I’m Debuting With The Bias I Killed - Chapter 12

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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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Episode 12
The day of the Signal Song shoot. The trainees boarded the bus before dawn had even broken.
Their destination: a sprawling studio on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.
Some watched Choreography videos on repeat through their earbuds, while others hummed lyrics with their eyes closed.
I traced the beat with my fingers, gazing out the window.
Today of all days, I couldn’t afford a single mistake.
The moment we arrived at the studio, people scattered in every direction.
“First ten people, let’s get makeup started!”
“Hair station—take your seats in order!”
Half the trainees sat for makeup while the others got their hair done.
With staff, trainees, and the camera crew crammed into the narrow space, it was absolute chaos.
Sharp words flew back and forth—though the moment the cameras rolled, the energy shifted as if nothing had happened.
“Meeting again?”
I turned to find the hair designer who’d helped with my makeover.
“Hello. Thanks to you, I’ve gotten so many compliments on my hair.”
“That so? I’m glad.”
She smiled and nodded.
“My eye for style never fails.”
“Thank you. I’m looking forward to working with you again today.”
“Of course.”
Her practiced hands began working through my hair.
The Signal Song, “Boy’s Code,” captures the show’s essence—boys pushing and competing against one another to pass through the gateway of Debut.
That’s why they dressed us in school uniforms layered with black Bulletproof Vests.
‘They threw everything at it—uniform, techwear, the works.’
It had the atmosphere of participants in one of those death-game shows that had been all the rage.
“Is there a reason you chose scar makeup as your special item?”
the designer asked, working the curling iron through my hair.
“I figured it might get in the way when I’m dancing.”
“Fair point.”
She nodded.
“And—”
I added without much thought.
“Fake blood just seems like it’ll stand out more, you know?”
The curling iron went still.
“Pft—hold on—”
Her shoulders shook as she bowed her head.
‘Why is she suddenly acting like that?’
“Sorry.”
She picked up the iron again, barely suppressing her laughter.
“It’s just the way you said it so seriously.”
Right then.
Ssssh—
The curling iron slipped.
“Huh…?”
In the mirror, one section of my hair stuck straight out from the rest.
The way it shot skyward looked strangely familiar.
‘This is giving home shopping channel fail video.’
“Ah….”
A sigh escaped me before I could stop it. The state of my hair was that shocking.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry!”
The designer jerked her hands back in alarm.
“Wait, this is actually—”
I trailed off, then caught my reflection again.
“Pfft.”
It hit me all over again.
“Ah, really sorry about that. I don’t know what’s gotten into me today—”
She was trying desperately to hold it together, but it was already too late.
“It’s fine.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Mad? Why would I be…?”
“But look at what you’ve done with my hair—”
I shrugged.
“This is nothing, really. I’m used to it.”
“Used to what?”
“I have an older sister.”
“Ah~”
That single syllable said everything—instant understanding on her face.
‘What even is an older sister, anyway?’
Compared to Yu Seonga’s doll-styling sessions, this was nothing.
“Your face is babyish, but you talk like an old man.”
“I hear that often.”
Perhaps feeling guilty for laughing so hard, she threw herself into finishing my hair after that, working with genuine care.
“Wow, you really do look like a totally different person.”
Coming from Han Sangyun, that was high praise.
“You look great today too, Sangyun.”
“Drop the formal speech. I told you.”
Han Sangyun laughed and shook his head.
After styling was done, the trainees gathered one by one.
Boys stripped of their names, called only by their Codes.
Matching the concept, large numbers were etched onto our bulletproof vests instead of name tags.
CODE 1.
CODE 4.
The whole atmosphere was completely different from the survival show where everyone wore school uniforms and revealed their names on name tags.
In fact, Boy’s Code didn’t disclose the trainees’ names until the first round’s self-introduction stage.
‘We were called only by our Codes.’
It was concept commitment taken to an extreme.
“Ugh, something about this feels unsettling.”
Someone muttered quietly.
It wasn’t wrong.
Same outfit, similar styling, and numbers instead of names—we looked like products stamped out of a factory.
“This is insane…….”
“Crazy. I mean, seriously… it’s ridiculously massive, isn’t it?”
As we stepped onto the stage, gasps of awe erupted from every direction. I scanned my surroundings casually.
I’d watched the Signal Song videos so many times that even though this was my first time seeing the actual space, it didn’t feel unfamiliar.
“Wow—”
Lee Yulie, who’d been standing there awestruck, quickly composed himself.
‘Right. Time to look impressive.’
In the center of the stage stood a massive cube structure—like sheets of glass boxes stacked layer upon layer.
Exactly twenty compartments in total, all the same shape, but varying in size.
“Is that supposed to be the center position?”
The largest compartment sat dead center—Code S.
From there, moving outward, each compartment grew progressively smaller.
Code A, B, and then C.
The outermost tier was so cramped you’d struggle to extend your arms fully.
It was like a display case—people arranged by rank.
‘And with this structure—’
Once they captured a wide shot, the outer positions would naturally fall out of frame.
The stage itself was doing the talking without anyone needing to explain.
Who was the protagonist, and who was merely background.
‘But this isn’t even the worst of it.’
Complaints erupted from the Code C group.
“This is too much, isn’t it?”
“How are we even supposed to dance in there…….”
“And there’s one more announcement—”
A staff member picked up the microphone.
‘Here it comes.’
“Code C will have no lighting during the First Verse.”
“What?”
In that instant, every trainee’s face went rigid.
“There’s no lighting?”
“What do you mean, then—we won’t be able to see you?”
“And the Center will be given a solo shot during the Highlight section.”
This time, a groan rippled through the room. Someone simply collapsed where they stood.
‘Brutal.’
No lighting meant sacrificing the entire First Verse. Too dark to catch on fancam, too.
“Then why did we even practice?”
“This is too much, really…….”
Even when the program aired, this format had drawn criticism for being excessively harsh.
But at the same time—
‘It worked, though.’
In a saturated idol survival landscape, it was a stage that left an unmistakable first impression.
Just then, a light laugh cut through.
“Lucky break—just rest through the First Verse and go all-in on the Second.”
‘There it is.’
There actually had been trainees who’d chosen that approach.
‘And they got torn apart before the broadcast even started.’
“Alright, everyone move to the stage.”
“Um, sorry, but could I use the bathroom for a moment…….”
“Right now?”
“I’m just so nervous…… I’ll be right back!”
“Go quick!”
“Yes!”
Truth was, the bathroom was an excuse. I just wanted to catch a glimpse of Yulie making it into Group A.
Before the Regression, Yulie had been in Group B, and in the Signal Song video he’d crashed into the wall more than once. Each time, I’d found myself cursing Go Jaesung, who’d landed in Group A instead.
I’d thought shorter limbs meant Group B was plenty good enough for him.
But things were different now. Even with his arms and legs fully extended, he had room to spare. And in that space, Yulie moved with easy freedom.
“……It suits him.”
I forced back the sting rising in my eyes.
And I made myself a promise.
‘This stage today will be the smallest stage of your life.’
“Trainees who haven’t gone up yet—move along!”
“Yes, sorry!”
Spurred on by the staff, I hurried toward the stage myself.
“Now, after the camera rehearsal we’ll go straight into filming.”
Click—
The lights overhead blazed to life.
“……!”
A searing white glare stabbed through my eyes; the world went white for an instant.
Eeeee—
A low ringing bloomed inside my ears.
I braced myself against the wall and took a short, steadying breath.
“Beginning Signal Song filming. Take 1!”
The beat dropped the moment the slate closed.
Boom—
The vibration rising from the floor traveled up through my knees, all the way to my fingertips. I counted off in rhythm, as I always did.
Eight, nine, ten—
[Boom!]
I extended my arms.
Perfect timing, as ever. The first take wrapped without a hitch.
The problem was that filming didn’t end just because I’d nailed it.
“Groups A and B—adjust your lighting timing.”
“And Group C, we’re catching all that rushed movement in the Second Verse intro.”
Again.
“Take 2.”
Again.
“Take 3.”
And again.
“Take 7.”
By the tenth take, my body had grown noticeably heavier.
“Come on, everyone—think of this as the last one!”
“Yes…….”
Each breath came short and hot.
My vision blurred and cleared in cycles, but I steadied my breathing again. Like I was saving one life, I wanted to shake everyone awake— the urge rose all the way to my throat and stopped there.
‘Please, let’s finish this time, you bastards…….’
“Signal Song, take eleven!”
The intro came again.
Boom—
This time, I didn’t feel a vibration; it rang inside my skull instead. My stomach churned.
Still, I counted the same way.
Eight, nine, ten.
[Boom!]
My arm goes out.
‘Am I late?’
No, I wasn’t. My judgment was becoming hazy.
The heat from the lights meant to make me shine only made my insides roil, by a cruel irony.
I chained the movements together as if clearing a quest.
‘I’m really going to throw up…….’
I cut the thought short and moved my body.
The next move, and then the one after that. I kept stitching them together.
‘If I break the chain, it’s over.’
My mind went white.
Only sensation remained.
[Another one shattered
The secret before my eyes
Cannot be stopped
Already begun, revolution]
Before I knew it, I’d reached the second verse. All the pain so far felt like practice games; the real trial was only beginning.
With each movement, nausea surged forward. Strength drained away.
‘Endure.’
Still, I never stopped.
I remembered stepping out of the car, clutching my shattered shoulder. Even in those final moments before death, I’d moved to confirm whether Lee Yulie was alive or dead.
‘This much…….’
There’s no reason to stop.
In the end, I opened my mouth. Like I’d practiced singing with everything on the line, life or death.
It was a cry that would be buried under the backing track anyway. So I sang even louder.
[Make a new history
Beyond this door
Shining brilliantly
New world—]
My throat cracked. My voice came rough and jagged.
Still—
I kept going.
The highlight: I snap my chest three times, hard.
Thump—
Thump—
Thump—
Now I couldn’t feel pain at all. Like a truck with failed brakes, the stop line was no longer an obstacle.
[Keep on moving
Never stop
Break it]
The end was approaching.
‘Just a little more, just a little more.’
The finish line was nearly within reach.
[Open this door
The only code
Boy’s Code]
I held the final pose. Stopping was more agonizing than moving.
Like gripping a spinning top mid-rotation. The fine tremors that had wrapped around my entire body only grew larger. My hands began to shake violently.
Still, I kept my eyes on the camera until the very end.
‘The ending sprite…….’
A hollow laugh caught in his throat.
“Cut!”
The director’s voice rang out.
“Okay—Signal Song group shoot is a wrap. Thank you all for your hard work.”
It was over.
His legs gave out beneath him. He crumpled to the floor. His stomach twisted, and dry heaves clawed up his throat.
‘Something’s wrong.’
He tried to breathe, but it felt as though no air was reaching him.
His body tilted slowly to one side.
“Wh—?”
Thud.
His vision flipped. Cameras, lights, and ceiling.
His body wouldn’t obey. Like a robot drained of power, he couldn’t move a single finger.
He could only blink helplessly.
‘Again…’
That familiar sensation. The same helplessness he’d felt on the road before dying.
A cold, suffocating dread crept up his spine.
‘No, no, this can’t be…’
His vision wavered.
“Wait!”
“Someone’s collapsed!”
“Yu Seongwoo, are you okay?”
“Call 119!”
As the voices faded into a blur, darkness consumed everything.
I Debut with the Favorite I Killed (Serialized)
Author │ Yu Ss
Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyung
Published by │ J Plus Media Co., Ltd.
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyuk
Address │ 401, Ace Tech Tower 8th, 11 Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong)
Email │ [email protected]
Website │ www.jayplemedia.com
ⓒ Yu Ss 2026
※This work is published by J Plus Media Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder, and no part of its contents may be used in any form or by any means without permission from the company and author.
Violation of this may result in criminal and civil legal liability.

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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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