Debut or Die-Chapter 400
Idol solo activities.
They usually happen once a member has accumulated a certain number of years, and some never even get to that point.
There’s an example right in front of us now. Cheongryeo.
“VTIC had no solo activities even up to renewal of contract—must’ve been your influence.”
“Let’s say I helped inform the boss’s decision.”
The boss must’ve helped your efforts.
In any case, it’s common sense to schedule these so they don’t overly rile up or split the fandom. Especially right after debut, it’s all about keeping the group strong.
But... if you want just that one decisive hit, sealing over solo fans afterward is someone else’s job. You can swing it.
“Let’s allocate tasks immediately.”
“No need to postpone.”
We’ll pull in every connection we can. It’s a big agency, so landing spots on plenty of programs is an advantage...
‘We can even leverage the fact that some outside successes exist.’
Actor Bae Sejin, Jairope’s Lee Sejin.
The two namesakes’ cooperation was already secured.
– Bae Sejin hyung: It’s already been arranged.
– Bae Sejin hyung: You’ll get a call this afternoon.
Bae Sejin snagged the OST for the film he’s in. He could’ve done it as part of the group, but since the next album’s title track is coming up in quick succession, only a few members will participate for promo purposes.
And Big Sejin:
– Keun Sejin: I’ve got a fixed spot on a variety show. We could appear together, lol. The PD even asked if I had any peers to recommend.
– What show is it?
– Keun Sejin: “Problem Puppy Rehabilitation” variety~~~ 🐻❄️
True to its name, “Problem Puppy Rehabilitation” was a hit. We immediately recommended someone who’s raised a dog since childhood.
“I did look after a pup... just trimmed its fur, though.”
“Usually they don’t even do that.”
So Ryu Cheong-woo was cast immediately.
And...
“......”
“I’ve never lost out on this kind of show before.”
“Do whatever you want.”
Cheongryeo got cast too. She’ll manage—though it feels even more like cheating.
Everyone else with particular strengths was slotted into programs where they’d shine or soon shine.
“I’m not exactly the variety-show type...”
“Udana, you’re known as the funniest among VTIC.”
“That’s a rumor.”
I shoved Judan and all the yes-men into a disaster-simulation observatory show. Since it was Cheongryeo’s call, don’t even think of complaining to me.
“What about me?? I can do all of them!”
“You’re going on a military show.”
“...!?”
And I put Cha Yoo-jin into a military-themed program. He’s not actually enlisting, so I trust he can handle it.
With that sorted, exactly one person remained... you know who.
I sent Kim Rae-bin off to a variety show he’d been assigned, but he even called me before the shoot that morning.
– Hyung... no matter how I think about it, this isn’t right.
“Why?”
– This is... falsifying participation, isn’t it?!
Right. I’d entered him in the student-rapper survival show School Rapping.
The headline “17-year-old rookie idol from a major agency enters student-rapper survival” must be stressing him.
– I’m not a student or a rookie... it’s basically educational fraud...!
Darn, he’s not convinced yet.
I spoke up.
“Whether you’ve been an idol for five years or one day, you’re still an idol there. They see idols as non-rappers.”
– ...!!
“And ‘student’ isn’t tied to age. As long as you’re enrolled at any age, you’re a student.”
– That’s...!
In reality, the show’s Kim Rae-bin is a high-school transfer student, after all.
Silence over the phone for a moment, then he replies.
– That’s... reasonable, I suppose.
“Right. So don’t worry—do your best. Half-assing it is actually rude. It looks like you’re looking down on them.”
– ...! Understood!
Thus, Kim Rae-bin joined the kids’ battle as the billionaire, ready to wreck the entire stage.
‘I can already predict the reaction.’
I reviewed my choices with some satisfaction.
Just then, the guy who asked about the OST got back to me.
– Bae Sejin: I’ll see you soon at the set. I heard you’re shooting something together.
His nostalgic remark that “Cosmic Gunner” came to mind when talking OST seemed in character. And he meant he’d bring the OST singers along for part of the promo schedule.
But...
– I’m not singing the film OST, though.
– Bae Sejin: ???
– Bae Sejin: Why? You’re the main vocal.
– I don’t have time.
Right. For efficiency, I opted him out for other activities. The lead vocals with good tone are also qualified.
Then what would be the most cost-effective activity for the main vocal?
‘If Kim Rae-bin’s on a rapper survival show...’
And if we reuse his proven stats one more time...
My mind went to an article I’d seen days ago.
[Only Ideas and Songs... “My Created Singer” Special Broadcast]
That special program.
I was slated to appear again on the prototype My Created Singer.
Of course, I wouldn’t revisit that outrageous “May Groom” stunt.
‘...Rather than that.’
I intended to craft a more... immersive character.
In the car, I opened my laptop and began drafting company documents. I have an afternoon schedule tomorrow—I can finish it overnight.
My Created Singer didn’t start as a hologram-based, cutting-edge program.
It began with makeup.
Performers wore full-body masks and special makeup to appear like theme-park characters—“avatars of singers”—and performed in person.
And this was precisely that initial phase.
[My Created Singer]
“Oh.”
An idol fan sitting in front of her TV watched the screen absentmindedly.
She’d scouted only a main vocal but had lost her passion since entering college.
‘There isn’t anyone I like anymore.’
Even seeing them in person no longer made her heart flutter. Clearly, she was in a slump.
‘Am I an adult now... is that why?’
The college student watched the on-screen captions with no emotion.
[Recreated Singers by Idea!]
‘...Weird.’
Though it would standardize in a few years, at this early stage it drew attention with characters so absurd they felt deliberately trolling.
‘Wow, Spider is totally over the top.’
[Dancing Spider Queen]
[Eight legs exude a toxin that freezes people in awe!]
Is this Medusa?
Under the white web costume, eight black legs sprawled—nightmarish, honestly.
The poor-quality mascot head only added to the nightmare.
“Ugh.”
Still, the singing was solid and weirdly cultish, so she kept the channel on. (That very factor made the special become a regular.)
Seven or eight bizarre singers passed by in a flash. Many sang only a minute, then only the winner advanced.
“Ugh.”
Just as she was getting tired of the oddness, the show finally slowed down to introduce the next contestant as someone important.
[This contestant is... a dog?]
Sure enough, waddling onto the stage holding a sign was a Welsh Corgi.
A yellow dog mascot costume.
‘Whoa.’
Its simplicity felt jarringly out of place.
‘Did they just phone this in?’
The singer in a cheap, everyday mascot suit clambered onto the stage. Then the camera cut in on the sign.
[Seeking a Strong Companion Human]
“Arf!”
An audience member ready to think “Please love me” nearly choked.
With B-level flair, flashy effects introduced the character.
[Your House’s Welsh Corgi]
[A desperate job-seeking dog who’s mastered every trick and joke]
[Declaration of Participation: Keep me (yes?) Keep me!]
‘What even is that?!’
The glossy mascot eyes felt audacious.
“He must be crazy.”
Still, the student lifted her head to watch.
‘Is he a comedian? I don’t think he sings well.’
But as the music started and he began to sing...
“Past the clouds, up above!”
“...!”
A clear band track highlighting a bright upper register.
‘Whoa.’
A song flaunting obvious vocal prowess that turned the B-tier vibe on its head.
“Who is this? He’s good~”
“Whoa.”
She’d replied reflexively to her mother passing by the living room—and meant it.
He’s really good.
In that moment, she shifted her mindset from killing time to genuine interest. She wanted to see the next stage of the Corgi.
[Winner... Your House’s Welsh Corgi!]
To thunderous applause, the Corgi impressively advanced to round two. Its rear view looked strangely spirited. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
And it didn’t falter in subsequent rounds. It showed varied sides: in round two, a soulful, bittersweet trot with another gimmick-obsessed contestant; in round three, an emotional ballad.
Its tone shifted swiftly, singing like a stunt.
‘A dog suit looking handsome...’
Understanding why they created characters, the student narrowed her eyes, watching the Corgi’s antics.
Finally, the head-to-head battle for the championship.
No need for tension—crisp editing carried it along.
[All contestants sing the same song pre-announced!]
Equal song choice highlights skill gaps.
And the Corgi’s skill was truly exceptional.
“Be my light
Even if time goes by
Stay eternal for me”
Tackling a female singer’s song in the original key, the Corgi mentally knocked out the Spider Queen and claimed the final victory.
It was overwhelming.
“Whoaa.”
Feeling vicarious thrill from the decisive win, she relaxed for a moment.
On screen, the Corgi did a cute victory dance—like a seasoned theme-park performer.
She grew curious again.
‘Who are you? Who are you?’
When in doubt, crowdsourcing knowledge!
She logged online as soon as the show ended to check real-time search terms.
As expected, “My Created Singer” and “Your House” trended.
– This is fun.
– What even is this? Watching it makes me legendary.
└ LOL same, I’m hooked.
– But seriously, who is the Corgi?? Strong rec?
└ The voice... remarkably similar.
└ He’s long retired his vocal cords, no way~!
Yet no solid candidate emerged.
‘Huh?’
‘A pro singer,’ ‘indie band vocalist,’ all sorts of guesses flew. Even famous idol main vocals popped up.
With such chatter, you’d think people could narrow it down.
The student thought seriously.
‘It’s an idol.’
They dismiss idol-fan claims out of bias, but that dog’s antics and dance skills weren’t normal.
Clearly the product of training and experience!
An unknown idol main vocal who sings well! There’s precedent—bet on that!
‘This is insane.’
A thrill shot through her—though she thought, ‘Why am I tense when I don’t even know their face?’
It was the sign of a new stan.
Through various blind guesses of unknown idol performances until her eyes burned, she couldn’t «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» pick just one.
‘Please!’
Tonight’s the finale—surely they’ll show the face! Then her newfound flame will conclusively ignite.
She swallowed nervously and watched.
[My Created Singer!]
[Burning ideas vs. vocal prowess face-off]
[Right now, the second half begins.]
More bizarre characters appeared, with occasional ordinary ones that felt token.
But none had the wit of “Your House’s Welsh Corgi.”
‘Unparalleled.’
Admitting its uniqueness, she racked up imaginary wins for the Corgi, anxiously awaiting the end.
An hour later, the final winner was decided.
[The last opponent the “Cauldron Spaceship” will face is...?]
A dog holding a sign climbed the stage.
[The prior round’s winning singer appears]
[“Your House’s Welsh Corgi”]
“Phew.”
The student took a deep breath and watched.
Meanwhile, the Corgi swapped its sign.
[Seeking a Strong Companion Human]
“Sigh.”
They lowered the standard...!
‘There’s a backstory... there really is.’
In an era of severe job market woes, the Corgi captured laughs and opened the final stage spectacularly.
Darkness fell slowly over the stage.
Thunk.
The spotlight came on.
The dog-costumed singer held a simple handheld mic; the face never changed. Yet a pleasant voice emerged.
[There’s someone I’m looking for]
The Corgi began its final song as if telling a story.
