Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber

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I’m going to appear on a popular variety show.

It held a much heavier value than I had imagined.

TV was not yet the exclusive domain of a bygone era.

It means my image could be reflected in someone’s bedroom or an ordinary living room at any time, not because they wanted to see me, but just because they pressed the remote a few times.

Earlier, I watched the video my manager sent me.

[The performance that’s making waves! Slim Gold Legend Live (Feat. Friend) !! Achieved 500k views!!]

The video contained edited footage of the impromptu performance I sang with Hyeon-su back in the workshop.

It has an astounding 1 million views.

Even if it’s a clip from the broadcasting station itself, it’s an absurdly high number given how little time has passed since it was released.

It seems this result came from the sudden rise in Hyeon-su’s name value combined with word of mouth.

– Who’s that girl? Her voice is insane!

– What is this gap-moe, haha?

– Wow, this is seriously crazy!

Looking through the comments, I also occasionally see mentions about me.

Actually, there are quite a lot.

It might be because the stories we shared before the song part were included in the video.

There are comments expressing confusion at my Miro-style speech, but mostly the feedback is positive.

– The way she casually says nonsense is so funny ㅠㅠㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– Does anyone know the girl’s Instagram?

Feeling a little bit happy about these compliments that resonate differently from the community.

Is this what they call an “insider pick”?
This comment section is proving that Miro has the potential to be my number one pick, bridging both shadows and light.

Well, aside from that, my feelings are quite peculiar.
I’m familiar with climbing and falling in the internet world as Miro, but seeing Kim Soo-hyun feels oddly awkward.

It even seems like I have more buzz than Miro.

Hmm, that can’t be.
Just then, my manager sent me a link to that trending YouTube video along with some news.

The music video has finally been completed.

Thinking back to the recent timing of the song recording at my family home, it really feels quite late.

But still, they say the quality turned out well, so I guess that’s some comfort?
Well, if the deadline was missed and the quality was poor, the legal team from The Six wouldn’t have forgiven us.

Now, autumn is almost here, but… we can still argue it’s the tail end of summer.
Looking at the group chat, it seems like everyone received the news as messages keep updating.

Well, that aside, I prepared to head out.
Last night, composer Kang Woo-hyeon called me to record a new song.

Since moving, I’ve started recording a bit by bit.
Of course, every time I get called, I undergo a form of violence dressed as feedback, but I’m starting to catch on.

As I came into the living room, Mrs. Jang was watching TV.

“Oh, our celebrity daughter. Didn’t you broadcast yesterday?”

“I didn’t.”

I didn’t broadcast yesterday. I had civilized meetings until that morning… just to match the pattern, I took a solid rest.

“Yeah, rest well, and you sing well~”

“I’m going out.”

“Where to?”

“Work.”

“Work? You’ve got something?”

“Mom doesn’t need to know.”

I hurriedly left the house to avoid the teasing atmosphere.
After spending the whole weekend indoors, Bok-sil, who had just begun to frolic in the yard again once weekdays rolled around, persistently clung to me, so I brushed her off and left the house, taking the subway to the composer’s workshop.

Arriving at the workshop felt familiar now.
After all, I had gone in and out for the Celestial Realm Project album work and new song preparation…

I adeptly entered and punched in the workshop door lock code.
In the past, they’d come out to greet me, but now, they just sent me the code since it got tedious.

Upon entering, I spotted composer Kang Woo-hyeon seated at the table.
And in front of him sat a young, handsome man… Who is he? A singer? An actor? An idol?

He’s probably someone famous because he’s with such a renowned composer.
The problem is, I don’t watch TV, so I don’t really know celebrities.

I’d probably score higher guessing names of Japanese manga characters than famous people from Korea!

As I approached to introduce myself, both men’s gazes turned this way.

“Hello.”

“Oh, you’re here, Soo-hyun.”

“Yes, I’m here. But who are you…?”

A man standing up to greet me made me realize just how tall he was.
Is he around 190 cm? Taller than Maho.

“Nice to meet you. I’m actor Moon Chang-sik.”

So he’s from the entertainment industry after all. But what’s an actor doing here?

“Oh, right, I’m Kim Soo-hyun.”

As I introduced myself, a question mark appeared on the actor’s face.
Ah, I just mentioned my name and nothing else.

But I can’t exactly say, “Hello, I’m Kim Soo-hyun, the first generation virtual YouTuber of the Celestial Realm Project!” can I?

So I quietly held his gaze, until the composer stood up and spoke to Moon Chang-sik.

“He’s a friend working with me.”

“Oh! So, are you a singer? Or a trainee?”

Can I be called a singer?
I haven’t released a proper song as Kim Soo-hyun, right?
But then again, I’m not a trainee either…

“Um, no. I’m just a regular person.”

Anyway, I’m just an ordinary person.
Indeed, without Miro to back me up, I have no other way to express this.
Other words like “unemployed” or “house security” wouldn’t work either, right?

“I see?”

The actor Moon Chang-sik gave a peculiar expression to my mention of being a regular person.
Well, what’s he going to do with that look?
Aren’t actors supposed to control their expressions?
Is this a natural expression or an emotional one?

Either way, it has nothing to do with me.

“Hm, Soo-hyun.”

Just then, the composer glanced at me and Moon Chang-sik and casually said,

“Suddenly, can this friend observe us while we work?”

“Pardon?”

“Actually, he came to ask me for help regarding his role for an upcoming movie.”

“A role?”

Observing while we work? What does that even mean? It was Moon Chang-sik next to me that answered.

“I’m filming a movie this time… Ah, please don’t tell anyone?”

“Sure, I won’t say anything.”

I couldn’t care less.
It’s been a while since I watched a Korean film.

“The role I’m taking on is that of a young genius composer. So, I came to seek some help from the best composer I know, my older brother.”

Ah, so that’s why.
But is it okay if the new song gets exposed?
Well, since they called me, it must be fine.

“Sounds good. But on the condition that you take it easy today.”

“Hm, sure.”

Great. Can I leave an hour earlier today?
Thinking with ease, I entered the recording studio.

Familiar with it now, I dropped my bag and outerwear onto the studio sofa and headed into the recording booth.
This place feels quite cozy now.

“Let’s get started right away.”

“Can I skip warming up?”

I scoffed at the composer’s question.

“I warmed up on the way here. It’s not like this is my first time.”

Instead of responding, the familiar melody of the new song filled the air.
After practicing at home a bit too.
It wouldn’t be like the last time I was here where I was unilaterally beaten up.

“Ah- ah!”

With that resolve, I did my best to spit out the lyrics word by word.
How’s that? Isn’t this somewhat satisfactory?
Even while singing, I thought it went pretty well.

However…

Snip.

The song cut off after about a minute.

“It sounds good! But you lost the flow halfway through. It dragged on when it should’ve been cut.”

“Okay, I can’t be full after just one bite. Let’s go for it again quickly.”

“Alright. Ready again.”

I kept singing after that, but…

Snip.
“When you were continuing just now…”

“Ah, is it because I just woke up? Let’s do it again.”

Snip.
“Try to make your pronunciation sound a bit more smooth…”

“Ah, my tongue feels a bit stiff, so let me drink some water and I’ll be back right away.”

Snip.
“High notes feel a bit burdensome, don’t they?”

“No, it’s about observing from the side that makes it nerve-wracking.”

“Pardon?”

“Uh, never mind… Let’s go again.”

So, we continued recording until lunch approached, and finally, it was time for a break.

“Ahh, you said you’d take it easy today.”

I slouched into the sofa while saying this. But more importantly, what should I have for lunch?

“Haha, the more you eat, the better the sound becomes, how can I stop?”

With his characteristic dry laugh, he dropped the bombshell.
Is it okay for the head of a household to say that?

“Wow, that statement could definitely stir up some controversy.”

I remarked with a sense of disbelief, to which he shrugged.

“I’ve never stirred any controversy, believe it or not.”

“What about plagiarism rumors?”

“Well, if there are none it’s a shame.”

So there are some, huh? Well, these days it seems like any little thing can spark off a dispute.

“By the way, what will you guys eat today?”

“I’m fine with anything, but what about the actor?”

I asked Moon Chang-sik, who had been blankly sitting next to me.
He briefly closed his eyes, then opened them, and with a smile said,

“Sounds great.”

“Pardon?”

“Is this what you call the relationship between a composer and a singer? It feels somewhat stricter and lighter than I expected.”

Why is he talking about this out of nowhere when I just asked about lunch?

“Is it like this usually?”

“I’m not sure what you mean by ‘like this’… but nothing feels particularly different.”

“Sounds good… I really like this vibe.”

What’s he on about? He said that and got lost in his own little world.
I found it so absurd that when I glanced at the composer, he nonchalantly offered me his phone.

“Here, order what you want from the delivery app.”

Seems like the actor’s inspiration hit him or something similar.
Sigh, looks like I have to decide on our lunch menu.