Debut or Die-Chapter 257
Year-end.
As the year wound down and the new one approached, various events and anniversaries made pop culture buzz with excitement.
And those interested in KPOP began to prepare to watch related events.
“– Someone’s spilling all the MBS collab tea this year.”
“– T1 holding another awards ceremony overseas? Are they crazy for votes?”
“– I can already see VTIC and Youngrin each scooping up a grand prize for album and digital.”
Of course, chatter about TeSTAR—always a sensational topic this year, whether by choice or by force—was unavoidable.
[Looks like TeSTAR might win a grand prize too]
At ceremonies that hand out multiple grand prizes, they’d deserve one; didn’t they win one at ToneA last year?
With all the buzz this year, they’ll probably get a few here and there. Plus that whole accident thing.
“– ?? Giving them a grand prize just because they had an accident? lol”
“– The love audience loves to love.”
“– lol objectively they’re top tier, you gotta talk grand prize...!”
“– Don’t pretend you’re a TeSTAR fan—this is just trolling ;”
It was straight trolling: “Is TeSTAR even grand-prize material?”
First, “Spring Out,” released early in the year, was a digital single, so it had no album or physical sales results—so pass.
Then “Nightmare” had been a definite annual hit, but the issue was that their promotions were cut short by the accident.
The potential for an even bigger breakthrough stopped disappointingly at a moderate level because of the accident issue.
One member even fell into a coma, delaying the airing of pre-recorded variety shows, making it all the more “somehow disappointing.”
So even though they refocused attention with a charity concert, it still felt insufficient to call them a perfect grand-prize contender.
And the trolls knew it.
They knew TeSTAR couldn’t comeback again in the second half of the year.
“– Since they’re taking exams, they can’t comeback right away.”
“└ Right? The agency’s gotta be hiding them away so they don’t get flak again lol.”
“– I wish they'd hurry up and burn out their cartilage and become has-beens soon ㅠㅠ”
“– Their charity concert was over the top too lol the old VTIC is better, classic is best.”
Anti-TeSTAR fans cheered at the news of TeSTAR taking an emergency vacation.
They were convinced: “This year is irredeemable.”
But around that time a rumor-like article surfaced.
[TeSTAR Countdown to Year-End and New Year Comeback?]
According to an “industry insider,” TeSTAR was preparing a comeback with their first performance set for an awards show.
If the article was correct, their activities would barely fit into the late second half of this year or the early first half of next year.
Core fans’ reactions beneath the surface were mixed.
“– Ah, finally a comeback ㅠㅠ It’s been so dry since the island variety show, can’t waitㅠㅠ”
“– Are they really going to debut their first awards-show stage at such a crucial time?”
“– Lots of groups do year-end comebacks—why worry? And streams and sales often only count from December anyway, so it’ll still fully reflect.”
“└ Annual charts get cut in half then.”
“– Variety shows will all be year-end specials, so promotion will barely get going.”
From late November to mid-December, year-end and New Year specials actually siphon off buzz from songs.
Unless it’s a Christmas carol aiming for the holiday vibe, it wasn’t a great strategy at such an important time.
Especially remembering that ToneA, the awards show hosted by T1, is in early December—it couldn’t help but feel off.
“– If they timed the comeback just to match T1’s awards show, I swear I won’t stand for it.”
“– Let’s just cheer them on for their activities after half a year—I already broke my savings ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) for this.”
Amid the typical tension before a comeback, mixing hope and anxiety, a new article broke in a big way.
[ToneA Moves from Year-End to New Year’s Start... January Date Announced]
It announced that ToneA would be held in January.
Rumors ranged from snagging overseas venues for presenters to music-platform site overhauls, but nothing was certain.
The key was that TeSTAR fans’ hearts were finally at ease.
“– Phew, no wonder.”
“– The moment I saw it—relief.”
“– Yeah, this is right.”
“– They can hit the remaining awards shows in January, then start music broadcasts from month’s end.”
By then public attention shifted.
It wasn’t about redeeming this year anymore, but whether they’d hit a home run next year.
“– TeSTAR coming back very early January, looks like.”
“– Wow, full annual chart coverage lol.”
“– Already the first-tier power struggle is so hype, wonder how it’ll go.”
Everyone shifted focus from whether TeSTAR would win a grand prize at this awards show to how well their comeback would perform!
After the accident scandal, the charity concert VTIC trolling, and the variety-show home run, TeSTAR’s next comeback results were the big question!
“– If they pick a great song, they’ll absolutely blow up—no contest lol.”
“– Honestly, TeSTAR nails their activities at every crucial moment—even if T1 is greedy, they do this right.”
“– I heard there’s a full album this time—how do you feel? Could be too over-planned and they slip?”
“└ Great wishful thinking lol.”
“– TeSTAR really works like oxen. Honestly, I thought they’d rest another half-year to recover.”
And with various year-end music programs officially confirming TeSTAR’s appearance, fans were excited to see them back at their main job.
“– Love the stage.”
“– Don’t overdo it—just showing up is a gift, guysㅠㅠ.”
“– We have to get tickets—how long has it been since an in-person!”
Plus, TeSTAR’s account uploaded photos every day or two of members heading to the practice room after enjoying their vacation.
[Vacation’s over! Feeling great to practice now~ (bear emoji)]
The members looked thrilled and happy.
“– I saw all their posts—everyone looks good, felt so relieved.”
“└ Seeing the photos in person really puts my mind at ease, now I can’t wait lol.”
Fans, feeling a peculiar pride and fulfillment in “idols serious about their craft,” awaited TeSTAR’s year-end stage.
With the comeback date locked in, the mood was quietly positive.
“– Just waiting for stage schedule updates.”
“– How about an orchestra version of ‘Nightmare’?”
“– I’ll bet my Mundae photocard that our Spring Boy’s remix with traditional instruments appears.”
“└ If I lose, can I have the photocard? Counting in line.”
“└ lolololol.”
And TeSTAR was planning even more than fans predicted.
Their first move soon became clear.
Among the year-end program promotion articles flooding in was one with details on a special stage—complete with a poster.
[MBS Gayo Daejejeon Collab Stage Lineup Revealed? From Grand Seniors to Monster Rookies]
A banner-style poster image made of black silhouettes.
Fans recognized one silhouette.
“– Isn’t that Seon Ah-hyun’s silhouette?”
“– Looks like it.”
“– Wow, Ah-hyun’s in a special stageㅠㅠ.”
It was Seon Ah-hyun, TeSTAR’s main dancer.
For their next album’s promotion, TeSTAR planned to go all-out this year-end.
And at the time the article dropped, TeSTAR had already begun year-end preparations.
“Snack time!”
“Here.”
“.......”
Cha Yoo-jin gasped at the carrot sticks in his hand.
“This isn’t a snack!”
“Sh-should I get you an apple...?”
“Okay....”
Yoo-jin sadly bit into the apple Seon Ah-hyun offered.
Crunch crunch.
‘Those teeth are strong.’
I clicked my tongue.
Basically... the group, with year-end just ahead, was regulating diets to regain the muscles lost over Chuseok.
No matter how high Yoo-jin’s basal metabolism, his lax holiday lifestyle called for careful management.
Of course, some didn’t need it.
Like Seon Ah-hyun, who instinctively managed his body.
He didn’t even gain weight over Chuseok.
“Instead of apples... there are tomatoes too...!”
Seon Ah-hyun said.
“Tomatoes are best with sugar!”
“Th-that’s not allowed....”
“Uuuh...”
Yoo-jin trudged to the corner of the practice room and sat.
He’d probably stay like that for ten days. At least he was still getting enough meat.
‘Should I get him some protein bars?’
I organized suggestions for the diet expert in my mind, then noticed Seon Ah-hyun looking wistful over his cherry tomatoes.
“Here, you eat them.”
“Oh, no! I’m fine.”
Seon Ah-hyun put the container of cherry tomatoes back in the fridge.
Without much thought, I glanced and saw the current time on the fridge’s LED.
“You need to head out within an hour.”
“Huh, oh? ...Okay.”
Right. Seon Ah-hyun had solo practice schedules these days.
He had a special collab stage on December 31 for MBS’s year-end program.
It was predictable: the broadcaster had pressured the agency to pick one popular member from each group and combine them for a special stage.
Everyone’s schedules were insanely busy, so we barely met, but all the individual parts had already been sent as videos and learned.
‘Took three hours.’
Being great dancers paid off; honestly, learning choreography is more physically taxing than learning songs.
Plus, Seon Ah-hyun even contributed to some choreography concepts for the new title track.
“– Oh~ This is nice.”
“...! Really?”
“Of course it is! Right, Director?”
“Yes, I think it’s very impactful... the formations will look great on camera, Ah-hyun.”
This time, they’d merged concepts from over seven sources, so squeezing in his choreography wasn’t trivial.
‘He’s talented.’
And his movement style wasn’t even his modern-dance major.
So a collab was no problem... he already had his part down, and his performance would be solid.
With TeSTAR’s name value, the camera love would follow.
I nodded. No issues.
“Do well.”
“...Yes!!”
Seeing Seon Ah-hyun fired up, I knew he’d shine.
Of course, it wasn’t just Ah-hyun. Even Bae Sejin muttered nearby.
“...I’m presenting an award.”
“Hm? A child actor award? It suits you. It might be a bit cumbersome to move around....”
“Me! Presenting an award!”
“...Let’s calm down, Sejin.”
From film festival awards to commemorative stages at entertainment awards, he’d carefully picked one or two newsworthy schedules without overdoing it.
Everyone agreed to use their free time for these instead of year-end events.
‘...This quarter’s settlements will be halved.’
Still, it was profitable. It was effective promotion.
So I’d okayed one or two offers after filtering by name value...but it felt a bit odd.
‘Why did this offer even come to me?’
There could’ve been a more suitable member... but if they wanted me, fine.
‘Doesn’t matter.’
I shrugged, put my headset back on, and prepared to review the third recording. This title had to come out perfect.
‘Let’s do well.’
And swiftly, year-end approached.
A few weeks later, on a Friday night in early to mid-December.
Netizens awaited the return of the year-end season and the very first prime-time music program.
“– Anyone watching SBC Gayo Daejeon tonight? Oh, it’s just me...?”
“lololol today? Time flies.”
“Cheer when they come out.”
“└ How old is your grandma?”
No, let me correct that. Plenty of people just wanted clips or would only watch for their own idols appearing late.
Still, since everyone might show up for the opening, fans of the lineup politely tuned in at least for the start.
“– It’s starting.”
“– Oooh.”
“Let’s see how many unheard-of rookies they cram in this year!”
A grand broadcast hall shone with glitzy lighting.
[☆Gayo Daejeon☆]
[Sangam Hall Live Broadcast]
And at last, the hosts appeared at the commentary booth... a pair of impeccably dressed male and female MCs.
But they were far from the expected profession.
They were three active idols.
The hottest ones.
[Hello, Gayo Daejeon viewers!]
Their light smiles revealed striking faces, but fans hadn’t predicted their professions.
They were active idols.
“I’m Chae-yul of VTIC!”
“I’m Youngrin of Saint U.”
“And I’m Park Mundae of TeSTAR, the youngest MC.”
On screen, Park Mundae gave a cryptic smile and poked his cheek. His senior hosts tried to stifle their laughter.
“– ?????”
“– Insane MC lineup.”
“– lololol.”
“– Top-tier idol members collab.”
The unexpected first-tier elite lineup flooded the comment section.
For reference, even the organizers hadn’t expected this to work.
