Debut or Die - Chapter 272

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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 272
We even conducted a brief promotional activity with the new remix track we unveiled at the concert.
The response was so overwhelmingly positive that we all agreed to strike while the iron was hot.
-Crazy music comes out ㅠㅠ
-How did Testa even hold back until the concert reveal? Did you guys actually fail to hold back and that was the challenge?
-Please give us more, we can’t end here
I’d initially expected the track to be remembered as a masterpiece only among fans since it was revealed at the concert, but there were quite a few other reactions too.
-Wow, was this planned from the beginning?
Even if it came out hastily, it seems like it would be surprising either way. Your sense is no joke, lol
-Entertainment agencies these days really have quality, great for national pride
It seemed like both tracks had strong recognition thanks to the groundwork laid from the previous album and the fact that we’d won against Young-rin in that promotional period.
Because of that, Kim Rae-bin seemed elated.
========================
I’m Kim Rae-bin. Though this was just a concert remix and not even the title track, I’m truly grateful for the excessive interest you’ve all shown in the song. The beginning of this project started with connecting the bass….
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And so he’d posted nine separate composition-related short posts starting like that on Testa’s shared SNS.
By the way, the shares and likes that had been accumulating on the first post had dropped to about 1/5 by the eighth post. It was an implicit sign that people couldn’t understand what he was talking about.
“Rae-bin, the post you just uploaded….”
“It seems everyone had many questions, so I took it upon myself to organize the arrangement process and upload it, but how is it??”
“Well, it’s really good.”
He looked so happy that no one else added another word. The embarrassing history was his burden alone.
Regardless, the fact that this guy had even created a remix while touring was genuinely impressive.
-…How do you even make something like this? And when?
-During idle moments on tour, I refined the arrangement track we used in your challenge as a hobby.
-That’s… a hobby?
-Yes!
I briefly recalled the conversation between Bae Sae-jin and Kim Rae-bin. And I thought anew.
‘Getting multiple opinions… actually helps.’
Without Cha Yu-jin’s challenge input, this idea would never have emerged.
I acknowledged that while this brainstorming method lacked time efficiency, the results were quite solid.
Anyway, for those reasons, we’re currently in an active period.
“We should start moving soon.”
“Yes~”
This unplanned brief activity didn’t have the intensity of a full album release.
It mainly consisted of appearances on YouTube stage video channels or our own video uploads. Or perhaps some monetized advertisements.
In other words, it was closer to fan service content supply.
Given the Cha Yu-jin controversy, we planned to reduce excessive public exposure for a while and wait until our image stabilized through fan-focused activities.
‘Besides, I’m thinking of including this remix as a B-side for the next comeback.’
Still, the activity over the past few months had been quite enjoyable. It wasn’t as insanely hectic as during official promotional periods.
“What’s tomorrow again… wasn’t it some YouTube channel interview?”
“Right. It’s a channel where we meet kids and show them our songs.”
“Oh, that sounds great? I’ve always wanted to try something like that~”
It wasn’t a large-scale activity, nor one that required proving anything, so the mood was relaxed and genuinely enjoyable.
The fans seemed to feel the same way.
-Chung-woo looking at the babies with those sweet, melting eyes is genuinely guilty as charged..
-Our hamster trying his hardest not to laugh when someone says he’s the most handsome one (video) you can just laugh, Sae-jin.. (laughing-crying emoji)
-The stage studio cut version appeared. I like the outfit the best. The racing suit is the best.
└Lee Sae-jin wearing tight-fitting clothes for life, that’s a promise
Thanks to this activity, the lingering afterglow of the concert extended a bit longer, which I quite appreciated.
As a result, conflicts among individual fans didn’t rise to the mainstream of fandom sentiment and instead sank into underground disputes for a while.
And it was around that time when news about 【Idol Stock Company 3】 began trickling out.
We happened to be moving through the Tnet Building when we saw an advertisement video playing on a massive display panel set up in one corner of the first-floor lobby.
[Shareholders! Do you remember your Idol Stock?]
[This April, we will list it for you!]
The colors were certainly dazzling.
“Oh… they’re doing it again.”
“Yeah.”
There was definitely an unspoken “unnecessarily” implied before that statement.
The video showed highlights from the last season in rapid succession, then ultimately transformed into the 【Ajusa】 logo with a massive Roman numeral Ⅲ.
“But isn’t it Season 5? Why is it 3?”
“Since the season we appeared in was a renewal version, if we count that as the first, then it’s the third—or the fifth depending on how you count it~”
“Oh! I got it!”
Right. Until the last season, the media had no choice but to count all the seasons, but now they’re counting from the season that produced Testa as the baseline.
‘Tnet, clinging desperately to the “relisting” title, probably lost some momentum too….’
It was also because Testa had become such a massive phenomenon. It had become a kind of symbol.
The fact that this sadistic audition could continue thanks to that left a bitter taste in my mouth.
On top of that, there was plenty of media play riding on our name value.
For example, like this.
[The new generation of idols shown by 【Idol Stock Company】—the arrival of a second Testa?]
[“A new global male idol to succeed Testa”… 【Idol Stock Company】 new season]
Well, Tnet wouldn’t listen even if we tried to stop or refuse this kind of thing, so I gave up appropriately.
‘It’s kind of funny to see this when we haven’t even been debuted for three full years yet.’
Anyone watching would think I’m a VTIC-level veteran idol in contract renewal season.
And the internet reaction was… well, predictable, wasn’t it?
-Stop with Ajusa already
-Why Ajusa again, Netflix should just do another spicy K-pop camp or something
-At this point, the beef bone soup doesn’t even come out. You crazy people, please stop.
That kind of thing.
Though it did get a bit sharper. Especially from Testa’s fans.
Lol, why bother? Testa’s still going strong, so flailing around won’t work.
-The articles mention Testa so many times, they’re already pushing for viewer transfers, this is pissing me off
-If they try to bundle the failing agency with Testa to push them, I’m seriously done. Just keep your first-tier groups intact, you bastards. Nothing satisfies you
Last season’s male idol group Testa is soaring, and now their direct junior appears on the scene.
It’s different from last season’s female idol group Miry-nay. The target demographic overlaps precisely.
It’s not even the right time for a generational shift, nor is it when Testa’s five-year contract ends and they need closure. Fans have every right to be annoyed, calling it a stupid move.
Besides, from Testa’s perspective, there’s another uncomfortable aspect.
“…Will our fans see a lot of this?”
“Well, some probably will.”
….
It’s the similarity in positioning.
If it’s the same audition narrative, there are definitely people drawn to the fresh appeal. And they might find the older one stale.
That’s what makes Ajusa’s new season more threatening than other groups.
But there was no real reason to worry.
“No, No. Our team is doing great! I’m not worried at all. Our fans will be fine seeing this! They’ll like us more. We’ve done so many amazing things!”
“It’s been a while since Cha Yu-jin said something sensible. I agree as well.”
These two youngest members had it right.
‘Testa was established years ago already.’
To simply say “the audition program origin image overlaps” would be naive—Testa had already built a solid worldview and album identity.
Sensing this, the members quickly laughed awkwardly or shrugged.
“Yeah, that’s right. Let’s work hard.”
“Hehe.”
“Of course!”
For the record, I saw this differently.
This wasn’t a problem we needed to overcome….
‘It seems like it’ll be an advantage.’
Overlapping narratives are actually beneficial.
It provides enough fandom momentum to offset minor losses from the comparison.
People naturally become more coldly rational when there’s an obvious comparison target, weighing pros and cons more carefully.
The satisfaction of objectively judging that our side has better quality.
And the fandom is the same. Given this program’s nature, the new season’s fandom atmosphere is… well, you know.
‘It’s always been a mess.’
Throughout the broadcast and into their early debut, it’ll be half a year of incidents and bloodshed.
It’s a condition where comparison is impossible. We’ll absolutely maintain superiority.
‘Perfect.’
I’d vaguely considered this up to this point, but I was pleased that Ajusa’s new season came at such precise timing.
‘I can lock this state in place.’
We’d lowered fatigue enough at the concert that fans won’t be taking a break from activities in disgust.
We can enjoy ourselves fully while directing anger outward.
‘Anger outward. Satisfaction inward.’
Besides, no matter what this season does, the odds of them surpassing the glory of our Idol Stock Company season are extremely slim.
It’s not arrogance—it’s an objective fact.
‘Our season just happened to have absurdly perfect timing and an exceptional talent pool.’
It’s difficult for such fortune to continue consecutively.
“Anyway… it brings back old memories.”
“Hyung, isn’t that the exact line you used during that hodugwaja variety show we did?”
“Oh, is it? Haha!”
Sun Ah-hyun added carefully.
“I just… hope everyone gets through this without getting hurt.”
“Exactly! Cheer up guys~”
“Indeed, as a senior from a season years ago, I feel quite a lot of emotions.”
Those are kind words, but it won’t happen that way.
I touched my chin while looking at Season 3’s logo.
‘These guys are going to crash across the board.’
Following the pattern, it’s about time for a season to collapse, and since this one’s results are being compared to the ideal idol audition outcome at its peak, that makes it worse.
‘They need to fall to some degree for our leverage to last longer.’
If this season performs incomparably worse, the effect won’t be as strong as I want.
So deep down, I was hoping this season would at least perform decently.
“Everyone, we need to move….”
“Yes, understood!”
“Sorry, Manager~”
We took our eyes off the screen and began moving again.
It was not long after that I learned more about this new season.
Testa was filming relay dance content being produced on Tnet.
“Um, sorry to bother you, but if you have a moment, would it be possible to film something? Just something quick!”
“Oh, yes, sure.”
During a spare moment there, we ended up filming a sports cheering video, and I encountered an unexpected face.
“Oh! Hello, senior!”
“Yes, hello~”
It was Mirinai, who had just returned to the country after finishing an America tour.
‘Looks like they’re filming variety content.’
Since there wasn’t much to say, we exchanged greetings and immediately got to our respective cheering shoots.
“I’ll film each person quickly!”
“Yes.”
I finished my part first and sat in a chair in the Broadcasting Station Corridor, playing Logic on my smartphone.
That’s when a member of Mirinai approached me with a slight bow.
Looking at their face… ah, they’re from the first-place group.
“Hello, senior Park Moon-dae!”
“Yes. Hello….”
And the first-place member plopped down right next to me.
“…?”
Why specifically?
But they weren’t sitting particularly close, and they seemed unbothered, so I didn’t react differently either.
Instead, I turned my gaze and caught sight of a poster plastered on the corridor wall.
It was a new season poster for Ajusa.
‘They’ve plastered this everywhere.’
I was thinking they were milking it, but they seemed to be pushing it pretty hard internally, when suddenly someone beside me struck up a conversation again.
“Senior, did you watch this season?”
“Huh? No, my eyes just happened to land on it.”
“Really? We just got back from filming there for this season!”
I see. We were mobilized for the Miry-nay season too, so it wasn’t strange. They probably went to offer some encouragement.
I nodded, and Gold 2 had… a dissatisfied expression?
“But this season seems way too much! It’s harsh, seriously? I wouldn’t even be surprised if participants ran out crying.”
“….”
“And there were some nasty participants too, so I thought the good ones would really suffer. Ugh, it wasn’t like that for us!”
Were we… at a point where we’d have conversations like this?
‘This feels like our first one-on-one conversation.’
Well, it was going to be a conversation that ended in under a minute anyway. I nodded again.
“Yeah.”
“Yes! Oh, they had the Platinum-ranked people each pick one participant who didn’t deserve to take the stage for their first performance—I thought they’d completely lost their minds, you know? And they actually removed them!”
“Oh.”
It was shocking. Things must have been a complete mess.
‘It’ll definitely generate buzz though.’
Their skill at satisfying themselves by mistreating kids hadn’t dulled one bit.
I was impressed, and Gold 2 nodded emphatically.
“I thought you’d think it was too much too, Senior!”
“…Yes. Um.”
They were someone who stood out in multiple ways.
‘Whoever’s managing them is going to have a rough time.’
Sure enough, shortly after, Big Sae-jin finished filming and, seeing the situation, his expression changed as he rushed over.
And instead of the Manager who was running around caring for the other members, he began doing his best to manage the situation.
Which is to say, he shut Gold 2’s mouth.
“Senior! Actually, we couldn’t open an In-Heart account… Oop!”
“There’s no selfish motive, no ill intentions… Yes. Yul-gi unnie is just naturally affectionate with everyone… Yes…”
I answered quietly.
“Don’t worry, I understand. Go ahead. Thank you for your hard work filming.”
“…Yes!! Thank you!”
Big Sae-jin made eye contact with me and seemed to realize I meant it sincerely, his expression brightening as he dragged Gold 2 away and disappeared.
Gold 2 looked flustered but bowed quite respectfully as they were pulled toward the end of the corridor and vanished.
Big Sae-jin marveled.
“Wow~ they’ve got quite the personality over there too.”
“Hmm.”
It might be a characteristic of audition groups.

* * *
That day, while moving in the car, I reviewed the new season of Idol Stock Company again.
I’d originally planned to monitor it anyway, but I was thinking of watching it after accumulating about four episodes.
‘It seems like the fate of most programs is usually decided around the first team competition.’
But since I’d heard the story, it wouldn’t hurt to check it out now.
I quickly skimmed through episode one to verify.
[I was really so shocked….]
[The participant I’m pushing out is (beep) participant.]
[Ahhhhh!]
Well, the editing was predictable—touching and cruel, with participants’ characters being established the same way.
It had just become a bit more cruel.
‘It’s draining.’
But it was entertaining. And it had some buzz on the Internet. There was plenty of harsh criticism, but that was originally a characteristic of Ajusa.
The triteness was unavoidable, but this program didn’t seem like it would fail.
Actually, thanks to some participants who weren’t holding back, the buzz seemed even better than the previous Miry-nay season.
“…Hmm.”
It’s getting too popular for my predictions. I should check a bit more.
I checked the rankings that appeared at the end of episode one. Then I searched by entering names.
And I picked out a few guys who seemed likely to debut.
‘Gold 2 is back again.’
Participants with extremely good prior recognition, handsome participants, main vocal position participants, participants with great charisma….
And guys who satisfied two or three of these.
[1st Place: Chae Seo-dam]
‘This guy’s getting the biggest reaction.’
He’s 24 years old. Same age as Park Moon-dae, so he’d be the senior in an idol audition. Though his youthful appearance seems to cover that to some extent.
Most importantly, he was at center in his first performance. That meant platinum rank.
-I found a video of Chae Seo-dam ballet and it turned around and I thought she was an angelㅠㅠ (video)
And a ballet major… at that.
‘Hmm.’
It reminds me of Sun Ah-hyun’s profile.
Just then, Sun Ah-hyun beside me subtly tilted his head over. I was watching the blurry ballet performance playing on screen.
“W-Moon-dae. What are you looking at….”
“….”
I heard the sound of him breathing in sharply.
What’s this?
I turned my head to check on Sun Ah-hyun.
“…!”
Sun Ah-hyun had gone rigid, utterly motionless.
His eyes fixed on the screen.
“Sun Ah-hyun?”
All I heard was a faint, indistinct sound—something like a groan.
I immediately turned my attention back to the screen.
The autoplay had moved on to another video, where the center of this season’s opening stage was captured in a close-up, beaming with a radiant smile.
Sun Ah-hyun was watching this, and now….
‘Wait.’
If this guy is the same age as Park Moon-dae, that means he’s the same age as Sun Ah-hyun too.
“….”
‘Damn it, no way.’
That’s when I realized it.
This season’s success or failure wasn’t the issue—there was an entirely different crisis unfolding.

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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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