The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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11

“Alright, you guys, the vibe is great and all, but we need to get to the Planning Team meeting now.”

At the Manager’s words, Kang Yi-chae nodded.

“Right. I got so shocked by Ho-yoon’s dancing that I completely forgot.”
“Want to die?”

When I asked, Kang Yi-chae giggled and followed the Manager. I’d been serious, but it seemed Kang Yi-chae was joking.
Sung Ji-won chuckled and trailed after them.

Ding!

[Quest Arrived!
‘Persuade the Planning Team!’
Seo Ho-yoon, you’re doing great. Though the dancing is a bit concerning….
Try to persuade the Planning Team.
Planning Team Persuasion (0/1)
Success: Dance +10
Failure: Dance -100]

Is this system good or bad? I’m getting confused.
But did these guys actually come up with a solid concept?
I was bothered by the fact that we’d been so focused on the choreography that we never once discussed the concept.
That anxiety became reality the moment we sat down with the Planning Team.

“We want to do a monster concept.”
“Oh, no. A high school club concept.”
“Huh? Wasn’t it supposed to be a secret agent concept?”

Everyone chimed in with their own ideas. These bastards really had been so absorbed in the choreography that they never properly discussed the concept. The Planning Team Lead laughed awkwardly as he watched the members looking bewildered at each other.

“Hmm…. It seems like you all haven’t quite settled on the details?”

He was smiling, but it was the kind of smile that screamed frustration. I watched him silently from beside, keeping my mouth shut.

“We thought you had a clear vision since you said you were overhauling the entire concept.”
“I’d prefer to adjust things slowly with the Planning Team.”

I cut in quickly. The Planning Team Lead’s eyes widened as he looked at me.

“Ah, yes. You’re Seo Ho-yoon, right? You were trending today?”
=You were being a pain today?
“Yes, thank you.”
=Mm-hmm.

When I accepted it gracefully, the Planning Team Lead raised his eyebrows. It was a look that said, see? I thought the Pineapple concept wasn’t anything special, but it turned out to be trickier than expected. But he’d made a mistake picking this fight.
Mind games were my specialty.
Sung Ji-won seemed to know it too, clenching his fist beside me in quiet encouragement.
Sung Ji-won seemed to know that too, as he clenched his fist beside me and quietly cheered me on.

=You’re way behind the trend. Did you actually think when you made this?
“Haha, thank you. As you know, The Dun is incredibly popular. We created it to match our fans’ expectations.”
=Your group isn’t popular. You could’ve half-assed it and we wouldn’t complain.
“Yes, I thought that’s what a Planning Team should do. Your meticulous consideration and passionate approach to everything—we trust and follow your lead.”
=What’s a Planning Team for if they don’t plan? Are they just collecting paychecks?
“…Ahem.”
“…Ahem.”

In fact, every member except Jung Da-jun was tense, watching this unfold.
In fact, all the members except Jung Da-jun were nervous and looking this way.

I’m really grateful!

Except for Jung Da-jun, who greeted them with a bright smile. Jung Da-jun’s gesture was sincere, but unexpectedly, the Planning Team received a counter-offer.

“Nice eyes!”

I’d like to ask you to make a very slight modification to the plan. Let’s listen to the song first.

When the song ended, the Planning Team Lead nodded.
As the song ended, the Planning Team Lead nodded his head.

“That’s a great song.”
“It’s a Blue Tiger track.”
“As expected… you can feel it right away.”
“Yes, we were fortunate to receive it. Once you listen to it, you’ll understand—the current concept doesn’t match the song, so I’d like to request modifications.”
“Hmm, I see. Do you have a direction in mind already?”

Of course I did. I pulled out the printouts I’d prepared.

“In the entertainment industry, where new groups emerge constantly, you need a clear group direction to stand out. So what do you think is the most important thing for a new group that hasn’t yet achieved good results?”
“Haha, a sudden question? Well… I’d say mass appeal?”

The Planning Team Lead chuckled. But one of the Planning Team members beside him kept sparkling with interest.
She seemed to have something to say. When I glanced her way, she suddenly spoke up.

“May I answer instead?”
“Of course.”

I’m generally generous with proactive people. As I nodded, the Planning Team Junior, who seemed to be the youngest, spoke excitedly.

“I think… otaku.”

‘Interesting.’

I smirked. There’s always someone with good instincts.

“Exactly. Otaku—that’s the right answer.”

The members seemed unable to grasp the concept yet, so they remained quiet and waited for my next words.

“In the early stages, you need core otaku to build a foundation. For that, you need fresh concepts, profound worldbuilding, and hooks that keep coming wave after wave.”
“I see…”

Jung Da-jun’s expression showed he’d grasped something. Moreover, the Planning Team Junior nodded vigorously in complete agreement with my words.

“Our song is electronic, but we want to attach such a concept to it. After analyzing current trends, the most in-demand but relatively undersupplied concept among idols right now is post-apocalyptic.”

I explained carefully, pointing to the printout.
I wasn’t an otaku myself. But from constantly producing programs and staying attuned to ever-changing viewer preferences, analyzing trends like this was child’s play.
As my explanation continued, everyone seemed to be nodding in agreement.

“I’d like to push forward in this direction. However, since I still lack expertise in this field, I was hoping the Planning Team could add some details….”

That’s when it happened. The Planning Team Junior suddenly accelerated.

“I! I want to do it!”

It was a literal acceleration. With her hand shot up and eyes gleaming with fervor, she stared so intently that even the Planning Team Lead—and I myself—were taken aback.
She poured out words without pause.

“I completely agree with what Seo Ho-yoon said. Plus, the track is dark and electronic, so it would fit perfectly with post-apocalypse vibes. When I think of apocalypse-related settings, SF, military, and regression come to mind. And since there are five members, we could split them roughly in half to create opposing relationships, which would showcase each member’s unique characteristics…!”
“….”

Otaku types typically ramble about what they love without being asked.
Silence suddenly hung over the Planning Office. Slightly overwhelmed by her momentum, I carefully nodded.

“Ah, yes…. Then I’ll leave it to you. Team Lead, since she seems to have plenty of ideas, would it be alright to have her take the lead?”
“W-well, yes. I’ve never seen her this excited before….”

She must be an employee who’s naturally interested in this sort of thing. I made a mental note of her name.
Lee Ji-hyun. She could be quite useful.
I turned to get the members’ approval.

“What do you think? Are you all okay with this?”

Either way, I was going to push forward in the direction I wanted, but I figured I’d listen in case anyone had an even better idea.

“Hyung.”

Kang Yi-chae called out to me quietly.

“What.”
“Hyung, did you hit your head hard somewhere? Why are you so good at handling people?”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“Let’s call it a compliment.”

In any case, there were no objections. Shrugging my shoulders and glancing around at the members, Kim Sung-hyun, Sung Ji-won, Kang Yi-chae, and Jung Da-jun all nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s proceed that way. I apologize, but we’re short on preparation time due to the sudden revisions. We’re planning to finalize the composition and lyrics with the composer tomorrow afternoon and begin recording then. Could you provide us with the overall direction and a rough breakdown of the parts by that time?”
“Tomorrow afternoon? That’s going to be difficult….”
“We can at least handle the overall direction!”
“…*ahem ahem*!”

The Planning Team Junior had backed me up more than I expected. The Planning Team Lead glared at her, but she deliberately ignored him.
Well, fighting spirit.
It was good to have someone so passionate.

“Thank you. I’ll send you the song separately. Once the planning is finalized, please get back to us.”

After finishing what I needed to say, I tapped the members to get their attention.

“Let’s head back and practice.”
“Yes.”

The moment we left the Planning Office with the members, I pulled out my phone and texted Lim Hyun-sung.

[Me: We’re coming in for recording tomorrow afternoon? Please revise the lyrics then too.]
[Me: The schedule is pretty tight, but I’m counting on you. I’ll send you the overall planning details right now.]

I hit send, and Lim Hyun-sung’s reply came back almost immediately.

[Lim Hyun-sung: You crazy bastard. Even if I say no, you’re just going to ignore me anyway.]

“How did you know.”

I was chuckling to myself when the Planning Team Lead emerged from the Planning Office. He gave me a brief look—clearly caught off guard by the sudden overtime—then let out a heavy sigh.

“Seo Ho-yoon. You worked hard.”
“You as well, Team Lead. Thank you for your effort.”
“People really do change suddenly like this. It seems you’re truly sharpening your blade for this one.”
“Ha, we have to give it our all.”

If I don’t sharpen my blade, there’s no way to clear this impossible situation. Who would half-ass it in circumstances like these?
I had to go back and become a practice machine. The Team Lead nodded in acknowledgment.

“The schedule is demanding, but since you’re doing this anyway, do it well. The Dun has been on our minds a bit too.”

He’s more compliant than I expected. It’s workplace dynamics either way, but people like this are convenient to work with. From the way he talks, he’s not completely rigid, and he might actually be competent.
The Dun really just threw together a half-baked proposal and sent it over.

“I’ll do my best.”
“That’s a refreshing answer. Fighting.”

As the Planning Team Lead departed, the Planning Team Junior bowed deeply and scurried after him. It was a decent combination.

[Quest Complete:
‘Persuade the Planning Team!’
The Planning Team Junior seems to have given it a push.
But success is success regardless!
Planning Team Persuasion (1/1)
Success. Dance skill increased by 10.]
[Special gift for newcomers! A new system has been added.]

A new system?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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