Debut or Die-Chapter 404
...Seon Ah-hyun remembers the event from AJUSA.
After he blurted out that bombshell and disappeared, I checked my status window again as if rattling every corner of it.
But nowhere was Ah-hyun mentioned.
Neither in teammate selection nor mail.
‘So it isn’t an effect of this system.’
[Could it be that something similar happened in the real world..?]
I’d briefly wondered that too...
‘But the timing is just too uncanny.’
With only a little time left before the end, someone requested a 1:2 random-box swap. Too similar a situation.
And here was ballerino Seon Ah-hyun, deliberately recalling “receiving the golden ball just before the bell rang” with such significance?
‘No matter how I think about it, that’s even less likely.’
[Then could it be really Seon Ah-hyun..?]
Right.
The moment filming ended that day, I posted in the TeSTAR group chat.
– Has anyone felt echoes of reality before they recovered memories?
Replies poured in, pushing aside my earlier joke to new member Kim Rae-bin.
– Cha Yoo-jin: It wasn’t me! –
– Ryu Cheong-woo hyung: Nothing specific, but I felt something off
– Big Se-jin: haha I felt a weird familiarity when I saw our members, does that count?
And one more thoughtful, belated reply.
– Kim Rae-bin: Now that I think about it, when I first saw them in front of Strawberry House, I thought they looked familiar! But I can’t recall any concrete image, so probably not.
In short, while some had a vague feeling, no one recalled any specific scene or detail.
‘Hmm.’
I tapped my chin.
Then suddenly my phone rang.
[ Bae Se-jin hyung ]
The one who hadn’t replied before.
“...?”
Could he have some grand example that needed a call?
I answered.
But instead of sharing an anecdote, he cut to the chase.
– You mean about Seon Ah-hyun?
“...!”
– He’s the only one left among us, so it’s him... right?
He always had his nose in a book—has he read some mystery novel now?
“That’s true.”
– ...!!
It was odd to deny it, so I didn’t. I heard him inhale softly through the speaker.
– What did Ah-hyun remember??
“Just... nothing big.”
I roughly explained the situation. Bae Se-jin listened carefully, but then said:
– ...Okay. But I don’t see why this matters. You can just ask him directly after he gets his memory back.
“You can’t just make that happen at will.”
– You’ve helped the others snap back before. There’s a chance with Ah-hyun too, isn’t there?
He spoke in a calm, low voice.
– From where I stand, it looks like you’re giving up before you even try.
Why had he suddenly become so sharp?
I reluctantly answered.
“Rather than giving up, I just don’t see the need. Ah-hyun seems to be living well as he is. He’s succeeded as a ballerino.”
– What? Social success doesn’t mean everything’s fine.
He spoke firmly, then hesitated.
– ...If it’s because he seems to have no trauma or anything... I can see that.
But his voice grew firm again.
– Still, just because he looks fine on the outside doesn’t mean his insides are the same.
“......”
...True, I hadn’t gone around shouting about my own hardships when I was in a tough spot.
I recalled how he’d been during AJUSA.
Back then he’d been far more aggressive and uncooperative. I thought he was worthless, but after living together I learned he had his own circumstances and strengths.
‘Damn.’
I stifled a sigh.
“...You’re right. Then I take back what I said... Let’s just say I’m doubtful whether he has any memories.”
– Ahem, okay.
He seemed oddly pleased for no reason, paused, then brightened.
– ...! Then why not probe Ah-hyun one more time? I’ll make room for you!
“...??”
By what means?
“You, hyung?”
– Yeah. Then you just... find some time.
“What time?”
– Practice time.
A few weeks later.
WishUs’s latest song “Timer” had firmly secured a top-tier spot.
Its persistence at number three on the daily charts surpassed even that drunk-driving scandal group’s original.
Kim Rae-bin’s rearrangement and the perfect exposure strategy created flawless synergy.
‘Good.’
Time passed and it was now October.
People were starting to talk about WishUs’s chances at awards.
They hadn’t yet reached T-Holic’s fame or popularity.
But judging purely by streaming and considering the agency’s weight, these guys were starting to look like contenders.
[Do you think WishUs can win Daesang?]
[By numbers alone, they deserve it]
[Is T-Holic really falling behind? Fans must be worried]
[WishUs needs an amazing next album; the fandom’s fracturing]
That was moderate pushing and shoving online.
– lol they got dethroned, but they’re young and kind, why idolize geezers
– Everyone knows WishUs’s streaming is fake; LeTi did chart manipulation too congrats
└ Rookies can’t take it, so they spread rumors, lol
– WishUs’s fandom will get mental illness soon—so many private fans dividing up
└ It’s all because of the supplementary class
└ Boring geeks who can’t handle fan lives, knew it
Behind the scenes that mess was slowly building.
They rose so fast it invited backlash creeping in late, thought Park Moon-dae.
And although it didn’t greatly affect the music industry, there was a notable event in entertainment that month.
The awards ceremony.
The Korea Popular Culture & Arts Awards.
A state-hosted, highly prestigious ceremony honoring artists.
Broadcast live on internet and TV, it drew a decent audience.
– congrats congrats
– Is Lee Se-jin there?
– ☆☆☆ Lee Se-jin, cover your reactions soon please☆☆☆
– Choi Gu elder’s reactions are great lol
The lineup was mostly veteran artists with a few well-known actors like the rising star Lee Se-jin, so it wasn’t too loud.
That was until after Part One ended, before the next segment.
[Congratulatory Performance]
– Ooh, special performance coming
– Who could it be
– They said it’s Whaler! :)
Viewers expecting a formal performance saw close-ups of the performers on stage.
And the comment section exploded.
– ????
– wtf
– are you serious
– Did I see this right????
On stage stood three tall men.
But the unexpected trio was...
Rookie idol Ryu Geon-woo, ballerino Seon Ah-hyun.
And... actor Lee Se-jin.
– ??? Why is Lee Se-jin there
– Who’s that next to Ah-hyun
– LOL Ryu Geo-nu
– Why not WishUs??
– What is this lol
– What are you three doing
‘Huh.’
Onstage, Ryu Geon-woo recalled the excited tone of Bae Se-jin’s voice from months ago when planning this.
– I’m going to the awards too, and I heard Ah-hyun’s getting a special award.
– Okay.
– Then let’s perform here.
– ...??
– Let’s do a commemorative performance with Ah-hyun! And observe him!
...Thinking back, the chance of it happening in reality was surprisingly real.
Because the awards generally honored senior icons—legends by age and status.
‘No matter how famous a nationalist ballerino is, he wouldn’t be overshadowed.’
A special stage for Ah-hyun wasn’t that far-fetched. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
‘The issue was persuasion.’
There was no need for an award winner to perform; they could have invited any high-profile group.
Park Moon-dae thought that’d be the sticking point, but apparently Ah-hyun was persuaded easily, with no tricks needed.
– Ah-hyun said he’d gotten interested in pop performances.
...A rare occurrence.
‘Why would a national-pride ballerino agree to cover pop songs without hesitation?’
But it happened, and so the three men stood on stage.
“.......”
In the starting formation, Ah-hyun stood where I’d turned.
And Ryu Geon-woo recalled the final warning.
– But their agency asked to avoid super-idol-style stages.
That was actually good.
It brought one stage to mind.
‘With these three people.’
This one.
[Um~!]
Immediately, the stage filled with bright guitar and classic drum sounds.
A familiar, comforting melody.
Ryu Geon-woo and Park Moon-dae on stage knew it.
‘Ah-hyun has had reality-overlap experiences before.’
Like the vampire cover of “Soft Sweetness” or the random-box swap.
And this time, Park Moon-dae had deliberately orchestrated a similar experience.
As the music played, a spotlight shone on the three in jeans and white shirts.
– omg
– so so gorgeous
Subtitles appeared.
[You Are Amazing
by Seon Ah-hyun, Lee Se-jin, Ryu Geon-woo (WishUs)]
Reproducing the unit stage from TeSTAR’s first concert, full of charm.
This time more formal for the awards, with an arrangement close to the original bringing stability to the stage.
[Can you hear my heart
The trembling of a shy chest]
The parts divided exactly as before.
The only differences were that Ryu Geon-woo was no longer Park Moon-dae’s body...and people’s expectations.
– insane
– Why so good??
– Lee Se-jin’s lines are on fire
Why was the actor so perfectly handling choreography, vocals, and stage expressions...?
Viewers were overwhelmed by confusion at actor Lee Se-jin’s natural performance.
Then they quickly became delighted.
– lol Lee Se-jin definitely asked to do this
– Se-jin oppa, dreams come true, so perfect haha
– After using WishUs for your fandom, you got blessed
– Please share pics of your corgi at home
Bae Se-jin’s active promotion of the Daesang performance turned into a fandom meme.
People joyfully watched the three performing a classic pop song, and the artists smiling and applauding.
A delightful twist.
[Ooo You Are Amazing!
All of you]
– Wow Ah-hyun’s so handsome
– Give me his passport quick
– Vocal-dance-visual balance on pro levels... debut already
And in the shadow of actor Lee Se-jin’s impact, one thing was overlooked.
[My heart beats every day!
I can’t sleep tonight]
No matter how much a ballerino performs on stage, it’s a completely different type of performance from pop or idol shows.
Yet he blended in so naturally, delivering a rhythm-perfect performance with zero awkwardness.
[You truly are amazing]
Ah-hyun smiled and spun.
After the eventful special performance.
“This # Nоvеlight # was pretty great...!”
“Yes.”
Racing down from the stage, Bae Se-jin couldn’t hide his grin.
He’d carved out dawn hours and even did video calls for weeks to coordinate schedules—he was proud of the result.
He drew a breath and said:
“...This is fun. This right here!”
“.......”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so full of stage adrenaline. Indeed, giving and taking is the most tantalizing. Bae Se-jin even asked Ah-hyun outright.
“Ahem, um, do you think it was fun too??”
“...! Ah.”
Ah-hyun nodded slightly, looking a bit stunned.
“Yes... It’s new. I mean... the feeling.”
“Right. It’s been a while, so the impression runs deeper!”
Then a staffer stamping their foot spoke.
“Um... Se-jin-ssi, our time is up.”
“...! Ah, yes.”
Bae Se-jin quickly composed himself and hurried back to his seat. Nominations remained.
But whatever he’d said stuck with Ah-hyun—murmured as they walked away.
“A while...?”
“.......”
Unintentionally, it was a moment of choice.
I recalled the months of rehearsal.
Except for occasional schedule conflicts, Ah-hyun attended earnestly and never acted out.
So Bae Se-jin and I had almost given up probing, just observing...
‘...He really did enjoy the stage.’
I saw Ah-hyun’s cheeks flush as he walked down beside Bae Se-jin.
He’d devoted his life to ballet, but it seemed he wasn’t solely moved by ballet after all.
‘In that case...’
...At this point, I thought.
I took the staffer’s smartphone and waited until they moved away.
In the empty corridor, where no one paid attention, I spoke.
“We did this at the concert.”
“Yes?”
“We performed this stage at our concert.”
I met Ah-hyun’s eyes and murmured as if speaking to the Ah-hyun I once knew.
“Our first unit performance. It got a good response. You enjoyed it too.”
“.......”
After a moment of silence, his trembling voice came.
“A c-concert.”
“Yes.”
I waited a few seconds. Ah-hyun lowered his head with no other reaction.
‘...Did I mess up?’
I turned away, bracing myself to apologize with something like “Sorry, I was joking and it went wrong.”
At that moment.
“...Then,”
He grabbed my arm.
“You held balloons then....”
I looked back.
“...Moon-dae.”
He smiled.
I dropped the smartphone I was holding.
