Genius’s Godlike Game Broadcast

Not Just Black-Haired Foreigners, but a Golden-Haired One (1)

As the popularity of streamer Purple grew, there was something else increasing alongside it.

["Perfect-Drip"

Lab, a basic Perfect viewer's trait (999+ members)]

["Lonely PerfectPlay" (999+ members)]

["Perfect Challenge Strategies & Certification" (999+ members)]

It was none other than open chat rooms.

While fans could communicate on fanpages and fancafes, Lee Gyeongbok could also see those conversations.

On the other hand, open chat rooms offered the unique advantage of anonymity, allowing viewers to chat comfortably among themselves.

Among these open chat rooms, there was one with a particularly small size and a distinct character.

["Team Perfect Interpretation/Translation Applicant Waiting Room (31 members)"]

This was a room for people aiming for the opportunity to work with Lee Gyeongbok, beyond just being viewers.

Originally, it had been created to exchange information about each other's specs.

[〉PerG-Day audition is actually hilarious kekekekeke]

[〉The Golcho team was actually pretty skilled, hehe]

[〉Of course, godple's picks for smurfs live up to the rep, lol]

[〉Ah ㅠㅠ I couldn't watch it live]

[〉Oh dear...]

[〉But seriously, you have to watch the full video]

[〉Unintentionally dropped spoilers ㅎㄷㄷ]

[〉Ah, lol, that's okay! Already saw the results everywhere in the community, lol]

But in reality, people mostly talked about broadcasts. This was because information about applying to be a translator was extremely limited.

[〉Hope people in this chat also pass like the Golcho team!]

[〉I followed Skullkim and Bakjapcho for good vibes, kekeke]

[〉But, honestly, Purple viewers' specs are insane;;]

[〉For real, lol, just looking at the people in here, the specs are amazing]

[〉Even the translators ended up Perfect!]

It was amidst such banter among applicants.

[〉Whoa?]

[〉Email! Email is here!]

[〉Oh! Acceptance email!]

[〉Is this real? Manager sent it for real?]

[〉5555! Congrats!]

[〉Damn! I got it, too!]

[〉Check your emails now!]

News arrived that Manager Park Juho had sent out interview schedule emails, and for a moment, the chat froze.

[〉Wow! Interview passㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

[〉Congrats congrats!]

[〉Mine didn't come ㅠㅠㅠ]

[〉For those who got the email, was the receiving time all the same?]

[〉If yours didn't come by now, probably......]

[〉Competition was really fierce ㅎㄷㄷ]

[〉Congrats to those who passed!]

Soon after, the chat became a flood of messages, with joy and disappointment crossing paths.

Even those who failed congratulated the successful candidates, despite their disappointment.

[〉Ah...... I'm really jealous]

[〉For those who got in, does it say if Godple will be at the interview?]

[〉Huh? Isn't it just the manager?]

[〉Uh... It doesn't say anything about that?]

[〉Is there a chance to actually see Godple in person?]

[〉ㅁㅊㄷㅁㅊㅇ]

[〉Lol, a real-life tribute opportunity!]

[〉Is there any chance of really seeing his face?]

[〉Can anyone share the date and location of the interview?]

People excitedly speculated whether Purple would show up at the interview.

Excited chats rushed up the screen.

["Cheering Cat" has been removed from the room.]

["Bright-Eyed Dog" has been removed from the room.]

["Happy Mole" has been removed from the room.]

Suddenly, the chat room administrator began booting people out.

[〉????]

[〉Admin?]

[〉Guess it was for asking borderline questions, lol]

[〉But the location is only revealed on interview day anyway, lol]

[〉Looks like the manager expected this and prepared ahead, lol]

Others understood the admin's intent. But the booting did not stop.

[〉Now blowing up the room.]

[〉It might cause trouble for Godple.]

[〉Anyway, this room was only for sharing info until the announcement.]

[〉Please all leave. Otherwise, I'll just kick you all.]

The admin explained, then started removing the unsuccessful applicants first.

[〉Ah ㅠㅠ It'd be better if people didn't duplicate their tribute gifts......]

[〉If it's Godple, he'll like anything, lol]

[〉See you all at the interview! hehe]

[〉Prepare well for your interviews!]

[〉Fighting!]

The remaining successful candidates left final words of encouragement to each other before logging out one by one.

* * *

On the day of the interview, late afternoon.

The interview style was a group interview of four, each session lasting 30 minutes.

"Thank you for your efforts. We'll notify you of the results via a separate email."

Park Juho, as well as Lee Gyeongbok and Choi Byeonghun, stood to greet the interviewees.

But the candidates did not leave. Instead, as if they'd been waiting, they lined up.

"I heard you like fitness, so I prepared this!"

"Ah, thank you. Is there any special message you want?"

Lightly adjusting his mask, Lee Gyeongbok picked up a pen.

"Um, could you write 'Have a Perfect Day' please..."

While the candidate shyly asked, Park Juho slid a gift to the side. Lee Gyeongbok wrote the requested message and signed swiftly on the white T-shirt she held out.

"Kya! Thank you so much!"

"No, I'm even more thankful you came."

"Oh! And truly, your voice is amazing!"

The next candidate also presented a gift.

Both he and the two beside him, Park Juho and Choi Byeonghun, handled it naturally, as if used to it by now.

Only after gifts were exchanged and autographs signed did they get a break.

"Is this a job interview or a fan meeting?"

Choi Byeonghun let out a hollow laugh, glancing at the gifts stacked up like a tower in the corner.

"At least there's nothing too bulky. It should all fit in the trunk."

"Glad we nibbled on the snacks during the breaks."

To his friends' remarks, Lee Gyeongbok replied with a smile.

"I honestly didn't expect I'd be signing autographs."

"Guess just the interview fee is not enough for fans."

No one dislikes money, but paying as a reward for fans' affection never felt right.

Lee Gyeongbok, feeling the need to give something back, took up the pen.

"But, don't you think it's funny everyone came ready for autographs?"

Choi Byeonghun chuckled.

In fact, some candidates had made their own autograph boards, frames, T-shirts, even special photocards.

"This is basics for fan culture."

Park Juho shook his head, surprised that his friends didn't understand. From the perspective of a seasoned pro(?), it was only natural.

"Still, this reminds me of the old days."

Choi Byeonghun, while handing out chocolates from a candidate, reminisced.

"Back in school, you always got showered with gifts, and we got to share in the spoils."

"Most of them were from girls."

During his school years, Lee Gyeongbok, thanks to his outstanding looks, was bombarded with gifts. Unable to handle it all alone, his two friends often helped out.

"It's different from the old days."

"How so?"

"The intentions are different."

Lee Gyeongbok tossed a chocolate into his mouth and smiled.

"None of those girls really knew me. I wanted to refuse, but they'd throw it at me and run, so what could I do?"

"Yeah, most were just into your looks."

"Wow, now even wearing a mask, people rain gifts on you."

Choi Byeonghun chuckled, then feigned a stern face.

"Wait, if you think about it, you're to blame for how much I've bulked up. I was always helping you handle those gifts, remember?"

"Wasn't it because you had two lunch trays and always wanted more?"

"Hey, I was in my growth phase back then!"

"Growth phase? Sounded more like your intestines were growing."

Park Juho shook his head at Choi Byeonghun's antics and turned to Lee Gyeongbok.

"Alright, only one group left. Anyone stand out?"

Eleven rounds, 44 interviews were done. Only four remained.

Lee Gyeongbok glanced at his evaluation sheet at the question.

"Honestly, seeing them in person, a few did feel a bit lacking."

He looked at the slashed out numbers on his list and let out a bitter smile, then a short sigh.

"But even besides those, the rest all feel similar. Not that they're bad, but whoever we pick will probably just be average."

The positive energy he sensed from the candidates, the divine energy, showed little difference among them.

"Maybe that's just because they're all good people?"

Choi Byeonghun tossed more chocolate into his mouth.

"Their specs are amazing, so at least they're reliable. All very polite during the interviews."

"Probably all similar because of their high specs and similar life experiences."

"Yeah, anyone who studied that much wouldn't have much time for anything special."

Lee Gyeongbok and Park Juho nodded in agreement.

"Still, it'd be nice if there was someone who stood out. I'll bring in the last candidates."

Park Juho stood and headed to the door.

A moment later—

The two realized Park Juho's wish had come true.

"... Is he American?"

"Clearly American, isn't he?"

They whispered as they watched the candidates enter.

The last, number 48, was not Korean, but a blond white man.

He looked to be in his early to mid-twenties, but his small stature made him seem even younger.

The two exchanged looks with Park Juho, who returned their gaze wide-eyed, clearly not expecting this.

"Hey, what happened...?"

"Well, they don't require ID photos on the application anymore."

Park Juho replied to Choi Byeonghun's quiet question as he returned to his seat. But they couldn't just keep whispering.

The longer they waited, the more nervous the candidates would get, which wouldn't be fair to the other groups.

"Let's start with simple self-introductions from the left."

With that, Lee Gyeongbok signaled the start of the interview. Each candidate gave prepped introductions, and it was finally number 48's turn.

"Hello! Native Korean, my name is Jo Daehan!"

Contrary to his looks, he spoke smooth Korean.

"As you can see, I look completely foreign, but I was born and raised in Korea. My father is American, my mother Japanese."

"Huh? You're not Korean?"

Both parents foreigners?

Choi Byeonghun couldn't help but ask. Park Juho gave him a sharp look, but it was too late.

"My parents both loved Korea. They met here. Neither knew Japanese or English, so they communicated in Korean. Both naturalized, married, and settled here."

At that, the three interviewers—and the other candidates—dropped their jaws.

"Alright, thank you to all four applicants."

With the introductions over, Park Juho cleared his throat, shifting the mood.

"We'll now start asking questions. Please answer as you think of it, but if you take too long, we'll move to the next person."

At this, the candidates swallowed dryly, as if agreeing silently.

"Given personal streaming, income can be unstable. How would you respond if your pay was late?"

"There was a mistake in a script you translated and viewers complained. How would you deal with it?"

"An urgent overseas schedule comes up. Are you willing to travel as an interpreter?"

Park Juho fired off sharp questions. If one didn't answer, another would come right after.

Candidates responded differently. Some answered quickly, others missed their chance by thinking too long.

Whenever an answer appeared, Park Juho would probe with a deeper follow-up.

Then, it was finally Jo Daehan's turn.

"Mr. Jo Daehan."

"Yes."

"I'll be frank. Compared to the others, your specs and portfolio are lacking."

The other candidates widened their eyes. Compared to previous questions, this was on another level of pressure.

"What's your reason you should be chosen?"

Jo Daehan was surprised but soon composed himself to answer.

"Honestly, compared to the others, it'll take me longer to translate academic or in-depth material."

He readily acknowledged the difference in specs, but that didn't mean he gave up.

"But I believe 'specs' aren't the only thing that matters here."

"Not the only thing? Then, what else?"

"Translation isn't just about the literal meaning. The most important thing is conveying the speaker's intent—here, Purple's intent."

Jo Daehan stared straight at Lee Gyeongbok's mask, as if he knew the real listener wasn't Park Juho.

"Since I grew up mingling with relatives from both America and Japan, I'm familiar with not only daily language but also slang. I also love gaming. In that aspect, I believe I'm the more 'suitable' person here."

Words rarely heard at regular job interviews.

"I'm not saying academic records aren't important. I'm not belittling others' hard work either. I just want to say, for the time others spent on their strengths, I have my own unique experiences."

"Are you saying that 'experience' will help?"

"Yes. That's why I believe I made it this far. I may not be 'high spec,' but I am confident I'm the 'optimal' fit."

His words finished without a tremble.

"Thank you. Well said."

Lee Gyeongbok replied, smiling behind the mask.

* * *

After the interviews ended.

Lee Gyeongbok removed his mask and let out a short breath.

"Man, I was dying in there."

"Anyone would be, after more than seven hours."

"Good job."

Including breaks, the interviews took seven straight hours. But the work wasn't done.

The most important, the final decision, still remained.

At a regular company, that would take quite a while, but Team Perfect was different.

"So? Was there anyone who stood out?"

"Hmm..."

Lee Gyeongbok checked his evaluation again. After scanning, he came to a conclusion.

"This one definitely felt different."

His pick was number 48, Jo Daehan. The energy he felt from him was truly unique.

"Oh, I liked that guy too. The confidence and way he spoke, you could see he thought differently. Maybe because his parents are foreign?"

"Could be. Even if they liked Korea, they may not have liked the standardized education."

"Well, you and I never fit that old cramming education anyway."

Choi Byeonghun snickered, then turned to Park Juho.

"Right, hey, bakjapcho—"

"Don't call me that here."

"There's no one else, who cares. Anyway, why did you let Jo Daehan through? Didn't you filter by specs?"

"Oh? That's true!"

Lee Gyeongbok realized the same thing. Park Juho had sorted interviewees by spec and career, hadn't he?

By that logic, someone with lower specs like Jo Daehan shouldn't have made it.

"His specs were lacking, yeah. But his portfolio was unique."

"His portfolio?"

"What was different?"

Park Juho hadn't just compared their specs. He'd also valued the portfolio the applicants submitted.

"You guys know this, right?"

Park Juho brought up a hologram.

The other two grinned.

"No way, that was him?"

"With a portfolio like that, of course he'd make it."

They had no objections to Park Juho's choice.

Because—

"So, that 'Translation Wagon' was this guy."

The community user who had consistently translated overseas reactions to Purple's broadcasts—the so-called 'Translation Wagon'—was none other than Jo Daehan.

"He was fast, too, wasn't he?"

"Not just fast, but prolific and accurate. I didn't put him through as an interviewee for nothing."

"He was basically volunteering for our broadcast, then."

At Park Juho's words, Lee Gyeongbok nodded.

'No wonder I felt a better energy from him.'

The stronger sense he got from Jo Daehan was surely because he'd already been helping Purple.

"That settles our fourth member."

"I agree."

"Judging by how fast he gets translations out, even his hours match mine."

With Choi Byeonghun's words, all three grinned. As he'd said, there were plenty of reasons to consider Jo Daehan 'optimal.'

"Alright then, once the script comes in, the delayed membership videos can start uploading."

"He'll need to get familiar with PerG-Day first, so that should be priority."

"Oh, right! PerG-Day special playlist incoming!"

Lee Gyeongbok smiled at his friends' banter.

'If this goes well, even CrazySmurf might...'

Originally, it was just an amateur tourney in Korea.

'But PerG-Day Crew might get their global debut stage.'

There was no reason those viewers had to be made up of only Koreans.