On a Japanese website, discussions were ablaze over the topic of “Saint Chris.” People were captivated by a fresh concept and a story that evoked the romance of role-playing, something they had never encountered before.
[Chat] Does anyone know what 『The Book of Saint Chris and Adventures』 is? (lol)
1: I found something fascinating on an American site.
>- It’s a Korean event, held at Hanul Comprehensive Arts School (called Korea’s elite art school), where students conducted a role-playing event with a virtual character named “Saint Chris.” It’s become a hot topic.
>- According to the translated site, this character interacted in real-time like a real person, rolling dice to drive the story forward. It wasn’t automated responses or pre-recorded voice acting.
>- The creator of the character and event (believed to be a female student) never revealed their identity. She introduced herself as “Saint,” but her voice sounded so young that people thought she was a little girl.
2: Oh, I read thatW
>- They say the person performed as the virtual character “Saint Chris,” but never revealed their real identityww They kept switching expressions using a 2D anime-girl faceww Love the dedication to preserving otaku dreamsww
>- Yeah, I know. When you see a voice actor’s real face, it kills the vibe (lol).
>- I’m curious how Japanese otaku would react to thisww
3: Looking at the pictures, the drawing skills are pretty professional.
>- The character illustrations had various expressions, like in a dating sim. Combined with the acting, it felt surprisingly real. Even the live presentation seemed professional-level. Was this event hosted by a game company?
4: Does anyone know who performed?
>- Some people are spreading rumors that it was a young girl named “Go Hana.” Personally, I think that’s absurd.
>- She’s rumored to be the youngest genius admitted in the school’s history. Honestly, it’s strange to imagine such a young kid suddenly drawing otaku-style illustrations.
5: <<<4 Found her photo, and she’s a total ultra-cute girlwwww
>- An elementary schooler wearing a randoseru as a GM? Just imagining it makes my heart racewwww
>- I’ve replayed her interview video from the Korean site ten times, and her voice matcheswwww My heart’s about to explodewwww
6: I read the translated logs too.
>- With attached photos and videos, it doesn’t seem like a completely made-up story. It’s hard to believe something like this actually happened. Middle-aged men seemed to enjoy it the most (lol).
7: <<<5 Lolicon, die. Have some self-control.
8: But it’s not certain whether it’s true or fake.
>- The name “Go Hana” comes up often in Korean news. Isn’t she a drama actress? Not sure if she’s a real person or just a stage name. Could it be about some drama filming?
9: <<<8 She’s real. She exists, in Korea. An elementary schooler.
10: <<<9 Why do you talk like that?
11: <<<10 Sorry. Translator.
>- Confirmed by an insider.
>- Go Hana = Chris.
12: <<<11 Are you Korean?
13: Honestly, it all feels like a lie, so I can’t believe it.
>- But since it’s being covered even by international news, there might be an official announcement soon…
>- Personally, I hope it’s all true.
As the thread grew, it gradually turned into a space for speculating on Chris’s true identity. Among the rapidly increasing posts, the name “Go Hana” started appearing more frequently.
By the time the thread reached 900 comments and transitioned to a new thread, a groundbreaking revelation left everyone in cheers.
995: Breaking news on Ufu Newswwww Chris = Hana-chan officialwwww
996: Link, please.
997: Thread’s done. On to the next one.
*
[WOHOO News]
<Special Feature> “Saint Chris and the Book of Adventures” Born at a Korean Art School – Who Is the Young Genius Behind This Virtual Character?
Recently, a project titled “Saint Chris and the Book of Adventures” has become a hot topic within communities following its showcase at the prestigious Hanul Comprehensive Arts School in South Korea.
The project involves real-time role-playing in a tabletop RPG (TRPG) format, centered around the virtual character ‘Saint Chris.’
Visitors reported experiencing interactions that felt as though they were engaging with a character possessing a real personality, despite not meeting the character in person.
This groundbreaking project demonstrated an innovative approach to immersing participants in virtual reality, advancing beyond previous efforts in media research.
Experts have praised the work, stating that “The fusion of digital art and role-playing represents a new artistic endeavor, providing a tangible self-portrait of virtual personas latent in the anonymity of the internet.
Go Hana’s work could influence the future direction of media art.”
The centerpiece of the project is 13-year-old Go Hana, a prodigy who entered the arts world at an early age through a special admissions program during elementary school.
Interest in the project is rapidly growing in the United States and Japan, with several art institutions and universities reportedly considering inviting Go Hana for exchanges and workshops.
All eyes are on the future movements of Go Hana and Hanul Comprehensive Arts School as they continue to blaze new trails in the art world.
*
The article has sparked growing interest in “Saint Chris,” propelling the name “Go Hana” to the top of search engine rankings. Simultaneously, it has drawn attention from people who previously had no interest in TRPGs.
56: Is it really that impressive?
> – Didn’t old game companies host events like this? It feels like they’re hyping it up more because “Chris-chan’s” creator is a genius young girl.
57: According to the article, the difference is that this isn’t just cosplaying a character the audience already knows, but showcasing a “virtual persona that branched off from the actor’s actual personality.”
58: What does that even mean?
59: 58 <<< It’s like the difference between a new underground idol performing at the Budokan after one year, versus an internationally popular pop star performing at the same venue.
60: 59 <<< Got it completely.
*
I was checking my email in my dorm room that evening. It was an email forwarded by the academic office. But the content was beyond belief.
“…Man, staying up late for a few nights last month must have made me start seeing things.”
I rubbed my eyes and looked at the laptop screen again. However, the email, neatly translated into Korean, read the same.
“….”
[Subject: Greetings from the International Exchange Office of Tokyo University of the Arts]
Dear Go Hana,
We would like to formally invite you to participate in the “Emerging Media Performance and Digital Art Fusion” workshop and exchange exhibition that we are currently organizing.
After translating and reviewing the materials for your project, The Sanctuary of Saint Chris, sent by Hanul Comprehensive Arts School, our faculty has highly praised it as an innovative case study.
Particularly, the following aspects were highly evaluated:
– Real-time interaction in a digital environment
– The embodiment of the “virtual persona” concept established by the creator
– Harmony between comic-style techniques and presentation
– Two-way communication with the audience
Based on these points, your work is recognized as a contemporary conceptual art piece with great potential.
Our university operates a program to discover and support young international artists. We believe your participation would create significant synergy in fostering exchanges between our two countries.
The workshop will take place in Tokyo over two weeks in June, with the related exchange exhibition running for two weeks starting at the end of June.
We will cover all costs, including accommodations, material fees, and interpretation services.
If you are able to participate, we kindly ask for a positive response at your earliest convenience.
Best regards,
Yamada, Head of the International Exchange Office, Tokyo University of the Arts
“…..”
Even after rereading it, the unbelievable content remained the same.
1. <The Sanctuary of Saint Chris> a project I exhibited in a corner of my school, somehow gained a huge response in Japan.
2. Because of this, they wanted to invite me, the project lead, to an international exchange and workshop.
“….”
The email, translated by Hanul’s academic office and passed on to me, was so unreal and dreamlike.
‘What is this? If I go, am I going to be trafficked for organs or something…?’
What shocked me the most was how quickly this had happened.
‘How did they contact me just one month after the exhibition?’
It was now late April, nearing the end of the month. The exhibition ended in early April. Not even a full month had passed since the dismantling.
Normally, I’d heard that invitations for international events like this come a year later at best. Some people said they’d been asked about exhibits from ten years ago.
‘Even Yujin Oh said she had to work in the U.S. for two years before her career got recognized.’
An exceptionally swift invitation from abroad.
It was the kind of privilege only star creators with viral art pieces experienced. It drew more attention than being a guest on an art magazine show or an entertainment program.
For example, it’s like when a young Marie, who first succeeded in the U.S., caused an entire country to buzz.
“…”
If it was that big, there should naturally be news or internet reactions spreading about it.
‘What on earth happened?’
This was the first time I’d been sought out directly by an outside organization.
They weren’t just asking to introduce the exhibition I held, they wanted to exhibit my work themselves. The nuance between those two was like night and day.
A large number of people are treating me not as some “curious little kid writer,” but as a legitimate “popular author.” It wasn’t the kind of attention you’d give a child prodigy who puts on a decent little exhibit.
-Thump thump.
From the moment I realized that fact,
my heart had been pounding like crazy.
-Thump thump.
“…”
-Thump thump.
I stared at the search engine, caught in serious contemplation.
“…”
Should I do it? That forbidden magic spell, “ego-searching,” which I had sealed away to avoid becoming an egocentric, melodramatic landmine of a girl.
‘It’s the graveyard of artists that turns even fully grown adults and elderly men into attention-seeking addicts… Do I really have to do it?’
I nervously hovered my fingers over the keyboard, lifting them and pressing them down repeatedly as I swallowed hard.
“…”
-Gulp.
‘Being called a genius author feels overwhelming, so I’ve been ignoring it up until now. But this situation is just too sudden…’
I have to check.
“…”
With a firm resolve, I pressed the keys.
-Tap, tap, tap.
One letter at a time… carefully choosing each word.
[Go, Ha, Na, writer, popularity…]
At that moment, the dormitory bathroom door swung open. Emerging from it was my soul friend, Mijang. The blonde girl, who had just returned from picking a metaphorical flower, yawned and spoke.
“Yaaawn… Hm? Hana-chan, are you still reading your emails?”
“…No, I finished reading them.”
Reflexively, I erased everything I had typed into the search bar.
-ta, ta, ta, tat—!
‘I can’t leave any traces of ego-searching on Mija’s computer…!’
Mija strode right over to my bed and said,
“So, what’s the message about?”
“Well, you know, the thing we worked on.”
“The thing we worked on? Today’s art class?”
“No, the exhibit project.”
Mija scratched her cheek as she spoke.
“Ohhh… That. If you mean that, then aside from lending you my computer and helping clean up, I didn’t really do much.
You’re the one who worked your butt off, Hana-chan. You were there all day, from morning till night, talking endlessly, staying up late revising The Adventurer’s Journal, setting up rules, adding Chris’ expressions, making props…
Even your uncle came to help with the installation and cleanup, didn’t he?”
“…”
As she said that, a nostalgic feeling washed over me again.
“…You helped too, Mija. Anyway, I was talking about the Sanctuary of Saint Chris project.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“I got invited to showcase it at a Japanese university that was really impressed by it.”
“Yeah, yeah…?”
“They’re asking to exhibit it in June and said they’d cover interpretation and travel expenses too.”
“…?”
Mija tilted her head in confusion.
“How do they even know about it?”
“No idea…”
I was wondering the same thing. Honestly, even people at my own school—aside from a few teachers—didn’t know I had showcased a peculiar piece called Sanctuary of Saint Chris. That’s how little attention it got.
…Which is why I was so surprised when the faculty office teachers suddenly swarmed in, taking pictures and asking for more materials.
“Hana, did you create the Sanctuary of Saint Chris project?”
“Uh, yes.”
“It’s listed as a collaborative piece under the Manga Research Club here…”
“Well, it was a team project, and considering the nature of the work, I thought it’d be better not to reveal individual creators. So we credited the whole group—”
“Oh, I see…!”
After the flood of questions from the faculty, this email had suddenly landed in my inbox.
Mija thought for a while before speaking up.
“Well, we’ll probably find out if we dig around later. I-I’ll check some Japanese sites for you.”
“…Alright.”
“So, what do you want to do, Hana-chan?”
“Hmm.”
“You’re not going to refuse it like that variety show offer… are you?”
“No, this is totally different from that.”
“Then?”
“…”
The truth was, I’d already made up my mind.
‘I mean, this is an invitation as a creator. There’s no reason to refuse. Plus, how often does an opportunity like this come around?’
I closed Mija’s laptop and replied, “Of course, I’m going.”
“So, how are you going to bring the props and equipment for the sanctuary? They’re not going to fit on a plane.”
“…”
With that one remark, the dreamy, surreal feeling evaporated completely, replaced by the cold slap of reality.
‘……Oh no, this is my first time preparing for an overseas exhibition’
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