Webnovel

The webnovel of Debut or Die was written by DS.Back and it is the original version of this series. It started in January 11, 2021 and completed with an epilogue on May 5, 2023. The title is abbreviated as 데못죽 (Demotjuk)  not only by fans, but also often used by official platforms.

## Synopsis

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

**[Alert!]**
**[Status abnormality: ‘Debut or death’ occurs!]**

The crazy journal 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 pictures of idols and sell the data before the possession. *(Novel Paperback)*

## Serialization

The series began on January 11, 2021 on Kakao Page. New chapters came out five days a week, but as of November 28, 2022, it was reduced to four times a week. On May 10, 2022, Part 1 was completed with a total of 440 episodes and was continued with Part 2 on June 18, 2022, the debut anniversary date of TeSTAR. The novel was completed with a total of 643 episodes on May 4, 2023 and the epilogue was released on May 5, 2023.

 2

## Physical Release (Novel)

The story from Debut or Die webnovel has been printed into novel books, with the first batch being released on December 8, 2022. See more about Debut or Die novel **here**.

## Characteristic

The description of the KPop industry and fandom is so realistic that there are suspicions that the author is actually a deeply invested idol fan. At the same time, the novel is also characterized by a well-balanced development so that people who have never been a kpop fan can enjoy it properly as well.

Although there was no topic to talk about recently, it is said to have become more realistic by appropriately parodying entertainment programs that are actually airing, such as "The Game Caterers".

It is well-received for its sincere serialization with an enormous amount of chapter releases, 5 days a week.

This is the work that started the Kakao Page "Male Idol Trend" of the 2020s. Although there have been idol related works such as "The Heavenly Idol" and " 이번 생은 우주대스타", they did not create much of a trend, while Debut or Die attracted large numbers of real idol fans and expanded its fanbase by reflecting a realistic portrayal of the KPop industry. Debut or Die also contributed to the expansion of female-oriented entertainment works in which male actors and singers, not idols, are the main characters.

## Ratings

* 4.15 Stars (436 people) as of 3/21/2023 on Sosul Network
* 4.7 Stars (280 people) as of 3/21/2023 on Novel Updates

## Records

* On July 28, 2021, the webnovel entered the Million Page 6 months and 17 days since the serialization. At the time of entering the Million Page, the number of readers was about 420,000, and the number of chapters was 233.

## Gallery

### Special Cover

#413 (April Fool 2022)#625 & #626 (April Fool 2023)
### Official Illustration

These illustrations are publicly shared on TENG's Twitter

#158(1)#158(2)#175#182#193#206#218#226#244#300(1)#300(2)#393#413#440#625(1)#625(2)#642
## References

1. ↑ From **데**뷔 **못** 하면 **죽**는 병 걸림
2. ↑ In particular, the entertainment bulletin boards of the Yeocho community, represented by Nate Pann, theqoo, and Instiz, and the description of Twitter's shady politics and nitpicking, false rumors, how to filter for censored names, and manipulation of public opinion by Aggros and Antis are frighteningly accurate. Some of the cases and comments in the novel are speculated to be based on real cases that were a big problem in the kpop fandom (false rumors of school violence, false accusations using manipulation fan cams, illegal intrusion and theft of accommodation).
3. ↑ Although Park Moondae did not appear in-person, he was shown indirectly through T-Holic member Ha Jintae
4. ↑ In fact, there was a joke that the writer was subjected to an abnormal status condition.