Hobbyist VTuber

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In visual media like movies or dramas, what’s crucial is to ‘get viewers to watch it initially.’

No matter how the story or direction may turn out.

The essential thing is that it must capture the audience’s attention to hold meaning as a visual piece.

The key factor is how much buzz the content generates among people.

Especially in dramas where box office success is the primary goal, the degree of public attention dictates its success.

Regardless, the biggest reason people tune in to any drama is the actors involved.

Typically, promotions for dramas tend to focus more on the cast than the content itself.

Thus, the identity of the faceless singer who garnered attention with that unique clear timbre.

In an unprecedented turn of events revealed during the live finale of a hip-hop survival program,

[The Shocking Reveal of the Faceless Singer: The Finale of Sit On The Money Bewilders the Public]

[Unexpected Twist Sets New Record for Text Votes. Hwang Ji-hyuk Wins with Overwhelming Margin]

[The Real Identity of Singer Pinocchio is Actress Lee Ha-eun. Turns Out She Has Had Ties with Dubbly for Over Ten Years?]

[The First Episode of KBC 'Moonlight Parting the Clouds' Airing 30 Minutes After the Finale of Sit On The Money, Starts Strongly Over MBS 'Full Moon Lovers']

Of course, the actress’s fame was significant.

It was substantial enough to impact the drama she was in as well.

Articles about Ha-eun began to fill the entertainment sections of major portal sites right after the finale of [SIT ON THE MONEY].

It was only natural for her first leading drama, [Moonlight Parting the Clouds], to gain attention as well.

For KBC’s Drama Department, this was an absolute triumph to welcome.

It was the first time a newly aired drama received this level of interest in the history of KBC’s Drama Department.

“Did the director know that Ha-eun was participating in the finale of SIT ON THE MONEY?”

“I was aware of her participation… but honestly, I didn’t think it would grow this large. I thought it was just a music show.”

‘…Is this what they mean by a generation gap?’

By some twist of fate, in the first competition with MBS [Full Moon Lovers], which they had feared so much, they achieved a perfect victory.

Without a doubt, the buzz was exceptional, and the viewer ratings for the first episode showed more than a threefold difference.

The gap between [Moonlight Parting the Clouds] and [Full Moon Lovers] was starkly vivid.

However, for MBS’s Drama Department, this was a complete disaster.

Is that why?

“I bet it’ll just be a short-term buzz. It’ll dwindle completely in less than a week.”

At the meeting held on Saturday morning, the chief producer of [Full Moon Lovers], Go Jae-wan, forced a composed expression to reassure the staff.

But the first episode had just aired.

Judging the future fate of the show based on just one time lag felt too early.

Too early—at least that’s what I wanted to believe.

“Think about our lineup of actors. Just the established fanbase they possess will be huge.”

Either way, it was undeniable that [Full Moon Lovers]’ casting lineup excelled over [Moonlight Parting the Clouds]’ roster.

Every single one was a proven actor, and the performances showcased during [Full Moon Lovers]’ filming were also exceptional.

So, even if one of the leads in [Moonlight Parting the Clouds] suddenly gained massive attention overnight, I didn’t want to worry too much.

Given the high-profile fame and reputation of the actors in [Full Moon Lovers], I thought they could eventually overtake [Moonlight Parting the Clouds], even belatedly.

However, the teaser for <2 Nights 3 Days> that aired last Saturday lingered in my mind.

I hoped the segment featuring the two lead actors from [Moonlight Parting the Clouds] as guests wouldn’t attract too much attention this week.

To be precise, I secretly wished that this week’s broadcast of <2 Nights 3 Days> wouldn’t stir any controversy.

Since the filming of <2 Nights 3 Days> was notoriously exhausting, I thought Ha-eun, only 18 years old, might unconsciously show signs of struggle.

‘There’s no exception for age when it comes to controversy.’

Among the guests who appeared on <2 Nights 3 Days>, there had indeed been cases where trivial matters were picked apart.

Thus, no matter how young Ha-eun was, I figured she would still face criticism if she appeared passive during the tough filming of <2 Nights 3 Days>.

However, as time passed,

Around the time <2 Nights 3 Days> began airing just as the evening sunset began to settle.

“I went to the traditional market first. Why did I come back as the last?”

“Oh, um, that’s… I didn’t see the shop selling chrysanthemum bread…”

Unfortunately, that opening segment was more than enough to completely shatter Go Jae-wan’s expectations.

*

<2 Nights 3 Days>.

A variety show that was once called a national treasure.

To speak plainly, the current ratings for <2 Nights 3 Days> were so low in comparison to its peak ratings that it wasn’t even worth comparing.

This was partly due to the staggering peak ratings, which had exceeded 50 percent.

Perhaps because of this, even KBC’s Drama Department, when deciding on Ha-eun and Yoo Seong-jae as guest stars for <2 Nights 3 Days>,

Didn’t expect much from the promotional effect of <2 Nights 3 Days>.

They anticipated that the guests would only serve to raise awareness for the names and faces of the two lead actors.

Just contributing a small assist to the success of [Moonlight Parting the Clouds].

That was as far as KBC’s Drama Department hoped for from <2 Nights 3 Days>.

Anything beyond that seemed likely to incur disappointment.

The variable was the live finale of [SIT ON THE MONEY], which aired just the day before <2 Nights 3 Days>.

Somehow, the attention that had poured onto Ha-eun right after the finale was spilling onto the program she was appearing in.

“Writer Lim.”

“Yes.”

“How were our ratings last week?”

“7.3 percent.”

“And now?”

“…13 percent…”

As a result, an anomaly occurred where the ratings for <2 Nights 3 Days> surpassed double digits right from the get-go.

Considering the recent ratings for <2 Nights 3 Days> had been at most 8 percent and as low as 6 percent, this surge could undoubtedly be labeled as an anomaly.

Sure enough, the related communities for <2 Nights 3 Days> were buzzing.

– Is the Lee Ha-eun on screen that Lee Ha-eun?
– Is she wearing casual clothes? She feels completely different from the drama.
– Seeing her full body shot, her figure is wow.
– Hey, she’s a high school student, chill out.
– Snapped a screenshot, catch you later, haha.
– Sure, Thor, come catch me~

– The teaser showed a scene where they were about to get in the water.
– So when did the ping pong happen? The ping pong also appeared in the teaser.
– She’s not even on the national team, why would she even play?
– What do you even mean by that?
– Are you taking a jab at ‘him’?
– How many ankles are you twisting, buddy?

Unlike the quiet days of yesteryear, the atmosphere began to liven up.

However, after the usual high-energy opening of <2 Nights 3 Days> faded away.

More precisely,

“The one who returns the fastest will earn the highest score, so… let’s all get started!”
“Wait, what? Without warning, we’re just starting now?”

– Thud-thud!
“Who’s that?!”

Ha-eun, who had been quietly listening to the PD’s explanation, suddenly bolted towards the traditional market at full speed.

– ? What was that just now?
– Running so fast, haha.
– What the heck, is she an athlete or something?
– Is that the teacher’s age?
– Did you catch that?
– What are the daughters doing holding hands and running?

The frequency and speed of broadcasts in the community began to rise.

Needless to say, no one had expected that a minor actress would be so proactive from the start of filming.

The roles Ha-eun portrayed until now had always been serious and weighty.

So people had a somewhat stiff preconception formed.

Still, until that moment, a “that could happen” atmosphere had prevailed in the situation.

It wasn’t as if there had never been guests who were active during the filming of <2 Nights 3 Days> in the past.

However.

“Chrysanthemum bread is a type of bread… So I guess I should visit the bakery first.”

Right after that sort of statement was aired,

– You’re going to visit the bakery for chrysanthemum bread?
– Don’t the current MZ generation know what chrysanthemum bread is?
– Walnut pastry?
– Walnut pastry is a type of chrysanthemum bread!
– Do I have to know all that?

– Who does she think she is, some chaebol’s youngest daughter? Has she never seen a street vendor before?
– Still, she managed to eat the market food well, haha.
– Cucumber salad? I would find that hard to eat; how does she manage to take it down so well?

The uproar in the community started to intensify.

Thus, Ha-eun, who kept circulating around only bakeries in the traditional market,

“If you want chrysanthemum bread, you should go to a street vendor. Why are you going on about bakeries?”
“Huh? A street vendor?”

After hearing a somewhat mocking remark from a pig’s trotters restaurant owner,

“That uncle in the red hat is making chrysanthemum bread right now.”
“Um, excuse me, that’s… bulgogi bread, right?”
“Bulgogi bread is chrysanthemum bread! Didn’t you know?”

Once it was made clear that the behaviors Ha-eun had been displaying weren’t some kind of ‘act,’

– Wait, did she really not know?
– It’s already getting hard for her, haha.
– Oh, that’s why she jumped in.
– She’s full of enthusiasm, but just enthusiasm.
– Understood.

People began to react to even Ha-eun’s little comments or gestures.