Debut or Die

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

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. Bromance
  2. My Favorit Novel
  3. IDOL/ACTOR (male protagonist)
  4. Male Idol Novels
  5. TOP of the toppers, BEST of the bestest

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
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
77 Reviews sorted by


Scarla_853
Scarla_853 rated it
June 5, 2023
Status: c476
I completed Part 1 of this novel not long ago and feel like I want to write down something.

The story is good, like really good. Perhaps the author themselves is familiar with KPOP idol industry, since I can't think of any reason apart from that. The concepts, songs, survival shows, even the song lyrics feel real and genuine. And Moondae being OP and smart is a bonus, even though I'm not the type to particularly prefer capable MCs.

The reason I gave it a 4 star and not 5 star, however,... more>> is because it feels like the story is stretched down the road. I know it's a common thing among fantasy novels, but still, I hope it could have focused more on solving the matters at hand. Though I guess people liking fantasy elements e.g. System, causal loop etc. Will enjoy the new elements added. This is just my subjective opinion so I'll leave it at this.

Still, the story is probably the best among Korean idol novels I've read. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Mefuru
Mefuru rated it
August 2, 2022
Status: --
its a good novel. I got hooked at the survival game tag and the premise was interesting. The MC uses his former life knowledge to help him debut and the characters, very wholesome :D lmao I even tried to find mtl-ed ver cuz I was so desperate for more. This novel has a manhwa now too tho I haven't read it
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
NabilaR
NabilaR rated it
December 29, 2023
Status: Completed
Reason why this man right here is a number one

1. He's self sacrificing person but really really tried not to sacrifing himself, he thought, he plan and in the end he got the result he want without any extra pain.

2. How the hell he can be sooooo creative like this man here can think of any content for TeStar album. If you read this novel, u would feels like a real TeStar's fan, aka loviewer. Just like, even if we know the inside story, I still feel so excited and... more>> cheering, wtf author soo genius for this.

3. The way everything got explained dayum. Like how the system created. Dll.

4. If they are a real kpop boy group I would stan them forever for reallllll

MOONDAE PUPPYYYY IM YOUR FANNNNNNNN PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR SMILEEE BB!!!!

Spoiler

Forget to add, this story has A LOT, Im not kidding when I say the author are genius and moondae are creative lolol, we get some vibe mixed but it came out well, so I was impressed. Like how constellation in ORV interacting? There was something like that near the end of this novel in chap 500 something. There are regressor, time travel, pararrel world. And I absolutetly love how they involved the other group member as well in this chaos not just moondae and cheongryeo Hahahahaha.

[collapse]
<<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Cabbagone
Cabbagone rated it
November 5, 2023
Status: c217
Omg, Do I have any complaints? No, I love the MC I love the rest of the characters. I love how to concept of the MC's past life and the narration of the story doesn't need you to be a Kpop fan to understand it, the story is so amazing and profound. I do not consider myself as a Kpop fan but I do listen to multiple kpop songs and has some basic understanding on how the community or the idols worked, but the story strangely smoothly handed the information... more>> to me and explained multiple stuff I can comprehend, I love this part where I don't have to google it up because the story already gives the explanation. 5/5 for Moondae, I love the MC. This seemingly apathetic and unexpressive MC are honestly hard to write and its always a 50/50 If the Author could pull it off. And pull it off they did, the MC does seem like the apathetic type but he really isn't! He is just a guy, and his thoughts are realistic to his past age and his past identity. I love how he has this sassy personality in his thoughts, he isn't afraid to curse people out or be rude in his descriptions. All the while he is cursing somebody out, he looks calm and maintains his poker face.

He is smart too, quick to sense the danger or mistakes and innovate. The things he learned in his past life was actually used in the story, like the things he studied for the civil servant test is something he used to his advantage as an Idol. He is a manipulative person too, not in a bad way though, he acts behind the scenes to quickly get rid of the obstacles that would cause harm to him and his friend's reputation or well being, and he isn't afraid to act upon these schemes. I do love how some scenes made him break, how the author actually made him express how overwhelmed and anxious he is. Almost breaking down and giving up, showing his rare moments of being vulnerable to his emotions.

Spoiler

When his stalker fans leaked OG!Moondae's past, I love how he broke down. Considering he was always shown to be calm and rational, this scene makes sense for him to feel overwhelmed. As a gun is literally pointed at this head because if he doesn't debut, he dies. Imagine being in constant anxiety because of this threat following you, but he somehow manages to keep his cool. I think this scene is like the bottle of negative emotions where he kept bottling up finally breaks.

[collapse]

MC slowly adjusts to his identity as well, back then he just wants to survive. But slowly, he says he is getting greedy because he finds himself enjoying his job and wants to stay. He is such a sweet, refreshing, and well written character. I love reading his thoughts and perspective, It's a shame how little the manhwa can show that, since It is a manhwa after all, I just suggest manhwa readers to read the novel for a more deeper and clearer understanding of the MC.

All the other characters are well written and have their own distinct personalities and pasts, I meant the Idol group members the MC is in. Each of them doesn't feel like copy pastes of each other, they are all unique and different. They show weaknesses and strengths, I love how they aren't revolving around the MC, but more like standing equally with him. Even to characters outside the Idol group, like Cheongryeo and Choi Wongil (Bro had good character development, Choi Wongil was a brat, and was very heavily evil-edited, because of that he was bullied online. But as Moondae pointed out, Nobody seems to remember that he was still a kid T-T)

Cheongryeo is such an amazingly written character, I have a love-hate relationship with him.

Spoiler

Cheongryeo is a regressor, he kidnapped the MC and persuades Moondae to commit su*cide to see If Moondae regresses with him.

[collapse]

But I understand Cheongryeo's actions. Imagine having to repeat multiple times, times you can't even count, he lived particularly long too. And he has been dealing with the control of his reputation, cancel culture, the internet's judgemental and critical opinions over Idols. I love how this novel explored on that, and realistically depicts and represents the Stan Culture in the Kpop community and how broken a person would be if he is targeted by that community just like Choi Wongil who completely breaks down by the mass hate given to him. The pressure on the kpop Idols, and the scrutinizing of very little things, people always on the lookout for the very moment you make a mistake to sh*t on you online. I could understand how Cheongryeo became an insane perfectionist psychopath. But where im reading now, he is trying his best to improve after Moondae knocked the senses out of him (literally)

Cheongryeo is such an interesting and funny character though, his unexpected behavior is weirdly entertaining. Although I don't like him for things he did to the MC, I like his character very much. It's funny how he treats the MC like he is his best friend, (but to be honest he actually is, Moondae is the only person he can express his real self.)

This story is so good I wish that the Idol Group TeSTAR is actually real, I'd eat their group up no joke. I'm not a Kpop fan but I'll spend money on Moondae, the songs introduced in the story sounds and is described to good ahhhh. I just wish I can hear it, I love each of the members, a golden novel everyone should try out. The Stans are hilariously realistic, I could see myself commenting some cringey stuff to Moondae like "Moon-puppy please notice me." It's so insane, the realistic depiction of the unnecessary out of pocket hate comments too. But most importantly the funny and harsh comebacks in replies of the comments made by the fandom of MC's Idol group. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Hurin
Hurin rated it
September 10, 2023
Status: c200
Definitely 5/5

the MC is calm and smart, and often makes a choice that seems rational. Also, as he tries to survive by debuting, he makes friendships and gains unexpected enlightment.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
AvinRave
AvinRave rated it
August 6, 2023
Status: c224
This novel is really good T-T And I wish there was more chapters in English, actually. Because I really want to know what will happen next! Especially with all those spoilers I've seen so far. I'd recommend it to everyone who likes smart MC, idols, weird system and etc. Characters are sweet, and I really like those episodes from fans' perspective. Hope that some kind people would translate it till the end, so I won't need to struggle, waiting for all those 644 chapters to come out
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
plainbricks
plainbricks
July 26, 2023
Status: c200
my impression of this novel is affected significantly by two factors:

  1. first time reading Kpop idol genre novel
  2. around a year ago, I became a fan of a real life 3D (not an actor or singer) human for the first time in my life
The combination of these two factors endeared me to the novel's characters. I related hard to the main character wondering about fans feeling happy about a person they cannot interact personally with, about fans spending huge amount of money on him, about fans anxious about his happiness. Ah, isn't that... more>> how my fave must be thinking regarding his fans buying out everything he touches? my wallet? where's my money to throw at him as that is the only thing I can do to support (T_T) ? Precious and sweet moon puppy! Isn't that my feelings towards my fave? Aren't sales of the tickets just like the nightmarish challenges of buying my fave's performance? Isn't the way moon puppy of performing to point of almost injury just like my fave? isn't the way moon puppy cried at the concert just like how my fave cried at his shows? isn't moon puppy's monitoring just like how (allegedly) my fave monitors the fandom?

as a result, I really enjoyed the 200 translated chapters and am fond of most of the named characters in the novel, especially cheongryeo. the characters are well-fleshed with their own distinct personalities. having only read c-entertainment novels before, the lack of weibo SNS slapping is also refreshing and wonderful.

This does not mean there are no lacking elements. by chapter 200, the style of the plot line is beginning to stale slightly. Just like c-entertainment have a formula to follow, I can tell that Kpop genre novels, too, have to follow a particular career path. Since there are another 400 chapters to go, I am concerned about the upcoming repetitiveness.

There is also a lack of tension after a certain event is over. Overall, there isn't much high stakes suspense. As a reader, I know moon puppy will definitely resolve the issues caused by the agency or antis. However, real life doesn't work that way (my fave.... T_T) Aside from that 1 interesting plot point, there isn't much to look forward if there isn't more system related plot points coming up. Perhaps there are more since chapter 200 is not even the half way mark, though I wish the author introduced more point of tension sooner.

TLDR: I recommend this novel to people who have never read Kpop idol genre and/or am a fan of any human being with a medium to big sized fandom. you may find the novel extremely relatable <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
eredffe
eredffe rated it
November 27, 2021
Status: c37
5/5 for now (we dont know what will happen in the future)

the story is amazing, I like the MC. The supporting characters are pretty good too. But you know whats mot amazing? Its how slow it updates. Come on I need more

edit: waiting for the translation is so painful QAQ

4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Cyltea
Cyltea rated it
November 5, 2023
Status: Completed
Satisfying read.

Despite never having interest in K-Pop Idol, I was hooked to this novel.

The friendship between members are cute and heartwarming.

Author knows how to keep the pace and make it interesting, many funny moments and the supernatural events also added more fun to the story.

The ending feels just right for me. All the mysteries and problems resolved and their career reached the peak.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Kaein
Kaein rated it
January 13, 2023
Status: c581
Absolutely love it.

The main character is loveable and really it's nice to follow along his perspective.

Honestly this is one where the main character is one of those where you really root for and really happy to see succeed.

... more>> The writing is really good as well as we follow along the MC's perspective and realise the MC is a very unreliable narrator and there are very unexpected developments that is actually very logical when you think out of the perspective the MC

And I'm also sucker for found family and feels good tropes so I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I see that there's is a crap ton more chapters to come and I hope this gets continuously translated until it is completed. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
BubTheBest
BubTheBest rated it
November 8, 2022
Status: c200
Very good, highly recommend. I really enjoyed reading what is out so far, and releases are coming out quick recently which I greatly appreciate. (C46)

It's a shame it had to be dropped though I'm thankful for what was translated. Good novel.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
xLia
xLia rated it
August 26, 2022
Status: c84
I continued the novel after reading the manhwa and I'm not disappointed.

The story is well written and not boring, I feel like something is always happening. About the main character, I really like his personnality, he's someone who doesn't care about anything in the outside but in the inside, he cares a lot about the others.

And the author did a good job for the writing because (i think) the characters really felt alive, their conversations were fluid !

As someone who doesn't usually read this kind of novel, I'm satisfied.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
littlecatinitsshell
littlecatinitsshell rated it
August 10, 2022
Status: c256
I think this may be the first novel I mtled myself. The translator on a website had translated this novel up to ch50 and I was devastated that they not only stopped but also removed everything they had translated. Luckily, people are back to translate this gem.

But thanks to that translator, I was able to follow a story that is truly like no other. The main character becomes a whole new person one day and is forced to debut or die (title drop heh), he can level up and see... more>> his status window - which ends up being both a blessing and a curse.

The main character goes through events that make you feel like these problems and obstacles are real stresses idols may go through, or is based on real events. But how he overcomes them with his unique thinking is always satisfying to read.

And I think personally what got me going from "you had me interested, but now you've got my attention! :D" was the
Spoiler

mystery element that comes into play later in the story, where the system shows memories of not only the original body but also the memories of the debuted members! (Big spoiler: he doesn't die ^_^)

[collapse]

Spoiler

and if you have ever stanned BTS or Seventeen.. Or kpop bands with entertainment shows that show the members' personality, you know you fall for them even more because their interactions and chemistry with members of their own group is unmatched - and likewise.. The debuted group in this novel also ends up having these moments where I really end up thinking.. Man I wanna stan them! Every member that ends up debuting is special and I actually ended up being a bit too emotionally attached haha

[collapse]

I definitely recommend. I think right now, the translating team is doing okay. Just that for my reading speed and patience (or lack of), I would rather MTL the whole thing than wait 4 or 5 days for a chapter (I mean only because I can read korean to check if the translation makes sense or not)

Sorry for wack review. I should have organised it better :B <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Tidnzl095
Tidnzl095 rated it
July 15, 2022
Status: c40+
Stumble upon the group pics from tiktok and interested because of the title (yes I like survival genre especially death game on many media). The story told us about a grown up adult waking up on a teenager soon-to-be idol (trainee). The protagonist who used to work as a data seller (basically someone who photographed Idol and sells the pics to their fans), now awaken in a new body, need to debut through an Idol Survival Program 'Idol Stocks Company (not the official eng translation) ' or he gonna Die... more>> by mysterious disease if he failed.

From available fan-teanslation, the novel itself has a quite good pacing and some good plot twist. The character itself (esp the MC) are interesting. The comedy/slice of life is well executed and doesn't feel that forced. The author clearly has insight and know about the source material aka the Kpop idol/entertainment industry.

Overall I give this novel (from what I read so far) 9/10. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Ard123
Ard123 rated it
May 10, 2022
Status: c207
Easily one of my favorites. I don't really have any bone to pick with the story. I even went ahead and MTLed it lol. I really enjoyed it and as someone who listens to kpop and have watched a few idol survival programs, it gave me a deeper understanding about about the industry. Definitely worth reading it
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Naomi004
Naomi004 rated it
March 3, 2022
Status: c43
This is a masterpiece you guys must read, compared to other manhwas/novels that have the same idol/celebrity thing going on, I think this is the best.

I love the plot, and the characters personality and everything they do is sooo realistic (except for the window thing), like you can really imagine it happening in real life, and I really really really love our MC too, he's smart and all like he's just perfect. It's worth my time I really recommend this novel it's 100000000000/10.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ILikeHappyStuff
ILikeHappyStuff
December 7, 2023
Status: --
i came with high expectations because of the amazing manhwa adaptation and honestly, it lives up to its reputation as the source material. the manhwa has great art, hilarious small details, cute chibis and an absolutely adorable moondae. I'd say it did the novel justice, so I recommend reading both. which one you read first doesn't matter since both have their own charms and don't pale in comparison to their other counterpart. the novel was amazing at describing the feel and image of music videos and stage performances.

rather than a... more>> fictional novel, it's like reading the rise to stardom journey of a real life idol and his group (if you remove the debut or die system). the infamous money-grabbing production teams, and fans that go from hating to loving an idol in the blink of an eye. if you're a moderate kpop fan or even if you're not a fan at all, the events are written in a way that make you go, "yeah, I can definitely see this happening in real life."

most of the time when moondae performs I get so excited I can't help but open my kpop playlist and fully immerse myself in this realistic kpop fiction world. it's not just the broadcast channels or entertainment world's structure that seem so realistic, the characters act genuinely like humans and not braindead side characters that exist to either be moondae's fans or haters.

i especially like moondae's character. his overly cautious and calculating thoughts sort of irked me at times but if you think about it, he needs to debut or he'll literally die. I guess it makes sense he'd avoid anything that's disadvantageous to him. that's why his story is even more interesting- we can see him slowly opening up to his fellow members and accepting that performing for him was fun.

100 chapters later and ive become an actual moondae fan TT it's so touching I actually cried, it's like I'm actually watching my favorite idol... <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Nom de Plume
Nom de Plume rated it
July 7, 2023
Status: c127
The plot establishes a well rounded idol group with realistic synergy and friction. The author sets up the story so well that I have this urge to google for their songs. You can feel both what makes fans like idols so much as well as what makes them just regular people.

The story has another regressor other than the MC, but he was driven crazy by his repeated deaths. To top it off, he does not hide his curiosity over whether he can regress again by killing another regressor (ie the... more>> protagonist). This characters keeps the tension high after the pressure from the system missions faded out. They still exist but it feels like the MC can easily achieve the goals at this point as long as he does not lose his momentum and protects his team members from scandal. The variable of a crazy man from a popular idol group with intimate knowledge of the main task adds a layer of complexity to the situation without departing from the central theme. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
LikeableKiwi
LikeableKiwi rated it
June 10, 2023
Status: c142
Comparing this novel to another about court intrigue that I recently read, this novel is lacking in the impact department.

The only enemy here is incompetence and haters which could be anyone at any time and anywhere which the author should take advantage of.

Whereas court intrigue is the same except everyone knows the stakes and what they're dealing with from the very start.

... more>> In comparison, nobody ever gritted their teeth or went through a battle of nerves in this novel other than the main character when lost his cool.

Solving a challenge didn't feel rewarding and more like they just got back on the right course after being derailed for a bit.

Court intrigue is interesting because of the losses and gains plus the stakes amplified several times which this clearly lacked.

The system gave him whatever he needed anyways, the idol guy who regressed to achieve success proved more interesting to learn about.

The main character could've plugged these holes himself if he had even the slightest ambition and intentionally challenged himself further instead of being swept away by the system and his haters but nope.

There's also not much room for losses meaning that the stakes wouldn't get any higher which just ain't fun, even the illusion of losing something he had now like the system after finishing all the missions would've been good enough in all honesty. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
rizuuumi
rizuuumi rated it
May 30, 2023
Status: c286
easily one of my top 5 novels. It touches all the points of the idol industry that it makes you wonder if the author has had personal experience with it themself!

this novel isn't centered around the fact that the MC has the help of a game-like system, and he also doesn't heavily rely on it. Although it is a major plot point in the story, it doesn't overshine any other elements. With the fact that the MC is an unreliable narrator, we get to see how he grows and begins... more>> to care more and more for the people and things around him and how they treat him in return, which is extremely cute!!

every character has their own personality, and they often get arcs centered around them which continues to give them more depth. Definitely read this novel if you love the found family trope and seeing how self-love begins to come about. I haven't gotten bored of debut or die even once, and I think everyone should read it :) it's definitely a story that has way more to do than living as an idol. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.