Chapter 180: Unknown Past (4)

Runestagram was a famous social media platform that had been around for over twenty years. It started mainly with uploading photos and expanded to include short videos, direct messaging (DM) for personal communication, live broadcasting, and more.

It was primarily used for direct communication with celebrities rather than personal interactions between individuals. As celebrities became the mainstay of the system, some criticized it for turning into an advertising billboard. However, no platform was more suitable for direct communication with celebrities.

Moreover, it was recently integrated with

This World

, allowing for virtual fan meetings with followers. Its wavering popularity was expected to soar again.

Ju-Hyeok didn’t choose Runestagram as a communication channel for no reason.

‘It’s a significant advantage because it’s different from what he’s normally used to.’

In addition to being a good platform for communicating with fans, Runestagram attracted different users compared to platforms like YouTube or Treevy. For example, someone active on Treevy wouldn’t receive fashion brand advertisements, whereas individuals active on Runestagram mostly received fashion and beauty advertisements. However, they wouldn’t receive game advertisements on Runestagram. Each platform had its distinct set of advertisements, which was natural given that the users differed.

‘Almond needs to advertise clothing brands, video games, and even food products, so we need to broaden his reach now.’

Ju-Hyeok’s ambition to showcase all types of advertisements was now embedded in Almond’s Runestagram account.

‘There needs to be a response.’

Of course, such aspirations and visions would be meaningless if they were not realized in reality. First, he had to see the reaction to the post he uploaded today.

“Hmm…”

One comment, then two, started appearing. Three, four… and then five. It stopped at five. Only the loyal fans, who had their notifications set up, arrived promptly. The rest seemed unaware. After all, having 3000 followers didn’t mean they were all focused on Runestagram.

‘Did I make a mistake?’

While looking at the post with no significant response, Ju-Hyeok felt anxious. Just because they performed well on Treevy and YouTube didn’t guarantee a positive response on Runestagram. These three platforms had different user preferences. Moreover, on Runestagram, Almond was once again a newcomer, which naturally made Ju-Hyeok nervous.

‘But there must be people interested in Almond’s personal life. According to the statistics I analyzed…’

Ju-Hyeok believed in the viewer demographics, gender, and preference distribution he had analyzed. There should be enough Runesta fans for Almond. Runestagram could even suit him better in the future. With these thoughts in mind, Ju-Hyeok waited for about an hour.

‘Huh?’

The reactions started coming in.

— Damn, congrats Almond.

— You made an account?

— Wow, it’s real.

— Oh, it wasn’t a bait.

Judging from the comments, Ju-Hyeok could now easily figure out someone had promoted Almond’s account on a community page.

[Look at Almond’s first Runestagram post.]

The post had around 2000 views.

— ???

— Almond eating almonds? So adorable.

— Is he shooting a commercial?

— Is he doing an almond commercial? For Green Diamond?! Wow, look at his aim of putting those almonds in.

The post contained a video of Almond throwing almonds into the air and putting them in his mouth. It was the same video they uploaded on his Runestagram.

Tak. Tak. Tak.

The almonds fell into his mouth one by one.

— Wow, he throws it high up!

— Even when he does something stupid, Almond is unique.

— Is this the commercial???

— Haha, it weirdly makes me want to buy it.

— This guy should be streaming. What’s he doing?!

The video's interesting point was that Almond could throw the almonds high into the air. It was three to four times higher than an average person, but they all landed in his mouth.

— Wow, his aim irl is still crazy.

— Does everything look cool if you’re good-looking?

— He looks so sexy…

There were even comments praising him for being good-looking, commenting on his physique, and even calling him sexy.

— Where’s his Runesta?

— Did he post anything else?

— Can someone post the link?

The comments were naturally curious about Almond’s Runesta.

— Omg! I followed him before. He finally posted something. I’m going to go and see it now.

— I wonder if I’m the first one to send a DM, he’ll reply?!

— Send me a link too!

The community post gathered new followers for him.

‘Good.’

Ju-Hyeok was relieved.

— Mr. Almond! If you’re not streaming, post more on your Runesta!

— Is that it? Is this guy crazy?! Does he only upload ads?

— Nut class

— Oppa, can I send a DM?

— Hey, Almond. I’m only going to say it once. If you and Miho follow each other, you’re dead.

The people had an excited reaction.

[Followers: 3k]

[Followers: 5k]

[Followers: 7k]

As the number of followers increased, so did Ju-Hyeok’s smile. The feeling of satisfaction when his analysis was correct was incomparable.

‘I knew it!’

His demographic data wasn’t wrong. There was a demand for people interested in Sang-Hyeon’s personal life.

Sang-Hyeon said as he tapped Ju-Hyeok on the side, “Wow. It’s already almost 10,000 followers.”

Sang-Hyeon was also checking his followers increasing on his phone.

[Followers: 8k]

It was increasing in increments of a thousand.

[Followers: 9k]

They were only a thousand away from 10k.

[Followers: 10k]

“Wow…”

Sang-Hyeon was dumbfounded as he earned 10,000 followers. It was a different sensation from YouTube. People subscribed on YouTube to watch his videos, but his followers on Runestagram followed to see him as a person. It measured purely how interested people were in him.

‘Am I this popular…?’

Sang-Hyeon saw his followers increase and slightly felt his popularity when he reached around 15,000 followers.

Bling. Bling.

Sang-Hyeon figured out why he had been receiving notifications earlier. It was his DMs.

[Boss! Reply to me once!]

[Boss, I respect you.]

[Oppa!! You’re so handsome!]

[Where are you shooting the commercial? It looks so pretty!]

[Oppa, can you meet me once? I’m near, please.]

Was it common for these many fans to send him a message simultaneously?

“Try not to reply to the DMs, but I’m sure you’ll take care of it on your own,” Ju-Hyeok gave him a piece of advice.

Sang-Hyeon nodded because he understood. The director called out for them.

“It’s almost finished! Come here and take a look!”

***

The advertisement video had improved in every aspect compared to when they first shot it, especially the color palette which looked remarkably good. The somberness was well expressed with a touch of gray when Almond let out a sigh. There was a refreshing feeling on the screen when he tossed his hair. Ju-Hyeok’s fierce expression and furrowed brows captured in the scenes were also portrayed realistically. It felt like watching a morning drama. The overall sentiment and atmosphere gave a sense of Japan’s bubble economy era in the 1970s and 1980s.

‘It’s good!’

Sang-Hyeon marveled at the screen. It didn’t turn out as B-grade as he expected. Being able to create something like this on the spot was impressive. It was the moment when the filming team proved their prowess once again.

The Great Enterprise of Ahsung was impressive.

“I think it’s really good, but it’s not for me to judge.”

“What are you talking about?! The model should like it too!”

The director had a good sense of humor and laughed easily. They seemed to have a slightly different style compared to the director at Fantasia. The director at Fantasia commonly had an auteur and artistic image often seen in movies and media while this director was more cooperative and flexible.

“I’m glad you like it. Obviously, we’ll touch it up a little more before it’s complete. This is just whipped up in an hour.”

While nodding, Sang-Hyeon spoke as if he remembered something, “

Ah

, can I upload this on my Runesta?”

“The whole thing?”

“No, like a how we made it style of video. A video just shot with my phone.”

Almond looked like he was already adjusted to social media.

“

Ah

, a lot of people do that these days. I bet Green Diamond will like it too!”

***

Another video was uploaded on Almond’s Runesta account that day.

Commercial shooting 2 My manager is doing it with me, lol

#GreenDiamond #ad #Almond

It was a short 15-second video, but that further stimulated the viewers.

— Woah, what the?

— Who’s that beside you?

└ He said it was his manager.

└ Wow? Why does he look so good?

They were curious about Ju-Hyeok, the manager in the video.

— Is this really a commercial?

— I eat Green Diamond cereal every day… wow…

— So what’s going to happen next? It looks like you’re about to be hit by your manager. LOL.

— What would you do if your name wasn’t Almond, LOL

— Damn! I really want to see the full version!

They were starting to get curious about the commercial as well. The overall feedback was positive.

— Damn, he fits the office look.

— Why does he look so good in a suit?

— The manager’s so good at acting.

— Almond and the manager must be close. They’re so natural.

— But I think the manager isn’t acting. He looks like he really hates it when Almond eats them, LOL.

Sang-Hyeon and Ju-Hyeok received praise for their natural acting and ability to pull off the office look. It was the same thing they had been doing for five years. The only thing added in was Sang-Hyeon eating almonds.

[Followers: 27k]

He earned more followers. Almond had almost 30,000 followers.

— Wow, look at his followers increase.

— ALL-RAGA

— If you upload a selfie instead of things like this, it’s game over.

└ That’s like cheating. Runesta is holding him back so he can’t.

— Oppa, are you going to do a live show too?

└ He streams on Treevy, why would he stream on Runesta?

└ It’s different!

└ This guy is definitely new. Almond is 100% only going to upload ads on here.

└ Almond: (How did he know?)

— Wow, Almond, you completely turned my preferences around. I used to like you, and I still like you. You changed it a whole 360 degrees!

└ Hahahaha

└ Here we go again.

└ You doing a cartwheel?

Bing. Bling.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Countless comment notifications and thousands of likes appeared.

‘Wow…’

Was this why people went on social media? Sang-Hyeon felt his popularity more than he ever felt. He felt the closest to his audience. While he blankly stared at the new comments…

— Wow! JeonJaPa followed him!

He found a new comment.

└ Wow, he did.

└ Are they close? He even commented last time.

└ It must mean he likes Almond that much~

└ I’m so jealous.

JeonJaPa followed him? The fans figured out something before Almond did. Sang-Hyeon looked through his followers.

JJP_Lovey

This must be JeonJaPa’s username.

‘Lovey?’

Sang-Hyeon knew her name was Choi Sa-Rang[1] and could tell it was her right away. He clicked on JeonJaPa’s account and his jaws dropped after seeing her follower count.

[Followers: 6.17 million]

‘6 million…?’

He knew JeonJaPa was world-famous, but this was on another level. It was a strange case for a gamer to have this many followers.

‘Something’s going to happen.’

Since the world’s best streamer with six million followers followed him, there would be talk of it everywhere.

1. Sarang means love. 👈