Debut or Die

Description

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A student who was preparing the Civil Service examination for 4th year, suddenly he found himself in an unfamiliar body 3 years ago.

As well as a status window displaying a threat in front of his eyes!

[Outbreak!] [Status Abnormality: ‘Debut or Death’ Occurs!] A diary about the transformation of the main character, who was suddenly challenged to be an idol even though he has never been in the industry before due to sudden threat of death.

※Speciality: He used to take and sell idol’s data.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Debut or Die
I'll Die If I Fail to Debut
If I Fail to Debut, I’ll Get a Killer Disease
데못죽
데뷔 못 하면 죽는 병 걸림
Related Series
Debut or Die Magazine (Same Franchise)
Recommendations
The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol (12)
The Malicious Member is Back! (5)
When I Opened My Eyes I Was a Superstar (5)
Entertainment Life With A Camera (4)
Save a Failed Idol’s Life (3)
Superstar From Age 0 (3)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Smart mc
  2. Bromance
  3. My Favorit Novel
  4. IDOL/ACTOR (male protagonist)
  5. Male Idol Novels

Latest Release

Date Group Release
06/12/23 Readhive c200
06/12/23 Readhive c199
06/12/23 Readhive c198
06/12/23 Readhive c197
06/11/23 Readhive c196
06/10/23 Readhive c195
06/09/23 Readhive c194
06/08/23 Readhive c193
06/07/23 Readhive c192
06/06/23 Readhive c191
06/05/23 Readhive c190
06/03/23 Readhive c189
06/02/23 Readhive c188
06/01/23 Readhive c187
05/31/23 Readhive c186
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77 Reviews sorted by


RaneKurodo
RaneKurodo rated it
March 30, 2023
Status: c143
Story wise: 4.5/5

Translation:4.5/5

Characters: 5/5

If you like idols and zero to hero kind of stories please do give this one a try. The story is a bit confusing from the start and it is ambiguous as well but as the story moves forward it gets better. I look forward to the future chapters.

Thank you translator-nims for this gem.
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Blue Mint
Blue Mint
March 22, 2023
Status: --
Ahhh... This is actually so good... (⁠っ⁠˘̩⁠╭⁠╮⁠˘̩⁠) ⁠っ I'm not gonna lie, I skipped this novel in the beginning because it didn't interest me much. I was more focused on film emperor type of novels than idol ones. But I've been recommended to read this novel like crazy so I just had to come over. I never thought that I would really be hooked like reviewers said. The writing is nice and simple, not all over the place, I really like it. I like the MC's character that constantly overanalyses... more>> everything to ensure his survival (it was very realistic lol. In produce idol shows, the amount of evil editing to alter public opinions are insane). MC couldn't even sort out his true feelings for other members since he's so busy trying to increase his reputation as an idol, it was sad and touching. On one hand, he was kind and actually feels inclined to comfort other participants when needed but for the sake of his safety and to avoid evil editing, he had to hold back. MC feels very mature, which matches his age for once unlike other characters I know that are only old in numbers. The conflicts in the show as well as public's comments were very realistic, it felt as if I was reading real posts written by real fans and haters. The amount of frust I got from reading "netizen's" hate comments were just right and not too overdone. In chinese film emperor novels, the hate comments tend to over exaggerate and come accross as extremely brutal to the point it feels two dimensional (although I suppose there are some really crazy fans out there...). Other characters are nice too, they were added well into the conflicts with their respective history and background. It didn't feel like the characters were being forced and pushed into their respective roles. AHHHH I'm really not good at putting my feelings into words. To summarise, everything felt very realistic to the point I was s**ked in into the novel! Whenever Moondae's fans cheer for Moondae, I feel like cheering for Moondae. Whenever I see haters leaving hate comments for Moondae, I feel like I want to go online and defend Moondae! It felt like I was a part of the world itself and it's a magical feeling! That's it! <<less
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parkmoondaeourpuppy
parkmoondaeourpuppy rated it
March 20, 2023
Status: c483
putting this on hold since it's not complete yet, wake me up when it's done zzz.

I LOOOVE ITT!!

It's the first time i've stumbled upon a korean game-entertainment (idol) kind of novels. It's well written and there IS a plot. If u like a game-entertainment based novel then this is for u.

I love their (TeStars) interactions so much, they are aDORABLE. ;V;

anw, everyone gradually knows about our MC situation.

... more>>
Spoiler

oh also the real park moondae is in our MC's real body so like they basically swapped bodies. And the real park moondae also got those game like quests.

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<<less
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MooseReader3
MooseReader3 rated it
March 9, 2023
Status: c100
Overall I would say this is a fairly good novel. By no means is it an award winner or anything, but for a translated work about a topic I’m not a massive fan of, I found it fairly enjoyable. So anybody who actually enjoys idols and slice of life will probably really like this one. Personally however I’m not the biggest fan of slice of life or idols so despite trying to remain unbiased by that, keep it in mind if you read the review.

This novel I think is at... more>> its best in the first arc with the game show he’s on. One of the things I hate the most about most “idol” stories is just how fake things seem most of the time. The MC either acknowledges how disingenuous a lot of the stuff they’re doing is, or they don’t and come across as unlikeable and unrelatable and the story in general somewhat falls apart with a bunch of 2d characters who are just there to act as fluff balls. This novel falls into the first camp which I find quite refreshing. The MC is aware that he’s “playing a game” and somewhat invents a character for himself to play to appeal to the audience. The MC is fairly intuitive on what would be good with the fans and what wouldn’t, and through his POV we can see that the other characters in large part are as well.

Highlighting the “game” they have to play and how the MC navigates PR is where this novel shines IMO. Which is why I think the first arc is so well done. Sadly, after that things kind of start to go downhill I think. While it’s by no means bad or totally unenjoyable, the novel quickly devolves into a fluff-fest. Whereas in the first arc the MC was constantly manipulating public opinion so he would stay on the show and grow his fan base, after the first arc his fan base is already pretty large. There’s a small issue here or there, but largely the novel shifts in tone from “playing the game to get fans” to just an overall cringefest where the MC and friends will act cute on camera, the others will react to eachother being cute, and then you get a chapter where the fans react to them being cute, and then finally you get a chapter where the MC and friends react to the reaction of the fans.

Overall it becomes slightly repetitive. And while there’s a new system challenge in place to “keep the tension, ” just recycling the same system prompt becomes boring fast. Additionally, whereas originally the system prompt was interesting since the MC’s back was up against a wall and you could see how the MC would change public opinion around by being smart with his words and presence on camera, arc 2 begins and all the fans are on his side already. The first arc he had something to fight against. In arc 2 everybody loves him except for ‘blind haters’ and it just overall becomes singly focused on how cute all the guys act together. The one saving grace is that it’s not BL so at least I’m saved from that level of cringe.

This continues for like 50+ chapters where MC is just repeatedly thrown into a situation to act cute in and the audience reacts to how cute he is. Finally after what seems like forever, the author decides to add in some actual controversy and put the MC on the back foot again where his fans can’t really just save the day. Sadly, this controversy at least IMO is one of the fastest ways to destroy a novel in the system/reincarnation genre.
Spoiler

MC finds out that an idol of another group went back in time as well and is aware that he did as well. Which... Ugh.. Perhaps I just have to trust in the author on this one. But from the amount of stories I’ve seen that spend time figuring out the “origin of a system” or that introduce “multiple reincarnators” or some similar plot device, I’ve seen maybe 2 actually do it in a way that doesn’t immediately tank my interest in the novel. 99% of the time it’s just a distraction from the fact that the author is out of ideas.

[collapse]

Despite these issues, the novel is still enjoyable I guess. The beginning definitely carries it hard I think, but the second half isn’t AWFUL. And again, I am not a fan of slice of life or idols, so maybe other readers will appreciate 50 chapters of meaningless fluff where almost everybody is just being cute for the cameras and faking interest in tasks they don’t actually care about. Including the reader in my case lol.

Still I give it a 3/5 personally, adjusted to 4/5 due to my bias from disliking the genre. <<less
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mw_mw_chan
mw_mw_chan rated it
February 20, 2023
Status: c644
This is a gem and a masterpiece!

The MC is an architect and strategy type which breathes life into the world.

The group he is in has lots of cute personalities who are thankful towards him and care about him.

... more>> It's a very engaging novel that's also fluffy.

Update after reading chapters 118-644 on official Korean website (paid) :

The story gets even more intense and characters too. Things get a lot darker and troublesome but they prevail.

There are a lot of intense scenes that might make you anxious with them but thankfully they survive through the perilous ordeals together.

I've completed the webnovel on Kakao by translating each page image manually (for personal use only).

I am in love with the art style of the webtoon and can't wait until it's finished (hopefully) after ten years! <<less
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jazzme_
jazzme_ rated it
November 26, 2022
Status: --
I love this novel!! Probably one of my favs!! I am truly thankful to the translator I hope you won’t stop translating this gem!!
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MillenniumMoon
MillenniumMoon rated it
November 22, 2022
Status: c440
Absolutely the best entertainment novel I've ever read, and I've read a lot. Definitely has one of the best protagonist's ever. Like I pretty much stan him now. Moonpuppy is the best!

The other characters are amazing too! I like them a lot!

This novel actually got me more into K-pop, I actually disliked K-pop a lot before I've read this novel.

And now I listen more to K-pop, which is pretty amazing.

I highly, highly recommend this, you'll probably become a loviewer too!
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SweetPumpkinpie
SweetPumpkinpie rated it
November 5, 2022
Status: c65
So far, so good.

It's my first time leaving a review on this page. I can't help it, I just had to! It's too good, I'm telling you.

I love the plot, the characters, and all. The author must have spend great effort to create this masterpiece.👌
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sohreads
sohreads
September 23, 2022
Status: c63
i've read this novel up to chapter 63 (in korean) before the webtoon released and just want to say that it is SO GOOD. I don't usually read idol novels but this one is so popular in the korean community so I could not help myself and I'm glad I did. The MC is likable, smart, and interesting, and all of the other important characters (basically the guys who debut) all have their own unique charms and personalities - to the point where you can just tell who is talking... more>> based without being told who it is. Minus the fact that its a transmigration novel, everything is also very realistic for the kpop industry (such as the behind the scenes happenings of the survival program & the netizen reactions). There is not a single dull moment. I basically binged the first season in 2 days (which is a lot for me since im much slower reading korean than english), and can't wait to read more. <<less
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AlthaKhalee
AlthaKhalee rated it
September 2, 2022
Status: c400
Because I was curious about the story while reading the manhwa, I decided to mtled the original version and it really hurt T.T. Even so, until the part I read, the story is very exciting and good.

Note: This is not typical OP main character, so maybe some of you will not like it or at least feel bored in the middle story.
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sosoeden
sosoeden rated it
July 23, 2022
Status: c43
I love it, this is really interesting and the protagonist is so smart. One of my fav webnovels.

... more>>
Spoiler

I love the way he's interacting with the future members and them helping each other makes me giggle like a fool💀

[collapse]

Spoiler

I knew this webnovel through the fanarts and the one character that made me read this is cheongryeo so I can't wait to see him soon.

[collapse]

also, oh my gossshhh good news GUYS this is going to get a manhwa! Kakaopage tweeted it and it'll be released on 00am 1st August 2022. They've revealed the art style and it's sooo cuteee. Can't wait to see my boysss. <<less
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Oaiebs
Oaiebs rated it
March 28, 2022
Status: c47
Genuinely one of the best webnovels I’ve read. It’s so interesting???? Like wtf???? It had me captivated ever since I read the first chapter. I’m upset that I’ll never find anything similar to this again.

I love transmigration novels, but transmigration + idols??? Mwah mwah delicious I love it so much. Enough to the point I am reading it in Korean despite being terrible at it.

It’s so interesting!! Definitely recommend to anyone who likes transmigration stuff, or people who want to get into transmigration novels.
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ARCANESILVER
ARCANESILVER rated it
March 8, 2022
Status: c65
raws are worth reading, if you dont mind using papago to translate the images. (The raws are also free on kakaopage.) amazing novel, good characters, and interesting premise. There's really nothing much to say about it. If you like idol themed novels, or likes kpop/survival shows, then this is definitely a must read.
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Novirp13
Novirp13 rated it
February 3, 2024
Status: Completed
Was good at first but went downhill after the second time travel because the story got repetitive.

... more>>
Spoiler

At one point, Moondae was trapped in a mission provided by the System. In there, he was forced to time traveled back to the beginning of the story. However, unlike before, he didn't transmigrated into the 'Moondae's' body, but was still in his original body, completed with his original name. To finish it, he has to once again become an idol, using a completely new (or old, in his case) face and new skill set. At first, that was cool. I was like "huh. He can still succeed without using real Moondae's body? So why did he transmigrated? There must be a reason for this! This is going to be the plot twist, right?!". That small clue made me excited and I was anticipating how this novel is going to go now. But then, in the next mission, he time traveled again. Then again. Then again. Always back to his 'original body' and playing the same mission, just with different setting and time frame. And.... that's repetitive. The excitement I got at the first re-time travel started to dwindle and before the novel reach its climax, I was already bored. I skipped most of the third time travel mission and just go for the conclusion

[collapse]

Don't get me wrong. The ending of the first season is awesome. I would still recommend this novel based on that first season alone. Not to mention, the manhwa adaptation is beautiful as all hell. But it's just a shame, really. The repetitiveness killed most of my enthusiasm <<less
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MiniPickleTL
MiniPickleTL rated it
January 21, 2024
Status: --
I really like this novel it's really interesting and refreshing 。:゚゚ (´ᗜ`✿) ・。. Eventhough I'm not a big fan of anything k-pop related I still got hooked to this novel I haven't finished it yet but I would 100% recommend it to anyone. The MC is funny and all of his friends have cute personalities.

The author is really good at showing what it's like in the industry it felt so realistic seeing all the internet trolls it actually made me angry. Just shows how good the author is at writing... more>> d (^_^).

Sadly theres no actual translations past chater 200 hopefully someone picks it up my korean isn't good and mtl is barely understandable (⌣́_⌣̀) <<less
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Revamk
Revamk rated it
January 16, 2024
Status: Completed
This novel has my whole heart and has been my fixation for months now and still is. I even experienced the pain of mtls to read this and I can say I will never do this for another story again; that's just how amazing this novel is to me.

Now you really got to grow attach to the characters to finish this novel. I read the manhwa first and loved it absolutely feel in love with the characters so I read the novels. And although there are many many things I... more>> wished the story explored more on or added, I still loved it either way. Take note on the unreliable narrator tag because it really is unreliable and you often got to read between the lines of things and can't trust the narrator because he rationalizes and downplays a lot and the reality is pointed out by other characters while still maintaining the mc's pov which I liked. <<less
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Shreya_
Shreya_
July 12, 2023
Status: --
Omggggggg I think I have find a gem while searching for idol manga....

Basically in idol manga we can see that MC is a all-rounder and the story revolves around him but it's different here coz all the members have their own personality and prblm. Our MC moondae (such a cutipie) is a guy with a death penalty but always wants to help coz he cares about them (but he was in denial that he was doing for team lol 😂) he is a funny guy who doesn't know how... more>> much precious he is.... I really like the fact that all the team later came to know about wht moondae going through.... <<less
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estelionsharluluasheelvinchancecelenalia
The chapters 15 to 50 are so awfully translated that, without exaggeration, every third paragraph is nigh incomprehensible. The individual words make sense, but the sentence and the context do not.

If you push on, it does get somewhat better, both because their grasp of Korean improves, as well as because you will start to understand what the translator seems to think certain words mean in English.

(Honestly, their tl notes seem perfectly fluent in English, so I can only assume they were learning Korean and applied certain dictionary translations one-to-one... more>> without really knowing what the text was trying to say.)

By then, however, you'll have been bombarded with untranslated nonsense like 'Heol!' and 'cider' which is basically the same thing as people who leave 'Masaka!' untranslated.

The story is fine. Nothing to write home about, and the protagonist isn't very interesting or likeable. Actually, his real personality makes it doubly embarrassing when he does idol behaviour like using puppy emotes in his social media posts.

On the plus side, his relationships with his peers (actually people way younger) is interesting, and it's fun reading about him helping solve each of their problems. Probably just going to drop it here and see about reading the comic instead. Hopefully less narration means less cringe. <<less
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Leilacus
Leilacus rated it
April 7, 2023
Status: c620
If you like this genre, it's a must read.
Though MC had a system, he doesn't rely on it too much. Because.... well... it would be a spoiler if I say more but really... it's refreshing, it's funny, and to be honest, the boring moments is only so little... like... for me, I got bored not because it was boring but more on avoiding certain 3 to 4 chapters due to characters I do not like.... say... Ryu Seo Rin? LOL I don't like her... at all.
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matty1212
matty1212 rated it
March 29, 2023
Status: --
I DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO THIS STORY UNTIL I STARTED READING!!!

I had already read Kpop idol novels, but this was the first time I had so much fun!
What I like the most is that as a central part of the story, the author also describes the changes in the character's look for her debut and comeback, dictates the concepts of the music they will create/perform, the interactions of the group, fans and rivals.

When they sing, the author actually writes a few lines from the song and describes whether they... more>> are dancing, waving or moving on stage during the performance.
You even feel like you are actively participating in group settings.

Which for me makes a lot of difference, because by reading these details I can draw the image with my imagination.

[Has system]

The interactions are cute, but they also keep some suspense at times.
You discover a bit of the central characters little by little, without annoying dumps of omniscient information.

Park Mondae is a protagonist that initially you will look at and think:
'What an uninteresting guy, he hardly does anything to contribute to the story!'
And yes that's what I thought, at first I really thought he was less charismatic than the rest of the group, he seemed alienated like he was stepping on some minefield.
But she progressively gains a space in your heart, and before you know it, he's already living there.

As a protagonist, I had high expectations for him.
And in the end, he didn't let me down. <<less
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