The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 310

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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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310

Joo Woo-sung was truly a professional.

“No, look this way.”
“This way?”
“You need to match the beat of the song. Right, right.”

Contrary to my expectations that we’d simply take some photos for media play and leave quickly, he was actually quite serious about teaching the supporting actors who had been cast en masse for the survival program how to handle their eye lines for the camera.

“Drama and music broadcast filming are quite different, so… could we monitor what we just shot?”
“Of course!”
“We shouldn’t overdo it, so let’s find a good middle ground.”

His meticulous attention to even the director’s perspective had the entire staff completely charmed.

“Wow, I can definitely see why Joo Woo-sung is so popular.”

Of course, the aspect I found most impressive remained unchanged from before to now.
He showed absolutely no sign of working alongside his ex-girlfriend.

“Hello, I’m Ha Seo-yeon.”
“Nice to meet you.”

That exchange of greetings when introducing the lead actress was the only moment the two of them spoke to each other.
After that, they never once made eye contact. And it was all so natural.

‘Wow, Joo Woo-sung really is something else.’

It seemed even more impressive when I recalled the moment I’d faced Kim Hee-young, the PD of Shining Star back then. I’d completely lost control of my expression at that time.

“Joo Woo-sung, really, you don’t need to put in this much effort! Your schedule must be packed and busy—let’s just take some photos and go, just photos.”

Director Joo’s lips never stopped curving upward, confident that the buzz generated would be absolutely killer.

“By the way… I heard from the manager earlier that you’re going to Japan too, Woo-sung? We’re heading to Tokyo soon for an overseas shoot. Our schedules might overlap~.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Then, um, maybe….”
“Haha, if I have time, I’ll stop by.”
“Ah!! That’s our Woo-sung for you!”

Director Joo chuckled warmly as he watched Joo Woo-sung deftly reciprocate. After chatting for a while longer, once Director Joo left, Joo Woo-sung finally settled into a folding chair. It was positioned just a couple of steps away from me.

“Senior, thank you for your hard work!”
“Joo Woo-sung, you were so cool today!!”

A few supporting actors who passed by while preparing for the shoot bowed respectfully to Joo Woo-sung. They appeared to be trainees from WH Entertainment, inserted to gain exposure.
Their faces lit up as they looked at Joo Woo-sung.
That most desperate yet still innocent time—when admiration could be expressed without hesitation. Children who didn’t shy away from exaggerated reactions, desperate to be on camera for even one more second.

“….”

Yet Joo Woo-sung himself remained silent.
Like someone who felt nothing at all.

“…Ahem, it’s nice to see them working so hard.”
“Pardon?”

Perhaps that’s why.
Without thinking, I cleared my throat to draw his attention.

“…Me?”
“No, the trainees.”

Though I’d opened with a somewhat clichéd lead-in, I pressed on steadily.

“Watching them sweat like that reminds me of my early debut days. Somehow it makes me want to work even harder.”

It was obviously a lie.
Based on the side of him I’d seen so far, I’d thrown it out there guessing that Joo Woo-sung was the type to be moved by others’ efforts.
Perhaps the exhaustion weighing on him might be shaken off by the trainees’ presence.

“Ah….”

Resting my chin in my hand, I surveyed the filming set with an indifferent gaze, and Joo Woo-sung delivered his response with unwavering finality.

“Kids like that pour out every year.”

Faced with his frosty reply, I found myself at a loss for words.
At least I’d succeeded in capturing his attention—that much was fortunate. Joo Woo-sung turned his head and fixed me with a steady gaze. I quickly extended my hand with a smile.

“I’m Seo Ho-yoon, a new actor under WH Entertainment. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Yes, I know.”
“…Pardon?”
“I watched Dead After Hope. Your acting was truly impressive. I’m Joo Woo-sung.”

Ah, I see.
He must be in a hiatus period.
Surprisingly, when he had no schedule, he’d hole himself up at home and immerse himself in watching dramas.

“Thank you for watching it so favorably. I also make sure to catch your performances and variety show appearances regularly.”
“Thank you.”

Since I typically didn’t engage in unnecessary conversation when meeting him, my energy was already beginning to drain.
I managed to dredge up a new topic to steer the conversation.

“I just heard from the Main Writer that the character I’ll be playing, Kang Ji-sung, was modeled after you.”
“Is that so? That’s quite an honor.”

For something supposedly honorable, his tone was remarkably indifferent.

“…So they asked me to ask you various questions.”

It was merely an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, but Joo Woo-sung remained consistently cold.

“Ah… but I don’t really know much about acting.”
“…”
“I think it would work best if you express it through your own interpretation.”

Well, Joo Woo-sung certainly knows how to cut through the noise.

“…Is that so?”

He cut me down cleanly and efficiently.

“Woo-sung! Let’s wrap this up.”
“Sure.”

At that moment, one of Black Call’s managers called out to Joo Woo-sung from a distance. He rose to his feet and flashed me a crisp, professional smile.

“It was brief, but it was nice meeting you, Seo Ho-yoon.”
“…Yes.”

I wasn’t sure if I’d managed my expression well in that moment.

“Same here.”

My mouth tasted bitter.
Even after Joo Woo-sung left, I remained in my seat for a while.

Ding!

[…Joo Woo-sung seems different.]

“Yeah.”

Even though I’d informed him that there was a character modeled after him, he showed no reaction whatsoever. He’d even managed to politely deflect and cleanly cut me off without seeming offended.
…Joo Woo-sung with no interest in me.
It was somewhat surprising, but on the other hand, it made sense. South Korea was full of people desperately trying to build even the smallest connection with him.
I leaned my back against the folding chair and mulled over the situation unfolding before me.

‘So this is what it’ll feel like when I become a PD.’

Even those I’d built solid connections with in the Obscure Idol Tycoon would become complete strangers, people I no longer knew.
No, I’d be the only one remembering.

‘Forget it, stop thinking about it.’

When we’d run into each other at the WH Entertainment Building last time, his condition had been pathetic, which had bothered me a little. But seeing him today, he seemed to be handling himself well.
There was no need for a complete stranger like me to help him.

‘Yeah, now go live your life well on your own, you bastard.’

I was about to review the script one more time before filming when a passing staff member tapped my shoulder. An employee from an external production company I’d worked with on Dead After Hope.

“Seo Ho-yoon!”
“Oh, yes.”
“Why does your expression look so stiff? What did Joo Woo-sung say to you?”

I naturally lifted the corners of my mouth and answered.

“No, nothing. Just a greeting.”
“I thought something happened. Here, have some tea. You don’t drink coffee, right?”

The staff member handed me a paper cup with ice. I took a sip, and as he glanced around cautiously, he hesitated slightly before whispering.

“…But did you know?”
“Know what?”
“Joo Woo-sung… he has a girlfriend.”
“Pfft!!!”
“Ack!!”

I choked.

“Seo Ho-yoon, seriously, what’s wrong with you today?”

Tea dribbled down from between the hand covering my mouth.
The staff member, caught in the crossfire, yelped in surprise and pulled out tissues to hand to me, frantically wiping his own shirt.

“Cough, cough, a g-girlfriend?”
“Yes, yes. There were rumors, but there was never any actual sighting or hint of it… Why, you know Ji-yeon from the Art Department, right? She said she saw Joo Woo-sung meeting with some woman.”
“….”
“She said the woman was incredibly pure and pretty. Black hair and long natural waves!!”

Pure and pretty….
I recalled the appearance of Joo Woo-sung’s ex-girlfriend from my memories.
…It seemed to match.

‘This crazy bastard!’

I’d believed he’d turned over a new leaf!

“…Huh, are you really okay? Ho-yoon?”
“Haha, haha….”
“Ho-yoon! We’re starting filming.”

The staff member panicked, wondering if he’d made some mistake, seeing my contorted expression. Just as I was scrambling for an excuse, the Assistant Director’s voice came at the perfect moment, allowing me to slip away from the awkward situation.
Ha Seo-yeon, who had finished her preparations first, waved at me.

“Seo Ho-yoon, let’s do our best!”
“I appreciate your cooperation.”

But my stomach continued to churn uneasily.

[Seo Ui-young discovers that a predetermined cast member has been inserted into the program she’s producing.
She collides with Director Kook in the hallway and gets thoroughly chewed out, but Kang Ji-sung, who happens to witness it, takes her side.]

“Damn it! Director Kook, that bastard….”

Ha Seo-yeon, who was usually frank and affable, transformed into a perfect copy of Kim Hee-young in front of the camera. Even her habit of clicking the lighter was identical.

“Kang Ji-sung, why is Director Kook so lenient with you?”
“He’s the nephew of Director Kook’s university senior.”
“Damn it, cursed blood ties, school connections, and regional networks….”

Ha Seo-yeon clicked her tongue loudly.
I mechanically delivered my lines while keeping my gaze fixed on her brow as much as possible.

“…PD Ui-young, why are you so angry?”
“Pardon?”
“Having a predetermined cast member… it’s pretty common, isn’t it?”

Ha Seo-yeon stared at me for a moment, then scratched her nose.
Familiar gestures I’d witnessed countless times before.

“…Am I just being self-righteous about morality? Still, it’s not right, is it?”

Ugh.

“And this is a matter between Director Kook and me anyway. You don’t need to help from now on.”

This can’t really be Kim Hee-young. No, it can’t be….
I desperately tried to keep my eyes glazed over, but I couldn’t ignore Ha Seo-yeon pulling out a cigarette.

“…PD Seo Ui-young.”

Left-handed.

“They say things break easily if they’re too rigid. Since you’ve made your position clear, I have no further objections, but still….”

The distinctive way she held the cigarette.

“Still….”

The prop was a Marlboro Red—the brand Kim Hee-young usually smoked.

“…Still.”

I was at a loss for words.
Unable to move, I just blinked, and Ha Seo-yeon’s head tilted slowly.

“…Still, still, still?”

Finally, the director called cut.

“Cut!! What’s going on, Ho-yoon? Are you doing a comedy bit? Is that what you wanted to do?”
“Ah, Director. You said Seo Ho-yoon doesn’t smoke. He must hate the smell.”

Ha Seo-yeon laughed with a giggle, speaking playfully. It was her way of easing the burden of the NG.
But none of it reached my ears. Because the way Ha Seo-yeon lifted one foot and rubbed out the cigarette on the sole of her shoe was identical to how Kim Hee-young did it.
I muttered, half-unconsciously.

“…Please quit smoking. For your health.”
“…My goodness?”

Why must you test me with such trials?
Having taken a direct hit from an existential crisis, I stood still as the Makeup Staff fixed my makeup.
Even in the brief moments between takes, Ha Seo-yeon enthusiastically discussed acting with the director.

“Don’t you think this part would be better with more anger? It’s an important scene, and I feel showing emotion would have a stronger impact.”
“No, I think showing the office worker’s exhaustion would actually be better for relatability.”
“What about this scene then?”

Joo Woo-sung kept creating girlfriends for his character.
My dark history, shameless as ever, lingered at the edge of my vision.

“—Shell companies, school violence scandals, agency corruption… all the characters are tangled up in some pretty dark pasts.”
“Even though it’s just fiction, it’s really tragic.”
“Do you think things like this actually happen in real life?”

Irritation buzzed around inside my head.
I took the mirror the Makeup Staff handed me and brushed my bangs back.

“…Haha!”

My sudden laughter drew the attention of Ha Seo-yeon and Director Joo.

“We just need to make sure things like that don’t happen in reality.”
“…Excuse me?”

While Director Joo and Ha Seo-yeon exchanged awkward glances at my words, I smirked with satisfaction at my own thuggish appearance.
Shell companies, agency corruption… whatever. I was already planning to take action anyway.

‘I’ll crush them all.’

I swear, this isn’t about venting my frustrations.

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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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