Debut or Die - Chapter 393

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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 393
The internet was brimming with reactions to the aired episodes. Let me sort through them chronologically and review.
Starting from episode 7, but first let me check the general public sentiment beforehand.
The ecosystem after episode 6, where Chung-ryeo Agency picked up Ryu Gun-woo, who had been excluded, and completed the sexy keyword concept stage.
-This stage feels like the very essence of Retti being proclaimed
-In all my years, I’ve never envied a stage floor before…
I could just debut as is and they’d probably take my savings anyway, so why do a survival show? Just let everyone debut.
-The most surprising thing is that there are two new recruits from the Supplementary Class on this stage. The Entertainment Agency’s color is so distinct, and the leader Shin Jae-hyun who perfectly embodies it… [Read more]
Honestly, I expected more visceral reactions from using keywords like “sexy,” but at this point, analytical comments about the stage itself dominated the top rankings.
‘It means many people keep coming back to watch.’
And it means many are weaving narratives around it. It also means the group’s image is gradually taking shape.
‘Cha Yu-jin has been completely accepted.’
The synergy created as the once-incongruous Cha Yu-jin fully embraced Retti’s color brought fresh viewers to the stage itself.
Yes, viewers were already predicting the debut lineup by this point.
-My predicted Kim Tae-in pick for the 9-member Debut Group (photo)
The key issue is who else will be involved—whether the Boss will push forward with his own stubbornness or pay attention to public opinion.
└CEO Kim Tae-in, please be mindful. Everyone, please vote quickly (link)
More and more people were starting to trace the outline of the post-program Debut Group.
The teaser for the national support Supplementary Class appearing at the end of episode 6 wasn’t even getting much traction.
Everyone just saw them as a passing obstacle and focused on the existing participants.
But then came episode 7.
Ryu Chung-woo appeared.
-What
-The spoiler was right
-Is he Gun-woo’s relative or something? Did everyone know? Only I didn’t?
At first, everyone was startled by this unexpected heavyweight newcomer from another field, yet found it utterly fascinating.
…My reaction probably played a part too.
[Now, let’s observe the reaction of the person involved when a relative he’d been living with suddenly appeared as a participant at the filming studio.]
My interview cut appears over red text scrolling across the screen.
[Ryu Gun-woo: …So, that is to say,]
[Ryu Gun-woo: (unable to continue speaking)]
[※It took Gun-woo a full day to recover his eloquence.]
‘Damn it.’
I knew the Broadcasting Station bastards would do this….
The way they cleverly zoomed in on my stupid-looking face, intercut with interview cuts of a similar expression, worked perfectly as an entertainment moment amid the tense atmosphere.
Haha, looks like you were really shocked.
-Ah Gun-woo’s so cute but I would’ve reacted the same way. Actually, I still am. What’s going on
└Gradient confusion
-Really, how did he end up appearing..?
And with Ryu Chung-woo’s sincere interview and the serious, cooperative preparation process that followed, the on-air reaction was quite favorable.
Before the spoilers spread far and wide.
========================
[Did you see Retti’s survival show?]
Is it true that Ryu Chung-woo gets in and Choi Tae-jun gets eliminated?
========================
-??
-The CEO wouldn’t do that unless he’s insane
└Apparently they selected the eliminated contestant based on audience voting scores…
└Seriously?
-No way… this can’t be real
But up until now, public opinion leaned toward it being fake spoilers or trolling, so things remained tense beneath the surface.
And the viewers’ skepticism exploded only after episode 8 aired.
-All the spoilers were right, this is insane
-I felt bad when he quit the national team and went to university, but now he’s dabbling in idol work too—what’s he even doing
-Honestly, Choi Tae-jun messed up, so who else is there to blame lol. Geniuses <-honestly his fans forced that narrative anyway
└Look at how you're talking to the eliminated contestant—do you realize that's hate speech?
└lololol so transparent~
-Ryu Chung-woo is handsome and performed well, so what's the problem
└Think carefully about whether you'd say this even if he wasn't on the same team as Ryu Gun-woo
The prevailing negative narrative was that I performed well, so my relative Ryu Chung-woo rode my coattails.
My willingness to challenge a main vocal versus main vocal showdown was itself a character worth showcasing in a survival show.
But the fact that Ryu Chung-woo specifically chose that team felt suspicious too… or so they said.
'I knew there'd be side effects.'
In reality, talk of manipulation and corruption crossed the line, but as the general public—not just viewers—bit into this bait, things flipped again.
-Wait, Ryu Chung-woo the athlete is trying idol work? lolololol
-When did the youngest grow up like this? Still so handsome though;
Ryu Chung-woo is a gold medalist, after all.
'Public favorability is definitely always going to be high.'
Even if Wise was doing exceptionally well, it was just one idol survival variety show. A gap was forming with the general public.
-So you're cursing him out for winning the vote? lol that's bizarre
-Ah lol that crossed the line
-This is why idol fans, especially Retti fans, are the problem. Too heated… they're attacking a gold medalist who came back from the national team just to support idol activities
Thanks to that, even people who don't watch the program joined in, nearly turning it into a mess, but self-correction worked to some degree and the haters got suppressed.
Still, resentment was bubbling beneath the surface…
And it erupted before the Guerrilla Concert.
[Wise Choi Tae-jun video surfaces]
Screenshots of Club Main Vocal's drinking and smoking video.
It was discovered and dug up from a few-second clip at the end of a video from years ago that someone had posted on SNS after a birthday party at a bar.
Comparing it to his appearance at the time, there was no denying it, and he even confirmed his identity himself.
-Wow…
hahahahahaha
And everyone smoothly shifted their stance.
-That's foresight right there
-Kim Tae-in 1 win
-The audience panel's eye for talent is first-rate in Korea. I reflect on my own ignorance
-Wow, he dodged that
If it had exploded midway, the fans would've suffered unbearable anguish.
Choi Tae-jun has solid skills, a decent fanbase, and the CEO's backing, so he'd rarely face elimination.
The fear that the CEO might drag him through anyway would've left fans sleepless and tormented.
Plus, if a contestant issue erupts, it damages the program's image since it's an in-house survival show.
'But Ryu Chung-woo essentially sniped and eliminated it right before it could happen.'
Thanks to that, he's being treated like a hero.
-Ryu hyung… just how far ahead are you seeing?
-Now that I think about it, the national team guy seems to be a Retti executive. Anyway, it checks out
Haha, they're really brainwashing people!
Since the reassessment was entertaining, fans of all sorts of contestants excitedly chimed in with favorable comments.
'No wonder there were so many fans of people who had nothing to do with Club Main Vocal or the program.'
The factions that hadn't weighed in on this situation seemed to be having the most fun.
And when direct camera footage of Ryu Chung-woo—who'd regained his Testa-era abilities at the Guerrilla Concert—got uploaded, the game was over.
-Is it even possible to improve this much?
-Yeah, let's both become idols
-He almost got stolen by archery lolol makes sense
Now Ryu Chung-woo wouldn't face rejection at least until the finals.
'Clean.'
As if someone had drawn it all out.
"…Seriously."
And who else could possibly be drawing this picture?
[Shin Jae-hyun : Delighted by the smooth progression (^-^)]
This guy's handiwork.
I checked my colleague list and immediately called.
[Shin Jae-hyun : Receiving a call from a colleague (^▿^*)]
The call connected shortly after, and when I asked directly.
-Well, didn't you ever think it would've exploded around this time originally?
"I don't know. If the timing's too perfect, then someone made it perfect."
I heard laughter through the phone.
-You could look at it that way.
It was essentially an admission.
"How did this not explode in the first place?"
-Originally… well. What if the person who uploaded the video got their account hacked for some reason and it quietly disappeared?
"…."
I see. Now I understand how things unfolded.
This bastard really managed VTIC properly down to every single controversy. No wonder he's been running the first team for ten years.
'That's worth acknowledging.'
I paused briefly before asking in a friendly tone.
"The program finals are coming up soon. Do you have anyone else to send?"
-Ah, you want to try it yourself?
"There's nothing I can't do."
He chuckled before responding.
-There is one person, but… I think the balance would work better if they naturally get eliminated from the program.
"Who?"
-Well, you see.
What?
-Since I handle things cleanly. I'll leave the fun of guessing to you, Junior Member.
"…."
This guy was consistently infuriating. If he'd been in front of me, my fist would've already flown.
-Then get some good rest, and I'll see you at the Training Room.
"Make sure you're ready to talk."
-Haha.
Then the call ended.
'I need to get him riled up before filming starts.'
I ground my teeth and closed the call screen.
Then message popups I hadn't checked earlier appeared on the screen.
-Bae Sae-jin hyung: You worked hard. I still remember that choreography
This was a trace of a brief conversation after he'd heard about this filming.
The next message had just arrived.
-Awesome younger brother Sejin: Are you finished filming? How was the Guerrilla concert? Haha
Lee Sae-jin.
She'd contacted me right around when filming would end.
I'd asked her a few times about the tour before, and now this question came up.
I replied appropriately.
-It was short but fun
Cool little brother Sejin: Yeah, right, haha
"Cool younger brother Sejin: But that's short? You're totally ambitious though haha. When you debut, hyung, won't you be flying around?"
Was she trying to give each other some credit?
I chuckled and sent a reply.
-You were the one flying around on the tour
Replies poured in immediately.
Cool younger brother Sejin: Oh correct! (fireworks emoji) Sejin's got some skills haha
-Wonderful Junior Sae-jin: Oh right, our tour video is coming out? Tomorrow!
"Cool younger brother Sejin: If you have time at night, wanna watch it together? lol Also want to hear hyung's thoughts on the Guerrilla Concert"
Huh?
This guy's management schedule is lenient enough that I didn't need to worry about it yet. I thought the talk about meeting up would come after the finals.
'Well… the filming's wrapped anyway, so there's no reason to turn him down.'
He reads public opinion well too, so watching Wise might help me catch some details I've missed.
I replied readily.
-If you can make time.
And just like that, the appointment was set.
Meeting outside like last time would be awkward timing-wise and I'd have to worry about being spotted, so the location would be either his place or mine.
Excluding the guy living in the Dormitory… well, the answer's obvious.
Ding dong.
"Hello~"
9 PM. Lee Sae-jin arrived at my Officetel carrying a gift set.
Of course, I wasn't alone at home.
"Hello, oh~ I heard you live together! I've been enjoying the program."
"Welcome!"
"Mm."
"…?"
Beyond Cha Yu-jin enthusiastically waving his hand, Ryu Chung-woo observed his teammate whom he hadn't seen in a while, then broke into a grin.
"Have a great time. Oh, since you're a senior, is it weird for me to say it like this?"
"Nah~ just be comfortable! I know you're older than me."
"Haha, is that so? Thanks."
Lee Sae-jin handed over the gift set and entered the Officetel. When he reached the living room sofa with a polite remark about how nice the place was.
"If you adjust the sofa backrest like this, you can climb up."
"Remove the cushions."
"…Ah~ yes! Okay."
I reflexively matched his preferences, and for a moment a bewildered expression—how did you know?—nearly flickered across his face.
Still, Lee Sae-jin successfully composed himself and continued chatting affably, but not long after, Ryu Chung-woo and Cha Yu-jin stood up.
"We'll go grab some groceries then."
"I'll find something delicious and bring it back!"
Since I was in charge of making late-night snacks, those two were handling the ingredient supply.
"Oh, would it be okay if I ordered delivery instead?"
"It's totally OK~ enjoy!"
Cha Yu-jin answered Lee Sae-jin simply, and the two left.
Click.
Lee Sae-jin watched the closed front door and reacted with appropriate courtesy and good humor.
"My goodness… sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it. That's just how he normally is."
I chuckled.
"Let me give you a tour."
"Hmm, should we?"
Lee Sae-jin smoothly shifted his posture and actively manipulated the device.
The Blu-ray disc he'd brought began playing, and the video successfully appeared on the television screen.
[ZAIROP (GY-ROP) – FIRST DROP : THE OPENING CONCERT]
"Wow, you really made the text huge~"
"It's visible, so it works."
And the opening song unfolds in quite a large-scale concert hall.
"Oh."
After the opening of a hip-hop bass track with a fierce beat, a light reggaeton dance song follows.
I rested my chin on my hand.
'That's a choice that shows the group's color.'
It's a typical style—rebellious attitude combined with sharp synchronized choreography. Still, the song and choreography quality were good enough that they'd likely have plenty of fans.
"You're doing well."
"Aha… thanks."
Though his words came out bright and carefree, Lee Sae-jin's eyes watching the screen were noticeably subdued.
Not the demeanor of someone who'd brought his own footage excitedly.
I understood the reason too.
'He probably heard some comments about standing out.'
It was ironic. This guy had a tendency to obsess over overall balance in group songs.
So during every choreography practice, it was his routine to grab Cha Yu-jin and pull up Bae Sae-jin.
Which meant….
'Those bastards are dancing noticeably more loosely.'
Under the guise of doing a live performance, they're loosening the choreography lines. So when Lee Sae-jin dances by the book, he stands out instead. His movements look disproportionately large.
Especially since he's naturally a big guy, you could see him consciously holding back, but as the song progressed and he got more immersed, his movements grew larger again.
And in the three-member unit song… the quality difference was even noticeable.
[Yes, forward, forward! Just keep going~]
I watched him lower the lying choreography move like a gesture and gloss over it carelessly, then asked directly.
"Wasn't it a waste?"
He'd probably say no, of course, but still—saying it out loud felt better, so the listener would feel the same way….
"It was a waste."
"…!"
His voice was flat and emotionless.
But he quickly brightened up again.
"…That hyung was a bit sick back then~ So it was a stage where we both felt a bit regretful!"
I nodded.
"…Yeah."
"…."
A brief silence hung between us.
"Ah~ but it's embarrassing to keep showing my stage to you like this. Want to drink? You're non-alcoholic… oh."
He stopped mid-sentence. The moment I stopped moving too.
"No? Oh, I thought I heard that last time. My apologies~"
"…."
I moved again.
"Actually, non-alcoholic is nice."
"Oh yeah? Should I go grab some?"
"We don't have any at home."
He bursts out laughing.
"Ah~ hyung, what is that!"
I pulled out some beverages instead. Lee Sae-jin accepted them quite politely.
"Ah, thank you~"
"Don't mention it."
The atmosphere eased again. I sat down and turned my attention back to the Zairop tour footage.
And I recalled something.
Those guys who used to work together on that, but now work in different places.
Bae Sae-jin, Sun Ah-hyun.
And the person on screen himself… Big Sae-jin.
"…."
Logically speaking, I'd already reached a conclusion.
'There's no point in pulling anymore.'
Unless Kim Rae-bin shows up, it'd be better to just dump all the awakening points into myself and pull off some cheat-level bullshit by maxing out every stat to EX.
But then again.
'It's frustrating.'
Seeing a guy from the same group struggling over there, hitting his limits against trash-tier opponents.
It'd be easier on him too if he just accepted his real situation.
'I have plenty of room anyway.'
Fame points keep rolling in steadily.
After a brief moment of conflict, I opened my status window. Then, with movements subtle enough not to draw attention, I mashed the 【Colleague Draw】 10-pull button repeatedly.
Light, light, light.
But what if Sun Ah-hyun comes out this way.
'Hell if I know!'
I'll figure it out when the time comes.
Starlight scatters endlessly around the Zairop tour screen.
[W-we just used about a hundred thousand points…?! 100 pulls!]
Is that so? I kept pressing.
And after pressing around twelve times.
[Huh?]
A brilliant light finally bursts from the popup.
Light intense enough to obscure the Zairop tour screen.
And stars displayed on my status window.
[Phew~]
[★★★★★ Lee Sae-jin / Main Dancer]
"…."
I drew it out.
[Will you accept this state?]
The status window asks.
I opened my mouth while keeping my gaze on the beverage.
To Lee Sae-jin.
"Just a thought, really."
"Hm?"
"What if there's another success of yours somewhere that you haven't noticed."
"…."
"I mean… the fruits of your effort exist somewhere, but you're just not aware of them yet."
I asked.
"If there was a way to know about it, would you want to try using it?"
"Yeah."
"…!"
The answer came back without a moment's hesitation.
I turned to look at him. Lee Sae-jin gazed back at me with an expressionless face.
"Go ahead."
"…."
"What is this?"
I reached out my hand.

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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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