Debut or Die - Chapter 329

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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 329
“Congratulations.”
“Congratulations to you.”
In January, I bowed in greeting to a senior I’d met in the corridor of the Golden Disk Awards.
It was one of the final award ceremonies wrapping up the year’s season, but unfortunately, I didn’t take home the Grand Prize here.
‘There was never any real chance anyway.’
The categories were split cleanly into only two sections—albums and digital tracks. There was no Artist of the Year award, which would have been comprehensive.
This meant the results were predictable.
‘Young-rin and VTIC split one each.’
Right. The bastard I’d just greeted.
Chung-ryeo smiled brightly.
“Best Group and Best Performance too… You’ve won some wonderful awards. Your fans must be incredibly passionate.”
No matter how hard I pushed, the Grand Prize slipped away due to the numbers.
“Yes. I think it’s thanks to our active promotions and our fans voting so enthusiastically. Though it can’t compare to your album’s Grand Prize, senior.”
A washed-up artist who lost in the voting was talking too much.
“Ha ha.”
“Ha ha ha.”
I laughed warmly with him. The staff in the corridor watched us pass with pleased expressions.
Chung-ryeo stopped laughing and changed his expression, asking a question.
“So… have you organized those ‘impressions’ you said you’d share when we met?”
Ah, right.
I’d agreed to have another conversation with him about what I’d experienced while inhabiting Ryu Gun-woo’s body.
‘We were both ridiculously busy with season awards, so we never really had the chance.’
I stopped the power struggle and answered cleanly.
“I found the person I was looking for. They’re going to help us with what we originally planned to do.”
“I see.”
Chung-ryeo’s eyes narrowed.
“It would be fun to meet together sometime.”
“If the opportunity comes up.”
I’d found Big Dal, and he seemed to understand the implication that this person would help with system processing.
‘This should be enough for now.’
This wasn’t the place to discuss such matters in an open corridor. As long as this bastard didn’t become uncooperative when we moved forward, that was sufficient.
Chung-ryeo smiled faintly.
“I’m curious what kind of help that person will provide. Is there anything else problematic?”
“Problematic?”
“Yes. I heard you’re establishing an independent label. That’s more complicated than it seems.”
From his tone, this bastard already knew about the conflict between T1 Headquarters and the Agency.
“It’s fine. Things are progressing well.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m just focusing on working harder next year and achieving good results.”
Ultimately, clearing the ‘K-pop Record Breaking’ mission is the real objective.
Of course, if I could snatch the Album Award from those bastards, that would be the best.
I shrugged my shoulders.
Of course, if it were him, he’d probably say something like ‘That’s… it’ll be difficult’ and try to get under my skin again.
I readied myself for a comeback as I watched him.
But Chung-ryeo simply muttered with an ordinary expression.
“Mm… yeah. Do your best.”
“….”
“Well… it might be a bit easier this year.”
What?
“M-Moon-dae!”
I heard someone calling me from behind, but I kept my eyes fixed on Chung-ryeo.
However, he merely shrugged and turned away.
“…Easy?”
“You said you’d work hard, right? Then let’s meet again when we have time.”
That was it.
‘What’s he plotting.’
Wasn’t he the one who’d pounce on any talk about this year’s performance like a viper? It’s not like he lacks confidence in next year’s results either.
Somehow… my enthusiasm had dampened.
The guy’s only going for half a year of military service, so why is he acting like this? I stared uncomfortably at the back of his head before looking away.
‘Maybe I should dig up some VTIC rumors from underground sources.’
I couldn’t tell if it was good news or bad news, or just my imagination.
“Sorry, I was just saying goodbye.”
“Oh, ah, no.”
Sun Ah-hyun approached with a slightly tense expression, watching Chung-ryeo leave, but soon turned back to me with a smile.
“I was just greeting Young-rin sunbae over there…!”
“Yeah? Let’s go.”
“Okay!”
I followed him down the corridor.
As we turned the corner, another award recipient was smiling.
“Moon-dae.”
“Sunbae.”
It was Young-rin, who had received the Digital Award yesterday at the ceremony divided into digital and album categories.
But she had also received the main award at today’s album ceremony portion and attended. She even performed one song.
‘Usually people only attend on the day they win an award.’
It was a rare and sincere attitude.
“It’s truly a new year now. I hope Testa will show wonderful activities next year as well.”
“We’ll do our best.”
Young-rin smiled plainly, but the dancers standing behind her began to whimper and sway. What was that?
Perhaps noticing my gaze, Young-rin introduced the dancers.
“These are the new artists coming out from my agency next year. Let’s introduce ourselves.”
“Hello!!”
It seemed they were being used as dancers to gain stage experience. A common practice.
Sun Ah-hyun watched with a pleased expression, then spoke to Young-rin in a low voice.
“You… really… seem to treasure that junior member….”
“Does it look that way? You’re right. I’m handling the producing for them.”
“Senior….”
The trainees, Young-rin, and Sun Ah-hyun were creating an incredibly heartwarming atmosphere. Of course, I had no intention of joining in.
‘If Young-rin’s producing it, the song should turn out absolutely stellar.’
I filed away information about the rookie prospects in a corner of my mind and parted ways with Young-rin.
As we headed back to the waiting room, Sun Ah-hyun touched his hands as if struck by a sudden realization.
“We’ve already become seniors, haven’t we….”
“That’s right. We’re not rookies anymore.”
With the new year, Testa was already in its fifth year.
Having completed three and a half years since debut, we could say we’d shed our rookie status. Now we had to keep an eye on the rising competitors.
‘And we have two direct juniors.’
I thought of the two groups under Ajusa that were our direct juniors.
Whether we’d continue carrying the “direct junior” label or drop it would be determined by our actions going forward.
Would we leave this agency and go directly under T1? Or would we stay and make them regret it?
“Hmm.”
In truth, the conclusion was already decided the moment Kim Rae-bin voiced his opinion.
‘There are too many members who’ve grown attached to the planning team and AR team staff.’
Separate from how infuriating the agency’s decision-makers were, I couldn’t help but think it would be wrong to let the staff we saw every day suffer.
It would be even worse for people their age.
As award season progressed, I could see the members leaning toward the latter option.
Bae Sae-jin was the same. He seemed to be wrestling with various aspects of it, but ultimately reached this conclusion during practice last night.
-If the effect is the same, maybe staying would be the right choice. It seems like it would be a better lesson for us.
It was a moment of virtual unanimity. I let out a short laugh and opened my mouth.
“Sun Ah-hyun.”
“Huh?”
“If you stay here, who would you most want to silence first?”
“Si, silence…??”
He seemed flustered. But Sun Ah-hyun quickly regained his composure.
“I, rather than silencing… I’d want the people working here to be treated with more consideration, to not be mistreated…. Both us and other staff members, and idols too….”
“Right.”
Don’t mentally torment the members. Treat them with dignity and respect.
That’s… a good cause.
I smiled broadly.
“Good words.”
“Th, thank you…!”
A few days later, we claimed the sole Grand Prize at the Korean Music Awards, the final awards ceremony, finishing on a high note.
And the moment we entered a brief rest period before the tour, the Agency finally began to bend.
Though their true feelings were undoubtedly different.

* * *
‘Vulgar bastards….’
The Director sat at his desk, internally cursing with language he rarely used.
There was only one reason.
Because of those wet-behind-the-ears musicians, his performance metrics had been destroyed at the most critical timing.
‘You think you sell well because of your own merit? It’s all thanks to the marketability the corporation created!’
Hadn’t they won the Grand Prize thanks to all that financial support and swift decision-making!
He had planned to add that Grand Prize achievement to his portfolio beautifully and step down for a new venture!
After that, whether it was a label or whatever, they could handle it themselves, couldn’t they?
He had only planned to give no gestures while he remained in this position and cleanly hand off the matter to his successor….
‘Damn it! They have no patience and couldn’t wait for the right moment!’
He couldn’t believe that because of the commotion they caused over winning just one Grand Prize, he had ended up in this predicament.
Especially that bastard who spoke at the awards ceremony.
Park Moon-dae.
‘A scheming punk who only plays tricks.’
He should have recognized it from when he tried to manipulate the additional contract.
It was clear he hadn’t attended school properly and lacked education, so he could only resort to such crude and vulgar tactics. Like engaging in witch-hunt style incitement.
The Director huffed and placed his hands on the Bluetooth keyboard.
In any case, now that relations with the parent company had fractured because of those incompetent executives, the cards he could play were limited.
But at the same time, having fallen to that degree, hope glimmered instead.
‘If I salvage this, it’s a blessing in disguise.’
Testa was still dragging their feet instead of shouting yes to T1 Headquarters’ offer.
Surely there was fear and hesitation within them about making a fresh start on their own.
And in this situation, if he simply kept them under this label, he could leave evaluated as a competent Director on the financial statements….
‘Strike here!’
He abandoned the various professional English terms and composure he usually employed.
Instead, he prepared a written statement to send to Testa in grave and candid language.
[To the artists of Testa.
I write this carefully, as I imagine your hearts must be deeply wounded by the various incidents that have occurred recently.
What I can say with certainty is that I have agonized countless times over the incidents that have caused you such heartache….
….]
‘The company lacked consideration.’
‘But within that were countless communication errors and misunderstandings.’
‘Please hate me and the staff, but not the company.’
The four-stage apology of acknowledgment and apology for wrongdoing, subtle excuses, and emotional appeals worked everywhere. His fingers flew across the keyboard.
[Of course, if you were to leave, this Agency would suffer great damage. Still, I understand it’s unavoidable, but I hope you’ll understand that the employees of this company who worked for you harbored no malicious intent….]
—even emphasizing the operational staff.
The Director, a man seasoned by countless ventures, had pinpointed Testa’s most vulnerable psychological pressure point with remarkable precision.
And as if responding to that masterful jab, a reply arrived the very next day.
“…!”
It was a written response delivered to Ryu Chung-woo, Testa’s leader.
[I have read your letter carefully.]
The letter that began this way was composed of discomfort, a polite rebuttal to his argument, and a hint of melancholy.
[You weren’t even willing to honor the terms in the contract—how could we possibly trust you further? I don’t understand.]
‘Exactly!’
So they really were in conflict!
A response had come, and the fact that it contained no sarcasm or personal attacks already suggested room for negotiation in this refusal.
He drafted another letter himself, his mind burning with fervent determination.
‘It was never our intention to breach the contract terms. Though it’s shameful to admit, we’ve been understaffed at the company due to the year-end rush….’
Several letters were exchanged this way.
There were attempts to meet in person, but Testa cancelled the meetings using their schedule as an excuse.
The Director caught that detail with sharp insight.
‘They’re wavering.’
People naturally open up more deeply when they hear voices directly and face each other.
That’s what frightens them—the anxiety of being persuaded!
‘We’re almost there.’
He analyzed Testa’s letters and brilliantly deciphered their underlying desires.
In his next correspondence, he dangled bait that would satisfy those desires.
‘Expanding the independent label staff. Okay.’
‘I can approach this through integrated management under the Management Office.’
‘If I mention something like forming a dedicated AR Team, they’ll have no choice but to come.’
Each time he sent a letter, Testa’s replies grew increasingly emotional.
‘Perfect!’
Cleared. Another cleared. There was an exhilaration like beating a game stage.
And finally.
In the fifth letter, Testa accepted the meeting.
“Phew…!!”
An achievement accomplished in a single week.
The Director sent a message to the board saying ‘progressing positively’ and prepared for the meeting with a clear mind.
‘Once they show up, it’s over.’
Last time, that guy had been in a daze, dragging everything into such pathetic territory with lawsuits and whatnot—that was the only problem.
For him, coaxing early-twenties kids was nothing, he thought.
“Hello.”
And on the day itself, only Ryu Chung-woo, the leader, appeared.
“I consulted with the members, and they said it would be best if I, as the leader, represented us, so I came alone.”
“Ah, I see.”
It was even better.
‘The perfect setup.’
A guy who only worked out, with a docile temperament that wouldn’t create unexpected situations—I’d already heard all about him from the staff.
Such a predictable model was easiest to persuade, and he was alone at that.
The Director had even accounted for that madman showing up.
‘They probably cut him off on their end.’
Too impulsive and lacking decorum, so they’d kept him away from a serious conversation like this.
‘Which means they took this meeting seriously.’
The finish line seemed to be coming into view. The Director offered Ryu Chung-woo a coffee as he set down his umbrella and began the conversation.
“A latte?”
“Thank you.”
After brief pleasantries, the main topic emerged in a relaxed atmosphere.
Ryu Chung-woo spoke in a low voice as he held the cup.
“There are quite a few differing opinions among us. To be precise… more want to leave, but after talking with you, some members have shifted their stance.”
“I see. I’m curious—what’s bothering you the most?”
“That’s….”
Ryu Chung-woo seemed conflicted, letting out several sighs.
‘Come on, spit it out!’
And only when the Director’s patience was wearing thin did he speak again.
“Phew. There’s still a trust issue, I’m afraid.”
“Trust.”
“Yes. We were fortunate enough to create a label, but if we were other idols, we wouldn’t have been able to… that kind of suspicion.”
Ryu Chung-woo gave a bitter smile.
“I hate to say it, but some members think your explanation is just words. One of them is really passionate about idol rights…”
It was typical of idealistic kids.
‘These guys making hundreds of millions and spouting privileged nonsense. Unbelievable.’
Though he found it ridiculous, the Director racked his brain for an appropriate response.
They seemed to want not profit, but some ethical gesture to satisfy their moral vanity.
‘Other idols can’t do this… huh.’
…!
In that moment, a brilliant idea struck the Director.
‘This costs me nothing!’
Inwardly smiling, he opened his mouth with a solemn expression on the surface.
“Then here’s what I’m thinking….”

* * *
“I brought it back.”
“Ohhhhh!”
“You must have worked so hard in this rain!”
Ryu Chung-woo returned from the meeting and cheerfully shared the documents he’d photographed in the group chat.
[T1 Stars artists may contract with subsidiary labels upon renewal, and both parties agree to this prior to renewal.]
In other words, proof that “anyone can move to a label upon renewal.”
“They actually did it.”
“Right?”
Ryu Chung-woo shrugged his shoulders.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to get this much approval in writing.”
“Exactly!”
“Park Moon-dae hyung, you’re a wizard!”
Everyone was saying the same thing, but what nonsense was this?
“It’s because we hold the advantage. I just made things a bit smoother for us.”
Since our departure would render everything meaningless anyway, naturally we wouldn’t raise compensation to keep them if we could help it.
I simply wanted the company to present these terms voluntarily rather than us demanding them.
‘That way, they can’t say anything about it later.’
But the guys next to me just giggled.
“Ooh, so humble~”
…Fine. I shook my head and laughed along.
“Ryu Chung-woo hyung is the impressive one. You got almost exactly what we discussed.”
“Well, they just offered it on their own…?”
But Bae Sae-jin also raised his hands.
“…Brilliant!”
“Yeah, thanks.”
He seemed genuinely impressed by the company’s policy change. His face practically screamed ‘We did it!’
‘It is surprising, though.’
Unconditional label choice upon renewal? Most major companies don’t offer that.
‘This must have been possible because of the agency’s unique structure.’
After all, they operate by casting the hottest talents from audition programs each season.
Testa was just a special case, and the executives probably approved this thinking they’d use the next batch for five years and replace them once they’d squeezed them dry.
The revenue still flows in even if they move to a label anyway.
‘Idiots.’
Conversely, anyone thinking their group would still be thriving five years from now wouldn’t care about the company’s opinion.
They’d be attached to the label of the most successful first-tier idols.
‘And once the idols set the tone, the staff falls in line with it.’
It all came down to influence. I swiped the amendment on the screen away.
‘One piece at a time.’
If this continued, eventually the label would grow while the agency became nothing but an empty shell.
I couldn’t help but smile and opened my mouth.
“I’m glad everything wrapped up well. Everyone worked hard.”
“You worked hard too!”
“Ah~ let’s decide on the label name right away!”
High-fives and laughter filled the living room. It was heartwarming.
Now, before we do something fun with this label…
“There’s something we need to do first.”
“Huh?”
“The plan for our next album.”
Kim Rae-bin tilted his head.
“Weren’t we supposed to work on it during the tour…?”
“That’s right.”
I smiled and crossed my arms.
“You know how during the tour, we used to spend one day a week together in the same room?”
Cha Yu-jin’s eyes lit up. He probably remembered right away since it was a tradition born from his escape incident.
“Right! We did!”
“…Ryu Chung-woo made a decent suggestion about that.”
“Haha.”
Ryu Chung-woo looked rather pleased. Big Sae-jin jumped in between us.
“Oh~ are we going to gather like that again and prepare our album? Like that composition camp back then?”
“Wow, wow.”
“I’m in favor!”
These guys laughed warmly and looked at each other. I smiled and opened my mouth too.
“My proposal has a different twist.”
“What?”
“Instead of once a week, it’ll be every four days.”
….
“The tour schedule is flexible enough to make it work. And there’s one more difference.”
“What, what is it?”
I looked at Bae Sae-jin and smiled.
“We’re going to kill ourselves making this album.”
…!
“This won’t be a hobby camp—it’ll be an all-nighter camp.”
CRACK!!
Thunder struck at that very moment, casting shadows across the faces of the stunned guys.
And so the proposal for ‘K-pop Hell Camp–Testa Version’ was announced.

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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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