Chapter 4: Are you a new girl?
The streaming platform Forest.
If you’re a first-generation viewer of internet broadcasts, you probably started watching on this platform.
Back then, most people didn’t even know what internet streaming was.
Everyone was glued to their TVs.
There were tons of so-called “national entertainment” shows, and people were busy flipping channels at the right time.
The internet streaming market grew by nibbling away at TV’s side pie.
Back then, the perception was that only provocative content could survive.
And that was the reality.
So, Forest’s image could be summed up as “wild.”
If you weren’t entertaining, you were done for!
That’s probably a shared belief among streamers and viewers alike.
Streamers who couldn’t entertain were branded “no-fun” and faded away one by one.
It was a bit different from Twitch.
Twitch was all about chat-driven interaction with the streamer at the center.
Forest demanded consistent content for viewers.
‘Well, things feel a bit different now.’
That was then, but honestly, does platform distinction even matter these days?
If you do well, you just stick to that platform.
Of course, I didn’t have a choice!
‘I… have to make it here!’
There’s no turning back.
Branded as Voldemort next door, this was my only hope.
I’d been diligently researching the market to avoid crashing.
Forest was a pretty stagnant platform.
Its audience skewed older.
Viewers preferred familiar flavors, so new games or genres struggled to take off.
The silver lining? Forest recently started embracing virtual content!
[(Notice) Project You Are the Idol! Recruitment Open]
Like other platforms, they were running a project to scout virtual artists.
When you think about it, virtual artists are perfectly optimized for streaming.
Auditions, broadcast tests, final selection, group activities—it’s a narrative tailor-made for internet stages.
It’s immersive for viewers.
They get to watch their favorite streamer’s growth arc up close.
That’s probably why everyone’s trying to launch virtual groups on streaming platforms.
[Forest-Sponsored Mark Server Opening Schedule]
That wasn’t the only opportunity.
There’s an open-world game called Marble Craft.
You’ve probably played it with friends back in school.
When a Mark server opens, it’s a social hub for streamers.
‘So many opportunities.’
In short, Forest is a blue ocean right now!
Catch the wave, ride it well, and you could skyrocket anytime!
Even during my Astra days, the idol project brought steady attention, helping us build a name.
The company kept the momentum going by having members’ streams relay 24/7 in the early days for domestic fans.
…The problem is, grabbing those opportunities isn’t easy.
Over the past year, I learned the most important thing in the streaming ecosystem is connections.
The second most important? Connections.
Third? You guessed it—connections.
Ultimately, it’s about imprinting yourself in viewers’ minds through big content.
Big content requires opportunities, and opportunities come from connections.
Slowly, step by step, you branch out, join collabs, and aim to make a name in major content.
Looking back on VTuber Ariel’s career, I did collabs with quite a few streamers…
‘Wide but shallow, I guess.’
I wasn’t a stranger to big servers, but I only exchanged light greetings, no deep ties.
Proof? When the scandal hit, not a single streamer DM’d to check on me!
‘Maybe I was an outcast…?’
Ahem… in my defense, maybe it was Ariel’s streaming style.
From debut, it was music-focused, so I mostly bonded with members.
‘…Wait.’
The more I talk, the more it feels like I’m digging my own grave.
Looking back, was I the one isolating myself with my island-like streams?
‘Still, it’s all experience that builds me up, right?’
I’ve got to think that way.
What’s the point of regretting the past?
I mentioned how crucial connections are in streaming, but it comes down to effort.
If I do well, viewers, popularity, and attention will follow.
‘Ahem, even now, I was pulling 500 regular viewers on Twitch.’
I’ve got some know-how!
Even if I flop, I won’t starve completely!
With that mindset, I prepared for my first Forest stream.
[New Girl Here?]
‘…I’m nervous.’
I took a deep breath in front of the stream title and start button.
One downside: unlike before, I had no chance to promote this stream.
No hot topic to draw attention, and rubbing shoulders with big content was a pipe dream.
Still, I heard Forest loves new-girl VTubers.
So, I prepped ambitiously.
‘Start with a simple intro, PPT, chat-focused stream, and gauge reactions.’
I stayed up all night making a PPT for today.
The RP reflects 100% of reality.
[Age: 21]
The character setup: a trainee who dreamed of being a singer but failed and turned to VTubing.
Some parts are skipped, but saying I’m bad at singing yet good at composing might feel fresh…?
Plus, since I’m on Forest, I heard you need a main game for content.
Maybe from my Lee Haneul days, or after waking in Ria’s body, I had raw FPS talent.
‘I’m confident in my raw aim.’
As Ariel, I was too busy to show it, but this time, I’d get my chance.
‘Let’s do this!’
[Ria’s stream has started.]
“Hello, I’m the new girl, Ria!”
My second—no, third—bold challenge began.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
…And it totally tanked.
Two months in: peak viewers 15, average 5.
That was my report card.
“Hey, you guys having fun?”
– Hands are busy. Got time to check chat?
– Yup, super fun. No stopping till we mine it all, so keep going.
– Ahh… today, too, Ria’s Five Guardians declare ourselves live viewbots.
– Wait, was gonna prevent a no-comment zone, but everyone’s lurking today?
Clang, clang, clang!
I stared at the screen, mining diamonds in the Mark server.
The server’s name? Ria’s Playground.
Why? Because I was the only player!
Recently, I got gatekept from two mid-sized Mark servers.
Reason? Not enough recommendations.
I ranked 75th out of 80 applicants for a 40-slot server. Rejected.
Still, I’ve gotta eat.
I streamed hard for two months.
This diamond mining? It’s a mission.
【Riaz_DeepSea】’s Challenge Mission: 1 Berry per diamond, mine 1,000 and take it.
The rate: one diamond for one Berry, aka 100 won.
‘…At least I’ve got a mission.’
In tough times like these, even one mission is something to be grateful for.
Mining diamonds is hard, but you get the hang of it faster than you’d think.
Look at this.
“Woo, two diamonds!”
– Yo, you’re pretty good today?
– Honestly, you’re one of the better diamond miners among VTubers lol.
“Hey, obviously. If I couldn’t do this, am I even human?”
– You sucked hard at first, though?
– lol you’ve improved a ton.
“…Fair point.”
Honestly, yeah.
In my glamorous past life, I was too busy with server performances to mine diamonds.
‘Think positive.’
It’s tough, but the world’s full of tougher things.
I’m still streaming, and I’ve got viewers chatting. That’s something to be thankful for.
‘Tomorrow’ll be better, right?’
Sure, I went from new girl to old news in two months.
Even my peak viewership came when someone meant to join another streamer with a similar name and stumbled into mine by mistake…
‘Keep at it.’
This was the life of a low-tier VTuber.
Ding!
“Huh?”
Right then, a rare notification pinged my inbox.