Debut or Die - 260

When TeSTAR was busy preparing for the live broadcast of the event on the last day of the year.

- It started too early.

The master, an office worker who was taking pictures of Park MoonDae and Lee SeJin, clicked her tongue as they watched the second part of MBS Gayo Daejejeon, the event where they would perform almost at the end.

It seemed absurd to her to rest alone in front of the TV because she was working overtime just before the New Year, but she also didn't find it very funny that the program that ended after midnight had started before 9 o'clock.

And really, she didn't need to be watching the show at that time.

For TeSTAR would come on after more time passed.

"Because I worked overtime, I had to request a data vendor to have something to upload."

So, what she was watching at this time is because she felt a slight interest.

"I'm curious about what Seon AhHyun's collaboration will be like."

Of course, it was not a matter of skill.

In fact, in the group message room where some home masters of Park MoonDae fansites gathered, there was a bit of talk about that topic.

Because on the day when the young man was MC of the SBC program, Park MoonDae's brief fierce look could be seen.

"It's something almost impossible."

Park MoonDae is surprisingly good at looking perfect in front of the camera.

Of course, not as good as Lee SeJin, as there were times when his look looked grim in Summer Package... but that was the only time when that flaw was seen.

This time it was so brief that there was no controversy, but the masters didn't know what to do, so they analyzed the angle and found that he was looking at the singers' seats at that time.

And something was confirmed.

- Collaboration members greeted the deer
- Hahahaha oh, hmm
- I think it's about time, but don't say or show anything, seonsaeng-nims.

Then, they came up with a conjecture very similar to the truth that "AhHyun seems to have had difficulties while preparing for the collaboration stage".

Of course, they deleted everything without giving more details considering threats such as a screenshot to the chat and disclosure of that fact to start a public debate, but anyway, the clerk was pending.

"Will Seon AhHyun have suffered a mental breakdown?"

After guessing the behind-the-scenes story, she wanted to see that presentation. She wondered if it would be shown.

She updated her social media account once and watched the TV casually.

[Coming up!]
[Special presentation at Gayo Daejejeon].
[Winter boys]

It was arranged that the special performance would be held at the end of the second part.

It was a typical composition that brought together hoobaes idols with the songs of the legendary sunbaes idols of the first generation of KPOP and performed them on a makeshift stage.

"It's a bad thing."

Most of the first-generation sunbae idols had been caught drunk driving, leaving a bad impression, so she watched the TV with considerable skepticism.

Even if it was a member she wasn't interested in, she regretted that it was his turn to perform a song by those idols.

Soon there was a musical accompaniment. It was arranged for a dance show without being an idol-specific song.

Wee Oo Wee Oo

Maybe some money was spent, but the electronic screen and LED-effect floor that looked like a watering hole were pretty cool.

"Obviously the effect will cool down when they start dancing."

The busy guys must have practiced individually, but she doubted they could have pulled off a good group dance where they looked in harmony, so she hoped for a group photo that would look good and serve as a con.

But when they started the choreography...

Oo-u Oo Oo-u Oo

She felt it had a decent quality.

- Hmm?

And she knew the cause by using her many years of KPOP experience.

"It's because the center is really good."

And the center who started the choreography was Seon AhHyun.

- Oh.

From the beginning, the acrobatic moves in which he used his long limbs looked in a different way.

Although the camera couldn't capture it fully, Seon AhHyun's movements were almost as if they produced an optical illusion effect.

There was no need for a strong group dance. The center performer was overwhelmingly good, so it seemed everyone was doing well.

No, wait.

- Cancel it.

TN: "취소" (Act of canceling) is to withdraw what was announced, or to revoke what was promised or planned. In this case, it is to forget what she thought before.

Well, four seconds later, she saw the other idols get up late from the floor and clicked her tongue when everything turned into a mess because one of the idols in a corner almost fell down.

"It's ruined."

Originally, year-end collaborations with busy people practicing to perform a single performance often looked like this, but this time it felt more sloppy.

It was because an extreme contrast was felt every time Seon AhHyun occupied the center stage.

- Seon AhHyun is the only one who gains from this?

Wondering if that was the difference in the competition, the office worker looked at the screen with more interest.

It seemed that Seon AhHyun was the only one who benefited from the choreography being more similar to dance, not from the general broadcast dance.

He said he majored in ballet and modern dance, but he seems to have learned for longer than average in this industry.

Seon AhHyun's close-up captured by the camera filled the screen.

Above the movement of touching the floor with one hand, the bright eyes on the beautiful face were surprisingly intense.

She knew he had a pretty face, but this is surprising.

"I thought he wouldn't be able to show all his skill if he wasn't feeling very animated."

She corrected her judgment.

Since Lee SeJin and Park MoonDae were in the same group, she had decided to put them as a couple, but from what she saw, he also had a strong mentality.

Without taking her eyes off the TV, she watched Seon AhHyun's dance show until it reached the end.

And if we change that reaction of hers to something more extreme, we would have the audience's reaction.

TN: The master chose to have her fansite only focus on KeunSe and MoonDae as she determined that they were the ones who possess a strong concentration on their idol profession, but now she has accepted that AhHyun does as well. Her reaction is one of admiration, but the general public's reaction should be more extreme, perhaps to the point of praising him and looking down on the other idols in the collaboration.

*   *   *

- AhHyun-ah is amazing!

- You were really great.

- Thank-thank you. Thank you so much...!

Seon AhHyun went back to the waiting room and blushed.

- I'm not saying this by taking advantage of us not having a camera recording us, but AhHyun did his best~.

- Right, you did a great job all by yourself! The others were wrong....

- Ya, that's a bit...

The words Cha YooJin said without thinking too much were controlled in time. AhHyun had an expression that looked like he was about to break out in a cold sweat.

In fact, the other guys did a good job during the practice. No matter how explosive their personalities are, they have been professionals for quite some time.

The problem was on the stage.

- T-the floor was a little slippery....

It was a live broadcast, so due to a time miscalculation, the water sprayed as an effect in the previous performance had not dried properly. 

However, since only Seon AhHyun was moving normally, that will be treated as an excuse said by a loser.

- But you didn't slip!

- Th-that's because I've practiced before...!

- As expected, you've perfected your presentation thanks to your current skills and your past experiences! I respect you!

- Th-that... Hmmm, thanks...

They'll say something like this.

"That's a pity."

Well, if that fact had been revealed while criticizing the guys, it would end up being a criticism of the station's poor workspace.

But since that hasn't been the case, AhHyun has ended up as the only one who came up and was able to finish the presentation well.

- Seon AhHyun is not a popular member of a top group for nothing.
- He is ranked 1st among the best main dancers of all male groups.
- Ballet, modern dance and also dances from an audition program? Honestly, it's a combination that no one else can do hahaha.

I checked public opinion at that very moment and found that it is on a similar trend to what I expected.

"Great."

It was great, and everything was fine. Everything is working well.

Except this waiting room is not a one-group room.

- We enjoyed it too, AhHyun-ssi!

- Y-yes! Th-thank you so much...

- Something similar happened to us before too... Oh, ShinOh-ya, didn't you cover Battle A sunbae-nim back then?

- It wasn't me, it was CheongRyu hyung. He's our main dancer.

- Oh, I see! Anyway, he did something similar. You remember that time, right?
- ...

VTIC shares this waiting room.

And they are trying to join the TeSTAR conversation.

"Why did this happen?"

Actually, I understand the reason why we share a room together.

Since VTIC is actually the leading group in the idol industry right now, it seems that it is not convenient for them to use the same waiting room with an older artist.

However, if they are reunited with a group that he has too many differences with, they will be disappointed, so TeSTAR, which is apparently a group that they are close with, was finally selected as a roommate.

They managed to call people here who might as well be guests on an American New Year's show, so obviously they had to pay close attention to them.

"Damn."

I understand that, but those bastards keep trying to intervene in the kids' play, maybe because they haven't developed a sense of interpersonal relationship for nine years.

"Stop it."

However, that guy is dragging another guy into the conversation.

- Remember, hyung, it was an end-of-year performance too!

- Yes.

CheongRyu, whose hair was being fixed by a stylist, lifted the corners of his lips.

- I did a lot of things.

- ...

I can't believe I have to celebrate the new year with this bastard. I'd rather be exiled to the outdoor stage.

- Guys, Sejin is coming out.

- Oooh!!!

At that moment, Ryu CheongWoo, who was sitting on the sofa, summoned the others.

On the screen of the phone that CheongWoo was looking at... he came out on the stage of a nearby ceremony along with another person to announce the Daesang for Best Actor.

[Good evening, I'm Ahn SoHyun.]

[Good evening, I'm Bae Sejin from TeSTAR.]

Bae Sejin came in with the only member who succeeded as an actress of Soft & Sweet.

He looked a little nervous, but he certainly looked like an actor when he was well dressed.

- Oh~ He's wearing a suit.

- He didn't have much time, so he must have had a hard time setting it up.

- Hyung looks handsome!

TN: It sounds like he means that due to the short notice that he would be appearing as a presenter on the show, he may have had little time to have his suit altered to fit his measurements perfectly.

Bae Sejin on the screen continued calmly as the guys here expressed a strong desire to wear a costume for the upcoming album.

[We, who have experienced activities as idols, have gone up to the podium together tonight. I think being at an award ceremony for actors tonight will cause a new sensation for you, Sejin-ssi!]

[Yes, it's been a while, so I think I should do better. Thank you so much for inviting me]

- Hyu-hyung is really good...!

- Right.

Bae Sejin spoke with good pronunciation and without shaking.

[I started acting in a drama after working as an idol, but Sejin-ssi is the opposite, right? Oh, what about your activities as an idol?]

[Yes, I'm a member of a group called TeSTAR... I'm experiencing very fun and rewarding times. I met a lot of good people].

- Oh...

- I-is he talking about us?

- ... I guess so.

Bae Sejin smiled slightly at the screen. And among the people looking at the screen, there was a vague warmth, almost embarrassing.

- Oh, it sounds so sincere.

- TeSTAR is great~

No, go back to your seats.

Without saying anything, I gave a light punch to Keun SeJin, who had a strange expression on his face. He looked at me uncomfortably and shrugged his shoulders.

"Will time be the answer?"

They seemed to have recognized each other as partners. Looking at the way they both live these days, their relationship as roommates is among the worst we've ever had.

[Even though I'm from a different field, I'll do my best to show them the best. So, let me tell you what category we are going to present today].

Bae Sejin finished the rest of the awards ceremony well and ended his closing remarks by saying, "I will see you again if a good opportunity arises."

And soon after, Bae Sejin arrived after crossing the road in traffic.

- ... I arrived.

- Ooooh!

- You were great, hyung!

- It was great.

- Oh, well, thank you... But I only did a short script!

- No, that's great! Thanks for talking about us!

- ¡...! N-no.

- It wasn't us?

- No, that's... That's right!

There was a loud welcome. Bae Sejin's face turned red.

But that atmosphere didn't last long.

- Hello~ The award ceremony was great!

- ...Oh, yes. Thank you very much.

Bae Sejin greeted VTIC, who pretended to meet him, but slowly backed towards the waiting room section to TeSTAR with suspicious eyes.

I guess he didn't forget that I had a dogfight with CheongRyu.

- Hyung, change your clothes first.

- You're right!

I spent time with him in the corner of the waiting room.

It was not yet time for TeSTAR's presentation.

- Okay, everyone! Are you enjoying the last and most spectacular entertainment program of the year, Gayo Daejejeon?

- It's going to be the New Year soon.

We were called to the huge main stage for New Year's Eve.

On the way out, it was fun to greet the poor guys who were knocked out by Seon AhHyun, but it looks like some of them had other problems as well.

- It's cold.

- Shut up Cha YooJin! There must be a lot of people watching us celebrate the New Year, so let's have fun!

- You don't laugh either!

- I'm going to laugh now!

- Stop it.

I caught the two boys who were about to fight by putting my arms around their shoulders.

On a stage filled with all kinds of idols and singers, we are located in front of a place where there seem to be many moderately familiar lightsticks.

"We should at least look good on the fancams."

We had a spot designated by the production team, but the boundaries are no longer so visible as people congregate.

- Waah, it's been a year already~

- Y-yes! Pa-it seems to have passed quickly....

We exchange small words so that the people around us don't get stuck with the microphone. The countdown has started.

- 3!

- 2!

- 1!

There was confetti explosion and the sound and lighting intensified.

- Happy New Year!

Pong.

Another strange thing happened in welcoming the new year amidst the applause and shouting of the people.

- TeSTAR will show you something in this new year~.

- I hope this year will be one in which we can release great songs without any accidents!

There was an exchange of rough shoulder hugs and words of encouragement. Likewise, when I waved towards the lightsticks, which were waving fast, this time they shook wildly madly.

"Hey, don't your arms hurt?"

Yeah, well. If they want to move it like that, that's fine.

Then, some arms fell on my shoulders.

- MoonDae-ya, you did a great job! From now on, let's go through less hardship and work hard~.

- P-please, let's take good care of ourselves...!

- ...Yes. Happy New Year.

I exchanged greetings and compliments with the members.

And I felt a little strange.

"Well, it's okay because it's New Year's."

There was considerable risk of falling behind in the middle of the road, but I wondered how I could have a good time and welcome the New Year like an idol.

Last year, at a time like this, I thought this might be my last year.

- ... Hmm.

It was kind of nice.

- Happy New Year!

The first leg of the new year was very chilly, loud, lively and bright.

* * *

After the fun New Year's countdown, the main stage was quickly getting organized for the next performance.

And TeSTAR was waiting just below the stage.

Because the next performance would be ours.

Problem is, I ran into a certain guy again when I broke off to go to the bathroom as I was coming down from the stage.

- We'll see each other again soon this year. There's an awards ceremony in January.

- I guess so.

It was CheongRyu.

If you're going to say something so obvious, it would have been better if you didn't disturb someone who is about to come out of standby mode.

- Hoobae-nim will release a new song on January 5? You will perform your new song at the award ceremony, right? Well, it's a brave choice.

- ...

I stopped walking.

"A brave choice?"

This nuance is... TeSTAR will lose money by releasing a new song.

- Oh, didn't you know that?

- ...

- You didn't know, you don't have an insider, do you? That will probably be your biggest problem in the future, hoobae-nim.

CheongRyu's eyes twinkled slightly. And he said it in a way of giving advice to his subordinate.

- Since you don't have any connection....

- ...

- Hmm... let's say I'll tell you as a New Year's gift, so listen.

CheongRyu laughed.

- Did you know that YoungRin-ssi is getting ready to promote?

- ...I heard about it.

I remembered what I had heard from YoungRin as I was preparing to MC last time.

I thought that she would do very well when she promoted, as she is the best performing artist among idol groups and solo artists.

"... Wait."

No way...

CheongRyu smiled bitterly.

- You didn't know the date. It's an unexpected song to celebrate the new year.

- ...!!

- It will be released on January 4th. So... it has one day difference with your group, hoobae-nim.

Oh, shit.

Final TN: Maybe you already noticed that in a previous chapter (I don't remember which one) I made a mistake in translating that BaeSe had won an award for best actor. I thought it was weird, but I didn't pay attention to it and trusted the MTL. It was a big mistake, because what he won was the opportunity to present the best actor award as an MC. During that year he only acted a supporting role as a crazy shaman in a drama for two episodes, there was no way he would win the big award (Daesang) for best actor!