handling the shadows of the lighting.
Nobody acknowledges that hard work.
Yet, when accumulated with those trivial details, it simply couldn’t be this vivid.
With the continuous praises, Se-yeon frowned and changed the screen.
“Let’s check this one more time.”
The image shown on the screen was none other than Winter’s debut concert video.
“When I first analyzed this video, I focused only on the avatar modeling and direction, so I didn’t properly observe it, but the stage quality was incredible. And this stage was live broadcasting.”
If the stage video was pre-recorded and streamed on YouTube, then it was certainly within the capability of the 3D artists affiliated with NiseLive.
They just need to be a bit more meticulous than usual and invest a little more time.
However, when it comes to a real-time live stage, it’s a different story.
Especially if the background and direction change in real time according to the song, even more so.
“When compared to the 3D live stages we’ve conducted so far, it holds up well. No, strictly speaking, it can be seen as far better.”
To put it frankly, it’s superior to any company we’ve outsourced work to before.
Even better than the 3D artists affiliated with NiseLive.
At Se-yeon’s added words, everyone sat in silence, unable to respond.
After a brief moment of silence, she continued.
“However, what’s more astonishing is that the person who implemented that is not primarily a 3D designer but an AI researcher.”
“…What?”
“I found out that there’s a paper discussing the creation of 3D models using AI. Were you aware?”
“I was aware, but wasn’t their primary field modeling?”
“I thought so too. But we don’t know much about that person, more than we thought.”
It was understandable that they had this misconception.
After all, artwork or models generated by AI could guarantee a certain level of quality but couldn’t produce top-tier quality.
However, Jin Ha is an outstanding researcher before being an excellent artist.
Someone who can produce top-tier 3D models faster than anyone else.
Like a baseball player who excels both as a pitcher and a batter conquering the major leagues.
It wasn’t surprising that an artist who excels both artistically and academically would dominate the industry.
“Whether it’s an automated modeling technique using AI, a hyper-realistic directing technique, or anything else, it’s all good.”
Se-yeon firmly instructed the stakeholders to conduct technical analysis in as much detail as possible regarding how Jin Ha works.
*
After the weekly meeting concluded.
Se-yeon continued the discussion with several team leaders.
“Everyone is aware of the seriousness of this matter, right?”
Everyone nodded in unison at Se-yeon’s gravely lowered voice.
“The information we have gathered indicates that Jin Ha is unparalleled in the field of AI-based 3D modeling.”
When limited to the domestic market, there are no competitors.
And even on a global scale, they are someone to be coveted, the technology team leader said with a serious face.
“It’s a shame. To be honest, I wanted to entrust avatar modeling to them… but the confidentiality principle set by headquarters is too strict.”
In truth, Se-yeon had been paying attention to Jin Ha for a long time.
Since before Seasons made their debut.
To be precise, shortly after Han A-ri had debuted.
If one could not feel anything from such a high-quality avatar, then they should immediately quit NiseLive.
But at that time, due to excessively strict security issues surrounding VTubers, they couldn’t reach out to Jin Ha, who was a freelancer.
As time passed.
This time, a 3D stage, where such principles do not apply.
Right now is the perfect opportunity to assign work to Jin Ha.
“I aim to gradually expand our contact points starting with 3D live stages and ultimately recruit them as an exclusive designer for NiseLive.”
At that moment, the planning team leader, who had been listening quietly, cautiously spoke up.
“I agree with the branch manager’s opinion, but it’s said that their relationship with the artists affiliated with CosmoLive is very strong. It may not be easy to move them.”
“That matter is simply about conveying what value NiseLive can provide to Jin Ha properly.”
Ultimately, it’s business, Se-yeon emphasized that before money and fame, personal ties mean nothing.
“We must bring them in by any means necessary. Spare no expense if there’s needed funding.”
Se-yeon added one last remark while looking around at the team leaders.
“That person is worth that much.”
*
Having secured Jin Ha’s contact information, Se-yeon immediately made the call.
She had already sent an email long ago.
But after several days went by, not only did she not receive a response, but it hadn’t even been checked. Thus, she had no choice but to call.
A short ringing tone echoed.
Before long, what returned was a nonchalant missed call message.
“Are they very busy…?”
After trying a few more times to no avail.
Normally, she would have stopped here, but this time, she couldn’t give up.
Jin Ha was that important a person.
After a moment’s hesitation, Se-yeon remembered that Jin Ha often contacts CosmoLive and let out a small sigh.
As her fingers hovered over the corporate phone number of CosmoLive, she felt a slight discomfort.
She didn’t like having to contact a competitor directly in this situation.
“Yes, this is Kim Young-Jun, the general manager of CosmoLive.”
“Hello, this is Yoon Se-yeon, the branch manager of NiseLive in Korea.”
Se-yeon took a moment to compose herself and began the conversation politely.
Starting with trivial industry talk.
Complimenting the recent content carried out by CosmoLive, expressing that the 3D models particularly stood out…
She naturally conveyed her desire to meet Jin Ha.
“Ah… Jin Ha?”
Young-Jun’s voice became more cautious than before.
“If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask what it’s regarding?”
Se-yeon instinctively sensed that this conversation would become tricky.
“It’s nothing special. Jin Ha’s work left a strong impression, so I would like to arrange a meeting regarding a project from NiseLive.”
While saying this, she subtly mentioned that Jin Ha was a freelancer, not an exclusive designer at CosmoLive.
She suggested that a referral fee would be arranged, but that they shouldn’t hinder the meeting.
Silence fell again.
Se-yeon felt the brief pause stretched longer than usual.
“…Understood. I’ll contact Jin Ha and confirm.”
Young-Jun replied in a businesslike tone before ending the call.
The hidden wariness in his tone was blatant, causing Se-yeon to unknowingly bite her lip.