The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 163

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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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163

The day of the 3rd Round Competition. A cafe near the Broadcasting Station.
Three Noeul fans had gathered there early, trembling as they sipped their steaming lattes.

“Oh, oh, today’s the competition.”
“Sigh….”

They were friends who had drifted from group to group like K-pop wanderers before settling down together, having become fans of The Dun at the same time.
There were a few others in their circle, but only these three had won tickets to the 3rd Round.
They bounced their legs nervously or repeatedly splashed water on their faces.

“I’m so, so, so nervous…. More than when my final exam grades came out….”

Just then, one of them returned from the counter with a coffee and spoke cheerfully.

“Come on, come on. Let’s take a courtesy shot.”
“You’re planning to upload it to YouTube, aren’t you?”
“How’d you know? I’m gonna rake in views from the Dun fans and buy a building with it.”

So Kang Yi-chae was their bias—shameless, that one. He pulled out a light stick capable of holding three photocards from his bag.

“You carry that around with you??”
“It’s cool. I hope they make one that holds five soon. I’ll put one of each member in it.”
“You’re insane….”

The design was a bit embarrassing to carry around past your twenties, but it was perfect for YouTube content.
Watching this, one of the other Noeul fans who had remained composed let out a snort and pulled something from her own bag.

“Heh….”
“Whoa!!!!!!”
“No way!!”
“Hey! That thing!!”

Three pairs of eyes snapped toward me in unison.
Seo Ho-yoon’s Second Chance photocard.
Taken during a break at a dark MV filming set, the photocard showed Seo Ho-yoon staring at the camera without a smile, chin resting in his hand—a rare item whose market value was said to rival Gangnam real estate prices.

“How did you even get this??”
“Sold my house for it.”

The photocard’s owner, someone for whom obsession and exaggeration were daily occurrences, swept her hair back with a flourish.

“Today’s cross unit? Seo Ho-yoon’s got this.”

And she slammed the table.

“If this beautiful bastard doesn’t win, K-pop has no future!!”
“Damn… this guy’s serious.”
“Legendary over-immersion sincerity… but I agree.”

Everyone nodded as if entranced. The Noeul fans, their fighting spirit fortified by Seo Ho-yoon’s face before the competition, shot to their feet.
Their faces were filled with conviction.

.
.
.

“We’re starting filming soon!”
“All the audience members are seated.”

At the 3rd Cross Unit Competition Venue, while staff members rushed about barking orders, the performers seemed unusually subdued.

‘The audience atmosphere didn’t seem bad today.’

I greeted everyone I passed with a smile, but my gaze remained fixed on Jung Da-jun.

‘He’s completely deflated.’

The guy who always acted bright and never stopped smiling was wilted like salted cabbage. The criticism directed at our youngest had been harsher than expected.

“…”

I touched the corner of my mouth.
Until now, I had deliberately left Jung Da-jun alone.
I didn’t think doing anything more for him would revive his spirit, and it seemed like it would only hinder his growth instead.
Besides.

“He should focus on doing his own thing….”
….

Watching Kang Yi-chae, who now seemed to read my thoughts with just a glance and quietly clicked his tongue from the side, any impulse I had to look after Jung Da-jun would instantly vanish.
The guy who wouldn’t budge even when I acted like I didn’t care—I had to drag him to the hospital before he finally backed off after being diagnosed with gastritis from a simple cold… but the aftermath lingered.

“The 3rd Competition, Cross Unit is beginning!”

Even when Ha Seo-yeon appeared on the television hanging in the waiting room, the members remained silent, simply sipping their water.

“First, Vocal Unit Team A, Seo Ho-yoon will move now!”

The rehearsal was flawless, and I’d boosted my stats.
I was about to stand and leave when it happened.

“…Brother!”

Jung Da-jun suddenly blocked my path.

“Yeah, okay.”
….
“Do well out there.”

He’d seemed a bit sulky since the unit selection, but it looked like he’d ultimately chosen to cheer me on.
Staring at the kind and innocent kid, his eyes darted around nervously, and he fumbled for words before finally turning to leave.

“Jung Da-jun.”
“…Yes?”

I tapped his shoulder and held up my index finger. His cheek puffed out as he turned his head toward me—poke.
I laughed softly at the sight.

“I’m heading out, brother.”
“…What, what do you….”
“Ho-yoon, do well.”
“You too.”

I left the waiting room, leaving Jung Da-jun behind in his bewildered confusion about what was happening.
Following the staff member’s directions, I moved to the backstage area to wait, and then the VCR played.
There were unusually many scenes of me making mistakes.
Pitch wavering, clipped lyrics, or cracked final notes that came out as squeaks. Alongside these failures was Team A comforting me through it all.

“We’ll be going up soon!”
“Yes!”

The TEW Main Vocalist, who had been leisurely sipping water and warming up his voice, suddenly sidled up next to me.

“Seo Ho-yoon, don’t be nervous and do your best!!”

As I finished checking my outfit one last time and glanced over with just my eyes, Jung Won-ha smiled slightly.
His expression held a mixture of genuine affection toward me, calculated gestures, and confidence in the results to come.

‘The problem is how transparent it all is.’

Right, in this jungle called the entertainment industry, where would pure goodwill come from?
If there were no benefit to be gained for himself, the TEW Main Vocalist wouldn’t have even spoken to me.
Well, perhaps at this point, in such a cutthroat industry, this counts as genuinely well-intentioned behavior.

“I’m really glad I got to work with Seo Ho-yoon. Honestly, I was hesitant at first, but after talking with you, you’re actually a pretty decent person.”

It was easy to figure out who had rattled Jung Da-jun’s mental state.
When we played videos of each group’s performances under the pretense of analyzing our competitors, all I had to do was watch the youngest member, who still couldn’t skillfully mask his expressions, and the answer became clear. After that, it was just a matter of confirming what I already knew.

‘If I was going to do it anyway, I should have hidden it better.’

Though I would’ve been caught regardless.
Jung Won-ha had shaken Jung Da-jun because people like Joo Woo-sung, Lim Hyun-sung, and Min Ji-heon—famous figures—had been lingering around The Dun.
In his eyes, they were nobodies, yet seeing them hovering around people of note seemed to prick his pride.
So he went after the easiest target—the youngest member.
Once I understood the true nature of Jung Won-ha’s actions, befriending him happened in an instant.
I subtly name-dropped Joo Woo-sung and Min Ji-heon, hinting that I could serve as a bridge connecting him to them, and just like that, I had become a decent person in TEW’s eyes.

“Ah, I wish I could’ve been The Dun’s maknae instead.”
“….”

I continued checking the costumes with indifference.
Jung Won-ha looked slightly flustered when I didn’t respond at all.

“…Why aren’t you saying anything?”

After smoothing out the wrinkles on the jacket one last time,

“Jung Won-ha.”

I called out to him.

“Next! Vocal Unit Team A!”

Hearing Ha Seo-yeon’s announcement flowing from the stage, I lifted the corners of my mouth.

“Are you dating?”

As cheers poured down on us, Jung Won-ha stared at me with a blank expression.

“…What?”
“While we were waiting in the van on the way into the broadcasting station, the fans were whispering about it. With quite the fervor, too.”
“….”

I’m not sure how it looks to the fans, but I’ve already caught on that he’s dating someone.
I smirked at the guy whose eyes were trembling helplessly now that I’d hit the mark.

“Your expression looks like you’re about to fall apart.”

I added the final prepared comment as well.

“Are you sure it’s okay to go on stage right now?”

I left the TEW Main Vocalist frozen like a broken machine and climbed the staircase toward the stage.

【♬♭♫♪】

As the interlude began, the spotlight illuminated the five members, and Team A emerged from the darkness. Simultaneously, screams erupted from the audience.

“Kyaaahhh!”

To the gentle ballad melody, the audience swayed their hands slowly from side to side.
The opening belonged to Try’s Main Vocalist.

【Sometime you asked me
If I was okay
Perhaps I looked anxious】

His tone perfectly complemented the song, elevating the atmosphere dramatically. Following him, High Five’s Main Vocalist took over.

【I said I was fine, I said I was fine
But in that moment, the words caught in my throat
And that answer never came out】

As the main vocalist of a major entertainment agency group, his voice was crystalline and captivating, with impeccable vocal control.
I adjusted my in-ear monitor once more, offered the audience a smile, and lifted the microphone.

【Perhaps I was afraid
Of the hollow nights that came calling】

“…!”

I could feel the audience seating stir with anticipation.

【In the darkness where I cannot see ahead
I could not move forward easily】

Perhaps because the VCR earlier had shown me as a weak link—missing beats and hitting off-key notes—my vocals now felt noticeably stronger in comparison.
But the event I truly awaited was something else entirely.

【Different from the child I once was】

Because the next part belonged to Jung Won-ha.

【The more I know, the more afraid I become
My breath catching in my throat
But when I lift my head, there you are】

Jung Won-ha’s voice wavered unstably.

【…so tenderly】

He cracked on the note.

‘Oh no.’

I quickly lowered my head and composed my expression.

‘This is hilarious.’

Jung Won-ha realized his mistake and tried to regain his composure, but between the slip-up and his worries about his relationship and ranking, he even missed the beat.

【Your tone is so careful
My breath trembling with concern
So I】

The Verse Member who was forced to cover for the completely flustered Jung Won-ha got caught up in the pace and came in a bit too quickly.

【Sing
Be here
In front of you】

Everything flowed smoothly.

【Because I’m with you
I’m okay…】

Next came the duet section between Jung Won-ha and me, but he couldn’t even meet my eyes.
Still, he seemed to be trying his best to finish the song, but it was practically inaudible.
As a result, this part became my solo.

【Watch over me, I’ll keep saying it
I’m fine
Because I’m with you, I’m okay】

The highlight where all five of us sang together was approaching.

【Our memories
Our recollections
Our day】

Scanning the audience seating, everyone was entranced and united, swaying their slogans and light sticks left and right, but only TEW’s fans had sour expressions on their faces.

【I’m happy because I’m with you
Because you exist, I can believe in myself】

As we entered the second half, everyone gradually regained their composure and drew out the lyrics smoothly.

【I will sing for you—!】

At the moment we reached the climax, the High Five Main Vocalist closed his eyes and sang the final phrase.

【Because I’m with you, I’m okay
Because you exist, I can believe in myself
I’ll always sing】

The other members exchanged glances and added harmonies.
Slowly lowering the microphone, a thunderous roar erupted moments later.
I smiled softly.

***

“Congratulations! The winner of the Vocal Unit is Team B’s ‘Your Time and Mine’ performance cast!”
“Wooooow!”
“Additionally, Team A’s ‘Sing for You’ individual first place goes to Seo Ho-yoon of The Dun. Congratulations! With this, Team B’s fifth-place TEW member Joo Hyung-jin’s score will be combined with Seo Ho-yoon’s score.”

It’s a bit disappointing.
The one miscalculation was that I naturally assumed Sung Ji-won would place first in Team B, but Kang Yeon-hu’s individual score turned out to be the highest.
The fandom size is different, and falling behind in recognition seems to have been a significant factor.
Either way, even though Team A lost, because I secured first place and earned the bonus points from Team B’s lowest score, the point gap between me and Kang Yeon-hu wasn’t that large.
Moreover, when comparing the combined scores of Sung Ji-won and me against the combined scores of Kang Yeon-hu and the High Five Main Vocalist, The Dun was slightly ahead.
In the end, we were the victors of the Vocal Unit.

‘Ah, I feel great.’

Having achieved the result I wanted, I headed to the Waiting Room with a refreshed mind, making sure to look after Sung Ji-won.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

I greeted the other group members with a bright smile, and the Verse sub-vocalist called out to Sung Ji-won. They seemed to have grown closer while harmonizing together in Team B.
I waited for Sung Ji-won from a distance, bowing respectfully to the staff members.

“Wow! Seo Ho-yoon, how do you stay so composed and continue the performance even in that situation! And your skills keep getting better~!”
“Haha, thank you.”

Just as Sung Ji-won seemed to be wrapping up the conversation and I was about to move to join him, someone grabbed my shoulder and spun me around.

“Wait a moment!”

It was the TEW Main Vocalist, his face flushed red, his jaw clenched so tightly his neck veins were bulging.
Despite hitting a sour note, he’d managed to avoid last place and secured fourth, but he wasn’t the type to be satisfied with that ranking.

“I just confirmed with my manager. That rumor never spread at all.”

‘Of course it didn’t.’

It was a bluff.
I’d simply assumed he either had facial flushing or was in a relationship, since he kept staring at his phone aimlessly and blushing.

‘He’s keeping it pretty well hidden.’

I thought he’d spill the details once we got closer, but as someone who’d been around the entertainment industry, his lips were sealed tight.
Kim Jae-yeon hadn’t slipped my mind, but time was tight and he wasn’t worth that much effort anyway.

“Why the hell did you say something like that and make me look like an idiot?!”

As the gazes of a few nearby staff members fixed on me, Jung Won-ha’s voice shriveled up and diminished rapidly.
Thanks to the lively chatter, fortunately Sung Ji-won still seemed unaware of the commotion.

“Do you know how much my mental state has been wrecked over this, and because of that pitch error I ended up in fourth place—.”
“Excuse me.”

I regarded the whispering, indignant Jung Won-ha with cold indifference.

“Is that my fault?”
“…!”

There were only a handful of things I excelled at in this world, and one of them was deflecting blame.
It was a technique I’d found remarkably useful whenever an incident erupted and I got summoned to Director Kook’s office.

“Sure, I’d like to shift responsibility too. Because of that pitch error, quite a few bars got thrown away, didn’t they?”
“…What, what did you say?”
“Don’t get it twisted.”

His face flushed red and purple. I adjusted my irritating earpiece and spoke slowly.

“Won-ha made a mistake and damaged the team.”
“….”
“Don’t pass the buck.”

The trembling figure held back the tears welling up in his eyes and hastily vacated the spot. He’d come to confront me in anger, but realized there was nothing to gain by causing more commotion here.
I normally didn’t resort to such petty tactics, but this time I wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine.
I watched his retreating figure without sentiment, then turned away.

‘Not so fun when you’re on the receiving end, is it?’

Ding!

[But you said anyone can make mistakes.]

Right.
Everyone makes mistakes.
But whether I overlook them or not—that’s my call to make, isn’t it?

After wrapping things up so cleanly, I ran into Kang Yeon-hu on my way back to the waiting room with Sung Ji-won.
He let out a snort of laughter.

“Seo Ho-yoon.”

Alarm bells blared through my mind, and I tried to send Sung Ji-won ahead first, but Kang Yeon-hu’s words came faster.

“So that’s why you were being so friendly? Trying to take first place as revenge for Jung Da-jun?”

Damn it!

“Thanks to you, Seo Ho-yoon, that guy over there is completely out of it now. How could you shake his mental state like that right before? He’s probably going to develop serious trauma from this.”

For crying out loud, damn it!

‘Don’t say stuff like that when Sung Ji-won is right here!’

I did everything I could to avoid looking at Sung Ji-won beside me.

“What are you talking about?”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t recall.”
“…Is this an interrogation?”

At my shameless response, Kang Yeon-hu rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“Sigh… Well. Good work out there. You too, Sung Ji-won.”

And with that, he simply dropped his bomb and left.

“…Sung Ji-won.”

I was wondering how to handle this situation when Sung Ji-won appeared remarkably composed.

“Why are you calling me?”

As I considered what to say, I smoothed my lips, and Sung Ji-won tilted his head slightly, meeting my gaze.

“What’s wrong? Need help with something?”
“…No?”
“But why do you look so—oh!”

Sung Ji-won rolled his eyes thoughtfully, piecing together the situation, then clapped his hands together.

“Is it about the other vocalist?”
“…??”

…What was he talking about?

“You already knew?”
“…Isn’t that obvious?”

Sung Ji-won gave my stunned back a push and started walking.

“We all knew about it. Didn’t we all just go along with it? Well, Da-jun probably didn’t know.”
“…!”

They’d known all this time and said nothing?
The other members too?
Sung Ji-won glanced at me wearing an expression like I’d been struck, then burst out laughing.

“Ho-yoon, do we really need to do this anymore? I’ve known you for over a year.”
“…Yeah.”
“You’re really good at acting. It’s almost a shame you don’t want to do it anymore.”

Was he mocking me?
But knowing Sung Ji-won wasn’t that kind of person, I mumbled defensively.

“Don’t you hate this kind of thing?”
“Huh?”
“…Games.”

Sung Ji-won bowed his head to a passing Staff Member, then spoke softly.

“Then yeah, I really hate it.”

And he turned back to face me.

“But that’s because it’s you.”

With those words, Sung Ji-won smiled brightly and returned to the Waiting Room.
I watched silently in the direction Sung Ji-won had disappeared.

[…How can he say something like that without blinking an eye?]

“Tell me about it. I’m genuinely scared of kids these days.”

[Yes. Don’t ever lie to Sung Ji-won again…. It won’t work anymore….]

“Yeah….”

Sung Ji-won was definitely not someone to underestimate.

“…Sigh.”

In any case, I’d done my part.
I’d eliminated the TEW Main Vocalist who had been a thorn in Jung Da-jun’s side, and I’d raised my stats to A+ to secure victory for the Vocal Unit.
I wiped the back of my neck and thought.

‘Da-jun, I’ve taken a small revenge for you.’

Now all that remained was for Jung Da-jun to rise up on his own.

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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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