Debut or Die-Chapter 325
“KPOP. A coined term mainly referring to Korean idol music.
Actually, it’s not a name coined domestically.
“I think it’s been used abroad informally since the Hallyu wave.”
So if the new mission is “KPOP record breaking,” they’ll probably only acknowledge records recognized overseas.
I texted him via the status window to confirm.
[I’ve never thought of it that way, but that seems right]
There’s no way any obscure record counts just because I asked about it.
I closed my smartphone uneasily.
Back at the dorm, I’m now sitting on my bed.
Going to sleep? As soon as we get the final choreography for the special stage, we have to head to the practice room. Year-end isn’t an easy season.
My roommate, who was also sitting on his bed waiting, spoke up.
“If we need to break a record, we have to beat all our seniors.”
“Right.”
He said “I’ll think about it” in the car, and he really did. A diligent guy.
He continued in character.
“How about targeting a newly created evaluation category? New categories are easier to set records in.”
A realistic take from someone who’s played sports. I nodded.
“Let’s see. In Asia, almost every record...”
VTIC has them all. Damn.
“Haha. The seniors worked hard, right?”
“Yes.”
They really did: dozens of weeks at #1, million-seller, dome tour—they’ve set every record.
While TeSTAR focused on domestic foothold, VTIC solidified their global position... they swept everything.
“South America is the ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) same, right?”
“Yeah.”
Every market where KPOP has hit big has fierce records. Breaking them by next summer is a reckless one-shot challenge.
And it’s not just our seniors’ records in the way.
“Everyone’s active now too, and doing well.”
Globally, many groups besides VTIC are outperforming TeSTAR.
Ryu Cheong-woo nodded, recalling the company briefing.
“Hmm, it’s tough. Even if we make a great stage, there’s no guarantee of good results.”
That’s showbiz.
“Timing and luck matter a lot.”
“Yeah. There’s overlap, but this differs from sports.”
He chuckled.
“As an athlete, I tried breaking records, but entertainers don’t just win or lose... you have to win hearts. That’s complex.”
“Indeed.”
I nodded; he seemed deep in thought. The conversation was deeper than I expected. Better steer it.
“So, what record did you try to break before?”
“Huh? Haha. Nothing special, everyone tries for the three golds at the Asian Games, World Championships, and Olympics, aiming to be the youngest.”
“....”
Three golds?
What’s going on in Korean archery? They talk about gold medals like regional league wins.
“Impressive.”
“Failed. I wasn’t selected for the World Championships.”
He smiled sheepishly.
“But I did get the youngest-ever Olympic gold record.”
“That’s amazing.”
“Haha, it’ll be broken soon. Young talent is qualifying now...”
“...!”
Wait. That sparked something.
‘Youngest.’
A new idea lit up.
‘Right. That approach is possible.’
Instead of overall top performance, subdivide the record category in a different direction.
Find an “impressive” category recognized externally.
‘Good, that’s the lead.’
I nodded.
“Anyway, I’ll think more about your question. Sorry I can’t offer something concrete yet.”
“No, thank you. I got a hint.”
“Huh? Glad to hear that.”
He looked like he wondered where I got it, but laughed it off. I added:
“I won’t think of anything harmful to TeSTAR’s interests, so don’t worry.”
“I never worried about that... okay.”
He agreed. Same calm reaction as when I said we needed an award.
“....”
He never asked why I asked. Must’ve thought it burdensome.
‘What a guy.’
Same in the car—I was so moved by the situation I went along with it.
But how did he convince himself?
‘He seemed not to believe in anything supernatural.’
He doesn’t even entertain ghosts.
Even with prior hints, trusting simply on his faith in Park Mundae is too unrealistic.
‘He doesn’t seem to have any other motive.’
I rubbed my neck and sighed. Oh well, I’ll just ask.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“Earlier in the car... how were you so sure about my situation?”
“....”
“It must’ve seemed absurd.”
The idea that Ryu Geon-woo and Park Mundae swapped bodies.
He smiled awkwardly.
“Hmm, I tried other explanations... they all had gaps.”
“....”
“At first I thought maybe they influenced each other, sharing traits, so I’d handle it carefully.”
I remembered he said I could speak casually. That must’ve helped.
But his explanation continued.
“Then I met Ryu Geon-woo today... and realized it wasn’t that.”
He concluded calmly.
“They’re very different... as if they swapped.”
“....”
“So I recalled what you said on our hike, like lightning.”
– I was just acting as myself.
He smiled.
“If you take that literally, everything that puzzled me fits perfectly.”
“....”
“Your knowledge, coping, traumas, and both your and Geon-woo’s reactions.”
He gave a wry smile.
“And why you snapped at me about your accident... that too.”
“....” 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
“It made perfect sense.”
That summer package. Why I freaked at his accident story, he’d already classified it.
I fell silent; he continued.
“I thought I understood you one-sidedly then... but you cut me slack, too. Right? I’m sorry.”
“No.”
I managed.
“I’m the one who should apologize.”
He laughed it off.
“Stubbornness must run in the family.”
“....”
“Anyway, I got it. I still don’t know how, but I don’t need to know.”
He’d used logic and instinct. And being easygoing, everything fell into place.
‘And that gave me tons of info.’
I laughed.
“I’m embarrassed hearing all this without explaining properly. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
He smiled, then his expression shifted.
“Hmm, that’s not all.”
“Yes?”
What else?
“Actually... I overheard something.”
He looked embarrassed.
“At the restaurant, when you went out to take that call, I waited outside to catch the timing...”
Wait.
“...so.”
“Yeah. That person called you ‘hyung’ so naturally.”
That confirmed it.
My bad feeling was right. Understood.
I felt a chill but moved on.
‘Anyway, it worked out.’
A blessing in disguise. I looked at Cheong-woo and said:
“Please keep helping me.”
“Haha, likewise.”
Unexpectedly, I gained an ally who knows my identity.
Soon the door burst open and the others peeked in.
“Everyone~ the choreography’s here~”
Practice time again.
“Really? Wait.”
He stood and added:
“Let’s discuss the KPOP record thing after we get back.”
“Yes.”
I could figure it out alone, but discussions were needed.
I nodded. After he left, Big Sejin spoke up.
“Mundae-mundae, what’s this KPOP record?”
“We were discussing our next target.”
Productive leader talk.
“Oh~ you’ve gotten comfy with Cheong-woo hyung?”
He smiled, then pretended to cry.
“Sniff sniff, you two went out earlier—Sejin feels left out...”
How did he know? I snuck out.
“You were on a call with the show MC.”
“Hey, when my main vocalist, best friend Mundae, calls, I hang up and rush over~”
Smooth.
I considered smacking him, then thought:
‘I said I’d explain if I could...’
...Cheong-woo already knows.
“....”
“Mundae?”
Should I explain to him? Risky. If he doesn’t buy it, can’t restart.
He’d demand all details. Even if he doesn’t know the status window, explaining everything is mortifying.
I paused, then sighed.
“...Then when we have time, let’s go out, just us.”
I need to tell him eventually. Cheong-woo knows; Sejin doesn’t.
“...! Finally you want to leave the house, Sejin! Great!”
