Debut or Die-Chapter 236
Bae Sejin’s summons by the Human Rights Commission hit the jackpot.
“This actually worked?”
I almost lost my words watching the internet gleefully tearing into T1.
The thing that resonated most—obviously—was the theory that TeSTAR’s car accident was a cover-up.
[“Tragedy Born of Complacency... The True Face of Entertainment Giant T1”]
[“‘It Wasn’t an Accident but an Incident’: Agency Concealed a Terror”]
Ever since I woke from a coma after eighteen days and the “TeSTAR car accident” shot back to the top of the headlines, rumors about what really happened had been swirling—and they were incredibly inflammatory.
People latched on as if some conspiracy theory had been confirmed. Articles gleefully fanned the flames with words like “terror,” “behind-the-scenes manipulation,” and “catastrophic cover-up.”
It wasn’t even the entertainment section but front-page news—and once an embargo breaks on social issues, even a major corporation can’t scoop up that spilled water.
Those idols were on the brink of death, and the company’s only concern was shutting their mouths! Classic big-corporation move~
Intentional terror by the ex-manager? They’re scared, so they lash out at the idols, damn it
└ Did they even interview this asshole before making him a first-team idol manager? lol
Parachute hires galoreㅋㅋㅋ the inside must’ve been a mess—wonder if that’s why TeSTAR’s hair is falling out
“Multiple verbal abuses leading to forced resignation” 〈— they were clueless until they fired him in panic, and their security was shit so it blew upㅋㅋㅋ bravo, T1!
Disgusting scum good only at cover-ups and manipulation; we need to root them out for our country’s sake—severe punishment!
And because Bae Sejin piled on every complaint he could lodge with Human Rights Commission, the moral high ground was undeniable.
[“Severe Labor Rights Violations at T1 Stars, a Subsidiary of a Major Corporation”]
[“‘Working Hours Falsified,’ Verbal Abuse Leading to Resignations... Massive Exposés”]
[“T1 Claims ‘No Management Involvement at T1 Stars,’ Faces Criticism for Passing the Buck”]
Frankly, the idea of a popular idol making good money whining about company abuse doesn’t elicit much sympathy. The usual response—“But they’re making millions at such a young age”—usually kills momentum.
But once the verdict shifts to “this corporation is garbage,” everything changes. A shared enemy gives people permission to hunt—and the hunt is exhilarating.
So in that unusually clear July after late monsoon rains, people channeled their heat-wave stress into bashing T1. Since the newcomer T1 Stars has far less name recognition than its parent company, all the fury landed on T1’s headquarters.
They even launched a petition.
[“We Demand an Investigation into T1’s Labor Rights Violations”]
Of course it was just a distraction tactic, but T1’s headquarters must’ve been livid.
“They’re not exactly famous for stellar employee benefits themselves.”
Honestly, they had it coming. I felt some pity for the PR folks, but it was undeniably entertaining.
Anyway, just as Bae Sejin expected, they were furiously searching for internal leaks or rival-company meddling to scapegoat. The TeSTAR accident had become a convenient tool to amplify the scandal.
“...Perfect.”
No matter how deep you dig, nothing will surface. The more time they waste, the more paralyzed the company becomes—and the stronger our group’s influence grows.
I smirked and switched my phone to the fan community.
[T1 Boycott (175)]
[Those assholes make my blood boil (24)]
[Can the guys join another agency?? (798)]
[So it really was the agency’s faultㅋㅋ.. (13)]
[I hope Mundae wakes up and only sees ♡good things♡ ㅠㅠ (151)]
Threads like these were popping up everywhere, but the mood wasn’t grim. The fandom was genuinely excited that I’d finally woken up.
And overall sentiment was favorable, with TeSTAR barely scratched by the controversy. With so many people saying, “I knew it,” it seemed fans had already been speculating similar scenarios.
“...Lucky.”
I swiped to close the app. I wanted to post something, but I decided to consult the others first.
“A simple ‘I’m alive’ update should be fine.”
...And I had a very important proposal to make.
“We have to go on tour, no matter what.”
I already had a rough plan. I crossed my arms and decided to wait patiently until the others arrived.
At 2 p.m., Bae Sejin burst into the hospital room, face flushed with excitement.
“...This worked out great, right!”
“Yes. The reaction’s amazing.”
“......!”
He clenched his fists, trembling with the thrill of victory. Just as I was about to broach the real topic gently—
“When the Human Rights Commission report comes out... let’s file suit immediately!”
“...!!”
“As long as we have proof, we can win! I’ll cover all the lawyer fees!”
Bae Sejin was pressing the accelerator to the floor.
‘No.’
Had he forgotten that lawsuits are the last-ditch, do-or-die play?
But before I could speak, Big Sejin cut in.
‘So this hasn’t been agreed yet, huh?’
He finally seemed to have sobered up.
“Hyung. The plan is, after we win, we switch agencies, right?”
“...Yes.”
“Well, then we’d be blacklisted from every show T1 invests in. That’d be rough, wouldn’t it?”
“...There are plenty of other shows. And these days there’s W YouTube... lots of ways to stay active.”
Bae Sejin swallowed.
“But if we can’t appear anywhere now, we’re stuck with this agency for three more years... and who knows what tricks they’ll use to twist us into another contract after that!”
“.......”
“So I still think... what we’re doing right now is the right move.”
Big Sejin twitched, then replied in a breezy tone.
“A lawsuit would be great~ But if we can’t work for over a year, our careers will tank.”
“......!”
“Honestly, even if we win, no agency would sign us while we’re embroiled in litigation.”
He finished softly.
“An agency would have to be desperate to rub shoulders with T1 to pick us up—and that’s not happening~”
“.......”
“Why don’t we negotiate with the agency instead? Get more staff on our dedicated team, add clauses to the contract... how about that, everyone?”
Bae Sejin looked ready with a hundred objections, but his face fell as he considered the counterarguments.
‘So it goes like this.’
I tapped my temple and said, “Alright... let’s take a show of hands. Who’s for filing suit right now?”
Bae Sejin raised his hand tentatively. Then, like lightning, Cha Yoo-jin shot his hand up.
“.......”
“We’ll win!”
Only he could love lawyers this much.
“Hey, Cha Yoo-jin. A year off—what about that?”
“Even with a year off, we’ll be fine. We can always come back stronger!”
An almost absurdly optimistic answer. Thanks, Yoo-jin.
“Okay, who wants to stay and try improving conditions at the agency?”
Big Sejin raised his ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) hand—as did Kim Rae-bin, surprisingly.
“There are many great people at the company. If we cooperate with them, we can make improvements...”
“.......”
Also naively optimistic. Thank you.
That left Ryu Cheong-woo and Seon Ah-hyun.
“Ah-hyun, you?”
“I—I... whatever keeps everyone comfortable and safe is fine with me!”
“Got it.”
Very Ah-hyun.
“...Then Cheong-woo hyung?”
“......Similar. I’d love to file suit, but we’re a group. We have to respect differing opinions on career paths.”
Ryu Cheong-woo answered slowly.
“Mundae, what do you think?”
Me? Simple.
“Filing suit right now seems impossible.”
I opposed a lawsuit, even apart from my tour issues.
‘This has grown too big.’
Once it shifts from a group issue to corporate labor-rights violations, the company will never allow a precedent of them losing in court. They can’t have TeSTAR’s lawsuit become a landmark case.
‘Then unions would file lawsuit after lawsuit—it’d be madness.’
So it’s better to seize what we can now without burning bridges.
‘We need to position ourselves so the company looks apologetic toward TeSTAR.’
Even if they’re not actually sorry, we can exploit their apology when it happens.
But since Bae Sejin deserves credit, I couldn’t state it outright... maybe hint at it.
“No one knows how tomorrow’s public sentiment will shift. Let’s monitor a bit longer—and if conditions are favorable, at least gather evidence so we can sue later.”
“Secretly?”
“Exactly.”
Bae Sejin thought it over, then nodded.
“...Okay. I can’t just push my own opinion. We’re a team, after all!”
“.......”
He was finally tasting that AJUSA-era camaraderie, like Seon Ah-hyun.
‘Well, maybe that’s a good thing.’
“Team~ TeSTAR, come on~!”
“Right on, hyung!”
I shrugged and returned to my original point.
“And while we keep an eye on things, why don’t we fulfill any already-booked schedules?”
“Huh?”
“Why...?”
“There’d be penalties for cancellations, and showing that we’re still active would boost morale.”
“.......”
“You agree?”
“Yes. As long as I’m fully recovered. Once the doctor gives me the all-clear.”
No bluff—just literal truth. The nectar gave me the courage to say it.
“Um...”
“Especially the tour. So many tickets are already sold—better to go ahead if possible.”
“No, stop!!”
“...!!”
What?
Seon Ah-hyun yelled. I stared at him, but he stood firm, face flushed red.
“Mundae, you need to rest!”
“I said I will—after resting.”
“You need a lot of rest!”
Nothing I said got through.
“Ah-hyun’s right, Mundae.”
“I was wondering what you meant by tour... just stay in bed, Mundae.”
“......??”
“I’ll diligently prepare the next album and report back, so no worries.”
“Live long, hyung!”
If you insist, you won’t live long.
Yet they were resolute, refusing any compromise.
Their memory of my eighteen-day coma must have been too vivid.
‘Can’t mention the status screen...’
If I pretended to lose it and brought up the status window, I’d be scheduling a psychiatric consult next.
While I nursed the ache in my temple, Ryu Cheong-woo spoke with a faint smile.
“Mundae, the internal approval to cancel the rest of the year’s tour is already complete.”
“......!”
Unbelievable.
They patted my shoulder affectionately.
“The fans will love seeing you focus on a healthy recovery... and maybe an occasional post or photo.”
“.......”
“Let’s do that for a while.”
“Right~ Hyung’s advice is perfect~”
“We’ll support you concentrating on your health!”
And with that... the tour was gone.
“.......”
Lying alone in the empty hospital room, I reviewed the situation. Then I reached a conclusion.
We’re screwed.
‘How am I supposed to fill 400,000 seats without a tour?’
Do guerilla shows in Myeongdong or Neverland forty times?!
My head was spinning.
‘...They mean well, so I can’t get mad.’
I sighed several times, drafted various plans, then paused.
‘I need to understand the fans’ conditions better.’
But first, there was something I had to do.
I turned on my phone, took several selfies, and chose the best one. Then I opened SNS.
---------------------==
Hello lovey-lovers
It’s Mundae 🐶
I’m eating well and resting safely
Thank you for waiting
I’ll be back in great shape soon
---------------------==
I attached the photo and uploaded it.
‘...Is it day twenty-one?’
My heart fluttered. Sure enough, SNS notifications exploded almost instantly.
-Mundae!!!
-Thank you so much
-♡♡♡♡ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
-Take good care of yourself, Mundae—eat well, rest well, sleep well...
└ And don’t sleep too much lol
└ No matter what, I’ll sue whoever messes with you
-Wishing you health and happiness always
“.......”
They were just words, yet I felt the warmth and heard their voices.
‘That’s reassuring.’
I smiled as I read the comments.
And a thought crept in.
‘If they love “I’ll be back soon,” I can use that as proof...’
-It’s okay if you don’t come back soon, Mundae. Your health comes first.
-Mundae, please take care of yourself.
“.......”
Even though they say that, they probably really want to see me in person.
They deserve to.
‘I’m losing it.’
I ruffled the back of my head and tossed my phone onto the pillow.
Jiiing, jiiing, jiiing!
As if on cue, my phone buzzed again and again.
‘I just turned off SNS notifications.’
I picked it up, puzzled. Then I saw... text messages.
[(Photo)]
About twenty familiar dog photos had arrived in succession.
“.......”
Wow, what a welcome.
‘Damn it, say something.’
If I’m going to die anyway, I’ll grasp at any rotten straw.
[VTIC Seonryeo sunbaenim]
I dialed his number.
