Debut or Die

If you can’t debut, you’ll die of a disease. After the midterm evaluation of episode 535,

the testa’s waiting room.

“It was good.”

These are short impressions from the members who watched Ether’s mid-term evaluation stage.

Half of them had faces that said, ‘We have to work harder too!’

And instinctively knowing how things were going to turn out, the rest of the guys’ faces… It’s close to ‘got it’.

“Is this being aired before the final stage recording? Would that be the case by date?”

“uh. At least the pre-release video will be released before the final stage.”

“… after.”

In a word, it is difficult to overturn the editing direction of the production team by reorganizing the film for the final stage.

Before that, there is a video released in advance considering only this intermediate stage.

‘If I’m on the production team, I’ll never miss this phrase.’

A rising group that showed up in the midst of controversy and desperately prepared to try to pierce the needle, finally bursting with potential on stage.

And even the opponents of the controversy, the senior group.

Our role here will be like this.

-How did Testa react?

If you don’t come out like a big crowd here, it’s only a matter of time for people to become nasty. In a situation where the target of empathy in the program has already been captured by Ether.

Testa was pushed out of the narrative, damn it.

‘Anyway, viewers will be excited.’

Unless the production team is an idiot, at the point when the midterm evaluation was selected like this, the composition of the narrative that ‘Iter overcomes adversity and produces good results’ was already confirmed.

It was natural that the picture was chosen like this.

Instead of refuting, Sejin let out a long sigh. Unlike usual, there was no bitter smile.

I was similar.

‘I feel like X more than expected.’

And Kim Rae-bin carefully raised his hand, as if the atmosphere was strange.

“… ? Do you think that our stage prepared this time will be lacking compared to that of the people of Eter?”

Looking at the guy who seemed like he would pour out the words ‘We did better’ at any moment, Ryu Cheong-woo smiled bitterly.

“No, I don’t think so.”

Objectively, of course, Testa did better in the middle evaluation.

Kim Rae-bin also nodded.

“As expected! I wondered if I might have missed something.”

But you must have wanted to ask why the atmosphere was so strange.

I have given an answer in advance.

“It’s natural that you’re good at it.”

“yes… ?”

“Now we mean that when we do well, people don’t get agitated or startled. There are expectations built up over the years.”

“… … .”

This is not simply a matter of Testa being pushed onto the stage by a rookie.

It’s a matter of freshness.

and… .

‘It’s a problem because those bastards’ agency shows how far they can suck this honeydew.’

Wouldn’t it be fun to hit the viral while shouting bullshit about turning a crisis into an opportunity?

-Participating teams with good reactions in today’s match (spoilers included)

-Heart’s current

situation that I thought would go

to hell.

It’s already good for the eyes.

In the midst of this, the Eter themselves are just working hard, so it looks like our side is looking for a gap and sending it to public opinion.

On the contrary, it may face a headwind.

‘People say it’s like a ghost again.’

As soon as the ridiculing atmosphere created by Wonder Hall’s self-destruction disappeared, it seemed clear that the ‘unexpected discovery’ that the members of Ether were just grouchy and snobbish guys would catch on.

In order to go against the flow, something bigger was needed.

‘My bone hurts.’

“No problem, in case you have a headache… ?”

“… are you okay.”

I let go of the hand that was pressing down on my temple.

… I had a feeling that it was complicated in many ways.

And things started to go as expected.

A few days later.

[< Jinseong match > What is this? Interim evaluation with reversal after reversal | Pre-release]

When the pre-release video comes out

– Is Ether finally ruined? But if it’s the reverse, surely it’s going to float? – I knew it would be like

this because it’s a broadcasting company

close to Wonder Hall

.

-you are good?

-It’s better than I thought

-It’s frustrating to strain your eyes so you don’t cry

.

That’s why iter’s desperate attitude felt too real to be made through editing.

‘And because the results actually came out.’

It was felt that public opinion was swaying.

It seemed that the production crew were happy that it was a success, even from far away.

‘after.’

There were some people who expressed interest in our stage, but we were pushed from buzz to numbers.

Of course, I thought I would do well, so there was nothing to criticize, and that’s why I was pushed out of interest.

I looked at the smartphone screen.

‘Can you reverse it?’

Realistically, I didn’t know if I’d have to give up this edition and write the next one if I wanted to go safely.

There is a newcomer who came up with good timing, and I was prepared to share a pie with them in the future.

‘… I would have thought this was a different rookie.’

I don’t like it.

These bastards have accumulated too much karma from their agency.

In addition, right after this video was released, Kim Rae-bin found one final blow to the karma.

Even that was not made by the agency, but by Ether himself.

“It could be my misunderstanding, but the more I watch part of this stage, which was released in advance, by junior Lee Ter, the more I feel a sense of déjà vu in the composition and expression.”

“Feeling of déjà vu?”

“yes.”

Kim Rae-bin, who had been thinking for a while while looking at his laptop, opened his eyes round as if he knew right away and shouted.

“All right. You can see the gestures the members usually use on the stage of the Eteru people!”

“… !”

“For example, in this scene where you are raising your hand… .”

We listened to Kim Rae-bin’s explanation as he flashed back and forth between the videos using the shortcut keys.

And I was immediately convinced.

“I think it’s similar… .”

“OK. Literally I see.”

The facial expressions and gestures that the Testa members habitually showed were right in time.

Of course, the number of people was different, the song was different, and it was quite natural to enter the right place, so it wasn’t to the extent that I noticed where it came from as soon as I saw it.

‘… I must have worked hard on the analysis.’

I felt that I didn’t follow it roughly, but properly thought about ‘why it’s good’.

But that’s the position of the guys who followed, and what do you think of the position that suffered… .

“Isn’t this too harsh?!”

this is it

However, I calmly shook my head at Bae Se-jin’s embarrassed words.

“I can’t say that the gestures or facial expressions are similar. It’s not even copyrighted.”

If you can’t digest it awkwardly, it will stand out in a bad way and will be discovered soon. And they’ll get scolded saying ‘I know you’re a testa’.

However, if done well, it will go beyond ‘Did you pay for the gesture’.

“And in the first place, everyone practices with cover stages before debuting. You start by copying your favorite idols in gestures and facial expressions. I can’t do it without references in practice.”

In a word, it means ‘it is ambiguous to criticize for not having any morals’.

“… … So this is also a reference?”

Bae Se-jin gritted it.

“Are we the only ones following?”

“… … .”

Perhaps he didn’t necessarily think that he would only follow Testa.

I just didn’t have time.

‘I wouldn’t have been able to study while looking at multiple teams.’

So, it must have been trying to win the advantage by going around the stage of the senior he is most conscious of now, focusing on several times.

From the perspective of Ether themselves, they would think that they just worked hard, but from the point of view of a group that has been through similar things several times now, it was only natural that members who were angry would come out.

“It’s not the first time or two that we’ve been unilaterally used as references like this. Aren’t we supposed to protest something?”

“Brother, thinking like that is useless.”

Big Sejin cut it off and said. Then he pressed his forehead and spoke lowly.

“It is a stage. If you digest this well, it’s yours.”

“… ! Where is that sophistry… … .”

“no! The atmosphere doesn’t suddenly change just because hyung doesn’t acknowledge it.”

“… !”

“Look at the situation now. People will think that Testa is being nasty against a rookie, but what’s the point… … . I’m sorry later.”

“… … .”

Keun Se-jin barely calmed down and Bae Se-jin answered with a stiff face.

“… no. You must be frustrated too.”

“… … .”

The atmosphere is awesome.

I pressed my eyes with both hands.

What is even more fascinating is that the butterfly effect of this work does not end here.

Do you know what a bigger problem is?

‘Testa is telling me to get off this program after this stage.’

If Wonder Hall puts the air into the air well, there will be voices like ‘Aren’t you getting off because you’re avoiding iter?’

Timing is bound to stick with anything!

-Something’s gone, Testa

is also losing his mind

.

It becomes an image problem.

And it means that the Eter side that took the underdog narrative enjoys the effect of killing two birds with one stone.

‘I guess they think they’ve succeeded in revenge.’

I don’t like it even more because it’s obvious what the people at the agency will think.

I held back a sigh.

And there was silence in the car too.

“… … .”

“For now, let’s stay while preparing for the final stage. There will be a group photoshoot soon, so look at the atmosphere at that time. how is it?”

“… okay.”

“Yes… .”

Big Sejin calmly rebuked the others.

However, the complexion itself was not so good.

* * *

The day of recording < Jinseong Seungbu > came back.

“You did a great job guys!”

“thank you!”

Voices of congratulations and encouragement echoed in the waiting room of Ether.

The atmosphere, which had been stagnant for days due to controversy and reorganization, was finally reviving.

To Ether, the fact that they made that opportunity through hard work and hard work gave them a heart-rending sense of pride.

‘Is this a real sense of accomplishment?’

The leader nodded, saying that it was an experience of realizing again as an artist that the results of my stage are related to the joys and sorrows of many people involved.

And I felt a greater sense of responsibility.

“All of our leaders have grown up. The company really believes only in you and works.”

“thank you!”

Ether’s leader left the waiting room with such encouragement and a great sense of responsibility.

‘I should say hello to the staff and cast in advance.’

I had to shake hands, so I thought I’d wash my hands before going.

So when he naturally entered the toilet for officials.

‘uh.’

There was already a passenger at the sink.

“Hello~”

“… Hello senior.”

The leader of Ether bowed his head.

Testa Lee Se-jin, who was washing her hands in the sink, smiled a little, nodded slightly, and wiped off the water.

Even when he met himself, he was not shaken at all.

‘… You still have plenty of room.’

For some reason, I felt a little bloated.

Do you not feel a sense of crisis when a junior competitor did a good job on a stage in an entertainment program?

Is that a good position?

‘Then why did you explode something like a transcript?’

When the leader was slightly drunk with resentment, a calm and soft voice came from above.

“Ah, the midterm evaluation stage was really good~ The reaction was good, so congratulations.”

“Oh, thank you.”

And the leader couldn’t stand it and handed over the greeting he had thought of before.

“That Testa senior’s stage was also good. As always!”

There was a bit of a double meaning here.

It could mean always doing well, or it could also mean that there is no progress.

If the listener listens sarcastically because he has a sly inside, it will sound bad, and if Testa is a really nice person, he will be praised.

‘I think I said it well!’

The leader of Ether thought proudly. and… .

Sejin Lee smiled sadly.

“is it so? Aigo thank you~”

“… … yes!”

“Then let’s fight for today’s shoot too!”

Lee Se-jin left the bathroom after saying a good word, and the leader of Ether finally admitted it.

‘He must be a good person.’

But I didn’t know why I felt sad when I thought about it.

And at the same time, Testa’s waiting room.

“Moondaemun University. wait for a sec.”

Lee Se-jin tapped Park Mun-dae on the shoulder to get his attention.

“why.”

Even with his plaintive reply, Lee Se-jin knew that he was listening.

“Do you remember what I said? This time we… Let’s just watch the situation.”

“I remember.”

And I know why he said that.

‘Because Testa already has so many things, I can’t raise all of them as stakes.’

An embarrassing situation was right.

However, it was safer and the expected value was higher not to act hastily even if I gave a little here.

It feels a bit worse, though.

This is because Testa is no longer an annual year that the public sees as a spirit of ambition even if they rush to take off their rank insignia to receive the rookie award.

There was also a great risk of being seen as too strong.

‘It’s a wise thing to do here.’

Park Mun-dae guessed that Lee Se-jin probably gave the same answer with a cold head.

but… .

“I’m sorry, but I want to cancel. that word.”

“… !”

“I don’t know. Originally, I was the one who said things like ‘Let’s take a long look and move on’ in this team… .”

Big Sejin smiled with his eyes shining.

“I don’t want to. I.”

It was D-3 days left until the final stage.