Debut or Die - Chapter 224

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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 224
After the vacation ended.
“You’re back?”
“Yeah.”
The moment I returned to the Dormitory, I relayed the specifics of Kim Rae-bin’s remote work arrangement.
Truth be told, I’d told Kim Rae-bin it was a burden he’d bear alone, but preparing two different versions of our activities contingent on his presence or absence wasn’t exactly standard procedure.
‘It’s honestly grueling work.’
If we were going to pull this off while keeping the comeback schedule intact, it was predictable what would happen.
It meant we’d arbitrarily reached a conclusion as three people, and they’d have no grounds to protest even if they wanted to.
Of course, these guys didn’t seem like they’d protest, and they didn’t.
“…So, we concluded that Kim Rae-bin would work on the songs remotely from home while coordinating the album preparation with us from a distance.”
“Oh nice.”
“Good work, Hoo.”
As we gathered in the Living Room for a quick briefing, sighs of relief burst out from all directions.
During the vacation, they hadn’t asked directly but had inquired indirectly about how things were going, so it seemed each of them had racked their brains over it in their own way.
“S-so, Kim Rae-bin can stay by his grandmother’s side… and continue being there.”
“Right. That’s a relief~ So we give feedback on Kim Rae-bin’s work Monday and Thursday nights at 9 PM?”
“Yeah. And for anything in between, we’ll communicate in real-time as much as possible.”
The one focused on Kim Rae-bin’s peace of mind was satisfied, and it was a compromise that satisfied the one worried about his absence too.
“The method’s different, but the work itself hasn’t changed. Let’s make this album together well.”
“Fighting~”
“F-fighting…!”
In that process, the increased workload was nothing new—it naturally got pushed down the priority list.
That’s when I realized it.
‘The staff’s reaction will probably be similar….’
There was no need to think about incentives.
…I should check whether the Company was at least handling overtime pay properly.
However, there was one exception.
One member’s face had gone pale.
“…That worked out well for Kim Rae-bin.”
Naturally, it was Bae Sae-jin. His reaction even came a beat late after the topic had moved on.
‘The words themselves sound sincere, though.’
It was just that imagining the future of learning two separate choreography sequences had clearly made his vision go dark.
Still, his recovery was surprisingly fast.
Look at what Bae Sae-jin said immediately after during the choreography scale discussion.
“So should we talk about the choreography first?”
“Oh~ Since the number of people is different, what if we ask them to design the scales completely separately?”
“Hmm… but wouldn’t it be better to keep the vocal members’ movement changes as minimal as possible?”
Ryu Chung-woo had glossed over it roughly, but no one missed who he was trying to be considerate toward.
And the person in question’s reaction was this.
“…No, there’s no need for that. Just do it the same way.”
“R-really?”
“…Yes!”
“Oh! That’s awesome!”
“Ahem.”
I could see Bae Sae-jin subtly pleased by Cha Yu-jin’s enthusiasm.
‘…I get it now.’
The reason that guy suddenly gained a sliver of confidence.
It was probably thanks to his recent reputation surge.
I recalled catching him secretly watching a YouTube video titled “Bae Sae-jin’s Great Escape” in the corner of the Living Room right before my vacation.
[Just as the controversy at Ajusa turned out to be false, Bae Sae-jin has shown remarkable step-by-step growth since his debut.]
[Beyond simply not standing out in group choreography, he’s amazed fans by not missing a single detail of the choreography from start to finish in his fancams.]
[Wouldn’t this be the standard for what it takes to earn the label of ‘growth-type’?]
Even with Bluetooth earbuds in, videos like that have such large subtitles that you can’t help but see them.
The comments seemed overwhelmingly positive too.
-Bae Sae-jin really surprised me. Seeing him on variety shows, he’s cute and hardworking. I ended up wanting to support him lol
Yeah, I remember Bae Sae-jin’s face as he quietly hit ‘like’ on comments like that, unable to suppress his smile.
In any case, after his debut, going through that reality show about making hotteoks, his public reputation has been on an upswing, so it seems he’s received positive motivation himself.
Probably… he’s made up his mind to do his part properly this time and put a period on his reevaluation.
‘But if he pushes himself unnecessarily, it’ll be a problem for me.’
If he burns out during the activity period and it affects the tour, that won’t do. I need to get him to relax his shoulders a bit.
“Then we’ll proceed with the choreography routing request without any special comments….”
“That works for me.”
“Huh?”
“I’d appreciate it if you could keep the movement changes minimal. That’s considerate, right?”
I deliberately looked back and forth between Bae Sae-jin and Ryu Chung-woo.
Why not—I’m a vocal member too.
Ryu Chung-woo lowered his head as if organizing things, barely suppressing a smile.
“Hmm… okay. Then Sae-jin, would it be alright if we keep it relatively simple like that? Since Moon-dae’s saying so.”
“…Y-yeah, sure.”
“Okie dokie~ Let’s go with that then~”
Big Sae-jin raised and lowered his eyebrows as our eyes met.
It was like he was saying ‘why are you looking out for him like that,’ but that guy’s pretty consistent about it.
“Did you contact the Company?”
“Yes. I requested the filming schedule to be doubled….”
I rubbed my chin.
“Now… we just need to move forward quickly with the album concept specifics.”
“…That will probably take,”
“At most a week.”
“Got it.”
A solemn tension settled over the Living Room.
As my experience accumulated, I felt the absence of Kim Rae-bin, who had become remarkably skilled at Excel work, more acutely than expected.
Moreover, this concept was bound to stand out distinctly within the overall flow of our activities.
Clear organization was essential.
“How about we quickly confirm contact with the relevant parties today, and then start in earnest tomorrow?”
“Understood.”
“Y-yes, I’ll work hard…!”
And so the final album work began.

* * *
Scheduling for a busy freelancer turned out to be more cumbersome and complex than anticipated.
I had to coordinate everyone’s schedules perfectly while ensuring the freelancer themselves wouldn’t overextend.
But what if that freelancer was an Idol Group?
The considerations multiplied exponentially.
That’s why the Management Office existed….
‘Those guys really don’t handle things satisfactorily.’
It was easier just to oversee it myself.
Like coordinating with Kim Rae-bin, for instance.
[Title Work_Verse 2_(1)]
[Title Work_Verse 2_(2)]
[Kim Rae-bin: Today I worked on the rap part for the second verse. Please listen and respond with the version that receives more votes.]
[Kim Rae-bin: Thank you as always.]
Kim Rae-bin sent the work precisely on schedule. I sent a reply.
[Good work. I’ll send feedback quickly]
Then I’d receive it, compile the members’ opinions by the next morning, and get the AR Team’s review.
After sending it back to Kim Rae-bin in the evening, work would arrive again on the next scheduled contact date.
Normally I would have had Kim Rae-bin communicate directly with the AR Team, but… given the circumstances.
I thought for a moment and added a message.
[If anything feels particularly difficult or concerning while you’re there, let me know]
Because of situations like this, I needed to maintain some flexibility beyond just work matters.
Fortunately, this time too, a quick response came without hesitation.
[Kim Rae-bin: No exceptional circumstances have occurred.]
It meant there had been no deterioration or sudden recovery in his grandmother’s condition since the surgery.
‘…Still, this period can’t go on too long.’
Just as I was considering a response, messages arrived in quick succession.
[Kim Rae-bin: Thank you for always worrying about me!]
[Kim Rae-bin: (image)]
The attached image showed a rose drawing with the text “The strength to live today, found in smiling faces and courage ^^” shimmering in rainbow colors.
[Kim Rae-bin: My grandfather sent this, and the message is really lovely, so I wanted to share it. I hope you have an energetic day.]
I let out a soft laugh.
‘Not much time left today, you bastard.’
It was already 10 PM.
Still, I took those remaining two hours as his way of wishing me a good day.
[Yeah. You get some rest too.]
I confirmed Kim Rae-bin’s polite reply and turned off my smartphone screen.
The sound of shoe soles sliding echoed loudly from ahead.
“Let’s run through it again.”
“Yes!”
Even though Kim Rae-bin had uploaded the file to the group chat, the reason no one else could respond in real-time except me was clear.
They were in the middle of learning the six-person choreography without Kim Rae-bin.
Someone had to respond, so I’d just stepped away for a moment.
“Moon-dae, Moon-dae, did you check Rae-bin’s song well? Which part?”
“The intro to the second verse.”
“Okay~ we’re done?”
It was his way of telling me to rejoin practice quickly. I positioned myself beside him before entering the chorus repetition section.
“Let’s just check Moon-dae once more.”
“Yes.”
The overall structure of the song was complete, and with arrangement and some recording work still in progress, a rough-cut demo was playing through the speakers.
By the way, I recorded it.
…When recording each part, I matched the vocal technique so they wouldn’t get confused, and I remember those bastards bursting out laughing.
-Hahahaha! Is that me? Moon-dae’s got some skill??
-Do that part again! Let me try!
-Moon-dae, how about making voice mimicry your special talent?
If we go on a variety show anytime soon, they’ll definitely bring this up as an anecdote.
…Yeah, this irritates me again. Let me stop thinking about it.
I focused on the choreography.
“One, two….”
The Choreographer Judge checked my movements and positioning once, then nodded.
“You dance well. I especially like how you lift your head.”
“Thank you.”
“And I know this is a bit much to say, but even I think the song is great. It’s really polished.”
It was praise any idol preparing for an album release would gladly accept.
Bright responses came from all around.
“Thank you!”
‘This is fun.’
By the way, this Choreographer Judge was the same dance trainer I’d met at Ajusa.
He pretends to be natural, but his harsh attitude from back then is gone—he’s become much more careful and kind.
Look at how he doesn’t even show irritation, let alone ignore it, when Bae Sae-jin occasionally responds slowly or makes mistakes.
‘This is society.’
Especially toward Sun Ah-hyun, who he’d hurled abuse at freely during the audition—he’s almost courteous now.
While I can’t say this is an ideal approach, there’s no denying that social hierarchy is the most effective etiquette enforcer in the workplace.
“…Ah-hyun, could you turn around just once toward the back?”
“Yes, yes!”
‘Sun Ah-hyun himself doesn’t seem bothered by it.’
Well, the Choreographer Judge had come across more forcefully due to the demands of showbiz, so there was no reason to single him out as particularly bad-natured in this industry.
Besides, the choreography itself turned out exceptionally well.
There was a reason I’d chosen this Choreographer Judge’s design as the main direction.
‘This style is almost unprecedented.’
“End of the first verse.”
“Thank you for your hard work~”
“Thank you!”
Some of the members who stumbled here and there looked exhausted, but they didn’t seem particularly anxious.
It was thanks to the sense of stability that work was progressing steadily despite the hectic pace.
‘Good.’
“Hey, Moon-dae. Water.”
“Thanks.”
I drank the water while mentally mapping out the remaining schedule.
Either way, there were no issues.
‘Still, I hope we can go with the best-case scenario where Kim Rae-bin joins in.’
This album’s image suits him so well, after all.
With that conclusion, I made the most of the brief break time.
“10 minutes up.”
“Got it~”
But there was one factor I hadn’t accounted for in all this.
I hadn’t been monitoring the Internet deeply for several weeks.
And beneath the surface, rumors were already spreading quietly.
[Kim Rae-bin Likely Sitting Out This Comeback]
Of course, it’s not like I only found out later and hit the ground in frustration.
“Ah-hyun.”
“Hm?”
I’d successfully convinced my roommate that day.
Which meant… my season of watching only fluffy creatures on YouTube was over.

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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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