Debut or Die - Chapter 136

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————

A Fatal Illness if I Don’t Debut – Episode 136
Variety shows.
Once an idol group gains traction and starts posting solid numbers, variety show appearances become a natural part of their schedule.
There’s talk that even with decent results, it’s become harder to land variety gigs lately since idol popularity has declined overall—but Testa doesn’t fall into that category.
We’re alumni of Ajusa, last year’s number one variety show buzz generator.
If someone has even a passing interest in the entertainment industry, they’ve probably heard the names and faces of our top-tier Ajusa participants, even if they don’t know Testa.
We proved our worth through last year’s activities, and I’ve heard we’ve been getting quite a few variety show offers for this comeback.
Thanks to that, I managed to secure a solid variety schedule that suited what I wanted.
“Nervous~?”
“To some degree.”
Big Sae-jin laughed with a smirk.
“Hey, me too!”
For someone claiming to be nervous, his eyes burned with unmistakable ambition.
‘Fair enough.’
Only Big Sae-jin and I were heading to the filming studio from Testa today.
The show’s format wasn’t suited for the entire group, so after several discussions, the offer came through, and we two were selected.
This was practically our first time doing a variety show as individual members. And Big Sae-jin would never miss an opportunity to promote himself.
‘The unit stage was such a success that it’s only fired him up more.’
Well, either way, it wasn’t a bad thing.
“You know what to do without me saying it, right? Greet everyone properly when we arrive~”
“Yes!”
“Yes.”
Following the Manager’s words, we nodded obediently and began greeting the cast members as soon as we arrived.
“Hello!”
Being only in our second year, it was predictable—there were no juniors among the cast.
But no one treated us with disrespect either.
“Oh~ Testa!”
Our recognition and track record were undeniable.
‘Success really is the answer.’
Still, Big Sae-jin exchanging numbers with three actors in an instant was nothing short of remarkable.
And in the waiting room, I spotted a familiar face.
“Wow! Senior~”
“Ah, nice to see you both.”
It was Young-rin, the female idol who had been the representative of Ajusa.
“I’ve been hearing good things about you. It’s nice to meet like this. I wish the others could’ve been here too.”
Young-rin offered some words of encouragement, then added with a playful tone.
“I’m dropping a solo album this year, so let’s make sure our activities don’t overlap, yeah?”
…Suddenly, that nightmare from debut days when we clashed with VTIC came flooding back.
“Ha! Come on, we’d have to delay ours because we’re scared of you, Senior~”
“I’m really looking forward to your album.”
“Thank you.”
Young-rin nodded with a faint smile.
And beside her was… someone I hadn’t expected.
Though we were meeting for the first time, she brightened up the moment introductions were done.
“You’re Moon-dae, right? Wow, seeing you in person! Let’s do great on the shoot today~”
It was a Malang Dalcom Member.
The original artist of 【POP☆CON】, which I performed during my first ranking evaluation, and 【A New World】, which I rearranged with a Halloween concept for my first team mission—the female idol group Malang Dalcom.
And the one I’d just met was… the only member of Malang Dalcom currently active as an actress.
Either way, by seniority standards, she was a senior, so I bowed respectfully.
“I’m the one who should ask for your guidance…”
‘Wait.’
Now that I think about it, everyone here knows I’m a Malang Dalcom fan.
‘Could she think I’m a fan of hers specifically?’
Sure enough, the Malang Dalcom Member asked with a grin.
“By the way, were you a fan of any of our members? We made a little bet among ourselves.”
There’s only one right answer to this.
“…Of course, I was a fan of all of you.”
“Ah, so I wasn’t your bias? Nice escape, Moon-dae!”
The Malang Dalcom Member laughed heartily and slapped her own thigh.
‘She’s treating me like a younger cousin.’
It seemed that because I’d performed 【POP☆CON】 so many times, I’d somehow developed a one-sided connection with her.
“Just kidding, of course! Thanks to you, we had a really fun time together for the first time in a while~ Thank you. Let’s do well on today’s shoot!”
“…Thank you.”
At this rate, I’d probably end up leaving with a signed Malang Dalcom CD.
Anyway, seeing people with connections among the cast was definitely a good sign.
‘This makes it easier to edit out unnecessary story threads.’
Having cast members with existing connections was better for screen time than having complete strangers.
Since there was such a large age gap between us, the probability of unnecessary old-school broadcast network romance editing was low.
‘Still, it would’ve been more comfortable with the same gender.’
Unfortunately, among the remaining cast, I didn’t see anyone whose activities overlapped with mine or whom I knew.
…Or so I thought at that point.
But apparently their schedules were packed, because some people barely made it just before filming started.
“Hello~”
Two VTIC Members.
‘Damn it.’
Why the hell were they here?
These guys were the type who’d get a special solo episode if they appeared as a group, yet here they were showing up during their inactive period—what was this about?
At that moment, Big Sae-jin, who’d already put on his microphone, poked my back and whispered.
“Man, LeTi sure knows how to work things.”
“LeTi?”
LeTi Entertainment. It was the agency for VTIC and Malang Dalcom.
Big Sae-jin glanced subtly in a direction. It was toward the actors he’d called earlier.
“That actor group over there, Malang Dalcom… they were on Sun Ah-hyun’s first leading film.”
“…!”
“They’re from the same agency. They probably agreed to a group appearance by throwing in VTIC.”
…So the cast had come out as a group for movie promotion.
Thanks to that, the two VTIC members who were on hiatus had shown up in person.
Since the company held stock shares, it made sense they’d be generous about promoting fellow artists from the same agency.
Big Sae-jin smiled slyly.
“Still, you’re happy, right?”
“About what.”
“Your senior who handles your social life doesn’t seem to be around~”
“….”
Apparently, the kid had already picked up on the fact that I found Chung-ryeo uncomfortable.
Though it seemed like he was just guessing something along the lines of ‘I guess he turned out to be more old-fashioned than expected.’
I chuckled and shook my head.
“No, that’s not really the issue.”
“Oh, really?”
That’s right.
Chung-ryeo wouldn’t suddenly smack me upside the head with a hammer right here on this crowded filming studio.
It was just… meeting a lunatic made me annoyed and tired.
‘Whether he’s here or not doesn’t matter.’
The real problem was… that VTIC showed up. Since they held the same male idol position, the gap in status was suddenly apparent.
I spoke honestly.
“I’m worried about screen time.”
“Huh?”
Big Sae-jin burst out laughing.
“Hey, you’re even worried about variety show screen time! But don’t worry too much~”
“…?”
Big Sae-jin lowered his voice and whispered.
“Those two seniors don’t talk much on variety shows.”
“…!!”
“They probably sent whoever was available in a rush. I’d guess they’ll just get through it and leave, right?”
It meant those members had no real interest in variety shows, so they wouldn’t be particularly motivated.
Honestly, I was impressed.
‘This guy’s mind really works fast.’
Someone who gathers information and thinks things through is truly someone who thinks things through.
I nodded.
“I should give it my all then.”
“You should give it your all.”
We exchanged a pointless fist bump.
The microphone turned on, and filming began shortly after.

* * *
“Sensational Saturday! We invite you to the joy of weekend nights—【Saturday Party】!”
“Wooooow!!”
【Saturday Party】 was a full-fledged variety show hosted by the nation’s MC.
As the name suggested, it was a program with considerable history, having ended in the late 2000s before being revived a few years ago by the retro boom.
It aired on terrestrial television Saturday evenings at 8:50 PM—a show with solid viewership ratings.
In short, it was a variety program with extreme mass appeal.
Guest personal affairs wouldn’t unnecessarily spill out, and you could showcase character in just a few scenes with impact and entertainment value.
It had everything I was looking for.
However… I needed to let go of myself in the process.
The concept required mental fortitude.
Boom-chick boom-boom-chick!
Right now, the MC was shaking a bob-cut hairstyle from an 80s-style DJ booth while DJing.
He seemed deeply immersed. His professionalism was remarkable.
“Today’s party concept? 【Two Hearts, One Body】!”
The words I’d been briefed on came out.
“Only~ identical pairs of party people—completely matching twins allowed on today’s stage! Our party people, come out now~!”
Thanks to that, I coordinated my outfit and hairstyle with Big Sae-jin.
…Incidentally, perhaps with this concept in mind, one of the member combinations the company considered for this variety appearance was the ‘Big Sae-jin–Bae Sae-jin’ pair.
Of course, it fell through before even being discussed, thanks to Bae Sae-jin’s vehement refusal.
“Our turn.”
“Yeah.”
It was time for Big Sae-jin and me to take the stage.
[The party people entering now~ Oh~ so young! So handsome!]
We were supposed to go up on stage and perform the dance we’d prepared alongside the MC’s incredible introduction.
The MC would recreate those cringey variety show captions that had gone viral as memes back in the day—speaking them aloud while the performers danced.
[Dancing magic! Soaring stocks! Two shining stars of Testa descend to earth!]
The funny part seemed to be when the performers couldn’t hold back their laughter at that sound echoing through the venue via microphone.
But neither Big Sae-jin nor I seemed like we’d fall apart laughing. It would’ve been different if Ryu Chung-woo and Sun Ah-hyun had come out.
So we decided to do the opposite instead.
Big Sae-jin and I danced while gradually surrounding the DJ booth.
“…?!”
The MC was slightly flustered.
“Wow, the nation’s greatest MC!”
“I’ll show you what hosting is! I am the host!”
“An existence that can’t even be confined by booths! A light that moves the whole nation!”
“Grips Saturday evening and shakes it. This is the words of a giant!”
“Only the one in DJ’s seat can capture both emotion and laughter at the same time!”
[No…!]
MC crumbled instead.
He seemed genuinely flustered at first, but this felt like he was playing along with the rhythm.
‘Thank goodness.’
I was relieved I didn’t have to deliver an even harsher comment.
But Big Sae-jin beside me chuckled and rattled off the remaining lines.
“Korean entertainment history is divided into before and after Choi Ho-soo. He is the standard of variety shows!”
“….”
The dance stage ended just like that.
MC, now composed, stifled his laughter a few times before delivering a gem of a closing remark.
“They took over the stage the moment they appeared! This is what variety shows are all about! Passion, audacity, love and peace!”
“Thank you!”
Big Sae-jin and I descended from the stage.
‘…Phew.’
For this segment, I’d accomplished everything I aimed for. Seeing the production team laughing told me the impact was solid.
But the moment I sat in the performer’s chair, anxiety flooded in.
I’d steeled myself during the broadcast rehearsal beforehand, yet I was amazed at how variety shows could test a person’s mental fortitude to this extent.
‘So there really were people who missed this format…’
I couldn’t believe it. But the ratings didn’t lie.
‘Might as well react.’
I applauded enthusiastically as the VTIC members took the stage last.
As Big Sae-jin said, they didn’t seem to have much invested in variety shows—they hadn’t prepared anything elaborate.
“Heavenly good looks!”
Once all twelve performers had appeared, the program began in earnest.
“Actually, the reason we threw this party today was… to find the fake!”
“Wasn’t it weird how they looked so similar? One of them must be a doppelgänger! The fake one!”
…So the concept was that the co-performers would be split into two teams of six each for a competitive match.
“The person who caused their team’s defeat will receive a penalty!”
And the moment the first game’s penalty recipient was selected, the true intention revealed itself.
“Huh? Why isn’t our Joo-ho, who entered with them, coming out?”
“Huh? What?!”
“Since you’re the same person, you must receive the penalty together~ You’re doppelgängers after all! So, 【Same Body, Same Fate】!”
“…!!”
That’s right.
Whenever a penalty recipient was chosen, their doppelgänger on the opposing team would receive the same penalty.
“No way!”
“Then I can’t target the other side?”
“No, team victory is what matters! We’ll just take the penalty~”
Surprisingly, since no one had been informed beforehand, the performers were genuinely shocked.
In the midst of the murmuring, my eyes met Big Sae-jin’s.
‘Let’s take a penalty.’
‘Okay.’
The reaction in a penalty situation like this was perfect for capturing character. I absolutely had to get this shot.
“The penalty for this team match is… water balloon bombs!”
“Ugh!”
Hmm, that level of intensity seemed acceptable.
But just as the opportunity presented itself, an obstruction arose.
In this mirrorball dodgeball team match, we were down to a one-on-one situation.
The lineup was me versus a VTIC Member.
And conveniently, the lone VTIC Member on the opposing side had just caught the ball.
‘In this program, the last person to be eliminated takes the penalty.’
Given the show’s nature, they’d definitely set it up that way to capture amusing reactions of frustration.
‘They’d probably say something like, “You made it to the end but still lost, so you’re the reason we lost~”‘ It happened all the time.
‘If I just take the hit here, that’ll work.’
I prepared myself to be struck.
“Got it!”
“Hit him!!”
But then the VTIC Member on the opposing side did something insane.
He looked at me with an ambiguous expression, pretended to throw the ball, and then stepped over the line and eliminated himself.
“…??”
“Oops! I made a mistake!”
‘What the hell.’
What was this guy doing?
When our eyes met, he even winked and signaled to me.
He had the face of some upperclassman covering for a freshman at a presentation.
‘What on earth is going on?’

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————