Title: 전 버튜버가 하고 싶은데요
Summary
A man suffering from alexithymia (inability to express emotions) collapses and is reincarnated as a young girl. With a fresh start in life, the protagonist sets their sights on becoming a virtual YouTuber (VTuber). They practice vocal exercises while watching TV, leading their mother to assume they aspire to be an actor. Encouraged to audition for commercials, the protagonist participates, thinking it could help their VTuber ambitions. They later audition for child roles in dramas, showcasing method acting skills. The story unfolds as the protagonist, initially aiming to be a VTuber, ends up walking the path of an actor instead.
Personal Review
Use of Popular Themes
The novel skillfully twists common clichés to attract readers. It incorporates trendy themes like VTubers, the entertainment industry, and gender transformation (TS), which are popular on platforms like Nobelpia. While many TS novels feature protagonists aiming to become VTubers, this story diverges by not following through on the VTuber path. Although some novels explore transitioning from VTuber to the entertainment world, this one bypasses VTuber activities altogether. Despite this deviation, the title still draws VTuber fans, increasing its readership. This clever use of popular themes and subversion of clichés makes the novel appealing to a wide audience.
TS Characteristics
The protagonist embodies common TS traits: smooth skin, beautiful appearance, a slim yet strong physique capable of lifting over 600 pounds, and exceptional physical abilities. These traits lead to humorous moments, such as poking a hole in a coconut with a finger or quickly knocking out fish they’ve caught. Such displays of strength serve as comedic highlights for readers.
Reincarnation Backstory
The protagonist’s past as someone with alexithymia is key to their development. Previously unable to feel or express emotions properly, they had to learn and mimic social behaviors through trial and error. This background explains the protagonist’s ability to perform method acting from an early age, blending past experiences with present growth to create a compelling coming-of-age narrative.
Weakness in VTuber Elements
While the story’s premise revolves around becoming a VTuber, this aspect is underwhelming. Scenes involving the protagonist watching VTubers aim to add humor but feel lackluster. These elements also slow the story’s pacing and seem unnecessary. Removing or reducing these parts might have made for a smoother, more engaging read.
Evaluation
Originality: ★★★★☆
The novel’s twist on common TS clichés—focusing on becoming an actor instead of a VTuber—sets it apart from similar works.
Immersion: ★★★★☆
The story uses TS traits for humor and includes references to real-life movies, dramas, and variety shows, ensuring a guaranteed level of entertainment.
Popular Appeal: ★★★★☆
Themes like TS, the entertainment industry, and VTubers are broadly appealing. Even without strong VTuber elements, the story attracts a wide audience through its unique take on these genres.
Writing Quality: ★★★★☆
The mix of TS, entertainment, and VTuber genres provides plenty of humor. However, pacing issues arise during scenes involving secondary plots, leading to moments of dullness.
Consistency: ★★★★☆
Since its debut on May 8, 2024, the novel has maintained a near-daily release schedule, though occasional delays occur.
Overall Assessment
This novel combines popular themes like TS, the entertainment industry, and VTubers into an accessible and entertaining story. While the overall tone is lighthearted, the narrative becomes more serious during the protagonist’s growth and development. The protagonist’s superhuman strength provides comedic moments, and heartfelt interactions with their father—who teasingly supports their journey—add to the charm. The story also includes unique developments, such as women from the father’s past helping the protagonist grow.
Although no other TS novel featuring VTubers or the entertainment industry has reached the top rank, this story’s appeal and execution justify its success. Despite pacing issues during secondary plot developments, it remains an enjoyable read for passing time.
Average Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)
