Debut or Die - Chapter 376

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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 376
Two people ascending the stage.
Technically three, but one of the deployed trainees was so overwhelmed by the presence of the other two that they were barely visible.
In truth, the problem wasn’t with that trainee. The issue was that the other two were seasoned professionals who had already tasted every essence of their craft across multiple stages.
Cha Yu-jin and Shin Jae-hyun.
‘Hmm.’
Even the CEO, unaware of this fact, could see the stark contrast between them.
The two standing in identical black school uniforms showed differences from the moment they put them on—in their posture, in everything.
Yet there was an effortless naturalness about them, not a trace of tension.
‘That… that right there.’
The CEO’s lips twitched.
In truth, most of the Inferior Section should be eliminated for the composition to work, and even eliminating everyone would be fine.
It would allow him to appeal that ‘look how talented our trainees are.’
In other words, even if the Inferior Section standing there showed promise, he would likely send them packing.
There was some personal bias involved too.
‘He looks too much like an entertainer.’
The CEO, who disliked that prejudiced public perception, grumbled, but ultimately didn’t resist deploying Cha Yu-jin to the Inferior Section.
His skill and appearance alone made it suspicious why he wasn’t already a trainee—it was only after hearing the explanation that he was American that the CEO nodded in understanding.
‘A couple of strong ones are needed for balance.’
He had no regrets about pairing him with that handsome friend who had rapped so brilliantly earlier. After all, he planned to eliminate him in the finals and keep him in reserve for the next project.
But the reminiscence ended there.
Now on stage, the lights went out.
“….”
Whoosh.
Dry ice spreads across the floor below as red and blue lights pierce downward.
A humming like falling.
[Um, Umumum uum um]
A pop song by a solo female artist famous for her melancholic, cool tone and bass line.
The interlude begins.
Boom
With the minor guitar riff and the drum beat, the three kneel down.
And the choreography begins.
[His growling, howling,
raise me up]
Movements that use the limbs with aggressive intensity enter with difficulty, then the body rises as if pulled by someone, transitioning smoothly to standing.
Shin Jae-hyun at center looks at the camera and rotates his hand.
The motion starting from his hand joints flows through his entire body, his upper body moving with subtle precision as he lifts his gaze.
And with a dark smile, the lights flash.
[To the darkness, absence…
No]
The song cuts off abruptly, leaving only silence.
Movement spreads across the stage.
Bending the upper body and snapping the hips, then rolling backward to plant hands on the floor and execute an acrobatic flip.
The music explodes.
[Tonight
he’s gonna find your room
and
take you to the wood]
Even through those violent movements, the vocal scratches out with controlled precision, hitting the exact intensity.
The bizarre and intense tone combined with the choreography and school uniforms creates an oddly captivating atmosphere.
And then the chorus.
[Watch out!]
Cha Yu-jin descends from center stage like a hammer blow.
In that instant, all eyes snap toward him.
[Watch out!
for wolves]
Cha Yu-jin moves his feet with subtle precision, stepping forward and deliberately swipes the camera with dynamic speed before releasing it.
His eyes gleam with intensity.
“…!”
The direction leaves only impact, becoming part of the stage itself.
Yet the influence doesn’t fade.
The stage commands the gaze.
[Wo, wowo woof
Wolf]
In-place movements that shift the shoulders and neck.
And then the dance break.
Using the center figure as a kind of buoy, more complex performances unfold from both sides.
The angles are perfectly precise.
Yet the feeling conveyed by the movements differs.
One side fierce enough to devour, the other subtly nuanced and concentrated.
[Your guest who-o-o
comes in the dead
of the night]
Thud.
The song ends, leaving only a single discordant piano note hanging in the air.
The participants collapse to the floor, gazing upward into the void.
“….”
Only the faint sound of ragged breathing spreads through the concert hall.
And then, one beat late.
Clap. Clap clap clap…!
Sparse applause fills the Concert Hall.
At the Filming Studio Stage, where the audience hasn’t been called in yet, the applause from the Production Team and participants meant to set the mood stutters awkwardly.
The CEO was somewhat taken aback.
‘What is this.’
The Stage wasn’t displaying the quality of trainees he’d expected. It felt more like a year-end broadcast special from some Broadcasting Company.
Worse, because of two people, the third person barely registered, which might grate against the overall quality.
It was perfect dominance.
‘No way… did they intentionally structure it like this….’
…No, if that were the case, those bastards would’ve been running things!
The CEO cast aside his wandering thoughts and looked at the two people on Stage with admiring eyes.
He was sincere. He hadn’t expected them to perform this well.
‘It must be a matter of luck and synergy.’
In any case, securing one properly executed Stage was deeply satisfying.
-Practice atmosphere favorable
-Minor friction over song selection
After reading even the summary of the practice process the Production Team had passed along, the CEO made his decision.
Then, after pouring out considerable praise to each person, he picked up the microphone again.
“Who chose the song?”
“We all did together.”
Shin Jae-hyun stood up and smoothly adjusted his clothes before answering gently.
“A pop song might have been favorable conditions for Cha Yu-jin, though.”
Shin Jae-hyun simply offered a faint smile as if he understood, but didn’t respond.
Whatever he said would be ambiguous anyway.
‘Smart bastard.’
The CEO continued with considerable satisfaction.
His genuine impression.
“But… why does it look to me like Jae-hyun is the original?”
“…!”
That was it.
At first glance, this intense Stage seemed to be exactly the type Cha Yu-jin preferred.
Flashy and challenging.
But in truth, this song’s message was far more layered.
‘Depression.’
Shin Jae-hyun thought lightly of it.
The song spoke of the speaker’s deep fear and resignation regarding depression.
And Shin Jae-hyun could express it as naturally as breathing.
Not from performing the same song multiple times. In this distorted, strange world, even the song selections had changed.
Simply….
Because he’d performed similar pieces so many times, even if not the exact same song.
This dark concept had been a steady seller that VTIC meticulously maintained once every year since entering their fourth year.
And most critically….
‘The LeTi CEO has these tastes.’
He didn’t even bother turning his head to confirm his competitor’s face.
Cha Yu-jin.
Someone who seemed capable of devouring the song itself—overwhelming presence and charisma. Dazzling talent.
But that alone wasn’t the evaluation criterion.
“Why do you think that is, Jae-hyun?”
Shin Jae-hyun picked up the microphone.
“If I had to find an answer… I’d say it’s simply a matter of atmosphere. I’ve been practicing this kind of atmosphere for a long time.”
The correct answer.
The correct answer.
“Exactly.”
The CEO smiled.
“I believe what Jae-hyun showed on stage today was the most LeTi-like performance.”
“Thank you.”
Shin Jae-hyun deliberately bowed his head slightly. To express his gratitude.
And the CEO glanced his head to the side.
Cha Yu-jin simply stood still. Yet the contrasting afterimage from what he’d shown on stage lingered.
‘Hmm.’
He shifted his thinking slightly.
This could work as a picture.
“I announce the results.”
The stage lights went out, and light flooded the background.
And as expected, the results appeared.
[Superior Section – Shin Jae-hyun –Win!]
[Superior Section Confirmed!]
“Congratulations.”
It was Shin Jae-hyun’s victory.
However.
The CEO picked up the microphone again.
“But I have one authority granted to me by the Production Team.”
Even if he falls in the finals, I should keep him for now and see more of this contrast effect!
“That is, during this program’s progression, I can nullify the elimination crisis for exactly one trainee, unconditionally.”
“…!”
The CEO had decided.
‘Let me at least try to hold onto him and see if I can fix him.’
If I pass him here, he’ll definitely feel ‘recognized’ and be moved by that recognition, then try to develop himself to suit the taste of the person who acknowledged him.
If that still doesn’t work?
‘Then I’ll make sure he never hits the market.’
I can just connect him to some mid-sized company that won’t make waves. The CEO interlaced his fingers solemnly, his calculation complete.
“Cha Yu-jin may have lost, but I clearly saw potential in him. The potential to become an excellent LeTi artist.”
“….”
“So, I’m accepting Cha Yu-jin as a participant outside the regular quota, using my authority.”
Bang.
Text appears on the screen.
[Boss Pass!]
[【Supplementary Section】 Cha Yu-jin – Participant Confirmed]
“You’ll make sure I don’t regret my choice, won’t you?”
“Of course! Thank you!”
But Cha Yu-jin, whom I expected to be moved, simply smiled and said just that.
As if he’d known he’d be accepted, or perhaps genuinely delighted that he could continue—his attitude was refreshingly clean.
It was refreshing.
Not a trace of debt or gratitude.
‘…That guy, that guy.’
The CEO managed his expression as he watched Cha Yu-jin shake hands with his other teammates and pat their backs.
‘Those who’ve tasted American culture always act like that.’
It seemed the staff would have their hands full trying to break his habits. But since I’d already used the pass and couldn’t withdraw it, I simply nodded coolly.
‘It’ll help boost Shin Jae-hyun.’
With that synergy, even high-quality stages like that would be possible through luck. That’s how I saw it.
Soon the stage was cleared, and just as I settled my thoughts, the next team came up.
The participant’s name appears on screen.
[Superior Section Ryu Gun-woo]
‘Hmm.’
This time the atmosphere was distinctly different from before. The three in white jackets seemed tense, but at first glance there was no sign of them being wary of each other.
Rather, they kept glancing at the trainee standing in the center, adjusting their movements and positions according to his gestures.
‘Oh ho.’
Was this the guy who performed that atmospheric jazz earlier…?
I recalled the summary of notable points from each team’s practice process that I’d received beforehand, observing their outfits.
The kind of look that debuted idols go through once during their rookie days.
A nautical look combining blue collars and white clothing.
One of them was even wearing shorts. I nearly let out an involuntary laugh.
“Looking at the outfits, it seems like a cute concept. Is that right?”
“We tried to compose it with a fresh feeling in our own way.”
Ryu Gun-woo, naturally taking the microphone, glanced at his competitors and simply smiled faintly before continuing.
“Including the cuteness.”
Then the guys around him chuckled. It was warm enough that anyone watching would believe it was a team event.
‘Hmm.’
-No conflict potential
-Ryu Gun-woo leading proactively
I skimmed through the summary and nodded.
“Let’s begin.”
I needed to see the stage to understand the storyline.
“Yes!”
The trainees nodded quickly and formed a large formation around the sofa placed center stage.
The seated ones were from the supplementary section, the standing ones from the Inferior Section.
And perched on the sofa was Ryu Gun-woo.
[Mm!]
The moment the accompaniment started.
The people around the sofa bounced like cushions to the crisp beat.
[Oh, Ohoh Icy eyes
Cold, but I still like it!]
I subtly shifted the rhythm and changed the pitch of the “Ohoh” ad-lib.
As a result, instead of the original’s burdensome pulling sensation, the pronunciation came alive with a snappy, bouncy quality.
[Words that fizz like carbonation
Eyes as hard as ice]
Rising from the sofa and executing a soaring motion, vaulting over and landing into choreography that matched perfectly.
[Oh, so beautiful!]
Unlike the original, the high note burst forth, but the jump was angled high with precision.
Light and refreshing, the rhythm flowed pleasantly as song and dance merged together.
[I see the butterflies
Like bees flying in my chest
Complicated feelings]
‘Oh.’
Chae Yul appeared in every killing part worthy of a close-up, using gestures strategically.
And he executed the parts with surprisingly perfect precision.
[It’s still okay
But your eyes are so cold, please stop melting me]
These lyrics didn’t feel cringeworthy.
‘What?’
And the chorus returned.
[Oh, Ohoh Icy eyes
Cold, but I still like it]
Remarkably, Ryu Gun-woo sang the chorus with flawless naturalness and expression.
The round hat suited him so well it was strange.
[Oh, Ohoh Icy Ice
Your eyes are so cold]
The high note was clean as expected, but the refreshing crispness I thought would feel awkward attached itself cleanly and perfectly.
‘…??’
Only the CEO was confused, unaware that this man had survived five years in the idol industry with the nickname “puppy.”
[When you approach and reach out your hand
with warm eyes meeting mine]
The tempo accelerated, and with the sofa behind them, they executed an increasingly intricate choreography in front of the stage.
The dance break center belonged to another trainee.
And the next chorus was shared between this trainee and the Inferior Section.
‘Hmm.’
The CEO nodded inwardly.
And finally.
[So cool!]
The section Park Moon-dae had claimed was ‘intense’ exploded across the stage bright and exuberant like fireworks.
[Oh, Ohoh Icy eyes]
Jumps and high notes, clear original vocals at an appropriate pitch harmonized in perfect balance, filling the stage without a single jarring moment.
A refreshing stage that lifted your mood just watching it.
Two trainees with short tenure at this agency and a non-trainee—it was a stage befitting them.
‘No LeTi feel.’
To be frank, it wasn’t the LeTi CEO’s taste, but it wasn’t bad.
A good stage transcends preference—it’s simply good.
[But I still like it!]
The final movements aligned cleanly with the melodically intricate song, and the stage ended with a bright smile.
‘Oh.’
Clap clap clap clap!
This time, applause burst forth pleasantly from all around.
Not as overwhelming as the previous stage.
But it was a quality stage, densely packed and engaging, moving the heart in a positive direction.
The CEO readily picked up the microphone.
“I really enjoyed watching that. Your three harmonies matched well… it was wonderful.”
He offered individual praise—especially to the Inferior Section—before broaching the main point.
“How was the practice?”
The trainees’ faces brightened as they answered quickly.
“We practiced really hard and had so much fun!”
“Yes. Our hyung guided us so well… we all enjoyed practicing together.”
Ryu Gun-woo looked slightly embarrassed but didn’t deny it, nodding instead. The CEO laughed.
“I could tell.”
The trainees’ faces brightened further.
This was the moment.
“But ironically… that’s also the problem, isn’t it?”
“…!”
The CEO turned to look at Ryu Gun-woo.
“Why don’t I see any desperation?”
“…!”
“Gun-woo, this doesn’t seem to be your strongest suit… and this is our second stage now, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Then isn’t this the time when you should be working hard to showcase what you do best? You’ve already conceded all your parts.”
The CEO met my eyes seriously as he spoke.
“You shouldn’t have just accommodated your juniors unilaterally. You should have been more ambitious to show more of yourself. This was a death match.”
“….”
The two other contestants standing nearby seemed intimidated by fear and worry, but Ryu Gun-woo simply swallowed once.
I liked that nerve too!
“This isn’t work you can call fun. You need desperation.”
So just as a lion throws its cub off a cliff, I intended to raise the bar for him too.
“You did well, but today you only performed well. That’s praise a student receives. Not a professional.”
Ryu Gun-woo’s expression was blank, but his shoulders visibly flinched.
‘Yes, that’s it.’
He needs to be provoked.
You too, viewers!
The CEO suppressed a satisfied smile and pressed the button with a troubled expression.
“I announce the winner.”
[Superior Section – Jin Chae-yul – Win!]
[Participant Confirmed!]
Chae Yul.
“Congratulations. You are now a confirmed participant.”
“…! Th-thank you….”
Despite saying thanks, he was staggering as if in shock.
“And Ryu Gun-woo, you are in danger of elimination.”
The CEO wore a satisfied smile.
That was the moment.
‘Huh?’
It passed in an instant, but for some reason it seemed like Ryu Gun-woo had smiled slightly.
‘…Was it because of disappointment?’
But looking again, it seemed like just my imagination. The CEO shrugged and picked up the microphone again with gravity.
“You can go. I watched well.”
And so the evaluation ended.
And backstage.
Cha Yu-jin spotted Park Moon-dae, who had comforted the tearful Jin Chae-yul in a way that looked good for the camera before sending him off.
The camera had already left. So he approached and tapped him lightly.
“Hyung!”
“Yeah.”
Park Moon-dae’s face showed little emotion. Even though his expression had changed, that serene yet subtle look remained the same.
And a subtle kindness too.
“Are you disappointed about losing?”
“No.”
Cha Yu-jin shrugged his shoulders.
Then, gazing up at the stage, he smirked.
[It’s not just that one old man who determines the real winner, is it?]
“…!”
His brother seemed momentarily flustered, but he likely understood the situation soon enough.
‘This bastard… he did it on purpose.’
And so on.
And that was the right answer!
[It’ll show soon. That I won.]
“Is that so.”
Cha Yu-jin deliberately tapped his shoulder repeatedly. Dodging as he always did, slipping away smoothly.
“Are you disappointed, hyung?”
“No.”
‘How could I be.’
Park Moon-dae laughed quietly.
“Same here.”
That day’s filming ended like that.
And not long after, LeTi Entertainment’s survival show 【Wise】 finally aired.

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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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