The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 208

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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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208

Twenty-one-year-old Sung Ji-won’s days were remarkably ordinary.
Classes, classes, classes, and practice.
Acting, dancing, singing.

“It won’t work anyway no matter what you do, so why work so hard?”
“….”

I simply loved singing so much.
Even hearing simple praise like “Ji-won really does sing well” would leave me bathed in happiness for the entire day.

My trainee period had been far from short.
Since I’d known from a young age exactly what I wanted, and had realized my face was decent enough, I’d entered the agency relatively quickly.

“Ji-won, I’m not saying this just because you’re my child—you’re truly beautiful. As you live your life, wonderful things will surely come your way. So speak only kind words and listen only to beautiful stories.”

These were words the Elderly Woman treasured and spoke constantly.
There had been times I’d answered her through tears, and times I’d embraced her with a radiant smile.
But reality remained consistently unforgiving.

‘Grandmother, I’m sorry.’

“Look at you—you can’t even debut after all this time. You’re not going to make it.”

I’d barely clawed my way to the center position, only to have it stolen from me recently, and when I placed first again in today’s monthly evaluation, this was the response I received.

“Aren’t you tired of this? I’m tired. Tired of watching you cling so persistently like some pest.”

The person before me clearly had below-average looks and skills, yet somehow always managed to squeeze into the trainee debut lineup.
Because of that, every time I saw him, my long years of training felt trampled upon.

‘Would debuting as a member of the same group alongside someone like this even be worth it?’

At this point, I no longer knew for certain.
In any case, it was abundantly clear that he was never a good person to me.

“Yeah, it’s not fun.”

From some point onward, Sung Ji-won—who once knew nothing but practice—had taken to ending each day with pointless arguments against Trainees who couldn’t show respect to others.

“You flail around like this every single day, and you think that’s entertaining?”
“…!”

Despite uttering only a single remark, watching his face flush crimson and pale in rapid succession was rather satisfying.

“Hey, Sung Ji-won—!”
“Hyung-jo.”

I believed that crude accusations and biting sarcasm didn’t suit me, and I didn’t particularly enjoy them either, but I knew all too well how to suppress types like the one standing before me.

“Why don’t you practice instead of wasting your time selling yourself?”

After staring down at his vacant, gaping expression, I turned sharply and left the Company.

‘Hmm.’

Truth be told, I was acutely aware that my nerves had grown increasingly sharp lately.
And for good reason—a boy group project had been underway at D.go for some time now.
Last time, it was because I didn’t fit the overall image of the group; before that, I was simply too young.
The number of times I’d been branded with the label “unsuitable” far exceeded ten.
I knew better than anyone that this opportunity was my last.

“Has Ji-won arrived?”
“Oh, Grandmother!”

The moment I opened the entrance door, I heard my grandmother’s voice and rushed into the master bedroom, gently kneading her shoulders with affection.

“How was your day?”
“Today was wonderful, of course.”

Sung Ji-won offered a carefully painted smile.
Even though our household was affluent, the shadow of parentlessness didn’t fade easily, so my grandmother had always been thoughtful whenever she spoke to me.

“You seem busy these days, my puppy.”
“Yes, I’ve joined the debut team.”
“Oh, is that so? Are they treating you well?”
“There is a Director I trust and follow….”

Suddenly, I noticed the deep wrinkles etched across my grandmother’s face.
Knowing they were born from her worry over me caused a dull ache in my chest, though it was still bearable.

“I’ll do my best.”

My grandmother’s wrinkles deepened further, and the corners of her eyes curved gently with warmth.

“That’s right, there’s no one as beautiful as our Ji-won. But you mustn’t overwork yourself, understand?”
“Of course, Grandmother.”

I treasured every word my grandmother spoke, holding them close to my heart. Though the situation unfolding around me was far from ideal, I didn’t want to burden her with any more worries than she already carried.
As I answered obediently, my grandmother tenderly stroked my cheek with affection.

“Still, come home early tomorrow since it’s your birthday. I’ll prepare all the foods you love.”

.
.
.

“Pardon?”

One day, Director Cho called me aside.

“Let’s retake your profile photos.”

Something felt off about Director Cho’s awkward smile.

“But we already shot them a month ago.”
“I think it would be better to retake them. The new male idol group the company is planning will be structured as a performance group, and your profile image is too soft. Oh, do you have any other schedules today?”

I couldn’t answer immediately.
Today was my birthday.
I remembered my grandmother asking me to come home early, but I slowly shook my head.
There was nothing particularly wrong with retaking the profile photos once or twice more.

“…No, I don’t have one.”
“Alright then. I’ll give you a ride.”

Director Cho, as if he’d been waiting for those exact words, promptly wrapped an arm around Sung Ji-won’s shoulder and hurried him toward the parking lot.

“Pardon? Director, why would you…?”
“Just because. Everyone needs days like this sometimes.”

Though startled by Director Cho’s unusually gentle demeanor, Sung Ji-won soon followed where he led.
The reason I’d remained here despite countless failed debuts was because of Director Cho. He was the only person I could trust and rely on in this rotting, crumbling place.

“Then I’ll gratefully accept your offer.”

So on this day too, I believed in him.
Even if it was special, it was merely a small kindness, nothing more.

“After all, Sung Ji— also ——doesn’t——.”
“They’re all the same— clean——but, ——, —.”

As I waited for the elevator to descend to the underground parking lot, I heard whispers from the other trainees behind me.
It was a familiar occurrence I’d experienced countless times before, yet something about it felt ominous.

Sung Ji-won hesitated for a moment, then carefully activated the voice recording app on his phone.
I felt guilty for doubting Director Cho, but I reminded myself that caution never hurt.

Seated in the passenger side of the expensive foreign car, Sung Ji-won gazed at the buildings passing by.
His only thought was how to finish the profile photoshoot quickly and get home.

“…I hear you practice very diligently.”
“I need to do more, haha.”

Director Cho spoke, breaking the brief silence.
Sung Ji-won offered the smile he always wore.

Sincerity and effort never betray you.
No matter how much those around me wavered, I firmly believed that the time and sweat I’d invested would surely return as good results.
Or rather, back then, clinging to that fragile belief was all I could do.

“…Hey, Ji-won.”

The car that was supposed to take me to the profile photo shoot stopped in front of an unfamiliar hotel.

“Take this.”
“…What?”

Director Cho held out a small paper envelope to Sung Ji-won, who was glancing around, unable to grasp what was happening.
I hesitated to take it, unsettled by a bad feeling, but Director Cho pressed the envelope into my hand himself. In that moment, I could piece together what this was about.

“I really care about you, and I never wanted to push you into something like this. But the company’s situation hasn’t been good lately.”
“….”
“If things continue like this, you won’t debut after this either. The entire project could fall through. Honestly, there are so many kids who want to be entertainers. Are you really going to throw away this opportunity too?”

The envelope in my hand slowly crumpled. Director Cho’s words meant one thing: do this, or I’d be replaced with someone else.
After a brief pause, a small sigh reached my ears, followed by a soothing tone.

“…Just go in for now. Call me when you’re done. Hopefully nothing happens. For both our sakes.”

I wanted to argue point by point, but my mouth wouldn’t open.

“Don’t forget your hat.”

As if possessed by a ghost, I numbly stepped out of the car and entered the hotel lobby.
I passed beneath a chandelier where prismatic light scattered like falling petals, then collapsed onto a sofa positioned in the first-floor lounge.
True to a luxury hotel, the sensation of the sofa’s leather clinging to my skin was painfully vivid, and the view beneath my hat’s brim was equally, cruelly sharp.

Rustle.

Then the paper envelope I’d been clutching came to mind.
I tore it open and pulled out what was inside.
In my trembling hand lay a card with a three-digit number etched on it.
It was probably the key to that room number.

“Ha, ha….”

Despite sitting in a place with a pleasant fragrance and cozy atmosphere, I felt like I’d been thrown into a gutter.

“Haha.”

What does a profile shoot matter?
Time, effort, my own convictions, and the person I relied on.
Everything crumbled away into nothing.

“Wow, so this is how it was always going to end.”

I stopped the self-deprecating laugh that had burst out unbidden and pulled out my phone to stop the recording.
The more I replayed what had just happened, the more my insides felt parched and withered.

‘What should I do?’

Sung Ji-won wasn’t foolish.
Separate from wanting to achieve his dream, he didn’t want to cross a line he shouldn’t.

‘Should I transfer to a different agency?’

If so, getting into a large company would be difficult. D.go would do everything they could to blacklist him.
I erased this assumption from my mind immediately.

‘What about exposing it?’

It would feel satisfying, but that’s all.
I’d either get sued, or even if I didn’t, I’d never set foot in the entertainment industry again.

‘Or should I blackmail them?’

If I waved the recording around, they’d stop making me do this.
But it was obvious that they’d find a pretext afterward to expel me from the debut group, or even if I succeeded in debuting, I’d struggle to get any push from the company.
I had neither the skill nor the confidence to keep fighting alone among those viper-like adults.

“…Sigh.”

No matter what I considered, all roads led back to suffocating circumstances.
The world looked like black and white.
Sung Ji-won decided to abandon everything and end it.

‘Let’s just quit everything.’

I had waited far too long without any reward.
It was time to stop fretting over an uncertain tomorrow.
The moment Sung Ji-won had organized all his thoughts and reached for his key card,

“Chul-soo~~!!”

Someone’s voice calling out echoed through the space.
Since it wasn’t my name, I slowly rose from the sofa and pressed down on my cap brim,

“Hey, Chul-soo. Where are you going?”
“…?”
“Your brother’s here.”

An unfamiliar force pressed firmly against my shoulder.
A pleasant baritone voice rang out close by, casual and relaxed in tone.

“Aren’t you happy to see me? I’ve been waiting for you.”

I turned my head slightly to look at the person.
He too wore his cap pulled down low, just like me.
As I furrowed my brow, he tilted his face up slightly.
Even someone like Sung Ji-won, who had spent years in large entertainment companies, could momentarily mistake him for a celebrity—his features were that refined. Yet his complexion was pale, shadows darkened the area beneath his eyes, and his expression was cold.

“…Who are you?”
“Me?”

The corners of his mouth lifted pleasantly upward.

“The person who’s going to cause chaos here.”

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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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