The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 245

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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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245

While Jung Da-jun seriously speculated about the correlation between Seo Ho-yoon’s meaningful kindness and “seasickness,” Noeul fans found every day delightful thanks to Kang Yi-chae, Kim Sung-hyun, and Seo Ho-yoon’s stellar performances in variety shows.
In particular, the response to Seo Ho-yoon, who amazed audiences week after week with his vocal prowess on “Perfect Singer,” was explosive.

[This week’s Perfect Singer is legendary too…]

The program had faced criticism for being contrived, with success determined by whether singers could complete their songs while performing challenging missions. But as famous artists appeared only to fail spectacularly, such complaints gradually faded away.
And naturally, public attention converged on Seo Ho-yoon.

【The song I’ll be performing next is Lage’s “Act Natural.”】

After claiming first place for two consecutive weeks, Seo Ho-yoon made an unexpected song choice.
It was “Act Natural.”
A masterpiece released five years ago by Lage, a contemporary R&B artist renowned for his distinctive style, it had swept every music platform chart upon release, and flowed from every café throughout South Korea.
Yet “popular” didn’t mean “easy.”
Though it possessed an addictive beat, the melody entered on syncopated rhythms, making the song inherently difficult. And Lage’s voice was almost supernatural in its ability.
Matching the diverse soundscape required technical flourishes—neither drowning in the arrangement nor being overshadowed by the original artist. Naturally, most singers avoided covering this track.
Considering that Seo Ho-yoon had consistently presented straightforward, understated ballads with honest rhythmic precision since his first performance, his song selection was surprising.

【Seo Ho-yoon is performing “Act Natural”?】
【Wow, that’s quite something.】

Composers, lyricists, producers, and singers.
The panel members, composed of accomplished professionals from each field, couldn’t help but smile wryly at Seo Ho-yoon’s choice.

【I think that’s too ambitious.】
【His baritone voice itself would suit “Act Natural” well, but since this is “Perfect Singer,” the program demands flashy technique. R&B, where artistry is everything, will be challenging. I wonder if Seo Ho-yoon truly understands what this program is about.】
【Well… the results will speak for themselves.】

They delivered their negative assessments as if they’d coordinated beforehand.
And immediately afterward, as if deliberately edited to emphasize this point, Lim Hyun-sung’s interview was inserted.

【Everyone was critical of Seo Ho-yoon’s song choice, but Composer Lim Hyun-sung, what do you think?】
【Well….】

Her nose twitched slightly as she opened her mouth with an unruffled expression.

【Everyone experienced Seo Ho-yoon over these two weeks, and the results are identical.】
【What?】
【Well, just as someone said, the results will speak for themselves.】

Lim Hyun-sung, staring directly at the camera, pulled her lips into a sly smile and leaned forward, speaking in a hushed tone.

【Want to place a bet on who’ll take first place?】

A playful subtitle appeared below: ‘When she says things like this, the production crew has a perfect record of zero wins and one hundred losses…’

And Seo Ho-yoon’s third performance began.
Hazy stage smoke rolled across the stage, and dark green lighting seeped into Seo Ho-yoon’s pale cheeks. Unlike the first time, the audience’s gaze—now filled with anticipation—fell upon him.
Seo Ho-yoon closed his eyes once, then opened them as he grasped the standing microphone.

【Tell me honestly
Have you been waiting for me?】

Gasps erupted from various corners of the audience as Seo Ho-yoon’s voice hit the notoriously difficult syncopated opening with perfect precision.

【Unfasten the watch on your wrist
You don’t need to check the time
In this space where only we exist】

As the lyrics dictated, Seo Ho-yoon raised his arm and gently caressed his exposed wrist, while fireworks erupted on the screen behind him.

【Place your hand on my shoulder
Come closer to me
The moment our breaths mingle
Laugh playfully】

For Seo Ho-yoon, there was no such thing as a poor song choice.
He was an idol who calculated even his dance movements along the x, y, and z axes.

【Don’t turn off the light
I want to see all of you】

This stage was, in a sense, proof that Seo Ho-yoon had put forth.
That no matter what song he performed, first place would always be his.

As I wrote down the answers to the given problems on the pad, my expression remained as unwavering as my pitch.
Eventually, the production crew pulled out their trump card.
It was a compilation of Seo Ho-yoon’s aegyo moments.
Surrounded by clips of my own aegyo from all directions, I merely lifted the corners of my lips slightly, acting as though nothing was amiss.
Rather, it was Lim Hyun-sung, forced to watch, who took a critical hit and covered her eyes in distress.

【Don’t say you love me so hastily
I wish you’d say it when I truly need it】

That day too, I ultimately completed every mission flawlessly. The panel members stared at me with exhausted expressions.

【Interlock your fingers with mine
Come closer to me
The moment our breath mingles
Laugh playfully】

Seo Ho-yoon swept his hand down the standing microphone, slowly lowering his eyelids.
He had no need to look at the large screen where the melody guide was displayed as lines.

【Act natural, my babe】

Yet the pitch aligned perfectly nonetheless.
Right until the end, a deep, resonant emotion permeated my voice.
Before the song’s lingering echo could even fade, the score appeared on the screen—a record-breaking score that surpassed the highest point ever achieved on Perfect Singer.

[Aren’t you crazy??? Hahaha, I’m so tired haha]
[Reclaimed land lolol]
How’d you even do that? lol You’re crazy, man haha

The Noeul fans felt immensely proud and delighted that such a talented individual was the lead vocalist of the group they supported.

[Seriously so fresh…]
[The lyrics hit so hard…]

[I’m so happy I’m clenching my fists…
I’m so happy I want to get angry at someone…
Where on earth did this genius Idol come from?…

Hahaha why are you mad lol

[In Seo Ho-yoon’s Prodigal Diary, he nailed me to the ground for not dating ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Ha ㅠㅠ You crazy guy ㅠㅠ
But eventually as time goes by he’ll date…
With me.

└Really consistent..]

This time too, the trophy went to Seo Ho-yoon.
Nearly perfect rhythm and pitch, a pleasant baritone voice, and tasteful gestures that matched the lyrics perfectly.
The ‘Act Natural Perfect Singer Challenge’ began trending among people, and the song title appeared in the top rankings of karaoke charts.

[Does this guy have gills or something? How is he even singing this?]
[Oh, I went to a karaoke bar and sang it, and I was so embarrassed lol]

As Kim Sung-hyun, Seo Ho-yoon, and Kang Yi-chae continued their winning streak in variety shows, their public recognition grew by the day,

[Seo Ho-yoon is really doing a lot of variety shows these daysㅠㅠ He has three bodies..]
But what are they doing variety shows like this without even releasing any songs lol
“I’m doing it on purpose… It’s true that my public recognition has increased these days lol”
Fans keep saying Dae Pa-sung has no money, but if they didn’t have money would they go on shows like this? They’re just picking the ones that work, probably not even that physically demanding]

As unexpected attention poured in on ‘Rising Rookies’ and ‘Perfect Singer Reboot’—shows that had been predicted to fail before airing—the criticism shifted direction, taking on a new form.

[They’re just going to nail another easy, boring variety show. Isn’t it just their obvious route?]

Only appearing on easy variety shows.
And a few days later,

《Late November: Current Affairs Educational Program ‘Life Experience Field’ Returns! Special 5-Part Series Scheduled》

The article broke.
The current affairs educational broadcast ‘Life Experience Field,’ which had aired for 20 years since the 1990s, was returning as a special 5-part series.
‘Life Experience Field’ was a program where celebrities experienced various occupations for a day and donated their daily wages to those in need.
After similar content recently gained traction on web variety shows, the broadcasting station revived it as a special project.

[Oh~ Life Experience Field, it’s been a while, haha]
[I used to do this back in elementary school, lol]

Netizens buzzed with excitement at the news of the program’s comeback, which stirred nostalgia from childhood.
Though few Noeul fans showed interest.

《The Dun Confirmed for Group Appearance on ‘Life Experience Field’… Entertainment Group’s Busy Schedule》

However, shortly after, news broke that The Dun would be appearing on ‘Life Experience Field’.

[?????????????]

Fans rubbed their eyes repeatedly, questioning whether they’d read the headline correctly, then clicked on it with trembling hands.
Moments later, their jaws dropped.

[Lolololol wait… what? Lololololololololololol]
[This is seriously hilarious, is The Dun actually insane? Lololololololol
What we expected: Running Man
What The Dun delivered: Life Experience Field]
What we expected: Running Man

[Wow, I’m actually seeing the idol group I support right now appearing on Life Experience Field, lol… what generation of idols even did this…]

The Dun’s moves had left fans puzzled before, but never had they been so conflicted about whether to celebrate or lament.
Considering that it’s Sunday night, it’s not the worst programming time… haha, that’s ridiculous]
[They were doing so well, why suddenly…?
Looking at the Sunday night slot, it’s not the worst time slot… lol but it’s still ridiculous]

[But the production crew here is the director who made that K-pop documentary last time]

└Our stomach hurts after a year..]

[Title: I looked for PD Choi’s interview

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 190]

Is there anything you remember from filming the European concert documentary?
Choi Ji-hoon: I remember having a very deep conversation with an idol about the documentary when I went to Europe to film. He is famous these days for XXX disease.
Are you talking about Seo Ho-yoon? (laugh)
Do you remember anything from filming the Europe concert documentary?

Are you talking about Seo Ho-yoon? (laughs)

If you know where the idol you are selling is appearing on, gathering all the information about that broadcast was a basic skill as a fan.
Our sweet rabbit ♡]

For fans, gathering all the information about a broadcast whenever their favorite idol appeared was basic fandom etiquette.

[Wow, there are people who don’t know about this program.
[What’s this Life Experience Field?? First time hearing about it..]

Wow, there are actually people who don’t know this Program lol
So your aunt was the one taking your photocard…

└I want to tell you to stop exaggerating, but you really are old enough to be an aunt

[Originally, Jeong Da-jun was supposed to appear on Let’s Cook cooking show, but it was canceled arbitrarily because another more popular stone^^ was appearing.
As time passed without any additional information, a rumor began circulating beneath the surface.

[Apparently Jung Da-jun was originally scheduled to appear on Let’s Cook, but it got arbitrarily cancelled because another more popular idol^^ is appearing

[what?!?!?!!?]
Though it was unconfirmed hearsay, fans sensitive to broadcasting station abuse of power rallied together.
Even if I laugh, it doesn’t help…. It’s just so bad…]
[What?!?!?!!?]
Hahahahaha… oh man…
Even laughing doesn’t help… This is just really messed up…]

[But without evidence, can we even believe it??]

[This looks like fun
Meanwhile, public interest in the Life Experience Field continued to accumulate steadily.
[Didn’t I mention that Sunghyun will appear??^^ See what kind of appearance he will show this time too.. It’s a must-watch~]
[This looks like it’ll be fun

[Didn’t you say Hyun-sung is appearing??^^ I wonder what kind of performance he’ll show this time.. It’s a must-watch~]
[Every time I watched this program in the past, I’d think I need to live harder too. I definitely have to watch it this time]
Nostalgic BGM played, and the title ‘Life Experience Site’ was added.

the day of the first episode’s broadcast had finally arrived.

Seagulls soared in the sky, cackling, and white clouds floated in the sunny sky.
[???]
Jeong Da-jun, who had been working quietly for a while, held something in both hands and shouted excitedly.

Amid the bustling sounds, Seo Ho-yoon appeared on screen hauling up a fishing net. Beside him, Jung Da-jun crouched down, earnestly sorting through the catch.
After working quietly for some time, Jung Da-jun suddenly grabbed something with both hands and exclaimed with delight.

“Wow! There’s an octopus here too!!”

The sunsets just stared blankly at the TV.

【Life Experience Scene – The Dawn East Sea Edition】

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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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