Debut or Die - Chapter 335

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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 335
Since this was an OST rather than a game collaboration, everyone agreed that a different approach from the existing album tracks would be necessary.
“It’s not a collaboration like the game, so we just need to create something that fits the film.”
“But it’s also important to clearly show TeSTAR’s color, you know~”
The focus would be on the film, with TeSTAR’s identity subtly woven in as the foundation.
However, there was a problem.
“Ugh… if there was a main melody like in the game, that would be so much better.”
“…How am I supposed to create anything without materials?”
The Film Company had provided very little.
The keywords and plot summary they’d given—citing “restrictions due to leak concerns”—were far more sparse than expected.
Let me look at the keywords first.
[Space, Cyberpunk, Superpowers, Combat, Focus]
The plot was nothing more than a generic sci-fi superhero film. There was barely any worldbuilding explanation.
‘This is excessive, even by any standard.’
I frowned. They could’ve had everyone sign an NDA, and it would probably still reveal more than what they’re giving to people coming in for auditions.
“For now, I’ll proceed with composition while keeping in mind that this is background music, following proper OST methodology….”
So Kim Rae-bin declared solemnly and dove into work, leaving the rest of the members with nothing to do.
‘Without knowing OST composition methods, what can we do starting from zero?’
With only four days left, it was too late to cram and learn this from scratch.
‘At best, I can tinker with the melody….’
There was nothing to brainstorm about. It looked like we’d end up just giving feedback on what Kim Rae-bin created, becoming surplus labor.
‘I started this camp to avoid situations like this.’
Now, with the OST composition, I had no choice but to follow the old approach, which left a bitter taste. I rolled my neck and stood up from my seat.
“Where are you going, hyung?”
“To get some water.”
“I’ll come with you!”
Cha Yu-jin tagged along. It seemed like he followed me every time I went to the kitchen… and it didn’t seem like a coincidence.
“Can I eat this?”
“Go ahead.”
Since it’s being expensed anyway, you’re essentially paying for half of it—but I won’t bother mentioning that. He’s got plenty of money anyway.
As Cha Yu-jin rummaged through the hotel refrigerator for snacks and tossed them into his mouth, he suddenly threw out a comment.
[I can see worry written all over your face, hyung?]
“…What.”
“This tastes good! Here, try it!”
I don’t need it.
I found myself accepting the nuts he offered and chewed on them while muttering.
“Do you have something on your mind?”
Well, it’s obvious enough.
“Pulling together an OST in four days is a forced march. Plus, the company didn’t provide much material.”
He’s not the type to be swayed by realistic talk, so this much should be fine to say.
As expected, Cha Yu-jin appeared unharmed, though he shrugged his shoulders.
And then he dropped a bombshell.
“That Company is doing it on purpose!”
“…!”
Cha Yu-jin crumpled the snack bag and tossed it into the trash.
Thunk.
“On purpose, I’m telling you.”
[That’s right. This is completely obvious. I mean, it seems like this Company doesn’t want to give us work, you know?]
“….”
Keep talking.
I leaned against the wall. Cha Yu-jin did the same.
[We suddenly barged in, and they’re displeased. Well, maybe some prejudice played a role too.]
Ah.
‘So it’s the racial discrimination angle.’
Since he was a local, he’d naturally understand this better than anyone.
“Speaking from experience?”
“Not without experience! But I don’t mind it.”
Now he’s even using double negatives.
Regardless of Cha Yu-jin’s Korean proficiency, his expression suggested he wasn’t taking this seriously—nothing grave about it.
“So I know this too. If we do well, they won’t be able to say anything.”
Oh.
“And we don’t even have to do it. We’re amazing without the OST!”
“You wanted to go to America though.”
[Well, there are always other options anyway!]
Still the same. He could coolly reject them without losing anything.
‘It’s been a while since he’s shown this much active effort in thinking.’
Interesting. Should I egg him on?
“So you don’t want to quit, but if these bastards are annoying?”
“[Then, well, I’d just shout that I want a 100% proper contract. That’s what stars do anyway. And] I want to do it! Our Company will send an email.”
Hmm.
It’s certainly a refreshing approach, but we did force our way in using the T1 line, so there’s no need to give them an obvious reason to push back.
I let out a quiet laugh.
“What if there’s a quieter and more satisfying way?”
“…! Tell me!”
Right.
“Well… let’s start by looking at how they’re being unreasonable while pretending to offer work.”
Actually, this is a good situation.
I smiled and picked up the plastic bottle.
“We should pay attention to the fact that they’re being so roundabout about it.”
“The two are different?”
“It’s different.”
I took a sip of water.
“It means they’re in a position where they can’t outright refuse.”
So they were pretending otherwise and making unreasonable demands.
“Oh….”
Cha Yu-jin nodded listlessly.
“But why is that good?”
“It means our company has some leverage.”
“Is our company stronger than Limestone?”
There’s no way T1, no matter how powerful, could be stronger than that insane copyright megacorporation.
“Not exactly. It’s because of our connected relationship. T1 Entertainment handles all of Limestone’s film distribution in South Korea.”
“Oh.”
There had to be a reason the film company couldn’t refuse. Whatever it was, T1 had apparently put forward a better deal than expected.
Probably T1 saw our proposal as a green light of flattery, sent with a “we humbly request your consideration.”
‘They must have thought that since our direct label proposal fell through and we were upset, we came crawling back on our own.’
A complete misunderstanding, but one that worked in our favor.
Either way, T1 would have wanted to expand the target artist’s overseas presence too, so they probably got excited and contacted the film company to make the big deal happen.
But the film company, considering their relationship with T1, gave the okay for now. However, the actual staff got annoyed when a K-pop idol who wasn’t even American suddenly got involved.
I touched my chin.
‘Someone in the film company’s middle management is playing games.’
They probably thought it was fine since it was just one OST song for some foreigners.
“Someone in Limestone’s executive staff must have it out for us.”
“Got it! But when will you tell me the method?”
“Now.”
So impatient. I let out a small laugh.
“Right. What I’ve been explaining so far means….”
“Tell me!”
Bold one.
“If we meet these ridiculous conditions they’ve set, they’ll have no choice but to approve us.”
“Huh?”
“The higher-ups have already agreed on everything. They can’t refuse without justification. Unless it’s a modification request.”
Which means we can go all out.
“So the method is… first, we send them a well-made final product.”
“Boo. That’s losing.”
This guy.
“Not just making it well, but adding keywords beyond what they asked for on our own.”
I took another sip of water.
“We’ll independently add keywords from this film company’s existing hero films and the game company’s game worldbuilding, then do the additional work meticulously.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because we need to embarrass them.”
“Huh?”
I crumpled the empty plastic bottle in my hand.
“When you send it, you just add an honest note. Since you weren’t sending us what we needed, we collected the information ourselves and put it together.”
“Uuuuuh!”
“And the next part is important.”
“What is it?”
I smiled.
“The person in charge seems unfamiliar with this, so you kindly inform them that this level of information and timeframe is typically necessary when requesting an OST demo.”
“…!”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“And during the meeting, you explain to them like you’re teaching kindergarteners what kind of preparation is needed. That’s it.”
No matter how simple an OST track is, they can’t skip preparing for a first external meeting without reporting to their superiors.
Then, even if we don’t know who played the prank, there’s nowhere for them to hide. They’ll have to explain to both companies what happened.
“WOW.”
Cha Yu-jin shifted his stance.
“That’s completely badass, hyung!”
“You like it?”
“I love it!”
I’m glad he approves.
Cha Yu-jin asked for a high-five, then even rushed to the hotel lounge and started explaining it himself first.
“We’ll embarrass them with our amazing OST!”
“What?”
I knew this would happen.
I supplemented Cha Yu-jin’s explanation and completed the full account. The members looked bewildered at first, but soon grew serious.
“That’s a dignified approach.”
“It’s not bad~ Even if things fall through, we did our best anyway.”
This meant that even if things went wrong, we’d definitely win the battle of public opinion. Right, I’d considered that too.
“Should we take a vote?”
“Yeah.”
The moment unanimous approval came through, Cha Yu-jin whistled.
“Our members are really amazing!”
And Kim Rae-bin got excited again.
“Then we should start working right away.”
“Right. Let’s quickly pull up movie and game references~ Fighting, our Rae-bin!”
“Yes!”
That way, even the surplus personnel besides Kim Rae-bin had work to do.
“Well, should we tell the Company about the explanation document to send to them?”
“Hmm, I think it would be more effective if we wrote it ourselves.”
I doubted they’d assign an interpreter who could capture all the subtle nuances in this short timeframe. It was better for us, as the parties involved, to put in a bit more effort.
‘And we have just the right person for it.’
“What do you mean??”
“No. You gather references. You know American culture well.”
“OK~”
Not Cha Yu-jin. He’s proactive, but honestly, I didn’t think he’d be good with formal document vocabulary.
I turned my head.
“Ah-hyun.”
“Hm…?”
“Could you write an English description of our project?”
Sun Ah-hyun’s face brightened.
“Oh…!”
She’d studied abroad at a prestigious private school overseas and had sophisticated English vocabulary, so this would be better. We could just have a Communication Expert review it before sending.
Besides, Sun Ah-hyun hadn’t been able to participate much in producing, so she seemed delighted to have something she could do.
“I’ll work hard on it…!”
“Good.”
It seemed Sun Ah-hyun had also lifted a weight from her heart with this.
Big Sae-jin chuckled.
“Ah~ it all seems sorted out now. Should we cheer ourselves on and get going?”
“Let’s do it!”
The atmosphere came alive again.
And in that mood, Kim Rae-bin muttered as if he’d just realized something.
“So considering the description and translation… the deadline just got cut in half.”
“….”
“….”
Kim Rae-bin gave a thumbs up.
“The scheduled camp dates were originally four days, so it should work out perfectly!”
Yeah, if you’re fine with it, we’re all fine with it.

* * *
“Ugh… I’m exhausted.”
The on-duty staff member of T1 Entertainment’s External Relations Department let out a sigh.
International calls came in even at dawn Korean time, so unfortunately, being on emergency standby one day a week was the worst part of the job.
I’d catch short naps and watch Netplus, but it was still boring.
‘Besides, calls at this hour don’t even give me access to most documents anyway.’
All I could do was quickly relay messages if emergencies came from a few designated business partners. The staff member sighed and pulled up the company’s ERP system.
That’s when I noticed a document.
[TeSTAR Film Collaboration Project]
They were such a hot idol group that I’d picked up rumors about it around the department.
‘They said they’d work with Limestone first.’
And I think I heard they actually sent a demo the day before yesterday.
I didn’t have access to view it, so I only caught a glimpse over someone’s shoulder, but I could tell from the explanatory notes attached as an appendix that they’d put in tremendous effort.
That’s what bothered me.
‘Going to such lengths….’
Honestly, it looked almost pathetic.
‘Everyone could see we were ignoring them, yet these idols who even won an award in our own country….’
Could the company have ordered them to do this?
Feeling indignant on their behalf, the staff member used it as an excuse to vent about the company enthusiastically.
And based on experience, I made a brief prediction about the future.
‘They’ll probably give the okay like they’re bestowing a favor, and then use it for more PR stunts, this damn company….’
That’s when it happened.
A new email arrived.
[Fw: In response to your request of….]
The sender caught my eye immediately.
‘Limestone!’
I wanted to click on it right away, but I didn’t have the access. So as I was skimming the surface of what I could see, one thing caught my attention.
The file attachment size.
‘What….’
What arrived was a massive pile of files on the same scale as what TeSTAR had sent…!
‘What on earth did they send?’
It couldn’t be this large if it were just a simple approval, and the same went for contract terms.
‘Damn it!’
Not having access to view it was absolutely frustrating…! The on-duty staff member sighed.
And when morning came, the staff member finally learned what the email was about.
That it was a gesture of voluntary tax payment and reconciliation sent back and forth.
‘Yesssss!’
It was refreshing vindication.
‘What exactly did they send? No, more importantly, how well did they compose the song?’

* * *
“A proper contract offer came through.”
“Oh.”
It worked.
Of course, I had no idea what they’d say once we actually sat down for the meeting, but still.
‘If things go this way, we could just exchange emails without even meeting.’
Even so, I didn’t bother stopping the members as they laughed and high-fived each other.
‘A win is a win.’
Ryu Chung-woo continued the briefing with a smile.
“There are barely any revision requests—just some arrangement adjustments related to the song structure.”
“That’s not difficult at all!”
Kim Rae-bin was practically flying. For someone who’d been guzzling caffeine drinks like water for four days straight, his enthusiasm was almost unbelievable.
‘Seems like he’s having fun.’
That’s when Ryu Chung-woo’s expression turned puzzled.
“And… they want to bundle in a cameo appearance too?”
“…?”
“Really? A movie cameo?”
“Yeah.”
I was impressed.
These bastards….
Now that things had worked out, they were really trying to milk every last drop of Korean box office success.
“You’re talking about this movie, right?”
“Yeah. Looks like he just passes by in the background.”
“If it’s just that much….”
“Is it okay?”
And naturally, we all turned to look at one person.
“Why, why…?”
“We’re counting on you, hyung.”
“…!?”
Child prodigy actor Bae Sae-jin. The time for his Hollywood challenge had arrived.
“Don’t trust me!”

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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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