The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 19

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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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19

“Guys, our real-time ranking went up!!”

We’d been at the Practice Room since dawn preparing for the Showcase, then driven here, so exhaustion had undoubtedly accumulated—yet The Dun’s members’ excitement showed no signs of fading. The music video view count was one thing, but Second Chance had actually charted on the real-time charts of two of the three major music sites: Tinkerbell and Tap.

“W-well, it did chart out again, but….”

Even if it was only at 91st place, it had charted nonetheless.

“I didn’t even sleep last night from refreshing….”
“Brother, same here….”

Sung Ji-won had relaxed and was chattering away with Jung Da-jun. But I remained tense. There was still one thing left—Mango Chart.
What’s left is Mango Chart.

“I heard Mango Chart got reorganized yesterday… What does that mean?”

The timing really was perfect.
Well, that’s perfect timing too.

“Oh, really? I had no idea.”
Oh, really? I didn’t know that.

I’d already heard about it back when I was a PD—about a month ago from a Staff Member.
It was something I had heard from a Staff Member about a month ago, back when I was already a PD.

“Am I crazy for checking grades 24 hours a day?”

How could a newcomer possibly pull that off in a single day? Honestly, it was like asking for the moon.

Ding!

“I see—so that’s why he was so confident. He even stretched his legs out in front of the CEO, looking for a place to lie down.”

Of course.

‘I don’t gamble.’

Not that he’d hear me anyway, but I gave a half-hearted response and tapped my phone absently. The rankings had been restructured, sure, but the 24-hour streaming metrics were mixed in, and real-time performance wasn’t reflected during late-night hours, so the chart entry had been delayed.

“Hmm… I’d rather not file for bankruptcy.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”

This performance was crucial, and more importantly, Second Chance had to chart for the bet with the CEO.
The music video had turned out better than expected, and I felt proud of it, but I hadn’t seen the external reactions firsthand yet, so nothing felt quite real.
Kim Sung-hyun was equally excited, chatting with Kang Yi-chae, when he nudged me repeatedly.

“Check this out.”
“What?”
“Our music video interpretation already dropped.”
“Already?”

The firepower was stronger than I’d anticipated.
Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t checked the communities or SNS yet. I took the phone Kim Sung-hyun offered and scrolled through the post.

[Title: The Dun Music Video Interpretation

Our boys’ music video finally dropped after such a long hiatus!!!!
The meaning of our boys wearing uniforms is that they’re handsome. The meaning of holding guns and flipping cards is that Seo Ho-yoon is incredibly handsome. The meaning of Kim Sung-hyun suddenly running is that he’s devastatingly handsome. …]

“…Kim Sung-hyun.”
“What, what.”
“You wanted to hear the ‘devastatingly handsome’ interpretation?”
“That’s not it!”

Kim Sung-hyun looked slightly embarrassed and quickly scrolled down. A proper interpretation was appearing.

“Keep reading.”

[…☆God☆Chung Beom-haeng’s money-filled beat flows through it just like the music video is apocalyptic sci-fi.
Seo Ho-yoon/Sung Ji-won are the Government Army suppressing the Revolutionary Army. And with Kim Sung-hyun as the leader, Kang Yi-chae as the assault unit, and Jung Da-jun as the key, the Revolutionary Army constantly watches for opportunities to confront the Government Army.
However, there’s one peculiarity here. Sung Ji-won doesn’t kill his enemy Kim Sung-hyun but commits suicide and regresses to restart. From ‘In other words, I’ve returned’ and ‘I absolutely can’t miss this opportunity,’ we realize Sung Ji-won is a regressor.
In the meantime, Seo Ho-yoon, wearing the same uniform as Sung Ji-won, appears. (He had a stage name Ho-u Ho-u, but it seems he changed it—it doesn’t show up anymore…)
Seo Ho-yoon picks up five cards on the table and flips through each one. The Joker represents Jung Da-jun, who holds the ‘key.’ Jung Da-jun is crucial to both the Government Army and the Revolutionary Army. Up to this point, Seo Ho-yoon passes as if he expected it, but when he sees the last card, he smiles meaningfully.

‘Jung Da-jun running, Kim Sung-hyun’s screenshot.gif’

After that, Jung Da-jun and Kim Sung-hyun flee from the Government Army. Along the way, they encounter Sung Ji-won, a Government Army soldier, but as the lyrics ‘This strange sense of déjà vu, you’re not afraid’ play, they feel an oddly familiar connection.
‘There’s no need to worry,’ and Sung Ji-won doesn’t kill Kim Sung-hyun. Instead, seeing Jung Da-jun severely injured, he realizes the situation has gone wrong and points the trigger at his own head.

‘Sung Ji-won pointing the trigger at himself screenshot.gif’

He’s trying to commit suicide and regress. This is exactly the scene we saw at the beginning.
In fact, Sung Ji-won was on the side of the Revolutionary Army. But here comes another twist—Kang Yi-chae, whom we thought was a Revolutionary Army member, shoots Sung Ji-won and prevents his regression.

‘Kang Yi-chae holding a sniper rifle screenshot.gif’

The gunshot we heard at the beginning wasn’t Sung Ji-won’s shot—it was Kang Yi-chae’s shot…!!!!
It tells us that the regression in the first scene ultimately failed.
‘I ain’t gonna miss this time,’ Kang Yi-chae was a Government Army spy, and he calls someone over the radio.
Appearing in this catastrophe is none other than Seo Ho-yoon. As he appears, it begins.
‘This strange sense of déjà vu, you’re not afraid.’
But the song continues. ‘There’s no need to wander—I’ll find the way.’
That’s right. Seo Ho-yoon orchestrated everything from the start. Sung Ji-won’s regression failed, the Revolutionary Army fell into Seo Ho-yoon’s hands, and he even takes Jung Da-jun, the ‘Joker’ who becomes the ‘key.’ Seo Ho-yoon knew from the beginning.

‘Seo Ho-yoon flipping over a card to check it screenshot.gif’

The card that appears is the Heart King Charlemagne. Do you know what this card is called at the same time, everyone?
The Suicide King
1)
It is….
Seo Ho-yoon knew from the very beginning not only that Jung Da-jun becomes the Joker, but also that Sung Ji-won, whom he thought was on his side, was actually trying to stop him and save the Revolutionary Army through suicide and regression….
It seems like this will continue after this, but I don’t know how it will unfold….
Everyone… do I look like I’m shedding tears over this God Story music video?
Rather than wiping my tears, please stream it.
Because The Dun has reignited my K-pop fandom passion after such a long time….]

“Wow….”

‘That interpretation was really well written….’

I found myself nodding as I read. At the same time, something felt odd, so I asked Kim Sung-hyun.

“Who writes with this much passion and dedication?”
“Our fan… must be a fan.”

Kim Sung-hyun’s voice grew quieter, as if embarrassed. With his current level of skill, it was only natural that he’d be gaining fans, yet he didn’t seem to accept it.
At the same time, I felt equally strange. Someone writing about me like this… it felt awkward and surreal.

‘I have fans?’

That sensation persisted even as we arrived at the Showcase venue. We reached the Mecha Live Hall where we’d managed to secure a slot, and our photos were displayed prominently. In front of the entrance, despite there being several hours until the Showcase began, I could see people lined up waiting.

“Those people over there….”
“Oh, there must be another performance here?”

The members didn’t give it much thought and moved past. Since we’d never been popular before, there was no way fans would already be waiting. That’s what we all assumed as we stepped off the van.

“Sung Ji-won! Sung Ji-won!”
“Yi-chae! Sung-hyun, look over here!”

…I was wrong.
The moment the members got off the van, I heard our names being called. We spun around in surprise.
Though there weren’t many, they were waving their tickets excitedly and holding up cameras to photograph us.
Sung Ji-won stammered.

“What, what is this?”
“Greet them, quickly.”

As we all floundered, they called out again. Flustered, I bowed hastily, and cheers erupted.

“Jung Da-jun is so cute!”
“Are we… are we really your fans?”

Jung Da-jun murmured in bewilderment. Even for a second-year rookie, a year should have been enough to adjust to this….
I bowed alongside Jung Da-jun.

“Seo Ho-yoon!”
“…!”

Startled, I lifted my head to see a fan bouncing with a slogan, screaming in my direction.

“Seo Ho-yoon, fighting today!”
“You’re so handsome!!”

…Me?
Experiencing this reaction for the first time, I mumbled stupidly. When I pointed at myself and asked, they nodded.

“Seo Ho-yoon, when, you, smile, I, like, it!”

Unable to accept reality, I blinked. Standing there dazed, Kim Sung-hyun pressed the back of my neck and spoke with a hint of laughter in his voice.

“What are you doing? You should greet them.”
“Ah…. Yeah.”

Not knowing what else to do, I bowed. At that simple gesture, the sound of camera shutters erupted among the fans. What was this…? Still flustered, I stumbled into the Mecha Live Hall, where Kang Yi-chae immediately started teasing me with a grin.
“What on earth is this…?” Flustered and distracted, I rushed into the live hall, and Kang Yi-chae teased me with a snicker.

“Right. No matter what happened, he was always composed… but one cheer from the fans and he crumbled.”
“….”
“….”

I still couldn’t believe I actually had fans.
I still couldn’t believe that I had fans.

Is that for real?

Intellectually, I could accept that with this kind of popularity, I’d gained a few fans. But emotionally, I still couldn’t grasp it as reality.
So even as I was dragged to the waiting room, received makeup, and changed into my outfit, I remained in a daze.
So even when I was dragged all the way to the Waiting Room, got my makeup done, and changed into my outfit, I still couldn’t come to my senses.

“That looks great on you today too, Ho-yoon.”

Standing before the mirror with an in-ear microphone, I saw myself. Since this was my first time, I’d agreed with the Stylist’s suggestion to go bold with a techware concept, and now, with stage makeup on, I stared at my reflection awkwardly.
I could see myself standing in front of the mirror with an in-ear mic on. Since it was my first time, I agreed with the Stylist’s suggestion to go bold and commit to a techware look, so I stared at myself awkwardly—standing there with stage makeup on.

‘…Something feels off.’

My phone vibrated. Messages from Lim Hyun-sung, Joo Woo-sung. And Seo Ho-jin.

[Seo Ho-jin: Brother]
[Seo Ho-jin: Tear up that stage]
[Seo Ho-jin: If you can’t, I’m changing the foyer password so you can’t get home]

A hollow laugh escaped me.
Right, let me remember why I’m here.
After taking a deep breath and turning around, I could see the members—everyone except Sung Ji-won—gathered together, visibly trying to hide their anxiety. Jung Da-jun spoke to me with a tense expression.

“Brother, they say you’re going on soon. Get ready.”
“Where’s Sung Ji-won?”
“He went to the bathroom? He’s taking a while.”
“I’ll go get him.”

I think I know what’s happening.
I left the waiting room and headed toward the bathroom. If I brought Sung Ji-won and we went on stage, the timing would be perfect.
I habitually nodded at the staff members passing by, but when I realized no one was around, I ducked slightly beside a vending machine in the hallway and whispered softly.

“Item Shop.”

[Opening Item Shop.]

Various products glimmered before my eyes as if begging to be purchased. I scanned through them, and the moment I spotted what I’d noticed last time, I selected it without hesitation.

“Purchase Clarity Pill.”

[Purchasing Clarity Pill.]
[Consuming 300 points.]

At that moment, I clenched my fist and opened it—a small Clarity Pill wrapped in gold leaf lay in my palm.
Wow, this is completely amazing.
After checking my surroundings, I grabbed water from the vending machine and went to find Sung Ji-won.

‘As I thought.’

I found him. On the staircase right next to the bathroom—Sung Ji-won, his complexion pale.

“…Ugh.”

I’d been sighing heavily when Sung Ji-won’s eyes met mine, and he laughed awkwardly.

“Did Ho-yoon arrive?”
“No, he didn’t come.”
“Ah… I’m just a bit nervous.”

It looked like more than just a bit nervous.
The way his face had drained of all color—you’d think it was him who’d just come from the Emergency Room, not me.

“Sorry… I’ll make sure it doesn’t hurt the team.”

I sat down beside him without a word. There was still some time left. Watching Sung Ji-won mumble weakly, I had a feeling the Showcase would fall apart if I didn’t fix this.
His breathing was even shallow. His unstable respiration made it seem like he could collapse at any moment. I regarded him calmly.

Ding!

[Encourage Sung Ji-won and complete the Showcase safely!
Sung Ji-won is exhausted from his long trainee days.
He’s extremely nervous about this sudden stroke of luck.
Encourage Sung Ji-won 0/1
Complete Showcase safely 0/1
Success: Charm +30, Dance +10, Singing +10
Failure: Charm -50, Dance -30, Singing -30]

‘Balance out the failure penalties, you bastards.’

“Hey.”

I handed Sung Ji-won a Qingxin pill and water. He frowned slightly.

“Take it. A Qingxin pill.”
“…How did you know I was nervous?”
“You’ve always shown it like this—how could I not notice?”

It was the same during the recording. Whenever he performed flawlessly in practice but stepped into a real performance, he’d struggle as if he had some trauma.

“I don’t need this kind of thing.”
“Just eat it.”
“No, I’m fine—!”

It was expensive.
I tossed it straight into Sung Ji-won’s mouth mid-sentence. It went in perfectly. The muscle memory from nursing Seo Ho-jin back when we were kids came flooding back.
Before Sung Ji-won could even register his shock, I quickly thrust a glass of water at him.
He couldn’t spit out what was already in his mouth, so he reluctantly swallowed the water I’d pressed into his hand, his eyes darting toward me with a slightly aggrieved expression.

“…You have quite the unique way of feeding someone.”
“I have a younger brother. If you toss it at him like this, he’ll eat it no problem.”
“Are you calling me a dog?”

I watched Sung Ji-won with a silly grin, rattling on about trivial things.

[Sung Ji-won’s tension eases!]

It seemed to have some effect after all. His breathing was returning to normal. Sung Ji-won blinked.

“This actually works. What is this? A placebo effect?”
“Glad it helped.”

Objectively speaking, Sung Ji-won was the strongest among us. If I could keep him from falling apart, our Showcase would go off without a hitch. A fragile smile crossed Sung Ji-won’s face.

“You really don’t get nervous at all.”
“I do.”
“What? That’s impossible.”

I rubbed the back of my neck.

“I’m serious—I just try not to show it.”
“Ha, well it’s nice that you seem genuinely calm anyway.”
“So why are you nervous?”

Sung Ji-won had everything. After all those years as a trainee, he was the most popular in our team and had the best balance of abilities.
Sung Ji-won hesitated, then let out a long, heavy sigh.

“This Showcase… it could be our first and last chance.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m terrified we’ll fail. I know this probably isn’t what you want to hear right now, but…”

I didn’t think that way, but I simply listened to Sung Ji-won without interruption.

“I spent a long time as a trainee, you know. I had chances come my way multiple times, but they all ended badly. I’m scared this luck will vanish just as quickly.”

I understood what he meant. Sung Ji-won had learned only through failure, not success. Every time he thought he’d taken a step forward, he was pushed back a hundred steps. Every time he tried to open the door to success, it was forcibly shut in his face.
That’s why Sung Ji-won was terrified of taking that next step. Afraid this final opportunity would close on him too.
I knew that feeling well. Very well.

“….”
“…Sorry, I mean, I just keep saying these things. I got the impression you’ve never failed before, so I just blurted it out.”
“My path hasn’t always been smooth either.”
“Huh?”
“Want to see?”

Before Sung Ji-won could respond, I rolled up my sleeve. He stared at me in confusion.

“What… what are you doing?”
1) The blade he holds appears to pierce the back of his own head, earning him the epithet “King of Suicide.”

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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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