Debut or Die - Chapter 151

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

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A Fatal Illness if I Don’t Debut – Episode 151
I scrolled down quickly.
‘It’s already surfaced.’
The backlash I’d anticipated since the first week’s footage aired had begun raging across the Internet.
‘Usually, they start with something light like this.’
As if it were praise.
‘Found it.’
I clicked on the post.
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[What do you think Park Moon-dae would be like as a solo artist?]
: Since he’s Ajusa’s #1, he has a huge fanbase and is good at pulling off concepts on variety shows, so solo work seems like a good fit. He’s a rare male idol, and I think Park Moon-dae would do well lol
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Normally, such bait posts are quickly neutralized by fans, but the situation had taken a different turn this time.
With my popularity on variety shows peaking, general viewers unfamiliar with idol fandom were responding openly and favorably.
-Watching my singer, it seems like it could work
-Will he do solo activities later?? I’m kind of looking forward to it lol
-I want to hear the song a lot, its concept? The same thing is cool tooㅠㅠ
-Honestly, I don’t think he’d fail lol
On the surface it looked good, but it was noticeably more positive than usual—and that was the problem.
‘It would’ve made perfect kindling.’
For posts like this that would come next.
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[Testa member who’s obviously desperate to go solo]
: Park Moon-dae, obviously
Skipped schedules with health excuses for a month before his solo variety show + zero reactions at every group schedule
(Notice of absence from W Live)
(Summer Package video GIF)
Yet he’s working hard on solo shoots lol
(Interview video)
Fans were suspicious for a whole month straight, not just once or twice, and it all exploded when he appeared on my singer lol
Lately he only puts his all into solo work, so it’s pretty much confirmed
And the fans can’t even hide it
(Screenshot)
Pretending to be a different fan, acting disinterested while chanting about solo work—please stop being so obvious (praying hands emoji)
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They’d skillfully splice together screenshots from the “Park Moon-dae solo” probe post with reactions and upload them together.
And the main narrative was an attitude controversy.
‘…I was uneasy about this anyway.’
I’d known that content filmed when I wasn’t in good shape could become ammunition someday. This post was using that playbook perfectly.
But truthfully, what they were really targeting wasn’t general public opinion.
‘Frankly, whether I go solo or not isn’t a huge deal.’
If anything, people would mock me if I actually debuted solo and flopped—but right now, when I’m gaining favor, I mostly get support no matter what.
That’s how it works.
Why can’t Park Moon-dae do a solo? lol His skills are good too, it’s really something lolol
-Getting heated at someone who was sick is too pathetic, Testa fans really do have issues like they say…
-Park Moon-dae’s doing well so why are you so desperate to tear him down? If his health issue is just a conditioning problem, most people recover in a month anyway
Even I would’ve wanted to go solo rather than be in a group with such nasty people lol
-Testa posts are exhausting every single time they trend, please stop airing this and just fight among yourselves
Arguments might lengthen the comments and get classified as trending, but public opinion doesn’t flip.
So the real target here is… internal discord within Testa’s fanbase.
The goal is to stiffen the atmosphere of fans who love the group itself, and create an environment where toxic individual member fans can easily monitor and sabotage each other.
That’s why another angle emerged here.
The broadcast date of the second episode of my “Singer I Created” coincided with Testa’s first anniversary.
-On the anniversary and Park Moon-dae posts are everywhere, seriously too much, does he have no sense or is he just ignoring it
-I don’t care if it’s May’s Groom or May’s Bride, just don’t damage the group content, please
-Park Moon-dae’s thumbnail was depressing the whole time the others were doing stuff, I was so frustrated, especially with Chung-woo—why treat him like that? He’s the leader, I hate seeing him like this
Couldn’t you have scheduled it avoiding those times? I didn’t know you’d be this inconsiderate lol
If I’d known “Singer I Created” would get this much positive response, I would’ve done things differently.
‘…I was just aiming for fans to find it entertaining.’
Who could’ve predicted it would become a bigger topic than the group’s first anniversary? I thought it would be a double celebration.
Anyway, as more time passes, the controversy flows in a more comprehensive direction.
It’s about fueling doubt regarding group activities themselves.
– Moon Dae-ya, do you want to do a solo? LOL Where are your original intentions? You’re an artist, and you’re doing well. Please come to your senses.
-Sun Ah-hyun’s been doing solo ads lately and I wondered why everyone’s personal schedules increased, but Park Moon-dae set the tone huh
-At this point let’s just split up, make separate SNAs too, seriously… I’m tired of hearing about people I don’t care about
If the anniversary were that important, there’s no way posts about members going separate ways would appear the day after.
‘So whoever posted this wasn’t a group fan to begin with.’
Of course, Testa had shed a lot of its survival show origins where members received individual votes.
Through album worldbuilding and various content, the group’s identity had become quite solidified.
But individual fans still weren’t few, and if shaken like this, there would definitely be people who’d waver.
…Anyone interested already knows this much.
So naturally, preparing countermeasures is basic adult conduct.
I switched my phone screen to the call app.
“Yes, hello. …Yes. Thank you. Actually, I had something to ask about.”
After a brief conversation with the Company, I turned to the person sitting next to me.
“Rae-bin.”
“Yes?”
Kim Rae-bin, absorbed in listening to his own track, startled and turned around.
“The interview—they said it goes out tonight.”
Right on schedule.
“Ah!”
In that instant, Kim Rae-bin’s face brightened. Well, he still looked rather fierce.
“It was such a meaningful interview that I’m already looking forward to it!”
“Right?”
I leaned back against the chair.
This sort of thing didn’t even register on my anxiety meter.

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That evening, Park Moon-dae’s public recognition was still climbing thanks to “May’s Groom,” while internally the fanbase was stirring up chaos.
An interview appeared on YouTube.
It was interview content run by MBS Broadcasting Station’s subsidiary YouTube channel, which produced “The Singer I Created.”
[We brought a marriage certificate…☆ We’ve invited the creators of May’s Groom! 《TT’s Sweet Interview》 EP.47 by MBS2]
The thumbnail featured Park Moon-dae and… Kim Rae-bin.
‘Kim Rae-bin?’
‘A bundled deal…?’
Those who clicked in slight confusion at the sudden appearance of another member soon discovered the full story.
First came the heartwarming, predictable tale of how Kim Rae-bin had offered advice on Park Moon-dae’s arrangements each round.
But the real revelation came next.
[TT: Wow! So that finals song was composed by Rae-bin?]
[Rae-bin: Yes. Of course, I didn’t handle the entire production process alone, but I did make an effort to oversee the work primarily. That’s why I have the largest copyright share, which allowed me to give it to Moon-dae hyung as a birthday gift….]
[It never ends…!]
Unable to bear it any longer, the video fast-forwarded. The fans could only agree.
Then a large caption appeared.
[Rae-bin… more of a TMI personality than expected]
[Summary: Rae-bin led the composition and it was a birthday gift for Moon-dae]
In any case, the message was crystal clear.
The song “May’s Groom” performed in the finals was composed by a Testa member.
In other words, it was an unreleased original track.
So why had this song remained unreleased?
[Moon-dae: Actually, we’re coming back soon… it’s from that album.]
[TT: Whoa—!]
That was it.
The song in question, “Flower’s Waning,” was one of Testa’s upcoming album tracks.
[Moon-dae: This album includes solo tracks from each member, and they’re really wonderful songs, so I performed it partly to introduce them early.]
[TT: Wow! So when the album comes out, we’ll be able to hear the song that’s currently on music sites in a slightly different recording version?]
[Moon-dae: That’s right.]
[TT doing product placement work]
In short, he performed the song partly to promote the group album as well.
[Moon-dae: Actually, the other members’ songs are all really great too. I happened to get the chance to perform first, but… right?]
[Rae-bin: Objectively speaking, Moon-dae hyung has the superior vocal ability, so if we’re just comparing the audio tracks, the advantage would be….]
[Park Moon-dae: (flustered) Yes. We hope you’ll look forward to the other tracks on the upcoming album as well.]
[hahahahahahahaha]
The subtitles burst into laughter at Park Moon-dae’s desperate struggle.
[TT: Ah~ You two are really entertaining! I had a good laugh!]
[Kim Rae-bin: Thank you! (bright)]
[Park Moon-dae: Thank you. (Tibet)]
The interview proceeded lightly and humorously within respectful bounds, and they drew out some casual personal anecdotes as well.
[TT: Ah, before appearing on 【My Song】, you were quite ill, weren’t you…?]
[Park Moon-dae: Yes…. I failed to manage my condition for about a month after I left the country, and my members took great care of me, so I felt terribly sorry. That’s why appearing on 【My Song】 this time was very meaningful. It was the first time in a while I could contribute something to the group….]
[Kim Rae-bin: Hyung….]
[TT: What, what is this touching atmosphere! You’re feeling fine now, right Park Moon-dae?]
[Park Moon-dae: I couldn’t be in better health than this.]
[Strong and healthy Moon-dae]
In truth, this wasn’t something Park Moon-dae had aimed for.
It was simply a question he’d included to reassure anyone who might have worried over the past month, but it became an unexpected jackpot moment.
In any case, the cast and interviewer smoothly brushed past the topic and exchanged questions and answers before wrapping up the brief twelve-minute interview.
[Park Moon-dae: We’ll all appear together for Testa.]
[Kim Rae-bin: I’m already looking forward to it. It seems like it will be very harmonious.]
[TT: Yes~~! Well then, while I wait for the interview with Big Sae-jin, who I call my soul twin~ I’ll wrap up the interview! Don’t forget to bring the marriage certificate, groom!]
[Park Moon-dae: Sounds good.]
The interview ended with Park Moon-dae smiling and taking the marriage certificate.
And at the same time, articles broke out everywhere.
Half were prepared in advance, and half were reactions to the interview.
[Testa Comeback Countdown… ‘May’s Groom’ Park Moon-dae’s Track Announced for Album]
[Testa’s Summer Comeback. Concept is Horror?]
[Top Group Testa’s Comeback, ‘Schedule Already Revealed’]
Naturally, fans’ attention immediately shifted to the comeback news.
-Ahhhhh Testa comeback!!
-Wait Park Moon-dae’s track is on the new album?
-Park Moon-dae has everything planned out
-Was it really Kim Rae-bin’s track?? No wonder my heart raced, it recognized its owner
-What if the whole album has this vibe? Holding my breath until Testa’s comeback
As the finishing touch, Testa uploaded photos from their first anniversary celebration to their account.
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Thank you so much for being with us Reviewer for 365 days!
Please keep being our Reviewer♡ We’ll keep being Testa too♡ Forever between us☆
(The cake in the photo was sponsored by Leader and the maknae. It was delicious.)
(photo)
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‘We’re so close-knit that we even prepared a separate first anniversary cake just for ourselves, not as a scheduled event’ — it was a display of their bond.
-What will our kids feel like?
-A group full of consideration and camaraderie. Let’s go far together, my stars. (edited photo)
-Park Moon-dae thinking about album promotion the moment he recovered, and the members taking care of him while he’s still unwell—I’m really crying. Best Reviewer life ever
Since the interview teaser had been uploaded to social media quite early, the narrative that they’d done it as an excuse to deflect controversy didn’t hold much water.
-Hurry up and open pre-orders, you T1 bastards!!
Thus, the controversy—which had been nothing but a tempest in a teacup from the start—quickly subsided as people grew excited about the comeback announcement.
Just as Park Moon-dae had predicted, the buzz surrounding “May’s Groom” hadn’t been consumed excessively and connected smoothly into Testa’s comeback.
And Park Moon-dae, the central figure in all of this, was in the midst of a new schedule.

* * *
“It’s been a while, junior.”
“…!”

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

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