Hobbyist VTuber-Chapter 199

First, there were no issues related to Ha-eun's schedule regarding her appearance in The Gisaeng Family. Unlike Gods and Goblins, which had completed casting with Kang Sun-woo as the final member, The Gisaeng Family was still in the planning stage.

‘The movie schedule is a little different from what I expected, but... it probably won't matter that much.’

From what Ha-eun heard, the filming of The Gisaeng Family was scheduled to begin after the broadcast of Gods and Goblins. So for now, Ha-eun only needed to focus on filming Gods and Goblins.

Time passed, and finally, it was the day of the first meeting for Gods and Goblins.

“Hmm.”

Ha-eun was carefully inspecting her school uniform. The reason? The character she was playing, Baeksulhwa, was also a high school senior, just like Ha-eun.

Of course, she wouldn't be wearing the actual Narae High School uniform for the shoot. But since there were several scenes in Gods and Goblins where Baeksulhwa wore a school uniform, Ha-eun was asked to come to the meeting dressed in one.

“It feels... a bit tight.”

Her gaze shifted to the blouse, which felt slightly uncomfortable. It wasn’t that she thought she had gained weight—absolutely not.

‘...Has my growth period not ended yet?’

Ha-eun took out her phone and compared a picture from her high school entrance ceremony with her current self. Her chest had definitely grown, even if her height hadn't changed much.

“Hmm...”

After putting on the vest over the blouse, Ha-eun felt even more discomfort. But as a high school senior, she couldn't afford to buy a new uniform.

So, Ha-eun reluctantly left the house in the slightly smaller uniform. It was shortly after that she got into Ju Jung-yoon’s van, which had come to pick her up.

However, when Ha-eun mentioned her school uniform size to Jung-yoon, she was met with a response that triggered a personal complex.

“You'll probably need a size bigger for the shoot.”

"...You trickster."

“Huh?”

"That's so unfair! Why are you the only one getting bigger?! You're already big enough! Ughhh!”

Ha-eun unintentionally triggered Jung-yoon’s personal insecurity. The next sound that followed was one of deep frustration.

“...Are you really jealous of me now, Jung-yoon? You've really gone all the way...”

Ha-eun laughed awkwardly at Jung-yoon’s self-reprimanding behavior. And, just a few seconds later, in an attempt to comfort her, Ha-eun said,

“Having a size that's too big isn't great either, you know. It's uncomfortable when I work out. I can't even lie down properly.”

Ha-eun listed out the disadvantages of having a larger chest, which she had heard from Ji Hye-min.

“Ahhh! I want to feel uncomfortable too! I want to feel uncomfortable even if I can’t lie down!”

"Th-that's enough, unnie..."

For some reason, her comment had the opposite effect. The sincere emotion conveyed through Jung-yoon’s hands, which were pinching Ha-eun’s cheeks like rice cakes, seemed more than just a misunderstanding.

Anyway, business and personal matters were to be kept separate, so Jung-yoon promised to handle the issue of Ha-eun’s costume size.

About an hour later, they arrived at the ‘OTV’ broadcasting station. This was the same station that had aired The Sunshine, and the drama’s production team, including writer Hong Soo-eun, was already waiting for Ha-eun.

Waiting for Ha-eun was also Kang Sun-woo, who played Baek Jin, the male lead in Gods and Goblins.

“Did you arrive?”

“Oh, you were already here.”

“I woke up early today. I didn’t have much to do, so I just came.”

Ha-eun and Kang Sun-woo walked together, sharing casual conversations. For example, Ha-eun complimented Sun-woo on how well he suited his school uniform, or Sun-woo mentioned how his newly moved-in officetel was nice because it didn’t have any bugs.

“There were always bugs in the countryside,” Sun-woo said.

“Oh no,” Ha-eun responded.

Walking and chatting comfortably without any awkwardness, they finally entered the meeting room where the production team for Gods and Goblins had gathered. The atmosphere immediately felt tense.

‘Hmm.’

It seemed that the long period of absence from the camera had left some doubts among the production team regarding Kang Sun-woo’s return. Several ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) of them appeared uncertain about whether he would actually participate in the project.

Some even worried that Kang Sun-woo might back out of the role entirely. Because of this, Ha-eun deliberately started a conversation with Kang Sun-woo as she sat down.

"Sit down, Mr. Sun-woo. Or should I start calling you Mr. Goblin now?"

"Call me whatever you want, Seolhwa."

Fortunately, Kang Sun-woo, who easily went along with Ha-eun’s playful tone, called her Baeksulhwa from Gods and Goblins, which caused a burst of laughter from the slightly tense production team. The atmosphere immediately lightened.

"You two already have great chemistry."

"Am I the only one looking forward to the shoot already? Haha."

The meeting soon began. While the script for the drama had already been received, it was still necessary to discuss the details and refine the story through direct conversation.

"Now, let's talk about the theme of Gods and Goblins."

The first to speak was director Kwon Jae-hyeop, who had previously worked on The Sunshine and, through his connection with writer Hong Soo-eun, was now directing Gods and Goblins. He explained that the central theme of the drama would be "life and death."

"First off, Ha-eun’s Baeksulhwa is a girl who wishes to live an ordinary life, despite coming from a difficult background."

She lived alone in a shabby rooftop room at the top of a slum, often referred to as a ‘dal-dong-ne,’ an impoverished neighborhood. Baeksulhwa worked part-time jobs in an attempt to lead an ordinary life like anyone else, but poverty followed her wherever she went. To make matters worse, her deteriorating health clouded her future with uncertainty.

This role of Baeksulhwa, who had health issues, was one that Ha-eun had avoided in the past, but she decided to take on the role in Gods and Goblins to break free from her past.

‘I’m a completely different person now.’

She couldn’t stay trapped in the memories of her past life forever. One reason she insisted on casting Kang Sun-woo was to move on from the past and redefine what acting meant to her.

"On the other hand, Sun-woo’s Baek-jin is a man cursed with immortality who wishes to end his life."

Baeksulhwa and Baek-jin’s fates intertwined hundreds of years ago through their past lives. Ironically, it was because of Baeksulhwa that Baek-jin received the curse of immortality. This curse drove him to search for Baeksulhwa in her current incarnation.

"Since Baeksulhwa is the cause of his curse, Baek-jin believes that only she can break it."

Gods and Goblins tells the story of two people—one desiring life, the other death—as they move through their respective lives. While the drama is technically a romance, the focus is not on the love between a man and a woman, but rather on the connection between two people.

From that point, the discussion continued to focus on the relationship between the two main characters—their meeting, how they build their connection, and ultimately how their story will end.

"I believe it's important for their feelings to build up gradually and eventually explode, not too much, not too little—especially Baeksulhwa's emotions."

"Don’t worry, director. Thanks to Ha-eun, the story will be complete, and she’ll do great."

With that, the conversation about the beginning and end of the story wrapped up, ending on a note of mutual trust. However, Ha-eun and Kang Sun-woo still had to stay in the meeting room a little longer.

The reason being...

Clack clack!

Screech.

"I heard the news and rushed over! So, Sun-woo’s here... Ah! Sun-woo!"

It was Ha Yun-seong, who played Park Chasa, another lead in the drama, who had just shown up. To be fair, Ha Yun-seong knew about Kang Sun-woo's participation in the drama, but...

"How many years has it been? You didn’t even contact me. How have you been?"

"Well, I’ve been getting by."

Today was the first time Ha Yun-seong and Kang Sun-woo had reunited. After filming The Stars Are Watching You together with Ha-eun, Ha Yun-seong greeted Ha-eun with a thank you as well.

"As they say, no child can outdo their parents. You and Ha-eun are just like that."

"Huh? Why is Ha-eun my child?"

"No, remember? You adopted her as your daughter in the end in The Neighbor Uncle."

"Oh, right. Now I remember."

"Wait, hold on. Does this mean...?"

The situation started to feel a bit weird. Ha-eun, slightly embarrassed, reminded herself what her relationship with Kang Sun-woo was in the context of the drama.

A heavy silence followed, with Ha-eun, Kang Sun-woo, and even the production team remaining quiet.

After what felt like a long pause, a staff member finally broke the silence.

"Well, the movie is the movie, and the drama is the drama, so let’s not take it too seriously!"

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

The strange atmosphere slowly started to settle. Though it would become a small topic on the internet later, it was an entirely separate work.

‘It should be fine...’

After all, Baeksulhwa and Baek-jin were fictional characters, so there shouldn’t be any big issues. Ha-eun didn’t want any misunderstandings between her and Kang Sun-woo, not even a tiny bit.

***

On the evening of the first meeting for Gods and Goblins, Ha-eun, who hadn’t sat in front of a broadcasting desk for a long time, was currently on the phone with Ji Hye-min, preparing for her return broadcast as Diah.

“So, we’ll decide on the lyrics together with the viewers, right?”

[Good idea, but make sure to filter out the weird ones.]

“Got it.”

Almost immediately after that, the discussion about special content for Diah’s comeback broadcast was concluded.

Not long after, the familiar sound of typing echoed.

[Have you been well?]

‘...I’m nervous.’

The moment that marked the end of her nearly three-week hiatus had finally arrived. As soon as Diah’s channel went online, a flood of messages and donations started pouring in.

Open the door!!!!Come hereCome ouuuutFinally, the return of Dimo (Generation 1)So when are you turning on the mic???[No, I don’t want it, said 50,000 won donation!] : Diah, are you back?

Taking a brief moment to catch her breath at the overwhelming enthusiasm of the Noeulis, Ha-eun spoke into the microphone with a voice clearly showing her nervousness.

“Ah, um... hello?”

As expected, the chat sped up rapidly again.

KyyaaaaaaWho are you???Your voice is nice, I’m meltingWow, it's the third generation of Illusionary Realm, hahahaWhy does your voice sound so awkward?;;The loud and chaotic reactions from the Noeulis made Ha-eun swallow dryly. The three-week break, which she’d spent in Europe instead of broadcasting, had almost involuntarily made her rediscover her initial nervousness.

Nevertheless, she had to continue with the broadcast.

“Hmm, I don’t even know how many weeks it’s been. Have you all been well during that time?”

Ha-eun recited her prepared script, suppressing the rising tension little by little. It wasn’t until about 20 more minutes had passed that she found herself returning to Diah’s usual tone and energy.

“I’ve been thinking about you Noeulis the whole time I was resting. But did you all think about someone else, other than me? Did you? Did you not?”

HahahahahahaYandere Diah, scaryI thought we were going to break up,ㅠㅠㅠWhat if we did think about someone else?Getting obsessed with Diah, heheheI couldn’t even breathe properly because I missed you ㅇㅇOnce she was able to talk comfortably with her fans like she had in the past, the broadcast progressed much more smoothly. Diah’s own special service was just a bonus.

Swoosh.Whew..."...I missed you..."

Ha-eun leaned in close to the microphone and whispered softly, almost like she was doing an ASMR broadcast.

As expected, the chat exploded with messages.

OhWhat was that just now?KyyaaaaaaaaaaaVery satisfying tasteHehehe(Angry emoji) x5Thank you for the reward!!!!The reactions were exactly as Ha-eun had anticipated, and a small chuckle escaped her. One of the special contents she had prepared for her comeback broadcast began shortly after.

Tap tap.Ding ding.[Looking for suggestions for my first solo song lyrics.]

??????Is this real?What’s going on suddenly?A solo song is coming out??“My first solo song will be something I make with you Noeulis. So, hold on a sec?”

She waved her hand a little, and from the air, she summoned the SD avatar of a Noeulis member and gently placed it into Diah’s arms.

“Alright, I’m ready! Now, let’s get the lyrics for my first solo song! Spin, roulette─!”

The roulette spun and within a few seconds, a Noeulis member’s username appeared in Diah’s arms. The chat erupted in a chorus of frustrated cries from those who hadn’t been chosen.

[babyfairy31] - Wow [babyfairy31] - I won!!!! [babyfairy31] - Hug me!

Who’s that guy, babe?MeWhat the hell, she comes back and starts cheating?Spin the roulette again! One more time!RockNoeulis, you’re going to go black~ go black, go black, go black, go black, go black, go black, go black, go blackMeHa-eun, of course, knew that the Noeulis were just joking around with their intense reactions. But since she wanted to get as many ideas from her fans as possible...

“Ah, you said ‘Hug me?’ Got it, noted!”

[babyfairy31] - ? [babyfairy31] - Wait, hold on

Not even ten seconds later, Ha-eun spun the roulette again. The moment the username babyfairy31 disappeared, the chat atmosphere changed completely.

Gotcha hahahahaExtremeKyya, that’s a refreshing moveThe clingy guy, this is just too muchRockI knew it!!!!!ExtremeYep, that’s how it is, say it and it’s overClean move, very satisfyingThe chat was lively with all the reactions, as Ha-eun continued her broadcast smoothly with the help of her fans.