Debut or Die-Chapter 291

“To cut to the chase, the single was a massive hit.

“Hey, what rank is it...?”

“Just a sec.”

I checked the daily streaming chart.

[3rd place TeSTAR – Promise]

“Incredible.”

“It climbed another notch since yesterday!”

“Wooooow!”

Cha Yoo-jin strolled by, humming some hooligan song. Honestly, I can’t blame him—this is exactly the kind of mood to be in.

I was feeling... exhilarated, too.

‘There’s no better rush than seeing your investment pay off.’

Above us on the chart were a drama OST and a long-reigning indie band track.

In other words, among the easy-listening summer releases, we came out on top.

‘The build-up worked perfectly.’

The thrill you get when the route you planned two months before comeback—armed with the finished song—snaps into place at every timing checkpoint is almost euphoric.

Hype. And more hype.

I ran through the past week’s flow in my head.

The controversy-tinged yet awe-inspiring rain-soaked stage swept social platforms, then the perfectly timed explanation landed it firmly as a “positive image.”

It’s fucking art

I was the one who said TeSTAR’s comeback stage makes me feel good, but this makes me feel even better, lol

God track, god idols, god stage

It’s amazing how the water splashes like that—TeSTAR, you’re mermaids

This summer’s K-pop is so fun—ten years from now, we’ll be nostalgia-bombing over this, lol

It was an “issue,” but safety concerns kept people from celebrating freely—until now, when there’s no hesitation to consume.

‘People go even wilder when a restriction ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) is lifted than if there had never been one.’

After that, as expected, anyone who saw that splash choreography and found the song catchy immediately dove for the streaming button.

Once again, but on an even grander scale, the virtuous cycle of single and stage was complete.

[(Pre-release) Here Come Those Sailing into the Sky with Their Droplet Dance! | Tiny Club Ep. 102]

Sure enough, this week’s TV variety teaser of TeSTAR featured a hastily slapped-together parody pre-release.

If even the most conservative outlets are picking it up, it’s settled as a trend.

‘It means TV is using that stage image purely for hype bait.’

So here are the results.

TeSTAR’s song is literally everywhere—I went to Hongdae and got blindsided, lol

Honestly, both the song and choreography were perfectly chosen—the rain dance really tastes like capital power

Even my kindergarten niece is copying it—how far is this going to spread?

The song itself, the stage itself, have become mass phenomena.

‘That’s the momentum.’

Back when we had that car accident and everything fell apart, I vaguely saw the same trend during the “Here I Am” promotions.

TeSTAR’s influence is extending beyond even their first–tier name value.

It’s to the point that anyone online saying “I don’t feel it” is met with jeering replies.

“Rae-bin made an amazing song, so we all look good.”

“You flatter me! It was a joint effort—without the feedback from the hyungs and Mundae hyung’s concept, it never would’ve turned out this way. We’ll stay humble and keep progressing!”

Kim Rae-bin spoke without even taking a breath. Anyone listening would’ve thought it a victory speech.

Meanwhile, Cha Yoo-jin was earnest in his rebuttal.

“Rae-bin, Sejin hyung and I made the choreography look cool, too. Rae-bin didn’t do it alone!”

“That’s exactly what I mean, you fool!”

“I mean that too, you dummy!”

They’re having fun. I chimed in to the ones mentioned.

“Must feel good.”

“Huh? ...Of course it does—people like it.”

Surprisingly, Big Sejin looked a little embarrassed.

“What do I even say... it’s just surreal how well this is going.”

“......”

No, I think he was moved.

He hardly had any solo activities related to music. It must’ve been bittersweet to see choreography he picked and arranged become a trend.

Big Sejin looked up at the ceiling, took a deep breath, and threw his arms up.

“Ah—screw it! I love it! Thank you! Thank you, my members~”

“Fighting!!”

There’s something entertaining about a celebratory ceremony for the streaming rank, with even Bae Sejin blushing and applauding Big Sejin.

“Ah, TeSTAR really pulled something off again~”

It’s 1 a.m. right now, and we have another schedule at 4, but they all seem to have forgotten about being tired.

From what history shows, they’re not the type to slack off on a schedule, so it’s fine...

‘But not enough to let my guard down.’

Name value alone doesn’t surpass VTIC. And the difference in initial sales doesn’t just disappear.

Though, I admit, we did... sell a lot this time.

[TeSTAR “The Ocean of Wonder” – 1,558,114]

First-week sales: 1.558 million.

To be honest, I hadn’t expected us to pull off numbers like this, so a lot ran through my mind.

Even at a glance, it’s staggering. Apart from VTIC, active idols who’ve sold this much in a week are countable on one hand.

‘The momentum’s still strong.’

After checking the continuing album shipments post–first week, I shrugged.

‘We’ll ride this for at least another month.’

I was almost certain this pattern would hold.

I didn’t see any contenders breaking into the top spots of other music shows before mid–August.

‘Even I wouldn’t wade into this.’

With the two first-tier acts practically dividing up the #1 spot, what would I stand to gain by joining?

Now that TeSTAR’s position has become genuinely solidified alongside VTIC, it’ll be a while before either budges.

VTIC fans must realize that, too, because they’ve shifted tactics.

They’re both doing great, so no one’s taking the bait

VTIC and TeSTAR have completely different concepts—why all this comparison?

It’s pathetic how BTIC stans trash TeSTAR with album sales and TeSTAR stans do the same to BTIC with streaming numbers—your group has no future, sob

A gesture of truce, right away.

The moment TeSTAR’s track settled into the mainstream trend lane, they must’ve thought, “We can’t win this war of public opinion.”

So they’ll shore up VTIC’s top-tier position and redirect their arrows elsewhere to avoid the stress.

‘Experience counts for something.’

Of course, behind the scenes they’re grinding their teeth, plotting rumors to take TeSTAR down... but that was expected.

Our fans—our side—will enjoy this far more than stress.

Being the ones rising up, this situation is basically a knockout victory.

‘Done.’

I switched off my smartphone.

...Time to savor that feeling of a daring gamble paying off.

“Park Mundae!”

“Mundae, come here! You have to do this too!”

Really.

I rose from my seat as my pumped-up guys showered me with cheers—it was amusing.

I decided to put an arm around someone’s shoulder and join in. Still a great moment.

Eight hours later. After a dawn photo shoot, at 9 a.m. we had a light interview shoot.

Organized once again by Tnet.

Since this TaKon spanned two days and response was so positive, they plan to beef up the VOD extras.

They’d been filming from dawn straight through the “AJUSA” debut group and Mirinae line-up, it seemed.

But honestly, I’d thought someone with VTIC’s clout would skip it...

“Hello!”

“Good morning~”

To my surprise, they showed up. Apparently they were in the country.

It wasn’t too surprising that our schedules overlapped.

‘They gave us the most convenient slot.’

So filming together at the same time slot felt like a natural flow for the two hottest acts.

That said... they didn’t need to give us the largest, nicest waiting room just because.

“.......”

“.......”

I fell silent when I saw who was coming in after I’d wrapped my first interview.

It was Cheong-ryeo.

Great, I’d have to spend about twenty minutes alone with this guy until the next one arrived.

Well, at this point there was no new reason to chicken out.

“Looks like you went first, too.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Are you enjoying your promotions these days?”

“I’m doing my best. It’s fun, too.”

He didn’t seem about to flip out just because he’d been outsung on the charts.

Cheong-ryeo’s expression actually looked pretty relaxed.

“Me too.”

“......”

“Actually, it’s kind of fun. It’s been a while since I had a new single. There are so many variables here, so until now we used only songs we’d already tested.”

His words—and his expression—were far too comfortable for this setting.

“Yes. I see.”

What did he plan to do if someone overheard him speaking so frankly?

“Huh? Feel free to speak casually.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Oh.”

But Cheong-ryeo chuckled.

“It’s not an ad, or a music show... it’s rare for an outsider to show up during a hastily scheduled internal shoot. You can relax.”

Is that so.

‘An idol fossil warning for his own comfort.’

Well, our staff could come in, but they’d have no reason or right to press their ears to the door.

“Well, suit yourself.”

“Ha ha.”

I leaned back on the sofa and picked up my phone. Cheong-ryeo stopped laughing and asked,

“You’re aiming for Daesang, right?”

“Every singer does.”

“No, I don’t mean that generic goal... it seems like you’ve planned your strategy meticulously for this year.”

“From the release timing to the music video and the rain stage, the viral effect was perfect.”

I looked over at Cheong-ryeo.

“It worked because the song and the stage were fundamentally strong.”

“......”

“That’s why we did it.”

“Is that so?”

“Don’t you think your song worked because it was destined to work?”

I shifted my gaze back to my phone.

“You said it was untested. Then what made you believe in it?”

“I don’t know.”

His voice turned flat.

“I just... wanted to make it well.”

“And it did well.”

“But you got more streams than us.”

Right—I knew this was coming.

“Who sold 2 million albums, then? Don’t pretend to accept the result unilaterally.”

“Ha ha!”

Cheong-ryeo laughed.

“Fair enough. I wasn’t planning on conceding anyway.”

That answer sounded refreshingly honest.

“Of course you weren’t.”

I sank back into the sofa. The atmosphere relaxed a bit.

Then suddenly, I heard a muffled rustling behind my voice...

“No way.”

My mind froze.

“Oh, Kong....”

I didn’t wait to hear more. I sprang up. Cheong-ryeo stopped speaking and stood up too.

Without warning, I strode to the door, grabbed the handle, and opened it.

“......!!”

Damn it, there was someone there.

The one jumping up from beyond the door was...

Chae Seodam.

“.......”

Surprise, disbelief—everything at once.

‘She was trying to eavesdrop.’

Instinctively, I replayed the conversation Cheong-ryeo and I had just had.

‘No curses, no unrealistic comments...’

Did we say anything similar? No, I’d only used rudimentary expressions about this promotion.

And I spoke casually to Cheong-ryeo.

“That’s odd. I thought no one used this corridor... Oh.”

Fuck, so someone is here after all.

Cheong-ryeo looked at Chae Seodam, then his eyes lit up.

“You came looking for the junior.”

“...!”

“I guess that’s right. You don’t know me, so it can’t be that... and there’s no other reason to come this far out here. Right?”

“.......”

She came to see me?

Judging by her cold sweat, that seemed to be the case.

Chae Seodam at that moment regained her composure and her expression returned to normal.

“I... just got lost and ended up here, seniors.”

“But filming should be over.”

“They said we’d wait longer and shoot again after lunch.”

Since they gave the top-tier acts the best time slots, her shoot was pushed back, so she really was just waiting now.

And then she tracked me down, followed me here, and tried to eavesdrop at the door?

“There’s something I’m concerned about, seniors.”

Suddenly, as if a mood shift hit her, Chae Seodam spoke with newfound poise.

“Honestly, I’ve been scared about a lot of things lately... so I record everything while working. I’m afraid a misunderstanding could cause big trouble. Right?”

Her embarrassment gradually faded, and her eyes gleamed instead.

“I debuted ‘lucky,’ but if another rumor pops up, I’ll need objective proof to defend myself.”

There was an odd stress in her tone.

That bitch....

I reflexively mimed her words with my lips.

‘Lucky bitch.’

“But this recorder... it works better than I thought. It could be a liability... so I wanted to ask.”

“.......”

“Did we say something you’d be in trouble if recorded?”