Debut or Die - Chapter 409

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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 409
Wishes—that is, this group of experienced newcomers in name only, a fifty-fifty blend of Testa and VTIC—had nearly reached the finish line.
The goal called the Grand Prize.
‘The music’s doing well. Recognition is excellent.’
Honestly, by performance metrics alone, there’s no reason we shouldn’t win it.
As the year-end approaches, the risk of predictions going awry diminishes. Unless some unexpected incident occurs… but with everything locked down like this, how could it?
What remains is one thing.
The so-called matter of ‘caliber’.
-If Wishes wasn’t under LeTi, they’d have no business talking about the Grand Prize lol
-A male rookie group suddenly getting good music releases, and if the charts are suspicious too, how much manipulation potential do you think there is?
-Male rookie groups mentioned for the Grand Prize honestly feel like entertainment project groups, it’s awkward
The perception that ‘winning on that name value alone is a bit much’.
It was also a problem arising from individual recognition being higher than group recognition.
‘Well, actually it’s probably because they really do seem like they’d win that people are acting like this.’
It’s the law that X-tier celebrities face no opposition.
Since they can’t stop us from winning with good music performance, these bastards are swarming in to lay groundwork so we won’t get recognition even if we do win.
No different from when Testa received the Rookie Award… or more precisely, nothing’s changed from then until now with Testa.
‘Probably because individual antis are attached separately, making them harder to deal with.’
Pushing individual recognition to the extreme through entertainment was good, but the strong character exposure that came with it created division in opinion—a problem born from that.
-Wtf who came up with this innocent foreigner and ace quarterback concept seriously where does this garbage tier concept come from
-Lol they got a taste of LeTi’s flavor and lost their minds, male idols too are trash taste now myopia what do we do
-Kim Rae-bin will definitely cause interpersonal problems later that’ll wreck everything, the perfect combo of face-reading and attention-seeking I’ve never been wrong about this gut feeling
People who hate precisely what they know attach in multiples.
‘Can’t be helped.’
Still, it’s a bit regrettable.
‘If the debut track had exploded from the start, we’d have secured half the battle already.’
If we’d established the image from the beginning as a ‘Grand Prize-tier insane debut’, we’d face less of this backlash.
I can cite Kim Rae-bin as an example—despite that personality, his appearance was so intimidating that no one tried to take advantage of him even in high school.
To maintain minimum balance and maximize album sales, I reluctantly sacrificed that, and sure enough, there are side effects. I smacked my lips in frustration.
Anyway, that’s why some corrective work is necessary.
I declared solemnly before the large table in the Living Room, having roughly cleared away the candles and pollen.
“We need to do it at least once.”
“That… what exactly…?”
“Intense group activities that appeal to as many people as possible.”
“…!”
“Let’s dampen the Internet backlash when we receive the Grand Prize.”
Until now, all award-related status abnormalities had been based on ‘public recognition’.
‘I didn’t awaken those two bastards for nothing.’
“Personally, I’d prefer it to be a single Stage performance.”
The primary goal was to elevate the Stage quality to the level from back then, when it ranked among the very best.
Of course, whether those VTIC bastards could keep up after cramming a one-hour lecture on “How Did We End Up Like This?” was an entirely different matter.
“Y-yes… that sounds good.”
Jin Chae-yul barely managed the response. His expression screamed uncertainty—was this reality or a dream?
Chung-ryeo opened his mouth without any visible change in expression.
“Flipping things with just one Stage performance is too grandiose. Wouldn’t a quick comeback with a backup track be better?”
“One iconic moment is stronger. Multiple attempts just dilute the impact.”
“That’s quite optimistic.”
“What we need isn’t a reputation to sustain long-term—it’s public opinion that explodes at year-end.”
“Mm.”
Chung-ryeo smiled faintly.
“Fine then. If that’s the case.”
His tone suggested mild indulgence, but it didn’t irritate me. After all, the guy who’d been drowning in neon pink just moments ago had no business setting the mood.
Incidentally, the cone hat was already in the trash the moment we wrapped.
True to form for someone with money—no sense of frugality whatsoever.
“So, aside from Chung-woo hyung’s—I mean, Moon-dae’s opinion—does anyone else have thoughts?”
Anyway, the vote had just concluded unanimously, so now we needed to get back to work.
Brainstorming.
“We go BOOM! and make the audience scream! Wait… I got it! Motorcycle! We ride motorcycles!”
“Motorcycle…?”
“Motorcycle. A motorbike.”
“…! Preparing dangerous equipment in such a short timeframe is reckless. Besides, it doesn’t fit Wishze’s songs at all!”
“Kim Rae-bin can rearrange it!”
“I have an opinion too! I think a time-travel concept would work well! A movie related to that just released this season, so if we pay homage to it, we could create a unique arrangement.”
“Rae-bin’s idea has merit, but that OST is too famous—it might actually be risky. What do you think, Moon-dae?”
“I agree to some extent. Let’s hear the next one first.”
“Yes!”
“….”
Arrangement, concept, costumes, broadcast program.
The Testa guys, now accustomed to this, barrel through without hesitation.
And the two VTIC members, freshly awakened to all this, blink rapidly as the conversation and ideas fly past.
The only one chiming in here is Ju Dan.
“The costumes shouldn’t be too excessive, but some sex appeal could….”
“Those guys are minors.”
“Canceled.”
Anyway, opinions pile up and the plan gradually solidifies. I keep throwing in ideas, nudging the direction forward.
‘It takes time, but this is definitely better.’
Once people feel they’ve reached consensus, they commit more actively and earnestly. Fresh ideas can emerge that way.
But Chung-ryeo, who clearly wouldn’t prefer this format, just keeps smiling. It means he won’t interfere.
‘A kind of surrender declaration on his part.’
Well, as long as he’s not obstructing, that’s all that matters.
“Let’s take a break.”
“Yes.”
I cut the discussion short before it spiraled into unproductive territory.
‘While we’re at it, I might as well organize my thoughts.’
“Coke?”
“I’m fine.”
I got up and drifted along with the others—some heading to the Kitchen, others to their rooms—and made my way back to my own Room.
I planned to organize everything we’d covered so far.
And the moment I sat down at my desk and picked up a pen.
Knock, knock.
Someone tapped on the door.
“Come in.”
My roommate entered cautiously through the opening door.
Jin Chae-yul.
“Um, hello.”
He wore an awkward smile, glanced around the Room, and stepped inside.
The guy who’d been humming and bouncing as he opened the door just yesterday morning now seemed to find the space slightly unfamiliar after recovering his memories.
“Make yourself comfortable—it’s your senior’s room.”
“Ah, well, yes.”
Still, he soon settled onto his own Bed and spoke with a smile.
“You dropped the formal speech with Jaehyun!”
Now that I thought about it, I’d been so irritated that I’d dropped the formal speech with that bastard pretty boldly.
“…Yes. Well, it just happened.”
“That’s great!”
Chae-yul grinned. Then he sighed softly.
“I’ve calmed down now. We want things to go back to normal, so I’ll participate wholeheartedly.”
“Ah.”
I hadn’t considered that angle.
“I’m sorry. You must have been shocked, and we pushed forward too hastily.”
“No! It’s just an unusual approach. We don’t normally work like this—breaking everything down from the basics like that.”
He waved his hands frantically. Then he nodded with a serious expression.
“It’s more like we have clear role divisions, and everyone just does their best with what they’re assigned.”
“I see.”
“That’s probably why, even though it’s a dream, working here has been fun. I get to share a lot of opinions.”
He mumbled in a somewhat childish tone.
“Like, the gesture I chose for this sub-track was good too!”
“Yes. The response was actually quite positive.”
“Right, it was? Chung-woo… I mean, Junior Member!”
My cheeks were going to burst.
Chae-yul, still smiling, asked his next question.
“Until I go back, can I just mix calling you Chung-woo hyung? Ah, I know in my head that you’re Moon-dae, but after seeing Chung-woo hyung’s face for half a year!”
“I don’t mind.”
I need to block any possibility of creating controversy when I go back.
“Wouldn’t it be fine to speak casually and comfortably? No matter what, you’re still my senior.”
“Ah, I’ll do that!”
He agrees so readily that I suspect he was aiming for casual speech all along.
Chae Yul, speaking like a seasoned senior, pats my back and says.
“Then Moon-dae, when you go back, speak casually with me too! Anyway, I’m heading to the military soon, so I won’t be active anyway….”
“….”
“….”
“Fighting.”
“Yes….”
I’m going to have to go twice. You endure it too.
Anyway, starting from the next meeting, I think I’ll give those two some time until they come up with useful opinions.
And a few hours later.
“Then I’ll pull up a list of what’s been decided.”
“Yes!”
I picked up a scrap of paper with ‘Welcome VTIC’ written on the back and started writing on it.
“Number 1. Appearance Program.”
-It absolutely has to be a competition program.
-How about selecting from the candidates by combining viewership ratings and YouTube views?
I wrote down the corresponding program.
‘Perfect timing since they’re doing a 100th episode special too.’
And next.
“Number 2, Association.”
-I’d like us to revive the characters we’ve built through individual activities a bit.
-It could backfire if done wrong, but….
-I’m good at it. We’re all good at it. Then there’s no problem!
There’s no arguing with that.
So it was when I had written down the decided directing details and concept for item number 3.
“Um, well, I have an opinion.”
“…!”
Jin Chae-yul raised his hand.
“Is it about the concept?”
“That too, but um… about the appearance program.”
“Ah, did you find another good option and want to change it, senior?”
“That’s not it.”
He hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.
“What if we postpone the appearance by just one more week?”
“…!”
Why insist on doing this for the 100th episode special?
“I was a regular viewer of this program, and the week after that special, some truly impressive people appeared.”
He rubbed the back of his head.
“I think the viewership numbers were actually better back then….”
“Who was that?”
“T-Holic sunbae.”
“…!!”
That was… certainly a big name.
‘But there’s someone who knows this better than that bastard.’
I turned my head to look at Chung-ryeo. He spoke without even shifting his gaze.
“Well.”
“….”
“I deliberately pulled them a week earlier. This kind of thing has a first-mover advantage. Plus, coordinating program appearances is tricky.”
Shut up, in other words.
Chae Yul swallowed slightly.
Shin O looked at Chae Yul for a moment with the eyes of someone pitying him, and just as he seemed to be thinking of offering some backup and was about to open his mouth.
“But I think the effect would be even bigger if we’re directly compared! We’d feel competitive too, you know?”
“…!”
Chae Yul spoke first. He looked a bit flustered, as if uncomfortable with the situation, but he didn’t retract his words.
Chung-ryeo’s expression was blank.
‘Hmm.’
Maybe I should help a little.
I set down my pen and opened my mouth.
“If it comes together, I don’t think we’d lose even if it’s a bit risky. Look at our group composition right now.”
He shifted his gaze. I smirked.
“A rematch where we’re not falling behind the senior in terms of experience—isn’t that worth trying?”
“….”
“We’re raising the stakes.”
Silence fell.
And shortly after, Chung-ryeo, who had been touching his chin, nodded.
“Not bad.”
“…!”
For a moment, the three VTIC guys looked like they’d just witnessed a winged dog descending from the heavens.
“I’m in! I like it. Competition moves people!”
Thanks to Cha Yu-jin jumping in so quickly, the atmosphere solidified.
“Any objections?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Hearing Ryu Chung-woo’s voice tinged with slight amusement, I wrote down the final item on the list.
[4. Comparison Target]
The more people adding their two cents, the better the viral battle would become.
A decent idea. Modern.
I watched Chae Yul give Shin O a low-five while pretending not to, and I nodded inwardly in approval.
Still, to strip off his rank insignia and win a direct comparison against a senior like T-Holic—this guy actually knows how to play mind games with the big names.
‘No wonder he’s a first-tier veteran with ten years under his belt.’
It was fortunate that he had enough killer instinct. I opened my mouth without expression.
“So all we need to do is rest only when we sleep and pour every other moment into practice time.”
“….”
“….”
“Um, is Testa always like this?”
“Yes. Isn’t VTIC the same?”
“….”
They couldn’t even deny it.
After all, entertainment careers that rake in serious money are predicated on labor that destroys work-life balance.

* * *
【True Victory Battle】.
Among the numerous programs where singers compete in rankings and wins on the Stage, it’s the longest-running original show.
Especially this Season 7 has grown and recovered its viewership ratings with a meticulously crafted format and the original PD returning to the helm.
But if there’s a problem, it’s the tragedy of a long-running program.
A shortage of available performers.
So even they, who originally only featured singers famous for vocal prowess or insane performances, had no choice but to shift their direction slightly….
Namely, the appearance of idols.
-Where did the original spirit of showing skilled singers go. How infuriating!
Even if I turn on the Music Broadcast Studio, only idols I don’t even know appear, and it’s gotten to this point? Please stop~~
So they were carefully, cautiously recruiting only the most popular or skilled groups, lowering the bar and luring viewers in….
But then they suddenly committed this betrayal in this episode’s preview.
-Two idol groups at that..
-T-Holic and Wishes? Who is Wishes?
But the saving grace was that both groups had familiar faces and recognizable songs.
So viewers grumbled and cursed, yet still sat in front of their TVs, computers, and smartphones to watch this episode anyway.
-I’ll just think of this as bathroom break time, PD
And Wishes, being newcomers, were scheduled to appear in the opening Stage.

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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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