The Washed-Up Boy Band ACE Is Reborn

Updates around 11 p.m. every night. If there’s no update by midnight, I’ll put up a notice.

Edits at other times are just typo fixes.

After going through their debut, skyrocketing fame, betrayal, and a spectacular decline, top-tier star boy group Oxy5 finally reached the end of their contract and disbanded on the spot.

The atmosphere at their final concert was bleak. To make matters worse, an accident happened as the members were leaving. Their leader, Lu Ke, pulled a bandmate away from an overzealous fan wielding a knife, but was injured himself. He ultimately died despite efforts to save him.

When Lu Ke woke up, he had been reborn.

He was back one month before Oxy5’s debut showcase was filmed.

Lu Ke: ...Even if I’m starting from zero, isn’t this a bit too much of a reset?

In his previous life, Lu Ke was the company’s homegrown star ACE, and he debuted with a commanding lead over everyone else. During his contract, he poured his heart and soul into the group as its leader, only to be met with the company’s suppression, mockery from antis, and some bandmates asking to his face, “Why should he get all the resources and the spotlight?”

Reborn, Lu Ke thought back on a life of betrayal. “...”

If sincerity was never going to be returned with sincerity, perhaps it was better not to start at all.

Remembering the heartbroken faces of his family in his final moments, Lu Ke resolved not to make the same mistakes again. After weighing his options, he decided to lie flat for now, wait to be eliminated, and then find another way forward.

But as he lay flat, he noticed his popularity inexplicably starting to climb in a straight line. Somehow, he was firmly locked into a debut spot.

Lu Ke: .

With his debut all but inevitable, and having unexpectedly learned the truth about certain things in his past life, Lu Ke sighed.

What could he do?

He’d learn from his mistakes and write a new miracle of his own.

Reader’s Notes:

1. The male lead is the leader, ACE, and in-group producer. In both lives, he is the group’s core.

2. His personality differs slightly between lives. In his previous life, he was a somewhat inexperienced, still-growing leader. This time, he’s a born careerist, both level-headed and ambitious. He’ll spend a while lying flat before deciding to rewrite his fate.

3. The two lives don’t have exactly the same bandmates. Company-run audition show, 12 contestants competing for 5 spots.

4. Heavy male-lead-centered, everyone-loves-him warning. All relationships are platonic, with no romance.

5. This story is not based on real people. All comments involving the real entertainment industry will be removed.

Theme: Hard work always bears fruit.