Debut or Die - Chapter 400

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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 400
Solo activities for idols.
These typically occur once an artist has accumulated sufficient seniority, though some never pursue them even after reaching that threshold.
I have a perfect example right in front of me: Chung-ryeo.
“VTIC never did solo activities even through the contract renewal—that was your influence, wasn’t it?”
“I merely assisted the CEO in his decision-making.”
The CEO assisted in executing your opinion, more like.
In any case, the unspoken rule is that such activities should never excessively provoke the fanbase or cause internal divisions.
Especially early in a group’s career, solidifying group unity takes absolute priority.
But if I only need one decisive blow, and I don’t care about mending individual fan bases afterward…
then I can make it happen.
“Let’s distribute work immediately.”
“No need to delay.”
I’ll leverage every connection I can pull. Being a major entertainment agency gives us access to countless programs, which is an advantage, but…
‘I can also use the fact that we already have successful people on the outside.’
Actor Bae Sae-jin, Zairop’s Lee Sae-jin.
The cooperation of these two people sharing the same name was already promised.
-Bae Sae-jin: Already discussed it
-Bae Sae-jin: I’ll contact you this afternoon
Bae Sae-jin secured the OST for his upcoming film.
Normally the group could participate as a whole, but since we need to concentrate firepower on the next album’s title track coming in a short timeframe, only some members will participate for promotional purposes.
And Big Sae-jin.
-Keun Se-jin: I have a variety show that I will be a regular on, so maybe I could appear together? Haha. The PD already asked me if I had any recommendations for colleagues.
-What kind of variety show
-Big Sae-jin: Problem puppy rehabilitation variety~~~ (wholesome bear emoji)
True to Big Sae-jin’s style, it’s an entertaining program. I immediately recommended someone with relevant experience—having raised dogs since childhood.
“I did take care of Kkami, but all I really did was trim his fur occasionally.”
“Most people don’t even trim the fur themselves.”
And so Ryu Chung-woo was immediately deployed.
And then…
“….”
“I’ve never lost money on this type of program, though.”
“Do as you like.”
Chung-ryeo ended up appearing on it too. He doesn’t seem incapable, but somehow the feeling of deception has only grown stronger.
For everyone else with distinct characteristics, I placed them in programs that were already succeeding or would soon succeed.
“I’m not particularly enthusiastic about variety shows…”
“Ju Dan, you were the most famous for your variety show sense in VTIC.”
“That’s a rumor.”
I pushed Ju Dan and the yes-men into a disaster simulation observation variety show. This was Chung-ryeo’s decision, so don’t complain to me.
“What about me?? I’m good at everything!”
“You’re going to the military.”
“…!?”
And I assigned Cha Yu-jin to a military entertainment show. Since he doesn’t normally participate in those, I trust he’ll manage this much.
After sorting that out, I had exactly one person left… well, this guy.
I sent Kim Rae-bin to a scheduled entertainment program, but he actually called me before filming that day.
-Hyung… no matter how I think about it, this doesn’t seem right.
“Why.”
Kim Rae-bin exclaimed in a low voice.
-Isn’t this fraudulent participation!?
That’s right. I had enrolled him in a student rapper survival show called 【School Rapping】.
It seems he’s burdened by the prospect of articles like “17-year-old rookie idol from major entertainment agency enters student rapper survival show.”
-I’m not even a student or a rookie, so this feels like academic fraud…!
Tsk, he hasn’t been fully convinced yet.
I opened my mouth.
“Whether you’ve been an idol for five years or one day, you’re still an idol there. That’s because we consider idol work a different field from rapping.”
-…!!
“And ‘student’ isn’t inherently tied to age anyway. If you’re enrolled in school at any age, you’re a student.”
-But that…!
And in reality, Kim Rae-bin here had transferred into high school.
The voice on the other end of the smartphone was quiet for a moment, but soon an answer came back.
-That is… a valid point, I suppose.
“Yeah. So don’t worry and just do your best out there. Doing it half-heartedly would actually be disrespectful. It’d look like you’re looking down on them.”
-…! I see. Understood!
So Kim Rae-bin had become a wealthy heir who jumped into a kids’ fight and was about to blow the whole thing up.
‘I can already predict the reaction.’
I quite contentedly reviewed my choices.
Then, I received a message from the guy who asked about the OST.
-Bae Sae-jin : I’ll see your face at the filming studio soon, heard you guys are shooting something together
Typical of him—mentioning the OST brought 【Cosmic Gunner】 to mind, and he made an unexpectedly wistful remark.
And it also meant he was giving the OST singers a brief accompanying schedule for promotions.
But here’s the thing.
-I’m not singing the movie OST
-Bae Sae-jin : ???
-Bae Sae-jin : Why? You’re the main vocalist
-No time for it
That’s right.
I dropped out for efficiency’s sake, focusing on other activities. The OST has plenty of capable lead vocalists with good tones anyway.
So then, what should the main vocalist do to maximize value.
‘If Kim Rae-bin goes to the rapper survival show…’
And if it’s a meta move using proven abilities one more time…
In truth, where I was headed wasn’t exactly a mystery.
I recalled an article I’d confirmed days ago.
[Nothing but ideas and songs… ‘I Made a Singer’ Special Edition]
This special program.
I was scheduled to appear once more on the still-prototype ‘I Made a Singer’.
Of course, I had no intention of bringing that audacious masterpiece, ‘May’s Bridegroom’, again.
‘…Rather than that.’
I planned to create a character I could immerse myself in more deeply.
I opened my laptop inside the car and began drafting company documents. With tomorrow’s schedule only in the afternoon, I could finish it even if I worked through the night.

* * *
‘I Made a Singer’ hadn’t been a cutting-edge hologram program from the very beginning.
It started with makeup.
People who created ‘singer avatars’ using full-body masks and special makeup—much like amusement park characters—appeared on stage themselves.
And now was precisely that beginning period.
[I Made a Singer]
“Oh.”
An idol fan who happened to be sitting in front of the television watched the screen without much thought.
She had only ever been captivated by the main vocalist, and after entering university, her passion had faded.
‘There’s no one my heart gravitates toward anymore.’
These days, even seeing them in person didn’t make her heart flutter. This was undoubtedly what they called growing jaded.
‘Is this what it means to be an adult now…’
The College Student watched the passing explanation on screen without any emotional response.
[Singers recreated through ideas!]
‘…That’s bizarre.’
Though it would become standardized years later, in these early days, the characters were so outrageous they seemed designed to provoke backlash.
‘Wow, that spider is seriously insane.’
[Dancing Spider Queen]
[From eight legs emerges a venom that freezes people with emotion!]
Medusa?
Eight black legs splayed wide beneath the white spider-web costume was honestly the stuff of nightmares.
The quality of the costume mask didn’t help matters.
“Ugh.”
Still, the singing was good, and there was a peculiar cult-like charm to it, so she kept the channel on. (And this very quality was why this special program had become a regular series.)
So all manner of bizarre singers passed by in quick succession—seven or eight teams in total. Many performed for just one minute before only the winners remained.
“Eek.”
Just when she was beginning to tire of this absurdity.
The program, which had been flying through contestants, finally slowed its pace and gradually introduced the next participant.
As if this were someone important.
[This participating singer is… a dog?]
And waddling onto the Stage came something truly holding a picket sign—a Welsh Corgi.
A yellow dog costume in full-body form.
‘What the hell.’
It was so ordinary that it created a jarring disconnect instead.
‘Isn’t this way too hastily made?’
The singer in a cheap, generic costume you could see anywhere—blatantly ordinary—stumbled and climbed onto the Stage.
Then the picket sign was zoomed in on.
[Seeking a Strong Companion Human]
“Woof!”
Viewers who had expected something like “Please love me” nearly choked.
Along with oddly B-grade glittering effects, the character description appeared.
[Your Household Welsh Corgi]
[A desperate job-seeker who has mastered all sorts of tricks and special skills]
[Declaration of Entry: Adopt (What?) me, please]
‘What is this!’
The shiny eyes of the costume had a shameless quality to that line.
“They must be insane.”
Even as she said this, the College Student lifted her head and looked at the screen.
‘Is this a comedian? Something tells me they won’t sing well.’
But as the music began, the song they finally started singing was….
-Beyond the clouds, up there!
“…!”
It was a refreshing band song that showcased a bright falsetto and powerful high notes.
‘Oh wow.’
A blatantly showy vocal performance that completely shifted the B-grade atmosphere.
“Wow, who is this? They’re good~”
“Yeah.”
She reflexively responded to her Mother passing through the Living Room, but she meant it sincerely.
They’re actually really good?
In that moment, the College Student subtly shifted her mindset from casual time-killing to genuine interest.
She was curious about this Welsh Corgi’s next performance.
[The winner is… Your Household Welsh Corgi!]
The Welsh Corgi advanced impressively to Round 2 amid tremendous cheers. Its back view somehow looked spirited.
And in subsequent rounds, it didn’t falter. In fact, it showed even more diverse sides.
In Round 2, alongside another concept-driven participant, it sang a hearty and melancholic trot, and in Round 3, it performed a sentimental ballad.
The vocal color shifted fluidly, performing songs like a magic trick.
‘The dog costume actually looks handsome….’
Understanding why the character was created in the first place, the College Student narrowed her eyes watching the Welsh Corgi’s antics.
And finally, the final one-on-one match to determine the champion.
The editing flowed without even a hint of tension, crisp and refreshing.
[All participating singers will perform the same song that was announced in advance!]
When the song selection is identical, the difference in skill becomes even more pronounced.
And Welsh Corgi possessed truly exceptional talent.
-Be my light
Even as this time passes
Be my eternity
Welsh Corgi, who delivered the female vocalist’s song in the original key, essentially crushed Spider with an overwhelming performance and claimed final victory.
It was dominant.
Waaahhh!!
“Wow.”
This was something else—she felt a thrilling rush of vicarious satisfaction from the overwhelming victory.
On screen, Welsh Corgi was performing quite an adorable victory dance. It was the kind of performance you’d expect from a seasoned Amusement Park employee.
And then curiosity struck.
‘Who is it? Who is it?’
This was a job for collective intelligence!
The moment the broadcast ended, she logged onto the Internet and checked the real-time search trends.
Sure enough, “I Made a Singer” and “Your House” were already trending.
-This is so fun
-I’m a legend for watching this while thinking “how does something like this even exist”
Haha, but same, I’d do the same too.
-No, but who is the real Welsh Corgi? Haha, is it Kang Seong-chu?
└The voice is… quite similar.
└It’s been a long time since you used up your vocal cordsㅠ Absolutely not~!
But no clear suspect emerged.
‘Huh?’
All manner of speculation ran rampant—”established singer,” “indie band vocalist,” and so on. Even famous idol main vocalists were being mentioned as serious possibilities.
With this many people discussing it, you’d think a clear candidate would have narrowed down by now.
And the College Student thought seriously about it.
‘It’s an idol.’
These people just wouldn’t accept idol fans’ claims because of their bias, but that playfulness and dancing ability were no joke.
The product of training, the product of experience—it was unmistakable!
A talented unknown idol main vocalist! There were already similar precedents, so I’m betting on this one!
‘Wow, this is driving me crazy.’
Suddenly, tension surged through the College Student’s entire body.
‘Ugh, why am I nervous when I don’t even know their face!’
It was a sign of becoming a fan.
In the end, she went through a strange period of fan denial, yet waited eagerly for next week’s broadcast with a racing heart.
She watched performances from all sorts of unknown idols trying to deduce the identity, until her eyes were bloodshot, but ultimately couldn’t narrow it down to just one person.
‘Please!’
Today is the finale of this special program—they have to show the face! Then everything will either cool down completely or ignite into flames, one way or the other!
She swallowed hard, eyes fixed on the television screen.
[I Made a Singer!]
[A Head-to-Head Clash of Burning Ideas and Vocal Prowess]
[Right now, we begin the second half.]
Once again, bizarre and outlandish characters flooded the stage, punctuated by the occasional mundane performer thrown in for balance.
But none of them possessed the wit of “Your House’s Welsh Corgi.”
‘It’s truly one of a kind.’
Acknowledging what deserved acknowledgment, she mentally awarded the Welsh Corgi a decisive victory roughly eight times over, anxiously waiting for the program to conclude.
And after just over an hour, when the episode’s champion was finally determined.
[‘Cauldron Spaceship’ will face its final opponent…?]
A dog in a costume clutching a picket sign ascended onto the stage.
[The First Half Champion Singer’s Entrance]
[【Your House’s Welsh Corgi】]
“Phew.”
The College Student took a deep breath, watching the television.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Corgi switched its picket sign.
[
Seeking a Strong
Human Companion]
“Huh.”
You lowered your standards…!
‘There’s a narrative here… there’s definitely a narrative.’
In an era of severe job scarcity, the Welsh Corgi seized the audience’s laughter and gracefully launched into the grand finals stage.
Darkness descended slowly across the stage.
Click.
The spotlight ignited.
The dog costume’s face remained expressionless, yet from within emerged a warm, pleasant voice.
[There’s someone I’m looking for]
The Welsh Corgi began its final song, speaking as if telling a story.

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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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