Debut or Die-Chapter 377
“Ra-bin, aren’t you eating?”
“I’ve already eaten and gone home. Thank you!”
Kim Rae-bin finished washing her face and came out, replying cheerfully.
After suddenly arriving in Seoul and staying for a few days at Ryu Geon-woo’s officetel, she had, by agreement with her parents, moved to her uncle’s house in Seoul. Yet she still found herself rehearsing all day, then tagging along to Ryu Geon-woo’s place with Cha Yoo-jin, talking strategy and eating dinner—so in truth she felt about as indebted as before.
Why were they treating her so well? Kim Rae-bin still wondered, but she faithfully carried on with this new routine.
Indeed, the changed daily life had seeped into her days as naturally as if she’d lived it before...
Kim Rae-bin thought it over and reached a conclusion.
When I think about it, it’s not so different from school!
This structured routine felt much like attending classes. Speaking of school, the moment she signed with LeTi, she was processed for transfer into Seoul’s arts high school—attendance credits covered by her extracurricular idol activities...
A talent agency was truly something else.
Come to think of it, there was a curious coincidence: the very agency she’d first signed her song with was the same one she’d just joined.
—You signed your song with LeTi?
—...? Yes!
When they’d brought her in that day, she hadn’t realized how delighted LeTi’s rookie coordinator was.
Kim Rae-bin understood why she’d so easily come to Seoul and tried life as an idol hopeful with those two she’d never met. On her strawberry-farm way home, she’d heard convincing words...
(Ryu Geon-woo had called him “Mundae,” though Rae-bin wasn’t sure why.) Geon-woo had calmly said:
—I listened to the songs you’ve composed so far, and many suit choreography.
—Choreography?
—Dance routines. And most teams doing trendy music with choreography these days are idol groups.
He continued as if posing a question:
—So I thought experiencing their stages firsthand might help you compose in the future.
—...!
Though she’d never tried it, it was persuasive.
Ryu Geon-woo had smoothly explained the method he recommended: an in-house survival show.
—A survival show is the quickest way to experience the essence of an idol stage. You can be eliminated after feeling the experience and bow out easily.
Kim Rae-bin was impressed.
—...! I see. So I’ll get density-rich experience to help my composing, then naturally get eliminated?
—That could happen.
No. Rae-bin misunderstood. Park Moon-dae had assumed she would be eliminated, not guaranteed it.
And he planned to rig it so she’d advance.
Thus, without knowing why, Rae-bin believed she would be eliminated, yet be on the brink of debut.
But to think she’d win her matchup on the first stage...
As expected of a survival show. No matter how often she thought about it, it was incredible that those two stellar performers were at risk of elimination.
Yet their fearlessness only deepened her trust in them!
She nodded again.
—It’s okay. Don’t worry—just keep practicing.
—Kim Rae-bin, you’re doing great!
So Kim Rae-bin, though not performing herself, fluttered with excitement, eagerly awaiting the live broadcast of Wise, episode one.
She wanted to see her senior’s performance in person.
“Hmm.”
The broadcast began on time, 10:50 PM sharp.
[Yes I am~]
Silhouettes turned, posed, and raised arms in sync with the theme’s beat.
[Who can be a star?]
Fourteen figures faced away in the final opening scene—a typical reality-survival show intro.
After the agency’s grand trailer, the empty stage drew focus: an expensive-looking dark set, lighting that built tension, and music.
[Kim Tae-in, CEO: Let’s begin.]
One by one, trainees ascended the stage steps and performed.
Unlike AJUSA, these trainees were already profiled by the company—each of the fourteen had a preassigned character.
Especially a few they really wanted to highlight:
[Ace Leader]
This tag appeared on Shin Jae-hyun, for example.
[I truly respect him.]
[Almost always first place in monthly votes.]
[Someone who can’t fail at anything?]
Through edit cuts of testimonials, daily life, and rehearsal footage, they emphasized keywords like “talented,” “reliable,” “calm,” “capable.”
Of course, some tags formed just from their looks.
—Wow, he’s so handsome.
Unaware on TV, Kim Rae-bin didn’t know the online chatter was buzzing, albeit modestly—mostly existing idol fans intrigued by LeTi’s new male rookie.
—Shin Jae-hyun’s on.
—ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’ve been waiting for your debut—this bankbook’s all Jae-hyun’s.
—Look at the reaction—he’s gained a truckload of fans already ㅋㅋ
—He’s handsome and skilled? He’ll be the group’s face for sure.
Shin Jae-hyun, already quietly known, dominated reactions as if he’d already advanced.
Onstage under the lights, Shin Jae-hyun’s performance was elegant, flawless, utterly professional.
[That pain will sting.]
Edited to contrast with the heavy-handed previous stage, it was still perfectly appropriate—exactly as Jae-hyun intended.
—Decided: vote box for Jae-hyun;;;
—He’s the leader? OK, the leader it is.
—I hear homema (fan account) signups already fluttering in.
In a survival show, making a late surge was crucial. Hiding some ability, Shin Jae-hyun still captured exactly the image he wanted.
“Indeed...!”
Kim Rae-bin, watching sincerely, nodded.
His personality matched his skill, she thought.
“Welcome.”
Recalling how kindly Shin Jae-hyun had shaken hands, she made notes—she’d been jotting impressions for each performance.
But it didn’t last long.
“Ah!”
Finally, the awaited person appeared.
On screen was Ryu Geon-woo, hair neatly styled, dressed cleanly. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
Once more, the internet stirred.
—Glasses guy 1!! /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Oh, no glasses today.
—Ah, cold beauty, too rare ㅠㅠㅠ Thanks, LeTi!!
—Already picturing him and Jae-hyun as a Bermuda line—strong combo.
He was one of the handsome trainees generating buzz.
Then a caption scrolled by:
[Singing Genius]
So on-the-nose it cringed.
And no viewer expected that label.
—???? Vocalist?
—Genius what...
There wasn’t a single mention of looks.
—What, is he the main vocal with that face?
—Nah, they’re just pushing other visuals; don’t get hopes up ㅅㅂ but I am hyped.
└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
—Maybe it means “face genius.”
—The caption’s too overdone ㅋㅋㅋ
The performance began quietly.
Ryu Geon-woo approached an oversized vintage microphone and, astonishingly, delivered a rich, atmospheric jazz piece—
Hitting highs and lows, technical parts, all while maintaining emotional flow that pulled viewers back if they glanced away.
—Ah.
—?
—Whoa.
—So good.
Chat windows filled with admiration; Kim Rae-bin clenched her fist.
His talent was amazing, but there was also a strange sense of satisfaction—as if a puzzle fit perfectly.
Is my ideal guide vocal that feeling?
It was uncanny.
Yet the evaluation stage lasted only about two minutes, and the song ended soon.
An ending that let viewers savor the afterglow in multiple angles followed, then the CEO’s praise flooded the screen.
Ryu Geon-woo stood neatly, listening to feedback, while the internet began real critique.
—He really is the main vocalist.
—He’s singing like crazy, really singing.
—Glasses guy also dances well, right?
└Is that true? Is there anything he can’t do?
—I thought he was just a looker, but he’s a stage beauty... am I converting?
As the CEO interview continued, new info emerged and viewers delighted in astonishment.
—Trainee for 3 months.
—?????
—What, is he a drama lead?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
They even discussed his current status.
[Kim Tae-in, CEO: Which university do you attend?]
[Ryu Geon-woo: Yeonhee University.]
[Ryu Geon-woo: I’m enrolled there.]
“He excels at academics too!”
Kim Rae-bin nodded—no wonder he was so knowledgeable and spoke so smoothly.
Not everyone took it calmly like Rae-bin.
—????
—Yeonhee University? The Yeonhee I know?
—Main vocal, that face, good grades, 3 months of training...
—Even manga wouldn’t use that setup—LeTi, is this real life?
Claims of manipulation, disbelief—questions like that.
—With that face, shouldn’t he already be famous at YU?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
—He has it all. Hating it would be harderㅋㅋㅋㅋ I’m already thrilled.
—Clearly they pumped his vocals to boost him—everyone’s biting.
└This is envy.
—Insane, I love him. An idol like this is new,ㅠㅠㅠ Let’s debut soon, Geon-woo!!!
Amid it all, Ryu Geon-woo’s sincere comments came across as surprisingly genuine.
His mention count soared, but so did subtle backlash—flawlessness and a charmed life inspired both admiration and resistance.
Yet because of that, his buzz ignited like a catalyst.
[Soft & Sweet Year-End Dancer’s True Identity.jpg]
[LeTi Survival Trainees Bound for a Big Break]
And the flames reached around Ryu Geon-woo as well.
I picked up my phone.
Twenty-four missed calls.
Opening my messenger app, unread notifications lined up.
Messages even popped in live:
[Yeon-sa Lee Yoo-jin: What’s going on—why are you debuting?]
[Yeon-sa Lee Yoo-jin: You wanted to be an idol? No way...]
These contacts had accumulated.
I hadn’t expected this. But it made sense: the guy I knew as a university student suddenly appeared on TV as an idol trainee, so acquaintances naturally reached out.
He must have been low-key.
Looking at the list, most were group-project classmates—no need to worry about rumors. Still, I’d have to monitor school forums once.
From the kitchen, Ryu Cheong-woo asked, “My friends asked me today too—don’t they think we’re cousins?”
Is that so?
“What did you tell them?”
“I told them we’re not cousins, we’re twins—didn’t they know?”
“......”
Was he serious?
Ryu Cheong-woo saw my face and burst out laughing.
“Just kidding. Of course I said you’re a cool, great relative.”
Then he sat beside me, handing over a beer can cold enough to frost.
“......!”
“Why? Oh, don’t you drink that?”
“No.”
I gladly took the beer, popped it open, and took a long gulp.
Glug-glug-glug!
That sharp, cool taste had been missing from my life.
This isn’t reality, so I could enjoy it, right?
“Is the filming fun?”
“Quite.”
I set down the can and replied. Actually, I’d let Cheong-woo know about the show only after his profile photo went online.
He’d discovered it first and asked.
—Hyung, you didn’t tell me you’d be on this show.
—...Oh, um.
I’d excused myself by saying I didn’t know it’d be confirmed, and cooled things down.
Once it aired, his attitude shifted slightly.
“I see... you do seem to enjoy it.”
He’d watched the idol program rather favorably, still focusing on the TV as episode two aired.
[New contestants...?]
Episode two ended provocatively with the supplementary class’s introduction.
We saw the existing contestants’ determined expressions...
Not bad.
The twisty setup suggested this survival show would do well.
Of course, I couldn’t let it just succeed—I needed a late-stage twist no one watching the early episodes would predict.
[New competitor, 〈Supplementary Class〉 debuts!]
“What are you watching?”
“Oh~ the new LeTi survival show.”
In the car, an idol group drove on. A member in the back seat, engrossed in the program, was briefly interrupted.
Seeing the Wise and LeTi logos, the member beside him jeered lightly.
“Oh, another rookie in our lineup?”
“Ugh.”
A few others reacted similarly, but most focused on their own stuff: bonding, games, romance.
“......”
Like a well-known agency alum, MS Entertainment’s Gyro had smoothly settled into the music scene—already in their third year.
Winning main awards and touring fattened their pockets, and signs of burnout showed.
“Ah~”
That guy didn’t know the schedule.
The member staring at the screen stifled a sigh, then smiled and turned.
“Come on, hyung, our mentor’s on here, so we’re watching too—I’ll keep an eye out!”
“Oh, uh, sure.”
He pretended ignorance.
‘All talk.’
Lee Se-jin suppressed the urge to curl his lip, then resumed watching with a light smile.
Not bad.
Back on episode one’s screen, the elegant jazz-singing contestant appeared.
Perhaps because there was not a single awkward moment onstage, it stuck in his memory.
“......”
Lee Se-jin propped his chin and watched.
Despite finally debuting and things going smoother than he’d imagined, he couldn’t shake a strange dissonance—as if he’d received something that wasn’t truly his.
Why did he feel this way?
It was still a cold winter night.
