Debut or Die - Chapter 160

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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 160
It was a national tradition for audition programs to feature the previous season’s champion.
Especially since Testa was undeniably a living testament to Ajusa’s success—if I were a producer, I would have absolutely insisted they appear.
And now that our agency is under the T1 umbrella, there’s no way we could refuse.
“Come on, guys, think about it. Wouldn’t it be amazing? The champion’s entrance!”
“Ooh~”
Big Sae-jin grinned at the Manager’s words, though he looked like he was holding back from telling him to stop spouting nonsense.
“So it’s already decided that we’re going?”
“Well, it seems to have turned out that way. They’re counting on you guys to show some loyalty since you’re from the same company.”
Loyalty. What a joke.
‘Half these guys have been torn apart by editing at least once on that show.’
Everyone seemed to share the sentiment—I noticed several of them looking exasperated or wearing bitter smiles.
But Cha Yu-jin, who had been deep in thought about something, raised his hand.
“Hyung! Are the contestants female this time??”
“Huh? Oh, the participants?”
“Yes!”
“That’s right. The girls!”
“Ooh.”
Cha Yu-jin spoke with a serious expression.
“I have fans who think of me as their boyfriend. I hate it!”
“Pfft!”
Sun Ah-hyun choked on his words.
“Hey, you just have to be careful about that~ You’re not going to date them anyway!”
“When you meet a good person, dating happens naturally! You can’t control your heart!”
“Just say something cool on camera and you’re done! You won’t get that kind of opportunity anyway, Eugene!”
He had a point.
‘They won’t deliberately create on-screen interactions.’
T1 wouldn’t want to kill the golden goose that is Testa. They wouldn’t needlessly damage our brand image.
However, there was room for the contestants to be misled by editing.
‘Contestants getting distracted by the appearance of a popular idol group and neglecting their practice….’
A very familiar narrative. It even stirred up a sense of nostalgia.
I just found it exhausting to get tangled up in that sort of thing. And the risk factors didn’t end there.
‘These bastards are going to pull some stupid stunt.’
Since our Season 3 had been so successful, I was certain that various factions would attach themselves to Season 4 and try to manipulate it.
The fact that it had been delayed a whole year—when it wouldn’t have been strange for it to start last year based on the schedule—was suspicious.
‘There’s a 100% chance controversy erupts.’
I didn’t want to get entangled in that mess even slightly.
‘I’ll play it safe.’
I should probably brief them soon that it’s better to focus on being cautious rather than looking impressive.
I was sighing inwardly when Kim Rae-bin, sitting beside me, quietly raised his hand.
“Well, then, would it be alright if I provided a song suited to a female vocal range as the mission track this time….”
“No.”
“Not this time, Rae-bin.”
“…? Understood.”
Before the Manager could even respond, the flood of objections came pouring in, and Kim Rae-bin quietly lowered his hand again.
I was grateful he wasn’t the stubborn type.
‘Channel that producing passion elsewhere.’
We’re keeping our involvement to an absolute minimum.
“When is the filming?”
“Oh, next week, I think? Since it won’t take long, they squeezed it in between other schedules.”
“Oh~”
I leaned back against the chair while listening to the Manager and Big Sae-jin’s conversation.
“Ah, it’s Thursday. That’s when Moon-dae has a variety show schedule!”
Ah, now I know when it is.

* * *
“The greatest singer character created in ‘My Singer’ is….”
“Park Moon-dae’s ‘May’s Bridegroom’!”
Poof! Cheers erupted along with the sound of flower petals bursting.
I could already picture the captions appearing over the panels applauding—something like “Three consecutive wins!”
“Congratulations!”
After a four-week hiatus due to some special program scheduling, this was my first time performing as ‘May’s Bridegroom’ in a long while.
And it was also my final victory. The program had implemented a rule limiting each character to three appearances to maintain freshness.
‘It’s over.’
The timing was perfect.
I’d performed a second rhythmic tango, and this time I’d sung a final wistful nocturne that evoked memories.
‘Of course, I arranged the climax to be longer.’
Thanks to that, I could cleanly win three times and exit with peace of mind.
I exchanged my prepared final remarks appropriately with the panelists.
Now, let me say something about being grateful to the viewers and members….
“Moon-dae, are you thinking of coming back with a new character?”
“Right! It’s such a shame to let you go~”
I already knew that if I did, they’d just call me crazy anyway.
“If the opportunity arises, I’d be delighted to visit again someday. During my time as May’s Bridegroom, it was truly fun and joyful.”
This is the truth.
‘Thanks to it, my recovery was faster.’
Having solo schedules to prepare helped when I felt awkward about meeting Ryu Chung-woo.
Being busier meant I didn’t have time to think about other things, which was also comforting.
‘…And the counseling in between helped too.’
It’s embarrassing to admit, but it definitely made a difference to open up to a professional, even if just on the surface.
Thanks to that, I don’t have any particular concerns now. I’ve even reduced the number of counseling sessions.
‘I’m thinking I’ll be able to settle my status window without too much strain soon.’
As I was organizing my current state of mind, the MC continued the proceedings enthusiastically.
I should focus on the filming too.
“‘May’s Groom,’ who entered the Hall of Fame with three consecutive victories, will have character merchandise produced under the support of the Korean Culture and Arts Commission.”
For reference, this is a kind of public service project, so neither I nor the Broadcasting Station receive any profits—everything is donated.
“We ask for your continued interest in this merchandise that helps underfed children. Thank you, viewers!”
However, the donation is credited under the program’s name, not mine.
‘Those shameless bastards.’
They’re even taking away the tax benefits.
Of course, thanks to that, I get to walk away cleanly with just the publicity gains. If any problems arise from the merchandise, it’s all the Broadcasting Station’s fault anyway.
“Thank you for everything.”
“We had such a great time too~”
“See you again!”
A staff member from somewhere handed me a plush doll. It was a “May’s Groom” doll with a flower attached to its face.
‘Good grief.’
They’re really making full use of the promotion.
I chuckled and shook the doll to show it off, then bowed repeatedly to the judges and audience before descending from the Stage.
I could hear the MC’s closing remarks echoing from above.
“Thank you for your hard work~”
“You did great, Park Moon-dae!”
“Thank you, thank you.”
The sense of accomplishment was quite satisfying. I fidgeted with the plush doll in my hand.
‘…I’ll put it in the bedroom.’
Since I’m planning to change roommates soon, I should find a place to display it as a memento when I rearrange the room later.
‘Well, that’s done.’
The variety show I started on my own has now ended.
Now it’s time to go finish the Testa hometown variety show filming.
“Welcome, Moon-dae~”
“How was it?”
Questions came the moment I got in the car.
I shook the doll.
“I won.”
“Ooh~”
Applause filled the car. Their reaction is great even though it’s not their own achievement. At this rate, I could go to the Ajusa filming site and work as a reaction bot for the rest of the day.
“Is, is this the merchandise?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow….”
“It’s better than I thought? We should suggest making something like this to include with our albums too~”
The flower-headed doll underwent business analysis and was then settled in front of the window behind the seat.
The car continued smoothly forward, finally coming to a stop in front of a familiar massive building on the outskirts.
“Wow… nothing’s changed at all.”
“It’s been forever.”
I’d bet my life that the unspoken part of that statement was ‘I never wanted to see this place again.’
Even Ryu Chung-woo muttered something slightly reluctant.
“Right… let’s do our best out there.”
“Yes.”
After mentally reviewing the script I’d already memorized, Testa entered the filming studio where Idol Stock Company Season 2 was being recorded.
And I confirmed the situation I’d been briefed on.
“Whoa! You guys!”
“Oh~ hello!”
Inside the filming studio was Gold 1’s group… Golden Age.
Of course, it wasn’t just that group. Gold 2 was already glancing over here from where they stood.
“Oh~ Hee-seung, it’s been so long! You’re doing modeling now, right? How have you been?”
“Hehe, great! How have you been, Sae-jin hyung?”
The production team had gathered all the participants who’d done some level of activity after appearing in Season 3.
‘Isn’t this overreaching?’
It seemed like they were planning to launch after maximizing the hype from Ajusa, but since the genders were different, I worried the audience base would split enough to backfire.
‘Well, it’s not my problem anyway.’
We’d actually prefer if Season 4 flopped.
If it did as well as Season 3, even with a different gender, the survival show enthusiasts would switch over, and there’d definitely be some viewer loss.
If it fails from being boring rather than fairness controversies, that’s the best outcome.
‘Hmm, I wonder how it’ll go.’
Let’s just get through the filming safely.
“Ah, Testa’s here~ welcome! Thanks for coming.”
Testa shook hands with the PD who’d become noticeably friendlier and greeted the writers. Among them was that Writer Ryu Seo-rin.
“Hello.”
The writer who’d given me her business card at the noraebang, the one involved in the controversy about being relatives with Ryu Chung-woo.
And very likely, originally related to me as well….
‘Never mind that.’
In any case, Writer Ryu Seo-rin didn’t acknowledge anyone in particular and moved past the situation. A fairly wise decision.
Before filming began, the PD gave a brief briefing.
“Everyone, you’re all familiar with the direction now, right?”
“Yes!”
“Please do it brilliantly~ brilliantly!”
The entrance direction we were briefed on was like this:
Play an ‘Ajusa Season 3 Achievement video’ for the current participants, then suddenly have the actual people appear directly in front of them to offer words of encouragement, answer questions, and exit.
‘This is so cringe-inducing.’
The execution itself is fine. But the intent behind whoever planned this was so transparent it was embarrassing.
“H-hey, want some chocolate?”
“…Yeah. Give me one.”
“Me too, please!”
I needed to replenish my energy with some sugar.
I crunched through the chocolate Sun Ah-hyun handed me, and before long, it was time to film.
“You’ll enter in 5 seconds~”
All the Season 3 participants waiting at the device in front of the ranking announcement set boarded the lift together and revealed themselves before the Season 4 participants.
Screams erupted immediately.
“Kyaaaaaaah!!”
“Is this real? Is this actually real??”
I don’t believe this production choice either, but it’s real.
‘I hope they don’t edit it even more exaggerated because I ranked first.’
I was already worried about the broadcast monitoring.

* * *
“Phew.”
“Ah, this was more nerve-wracking than I thought.”
The camera kept following us even after filming ended, probably planning to use it as behind-the-scenes content.
I waved casually with a smile and threw out some encouraging remarks.
“Fighting!”
“I hope Season 4 becomes a huge success.”
It’s not like my wishes actually make things happen, so I can say whatever I want.
But the filming was embarrassing, so my palms were sweating. I should go wash my hands.
“Ah, I’m going to the bathroom for a moment.”
Big Sae-jin, who was covering for the Manager who’d stepped away, looked up from his smartphone.
“You’re not going to ask for the participants’ numbers, right Moon-dae? I trust you~”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Seeing another Season 3 participant next to me bragging about getting a number, I didn’t even feel like calling him crazy.
‘He seems confident he won’t get caught.’
I shrugged and walked down the corridor.
As I walked further away from the noisy set, I suddenly heard footsteps following behind me.
‘Could it be?’
When I turned around, it was someone unexpected.
Choi Won-gil.
“…?”
What reason would he have to chase after me?
“Um, hyung.”
Choi Won-gil spoke with a conflicted expression.
“What.”
“…I’m not sure how to tell you this. Be careful.”
“Be careful about what.”
“It’s our Agency.”
“…!”
He’s bringing this up himself?
First, to prevent another disaster like last time, I made absolutely certain no one was around.
“There’s no one here. I checked too.”
Well, well.
‘So he’s learned something after all.’
I let out a quiet laugh and turned completely toward Choi Won-gil.
“Right. So what about your Agency?”
“…Do you know our main vocalist? Not me—that hyung.”
“Oh, him.”
He’s talking about that guy from Golden Age who wore a whole roasted chicken with a ribbon when I did “May’s Groom” on 【I Am a Singer】.
“Yeah. I know him. Why?”
Choi Won-gil fumbled with his words.
“They’re… comparing him with you, it seems.”
“With me? In what way?”
Why would he attempt something so reckless after getting knocked out on 【I Am a Singer】? And he’s a survival show first-place finisher at that.
Choi Won-gil hung his head low.
“By… education level….”
“…!”
“That hyung goes to Korea University.”
Good grief.
‘So that’s what this is about.’
Right. Park Moon-dae didn’t even finish high school.
After living as a college graduate, I went straight into being an idol, so I’d practically forgotten about Park Moon-dae’s educational background.
It only comes up occasionally as a scratch, and even that rarely happens these days.
‘Which means it’s weak material.’
Besides, I’m not the only idol who quit school midway.
It just got overblown when family circumstances were exposed during Ajusa.
It actually served to thicken the background of Park Moon-dae’s character, so it wasn’t purely a disadvantage.
What this means is, if I touch it wrong, I could face backlash for persecuting Golden Age unfairly.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but I’m not exactly unpopular.
‘I suspect they’ve already anticipated this kind of skill.’
I deliberately probed Choi Won-gil.
“Isn’t that too reckless to attempt? I want to know if you’re sure about this.”
“…I’m not sure. They didn’t tell me directly—I just happened to overhear it at the company… They said they’d push that hyung with this young master image, and that they’d use Park Moon-dae hyung as material too….”
“….”
So they’re not pitting me against him one-on-one, but rather pushing him as an elite with unusually good education and family background—a silver-spoon image.
And it seems they were planning to use me as one of many counterexamples of someone who didn’t have that.
‘They really will try anything.’
Of course, I wasn’t sure if they’d actually use it, but it was certainly worth attempting for an Agency that knew how to leverage publicity well.
“Well, I apologize for not knowing better. It’s just… I’ve caused you so much trouble… I wanted to apologize, so I mentioned it. I’m sorry.”
“…Alright.”
I held back a sigh.
“For now… thanks.”
“…!”
Choi Won-gil seemed startled, but his expression softened and he nodded.
“Thank you. I, uh, I’ll be going now….”
“Yeah. Get going.”
I watched Choi Won-gil disappear in a rush for a moment, then inwardly clicked my tongue.
‘It’s ambiguous.’
This wasn’t something I could do anything about just by knowing. I had no intention of doing something pointless like retaking the college entrance exam to go to university anyway.
‘At least I can take some satisfaction in knowing beforehand.’
And even if something happened, it didn’t seem like it would be a major problem. It would be annoying, though.
I shrugged and continued walking down the Corridor.
‘I won’t have time to stop by the Bathroom.’
Having walked quite a distance, the opposite exit had become closer. So I decided to head that way and leave the Set.
And at the opposite exit, I encountered an unexpected meeting.
“…I really hope you’ll think about it! That senior is genuinely a good person!”
“….”
A staff member and Bae Sae-jin were finishing a conversation.
‘A PD?’
More precisely, Bae Sae-jin, with a stiff expression, had received something from one of Ajusa’s PDs.
The PD soon left, and I approached Bae Sae-jin.
“Hyung.”
“…Uh, yeah.”
Bae Sae-jin seemed a bit out of it.
“Is something wrong?”
“Well….”
Bae Sae-jin looked conflicted for a moment, then swallowed hard and spoke.
“They asked me if I’d be interested in doing a drama.”
“…!”

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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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