The Best Light Novels Like Debut Or Die!

Transmigration light novels like Debut or Die! Are light novels that fans of the genre gravitate to for their unique situations. For fans of the genre, it is interesting to take someone from their everyday life, whether good, bad, or just an average person and put them into a potential life-or-death scenario. But Debut or Die! Is not the only light novel to read for these exciting scenarios.

There are many light novels that not only share similar themes and genres as Debut or Die!. However, some take the story concept even further, considering the stakes of the main protagonist.

10 The Trashy PD Has To Survive As An Idol

Novel Updates Rating: 4.3/5

• Author: 문찐 - Moonjin
• Published: 2021 - Kakaopage
• Genres/Theme: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 487

Being known as a good-for-nothing PD in the idol competition world, Seo Hoyun transmigrates into a parallel younger version of himself named Hoo Woo after criticizing an up-and-coming idol on his show. With his younger sibling, Seo Hojin, to remember him, Seo Hoyun must become a first-rate idol with his life at stake.

While dramatic, this story allows Seo Hoyun to expand his personality and gain a new perspective on the environment in which he used to be in charge of production. However, he has a lot to learn if he wants to be a successful idol.

9 Surviving In The Idol Game

Novel Updates: 4.2/5

• Author: 소슬한 - Chilly
• Published: 2022 - Kakaopage
• Genres/Theme: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
• Chapters: 393

Many games are based on light novels, but this one concerns a gamer getting put into their favorite game. Unfortunately, Lee Han-hee, who had just started playing the sequel to their favorite game, died when he made his first gacha pull. In this world where he is not only younger but just as alone as before, Lee Han-hee must figure out how to survive while existing in the game.

While most stories have systems that help the protagonist along the way, Lee Han-hee has only his wits and limited information to ensure he survives through his wits, becomes a successful idol, and wins the game.

8 The Maknae Has To Be An Idol

Novel Updates Rating: 4.3/5

• Author: 공원동- Gong Wondong
• Published: 2023 – KWBooks | Wuxiaworld
• Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 256

Unlike other idol light novels, Bong Tae-Yoon was okay with giving up on being an idol. He decided he wasn’t cut out for it and wanted to open a restaurant so at least his teammates could have a place to relax. But when he finally makes the decision, the system tells him if he leaves, a member will die.

In this slice-of-life light novel, from training to showcase, Bong-Tae-Yoon does everything to improve and be the best idol and team member possible. He also saves his group members, as their lives depend on his success.

7 Entertainment Life With A Camera

Novel Updates Rating: 4.0/5

• Author: 피제이 - PJ
• Published: 2020 - RaonE&M | Kakaopage
• Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 340

A successful career can be hard to obtain, and Kim Young Min is no different. He could never properly succeed and had multiple failures and missed opportunities. However, after his sudden death, he is told that his soul was in the wrong body the entire time, and he was supposed to have a fortunate life.

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With a new chance at life in his rightful body, Kim Young Min uses his skills to make his idol group successful and keep them out of their scandals. He does his best to win back all the missed opportunities and avoid the tragedies he suffered before.

6 Save A Failed Idol’s Life

Novel Updates: 3.9/5

• Author: 메로나르 - Melona
• Published: 2021 - RidiBooks
• Genres: Drama, Fantasy
• Chapters: 290

Sometimes, families do not have the best interest of those more successful than them, and Lim Hyunsung, a pioneer in the restaurant industry called the Master of Taste, found out the hard way when he lost his life to their deceit. He has to deal with not only the pressures of being an idol but also get the respect of his teammates.

Struggling to adapt to this world, he gets the opportunity to get revenge by fulfilling the dreams of a failed idol, Cheon Ise. He gains the chance to avenge his past life while not straying off the path to try and get revenge.

5 Became The Leader Of A Girl Group Destined To Fail

Novel Updates Rating: 4.0/5

• Author: 해강 - Haegang
• Published: 2022 - Kakaopage
• Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
• Chapters: 208

After over a decade of success, Baek Nokha won the grand entertainment prize. She even ignored her mother, who was being rushed to the hospital in critical condition. She pushes through to quickly finish everything so she can visit her, but it’s too late.

Baek Nokha is offered the chance to save her mom, but she needs to become Yoon Cheong and take this group to the top, making them the most successful group possible. If not, she will lose her success and her mother.

4 When I Opened My Eyes I Was A Superstar

Novel Updates Rating: 4.1/5

• Author: 천태거 - Chun Tae Guh
• Published: 2021 – Raon E&M | Kakaopage
• Genres: Fantasy, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 225

Getting a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream is something a person can’t miss. In Kim Bo Myung’s case, it happened after he died. After he wakes up, he’s in the past and in the body of Do Wook, a young idol trainee about to debut.

Like many reincarnation stories, Kim Bo Myung, now Do Wook, will need to overcome his insecurity and anxiety to become a superstar and win against his old high school bully, who happens to be a fellow idol vying for the top.

3 I’m A Genius Idol But My Passive Is Sunfish

Novel Updates Rating: 4.3/5

• Author: 에츠 - Echeu
• Published: 2022 – Daon Creative| Titan| Kakaopage
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 445

Doing a great job is the expectation when being an idol, but for Baek-Ya, it is even more difficult with his system against him. After being sent back in time after downloading a game, Baek-Ya is forced to become an idol. Now, back in the past, he faces the system that guides him through becoming an idol.

Compared to the best idol anime and manwha stories, Baek-Ya's system only gives him skills that hinder his improvement. But he refuses to give up and does his best to excel and become a genius idol.

2 Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols

Novel Updates Rating: 3.8/5

• Author: 퇴사연습생 – Retired Trainee
• Published: 2023 - Naver
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Psychological, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 306

Doing everything for a job can be difficult, especially when it’s acting as a fangirl for the manager’s daughter’s favorite idol. However, when Kim Iwol wakes up from his sleep as a member of the very idol group that his manager’s daughter is a fan of, he wants to return to his normal life as soon as possible.

Unlike most transmigration stories, Kin Iwol is not threatened with death. Instead, he has to make progress as an idol for fear of his future career. Every action he takes directly affects real life, and if he fails, he could be demoted or return to his hated old company.

1 Grab The Regressor By The Collar And Debut!

Novel Updates Rating: 3.9/5

• Author: 제르메 - Jerme
• Published: 2023 - Kakaopage
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
• Chapters: 301

Transmigration light novels focus on taking characters and putting them in a new world, but what if they are stuck repeating their life? Kang Ha-Jin has been repeating his life, now on his 5th regression. He only has 60 days to become an idol and find the regressor to escape the time loop he’s stuck in.

Kang Ha-Jin is trapped in a situation, a life he didn’t expect to go down. Even though the path of an idol is not what he wants, fans of this genre will appreciate how he comes to take pride in his work and forming bonds with his teammates.