Debut or Die - Chapter 99

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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 99
In truth, I had anticipated that preparing the second album would proceed relatively smoothly.
The Company’s staff had tasted hell while preparing the debut album, so they were determined to start the next album’s preparation as early as possible.
“We’ve nearly filled the candidate tracks, and our plan is to select and compose the album based on the concept from this pool. The rest will be pushed to the next album or dropped.”
“Understood.”
The only problem was that the Director couldn’t let go of his obsession with self-producing.
“Since we have plenty of time this round, please consult thoroughly regarding the title track and take your time explaining it to us.”
“Thank you.”
“Will do!”
This time, he had generously postponed the title track production.
‘…Perhaps the success of the debut album was the root of all this.’
It was clear he believed his ideas worked well even in the entertainment industry.
Still, I was grateful we had ample time this round. The deadline was set for over two months, and the songs were already nearly complete.
Thanks to this, the members’ complexions looked quite good.
“Let’s pick good songs this time too.”
“I’m already looking forward to Ravin’s arrangements.”
“Thank you.”
Even when asked to select three songs from twenty title track candidates while the concept was still undecided, a hopeful atmosphere had formed.
…However, days later, I would think that self-producing would have been better.

* * *
“…A collaboration?”
“Yeah, that!”
I had sensed something ominous from the moment the Director suddenly called me, but I never expected a bombshell like this.
“May I ask what kind of collaboration you’re referring to?”
“Look here.”
The Director handed over documents with an expression overflowing with confidence.
First, the large letters caught my eye.
[New Business Proposal]
[Mobile Game]
[T1 Plays Inc.]
“…?”
“It’s a game being developed by a venture that T1 recently acquired as a subsidiary, and I have a feeling it’s going to be perfect. The timing is perfect too. If we collaborate with Testa, the synergy will be obvious. Right? Since it’s a game, it’s even easier to establish a concept. How great is that.”
The Director, who had poured out his words, added his final remark with a pleased expression.
“This is internal documentation, and I’m showing it to you because I trust Testa. Just look at it here, but don’t mention it.”
As if that mattered.
‘A mobile game…?’
I desperately wished someone would tell me this was a dream.
Ryu Chung-woo asked from beside me in the most composed voice possible. Perhaps he was less alarmed since he had no connection to mobile games.
“…If I may ask, what kind of collaboration are you envisioning….”
“Look, think about it. We release the game at the same time we make our comeback, right? And if we promote each other, the interest doubles, doesn’t it?”
“….”
I couldn’t fathom where such a ridiculous idea came from. Was his pituitary gland secreting saliva instead of hormones?
‘What exactly does he expect from a mobile game….’
Or had he received some kind of favor from them?
No, if it were just an advertising model, that would be one thing, but there were hardly any companies that welcomed being so deeply entangled with an idol album release like this.
‘Because they get swallowed up by that idol image.’
If the release was two months away, the game would already be nearly complete, and now they wanted to insert promotional content for an unfamiliar idol group? That was a recipe for disaster.
‘If the other side pushed for this too, it means they’re really trying to milk Testa fans for money and then disappear….’
I could already envision the future destruction of the Testa brand image.
‘This is going to become a mass-produced failure game meme.’
No, how did they even come up with the idea of putting game promotional content in an album? A mobile game, no less.
I couldn’t tell if this Director had been hooked or if he’d pushed for it himself. Either way, it was infuriating. He seemed like the type to fiddle around with some management company and then pull something like this.
“I’ve scheduled a meeting with them for Friday afternoon, so just mentally prepare yourself.”
“…Director, is it possible that everything has already been decided?”
“I’ve already told the higher-ups everything and wrapped it all up. Testa just needs to do your part diligently.”
“…Understood.”
It was a confirmation kill. If I complained here, I’d only create conflict with the company and end up doing it anyway against my will.
‘Damn it….’
Should I prepare the next album in advance and get confirmation before bringing it to them? This is driving me insane.
“….”
As I left the meeting with the Director, I checked to see if anyone else had grasped the full situation.
‘Everyone except the two Lee Sae-jins is completely clueless.’
I expected as much from Big Sae-jin, but Lee Sae-jin was surprising.
‘Maybe she’s into gaming.’
Anyway, the other four seemed to have the attitude of ‘this is a bit awkward, but let’s do our best.’
They probably expected something on the level of the difficulty of our debut album. …For now, let’s just leave it at that.
‘They’ll figure it out when we go to the meeting on Friday anyway.’
At that moment, Big Sae-jin nudged my ribs with his elbow.
“…Hey, what do you think?”
“We’re done for.”
“Ha ha.”
Big Sae-jin laughed slowly, then irritation flickered across his face.
“This one’s really something else. Right? …It’s not something effort can solve.”
“…Yeah.”
“This is too much, really….”
Big Sae-jin started to say something more, but then realized his voice had gotten louder and just closed his mouth.
‘A wise choice.’
Instead, I checked Lee Sae-jin’s reaction. She was walking with a pale face, staring at the floor.
“….”
Is that because of this whole situation? I’ve never seen him look that haggard, even back when Ajusa was around.
Sure enough, Cha Yu-jin, standing right beside me, patted Lee Sae-jin on the back.
“Hyung! Are you okay?”
“…! No, …I’m fine.”
His voice sounded perfectly normal.
‘Should I pry?’
I considered it for a moment, then decided against it. He’s not a kid—he’ll handle it himself.
Right now… finding a solution to this damned situation was the priority.
‘…If I just add one bonus track and use it as the game’s theme song….’
The Director would never go for it. Damn.
All the way back to the Dormitory, my mind churned, but I couldn’t come up with any real solution (naturally).
However, at that very moment, this game collaboration crisis was snowballing into something even more unexpected.
Testa wasn’t the only one being torn apart by this.

* * *
The whole thing started when T1 Stars Entertainment finally registered on Job Universe, making it possible for people to write company reviews.
A few staff members who’d quit after burning out during debut album preparations had written scathing reviews.
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[Pros: The artists work hard, the food is delicious.]
[Cons: Disorganized structure, incompetent management with no entertainment industry experience, work-life balance destroyed by unrealistic schedules.]
[Overall: Transferring is the only way out. Hope the artists transfer too.]
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The most recent review was like this. One star.
Reviews from current employees of famous entertainment agencies attracted considerable attention, so screenshots of this one circulated across various online communities.
-They’re burning through people here too… Being a subsidiary of a large corporation seems to make it worse. Looks like incompetent higher-ups are running the show
-Save Testa
-Just sighing at this point
-Fans’ coordinated campaign wasn’t for nothing
└Didn’t that make the work-life balance situation worse?
└There’s not a single mention of fans in that review, so why are you thinking that way
└Suddenly blaming the fans;;>
└That’s why they didn’t write it down haha…
Because Testa’s debut activities had been successful, people had plenty to say about it from all angles.
And this screenshot even made its way to anonymous workplace apps.
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[Entertainment companies must be really tough]
: I was interested and looked into transferring, but it’s scary. I’m not even in a related field anyway so it’d be tough, but what do people actually working there think? (Screenshot)
@Entertainment
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-Honestly, this salary isn’t worth the work (MS Entertainment)
-Everyone does the same work anyway lol (LeTi Entertainment)
-They pay just enough for the starting salary so you don’t starve, and the work is fulfilling. But it seems like it’s hit or miss (Treasure Entertainment)
The laments continued one after another. However, just before this post disappeared from the front page, the person in question suddenly appeared.
Hahaha, it’s our Company. Please don’t come here… (T1 Starz Entertainment)
└Wow, they showed up
└Is it really that difficult?
└Yes (T1 Stars Entertainment)
Oh my goodness, what a mess.
└ㅋㅋㅋHe tells me everything
The brief but substantial answers contained a wealth of meaning.
People flocked together asking questions, and eventually the employee, growing increasingly angry, posted a great deal before leaving.
-First of all, there are a lot of strange people in upper management. I’ve met all kinds of people, but I’ve never seen this level before. They almost ruined the debut album. They came with some weird concept…
-This time too they brought something weird and want to go with it, but it seems like it’s already been confirmed so we’ll have to do it… Honestly, I feel bad for the artists under the label…
-ㅌㅅㅌ It’s good to see you, but I feel a bit sorry to see you working so hard to convince the higher-ups when you debut… First of all, I feel very sorry for myself. Going around here hahahaha
-Everyone’s thinking the same thing so even if I write less, no one will figure out who I am… I’m fed up so I’m stopping here. Please don’t transfer to our company~ (T1 Stars Entertainment)
Not long after it was posted in the Hot section, the comment was deleted, but screenshots circulated anyway.
Naturally, fans who had been eagerly anticipating the next album suddenly felt as though cold water had been poured over them.
-What is this supposed to mean?
-Is this really true?
└It’s real. That’s a place where you have to verify with your company email.
└Ugh… I’m losing it
Fans who suddenly felt a chill began frantically rewatching Reality episode 2.
And they started to feel something off about episode 2, which had seemed like a heartwarming production diary full of passion, and its behind-the-scenes footage.
-Wait, when the kids announced things in the reality show, was that upper management bringing some weird concept to try to convince them?
-The guy who brought it seems like that Director. The man sitting in the middle. They keep looking at him during the presentation.
-Looking at it, they handed off the Magic Boy title track to the kids and the company worked on High Five. But High Five’s arrangement had Ravin in it, right.
└Seems like they convinced them about High Five
└So they reworked both songs from this point on? With less than a month left?
└LOL You did two songs, including a compo and a music video, all within a month? Are you sane? Did you put the kids to sleep?
I thought it was annoying enough when I thought it was just magical girls, but it’s twice as bad lolol ah lolol
The fired-up fans soon felt their spines chill with worry about the future.
-The person who wrote that said upper management brought another weird concept this time too, but it’s already been confirmed.
-Oh no
-Ugh…
-Please, just give them plenty of time and let them do it instead.
Terrified fans began calling and emailing the company. The question was: “There’s talk on the internet that Testa’s second album concept that’s currently in preparation has already been decided—is that true?”
At first, responses came back that seemed like automated macros, all identical, but soon as the volume poured in, the content and tone became slightly more courteous.
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[This is T1 Stars Entertainment.
First, we apologize that we cannot arbitrarily respond to your inquiry as it concerns internal confidential matters.
However, our Company is making extensive preparations for Testa’s new album, and we are also respecting the artist’s opinions….]
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Of course, it wasn’t content that could provide any real reassurance. If the album concept were undecided or if Testa were handling it directly, a definitive answer would have already come back on that front.
-Looks like the comment screenshots were accurate
-Oh no, what do we do
-Just give the company to Testa instead, that’d be better
The fans ultimately began taking slightly more extreme measures.
-Isn’t that Kwak Shin-gyun, the Director, the one who appeared in the reality show? I think we need to hit him up directly if we want to get any feedback
And this choice produced extraordinary results.

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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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