The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 242

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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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242

“Ah, Seo Ho-yoon is really going to do well, isn’t he?!”
“Why? Is something wrong?”

Lee Yu-ji, no longer the youngest member and growing into quite a capable PD, tilted her head at the staff member’s words.

“I watched a variety show last year called Hyperfocus Master where Joo Woo-sung appeared.”
“Do you like Joo Woo-sung?”
“I did back then. Anyway… you know that Choi PD, right? It’s a program he did before Take Care of Me, and it’s seriously so entertaining! Anyway, Seo Ho-yoon appeared on it!”
“Ah, so that’s why?”
“That variety show seemed to run without a script, and I was amazed at how perfectly he reacted to everything, so afterward I’d often watch whenever Seo Ho-yoon was said to be appearing. But he was always so composed, and his variety show sense was insane!”

The Dun, which had topped both Shining Star Season 1 and Season 2, was currently one of the blue chips of the entertainment industry.
I’d heard that many scripts came Seo Ho-yoon’s way—he’d even convincingly acted as Lee Jung-hoon from Please Camera and brilliantly pulled off the Seo Ho-yoon character on Friday Night Live.
Yet Seo Ho-yoon showed his face nowhere except in variety shows.
Some people said that once Seo Ho-yoon started gaining traction, he was being selective about his choices.

‘What’s he thinking?’

As someone who had once been a passionate idol fan, Lee Yu-ji found his behavior—which seemed to prioritize group activities—quite wise, but it was still ultimately throwing away opportunities.
When you thought about it, he was already the subject of subtle rumors in the industry as an extraordinary figure.
Just looking at the final episode of Shining Star Season 2.

“I also send my gratitude to my family. I miss you always.”

‘That’s some serious presence.’

It wasn’t something an ordinary person could do.
Even with his family matters exposed and the public’s sharp gaze fixed upon him, he remained composed before the camera. He ultimately claimed first place in Shining Star Season 2, and that stage was praised as the greatest performance across all idols who had ever appeared on Shining Star.

“Actually, Seo Ho-yoon sings well too. I think he’s one of those idols who’s underrated because of his face.”
“Aha, haha….”

He’s completely smitten, absolutely smitten.
As the saying goes, even a hedgehog finds her own offspring beautiful—those in love lose all objectivity.
Lee PD glanced at the Broadcasting Staff the way a fan might look at The Dun, attempting to laugh off the situation.
Then, suddenly, the conversation he’d had with Seo Ho-yoon moments earlier came to mind.

“…But… isn’t it a bit frightening?”
“…Pardon?”
“No, never mind….”

This was clearly the first program they were working on together for ‘Perfect Singer,’ yet whenever he stood before Seo Ho-yoon, he found himself shrinking back, instinctively wanting to avert his gaze and retreat.
As if he’d been scolded by him at some point in the past.

‘Ugh, what nonsense am I thinking.’

Lee PD shook his head vigorously.
Seo Ho-yoon was merely a one-time tool to secure early viewership for ‘Perfect Singer.’
Having composed himself, Lee PD exchanged a few more casual words with the Broadcasting Staff.

“I’m genuinely worried.”

Then, PD Woo, the main PD who had finished all the final checks, muttered anxiously.

“I just hope Seo Ho-yoon shows some genuine surprise. First place will go to another singer anyway, but we need at least one usable scene to justify his appearance fee.”
“Don’t you think he might be nervous? The footage should turn out entertaining.”

Naturally, there seemed to be no expectations whatsoever regarding his singing.

“Him? Nervous? Surprised??”

Yet Lim Hyun-sung, who was heading toward the panel seating, let out a small laugh upon hearing this.

“…What?”
“I’ve heard plenty of things in my life, but if he gets nervous or makes a mistake doing this, I’ll forfeit my entire year’s royalties.”

Lim Hyun-sung, renowned as Blue Tiger, was called a walking mid-sized enterprise.
Someone like that was willing to stake an entire year’s royalties?

“And are you all deaf?”

While everyone at the scene stood bewildered, Lim Hyun-sung muttered under her breath with barely concealed irritation, making her way to her designated seat.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Soon the panel members all took their positions, and under the main PD’s direction, the broadcast commenced.
The MC’s greeting and remarks flowed into the VCR for the first contestant, which appeared on the screen behind the stage.
The subtitle “THE DAWN” displayed prominently, followed by the name “Seo Ho-yoon.”
After his appearance was confirmed, Seo Ho-yoon had specifically requested that his group name be included in his introduction.

“Just one thing I’m asking for.”

The main PD’s murmur from beside me reached Lee PD’s ears.
The screen split open as Seo Ho-yoon walked onto the stage. Except for what appeared to be a few fans, the audience seemed largely uninterested.
Soon the lights dimmed, and music began to play.

‘The song choice isn’t bad, though.’

It was “Clouds and Wings” by Lee Joo-hwan, a legendary singer from the 1990s.
A song dedicated to restless youth, it continued to be beloved by many and had been remade several times, making it quite familiar even to younger audiences.

‘I hope he doesn’t mess it up.’

Seo Ho-yoon slowly closed his eyes, then opened them as he raised the microphone.

【Just as I’ve always wished】

A pleasant mid-low tone resonated, blending beautifully with the sweet melody.

【If I could fly away with you
I even thought about running away】

“…Huh?”

Even though it had only been a few bars since the song started, the main producer’s eyes widened.

【Like I had a dream yesterday
Like I had a dream yesterday
If I could hold your hand

“What, are you okay?”
“Not bad, actually?”
“Seo Ho-yoon’s live performance seems even better?!”

Moreover, even though the given song was an emotional ballad, I performed it naturally as if it were my own.

【Just moving forward】

Although there was no flashy technique, the simple voice matched the lyrics and heightened the mood of the song.

“Are you really good at it??”

Plus, I really hit the nail on the head.
And I absolutely nailed the pitch and timing.
Though it was early in the song, the mechanical judgment recorded an all-perfect score, and the large screen sparkled with multicolored light.

【Umm Hmm I just move on】

At that time, the VCR screen suddenly crackled and the word ‘Mission’ appeared.
Then, suddenly the VCR screen crackled and the word ‘Mission’ appeared.

[Mission 1 – Do the math in your head!]

After the second season of ‘The Perfect Singer’ was a bit dull, it was rebooted with all sorts of elements thrown in to stimulate viewers.

“Hey, what is this?!”

The panelists made a fuss. However, Seo Ho-yoon was not embarrassed.

“Was this a comedy program?! How do you do calculations while singing along with the pitch and beat!”
“Is this a comedy show?! How am I supposed to do calculations while singing and matching pitch and timing!”

A pad connected to the screen, a pad pen, and a marker were prepared on a small stand table on one side of the stage.
On one side of the stage sat a small stand table with a pad connected to the screen, a stylus pen, and a marker.

Dingdong!

A large red circle appeared over the numbers on the screen.

【No regret
No matter how far, how blurred, how afraid

After that, I answered all the questions correctly in a row.
After that, I answered every subsequent question in succession.

“Who told you the answer in advance?”
“Did someone tell you the answers beforehand?”

There was also a small commotion among the staff.

【No fear
No matter how far, how blurred, how afraid

Next, a mission with confusing lyrics came out.

[Mission 2 – Write a line of lyrics from the song below!]
[Mission 2 – Write one verse of the following song’s lyrics!]

【When I picture my future with you
【When I tried to picture a future with you

If the words coming out of your mouth and the words you wrote were different, most of the time you would say out loud what you had written or write what you had said.
When what comes out of your mouth differs from what your hand writes, most people either speak what they were writing or write what they were saying.

[A night I can’t escape from]
[A night I cannot escape from
You can never become me for all my life

One line was added below the White Cherry lyrics written in neat handwriting.
Below the White Cherry lyrics written in neat handwriting, one additional line had been added.

【But just bury it for now
【But for now, I’ll bury it away

“Aren’t you crazy?”

Not only the main PD, but also the production crew and panelists paid attention to Seo Ho-yoon with their mouths wide open.

[Black Call ‘Love Thrill’]

The next song was Black Call’s song.
The next song was from Black Call.

[There are things you can know when you love
[There are things you can understand when you love

Seo Ho-yoon smiled confidently.
Seo Ho-yoon smiled with confidence.

[Kim fried rice idiot]

There were laughter from the audience and the panel as he appealed to his friendship with Joo Woo-sung in a cute way.
Laughter rippled through the audience seating and panel area at the cheeky way he appealed to his friendship with Joo Woo-sung.
If Joo Woo-sung had seen it, he would have been exasperated.

‘please… !’

Producer Lee Yu-ji’s hands were already damp with sweat.
Lee Yu-ji’s hands had grown clammy with sweat.
Whether Seo Ho-yoon, who had performed flawlessly so far without major mistakes, could maintain this energy all the way to the end.

[Mission 3 – Leave a signature!]

“sine?”

Everyone is puzzled because there are no specific instructions on where and how to leave a signature, but wow! A voice was heard. At the same time, something fell from the ceiling and passed in front of Seo Ho-yoon’s nose.
Everyone looked puzzled since there were no specific instructions on where or how to leave an autograph, when suddenly—clang! Something fell from the ceiling and whizzed past Seo Ho-yoon’s nose.

“Kwaaaa!!”
“Ahhhhhhh!!”

It was a ghost model with messy hair, painted in red paint here and there.

“Isn’t this really like that?”
“Isn’t this going a bit too far?”

Producer Woo cut off PD Lee’s muttering words like a knife.
PD Lee’s mumbled words were cut off sharply by PD Woo.
The main PD, checking the mechanical judgment, doubted his own eyes. The record was still holding up impressively.

【Leaving your side】

Seo Ho-yoon was so peaceful.

【To the clouds far away
【I want to leap in a single bound

He picked up the ghost model and looked at where to sign, checked the paper on the back, gently brushed the model’s hair, and then picked up a marker.

【Umm, a place to wait for someone】

And he put his signature on it.

【Umm Hmm Hmm

With a cute rabbit picture.

‘rabbit… … ?’

Even the panelists forgot their reactions and looked at Seo Ho-yoon.

【To the clouds far away
【I want to leap in a single bound

After completing all missions, Seo Ho-yoon looked directly at the camera and focused on singing.

【I want to run one step at a time】

Gorgeous light poured from the screen.
Brilliant light cascaded across the screen.

In the end, Seo Ho-yoon beat all the other participants and took first place in the first broadcast of the reboot.
In the end, Seo Ho-yoon surpassed all other contestants and claimed first place in the Reboot’s inaugural broadcast.

‘Hey… … .’

At this point, PD Lee realized something.
That was when Lee PD understood the truth.
What the staff member had told him was real.

‘That’s it.’

This time, I had a strong feeling that it was a big hit.
A sudden conviction struck him—this was going to be massive.

Seo Ho-yoon pushed away the ghost doll he had signed and calmly nodded to the panelists.
Seo Ho-yoon casually pushed away the ghost-shaped doll he’d signed and bowed politely to the panel members.

[I dedicate this to our sunset, for whom I am always grateful.]

‘I guess I’m crazy… .’

Where is the idol who says he’s dedicating his autograph to his fans while he’s sleeping, as if he’s in a dream?

—Just like that, the signal for Seo Ho-yoon’s cute year-end plan exploded in style.

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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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