Highlights

• There are many light novels with similar themes to Debut or Die! that offer unique takes on high-stakes soul transfer scenarios.
• Various light novels such as “The Trashy PD Has To Survive As An Idol” present intriguing story concepts that challenge the main protagonist.
• In these light novels, genres blend seamlessly to create exciting and entertaining narratives for fans of the transmigration genre.

Transmigration light novels like Debut or death! are light novels that attract fans of the genre because of their unique situations. For fans of the genre, it is interesting to put someone from their everyday life, whether good, evil, or just an average person, into a potential life-or-death scenario. But Debut or death! is not the only light novel that you should read because of these exciting scenarios.

There are many light novels that not only have similar themes and genres, like Debut or death! However, some go a step further and take into account the stakes of the main protagonist.

10 The trashy PD must survive as an idol

Rating for new updates: 4.3/5

• Author: 문찐 – Moonjin
• Published: 2021 – Kakaopage
• Genres/Themes: Drama, Fantasy, Real Life
• Chapter: 487

Known as a good-for-nothing PD in the idol competition world, Seo Hoyun transforms into a parallel, younger version of himself named Hoo Woo after criticizing an aspiring idol on his show. In order to remember him, Seo Hoyun must become a top-notch idol with his younger brother Seo Hojin, with his life on the line.

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

9 Surviving the Idol Game

New updates: 4.2/5

• Author: 소슬한 – Chilly
• Published: 2022 – Kakaopage
• Genres/Themes: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
• Chapter: 393

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

While most stories have systems in place to help the protagonist along the way, Lee Han-hee has only his wits and limited information to ensure that he uses his wits to survive, become a successful idol, and win the game.

8 The maknae must be an idol

Rating for new updates: 4.3/5

• Author: 공원동- Gong Wondong
• Published: 2023 – KWBooks | Wuxiaworld
• Genres: Drama, Fantasy, True Life
• Chapter: 256

Unlike other idol light novels, Bong Tae-Yoon agreed to give up his role as an idol. He came to the conclusion that he was not suited for it and wanted to open a restaurant so that at least his teammates would have a place to relax. But when he finally decides to do it, the system tells him that if he leaves, one member will die.

In this real-life snippet, Bong-Tae-Yoon does everything from training to presentations to improve himself and be the best idol and team member he can, and he also saves his group members because their lives depend on his success.

7 Entertainment Life with a camera

Rating for new updates: 4.0/5

• Author: 피제이 – PJ
• Published: 2020 – RaonE&M | Kakaopage
• Genres: Drama, Fantasy, True Life
• Chapter: 340

A successful career can be hard to achieve, and Kim Young Min is no exception. He never really succeeded and had many failures and missed opportunities. However, after his sudden death, he learned that his soul was in the wrong body all along and he was meant to live a happy life.

With a new chance at life in his rightful body, Kim Young Min uses his skills to help his idol group succeed and keep them away from scandals, doing his best to regain all the missed opportunities and avoid the tragedies he suffered before.

6 Save the life of a failed idol

New updates: 3.9/5

• Author: 메로나르 – Melona
• Published: 2021 – RidiBooks
• Genres: Drama, Fantasy
• Chapter: 290

Sometimes families don’t have the best interests of those who are more successful than them in mind. Lim Hyunsung, a pioneer in the restaurant industry known as the Master of Taste, learned this the hard way when his life was lost to their deception. Not only does he have to deal with the pressure of being an idol, but he also has to gain the respect of his teammates.

While trying to adjust to this world, he gets the opportunity to seek revenge by fulfilling the dreams of a failed idol, Cheon Ise. He gets the chance to avenge his past life without straying from the path to take revenge.

5 Became the leader of a doomed girl group

Rating for new updates: 4.0/5

• Author: 해강 – Haegang
• Published: 2022 – Kakaopage
• Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
• Chapter: 208

After over a decade of success, Baek Nokha won the major entertainment award. She even ignored her mother, who was taken to the hospital in critical condition. She tries to finish everything quickly so she can visit her, but it’s too late.

Baek Nokha is given the chance to save her mother, but she must become Yoon Cheong and lead the group to the top and make them the most successful group there is, otherwise she will lose her success and her mother.

4 When I opened my eyes, I was a superstar

Rating for new updates: 4.1/5

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

No one can miss the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream. In Kim Bo Myung’s case, this happened after his death. When he wakes up, he is in the past and in the body of Do Wook, a young idol trainee who is about to make his debut.

Like many reincarnation stories, Kim Bo Myung, now Do Wook, must overcome his insecurities and fears to become a superstar and prevail over his old high school bully, who happens to be another idol vying for the top spot.

3 I am a brilliant idol, but my passive is Sunfish

Rating for new updates: 4.3/5

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

An idol is expected to do a good job, but for Baek-Ya, it’s even harder as the system is against him. After being sent back in time after downloading a game, Baek-Ya is forced to become an idol. Now, in the past, he faces the system that guides him through his idol career.

Compared to the best idol anime and manga stories, Baek-Ya’s system only gives him skills that hinder his development. But he refuses to give up and does his best to stand out and become a genius idol.

2 Assistant Manager Kim hates idols

Rating for new updates: 3.8/5

• Author: 퇴사연습생 – Retired Trainee
• Published: 2023 – Naver
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Psycho, Slice of Life
• Chapter: 306

It can be difficult to do everything for a job, especially when you’re acting as a fangirl for your manager’s daughter’s favorite idol. However, when Kim Iwol awakens from his sleep to find himself a member of the idol group his manager’s daughter is a fan of, he wants to get back to his normal life as soon as possible.

Unlike most reincarnation stories, Kin Iwol is not threatened with death. Instead, he is forced to move forward out of fear for his future career as an idol. Every action he takes has a direct impact on 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!

Rating for new updates: 3.9/5

• Author: Author – Jerme
• Published: 2023 – Kakaopage
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
• Chapter: 301

Transmigration light novels are all about transporting characters to a new world. But what if they’re trapped in a repetition of their lives? Kang Ha-Jin has repeated his life and is now in his fifth 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 stuck in a situation, in a life he never expected. Even though the path of an idol is not what he wants, fans of this genre will appreciate how he takes pride in his work and builds bonds with his teammates.