They Became the Big Players Among the Hako VTubers - Chapter 39
If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them – 4Real-time viewer count: 60,000.
Of course, not all of them were fans of ABCD.
Far more were likely fans of Romantic Drive (RD) who rushed in after hearing about the joint broadcast.
Tapping the computer desk with my fingers, I roughly calculated the viewer ratio.
“… ”
Tap
Tap
Tap
‘Considering Big Plan’s average viewership and accounting for overlapping viewers, ABCD’s total is roughly around 20,000. Factoring in Romantic Drive’s average viewership… the ratio is probably around 2:4 between ABCD and RD.’
Of course.
ABCD was 2, and RD was 4.
Perhaps because of that, the overall vibe of the broadcast felt more neutralized compared to ABCD’s usual style.
Instead of Big Man worship and catchphrases, the focus was more on the broadcast itself.
[Wow— It’s a karaoke room—!]
[Nice to meet you all!]
In the studio, decorated like a karaoke room, seven colorful girls bustled around, chatting excitedly.
Then, they each gave their signature greetings.
[Heading toward the light—! We are ABCD—!]
[One, two, three! Toward happiness! We are Romantic Drive!]
To avoid any sense of dissonance, Romantic Drive—who usually maintained a more professional image—also did a group greeting, something they hadn’t done in a long time. RD’s fans cheered at the fresh sight.
– LOLOLOL 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
– Dadadadada
– LMAO RD doing an idol greeting after so long 😂 😂 😂
– What is this, their debut era vibe?
– Berry is so cute!
– Yulhwa looks so fresh lol 😂 😂
– B M Y D?
– Is this the taste of Big Man’s money…?
– Oiramio
【‘Small Guy’ has donated 10,000 Pajijik!】
「Noticing… 」
– Big Men not donating?
– LOL 😂 😂 😂
– Look at Danhwi pretending to be shy lol 😂 😂
– Danidani danggeundanggeun
– Clara’s eyes are so sexy
– Wow, never thought I’d see them together like this
– If only Herini hadn’t gone to Japan…
– The legendary horses… of Korea… have finally… gathered…
– The vibe is so different lol 😂
– B M
– The atmosphere is so damn nerdy
…
…
…
‘The chat is more about RD.’
Even at a glance, the difference was about twofold.
Even though today’s stage belonged to ABCD.
Yet, they weren’t swept away.
ABCD’s signature chaotic energy still held the center. Ironically, it was RD who had toned down their usual professionalism.
As a result, the studio was in cheerful chaos.
[Today, Aki-chan has opened a karaoke room so we can all have fun together! But! It’d be boring if just us played alone, so like this—! We’ve invited the wonderful ‘Romantic Drive’ members to join us—!]
[Everyone, get ready to clap! Ack!]
[Doda, why are you raising your hand…?]
[I’m sorry. Our kid’s a bit…]
[Ack!]
[Ah, Danhwi unni used to like this kind of thing, huh.]
[Good! Getting ready to clap from the side… Such strong energy!]
[Aki wants to sing with Danhwi-nim today!]
[Ack!]
[No, Danhwi-nim…]
[Ack!]
– LMAO, what’s up with that noona? 😂
-Blue is the color of madness.
-OMG LOL 😂 😂 😂
【‘Jack the Zipper’ has donated 5,000 PZ!】
「Danhwi, don’t act like that in public. It’s embarrassing…」
– The ones with the coldest images always end up like this LOL 😂 😂
-She’s kinda like a goofball but it’s so endearing 😂
-I’m confused, so confused…
It was a mess,
but somehow, it felt cohesive.
‘Did they coordinate beforehand to keep ABCD’s signature lively, chaotic vibe intact?… Seems like Ayoung took the lead well.’
It was an encouraging result.
Though there was still an overwhelming gap, HKKO, who had been on the verge of dying out, had caught up to established groups this much. Thanks to that, even during the collab, the chat didn’t feel one-sided.
Aki was balancing the stream well.
– It’s kinda random but the chemistry’s surprisingly good lol 😂 😂 😂
“…”
I wrapped up my reaction analysis there.
‘To begin with, there’s probably a decent number of viewers who watch both sides anyway. Who they originally supported doesn’t matter much now.’
Right now, they’re just the same audience.
In that case, I should just donate as usual and enjoy the stream. Just as I was thinking that and opening the donation tab—
[Aki’s really happy we can have fun together in such a lively atmosphere! Talking with all the RD members, it’s already been 10 minutes.]
[Ahaha! I think our vibes match way better than expected.]
– Fr, the stream atmosphere doesn’t feel awkward at all.
-I thought it’d be weird since it’s a money-flaunting stream.
-It’s been a while since it felt like the early days…
-From the outside, they just seemed like Big Man stans lol 😂
-Frrr 😂 😂
-Aki-chan’s accent is kinda charming after hearing it a while, huh?
“…”
Aki-chan laughed, cracked jokes, and kept the program running.
[Hey! Anyone here who’s never been to karaoke with a friend, raise your hand!]
[Uwaaak, stop—!]
[That’s too mean, that is!]
But beneath that laughter, I could sense the tension of someone gripping the steering wheel.
It was a struggle not to lose direction at the intersection of ABCD’s and RD’s worlds.
This was a precious stage Ayoung had created.
60,000 people were watching,
A world where endless emotions surged.
It wasn’t something to be tampered with for just 1 million won.
“…”
I quietly closed the donation window.
In the current situation, if I were to remind everyone of the Big Man worship atmosphere, the viewers who had come from outside would undoubtedly feel a sense of alienation.
That would only get in Ayoung’s way.
…I’ll do it after the stream ends.
Instead,
As I listened to Akichan’s voice,
I picked up the proposal I had pushed aside in the corner and started reading it.
I should at least figure out how much they’ve figured out on their end.
[Thank you, everyone—! Now, I’ll sing one verse at a time as we go along!]
“…”
*
An iconic song that was also used as an anime theme.
The final high note was nailed by Oiram from Romantic Drive.
With her brown twin tails, she struck an exaggerated pose like a rock singer, straining her throat.
“I looooooove you—!”
Originally, it was a sweet song,
But it came out with the intensity of death metal.
“Whoa!”
“Death metal—!”
The people around her applauded.
Clap clap clap!
Next to her, Danhwi, with her straight black hair, cheered while clapping in a bizarre rhythm— the “fighting applause” she learned from Doda.
It was an eccentric display that didn’t match her calm voice.
Clap!
Clap!
Clap!
“Ahh! Singiiing— high noootes is so fuuun! Oiram, you did great!”
“Ugh, unnie, please… I’m so embarrassed. Clara! Help me out here!”
“For some reason, Danhwi reminds me of our maknae.”
“Really? Then just take her.”
“Oh! Thanks!”
“Ahh!”
Oiram waved her hands in exasperation at Danhwi, who was calmly exuding madness, then fled with Clara.
The chat loved it, saying it was “like the chaotic pro-wrestling vibes from the early days.”
Doda giggled from the side, then deepened her voice like a corporate CEO and said to Berry,
“I like that kid. Let’s hire her this time.”
“Doda, what’s wrong with you…?”
Berry smacked Doda on the back.
But the maknae wasn’t discouraged.
“Wow, Berry-yang’s slaps are extra spicy today! What do you think, Yulhwa?”
“The CEO’s judgment is wise.”
Yulhwa groveled, playing along. Despite her tall stature, she rubbed her hands together in a sycophantic manner.
Berry looked disgusted.
“What do you mean ‘spicy slaps’…?!”
The chemistry between the two group leaders,
combined with fresh pairings from different groups—
The chat was once again flooded with laughing emojis.
– LMAOO how many layers of taeetee are happening in this one scene?? 😂 😂 😂
– Taeetee? What’s that?
– This is chaos 😂 😂 😂 😂
– Even angry Berry is cute!
– They’re insane
– Taeetee is just short for Taehyung 😂 😂 😂
– Taehyung 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
[User ‘AnchovyMackerel’ donated 20,000 Pajik!]
“This new combo… not bad in a yuri way.”
– Yulyul dancing alone in the back again 😂 😂 😂 😂
– WTF is going on
– Is this Korean V-tuber culture??
– Dani’s been obsessed with weird memes lately 😂 😂 😂
– Is this what the cool kids are into? Tough crowd…
– I’m so confused 😂 😂 😂
– My face is burning…
As there were many people, all sorts of dramatic situations and jokes were flying around.
“Ha, I think we should pull out a classic tune. Danhwi, why don’t you come here and sing along?”
“It’s an honor, Chairman.”
“I, Manager Yul, shall also join.”
“Would it be alright if Director Cl joined as well?”
“Man, today’s just the perfect day for some jokes….”
Just as one area calmed down,
Another burst of nonsense erupted from somewhere else in this heartwarming space.
It was pure chaos.
“Berry-nim, what’s a berylily?”
“Well, berry is too short, so berylily… If you stretch it out, it’s berylilily~ Doesn’t it sound cute?”
“Ahh. I, uh, see.”
“No, why do you ask and then look so horrified, Oiram-nim?!”
“Well, I’ve been through too much with these flower-brained unnis.”
“So you’re saying Berry is as cute as a flower?”
“…….”
Amidst all this confusion,
Aki stepped forward with a bright, beaming smile.
“Everyone~! Did you enjoy the songs today? Now that the mood is heating up, I’d like to play a fun game with all of you!”
– Lol, what? Out of nowhere?
– Go for it, Aki-chan LOL 😂 😂 😂
– “Nothing happened here.”
– Is this the fate of an MC? LMAO 😂 😂 😂 😂
– “Please act natural.”
The people who had been cracking jokes all around suddenly focused their attention on Aki-chan.
“A fun game, you say?”
“Actually! The game we’ve prepared today is…!”
Dun-dun—!
“Guess the Place—!”
“Guess… the place?”
“Yes! From now on, I’ll show you a photo, and you have to guess where it is right away! And if you guess the name of that place correctly…!”
“If we guess it…?”
“…….”
Aki whispered quietly.
“What could happen…? It’s related to the songs we sang today!”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
The RD members exchanged glances.
(‘H-how are we supposed to know that?’)
The game began with an awkward silence.
But as it progressed, the Romantic Drive members couldn’t help but be stunned.
“Here! Sinchon Station!”
“Ding-dong! Correct—!”
Aki-chan waved her hand excitedly.
“Live camera~! Connect us, please—!”
And then.
Shinchon Station appeared on the screen.
Countless people scurried like ants below as the drone camera broadcast the scene from above.
And then, all the digital billboards in the area flashed at once.
-?
-???
-What’s this?
-Is something starting?
-???
Aki-chan shouted:
“Starting now—! The cover MV of the song the girls sang at the correct answer locations will be played—! After the broadcast, it’ll loop periodically for a day, so if you live nearby, come check it out!”
-Whaaat?
True to her words,
All the digital billboards around Shinchon Station lit up as the cover song MV of ABCD’s members began playing.
Passersby stopped in their tracks as the MV suddenly played across every screen inside the subway station.
Yellow,
Blue,
Scarlet,
Pink—
The subway shimmered in a dazzling array of colors.
There, ABCD’s cover song played.
Only then did the viewers realize what was happening.
-No way, lololol 😂 😂 😂 😂
-What is this hahahaha 😂 😂 😂
-Did they really rent out all the subway billboards?
-Oh my god…
Today’s entire program was, in fact, a kind of performance to unveil the cover song MV.
And so…
A total of four quiz shows were held,
And at four subway stations, the MVs played simultaneously.
It was too grand of a production to call it just a cover song promotion.
*
Jung Yuri watched the broadcast from inside the strategy room.
A cover song MV— not even a profit target— had been rented out on every subway display panel across the city.
And it had been prepared in just a few days.
No matter how much existing material was reused, it was insane.
An event where no one could earn a single penny.
It felt like a taunt aimed at people like Jung Yuri.
“…”
– We’ve never even met them inside the company.
– They handle everything on their own, even during meetings…
– Decision-making authority? They just decide everything among themselves.
Uncontrollable.
A player operating outside the rules.
That was the only way to define [Big Man].
Until the very end,
He answered only with his own money.
【‘Big Man’ has donated 1,000,000 Pajik!】
“…”