Debut or Die - Chapter 439

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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 439
Controversy, publicity, synergy effects—everything aligned perfectly.
VTIC’s charity concert was executed with meticulous precision and impeccable timing by a former Reset Syndrome sufferer who had spent her entire life as an idol.
Of course, she was the one who planned the concert.
‘Hmm.’
Ju Dan nodded as I watched all the situations unfolding smoothly.
The massive catastrophe of a building collapse had been restored to its original state as if it had never happened.
When such a perfectly happy grand finale descended, naturally what followed was this kind of tension-free success story.
‘Everything will flow well….’
“Ju Dan.”
“Yes.”
The moment I heard the voice, Ju Dan quickly tidied up my smartphone.
Not because I habitually felt pressure from my leader hyung, but because it was a reasonable request.
And truthfully, when thinking about it from a species-level perspective, it was only natural that I felt a certain amount of intimidation and fear.
Despite that impossibly youthful face, Chung-ryeo was actually an entity who had built a self over an enormous span of time.
There must surely be a reason why humanity has revered elders who survived long since ancient times.
‘Stay composed.’
Ju Dan muttered inaudibly to myself.
And Chung-ryeo himself, glancing at my behavior, spoke.
“I told you that you didn’t need to check.”
“It’s a hobby.”
“I see.”
Chung-ryeo, instead of saying something like ‘if I tell you not to, then don’t,’ simply observed me for a moment before leaving the room.
It was tacit permission.
Quite generous… no, that’s not generosity. Permission! Even for a leader, it was an excessive abuse of authority.
‘But he’s had that character since before debut.’
Not attacking people directly, but rather this feeling of pressing down from that high place.
‘As a group leader, he’s an efficient type.’
That’s why VTIC has remained so steadfast until now.
‘I thought I’d be ruined by the time of contract renewal.’
Another member did get ruined.
Ju Dan decided to push those thoughts aside for now. Instead, I recalled the reactions to VTIC’s concert on the internet that I’d been viewing earlier.
First, the negative ones.
-Isn’t this just copying Testa’s charity concert?
└Did they charter the charity concert?
A minority opinion recalling Testa’s charity concert held shortly after their traffic accident on the same platform. Though it had mostly disappeared thanks to news of Testa’s guest appearance.
Of course, I acknowledge that they used a fairly novel approach called “audience participation format.”
‘But that’s a minor-league policy that only works for internet enthusiasts.’
What I—that is, what VTIC—planned was a charity concert with a more classical and elaborate flavor.
And it worked well.
-It’s really worth watching
A concert with only songs I know is so refreshing after a while, and the live performance sounds so good that I’m pumped up haha
Still, I didn’t deny that Testa had helped to some degree. In the second half, Testa’s (already-announced) surprise VCR appearance was quite an entertaining element.
[Park Moon-dae: Daily Counselor Moon-dae here.]
[Maltese: (silent scream)]
A Maltese dog character with its front paws raised covered its mouth. It was a fan who had just requested counseling from Park Moon-dae.
For anonymity, the way the counseling member’s animal character was composited like VR while applicants opened up about their worries was quite cute and touching.
It was funny too.
‘A humorous device to control the tempo in the middle of an intense performance.’
[Sun Ah-hyun: First, have a warm glass of water,]
[Rudolph: (hiccup)]
[Sun Ah-hyun: That, it should help with the hiccups too….]
“Ah, how cute!”
“Ah-hyun really worked hard and it’s so good to watch.”
While filming the “Charity Concert VTIC Reaction” with the other members, Ju Dan nodded inwardly several times.
Of course, this reaction itself was content that would be released soon.
Right after they enlisted.
“….”
Good grief.
‘Enlistment, huh.’
I thought I’d quit before that massive gap period, but somehow I’m continuing.
Ju Dan nodded.
‘…Still, with nothing to consume during that time, fans probably won’t become outsiders very often.’
Thinking of three in-house content pieces, two free-release songs and music videos, and even a cinematic trailer for worldbuilding connection, confidence filled my mind.
Of course, Chung-ryeo made it all.
‘When on earth did he start preparing this?’
I’m only going for six months next year, yet he’s prepared this much content for the gap period.
Maybe that’s why it’s hard for me to rashly resist such a superhuman leader.
Anyway, the screen moved on.
After the VCR ended, what appeared on stage was….
[Surprise visit to Testa’s counseling site!]
VTIC’s sudden visit to Testa’s pension.
-Gasp
Now that was a true surprise.
If Ju Dan had checked the internet on the smartphone I’d turned off, I would have seen countless exclamation marks and excited reactions.
[Whoa!?]
[Huh? Seniors?]
Even Testa on screen looked like their eyes would pop out. This wasn’t something they’d agreed to.
‘Hmm.’
Ju Dan felt a quiet sense of satisfaction. It was all for a great reaction.
The kids are gonna lose their minds lol
-Look at how you act like you’re not surprised, My Precious Sorry Dog ㅠㅠ
Bae Sae-jin came running out in his socks, haha.
-Is that the Testa Dormitory?
└Probably a rental since they wouldn’t publicize the actual dorm
In any case, they exchanged warm greetings and shared pizza while having a brief conversation about the charity concert and its significance.
And then… the scenario where they all rally together unfolds.
First, Park Moon-dae from Testa broached the subject.
[We’re really sorry and regretful that we couldn’t participate on stage.]
[Don’t apologize! We even had counseling sessions trying to find a way to participate!]
[That’s right, you did enough.]
As Testa members glanced at each other sheepishly, Ryu Chung-woo smiled and spoke up.
[Thank you. Then let’s just settle for being disappointed.]
[Then….]
Chae Yul answered with a bright expression. He was the perfect member for this moment.
[What if we did a short performance right here? A stage!]
[!]
[There’s lighting here too… and we’re all masters of prepared performances!]
[Wahaha!]
And just like that, what appeared to be an impromptu stage was confirmed.
[Let’s go!]
Outside, the sun had already set. It was a natural pension located away from the city lights, but it had one advantage.
As befitted a pension, there was a spacious front yard and lamp lighting strung throughout.
[Ooh!]
[You had your counseling session in such a nice place.]
VTIC and Testa naturally rushed excitedly to the front yard, then paused for a moment before giggling.
[What should we perform?]
[Right, we didn’t think about it!]
And Lee Sae-jin from Testa linked arms with the members, grinning widely.
[Since it’s the seniors’ concert~ it only makes sense to do the seniors’ songs!]
[Oh wow~]
Of course, they had everything prepared already.
Yet the way he delivered that line so naturally—he truly was someone with such good social skills that it made me uncomfortable. Ju Dan nodded in acknowledgment.
In any case, the idols gathered around the front yard, clapping at the song selection they’d decided on.
[Music, please!]
Under the twinkling lamp lights and the stage lighting the staff had turned on, the night grass field gleamed.
Against the darkening backdrop, a familiar intro began to play.
[Aah!]
[Oh, this is so good!]
The idols who burst forth moved in exciting, lively steps that crisscrossed each other.
And then the intro rings out like a group chant.
[Hey partner!
I wonder if you’re thinking of me]
Night Sign.
VTIC’s timeless masterpiece, released around the same time as Testa’s debut song, filled the yard.
It was a song with a dark, languid sexy concept that had been excluded from the charity concert setlist, but here it was different.
[Remembering again
Night after night]
As the atmosphere grew lively like people dancing at concerts and parties, even this song showcased the advantages of a hit track.
A song everyone knew.
The excitement that comes from shared recognition.
Despite the fact that the choreography wasn’t originally meant to feel this way.
The two groups danced together with smiles, taking turns stepping forward in small groups to follow the choreography.
It was a picture of VTIC occasionally stepping back to deliberately give space for their juniors to shine, and Testa enjoying their seniors’ song to the fullest without overstepping.
The balance looked even easier and more natural thanks to members who had already spent time together mixing in.
And then came the chorus.
[Until the end of this night
Remember my eyes]
They instantly aligned into formation and executed the signature choreography.
Because it emerged from the impromptu party-like atmosphere just before, those perfectly timed movements looked even more impressive.
[Um, Um]
The camera work captured each member’s laughing and enjoying faces.
It was movement too excited for the song, yet strangely it fit.
[Like a night sign]
Gestures and impressive impromptu individual moves filled the song at a rapid tempo.
But when they released it, they released it completely.
[Woo!]
Following that exclamatory sound together, the idols released their choreography and laughed brightly.
“Ah….”
“That was so much fun!”
The VTIC Members watching the screen and filming their reactions also made a fuss remembering that moment.
And Ju Dan turned his head and saw it.
Chung-ryeo was smiling faintly too.
“Yeah.”
[Night sign!]
After the final line shouted like a group chant, the members confirmed their movements with each other and struck poses in a formation several times larger for the ending.
Whoosh—bang!
And fireworks burst in the sky above, and the impromptu stage ended.
Along with laughter.
[Wow!]
[Thank you!]
Behind the waving hand, the light of fireworks bloomed with an emotional hue.
It was the perfect mid-finale for a charity concert—one that left a lingering sense of fulfillment.
The viewers’ reactions matched perfectly.
Ugh… or Wahhh…
-That was beautiful, really touching
-Didn’t expect them to participate like this, well done
-Korean idols are truly amazing, how do they synchronize like that on the spot
└No, it’s VTIC and Testa who are amazing
But one question lingered unresolved in the minds of both fandoms.
-Why are they so close?

* * *
“Ah, that was fun!”
“We had a great time!”
After VTIC suddenly showed up and filmed their performance in the pension yard.
With the concert in its final stretch, the busy VTIC members began preparing to leave immediately. And Testa, being the junior group, was giving them a proper send-off.
I was reviewing the performance I’d just done.
‘That went well.’
It had been a while since I’d pulled off performing a song I’d just heard for the first time on the spot, but since we were all experienced professionals, it came off naturally enough.
If I had to choose from VTIC’s songs, picking one of their hits from before Testa’s debut would have been safer, but honestly… there shouldn’t be any real problem.
‘They’re going to the military anyway.’
In idol group relationships, every problem that isn’t about romance stems from competition.
Since they’re on hiatus and no longer competitors, the fans should be more understanding.
That’s when it happened.
“Park Moon-dae!”
“Yes?”
“Oh, we’re back to using formal speech with each other!”
Jin Chae-yul, having changed clothes, smiled brightly.
“Can I contact you when I get leave? We still see each other fairly often. When we do, let’s drop the formality like before!”
“Of course, anytime.”
Of course, if problems arise, I’ll be busy.
Anyway, Chae-yul nodded earnestly, then lowered his head slightly and spoke in a hushed voice.
“And once we all enlist, Jae-hyun hyung will be alone. Emotionally, I mean.”
It probably wasn’t much different even before enlistment.
“You and Kongi will keep in touch with hyung, right? Like I said before, he’s such a mountain spirit of a person that I’m worried he won’t even eat properly!”
No, Chung-ryeo probably eats well enough, focusing on protein and fiber.
But I nodded anyway.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Great!”
Chae Yul left with a bright face after the embrace.
Then Ju Dan, who had been listening, quietly approached and opened his mouth with an enigmatic expression.
“Chae Yul has some emotional and irrational tendencies. He tends to place excessive significance on interpersonal relationships.”
“….”
“Still, socially speaking, people tend to accept what he says more readily. Surprising, isn’t it?”
No.
Anyway, I decided not to forget Chae Yul’s words. Just that much.
And a few days later.
VTIC’s charity concert concluded in grand success.
And as a surprise event, they even released a fan song MV with excellent production quality, and all members except Chung-ryeo enlisted that very month.
Looking at the article photos, I felt oddly nostalgic. Perhaps it was because I’d been in the same group with those kids who were twenty or younger not long ago.
[“Sir, yes sir! I’ll be back.” VTIC’s Shin O saluting 【Hanseong Star Photo】]
“By the time it’s our turn, the alternative military service bill for entertainment will probably have passed….”
“Hyung, the bigger the expectations, the bigger the disappointment.”
“….”
Our turn will come soon enough, but there are still several years left. Before then, I might even earn a national medal that allows me to defer enlistment.
‘That should be my next goal.’
I nodded.
“Why are you nodding?”
“I have a feeling a great song is coming.”
I set down my smartphone from the center of the studio.
Sun Ah-hyun was visible in the booth, recording with a tense expression.
And Lee Sae-jin, the next in line, glanced at the VTIC news on my smartphone, and when our eyes met, she spoke casually.
“Hmm~ January comeback?”
“January comeback.”
The conditions for earning a national medal?
In K-pop, the precedents are certainly well-established.
Global recognition and evaluation.
Simply being successful isn’t enough. You have to be the best in this genre.
The top tier that VTIC has completely dominated until now.
‘I’ll consume it all during VTIC’s absence.’
Starting from the special stage at this year’s awards ceremony without VTIC, I’ll seize complete control.
“Not much time left.”
We began preparing to cleanly sweep the field.
And so the year-end arrived.

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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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