Debut or Die - Chapter 192

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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 192
First of all… I moved to an empty conference room nearby with Ajusa’s second-place finisher from this season, who had appeared out of nowhere.
“Thank you so much!”
“…Don’t mention it.”
No, actually, it was a situation worth being grateful for.
They’d agreed to spare some time in the middle of their schedule without any prior arrangement, just like that.
And to a junior member they were meeting for the first time, no less.
‘I only had time because it was a personal advertisement meeting.’
Otherwise, it would’ve been impossible.
-Ah~ things run so much smoother when Moon-dae is here too!
Big Sae-jin was already creating an escape route for himself in exactly this way.
I could’ve easily slipped away without looking bad by just throwing out something like ‘Yes, I understand. My apologies,’ but the reason I didn’t avoid this situation was simple.
‘It’s more convenient to know beforehand.’
Someone had clearly made a gesture that would affect Testa, but if it went through the company people first, it would definitely get distorted.
‘It’s easier to back out if I hear it directly.’
Even if we’re from the same company, we’re still in competition. There’s no moral issue even if we can’t provide specific help in the same situation.
‘Then let me hear it.’
…However, what came out of the junior member’s mouth after the pleasantries ended was beyond my imagination.
“Our… debut title working title was ‘Magical Girl’…!”
“Pfft!”
That sound just now came from Kim Rae-bin sitting next to me, not from me. He also had time since he wasn’t the advertisement meeting contact.
And if I’d been drinking something, I would’ve made that sound too.
‘Are they insane?’
Did their person in charge lose their mind? Or could there be a misunderstanding?
I barely managed to open my mouth.
“Testa’s debut song, ‘Magical Boy,’ and….”
“Yes, yes! As soon as you hear it, that song comes to mind. There are similar parts in the lyrics, and the genre is similar too….”
It wasn’t a misunderstanding.
The junior member’s face had gone pale.
“I’ve already seen the concept and… the costumes, and they’re just, so similar….”
“….”
“I felt I had to tell you, so I came to see you….”
Yeah. I definitely understood that part.
‘They came because they thought we’d all go down together.’
Since this kid had also survived at Ajusa, they wouldn’t have come here blindly trusting that Testa would help.
A senior from the same agency with a two-year gap was practically a rival, after all.
But since this kind of thing would be a headache for Testa too if it came out, they probably came expecting us to oppose it together.
It was a reasonable line of thinking. However, I couldn’t just believe it blindly.
‘Let me dig a bit deeper.’
I had a rough idea of what the agency was thinking, but I needed to hear more about the specific situation.
But I had nothing to say before he did.
Kim Rae-bin raised his hand first, snapping it up sharply.
“May I ask a question?”
“Yes? Yes!”
I briefly considered silencing him given his usual social awkwardness, but decided against it.
Kim Rae-bin was the one who’d directly worked on the “Magic Boy” track, after all.
And as expected, Kim Rae-bin cut straight to the heart of the matter.
“How similar is the song? Beyond genre similarities, does it share conceptual common ground to a significant degree?”
“That… ah!!”
The junior member leaned forward excitedly, placing both hands on the table.
“We actually borrowed something! A melody that appears briefly in the bridge!”
“Yes…?”
“That ‘la-la-la~’ melody from ‘Magic Boy’!”
“…!!”
The most iconic riff melody from “Magic Boy”—that crisp, refreshing accompaniment played on the kalimba.
They borrowed that…?
‘Wait, isn’t this plagiarism?’
Even if the original artist used it, it’s a copyright issue.
From what I knew, Kim Rae-bin had added several chords to that note during the arrangement process, which caused a variation.
So Kim Rae-bin’s name was definitely listed among the composition copyright holders….
“Ah, it’s sampling, then.”
But Kim Rae-bin nodded calmly, and the junior member’s jaw dropped.
“S-sampling….”
“Yes. Unauthorized sampling has occurred frequently throughout popular music history, but in recent times it’s become something we try to avoid….”
“In any case, you heard nothing.”
“Right.”
“It’s legally ambiguous too.”
“That’s correct. It depends on the degree, but there are actually numerous cases that haven’t been recognized as legal issues. Moreover, since you mentioned it only appears briefly in the bridge, it could potentially be interpreted as homage.”
In other words, it might only need to be resolved on the ethical level through public opinion.
‘Now that I think about it, there were countless cases of getting permission after release.’
I clicked my tongue.
‘…This really does seem like the Director’s gamble.’
The Director had already half-given up on realizing his vision through Testa.
So it wouldn’t be strange if he’d prepared to use Testa as nourishment for that rookie group in one grand move instead.
‘He’s drawing aggro.’
Turning the firepower of Testa’s fanbase against itself.
By touching that ambiguous line comparable within the same agency’s universe, wouldn’t he have orchestrated a plan to digest even Testa fans’ anger as public interest?
‘In other words, it’s textbook noise marketing.’
The general public doesn’t pay close attention to the fact that Testa handled the concept and arrangement themselves anyway.
They only accept it as an image—there’s no way anyone would actually deduce which specific production aspects the group participated in.
So if that junior group picks good songs and music videos that resonate with the public, public opinion could easily settle on ‘Testa fans were excessive.’
Something like this.
Isn’t it common for artists from the same agency to have connected universes? Anyway, Loona is really something else… lol
-It’s just good, but since the composer and company are the same, the styles overlap. Do you really believe that Testa created it all by himself? Haha.
-I fell in love with Eunhasuz after seeing the stage, which was so crazy. Now let’s just walk on the flower pathㅠㅠ
And the ‘Magic Boy’ song and concept were already a verified hit.
‘Even if they only follow halfway, the response should be decent. That calculation is definitely built in.’
Once this method launches that junior group into the spotlight, the Director will probably push them as the main focus.
Overall, it was a structure where only the Agency benefited without much loss.
‘The arrows will come at that rookie group first anyway, so they’ll avoid taking the brunt of the criticism themselves.’
And just looking at the junior member sitting there, I could tell how much this situation was burdening that group.
After going through a crazy program like Ajusa, those group members definitely received all the criticism they’d eat for a lifetime.
‘But asking them to endure being a scapegoat even after debut… I can’t blame them for disliking it.’
Still, ‘buzz’ alone could be guaranteed even after debut, yet they show no conflict—just reluctance.
‘Hmm.’
I spoke again.
“By the way.”
“Yes!”
“Do you happen to have an alternative in mind?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m curious if there was another candidate besides ‘Magic Boy.'”
“…! Yes!”
As expected.
The junior member’s expression brightened. Then a composed explanation followed.
“Actually, one of our members originally studied producing. That member’s song made it to the final as a title candidate, but… suddenly, a few days ago, it got reversed.”
Looking at just this situation, that’s good news.
“You’d want to do that song, wouldn’t you?”
“…Yes. The Team Leader said we could use it for the next album, but… honestly, setting the situation aside, objectively I think that song is better.”
Hmm, the Agency’s strategy was actually sound.
It looks like they planned to draw massive attention with the debut, then blow up with in-house production on the next album and skyrocket.
‘The problem is they’re using us for that.’
Even if Testa feels a bit bitter about it, there’s probably a thought of ‘what can we do?’ The contract renegotiation isn’t imminent anyway—there’s still three and a half years left.
I frowned slightly, and the junior member panicked.
“Of course ‘Magic Boy’ is truly a masterpiece…! But our debut song feels derivative right now, so the original candidate song is better….”
“Of course. I understand completely.”
They probably misread my expression. While I was relaxing my face, Kim Rae-bin suddenly started talking.
“What kind of song was the one you originally prepared?”
“Ah, it’s somewhat retro-inspired… a style that’s getting attention these days. It’s easy to listen to and really cool—that’s what the members and I thought!”
“By retro, do you mean disco or synthwave?”
“Hmm, I think it was synthwave!”
“Then, could it be the sound pack…?”
The junior member, who didn’t work directly on compositions and couldn’t possibly be fluent in all music production terminology, began shrinking under Kim Rae-bin’s questioning. I needed to cut this short.
“My apologies. He’s just so passionate about music work….”
“That passion is wonderful…! It’s impressive!”
“Ah, thank you.”
This won’t do. He’s reverted to being a fresh recruit.
I watched my junior member, who looked like he’d stiffen up and start spouting flattery, then decided to change the atmosphere.
“In any case, I understand clearly why you came. You must have been worried. And disappointed too.”
“Yes….”
“But as you know, it’s difficult for us to casually involve ourselves in producing other groups. We’re a fledgling group that hasn’t even been around for two years since debut. From what I’m hearing, this isn’t something we can even raise as a legal issue.”
“…That’s true.”
The junior member’s expression darkened.
And Kim Rae-bin’s expression darkened along with it. You shouldn’t do that.
‘He empathized because it’s a song issue.’
I almost found myself missing Big Sae-jin. I suppressed a sigh and continued.
“However, I completely understand your discomfort. Have you perhaps discussed this matter with your company?”
“…I tried to, but they wouldn’t listen.”
As expected, for words from kids who haven’t even debuted to gain traction, they’d need to prepare some kind of presentation.
“I see.”
Kim Rae-bin nodded earnestly, as if remembering his former agency.
“It’s a sad situation. Everyone should be able to speak freely….”
Good grief.
I stared at Kim Rae-bin without saying anything.
Kim Rae-bin quietly froze.
Good. Now I need to choose my words carefully.
The important thing here is not to mention that we’d also be inconvenienced.
‘If Testa steps in directly to smooth things over, who knows how it’ll be twisted later.’
It needs to look like the rookies themselves opposed it independently, not Testa.
So our role ends with advice.
I crossed my arms.
“Have you heard anything about America from your company recently?”
“A-America? …Ah, the Director mentioned that sort of thing quite a bit when I saw him.”
“I see.”
So the America obsession is still alive and well. I nodded and spoke lightly.
“How about dropping hints about this kind of conversation whenever you’re around someone with a higher position?”
“Pardon?”
“That magical girl concepts are too traditional and cater to niche sensibilities that won’t work in places like America.”
“…!!”
“And since retro is trending in America these days, catching that wave before it passes would be very effective—maybe share some examples like that.”
“Directly??”
“No, it’s about making sure the members hear those conversations clearly. You do the same with the AR Team staff and company people.”
“….”
The shock drained from the Junior Member’s expression, replaced instead by composure.
“And once the rumors spread enough, should we meet with the Director and explain things properly?”
‘Oh.’
Not bad at reading the situation.
I gave a small nod.
“I can’t guarantee it will work… but if you prepare things properly, it might just pull through. We did something similar when we debuted.”
“….”
The Junior Member fell silent in thought for a moment, then gave a calm nod.
“…Yes. Thank you so much.”
“No, I hope it helps.”
“Yes! Thank you so much for taking the time. Really, thank you! …Oh, a call! Ah, I’ll see you next time. Seniors!”
The Junior Member bowed quickly, then yelped at the vibration sound and bolted from the Conference Room.
‘Looks like they snuck out.’
Well, it’s their problem now. I shrugged and stood up.
“Rae-bin, let’s go too.”
“Yes.”
Kim Rae-bin got up and straightened the chair before asking with a serious expression.
“Do you think the Junior Members’ persuasion will be successful?”
“Hard to say. It comes down to luck and ability.”
Kim Rae-bin lowered his head and muttered in a somewhat melancholic tone.
“I hope things go well.”
“Why? Worried the juniors will get criticized?”
“That’s part of it, but….”
Kim Rae-bin hesitated before continuing.
“I just hope they don’t misuse our debut song.”
“…!!”
“Everyone worked so hard without even getting sleep to create it, and I really hope that precious result doesn’t get abused by someone else… I know it might sound selfish, but I was more concerned about how our group would feel.”
Seriously.
“That’s not selfish.”
“R-really?”
I let out a soft laugh.
“Yeah. I feel the same way.”
“…!”
“Why would I be happy about someone stealing our song to get some attention?”
“Y-you’re right.”
Exactly. The group would even suffer damage from this, so accepting it without complaint would make us complete fools.
“And if they don’t succeed anyway, I’m planning to work things so the company doesn’t just do whatever it wants, so don’t worry too much.”
“…Yes!”
Kim Rae-bin’s sullen expression lifted.
“By the way, do you have a particular method in mind?”
Well, I’m just laying the groundwork.
That day, the moment I returned to the Dormitory before the other members, I uploaded a post to SNS with Kim Rae-bin.
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Debut Production History
(File)
In commemoration of the Amusement Park fiasco broadcast, I’m reflecting on our original intentions. I’ll continue working hard going forward…
(Screenshot)
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These were the rough draft and final versions of the debut song-related PowerPoint that I’d created to persuade the Director back at debut.
For reference, I’d also attached a screenshot of the file save history from rough draft to final version.
The screenshot was flooded with all manner of file titles plastered with things like ‘real_final’ and ‘1_(1)’.
Kim Rae-bin clapped his hands together.
“I understand! You’re revealing the physical evidence while emphasizing that the arrangement, concept, and lyrics of ‘Magic Boy’ were all produced in-house by Testa!”
“Yeah… that’s right.”
The way he said it made it sound incredibly grand. When really, it was just a preemptive move.
And just in case, I’d also framed the format to look like I’d uploaded it casually, keeping the reality show angle in mind.
If the Company had pushed forward anyway, this would prevent later accusations that “Testa was targeting junior female idols.”
“Hyung! There’s a fan here recommending PowerPoint templates!”
“Yeah.”
The fans seemed to be bursting with laughter at the bizarre bait of a PowerPoint while simultaneously getting lost in nostalgia.
I listened to Kim Rae-bin relaying their reactions while waiting for the others to return.
Having posted to SNS under the guise of the reality show, I thought it would be good to take some reality-related action at tomorrow’s awards ceremony as well.
‘It’s worth discussing.’
And… I needed to give a heads-up to those two with the same name.
‘I should probably tell them not to let it show.’
I’d just seen the article.
At tomorrow’s awards ceremony, VTIC was finally resuming their official schedule.

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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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