NOVEL NEXT Chapter 56
Aiver is launching a new MCN on their streaming platform.
Starting today, Aiver’s new MCN will finally make its debut to the world.
Earlier this year, with the termination of Twip’s services in Korea, Aiver launched a new platform, Cheese, to target the internet broadcast market.
However, the results haven’t been very promising.
Services that were promised beforehand have not been developed quickly, and there have been a series of unfortunate events including the ranking being manipulated through illegal programs nicknamed viewbots.
To add to the chaos, last month, a streamer was unjustly permanently banned due to internal employee bias, causing trust in the platform to plummet.
In this situation, Aiver planned to attract promising streamers to rebuild trust with users, leading to the establishment of the MCN which has finally revealed itself today.
According to a representative from Aiver Entertainment…
As I read the freshly posted article, I took a moment to calm my racing heart and fed Woo-yu before packing my things.
“Woo-yu, I’ll be back.”
“Meow.”
What will the MCN I’m entering for the first time be like? Just the thought of it makes my heart race.
I told my worried family that my contract with the company that once made me feel anxious was unnecessary worry, yet on the day itself, it’s none other than me who feels the most nervous.
But what can I do? The die has already been cast, and I’ve decided to trust this place once again.
All I can do is hope that everything goes smoothly as I take my first step forward.
Creak.
As I opened the front door and stepped outside, the sunlight shone particularly bright today.
Aiver Entertainment. The building of the company I’ll be affiliated with is quite far from my home.
It was built not too far from Aiver Headquarters, so in a way, it’s not surprising.
This is going to be a bit of a hassle when I have to visit. I should probably get a car soon.
“…Hmm?”
I have no idea about cars, but just then, I spotted employees entering the building, swiping what looked like access cards.
Wait a minute. I don’t remember receiving anything like that?
Should I get in touch with someone? But I realized I don’t know anyone among the MCN employees. I only know Assistant Kim, but he’s officially assigned to headquarters.
“Excuse me, do I need an access card to enter?”
Deciding to at least ask, I approached an employee nearby and casually spoke up.
With a bright smile, the employee bowed their head and replied calmly, “No, you can go in, Mr. Cosmo.”
“…Ah, thank you.”
That’s a bit embarrassing though. They recognized me.
I suppose it makes sense; it’s been quite a while since I revealed my face on stream, so it’s only natural that MCN staff would know me. I almost made a fool of myself for no reason.
“Phew….”
While spring and fall seem to have disappeared, the outside is muggy, while inside is comfortably cool.
Wiping the sweat that dripped down my face with a handkerchief, I glanced around and spotted a familiar face in the distance. At first, I felt like I was hallucinating.
It turns out…
“Oh, Mr. Cosmo! It’s nice to see you here.”
“Mr. Exit!?”
It was none other than Mr. Exit.
Wait, why is he here?
“I heard that the first person to sign a contract was you, Mr. Cosmo. It’s great to see you again here. We’re family now, so I look forward to working with you.”
“Ah, yes. It’s an honor to see you again…. Huh?”
As I nervously reached out to shake hands with Mr. Exit, I inadvertently blurted out a confused sound upon hearing a peculiar word.
Family? What do you mean by that? Could it be…?
“…Did you sign a contract with Aiver as well, Mr. Exit?”
“Yeah, my contract with my previous MCN was just ending, and I received offers from all over, but the conditions here were good, so I accepted right away.”
So, does that mean I’ll be working in the same company as Mr. Exit? Wow, is this real?
Of course, MCN is a bit different from traditional talent agencies, so even if we’re considered family, the sense of belonging isn’t that strong, and it feels more individualistic.
However, knowing that I’ll be working at the same company as a streamer I admire brings immense joy.
Kang Woo-joo, you’ve made it!
“By the way, my wife was really happy to hear that you and I are in the same company. She asked if she could meet you.”
“Haha….”
I’ve heard before, but it’s amazing to think that his wife is genuinely interested in me. I’d like to meet her someday if I get the chance.
“Oh, while we’re at it, how about a collaboration in the future? Something like a content where we help each other with our problems.”
But wait a minute. Did he read my mind?
Mr. Exit brought up collaboration out of the blue, suggesting content because I often discuss problem-solving on my stream.
“Though it may sound a bit old-fashioned, as a life senior, I might be able to offer some advice. It would be nice to have a drink while discussing it.”
“That would be an honor. Just let me know when you’re available, and I’ll fly over immediately.”
“Okay, then you must not cancel later. I’ll let my wife know in advance.”
Like a flash of lightning, Mr. Exit swiftly set up the collaboration schedule and left me with the words, “I’ll contact you later,” as he disappeared with a male employee who had been guiding him.
That guy must be his manager. After all, given that Mr. Exit has always been a major corporate streamer, it wouldn’t be strange for him to have a manager or two.
Speaking of which, will I be getting a manager today too? I’m curious.
“Excuse me, Mr. Cosmo?”
“Yes?”
As I stood there brimming with anticipation, I heard a slightly deep voice calling me.
Turning around, I saw a man in his mid-thirties wearing a suit standing there. He looked at my face and exclaimed “Ah!” while reaching out for a handshake.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Park Chan-young, and I’ll be your guide today, Mr. Cosmo.”
“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Kang Woo-joo, also known as Cosmo. How should I address you?”
“Just call me Manager Park comfortably. Let’s head this way.”
Following Manager Park’s lead, I ascended to the second floor, greeted by a spotless hallway that screamed ‘new building.’
Truly, money does wonders. I noticed it even from outside the company. And not just any company, it’s Aiver’s newly established MCN, so the building looks different altogether.
“I apologize for making you come all the way today. I just wanted to go over the contract details again and discuss a few additional things…”
“That’s alright.”
Even though I thought the contract details were all I needed to know by now, it’s customary in business to go over them again, so I nodded without thinking much of it.
As we chatted, we arrived at the reception area where I spotted a female employee rifling through something in the corner.
She looks somewhat familiar from the back.
“Anyway, thank you so much for joining us at our company. We’ve prepared a small gift to express our gratitude, and I’d like to explain this.”
“A gift?”
I wondered briefly if it was appropriate to bring up the contract in front of someone else, but thought the manager would take care of it, so I sat down just as an unexpected topic came up.
Could it be that compensation that Assistant Kim mentioned before?
“I heard that your current living situation isn’t quite suitable for broadcasting. Is that correct?”
“Uh, yes. Since it’s a studio apartment, it’s a bit cramped… I’ve actually been thinking about moving.”
I was curious how the manager knew such specific details, but since I had mentioned it on stream a few times, it made sense. I nodded nonchalantly.
Then, with a knowing smile, the manager pulled out a piece of paper.
“Since we heard that, we’ve prepared a small gift as an apology. Please have a look.”
“……?”
Dumbfounded, I slowly read through the paper the manager handed me, and as I did, my eyes widened in disbelief.
The contents of the paper were beyond my imagination.
“You mean to say you’re providing a house?”
I carefully asked, trying to comprehend, and the manager nodded with a smile.
“Indeed. It won’t be a gift per se, but while you live there, all costs will be covered by our company. If you need any equipment for broadcasting, we will support you with that as well.”
“Wow….”
I might sound a bit greedy, but I couldn’t hold back my amazement at such a clear response.
Is this even possible? Although it’s not exactly giving me a home, based on what’s written, it practically amounts to that. If I stay here long-term, I could effectively have a place to stay for free.
Moreover, broadcasting equipment can be quite expensive, and they’re offering to support that too. Even if this was a gesture of apology, this feels excessive.
Initially, I thought the benefits and perks generously offered during the contract signing would suffice for material compensation, but now they’ve taken it a step further.
“Since the new house will be close to the company, it won’t be inconvenient for you to come here either. Once we’re done with today’s meeting, let’s check it out with your new manager.”
Ah, right, the manager. I momentarily forgot about that in the excitement of discussing the house.
“Where’s my manager? I’d like to meet them beforehand…”
“They’ll be here soon. Oh, looks like they’ve arrived.”
“…Huh?”
Arrived? But there’s no one else in this room…
Swish.
Just as I was puzzled by the manager’s statement, something overshadowed my vision, leaving me completely in the dark.
“Ah! Who are you?”
“Who do you think?”
As I struggled to remove whatever was blocking my sight, a gentle female voice rang in my ears.
Wait a minute, I’ve heard this voice before…
“…Older Sister Seo-ha?”
Carefully guessing the name of the voice owner, I thought about why she would be here.
“Correct!”
But as the hands covering my eyes disappeared, I turned to see the source of the voice: seated, smiling down at me with her uniquely gentle gaze was Older Sister Seo-ha.
What? Is she really my manager?