(AfroGamers.com) Out of all the genres and sub-genres found in the manhwa space, there is one which exists in a more niche corner of the manhwa reader fandom. That is Idol Manhwa. This sub-genre means exactly as it spells – a sub-genre surrounding an idol and the idol industry. Usually the ‘idol’ in idol manhwa specifically refers to a music idol (solo or group) but they can also be an actor or model with widespread popularity. One of the most iconic idol manhwa in the niche space is Debut or Die, and unlike most of its counterparts, it combines good storytelling, a beautiful art-style and both likeable and hateable characters to create a perfect introduction to the Korean pop music scene for all novice idol manhwa readers.
What’s Idol Manhwa All About?
At first glance, idol manhwa do not look worth the time and energy when you could be reading cultivation or villainess manhwa instead. But after finally deciding to give it a try, its appeal becomes clear to see.
Idol Manhwa simply defined is a sub-genre in manhwa which focusses on the Korean pop music industry. Manhwa of this sub-genre can either focus on the industry as a whole or lean more towards a main character or group of characters who are navigating that same industry. In its entirety, idol manhwa dive into the complex and manipulative realities of celebrity culture, pressures of debuting in the saturated industry and strict rules debuted idols are forced to follow in the entertainment and subsequent social world. These drastic circumstances draw on what Korean idols face in the real world even when they are often portrayed as beautiful figures commercialised for the average person’s admiration by media outlets.
Idol manhwa do also include other elements such as fantasy and romance, thus adding to a more in-depth plotline. However, in most cases, these elements are not the main focus of the plot. The singing, the dancing, the flashy stage performances, the fandom culture – fan chants and lightsticks – variety shows, and album and song releases, all these define an idol’s world. And idol manhwa, like one of the most popular ones today (Debut or Die), touch on it all and more.
The World of TeSTAR
TeSTAR is a debuted idol group in Debut or Die made up of seven all-male members who placed in the top seven of an idol survival show. The group is built on the typical structure of a Kpop idol group – where there’s a leader, main vocalists, main visuals, main rappers and main dancers. The name of the idol group, TeSTAR, combines the words test and star with the face of the group, as well as the main character of the manhwa, being Park Moondae.
TeSTAR starts off as a relatively popular newbie idol group in the space, unlike several others, but they quickly gain popularity and a large fanbase which supports them in live performance attendance, live-stream watches, and lightstick and album purchases. Unfortunately, it isn’t always smooth sailing for the group because they are eventually met with targeted scandals that put their idol careers at risk. Such as Seon Ahyeon (the main visual) who is later faced with dating rumours – something that is heavily frowned upon in the idol industry and Lee Sejin’s (the main dancer) past bullying scandal.
What makes the manhwa take TeSTAR’s step-by-step career progression a step further is how it does not solely focus of the group itself. Yes, Park Moondae and TeSTAR are the centrepieces of Debut or Die but the fans and online fan conversations the manhwa details on makes the systems of the idol world more visible.
The story isn’t elaborate. To begin with, it starts with Park Moondae possessing a stranger’s body and being forced by a system to debut as an idol or die within a set period of time, but the more you read, the more you realise how the idol world works and how things like reality show rigging, paid votes, scandals, idol stalkers (also called saseangs) and the exploitation of idols are scarily brushed off by idol fans.
That’s also why Debut or Die almost acts as an awareness campaign. You can tell the author of the work put in a lot of work into researching the Korean pop idol world with how fleshed out different arcs of the manhwa are. The elements of fantasy and the supernatural is not there to overshadow the story or make it a little more dramatic but to act as a third eye for characters like Moondae to thoroughly describe to the readers what each factor and rule in the idol industry means and can do for the future of an idol’s career.
Nevertheless, the manhwa isn’t always so grim and serious. The members of TeSTAR have diverse personalities which make for a good comedic addition to the story’s plot. How they try to get to know each other, to learn how to co-exist in a shared apartment and write and compose good music for their fans are refreshing parts of Debut or Die.
An Actual Playlist?
Unfortunately, this playlist is as real as AI is human. The songs the characters of the manhwa write and/or sing can be found on YouTube with a quick search. Although fan-made, the only downside is that the songs are AI generated. As much as that is an uncomfortable fact, it does help those who aren’t familiar with the Kpop music genre get a general idea of how the characters’ voices may sound like and how they handle singing song lyrics in multiple different ways.
Some of the AI generated songs are more practical in seeing how Kpop songs are written and structured whilst there are others which are not just practical examples but are actually good listening to. Two examples some Kpop fans of the manhwa might agree with for being well made are the generated songs, Better Me by TeSTAR and Night Sign by VTIC – both from the YouTube channel, 중세토끼. Mentioning this isn’t meant to justify and condone AI generated music and art however for anyone willing to dive deeper into the plot and details of the Debut or Die world, these YouTube channels creating TeSTAR’s and other group’s songs are an interesting place to start. Another upside is that these generated songs can be really helpful in getting you as a reader deeply immersed into the manhwa.
At the end of the day, idol manhwa isn’t for everyone. It is a particular genre catering to a particular fanbase of manhwa readers. But what can be said is that Debut or Die proves itself with its easy-to-understand narrative structure. It doesn’t overload you with information you’re unfamiliar with, or still learning to be, and the pacing isn’t slow or fast that a reader would quickly lose interest. Those are some of the biggest merits which sets Debut or Die apart from the rest.
Staff Writer; Fadzai Nyamande
A South African who brings her love for fiction, manga, and storytelling into every piece she creates. Her writing is shaped by imagination, curiosity, and a true appreciation for the worlds stories can build.
Feel free to drop a note at; FadzaiN@AfroGamers.com.