Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 354

354. Yeonwoo Effect (3)

October 20, 2022

-“’Imitation effect,’ that’s quite an unfamiliar term, Paul. But since it’s called the imitation effect, I think I roughly get the idea. So, are you talking about something like the Werther effect?”

The show host, sitting at the table, asked, looking at the expert sitting on the wide couch.

The social psychologist, called Paul, replied.

-“That’s right. The Werther effect. It’s a phenomenon derived from Goethe’s novel, ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther.’ There are research results showing that if a socially recognized and famous person makes an extreme choice one day, the suicide rate at that point increases significantly.”

-“If I know it, probably everyone here knows it. Isn’t that right?”

At the host’s words, laughter of agreement poured out from the panel.

-“When a famous person makes an extreme choice, the news continues to be exposed in the media. This is because it is very good news to be amplified and reproduced repeatedly. Of course, apart from the tragedy, the death of someone who lived a glamorous life is just stimulating to hear, wouldn’t you agree?”

-“People often speculate a lot. Even people with so much money die, so am I, who is less fortunate, really worth living? It is said that public opinion of that kind is formed.”

-“That’s right. They identify themselves with the subject and are greatly affected psychologically. That’s why the imitation effect occurs in an extreme way.”

The social psychologist Paul gave several examples.

From the story of Werther, which is the starting point of the Werther effect, to the story of a legendary rock star.

And the death of a famous Hong Kong movie star.

In addition, he cited the unfortunate choices of several celebrities as examples.

-“But the imitation effect doesn’t necessarily have only negative aspects like the Werther effect, Dennis, as you said. Everyone already knows that the media is influencing the public in various ways.”

-“Oh. Suddenly, I think of my fifteen-year-old son. His name is Jimmy, and he loves hip-hop very much. I asked him because I didn’t like his baggy pants, and he said that his favorite musician wore them like that. Goodness.”

Laughter erupted once again from the audience.

-“That’s right, Dennis. That’s exactly it. That’s another aspect of the imitation effect.”

The social psychologist Paul went on to explain the developmental characteristics of adolescents.

-“So, you’re saying that my child is building bonds with people of a similar age rather than an old man like me. I can’t believe it. Paul, am I old?”

-“I’m sorry. I can’t give you an answer to that question. Anyway, this is also a matter related to self-identity. Well, let’s stop the stale story here. If you need more professional and academic content, email me.”

The host, Dennis, pretended to show subtitles passing by below, matching the words of the social psychologist Paul.

-“But you know what? The topic of ‘that’ we are talking about this time is honestly very unfamiliar even from my perspective as a scholar. Teenagers whose identities have not yet been firmly established can be easily swept away by stars. That’s a natural phenomenon. But Dennis, if that were all, I wouldn’t have been called out here.”

[Wow. He speaks well.]

The cat watching TV said.

To be exact, the spirit child who was borrowing the cat’s body.

[Don’t tell me you planned this and did it on purpose?]

“No. There’s no way. I’m not some omnipotent god.”

He had used excessive power with the single-minded determination to attract attention.

But strangely, unexpected side effects kept occurring.

‘The pain reduction itself was already something that didn’t make sense.’

[But now a similar effect is happening. How do you feel?]

As the spirit child said, on the large TV monitor that took up almost the entire wall, the panelists were still talking.

-“Let’s be honest. Celebrities’ good deeds have brought about several positive functions. This is an undeniable fact. But a song has had such a positive effect in this overall society? This is really… unbelievable.”

[It’s unbelievable.]

“Will you stop teasing me?”

[But it’s amazing… Yeonwoo, you’re such a person…]

“Tell me about it.”

After officially releasing Dream Walker.

Instead of Yeonwoo, who hardly engaged in external activities, Trevi staff diligently asked about the surrounding reactions.

The spirit child also moved the pink jelly to find and show the online reactions.

‘Hearing about it like that and seeing it directly on TV like this feels quite different.’

-“I want to say this. An extreme ideal has appeared.”

-“An extreme ideal?”

-“It’s difficult to scientifically and psychologically define and identify this, but let’s skip that for now. Just when I compare it with my socio-analytical knowledge, we had a thirst for a good model.”

-“When you turn on the TV, the news that pours out is where a war broke out, a terror occurred, an accident occurred, a celebrity did drugs, was arrested, a shooting accident occurred… Well, this kind of news is the mainstream.”

-“That’s exactly it. Dream Walker has had a positive effect on people with several unbelievable phenomena. I send my deepest condolences to the many scientists around the world who will identify this… Anyway, in other words. We may have been too tired of being exposed to too much stimulation on a daily basis.”

-“Oh, Paul. I think I know what you mean. I’m an anchor, but sometimes I get tired of watching the news or reading internet articles, so I consciously avoid it.”

-“That’s exactly it!”

And the story flowed to the part about Yeonwoo and Trevi’s moves.

-“There’s nothing to criticize. There is no moral issue in liking this subject. In short, liking this person means that no one can attack me. It’s safe.”

“Why, what. Why. Why are you looking at me like that?”

[They say you have no moral issues. No way…? Just from what I know, you skipped my snack yesterday…]

“That’s… You’ve gained weight lately. Didn’t you hear what the veterinarian said about managing your weight?”

[What! Chubby cats are cute!]

“……”

-“We need to find a more accurate connection, but there is probably no one who can deny that Dream Walker is having a positive impact on our society as a whole. In fact, there was news that violence among inmates decreased after repeatedly playing Dream Walker more than 10 times for 10 days at a prison in N city a while ago.”

-“Wow. That’s quite amazing?”

-“Not only that. There are statistics that the average number of claims from customers who visited C Mart or W Mart significantly decreased when Dream Walker was broadcast at regular intervals. The kindness of employees and cashiers also increased, and the score increased significantly.”

-“That’s also amazing.”

-“And in several CS [Customer Service] centers, there were evaluations from employees that customers’ attitudes toward counselors became more docile compared to before when the phone connection waiting sound was changed to the melody of Dream Walker.”

After that, several examples followed.

Even Yeonwoo, who was listening, thought this.

‘What, is that Munchkin [a breed of cat known for its short legs]?’

What is it that such a phenomenon occurs with just one song?

The problem is that Yeonwoo himself made that song.

However, Yeonwoo also had something to say.

Yeonwoo was also quite surprised in his own way.

That’s because…….

‘I didn’t know the effect would come back like this.’

Was it because he poured in all kinds of abilities?

An unexpected kind of side effect appeared.

[I’m glad it was a hopeful song, aren’t you?]

“Tell me about it……”

Think about it.

Suppose he made a gloomy song to sympathize with Trevi’s sadness and poured all kinds of abilities into it.

‘Almost like a Gloomy Sunday-level song appeared and was suppressed [referencing a song rumored to cause depression and suicides]?’

It would have been successful, but…….

The opposite result from now may have come out.

‘Influence must be exercised carefully.’

Once again, he realizes a new truth.

And it was also an opportunity to look back on the direction he had taken so far and the path he was aiming for in the future.

Although it was a TV talk show, it was a program hosted by a fairly well-known anchor.

The program, which dealt with the most talked-about stories in a not-so-heavy way, ended pleasantly until the end.

-“Come to think of it, there is one more thing we should thank Yeonwoo and Trevi for creating Dream Walker. My child no longer wears hip-hop pants that sweep the floor! The guy who used to play shooting games every day now reads books! Thank you! Thanks to Dream Walker!”

“I think something big is going to happen if we go out now.”

After the first concert.

Yeonwoo and Trevi did not do any special activities.

No, to be exact, they couldn’t.

The reason was simple.

“Oh my. I thought some kind of religious gathering was held. If we go out like this, Yeonwoo will just be kidnapped somewhere.”

Dream Walker brought about such unexpected side effects that the side effects of the side effects occurred.

“I’m always worried that you might be kidnapped by some Middle Eastern Arab rich man, so don’t forget to take security personnel with you.”

“That example is very specific?”

“Honestly, do you know what is the one thing that even people with a lot of money, power, and global power don’t have?”

At Trevi’s question, Yeonwoo thought for a moment and answered.

“Lifespan?”

“Similar. Lifespan and health. Those two concepts cannot be thought of separately. So here’s a question.”

“……?”

“Who do you think can give the most desperate thing to people who have so much money, power, and power, but have no health and a short lifespan?”

The answer came out easily.

“No way.”

So I denied it first.

But surprisingly, Trevi and the staff were very serious.

“It’s real. It’s not like I hired people for nothing, so be sure to take them with you. There are so many humans in the world who don’t know what they’re going to do, so it’s never bad to be careful.”

“Yes, well……”

So, Yeonwoo was inadvertently confined.

‘No, if it’s so luxurious to call it confinement, I shouldn’t use the word confinement, right?’

Trevi’s advice to keep social distancing was all correct.

“Shall we go back to Korea?”

The Trevi mission that popped up as a surprise mission was also perfectly cleared.

If I go back to Korea, wouldn’t there be no humans who would bother to follow me there?

However, Yeonwoo’s thoughts stopped in an unexpected place.

“Yeonwoo……”

A face I haven’t seen in a long time visited Trevi’s temporary studio in LA.

“Gabriel?”

A tall height.