Hobbyist VTuber-Chapter 262

‘God and the Goblin’ sets new viewership record... Breaks the 40% barrier!

From ratings to OST, the ‘God & Goblin Syndrome’ takes over

Lee Ha-eun’s confession caps the year, peaks at 40.9% viewership

‘God and the Goblin’ surpasses 35% national ratings

OTV’s ‘God and the Goblin’ secures its #1 weekend drama spot

Episode 10 of God and the Goblin, aired on the last Saturday of December, left a massive impact.

Baeksulhwa confessed her feelings to Baek Jin—and Baek Jin responded sincerely.

The scene where centuries of longing and waiting finally bore fruit was nothing short of a highlight.

The emotional buildup that had grown from episode 1 finally hit its peak.

— Honestly, I thought it’d be cringey, but it wasn’t at all

ㄴ Kang Sun-woo and Lee Ha-eun’s acting is insane

ㄴ Sun-woo Ajusshi and Ha-euni’s emotions were crazy T_T

ㄴ That kind of concept is not easy

— My mom was watching this alone, and it was this good?

— So this is what the neighbor in a parallel universe lives like...

— Sorry for saying it was dragging

ㄴ That one confession really pushed everything forward~

ㄴ Not dragging, that was build-up

SNS and forums exploded with the image of Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa finally becoming a couple after all their trials.

A climax to a long, long narrative that began centuries ago.

Maybe all the painful, pitiful moments from before were just leading up to this one scene.

The confession scene that opened episode 10 seemed to put an emotional period at the end of the suffering.

But even then, you couldn’t relax completely.

After all, Park Chasa—the grim reaper—was still lingering around Baeksulhwa.

“Miss Seolhwa, you look radiant today. Did something good happen?”

“Oh, that... yes. Something good did happen.”

“Oh? Really?”

Even though he clearly knew about her and Baek Jin, he kept pretending to be just a friendly flower shop owner.

Standing quietly behind her with a gentle smile—that was ominous enough on its own.

But even more unsettling was the red zinnia Park Chasa handed her at the end of episode 10, and its symbolic meaning.

“It’s a zinnia. The flower means ‘bond.’”

“Oh... thank you.”

“Make sure to take care of it so it doesn’t wilt. It’ll help. I promise.”

Viewers grew nervous as they watched Baeksulhwa walk away, unaware, while Park Chasa silently watched her go.

Especially after his final monologue—a line that couldn’t be brushed off.

“It also means longing. I wonder if Miss Seolhwa knows that...”

— Longing?? Why??

— This dude is insane

— Baek Jin <<< if Park Chasa 1v1’d him he’d get obliterated, why don’t they fight

— Bro’s been single for a thousand years, he can’t stand couples anymore

ㄴ He’s out here sending people to the afterlife while Baek Jin’s out here flirting lol

ㄴ Peak villain behavior

— Grim reapers, gods, they’re all just messed up

— Why is this drama so nerve-wracking

Just because Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa became lovers didn’t mean it was safe now.

Park Chasa kept foreshadowing that something was coming.

You could call it happiness on thin ice.

Even when the preview for episode 11 aired, filled with sweet moments, the anxiety didn’t go away.

“Ugh, seriously... Can’t they just end it with ‘and they lived happily ever after’? Why do they keep messing with our hearts like this? I just don’t get it.”

— It’s over, Nael’s gone full mental

— Breathe, Nael, breathe

— I came in here thinking it was a drama review, why’s it a group therapy session

— If Baeksulhwa dies again, Nael’s definitely getting depressed

— General-nim... see you in the next life... I’m heading to the afterlife now (User has been banned)

— Still a few weeks left, Nael. Hang in there lol

Will this drama really end with a happy ending for Baek Jin and Baeksulhwa?

Or will it all come to another painful farewell, just like in the flashback from episode 1?

No one could confidently guess the outcome, and that uncertainty only added fuel to the fire.

That’s why articles and posts about God and the Goblin kept pouring in nonstop.

***

The day after God and the Goblin’s 10th episode peaked at 40.9% viewership—Sunday, December 31st, the last day of the year.

“I’m heading out.”

“Wait, Ha-eun. Wear a scarf. It’s going to stay chilly even during the day.”

“Oh, okay.”

Around lunchtime, Ha-eun buttoned up her coat and headed out.

Thanks to God and the Goblin’s ongoing popularity, she had a personal interview scheduled.

Normally, no one scheduled interviews on Sundays, but with Ha-eun’s packed schedule, it was the only time that worked.

Plus, the reporter who requested the interview was Heo Ju-eun, an old acquaintance of Ha-eun’s.

“It’s been a while, Reporter-nim.”

“Ah, Ha-eun! Come on in, come on in.”

Since Heo Ju-eun had written many good articles about Ha-eun in the past, she gladly made time for it.

She was also a little intrigued by Ju-eun calling it “your last interview before turning twenty.”

“Did you expect God and the Goblin to become this huge?”

“Ah, rather than expecting it... I think I started to hope a little, just because it was such a good story, and I was working with great actors.”

She approached the interview with the mindset of reflecting on her past self.

It felt like she was closing the chapter of her childhood with this interview with Heo Ju-eun.

“You were the one who cast Kang Sun-woo, right? You even went to his house.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Then why him? Why did you recommend him for Baek Jin?”

“I had made a promise to Sun-woo Ajusshi. I felt like if I waited any longer, I might not be able to keep it. So I went, even if it meant being a little rude.”

Heo Ju-eun’s questions continued.

She asked which of Ha-eun’s past roles stuck with her the most.

And why that one in particular stayed with her.

The interview kept going—deeper and deeper.

“Tomorrow, you’ll be an adult. What kind of life do you think the adult Ha-eun will live?”

When asked for the first time about her future, Ha-eun took a moment to gather her thoughts.

It made sense—so much was about to change starting next year.

The release of Parasite Family, the film that had swept countless awards in Ha-eun’s past life.

The global OTT sensation Kid Game was about to launch, too.

‘I don’t know exactly how it’ll turn out yet...’

The media industry—both in Korea and worldwide—was on the verge of massive change.

Still, Ha-eun’s path forward wouldn’t waver.

“My goal is to be a top star. I know I’ve got a long way to go... but someday, definitely.”

Her calm tone remained the same, but her dream was clear.

When Heo Ju-eun said she already thought Ha-eun was a star, she only smiled bashfully.

At last, the interview wrapped up.

“You know, my first article of this year /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ was about you. And now the first article of next year will be, too.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

“What do you mean? Writing articles is my job.”

But just a moment later, as if she’d remembered something, Ju-eun asked one last question.

Not as a reporter, but more like a personal curiosity.

“Are you going to the New Year’s Eve bell ceremony?”

“Oh, the bell ceremony... Hmm...”

It was a light question, just casual small talk.

But Ha-eun hesitated—because she hadn’t decided yet.

“My YouTube PD suggested doing a vlog for the bell ceremony.”

“Oh wow, so you’ll be filming until the very end of the year?”

“Well, it’s not confirmed yet.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

There was the idea from PD Lee Da-hye for a vlog at the bell ceremony.

Or like last year, a live New Year’s countdown broadcast with the Noeulis.

“I might end up meeting up with... friends. So I’ve been torn about what to do.”

“Ah, I get it now...”

It was clear she would have to give one of them up.

That’s why she kept agonizing over the decision, even after the interview.

‘I did the stream last year, so maybe this year I could go see the bell with Mom and Dad...’

Either choice came with valid reasons.

Maybe it was because there were good reasons on both sides that the decision felt even harder.

Even after returning home.

Even as the day passed, the sun set, and night fell—she still couldn’t decide.

So in the end, Ha-eun decided to ask someone else.

No... a dog.

“Seol-ah. What do you think your noona should do...?”

—Blink blink.

—Blink blink.

Round eyes.

A tilted head.

Fluffy fur.

Soft, squishy skin.

Aside from the fact that Ha-eun was holding both of her front paws, she looked the same as always.

But Ha-eun kept asking her what she should do, undeterred.

“If you’re worried Seol might be alone, do you want to stay home, Ha-eun?”

“Huh? Seol would be alone?”

“It’s way too cold out. If we take her to the bell ceremony, she might catch a cold.”

“Oh... then I guess there’s no choice.”

In the end, it wasn’t Seol but Na-yeon who made the decision.

Though technically, it was because of Seol that the decision was made. So either way...

—Click click.

<Together Until the Very End This Year☆>

— Diah

— Baby’s here, welcome~

— I believed I believed I believed I believed I believed

— Surprise stream goated

And just like that, Ha-eun ended another year together with the Noeulis.

Thinking about it, the bell ceremony vlog didn’t seem that important after all.

“I already hit a million, anyway.”

Compared to the Lee Ha-eun channel that got a gold button just two days after launch, it made more sense to focus on the Diah channel.

That’s why she chose to do a New Year’s countdown livestream with the Noeulis.

“Alright, ten! Nine...! Eight...!”

— Whoa

— 88888

— Thought she was cussing

— Seven

— 7777

— Six six

— Five

— Le

— 5555

The countdown hit zero—and almost in sync, the clear ringing of a bell filled the stream.

—Daaaang~~~~~~.

“Happy New Year~.”

Even at the exact moment she officially turned twenty, Ha-eun was still sitting in her streaming chair, greeting the Noeulis in chat.

She turned off the broadcast of the bell ceremony right after that.

Diah’s stream screen returned to her usual virtual room, but she wasn’t ready to end the broadcast yet.

“Hmm... Should we do a little café browsing for part two?”

She casually tested the waters with the Noeulis about the second-half content she had in mind.

Thankfully, there were no negative reactions.

So began the Illusionary Realm café browsing segment.

She logged into the official café’s Diah fan board and started looking through fan art and fan videos one by one.

“Next fan art is, ‘Drew Diah in military uniform.’ Whoa... This is really well-done. Is that special forces gear? That’s so cool!”

— Nope, it’s from a northern country

— Why is she so cute

— Let’s see Bunny Girl Diah next gogogo

— What’s with the binoculars version lol

— Lost my mind at that one

— Diah getting pinned by a pineapple pizza <<< what even IS this?

A stream not so different from her usual café exploration content.

She liked the posts she enjoyed, left short comments—just like always.

But then—there was a video, not a drawing.

And it had a strange title.

Something about it pulled her in, and she clicked.

“Diah goes to Japan? What is this?”

— Ah lololol

— Diah, you’re world-class

— Diah x Lucid PrismLive LET’S GO

— Baby’s getting a confession

The short clip began to play.

Suddenly, a Japanese VTuber’s stream screen filled Diah’s stream layout.

“I’m personally all for it. I’ll need to talk with the others, of course. But I think everyone would be okay with it.”

“Come to Japan, Diah. I’ll be waiting.”

A black beret.

Sleepy eyes.

A beige sweater, layered under a light brown coat.

And lastly, a chat filled with mixed Japanese and English.

— Nihon ni kite Diah! x1000

— Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh

— Diah getting a shoutout from top-tier JP VTuber

— Lucid: Diah, you’ve got talent

— Is this real?

— The senpai is waiting. Diah, pack your passport.

The chat blew up.

Everyone was talking about one thing: Lucid, the famous Japanese VTuber, had just mentioned Diah.

But then—

“Oh right. I’m actually supposed to meet her.”

— ?

— Excuse me?

— ?????

Diah’s avatar, still wearing her usual bright smile, said something unbelievable.

“The date is... let’s see... Ah, the Wednesday after next.”

— Hold on

— ???

— Diah, your nose grows when you lie

— First lie of the year, huh?

From start to finish, every word was enough to make anyone doubt their ears.

The chat sped up rapidly, then started lagging from the sheer volume.

“I’m doing a collab with Lucid senpai the Wednesday after next, so look forward to it~.”

— Is this for real??

— A collab?? With her??

— Why didn’t you say it earlier x1000

— Illusionary Realm just went nuclear

— Holy shit lol

— Diah matteruyo x999

The chat was a riot.

It wasn’t chaotic in a bad way, though—so the smile didn’t leave Diah’s youthful face.

She talked a little about Lucid, then moved on to the next fan video post like nothing happened.

But the Illusionary Realm forums...

— Diah just said it live: she's collabing with Lucid

— Diah x Lucid collab confirmed for the week after next

— What the hell is going on

— Boss I need to use vacation days

— She said it like it was nothing

— Diah’s doing a collab with Lucid?? Are you kidding me?

ㄴ It’s not a joke, it’s official

ㄴ Who announces official news at 1AM on January 1st

ㄴ Maybe she timed it with being 1 year older?

ㄴ No way... right?

Far from calm, the forums exploded in full color.

The news from Diah sent the entire community into a frenzy from the very first day of the year.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by fr(e)ew𝒆bnov(e)l.com