This manhwa tells the story ofPark Moondae, who was challenged to become an idol due to the threat of sudden death.
The story is mainly set withRyu Gunwoo, who gets drunk after failing the civil service exam again and wakes up in a motel with an unfamiliar appearance. Somehow, he not only inhabits the body ofPark Moondae, a 20-year-old orphan who committed suicide, but also goes back three years into the past. Also, he can’t find any information about his original body anywhere.
Recovering from his shock, Moondae wonders if his current situation is similar to the action and fantasy novels he knows. To test his theory, he asks for a status window, as if it were a video game, and it actually appears, although with the worst possible news: "Debut or die". Unless he debuts as an idol within a year, he will perish.
To avoid his mortal fate, Moondae must secure a place in the Idol Inc. survival program for idols and maximize his skills. Thanks to his previous job as a paparazzi, at least Moondae has some idea of what it's like to be an idol. However, one wrong step could jeopardize his future career (and all his existence).
Characters of Debut or Die!
Main
Park Moondae
He is the main vocalist of TeSTAR. His initial identity was Ryu Gunwoo, a man 6 years older than Park Moondae, but he suddenly went back three years in time and possessed Park Moondae’s body.
Supporting
Opinion about Debut or Die!
If you're looking for an atypical manhwa that deviates from the usual romantic stories, Debut or Die! might spark your interest, I recommend it if you’re looking to be entertained with something different. It is a quite interesting story, particularly because of its premise, the fusion of reincarnation and the dramatic world of idols creates an intriguing premise that keeps you engaged in reading.
The character development and art are pretty enjoyable. There's a certain level of self-aware humor about the ridiculousness of the setting that gives charm to the manhwa. It also pokes fun at the theatricality of idol reality shows in the big industry, which makes me believe it was created with good taste. It’s a good choice for casual reading when you want to break away from conventional plots and immerse yourself in something a little different.
