TGAT 12

Chapter 12

“Hello. I’m Songjun, whom you were expecting to meet today.”

Songjun bowed politely and handed over a cup of balloon flower tea.

“Oh… thank you. I actually had to go buy some. Wow, you’re really handsome. I think I understand why Yongju hyung praised you so much. And your voice is so clear too.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”

Instead of focusing on the large bandage on Hong Chang-gi’s neck, Songjun looked him straight in the eyes.

It was a small two-room apartment.
Upon entering, one room seemed entirely dedicated to a studio, packed with all kinds of equipment.
The other room had a bed and clothes scattered around carelessly.

“Kind of messy, right? It’s just me living here.”

Hong Chang-gi smiled brightly and guided Songjun to the studio filled with computers and audio equipment.

“This is my studio. A bit cramped, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s nice. I live in a one-room myself, so this is more than enough.”

Songjun’s eyes lingered on the microphone, clearly impressed, and he examined it carefully.

“Ah, movie review YouTubers absolutely need a good recording voice. Of course, your natural voice is important, but so is the microphone that captures it.”

That was exactly what Songjun had been concerned about.
The difference between his recorded voice at home and the one overlaid on video was too great.

“Are microphones like this expensive?”

Seeing the microphone, he wondered if he should get one too.
When he had watched Popcorn Picture’s videos, the recorded voice sounded remarkably clean.

“That one? Not really. About 200,000–300,000 KRW is more than enough. Of course, you could use a more expensive one, but I’m not earning that much yet.”

That seemed reasonable to spend on.

“By the way, have you read the script?”
“Yes, I have.”

Songjun had also checked several other video review YouTubers aside from Popcorn Picture.

“Popcorn Picture seems to have a slightly light, engaging review style. Of course, some videos are deeper reviews depending on the content.”
“Oh!”
“So, the focus is mainly on explaining the situation and the characters’ psychology.”

Hong Chang-gi clapped his hands.

“Exactly. Keep it light so viewers aren’t annoyed.”
“And in a tone and voice that draws viewers into the video. Comedy should come from the characters in the movie, naturally. Right?”

Songjun’s precise analysis convinced Hong Chang-gi that it was better to start recording right away rather than giving further explanation.

“Shall we try a recording right now? Don’t feel pressured; it’s just practice anyway.”

It wouldn’t be perfect on the first try.
There was a general tone, but each scene required slightly different vocal expressions.
Also, typical review videos can be 20 minutes or even 40–50 minutes long, so stamina was important.

“Timing doesn’t have to be perfect. We can adjust it in editing later. Just relax and do your best.”

Hong Chang-gi adjusted the microphone for Songjun, seated him, turned on the script, and played the video to be recorded.

“It was a day when heavy rain poured down.”

Songjun delivered deep, stable low tones with precise diction, speed, and rhythm.

“A woman, as if possessed by something, walks through a ruined city, lost in thought.”

Hong Chang-gi nodded instinctively. A clean, appropriately toned voice.

Even though it was a practice recording, Songjun’s skill was enough to use immediately.

“Shall we listen to the recording?”

The audio played through the speakers, synced with the video.

<Katarina cannot live without painkillers.> <But in this desolate world, obtaining painkillers is never easy.>

“The difference from recording at home with a cheap mic is noticeable.”
“That’s why YouTubers for ASMR, mukbang, or video reviews pay close attention to microphones. The voice is crucial.”

It sounded closer to his natural voice. Less noise, too.

“Diction, speed, and rhythm are perfect. Wow… I wonder how much he practiced at home.”

Hong Chang-gi’s endless praise made Songjun smile awkwardly. He hadn’t actually practiced as much as Chang-gi assumed.

“Now, let’s add a bit of emotion to the voice. For example, when an incident occurs, slightly raise the tension; for comedic scenes, go slightly high-tone.”
“So it’s acting with the voice.”
“Exactly. Like a voice actor. But don’t feel too pressured.”

Voice-over: narration including non-professional dubbing like a narrator.

“Of course, I’m not asking you to convey full professional emotion. Just think of it as enhancing scenes through voice, not real acting.”

Conveying emotion with voice alone is no easy task.
Even trained actors can struggle with voice acting.

“Feel free to speak casually. If you’re Yongju hyung’s younger brother, you’re my hyung too, right?”
“Should I be?”

Hong Chang-gi relaxed his tense shoulders. He had allowed it at Yongju’s request, but he didn’t know Songjun personally.

“Haha… I guess I can’t be smug as a 100k YouTuber now.”
“Eh, you’re the expert here.”
“No, seriously. Editing is important, but the voice is more important. Jun, your tone is naturally good. A likable voice.”
“Shall we try again?”
“This time, think of it as a recording for the final video.”
“Okay… phew…”

Songjun took a breath and, as the video began, continued the narration with the same voice but infused with emotion.

Hong Chang-gi gave a thumbs-up. Everything he had requested was in the voice.

“Is this okay?”
“I think it’s several times better than my own recordings. This can work perfectly.”

Seeing the completed video, Hong Chang-gi was certain. Perhaps it would attract more attention than videos he had made alone.

“Haah…”

After all the recording, Songjun bowed and left. Alone, Hong Chang-gi hummed happily as he opened the editing program.

Beeeeep—

Annoyed at the phone call interrupting his mood, he frowned, but as soon as he saw the caller, he quickly answered.

• Uh, the recording went well…
  “Hyung! What is this kid doing?!”

• No, I mean, the recording went well…
  “Wow. He practiced so much at home, then went straight into real action here.”

• Exactly…
  “Wow… A woman, as if possessed… Hyung, you should’ve heard this yourself.”

• Hey! Let me talk too!

Only when Yongju, drowned in chatter, shouted did Hong Chang-gi realize and stop speaking.

• Huh. Anyway, I get that the recording went well.
  “Yes, yes. Sorry. It went extremely well. Honestly, I thought he’d need two or three tries to match the video’s tone.”

• Did it finish faster than expected?

A rhetorical question: of course it would for Songjun.

“Yes. I just explained a few things, and he immediately applied them. So we finished recording today.”

• Finished today? What a remarkable kid. Good at games and has a great voice.
  “Wow… good at games too? What a natural talent.”

• Take care of your voice. Don’t strain it while rambling.
  “Exactly why he’s so impressive. Let’s make some awesome videos.”

• Take care of your voice. Anyway, glad it went well. Make the editing great.
  “Thank you, hyung. Honestly, I never imagined such talent existed.”

Yongju, who had called with concern, laughed and hung up. Hong Chang-gi immersed himself in editing, as if hypnotized.

He had hope. Better than he had imagined.

“Ugh… it’s done.”

The video editing that started as the sun was setting only finished when a new sun rose.

Even after working continuously from when Songjun came yesterday until sunrise today.

“Strangely, I’m not tired.”

After surgery, fatigue came easily, but today he felt refreshed, maybe due to the relief of not needing to rest from YouTube.

“Intro, outro perfect. Video timing, voice, everything perfect.”

The new intro, which would be responsible for Popcorn Picture for some time, turned out well.

[Popcorn Picture with Creative Studio J]

Hong Chang-gi scheduled the video on YouTube and began writing a post for subscribers waiting for him.

About Popcorn Picture’s comeback and collaboration with the creative studio.

“Haha… they’re going to be surprised.”

Yongju watched the countdown for the first public release while tearing into some chicken.

“Why? Did the video come out well?”

His wife wiped their son’s mouth and Yongju just gave a thumbs-up.

“J, Songjun is insane. Good at games, great voice.”

The countdown hit zero, and the familiar BGM played as the video started.

“How’s YouTube reacting?”
“Well, curiosity with a pinch of usual reactions?”
“So it’s not bad?”
“YouTube reactions aren’t instant, plus too many people were in the live stream. The video is mostly for rewatching or for those who missed the live stream.”

Still, it was a legendary broadcast for him. A gamer who excels at all games.

“Ooo! Look, oppa. Chat reactions are getting better!”

As Songjun appeared in the J mask, initial disappointment in chat quickly shifted to admiration at his gameplay.

• Can someone be good at all these games?

• Only physically skilled people can do that.

• But the genres keep switching. Rhythm game just now, now FPS.

• That’s why it’s amazing.

<Kyaa! Bullseye! Can he really be this good at shooting games? Did he play arcade games back in the day?>

Yongju’s excitement filled the audio.

• Wait, is that possible? Listening to reload sounds amid all that noise?

• LOL. His physical skill… unbelievable.

• Dr. Kim’s excited. He’s probably going to take all the games too, haha.

• LOL, look at his expression. Can’t wait to grab more.

From fighting games to jar games, the chat heated up with each video segment.

Yongju had anticipated this reaction.

“He said it hasn’t been long since it started. Wow… what a genius. Many can’t control the flow like this, even if they want to.”

Timing the video was also a gift for Songjun, who had willingly helped him.

Popcorn Picture would likely release more videos this week.

“Wow! Oppa. Creative Studio? Already over 10k subscribers?”
“Oh? Really?”

Yongju nodded as he looked at the creative studio page his wife showed him.

With channel art and profile ready, it looked clean and professional.

“10k in less than a month? Crazy. Unprecedented growth for a personal YouTube channel. Absolutely unprecedented.”

Instead of greasy fingers, he tapped the screen with his pinky, sending Songjun a congratulations message.

In Yongju’s memory, no YouTuber had grown this fast without marketing.
Timing and circumstances played a role, but Songjun’s talent made it possible.