The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 115

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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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115

“Hey, didn’t I kill it back then?”

I knew.
In Kings, released around the same time as Kill the Lights, Joo Woo-sung was undeniably the standout madman. I still vividly remembered being fired up watching Joo Woo-sung’s performance in the music show waiting room.
And regardless of my own acknowledgment, I couldn’t deny that Joo Woo-sung alone had reached almost syndrome-level popularity.
After going to California and improving his dancing, his fancams from music shows were hitting five million views as a baseline, and his professionally shot dance videos had soared past fifty million in no time.

I knew all that. Whether he wanted to brag about it to me again at this particular moment, Joo Woo-sung kept running his hand through his hair in an irritating manner.

“You saw how popular I am?”
“Yes, I did.”

The moment I admitted it readily, Joo Woo-sung seemed satisfied and broke into a goofy grin. Of course, my expression twisted in response.

‘Joo Woo-sung—I can never tell if he’s simple or complicated.’

“I really worked hard, you know… Man, is this what people mean by ‘desperation’?”
“….”
“I only felt that way for two days before the debut lineup was decided… Ahahaha!”

Nope. He’s just a bastard.
He brought up something infuriatingly annoying to hear, then managed to push me to maximum rage with that line about how ‘you can’t beat a genius who enjoys what he does.’
To suppress my anger, I pulled out a candy from my pocket and crunched it loudly, while Joo Woo-sung snickered beside me.

“Oh? You two got here early.”
“Ah, hello, senior~.”
“Hello, senior.”

As Yoo Ji-a entered, she seemed to pick up on the atmosphere and tilted her head with a smile. Whatever was going on, she clearly didn’t care.

“We’re starting Yu Ji-a’s Yu-Jah-Yu-Jah. For today’s best friends special, we’ve invited none other than Joo Woo-sung from Black Call and Seo Ho-yoon from The Dun!”
“Hello~, I’m Woo-sung.”
“I’m Ho-yoon.”

Yeah.
If you really want to start something with me.
Should we go for it, Woo-sung?

I straightened my posture and wore a calm smile. Yoo Ji-a smoothly continued the interview, switching between the cue cards in her hand with practiced ease.

“So, you two are really close, aren’t you?”
“We’re not close.”
“I see.”
“…Huh?”

Yoo Ji-a laughed at Joo Woo-sung’s blunt answer and my response, then decided to move past it gracefully.

“So then, how are you close?”
“….”

Anyway, you two are best friends now—Yoo Ji-a’s eyes gleamed with a gentle insistence that made Joo Woo-sung freeze for a moment.
He’d forgotten the setup.

‘Get it together, Woo-sung.’

Joo Woo-sung quickly turned to me, seeking confirmation.

“…We were childhood friends?”
“Yes, that’s right.”

It seemed he’d completely forgotten what kind of person I was since I’d blackmailed him. His intention to mess with me was painfully obvious.
Yoo Ji-a’s eyes stopped laughing, as if she was beginning to realize this footage might not be suitable for broadcast.

“You seem to have forgotten a bit?”
“There have been so many incidents this past year that I can’t quite remember things from before.”

Yet Joo Woo-sung smiled gently and slipped back into his senior persona. I turned my head and let out a quiet laugh.

“I’m glad…. That I’ve made so many memories with you over this past year.”
“….”
“Should we make even more memories together?”

It means: behave yourself if you don’t want to be blackmailed.
Joo Woo-sung, who had plenty to feel guilty about, flinched for a moment. Yoo Ji-a, ever the professional, caught even that reaction.

“…Yes, you’ve had so many memorable moments over the past year, haven’t you? From Hyperfocus Master to Victory is Mine. If there’s one episode that stands out the most?”
“Ah, I’d have to say the ‘Perfectly Awkward’ series, wouldn’t I?”

But that wasn’t nearly enough to stop Joo Woo-sung. Sensing his moment, he dredged up an uncomfortable topic again.

“Our Ho-yoon really does have a talent for aegyo, doesn’t he? I was so impressed after seeing Yi-chae’s exposé broadcast.”
“….”
“I’m curious, hyung. These days, do you still practice in front of the mirror alone, Ho-yoon?”

Unfortunately for Joo Woo-sung, I’d long since abandoned all pride on this subject.
I could see him trying to get a rise out of me, but I simply smiled serenely and spoke.

“Should pretty Ho-yoon give it a try?”
“….”
“Could you play a song? I’ve been practicing something while looking in the mirror lately.”
“How are you seriously this shameless?”
“No need.”

Yoo Ji-a and Joo Woo-sung coldly refused—they wanted to see my embarrassing past, not my aegyo. But even in this situation, Yoo Ji-a somehow managed to steer things back on track and extract content.
The real problem, however, was Joo Woo-sung.
The only problem was Joo Woo-sung.

“I’d say it’s insubordination….”
“I’m afraid it might be a case of the lower ranks rebelling against their superiors…”

In fact, this side wasn’t much different either.

“Unwavering mental fortitude in any situation, I’d say?”
“Don’t you think they have an unwavering mindset no matter what the situation is?”

Yoo Ji-a, who’d been quietly observing his reaction, set down her card, rested her chin in her hand, and asked softly.
Yoo Ji-a, who had been quietly watching that sight, put down her card, rested her chin on her hand, and asked in a low voice.

“….”
“….”

The filming set’s atmosphere deflated in an instant, as if someone had doused it with cold water.

“I apologize!”
“I’ll do better.”

…In any case, Joo Woo-sung continued the shoot while gauging the slightly irritated Yoo Ji-a’s mood, when she dropped a bombshell.

“You two are idols, right? It’s a bit late to call it a new release, but would you like to do some promotion before you go?”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll play each of your songs—dance along with me.”
“…!!”

I was terrified.
Dance live on broadcast? Right next to Joo Woo-sung, whose Dance stat is EX-grade? And I’m only B-grade?

“Ah~!!”

Joo Woo-sung, who’d instantly caught sight of my ashen face, shot up from his seat with exaggerated flair.
Then he chuckled softly and stretched.

“Ah, I’m normally not the type to accept these things easily. But since it’s Yoo Ji-a’s program, I’ll make a special exception and dance!”
“….”

Joo Woo-sung, really….
But there’s no way a rookie can refuse.
I was bound to look inferior next to Joo Woo-sung, but I gritted my teeth and danced anyway. Yoo Ji-a smiled contentedly watching me.
True to his EX-grade status, Joo Woo-sung breezed through the highlight section of Kill the Lights with flawless precision, grinning widely.
As for The Dun’s song and how I performed on Black Call’s track—well, there’s no point dwelling on that. I’ll just add that Joo Woo-sung absolutely demolished me from right beside me.

“Ahahaha, you did great, junior! Fighting!”
“….”

I’m definitely going to raise this Dance stat no matter what….
Already exhausted, I thought the broadcast would wrap up soon and was about to start plotting how to get back at Joo Woo-sung, when Yoo Ji-a suddenly pulled out a new card from behind her chair.

“So then, shall we move into part two and talk a bit about the lyrics?”
“…?”
“I’m going to bring out a guest!”

Part two? A guest?
There was no mention of this beforehand.

“Why waste words? Let me introduce our genius composer, Blue Tiger!!”

Yoo Ji-a, who had maintained a composed atmosphere throughout, called out the guest’s name with sudden anticipation lighting up her face.

‘…Ah. Lim Hyun-sung.’

Well, Lim Hyun-sung had both public recognition and impeccable taste—she was definitely guest-worthy for Yoo Ji-a’s broadcast.
But Joo Woo-sung and Lim Hyun-sung together….

‘This is literally my gossip club.’

I braced myself and turned around, but contrary to Yoo Ji-a’s grand announcement, the filming set fell silent. Normally, Lim Hyun-sung would burst in with excited chatter about some genius composer descending from the heavens, but instead—

“…I’m over here.”
“Whoa!”
“Aahhh!”

Everyone shrieked and scattered backward. There in the corner sat Lim Hyun-sung.

Wilting limply in her chair.

“Hi….”

Blue Tiger, usually so confident, looked like a withered piece of kimchi today.

.
.
.

“…S-so, we simply must ask about Second Chance. Composer, how did you end up giving them the song? The response has been absolutely explosive.”
“Ah….”

Genius composer Chung Beom sat in her chair, chin propped on her hand, wearing an expression of wry amusement.
It was about Second Chance, after all—a track I’d extracted from Lim Hyun-sung by exploiting her weaknesses. Normally, she would have smirked and hurled countless barbs my way, but today she seemed completely out of it.

“Ugh… Seo Ho-yoon said it was different.”
“…??”
“I gave it to him, so….”

…What, what is this?
Then Lim Hyun-sung closed her mouth. We stared at her in stunned silence for a moment.

‘…That’s it?’

“…Well, I have a personal connection, so I was struggling with it, but the Composer kindly offered to help first.”

Thanks to that, I had to package my solo intimidation campaign in a pretty bow and release the behind-the-scenes footage. Lim Hyun-sung, who had been frustrated earlier saying “first” was nonsense, merely nodded and tapped her fingertips rhythmically.

‘What’s going on?’

True to her role as a judge on my provocative broadcast, Lim Hyun-sung was someone with a sharp tongue, but seeing her so deflated and lifeless was a first. Yoo Ji-a glanced at her and desperately tried to salvage the already-doomed broadcast.

“You helped so willingly? That’s impressive. Getting songs from Blue Tiger is notoriously difficult, you know. They’re famous for not giving to just anyone.”
“….”
“…Right, Composer?”
“Huh? Ah? Ah… Yes. I’m famous as a Composer.”

Lim Hyun-sung, who had been spacing out, gave a completely random answer.

“Famous, yes….”
“Y-yes….”

Lim Hyun-sung seemed to have swallowed a curse. Taken aback by that reaction, Yoo Ji-a nonetheless pressed on with her next question. But Lim Hyun-sung’s answers remained—.

“Yes….”
“Ah, well sure….”
“The lyrics’ meaning? Um… I just made it up.”

—like this. Completely like this.
Even Yoo Ji-a, who had steadfastly carried on while Joo Woo-sung and I were bickering earlier, now stared at Lim Hyun-sung at a loss for words.
Still, Yoo Ji-a had a connection with this Composer since her rookie days, so she couldn’t say anything to her the way we could….

‘…Wow, did she really hit a wall?’
‘No idea….’

Beside me, Joo Woo-sung muttered with a face full of question marks, while Yoo Ji-a trembled but somehow managed to squeeze out something that could be edited and broadcast.
A true professional.

“…Thank you for your hard work. We’ll wrap up Yu Ji-a’s Yu-Jah-Yu-Jah here~.”
“Is there anything worth broadcasting?”
“The best friend special part 1 turned out pretty fun with good pacing. We’ll edit that without crossing any lines, but part 2….”
“…Hmm.”

As soon as the broadcast ended, I heard the staff members muttering. After greeting them, I turned to look at Lim Hyun-sung.
Was this the first time seeing her since that phone call last time?
Yoo Ji-a, rather than being angry, was unexpectedly looking after Lim Hyun-sung first.

“Composer, is something wrong?”
“No, I’m fine, Yu-Jah-Yu-Jah….”
“Hmm.”
“I feel bad for calling you out here….”
“W-wait, are you apologizing to me right now?!”

Yoo Ji-a was genuinely shocked. I folded my arms and watched Lim Hyun-sung’s dejected expression, wondering how many more times in my lifetime I’d see her like this, when Joo Woo-sung tilted his head beside me.

“Sister, what’s wrong?”
“Uh, well….”
“Why are you so listless? Chung Beom always looks best when she’s overflowing with confidence.”
“Why is your tone like that?”

Joo Woo-sung’s way of speaking—a passive habit he unconsciously adopted when dealing with the opposite sex—was a bit grating, but the content itself was something I agreed with. Lim Hyun-sung looked best when she had a decent amount of self-conceit.
But Lim Hyun-sung, whether from burnout or something else, rubbed her eyes and spoke.

“I don’t know, just…. I’m annoyed these days. Nothing’s working out.”

‘…Hmm.’

Could it be…
Is it really because of Kang Yi-chae?
It was true that Lim Hyun-sung had envied and acknowledged Kang Yi-chae’s talent, but was it something that would shock her this much? And yet she’d cranked out the Black Call track like a madwoman?
As I narrowed my eyes and stared at her, Lim Hyun-sung quickly averted her gaze.

‘Wow, so it’s true.’

I watched his antics with a lukewarm gaze, my mind drifting to another talented troublemaker sprawled out in the dormitory right now, tormenting the Leader and our maknae.
Honestly, from where I stood, they were two sides of the same coin.
I was wrestling with whether I should humor him—though if I wanted to use him, coddling seemed necessary—when Joo Woo-sung suddenly snickered.

“Noona, I’ve got a solution for you.”
“Huh?”

He leaned in and whispered conspiratorially.

“How about some financial therapy in Cali?”
“…Cali?”
“Yeah, it’s great there. Sunshine’s beautiful, people are cheerful. Want me to tell you about the hotel I stayed at?”

‘What’s wrong with him, seriously?’

People’s lives are all the same everywhere…
I clicked my tongue at Joo Woo-sung, still not over his Cali obsession, and Lim Hyun-sung seemed to share my sentiment, letting out a faint smile.

“What’s different about there… I’m just gonna stay buried in Korea smoking cigarettes until I kick the bucket.”
“I’m serious! Get some vitamin D, it’s amazing. Go spend some money and come back.”
“Cali’s nothing special. All I can think of is that one song—you know, the California one.”
“…Huh?”

Beyond Joo Woo-sung’s vacant response, Yoo Ji-a, myself, and everyone else wore question marks on our faces.

“…You guys don’t know this?”
“Know what?”
“…What, what…?”

Lim Hyun-sung seemed to catch on from our reactions and finally found her energy again (though it was fury) before suddenly erupting.

“Hey, wait—even when I’m at my weakest, this isn’t right. How can you all not know this masterpiece?? It plays nonstop whenever someone hits a home run in America! It’s the song that plays when they change pitchers in California!”
“Seo Ho-yoon, do you know?”
“No, I don’t.”

I’m not interested in baseball.

“I’m… I’m losing it… This is seriously such a legendary track…”

Lim Hyun-sung hummed to herself, rummaging through her phone to show these youngsters the intro flavor of a masterpiece track, when she suddenly froze.

“…Huh?”
“….”
“Wait, California Love? Love?”

Lim Hyun-sung whipped her head toward Joo Woo-sung. She grabbed both his forearms—apparently uninterested in the song itself, as he’d been ignoring her and scrolling on his phone.

“Did you go there looking for love, Woo-sung?!?”
“…Huh?”
“Pfft!!”

Yoo Ji-a remained composed, but I—sitting beside her, carelessly sipping water—choked on it.

“Ah, aha… Love, he said… cough….”

The Joo Woo-sung who’d been enjoying his genius status moments ago had just become the guy who’d flown eleven hours to find love. He sputtered and immediately denied it.

“What, what are you talking about? That’s not it.”
“Wow… I kept hearing you say Cali, Cali since earlier, so that’s why….”
“I’m telling you it’s not! I really just locked myself in the studio there and practiced dancing hard, that’s all!!”

But there was a reason Blue Tiger was both a genius composer and lyricist. Lim Hyun-sung listened to Joo Woo-sung’s words and blinked.

“—You danced?”

And she genuinely marveled.

“Wow, man… that’s actually a really cool metaphor….”
“…!!”
“Hey, Woo-sung. Listen to California Love. There’s a lyric in there similar to what you just said.”
“What, what, what….”
“You’ve got talent for songwriting, you know….”
“Arghhhh!!”
“Ahahaha!!”

Joo Woo-sung was genuinely flustered, but I bent over beside him, clutching my stomach in laughter.
Nothing’s been going my way lately, so seeing this talented guy get roasted like this was just too funny!

“Ah, you’ve got a talent for songwriting~!”
“Seo Ho-yoon, seriously, stop laughing!”

Whether Joo Woo-sung squawked or I nearly wept beside him, Lim Hyun-sung clenched her fist with determination.

“Y-yes!! Woo-sung, thanks. I’m gonna go get love therapy in California!”
“Oh my… please take care, Composer~.”
“Seo Ho-yoon, thank you! Yu-Jah, wanna come with me??”
“No thanks, Composer. Go by yourself.”

Lim Hyun-sung’s eyes sparkled with an inexplicable gleam. She left behind one furious guy, one weeping person, and one reluctant soul, then swept her hair back roughly and strode out, saying she’d book a flight right away. From outside, we could hear her humming a song.

“Cali~fornia love~!! Doo-doo-dun bam-bam-bam-bam!”
“When’s the Composer ever gonna grow up…?”

Yoo Ji-a, who’d been muttering while looking at the genius composer—who seemed to age backwards—with pity, shook her head and left her seat.
Joo Woo-sung and I, left behind, still couldn’t stop laughing.

“What’s my image? I really worked hard this time, you know?”
“Pfft, hehehehe….”
“…Seo Ho-yoon, I told you to stop laughing??”

After chuckling beside him for a while longer, I finally composed myself with a deep breath, then rested my chin on my hand and asked gently.

“Ah… you’re supposed to charm all the noona’s, right, hyung?”
“….”
“Why couldn’t you? Chung Beom’s going to California to find love without you—you okay with that?”

Joo Woo-sung trembled at maximum rage and shot to his feet. Seeing his properly wounded expression, I burst out laughing again.

“I should listen to it on the way, that Cali~fornia love….”
“Hey! Don’t you dare listen to that!”
“Yes~. I’ll listen right away~.”

Joo Woo-sung shot me a fresh glare and grumbled something under his breath before leaving. With a delighted heart, I returned to the van, immediately plugged in my earbuds, and played the song.
It was a track with an impressive hip-hop beat and a powerful intro, so I could understand why Lim Hyun-sung liked it, but honestly it wasn’t my taste.
Still, I hummed along, thinking it would remain a good song for me, and confirmed the Quest completion.

[‘Let’s Go on a Variety Show!’ Quest Complete!
Where did PD Seo Ho-yoon’s variety show sense go?
He just spent the whole time teasing others for fun….

Regardless, the quest succeeded. You’ve been awarded 8,000 points.]

I had to find joy wherever I could. Chuckling to myself, I picked up my phone when a B Live notification popped up at the top. I opened the video and….

“…Huh?”

I’d discovered something odd.

[…Oh.]

Sung Ji-won had been speaking softly to his fans when he glanced at his phone, and his face went rigid.

[…Oh, haha. Sorry, it’s nothing.]

Soon enough, Sung Ji-won continued as if nothing had happened….
Throughout the entire B Live stream, Sung Ji-won’s phone kept ringing relentlessly.

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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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