5 Debut or Die: Recalling a fun memory

[Urgent Quest issued!

Debut or Die

If you don't debut as an idol within the time limit, you will die.

Remaining period: D –365

Reward: 5 skill points

Failure: Death]

"What?"

The content was as ridiculous as it was ominous.

It's already crazy that a system showed up out of nowhere but now there's this crazy task too.

As soon as he finishes reading the pop-up disappears.

"Fuck---"

He spits out as a cold sweat breaks out.

Soo-Ha had already confirmed the existence of the status window, so it was impossible to doubt that the failure was true.

'Why the hell did this show up?'

'Because I thought of debuting'?'

Soo-Ha can't help but laugh at this crazy turn of events.

'Let's stay calm' Soo-Ha reassures himself, as he begins thinking of the quickest way to debut.

He still doesn't plan on joining a new agency, which means …... he had to enter an Idol Survival program.

Soo-Ha grins with a sour smile, wasn't it around this time that the Produce series was a huge hit?

***

Idol Producer.

A large-scale project in which the public "produces" a unit group by choosing from a pool of 101 trainees, from 50 entertainment companies countrywide.

The fans chose the groups concept, debut song, and name.

A revolutionary show in which the nation produced super groups beyond compare.

Following the success of the first season, in which hundreds of aspiring idols were gathered and eliminated by vote, it took the survival debut concept into the mainstream beyond anything ever seen.

While it was not revolutionary, as such programs had been mass-produced before.

It introduced the human element; - the debuting members were decided for the first time by the audience alone.

Mentors/professionals could give their critique. But at the end of the day it all came down towards capitalism.

[Your ranking depends on the stock]

'Stock' could be bought and sold much like a company, essentially the higher the demand, the higher the price.

And if your stock dropped. The outcome was simple, even fans would sell when they were losing money. Only fools would stick to the bitter end.

The program was in Season 4, this year.

The finale season. Although not many knew that just yet.

It still produced male idols who became hot topics, had reward ratings, countless top 10's and a group which sold 600 000 albums in their first week.

Soo-Ha knew that this was the most cost-effective method to debuting, while not being tied to any long-term contracts.

Even making it to just the second round, would allow him to build a small or medium following giving him a head start in the career to follow.

And If he was successful enough to debut, then the scandal which broke later in the year, would not only earn him quite a bit of money but would also allow him to be soloist without having to cancel the contract again.

There is nothing worse than being labelled as unreliable in this industry and if it became known that Soo-Ha had cancelled to contracts already, no matter the terms. Getting work would prove difficult.

Although Idol contracts often took advantage of a youth's dreams.

Soo-Ha knew that if he played his cards right, that same poison pill would be the sweetest of nectars.

So He was going to participate in this program, too.

And today, he would be taking his first step.

There was however one small problem...

The public auditions for this season's participants were already over.

Sure, the Program would reserve a few seats for trainees of big companies.

He had already left MS entertainment, and he would not go back any time soon.

That does not mean, that there is no hope.

For Soo-Ha was certain he could be a participant in the, within the next week.

All he needed to do, was recall a story from his past or is it his past future.

***

-Produce? You know one of the writers there is a real crazy one.

This is bullshit said by a certain guy, who had drunk a little too much at the end of year party.

He said he heard it from a relative who works at the station.

He was a guy who spread rumours about this and that, so Soo-Ha never got along with him.

Since they were sitting so close together, the only thing Soo-Ha could do was listen.

-I heard she even recruited a participant at a karaoke room. Next to the station, you know Net-M? I head she just cast an ordinary person and the PD lost it. Isn't she a complete idiot? How can any talentless hick be an Idol?

It's common to gossip during a drinking party, but it's rare to find someone badmouth staff of the company they are at.

'Who was it that invited this moron?' was clearly the question going through everyone's mind.

Of course, Soo-Ha didn't believe the guy either, he was just focusing on the free drinks.

Surprisingly however, there was someone who did a cross-validation.

-The person cast was Daniel.

-...Huh?

Daniel, a popular male idol who debuted in season 2. He had gained popularity for his bright, cheerful and bold image. While his serious and skilled dancing, was lethal to the female demographic.

At the proclamation, there was a moderate exclamation around as only a few people had been paying attention at the subject.

-Whoa, I heard he got street cast, but at a karaoke room, that's wild.

-Oh...how did you know?

The female, who answered spoke calmly as a senior who is about to graduate does to a junior who was entering their freshman year.

-That 'crazy bitch' is my older sister.

The punk who had been talking was at a loss for words.

Which caused Soo-Ha to only laugh into his drink as contempt began pouring down on him from all sides.

After that, he shut is mouth and sat quiet.

Anyway it was quite a fun situation overall, so it was memorable.

Soo-Ha knew that since finding Daniel, Produce writers would look to capture lightning in a bottle for a second time.

They would go around karaoke places near the station for around a week after auditions closed.

In the best case, they would find a diamond in the rough, in the worst case they'd add fun to the show by casting ordinary people.

***