Debut or Die-Chapter 387
“Mm.”
The message I’d sent a moment ago still hadn’t been replied to.
But let’s see.
The idol group Lee Sejin belongs to, Jairope, was scheduled to enjoy a short break right after their tour.
She wouldn’t suspect that I knew that and reached out for that reason, but it meant she could carve out at least half a day on one of those upcoming days.
And here’s where the bait drops.
The actor with the same name, Lee Sejin.
He’s a rising star in acting, and the story of sharing her name was perfect for networking. It was an unquestionable choice.
Definitely worth prioritizing his management.
‘Maybe I can drop by her place, and the next day spare a half-day?’
...Who wouldn’t think something like that?
Lee Sejin, the one who found out the MC’s phone number on her first solo variety show.
Sure enough, the dark screen of my smartphone soon vibrated again.
[Cool Dongsaeng Sejin: hahaha hyung, how did you time your message so perfectly? I’m free!]
[Cool Dongsaeng Sejin: What date were you thinking?]
Exactly.
Ryu Cheong-woo glanced at the screen and forced a smile before speaking.
“You’re in touch with Sejin too. Must’ve been tough.”
“...Yeah. Well, not that much.”
I was about to say it wasn’t tough at all when—
“Moon Dae hyung! Call me Cool Tiger Cha Yoo-jin too...”
“Shut up, you idiot... huh?”
...No, this was just bait... whatever.
“Oh!! Kim Rae-bin called me an idiot?”
“It was a mistake!”
Thanks to the topic-shifting star power of Kim Rae-bin, I avoided my contacts list descending into further chaos.
A few days later, in a private room at a restaurant in Seoul.
“So Lee Sejin’s coming soon, right? No memory?”
“Yes.”
Bae Sejin appeared wearing sunglasses, a hat, even gloves, then sat down and nervously gulped his drink.
We’d shared a dorm until recently—what was with him?
‘Well, they didn’t get along at first anyway.’
Maybe he was still stressed from that.
Anyway, we’d have to wait at least thirty more minutes before he arrived, so the tension would surely ease off.
I’d arranged to meet this guy a bit early on purpose.
“By the way, hyung, how’s work at the company?”
...To ask what he did to earn the boss’s abject apology.
The moment I asked, Bae Sejin’s face lit up.
“Well... it’s not bad.”
“Is that so?”
“Just... I renewed the contract to industry standard, changed managers, got the clause preventing me censoring scripts removed.”
“...?”
“And I had him record it and sign a written oath so he can’t do that to anyone else again... so it’s not bad. Ahem.”
“......”
Might as well shout it proudly.
Bae Sejin’s face was screaming, “I showed some real backbone!”
Okay, so I opened my mouth.
“That’s impressive. No article came out—you handled that quietly, didn’t you?”
“Hmph, not hard. I just dealt with it reasonably and properly.”
“Oh.”
Time for him to spill all the details?
“My boss embezzled company funds to fund an overseas gambling trip.”
“...!!”
“And I have proof. Video!”
He said he hadn’t realized it was evidence at first, then years later when it broke in the press, he knew.
‘With his personality, he probably ran simulations of him leaking it himself many times...’
Still, he’d earned that apology—he must not have been messing around with his lawyer.
“Of course, reporting it to the police properly is best socially... [N O V E L I G H T] but then he couldn’t work for a while.”
“Oh.”
Bae Sejin fiddled with his glass.
“Then... I wouldn’t be able to help you win a daesang.”
“...!”
“Keeping me active is more advantageous. But still! I made sure he can’t do it again.”
“......”
Really.
Only someone who thinks it’s not real life would come up with such a practical compromise.
“Thank you.”
“Hmph, don’t mention it. We’re all heading back anyway!”
After that, Bae Sejin got into full swing, even recounting how he neatly dismissed the corrupt manager and staff.
Though it was a bit rough, his drive and thorough handling left me with nothing to add.
‘Not bad.’
He also said he’d considered legally changing his name to Bae Sejin but held off for recognition sake.
Oh, right...
“How’s your father’s side? That drug villain guy.”
“......”
Bae Sejin’s face turned slightly sour.
“He’s still missing.”
“...??”
What kind of world is this?
“Well, he divorced my mom, so it’s all over. It’s fine.”
“Mm, I see.”
In that case.
The topic returned to recent news and future plans.
“...Actually! My film opens soon. Hmm, I should coordinate promotion with your debut survival...”
Knock knock.
“Oh.”
A knock sounded on the door.
‘Not staff.’
I checked the time—someone I knew.
“Come in.”
Four minutes before our scheduled time.
Lee Sejin opened the door and entered.
“Hyung, I’m here—hello~ hello!”
The one in the hood hiding dyed hair removed her mask to greet us.
“Good timing.”
“Ah, my place is nearby, so I got here just on time! You all came early.”
Nearby—she must have waited nearby until the right moment.
I gestured to the opposite seat.
“This is Lee Sejin hyung. She’s an actor.”
“Ohh~ I love your films so much!”
“Ah, thank you.”
Bae Sejin nodded. This brought back memories of AJUSA.
“I was really impressed by ‘Seahorse’ too.”
As usual, Lee Sejin had done her homework.
“You were such a terrifying medical student—I got chills. Your knack for that vibe always amazes me!”
Bae Sejin, who’d only played four-time psychopaths, answered nervously.
“Playing the same role every time... um, thank you.”
“......”
For a moment, even Lee Sejin was speechless, but she soon laughed and replied.
“Aw, it’s because you’re so good every time, it feels the same!”
“Not quite, but... anyway, thanks.”
“Ahaha, yes!”
Lee Sejin immediately scrapped all small talk about her career.
But her stream of casual questions kept bouncing out.
“Oh, that coat looks great on you! Do you wear coats often?”
“Um... my manager gave it to me.”
“Your manager has good taste.”
Cued by that morning’s manager-compliment, Bae Sejin answered:
“...I guess.”
“......”
Uncomfortable with lying to please the masses, he kept clamming up...
‘This is doomed.’
I admitted it cleanly.
These guys just... don’t click.
‘So I end up leading things here too.’
“Let’s talk more over the meal. You must be hungry.”
“...! Oooh, sure. What did you order?”
A Korean set menu arrived, and I began brainstorming small-talk topics I’d never have.
‘Ah~ she opened up.’
Lee Sejin, eating, quietly judged the situation.
Making a connection with the actor across wasn’t going to happen.
‘She didn’t want to come? Why’s she like this?’
I could’ve forced conversation, but strangely I didn’t want to.
‘I don’t really need actor contacts.’
To pursue solo acting, she’d still need a few more years. No need to rush. ...Probably.
‘...No, I need to stay focused.’
Judging by the team’s state, renewing their contract seemed unlikely. Finding a living within a few years felt bitter.
‘All this over something so small.’
It was laughable. Still, the team was doing well...
“This galbi is delicious.”
“...! Ah, right~ I can’t believe I didn’t know this place!”
“I heard fans post that hashtag a lot.”
“Yeah, yeah~ they post it a ton.”
When Ryu Geon-woo saw Lee Sejin and Bae Sejin’s conversation faltering, he gently steered it.
Uncharacteristically proactive.
‘...Uncharacteristic?’
Who knows what gives me these thoughts in our second meeting, but she just didn’t strike me as extroverted. Lee Sejin moved to the next context.
Anyway, if I was only here to introduce her, I could’ve just met her alone...
‘...Wait, maybe I wouldn’t have come at all?’
Right. She made time because I said I’d introduce new contacts... or so it seemed.
I wasn’t sure. My train of thought felt scrambled.
Lee Sejin didn’t show it, but she was a little flustered.
‘Weird.’
Still, the conversation continued—it was oddly fun and comfortable.
“How was the tour?”
Switching to idols and survival shows prompted a deeper exchange.
“The tour was fun~ you’ll do one soon too. You’re so good! The Wise program is popular too.”
“But debut songs and timing matter, so it’s not guaranteed...”
Listing facts like a lead-in, Ryu Geon-woo ended with a smile.
“I hope it goes well—it’d be so rewarding.”
“...Yeah. The stage is tough, but it’s really fun work.”
“Right.”
Though she asked with a contestant’s uncertainty, it wasn’t desperate or clingy.
How to put it—a straightforward person.
“...They say your agency’s good at tours. It’ll be fine.”
So maybe Lee Sejin naturally shifted from polished network talk to a slightly more honest reply.
The topic grew serious.
Then she asked:
“By the way... I wanted to ask what debut feels like. How was it?”
Debut?
“It was amazing and insanely hectic, you know? I was so busy I barely had time to feel anything~”
It was true.
But an unspoken fact lay beneath.
“...Well, it might not be what you expected.”
If you expected overwhelming passion or challenge or a sense of security in the right spot, I’d advise you to ditch that.
Ryu Geon-woo quietly asked:
“Anything you regret?”
Regret?
“I don’t think I’ve especially regretted anything. Sure, unexpected difficulties come up.”
Things like members’ irreconcilable differences once debuted.
“What kind?”
“Oh, um...”
Lee Sejin opened her mouth, then realized.
She’d grown unexpectedly candid.
‘Why am I saying this...?’
She hastily corrected herself.
“...Nothing’s easy when it comes to making money~ that’s all!”
“...Right. I can see you’d feel that way.”
“......”
Ryu Geon-woo didn’t press further. He must have sensed something and held back.
‘Oh.’
Lee Sejin felt relief mixed with disappointment.
‘...?? Disappointed about what?’
Then the actor, who’d been eating diligently, sharply interjected:
“That’s true. Nothing’s easy when it comes to making money.”
“...?”
“You have to earn your keep.”
Suddenly?
She’d switched to banmal without noticing, but being older for sure, Lee Sejin gently replied.
“Th...that’s right. Yes.”
The actor gripped his chopsticks so his veins stood out.
“People who laze around, just marking time, end up doing what they shouldn’t... they don’t deserve to make money.”
“Oh, absolutely not.”
Lee Sejin echoed earnestly—images of someone who trashed their condition before a tour popped to mind, fueling her resolve.
“Professional ethics matter. In a team, one lazy person costs everyone.”
“Exactly! No matter how good someone is, a hardworking good person is better than that lazy one!”
But despite her spirited outcry, the actor suddenly flinched and added:
“You... might prefer someone skilled but mean or lazy over someone unskilled.”
And immediately tried to backpedal.
“I mean, usually!”
“......”
Lee Sejin considered a neutral reply like “That’s common~,” then scrapped it.
She felt a bit irritated.
Did he think we were close friends just because he agreed?
“No, I think I’d rather have someone who works hard even if they’re not as skilled.”
“...Really?”
“Right~ if you’re working together long-term, thinking about the future, the former will improve in the long run.”
“...!”
Lee Sejin unconsciously came to a conclusion.
“If you’re going together, that’s better.”
That felt refreshing.
“......”
The actor nearly dropped his chopsticks.
Why was he like that?
He corrected himself and murmured, now in a brighter tone:
“...You’re right. What you say makes sense.”
“Right~?”
For the first time today, their conversation concluded smoothly.
Lee Sejin rethought things a bit.
Well... he seemed a bit quirky, but he was the type with vision when working.
‘That’s... not bad.’
Ryu Geon-woo, who’d stayed out of their talk and eaten, finally spoke again.
“Since we’re on the topic of work, what do you think is the right amount of practice? Acting and idoling are different, but...”
“Um~ consistency is important, I think.”
“...Right. Habits stick when they become second nature.”
And naturally, the three of them joined the discussion...
“...!”
Wait a second.
‘...So he steered the conversation here on purpose?’
The actor would speak in serious talk. And since she’d given up on small talk, she’d engage in serious discussion...
To avoid awkwardness between her and him.
“......”
Lee Sejin blushed and looked down at her bowl.
She was younger, yet getting this consideration from seniors felt odd.
But at the same time... she felt comfortable. It was reassuring.
‘Wow~ so many odd comments today.’
She finally gave up.
It seemed she just wanted to take this new contact as a friend.
‘I like having idol friends.’
Lee Sejin stifled a sigh and took a bite of doenjang noodles.
They were delicious.
In the end, the meal with the namesake went well.
Right after Lee Sejin left, Bae Sejin gasped and evaluated:
– She’s the same person, regardless of age!
But he added:
– ...Still, it wasn’t bad.
Meeting in this setting, he’d reconsidered the friction at debut.
He thought they might’ve clashed and then reconciled faster in a different scenario.
[I think the two of them will get along well going forward....]
Maybe so.
Anyway, I saw off Bae Sejin again as he went to pummel the boss.
Then I joined the other three, who’d gone out to choose Kim Rae-bin’s piercing.
“Did you meet Sejin hyung? Invite me next time!”
Cha Yoo-jin shouted as he and Kim Rae-bin dashed off for pizza.
Ryu Cheong-woo assessed:
“Meeting Sejin, that is Lee Sejin... you did it so he wouldn’t feel too hurt when his memory returned, right?”
“......”
I put away my smartphone.
“No. It’s just handy to have a senior idol contact with a name value.”
If you know the info, you might as well use it... and he’s a decent guy.
Ryu Cheong-woo stared blankly for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“Got it! Moon Dae’s still the same. Like Rae-bin.”
“...!”
“Oh, here they come. I’ll grab the pizza.”
“No....”
That guy still wouldn’t listen.
In any case, that night we chewed pizza with those three at the officetel.
‘What kind of reunion day is this.’
When I was inventing some excuse for Kim Rae-bin asking, “Should I call you Moon Dae hyung, too?”,
On the internet, new rumors and public opinion about the LeTi survival were rising.
[Anyone got elimination spoilers?]
L.C.W. appeared and Choi Tae-jun was eliminated
–???
–What are you talking about
–Who’s L.C.W.?
└ He’s the gold medal archer’s relative
–Why is he here
–Smells like rotten corruption...
As that board flared up with fresh sparks, the new filming for the survival show began soon after.
...And an unforeseen coincidence awaited there.
