* * *
I created one main account and one secondary account.
My goal is to attract people even before my official debut.
‘That way, I can bring my debut forward, even if just a little.’
@midsummer
This is my main account.
@seasaltsixscoop
This is my sub-account.
“Alright. Looks like you have an ID.”
I typed a brief introduction on my main account.
Input: 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬
𝐡𝐚𝐧-𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐮𝐦
“Let’s finish it neatly in cursive.”
If I write it all out in detail, it’ll just look weak.
“Now, let’s seriously start gathering followers.”
If I complete the mission and boost my fame with this, I should be able to land at least a web drama or minor role.
Intube
@RudassulTV – 420,000 subscribers
[Hosting a Rudassul TV Audition] 03:28
112,447 views
Eligibility: Aspiring actors aged 20–27
How to Apply: Application form (free format) + photo (no Photoshop) + Ustar account
The first audition will be held on a scheduled date via Ustar video call, and only those who pass will proceed to the second in-person audition! We look forward to many applications (๑¯∇¯๑)
-These days, everyone auditions through DMs ㅋㅋㅋ
-It’s so obvious they only want Ustars.. Aren’t most of the current cast Ustars too?ㅠ Where are actual aspiring actors supposed to go?
˪ㅋㅋ then what do you expect from a web drama—followers matter more than acting skills.
˪True. If you put a famous face on the thumbnail, the views skyrocket—why would they bother picking a complete rookie?
“Back then, I was too caught up in my actor’s delusion to realize how important followers really were.”
One by one, influencers officially made their way into the entertainment industry. Some started small with variety shows, while others landed roles in dramas or even movies.
“So naturally, among aspiring actors, it became almost a given that the ones with the most followers were the first to succeed in making their debut…”
And celebrities with many followers and a good vibe on their social media feeds have a good ‘sales’ effect.
[Guys, which celebrities do you look to for outfit inspo?]
For me, it’s Eun Baekhap… she’s literally the embodiment of my aesthetic, like a grown woman vibe ㅠ I feel like if I got close, she’d smell like La Tulipe.
-Do Gyeoul ㅋㅋㅋ I don’t necessarily copy her outfits, but just looking at them is satisfying…
˪ Same. If you try to copy Do Gyeoul’s outfits, you’re guaranteed to go broke.
-I love So Dami’s vibe so much. She can pull off cute, pure, and hip all at once, my girl.
The better the response on Ustar, the more advertisers start paying attention. When signing ad contracts, even the YouStar feed becomes part of the conditions.
“That would give me an advantage for contract renewals too!”
Of course, no ads have come in yet, but preparing for contract renewals in advance isn’t a bad idea.
Hmm. Not overlooking even these details—that’s the mindset of a true star.
Tiing— tiing— tiing.
“What is it?”
I was thinking about what kind of advertisement would be good to shoot when my phone started buzzing loudly.
It was Dok Gomin.
“…Didn’t we just finish our conversation earlier?”
[Dok Gomin: Hey, you’re showing up on the Friends list?]
[Dok Gomin: Which of my two accounts should I tag?]
[Dok Gomin: Hurry up and tell me, quick quick quic—And is that all for the review? Wow, it came out great, thank you. Is that really it? It can’t be, right? Hmm?]
And as soon as “1” disappeared, a flood of messages came pouring in again.
On top of that, she didn’t stop flooding me with a ton of emojis.
[Dok Gomin: Which photo do you like the most? Of course you’ll like them all, but give me some feedback. I’m ready to listen even if you stay up all night, okay? See, you knew it—Dok Gomin, right?]
And she firmly stuck to saying exactly what she wanted to say.
“So Dok Gomin is kind of a bothersome type.”
In my mind, Han Yeoreum’s materialistic scale floated up, weightless.
On one side sat the feeling of annoyance, and on the other, the whining Dok Gomin.
“It’s annoying, but… well.”
The calculation was quickly done. The scale tipped decisively to one side.
‘The conclusion is Dok Gomin wins hands down.’
On one side of the scale was my feeling of annoyance, and on the other side was the whiny Dok Gomin.
“That feeling yesterday…”
I can’t forget. Even thinking about it makes me feel like I’m floating.
Because during all that time, there hadn’t been a camera assigned to me.
“The camera was always pointed at someone else.”
Now, there’s a camera that takes pictures of me too.
For the first time, I felt a swelling in my chest, meeting a camera that focused entirely on me.
Input: I’ll be using this as my main account. Thanks in advance for the tags (^ω^)
I quickly replied and uploaded the photos Dok Gomin had sent to my main account.
At that time.
Jiiing— jiiing—.
“Why are the followers increasing so fast…?”
Thanks to Dok Gomin tagging me, strangers started visiting my account.
“The effect is working well.”
For the time being, I decided to ride on Dok Gomin, who already had quite a lot of followers.
-ㅋㅋ Yeah, check your DMs on Ustar.
-Yeoreum~~~ (﹡ˆ﹀ˆ﹡)♡ What, did you already debut?
-Dok Gomin is really notorious for having a terrible personality, so how did you become friends, first-yearㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
˪ㄱㄴㄲ Poor thingㅠ How did it happen… really, how did it happen?
˪Yeah yeah~ Just get lost, you two.
The comments quickly became abuzz with friends and seniors.
Some people even DM’ed asking why I wasn’t following back, so I quickly followed them with my secondary account…
“Huh?”
My secondary account has recently gained a follower.
‘My profile has no picture, no bio, and it’s a private account on top of that.’
I tilted my head in puzzlement for a moment.
“Well, it’s obviously going to be seniors or classmates. If they ask me to work on something, I’ll have to duck out immediately.”
For now, I accepted the follow and sent a follow-back request as well.
Tiring—!
As if they had been waiting, the other person immediately accepted.
Then, I noticed the only photo displayed on their account.
“Myeong Je…ha?”
Since Myeong Jeha’s main account already had well over a million followers, this one had to be a private account.
‘Why would he go out of his way to follow me?’
I had never really talked to him before. Still, it wasn’t a bad start.
“Well… for now, we’re classmates after all.”
I sorted through the remaining followers on my private account.
@midsummer
Followers 391 Following 0
@seasaltsixscoop
Followers 97 Following 97
* * *
Tiring—!
「Mission: The First Step of Self-PR」
Keyword: First Stage
A memorable profile picture! The shoot was a complete success. Your recognition has skyrocketed.
Success Conditions
[Photographed by a person with an Artistic Grade of B or higher.]
Reward
Increase in [Recognition]
Increase in [Artistry]
In just a few days, my profile picture hit 500 likes. And my followers did too.
@midsummer
Followers 1,008 Following 0
‘Is it okay for it to grow this quickly?’
Before the regression, no matter how many likes Han Yeoreum gave out, she could never gather numbers like that.
‘To think I managed to gather a thousand followers in an instant with just one good photo….’
A thrilling rush buzzed through my head.
“Yeoreum-ah!”
“Huh?”
Next to me, Dami pouted with a sulky expression.
“You weren’t listening to me, were you!”
“No, no. I was listening.”
“Then what did I say?”
“….”
“Look!!!”
Dami, I’m sorry.
‘Truth is, I’m more ambitious than I look. Right now, all I can think about is success.’
I patted and soothed Dami, who was grumbling.
“Today’s play~ I’m looking forward to it!”
Ah, that’s right. Today was the day we had an outside lecture.
The Great National University of Arts is located not far from Daehak-ro, the theater district.
Sometimes, as part of a class, we go as a group to watch plays premiering for the first time and then write reflection papers on them.
“Yeoreum, you’re excited too, right?”
No.
“Mhm~ It’ll be really fun.”
Mhm, honestly, not at all. I’ve seen this more than a hundred times. You know why? Because I used to be the one selling tickets for this play.
‘I could probably recite it all without even needing the script.’
I walked along the familiar Daehak-ro with Dami. The trees were lush and green, welcoming spring.
‘A familiar place, Hyehwa… to the point of being sick and tired of it.’
Right in front of the subway station stood a food stall selling chicken skewers, nearby theater troupe members were selling tickets under makeshift tents, and long banners fluttered from every streetlamp.
[Grandma Kim Chunja’s Detective Agency.]
[The Jeonse War]
[Will the Wind Blow?]
‘Now that I look at it, it looks even tackier…’
[A wild romance full of drama from players who can’t seem to catch a break!
A 100% relatable romantic comedy]
Just looking at the play description highlighted in such a highly saturated pink gives me a headache.
Among those, the third one.
‘That’s the romantic comedy play I have to watch today.’
It did pretty well, so they even made a drama remake of it.
‘I’ll just pass the time daydreaming or thinking about other things.’
* * *
“Hey!!! Are you done talking?”
“No, I’m not done! I feel like an idiot for even liking a jerk like you, even for a moment!”
“…What? Y, you, like… me?”
“Yeah! You rascal!!!”
I let the lines of the play slip in one ear while my hands busily scribbled something down.
Today’s To-Do
-Politely decline sponsorship DMs (important, as it could be used as a good story later!!!)
-Specifically note clothing brands among them (skip the ones that require long explanations; just tag lightly so the image isn’t ruined).
-Casually check if there’s any plan to work on Dok Gomin again soon, or get introduced to a friend from Dok Gomin who takes photos. (Preferably someone who could help grow followers)
“Liar! Hey, when did you say you didn’t like someone like me? Huh? You said you absolutely hated me to death!”
“Yeah! I hate it to death! But… I hate even more that I can’t stop caring whenever I see you!”
Even I have to admit, it’s a well-planned and organized schedule.
I closed my eyes, smiled contentedly, and nodded.
‘People should use their time efficiently.’
Clap clap clap clap-!!!
Just as the play ended, applause erupted from the audience around me.
I also raised my hands and joined in the applause.
‘Of course, not for the play, but for me.’
Because I, who don’t allow even a moment of wasted time, deserve to be praised.
As expected, it’s Han Yeoreum.
* * *
“Do you like plays? There happens to be an interesting one—”
“It’s okay.”
“Are you a student by any chance? Wow\~ lucky you! Guess how much this play costs with a student discount? If you get it right, I’ll even give it to you for free!”
“It’s okay.”
I hurried out of the theater, worried I might run into someone from school.
On the way, I was stopped once by each person trying to sell tickets, but I skillfully brushed them off.
‘Getting out of here quickly is for the best.’
You get to know the theater actors, and then everyone starts building a lively, team-spirited atmosphere together.
‘If that keeps up, the usual route in this scene is hitting a nearby thin-sliced pork belly restaurant for round two and three, staying up all night.’
I couldn’t waste any time.
I was hurrying to leave Hyehwa.
“Excuse me.”
Someone called out from behind me.
Mhm, of course I declined.
“I’m busy.”
“Just a moment.”
But something felt strange. It wasn’t just the voice of a simple pedestrian.
‘That’s too neat and refreshing for that…’
The resonance was even quite good. The wind that blew in my direction at just the right moment carried a pleasant scent.
‘Who?’
When my thoughts reached that point, I naturally turned my head. Behind me stood a tall man.
The man, wearing a simple hat and a mask, was clearly not an ordinary person just by looking at his build.
‘This silhouette isn’t something you see often.’
Even the slightly exposed knuckles didn’t look ordinary.
‘All the people passing by are watching… aren’t they?’
The impact is considerable.
Even the theater ticket hawkers were standing there, holding pamphlets, staring blankly as they watched.
“Give me some time.”
The man, who pulled down his mask with his index finger and smiled,
“…Myeong Jeha?”
My colleague, and a top actor with three 10-million-viewer films before my regression. That was Myeong Jeha.
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