On April 24, 2024, the third episode of Viral Hit was released. The story continues to follow Hobin Yu’s Newtubu channel as he attempts to retrieve his stolen phone from the couple who mugged him in the previous episode.
The first five minutes of the episode are just a glimpse, as the rest of it focuses on Bomi and Hobin’s quality time. Titled “The Date,”episode 3 of Viral Hit follows Hobin’s efforts to have a successful first date with Bomi and all the anxieties that come with it.
The episode also briefly portrays the experience of suddenly having wealth when one is impoverished, and the constant fear of demonetization that looms over every streamer and content creator like a Sword of Damocles.
Viral Hit episode 3: Hobin’s Luck Starts Turning Positively
Getting Hobin’s Phone Back
In the third episode of Viral Hit, we see Hobin dealing with the aftermath of being mugged and losing his phone, which also contained Bomi’s contact details. In an attempt to retrieve his phone, Hobin and Snapper head to a karaoke club where they track down the criminals. A confrontation ensues between Hobin and the large man who had taken his phone.
Despite not watching any of Samdak’s other videos, Hobin was able to defend himself against the man’s blows by expertly weaving and leaning his head into the hits. This tactic proved to be beneficial for Hobin, as a commenter named Ding pointed out flaws in his opponent’s technique.
Despite being continuously punched by his opponent, Hobin’s fists become swollen and nearly broken. This is a common result of repeatedly striking a hard surface, such as a punching bag or Hobin’s head. As the adrenaline subsides and the intense pain takes over, Hobin is able to retrieve his phone while his opponent is reduced to a sobbing state on the floor.
Financial Management
Despite having only four videos, Hobin’s viral hit channel, Newtubu, managed to accumulate a staggering 25 million views in its third episode. This resulted in a payout of over two million yen (equivalent to over $12,800). However, Snapper advises Hobin to be cautious with his content in order to avoid receiving a yellow mark, as the process of getting approvals and ads takes a considerable amount of time.
Like YouTube, Newtubu also has a demonetization system. This means that if a video violates the Terms of Service, the creator will not earn money from it and the video may be removed. Another issue that comes with Hobin’s sudden fame is that he is often bombarded by people wanting selfies or attempting to steal viewers from him, like Rumi, a Newtuber who now has 70k subscribers and tries to chase them down.
Hobin is tempted by the influx of money, resulting in him making lavish purchases such as a 140 thousand yen (or $900) tracksuit. Amusingly, Hobin witnesses Snapper buying the tracksuit even though it costs his entire month’s salary. Despite Snapper’s questionable advice that it is a “necessary item,”Hobin regrets his purchase until Bomi appears wearing the same tracksuit.
Hobin and Bomi’s First Official Date
Despite feeling socially awkward and encountering a popular Newtuber named Jiwen while at the park surrounded by couples, Hobin is relieved when Bomi arrives to meet him. A brief flashback reminds Hobin of his low status in high school, with his short stature and mediocre grades. However, he is excited to begin his date with Bomi at a lovely cafe.
Hobin’s struggle, as he himself admits, lies in his lack of knowledge on how to behave around girls. Despite daydreaming about their future together and attempting to engage in conversation with Bomi, he only receives simple responses. Fearing that she may leave, Hobin opens up to her about his worries and uncertainties, after she remarks on how enjoyable he was online but not in person.
Afterwards, she remains with him, explaining that she is also meeting up with a friend whom she has not seen since they were in grade school. This friend is later revealed to be Munseong Kim, the MMA star from episode 2. Kim makes an appearance in Hobin’s flashback in Viral Hit episode 3, and then appears in person at the end. The cliffhanger of the episode is when Hobin’s anxiety and fear consume him, and Bomi asks Kim if he and Hobin are truly friends after Hobin had lied about it.
Final thoughts
It is important to mention Gaeul, the girl in yellow who was determined to witness Hobin and Pakgo’s fight in episode 2. Despite Hobin’s rise to fame, indulging in purchases, and going on a date, Gaeul continues to follow him. In the end credits, she is seen assisting Snapper and Hobin with video editing, although this will not occur in the series for some time.
In general, the third episode of Viral Hit marks a significant turning point in Hobin’s life. He has transformed from a bullied and timid individual who struggled to stand up for himself and communicate with Bomi, to someone who is now confident enough to go on a date with her, assert himself both verbally and physically, and has gained a substantial amount of money.
Despite his initial worries that could have potentially ruined the experience, the series has only just begun and Hobin still has ample opportunity to improve himself. This current development is a positive beginning, but the upcoming episode will determine whether Kim is superior to Pakgo or if he is just as formidable as he appears. Interested viewers can watch the anime on Crunchyroll and read the manwha on Webtoon.
A new PV has confirmed April 2024 as the release date for the highly anticipated anime, Viral Hit. The PV also revealed new information about the show.
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