The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 191

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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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191

Yoon Hee-eon’s fists trembled slightly as heat rose all the way to the crown of his head.
Kim Sung-hyun, rigid and virtuous, rolled his eyes in bewilderment, while I rubbed the back of my neck and observed the scene.

‘Have I been corrupted that much?’

Simply letting this pass would be the safest way to escape this situation, but I thought the timing was opportune.

“Thank you for congratulating us on first place?”

I responded to Yoon Hee-eon’s interrupted words in a (presumably) quite courteous tone.

“Yes, it’s gratifying to see Shining Star’s efforts bearing fruit.”
“Indeed.”
“Well, considering how much popularity we gained toward the end, it would’ve been strange if we didn’t take first place, wouldn’t it?”

Yoon Hee-eon’s eyes narrowed.
His intent was transparent, but I maintained my smile.

“That situation with your parents must have been unfortunate.”
“…!”
“Though… it doesn’t seem like everything turned out badly in the end.”

As expected. Why do these types never deviate from the script?
Instead of retaliating, I counted three seconds internally.

“Senior, that remark was rather harsh.”

Kim Sung-hyun, who had been tensely monitoring the situation beside me, stiffened and looked directly at Yoon Hee-eon as he spoke.

“I believe there are things one simply shouldn’t say.”
“Hmm?”

A deep, subdued voice spread between Yoon Hee-eon and me.
Yoon Hee-eon tilted his head slightly and let out a snort of laughter.

“Haha, did I really say something that harsh? I don’t think it’s anything I shouldn’t have said.”
“….”
“Honestly, I’ll probably hear this kind of talk forever, and it’s the truth anyway. There are plenty of people worse off than me, so how am I supposed to survive if I tremble at this level?”

Right. This is how it should be.
I pulled Kim Sung-hyun back by the arm—his jaw clenched so hard veins bulged at his temples—and stepped forward with a bright smile.

“As expected of you, senior. You must have so much experience compared to me, which is why you understand things in such detail and offer such generous advice to your juniors.”
“…??”
“If it were me, I’d be too busy worrying about my own future.”

The implication was clear: why waste time here making snide remarks when you should be thinking about how to climb back up from your current downward spiral?

“Well then, see you~.”

Deciding that was enough, I dragged Kim Sung-hyun toward the waiting room. Yoon Hee-eon just stood there with his mouth hanging open, watching me pass by.
Sorry, but you’d need at least fifty more years of training to beat me.

‘So, what about Kim Sung-hyun now?’

I walked slowly without saying anything, waiting for his reaction, but Kim Sung-hyun still seemed to be composing himself, alternately clenching and unclenching his fists.

“What are you doing?”
“Haa….”

At my question, Kim Sung-hyun started to brush back his hair but stopped, letting out only a deep sigh instead.

“…It’s just. No one should say things like that, and you have no reason to hear it.”

What Kim Sung-hyun said was strange.
What Yoon Hee-eon said was reality.
My past actions from my time at Shining Star would follow me forever. Even if I left the entertainment industry.

However, both Yoon Hee-eon and Kim Sung-hyun were overlooking something.
I’d already accumulated countless labels since my PD days, and one more wouldn’t hurt.
In fact, I’d sometimes even used those facts to my advantage.

‘Just like now.’

Our innocent Kim Sung-hyun looked dejected after hearing a single criticism from a fellow group member.

“I should have done better.”

‘Well, well.’

I thought it wouldn’t change anything even if he performed better here, but I kept that to myself.
He was simply being weighed down by various thoughts as the leader.

‘Still, I’m grateful. Thanks to this, I’ve got a big catch.’

There was a reason I’d stepped back so readily.
I’d judged that Yoon Hee-eon would pick a fight with me regardless, and naturally, Kim Sung-hyun would be provoked.
From Kim Sung-hyun’s blind spot, I subtly flicked my hand and pulled up his stats.

[Kim Sung-hyun
Today too, just shining—
—but the guy next to me, Seo Ho-yoon, is kind of….

Singing: B0
Dancing: S-
Entertainment: C0
Acting: D0
??: ???
Charm: A-]

Kim Sung-hyun’s dancing stat had been stuck at S- for a long time.
It had been over six months since just before the Kill the Lights activities, and it was frustrating that it wouldn’t rise any further.
Actually, more than that—Joo Woo-sung went to California for a bit and became EX-, but my guy works hard and stays stuck at S-, which was infuriating.

That’s why everyone talks about studying abroad.
I wonder what’s so special about that California place.
I wonder if I should send my guy there too.

Then, at that very moment, a good item and good timing arrived.

[Experience Point Event: Time is Money.
When practicing with surrounding individuals, proficiency in the designated stat increases slightly faster.
※No restrictions on target individuals.
※Only one designated individual, excluding the player, gains stat increases.
※Charm is excluded from designated stats.
※Duration is 168 hours from the start date setting.]

When Joo Woo-sung’s schedule was light.
When Kim Sung-hyun’s motivation was at its peak.
That timing.

The rule said only one person besides me could raise their stats, but there was no restriction against multiple people practicing together.
If I designated Kim Sung-hyun and worked Joo Woo-sung to the bone, it would be perfect.

‘It won’t be easy, though.’

At worst, I’d break even.
I flashed that mischievous grin the members hated and draped my arm across Kim Sung-hyun’s shoulders with a thunk.

“Baby, is your brother worrying you?”
“Whoa! Why do you keep doing this to me?!”

I chuckled as Kim Sung-hyun shook off my arm and stepped back.
Ever since Jung Da-jun had fallen for Kang Yi-chae, teasing Kim Sung-hyun—who gave the most satisfying reactions lately—had become my greatest source of healing.
I spoke in a soft, coaxing tone.

“If you’re really that worried about your brother, couldn’t you just do me one tiny favor?”

It was just a roundabout way of saying do it.

.
.
.

[I refuse.]

With Kim Sung-hyun handled, Joo Woo-sung was next on my list.
I reorganized the schedule to maximize the use of my rewards, prepared everything so we could practice at least five hours a day even in the worst case, and then called Joo Woo-sung.
But his response was firm.

‘He doesn’t want to?’

I scratched my head and turned Joo Woo-sung’s words over in my mind once more.

“…So you’re saying you don’t want to do it?”
[Are you joking? I just don’t want to.]

I was processing the situation again, clicking through my thoughts, when Joo Woo-sung grumbled.

[What kind of thing is that to say, calling me out of the blue? Am I the kind of person who just goes whenever you tell me to and helps whenever you ask?]
“….”

‘Wasn’t he?’

He’d even done mentoring for Shining Star because of me.
I started counting on my fingers how many times Joo Woo-sung had helped me, then gave up.
It was too many to count on one hand, and besides, I couldn’t be bothered. I had no real intention of repaying him anyway.

“Why did you suddenly change your mind?”
[What you’re saying is that you want me to watch Kim Sung-hyun dance for you. For several days, no less.]
“Right?”

Even as I said it, I felt a bit shameless.
It was about time this pushover finally came to his senses.

[…I don’t want to do that.]
“…So why??”
[You bastard, you were caught off guard, weren’t you? You called assuming I’d obviously do it, right? But here’s the thing—I don’t like Kim Sung-hyun.]

If we were face-to-face, I could at least read his expression, but over the phone, I couldn’t figure out what was going on.
I clicked my tongue and switched to a gentler tone.

“Stop playing hard to get and tell me what you want, quickly.”
[I’d prefer if you hadn’t called.]
“….”

His sharp tongue today has a peculiar sting to it.
I was considering changing my approach and finding someone else, thinking this wouldn’t work out, when I heard a familiar voice.

[Hello!]
“Oh, hello.”

It was Chae Jung-woo. Had he been nearby?
He spoke with a hint of laughter in his tone.

[I watched the music show today! Congratulations on first place.]
“Thank you, Chae Jung-woo.”

As I offered a polite response, I heard Joo Woo-sung’s voice through the phone, grumbling about why someone was taking his call away.
Chae Jung-woo asked me to wait a moment, and soon the background noise faded. It seemed he’d moved to a different location.

[Ahem, sorry about that. I wanted to talk to you for a moment.]
“No problem, senior.”
[Woo-sung and I practiced together today, and we ended up overhearing something unintentionally. I’m sorry.]
“It’s fine.”
[Well, Woo-sung has natural talent, but he also works incredibly hard… and because of that, he has this personality where he feels like he needs to handle everything himself. He’s very ambitious.]
“I see….”

Then everything clicked into place.
Joo Woo-sung had been bothered by Kim Sung-hyun performing at his level or better. It would be rare for him to encounter someone surpassing him in his lifetime.
Just as Chae Jung-woo said, he was driven by ambition.

‘Man, this guy’s so childish.’

I felt a surge of pride at the thought that Joo Woo-sung held Kim Sung-hyun in such high regard, yet simultaneously found him rather immature.
Then I suddenly stopped my internal criticism, remembering his age justified such behavior.

“Then there’s nothing we can do about it.”

I had no intention of forcing someone who clearly didn’t want to into practice.
I was about to cleanly give up and end the call.

[Could you do me one favor? Then I can convince him.]
“Pardon?”
[I’m a bit concerned about Kang Yeon-hu.]

Kang Yeon-hu out of nowhere?

“The Kang Yeon-hu from High Five that I know?”
[Yes.]

Chae Jung-woo laughed awkwardly. As I listened to his explanation about Kang Yeon-hu and his request, I flicked my fingernails against the table.
—It wasn’t something I couldn’t do, exactly.

Kang Yeon-hu was in precisely the situation I’d anticipated.

“It’s not really something I can do.”
[But you could, couldn’t you? You’ve got great entertainment instincts.]

Of course. I was a former PD—this was easier than pouring rice into cold broth.

“Let’s make a deal.”
[Okay, then I’ll convince Joo Woo-sung.]
“But I have one condition.”

Since things had come this far, I decided to squeeze every last drop of value out of being premium talent.

“I’d like Chae Jung-woo to come along too.”
[…Pardon?]
“I’m actually a huge fan of yours, senior.”

I said it with a straight face.
Either way, bringing in one more person right now would benefit The Dun.

[…Heh, so you need this level of shamelessness to get close to Joo Woo-sung?]
“Isn’t that what you just said, senior?”
[…So when?]

I pulled the phone away from my ear slightly to check the time.

“Right now.”

There was no point in delaying.
I hung up, ignoring Chae Jung-woo’s hollow laugh on the other end.

***

“Why are you sulking?”

This brat.
I thought it would be better if he went to the Practice Room first, so I skipped the detailed explanation to the members and dragged him along anyway. We’d been repeating dance moves for about two hours before taking a brief rest.
Chae Jung-woo called to say he’d arrived, so I headed to the Lobby and found Joo Woo-sung standing there with sunglasses on, leaning to one side with his arms crossed.

“I’m not talking to nobodies.”
“I got first place today, though.”
“…Whatever.”

Whether he pouted his lips and grumbled or not, I pulled out Joo Woo-sung’s watch and wallet that I’d brought along, unzipped the sling bag he was wearing, and dumped them inside.
Chae Jung-woo stood beside him, scratching his head with an awkward smile.

“Well, I did bring him here anyway.”

Joo Woo-sung snorted and primly zipped the bag shut.

“I’m not talking to Seo Ho-yoon.”
“Yes, let’s talk to Ho-u Ho-u instead.”
“….”

I considered letting it go, but since he’d walked here on his own two feet anyway, his feelings weren’t my concern.
I was pondering when to open the treasure chest as a reward, when Sung Ji-won, who’d said he was going back to the Dormitory for a bit, appeared carrying sleeping bags in both hands.

“Huh?”
“…??”
“…?”
“Senior, hello.”

We all froze, wondering what on earth was happening, when this time Kang Yi-chae appeared carrying a blanket and pillow.

“What’s with the pillow….”
“Oh, well. If we’re going to practice hard anyway, it’d be a waste of travel time. So I thought we could shower and sleep here, then head to our schedule.”

Chae Jung-woo’s mouth fell open, and Kang Yi-chae, who’d been smiling brightly, pointed to Sung Ji-won.

“―that’s what Ji-won said.”
“Ahaha….”
“….”

As expected, he was the practice machine and top dog of The Dun.
Once I set the stage and the other members chimed in, Sung Ji-won seemed absolutely delighted.
Kim Sung-hyun, who had been bringing an electric kettle and pot from the back, spotted Joo Woo-sung and dropped everything he was holding.

“Gasp!!!!”

Crash, bang, clatter….

“S-s-senior, why are you here…?”

The flustered Kim Sung-hyun stammered without picking up the items, and Jung Da-jun, who had been running over excitedly, tripped over them and stumbled forward.

Crash, bang, bang!!

I thought he’d fallen.
But from the vibrations that came from rolling across the practice room floor, he executed two clean rolls across the company lobby and sprang to his feet, striking a V-pose.

“Seven falls, eight rises—Jung Da-jun!!!”
“Wow~! Our Da-jun, that was cool.”
“Kyaa~. As expected, the hippest of all, the top of Korean hip-hop.”

Sung Ji-won and Kang Yi-chae sent applause like a raging fire toward their youngest member.
Joo Woo-sung, already accustomed to The Dun, remained unfazed, but Chae Jung-woo’s eyes widened as he looked at the satisfied Jung Da-jun. Then he whispered to me in a small voice.

“Are all rookie idols like this these days? It’s fascinating.”
“I suppose so.”

I found it more fascinating that Jung Da-jun even knew the idiom “seven falls, eight rises.”

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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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