The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 312

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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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312

The early morning air in Japan was humid and carried the salty scent of the sea.
I was sprawled across the sofa without even unpacking at the hotel when a knock sounded. The Manager rushed to open the door, and Director Joo’s face poked through.

“Man, the weather here in Japan is really muggy.”
“It’s a bit less cold in winter, at least.”
“Oh? Have you been to Japan before, Seo Ho-yoon?”

In that instant, I found myself thinking of the Maknae, who had whined about wanting to eat tonkatsu in Shinjuku when we came to Japan for our first overseas activity.

“Ah, just once with some people I know.”
“Haha, so you’ve got some experience then?”

I simply laughed it off.
Director Joo stepped inside and handed the Manager a sheet of paper with the schedule written on it.

“We’re heading to the studio now to set up equipment. Would you like to join us, Seo Ho-yoon? It wouldn’t hurt to do a rehearsal beforehand.”
“Wow, our director sure doesn’t waste time putting us to work right away.”
“We have quite a bit of equipment to set up.”

After some playful banter, Director Joo left the room, telling me to meet in the hotel lobby in thirty minutes.
Afterward, I headed to the studio with the Production Crew.

“But seriously, how do you know so much about camera equipment?”
“I was interested, so I learned a bit about it before.”
“If you weren’t an actor, I’d definitely hire you as a staff member.”

Director Joo smacked his lips regretfully.
The location we arrived at was situated on the beachside.

“Tomorrow you really need to put your all into the styling and makeup! We came all the way to Japan for this location shoot because we want to emphasize that Kang Ji-sung is a global star.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“…It seems you don’t quite believe me. Well, truthfully that’s just the official reason. The K-POP craze in Japan right now is no joke, so we want to capitalize on it. Plus, half of Netflix’s rankings in Japan are Korean dramas anyway.”

Dead after Hope was still included in Netflix’s rankings.

“Besides, we didn’t schedule the shoots too tightly, so feel free to do some sightseeing in your downtime. I’m not sure what’s around here either.”
“Then how about we grab a simple dinner together later?”
“Sounds good!”

I moved in and out of the studio carrying equipment, surveying my surroundings, but I only saw the existing filming staff and a few local employees.
He’d said he’d stop by so casually.

‘That was probably just talk.’

Right. Joo Woo-sung was so busy—there’s no way he’d actually come all the way here.
I dismissed it and moved about briskly when something odd caught my eye beyond the standing microphone set up outside.

“…Huh?”

A single car parked alone on the main road.
Judging by the small shadow visible through the lightly tinted window, someone was definitely inside.
It had been there since I entered the studio….

‘Definitely a paparazzi.’

After briefly working on a current affairs program, I’d developed the skill to instantly recognize people who gave off that “I’m a suspicious character” vibe.

‘What could they possibly be tailing me for?’

Because of the Shining Star drama?
No, that hasn’t even had a trailer released yet.
Besides, I was just a fresh newcomer actor who’d won a rookie award—hardly worth investigating.
Was the seasonal popularity I’d gained from Dead after Hope the issue?

‘Or is it Ha Seo-yeon? Are they trying to link Ha Seo-yeon and me together?’

That would be completely baseless.
No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t come up with a clear answer. Uneasy but unable to dwell on it, I headed back into the studio.
Director Joo had climbed onto the space arranged as a stage and was checking the blocking.

“Um, Director….”
“Is it because the lighting is so bright? It really feels like we’re doing a concert rehearsal. Perfect timing. Seo Ho-yoon, come over here too! Let’s see how it looks.”
“Yes, understood.”

There was nothing to shake off anyway, so there was no need to report it immediately.
I scratched the bridge of my nose and climbed onto the stage.
Since they’d converted a place where concerts were often held into a filming location, the atmosphere felt oddly surreal.

“Wow, this is perfect! You’ve completely melted into the stage—you really look like an idol!”
“Is that so?”

Then, a familiar voice reached my ears.

“The location and atmosphere really suit each other well.”

Joo Woo-sung had appeared without warning.
With a playful smile on his lips, Joo Woo-sung was dressed casually in a black t-shirt and jeans.

“Wow! Joo Woo-sung!!”
“I told you I was coming, didn’t I?”
“I didn’t think you’d actually show up!”

Neither did I.
Director Joo had probably mentioned it as a last resort, figuring it wouldn’t hurt. Yet Joo Woo-sung had actually come. He was extremely excited, breathing heavily through his nose.

“WH Entertainment is one of the co-production companies for this drama. What good is a promise if you don’t keep it? That’s loyalty.”
“Wow!”

This guy, who had no friends except Chae Jung-woo, was talking about loyalty.
Just as I was about to click my tongue discreetly, a sudden flash of intuition struck me like lightning.

“This place is pretty far. How did you get here?”
“I pestered our capable manager into bringing me.”

The paparazzi outside had definitely followed Joo Woo-sung.

“It feels even nicer seeing you here overseas. Do you come to Japan often, Joo Woo-sung?”
“I’ve only been here a few times for filming.”
“I see. Well, you must never have a free moment. Say, if you’re available this evening, would you like to grab dinner with me, the staff, and Seo Ho-yoon?”
“Ah….”

Joo Woo-sung’s expression turned slightly uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry, but I have a prior engagement this evening.”
“Ah, with the staff?”
“No, it’s a friend I know.”

He answered smoothly, but I caught on immediately.
A woman.
Definitely a woman. One hundred percent.

‘This bastard!’

I couldn’t hide my shock, but Joo Woo-sung brushed past the moment with a radiant smile. His face seemed to glow even brighter than it had recently.
My neck stiffened as irritation flared through me, and I rubbed it while the guy turned his head toward me.

“Hello, Seo Ho-yoon.”
“…Hello.”

How could I be fine with this, you bastard?

“What are we filming today?”
“Ah, it’s a scene where Kang Ji-sung sings. Over there, Seo Ho-yoon will be—”
“Oh?”

I seemed to be the only one breaking out in cold sweat down my spine at this location.
While he and Director Joo chatted casually, my mind raced at full speed.
Wouldn’t the agency block this before any articles break?
As long as he doesn’t post it directly on SNS like some reckless idiot, couldn’t we manage it somehow?

“Really? Does he dance too?”

Now that I thought about it, Black Call had been around for quite a while now.
Rather than spending enormous money to suppress this, there was a greater chance they’d exploit it instead.
WH Entertainment pulled stupid stunts from time to time, though not quite at Dae Pa-sung’s level, and anxiety crept in gradually.

“Would you like me to check your movements for you?”
“No.”
“…Pardon?”
“Oh.”

The moment Joo Woo-sung’s question reached my ears, I snapped back to attention.

“No, I’d be absolutely honored if you would.”

Joo Woo-sung’s eyebrows twitched briefly before he turned his attention back to Director Joo’s words. Then he leaped onto the stage.

“Here. Normally it’s two steps right, one step left, but the camera won’t catch it clearly anyway. Using your upper body well will actually look prettier in the end.”

Joo Woo-sung demonstrated the movements himself as he continued his explanation.

“You don’t need to make the movements too large. Since it’s a drama, there will be more close-ups.”

Seeing this guy—the one I’d always cursed as a hopelessly clumsy fool—being so incredibly kind sent chills down my spine.

“Do you understand?”
“….”

His pleasant, deep voice brushed past my ears. My throat tickled with words desperate to escape.

“…Seo Ho-yoon?”

Hey, are you really okay with this?
If this continues, your standing at the company will shrink, and the public will pour criticism on you.

“…Hmm, looks like you understand.”

And if you’re not careful, your entire list of girlfriends could be exposed.
Your activities will suffer too.

“….”

I genuinely wanted to grab you by the collar and shake you, telling you this isn’t the time to be so peaceful….

“Yes, thank you for explaining it so clearly.”

I composed myself and fell silent.

“Great. Director, you got that behind-the-scenes footage well, right?”
“Aha, of course.”
“Please upload it nicely.”

Watching Joo Woo-sung diligently handle his responsibilities and work hard at his social life, I couldn’t help but sigh.

‘Right… At this point, there’s nothing I can do anyway. He’ll figure it out on his own.’

“We’re almost done with the equipment setup, right? Then Seo Ho-yoon, shall we do a rehearsal?”

In typical dramas, when filming a performance like this, post-synchronization dubbing was common, but Director Joo wanted to capture it live with a thin guide track to heighten the sense of immediacy.
As a result, there was more to prepare.

“Yes, I’ll do it.”

I nodded and walked to where Joo Woo-sung had been standing. Under the bright glare of the lights, I grasped the stand microphone. The music began to play shortly after.
It was a song I knew well.
A track I’d performed on Complete Singer—”Clouds and Wings,” released by Lee Joo-hwan, a legendary artist from the 1990s.
A song called “Cloud and Wings” released by Lee Joo-hwan, a legendary singer from the 1990s, who had performed at Perfect Singer.

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

I got caught up in distracting thoughts and missed the intro for a moment, but I smoothly continued with the lyrics.

If I could hold your hand
I even prayed not to wake up】
I prayed that I didn’t want to break it.

He wanted me to preserve the original song’s essence and express a precarious youth—one that doesn’t lose its faint light even amid dark, chilling loneliness.
This scene would be the catalyst for Kang Ji-sung’s growth as well.
This moment becomes a turning point for Kang Ji-sung to grow even further.

Umm Hmm I can only move forward】
Umm Hmm, I just keep moving forward.

But had Kang Ji-sung—no, Joo Woo-sung—ever known loneliness or wandering?
He was always standing confidently at the summit, assured of himself.

【No regret
No matter the distance, the blur, the fear
A smile is all it takes to end it】

He belonged to Black Call, effortlessly claiming first place as if no one’s interference could touch him,

‘It was the same during Kill the Lights. No help at all, damn it….’

Whenever he made a comeback, the year-end award was practically his for the taking.
From the outside, his life appeared seamlessly smooth.

【No matter the distance, the blur, the fear
It all ends once you pass through】

Before the song had even finished, Joo Woo-sung whispered something to Director Joo, then slipped out of the studio with his manager.
I tore my gaze from his retreating figure and slowly closed my eyes.

【When I imagine a future with you
Why does loneliness creep in?】

Yet the Joo Woo-sung in my memory sometimes wore a peculiar expression.
Holding trophies he must have received countless times with awkward uncertainty, his face contorting as if he’d won first place for the very first time.

【Leaving your side
I want to leap in a single bound
All the way to those distant clouds】

…As if this moment alone was overwhelming him.

【To a place where someone waits
I am unafraid
All the way to those distant clouds】

…That’s right.

【I want to leap in a single bound】

So this guy really does enjoy being an idol.
I lifted my eyelids that had been shut, releasing my grip on the stand microphone. Every staff member’s gaze was fixed on me.

“…This is… really good?!”

Director Joo clapped enthusiastically, his praise coming just a beat late. The staff members’ exclamations erupted in response.

“Seo Ho-yoon, let’s do it exactly like that tomorrow! Wow, it’s such a shame this is just a rehearsal—it came out so beautifully!!”
“…Yes, understood.”

I quickly descended and approached the Director.

“By the way, Director, there’s nothing else to do today, right?”
“Huh? Well, I suppose not?”

Having received confirmation, I called out urgently, barely bowing.

“I just remembered something important, so I’m skipping tonight’s schedule! See you tomorrow!”
“Huh?? Wait, where are you going, Seo Ho-yoon?!”

As I hurried toward the studio entrance, Joo Woo-sung was nowhere to be seen as expected.
I changed direction toward the parking lot and ran. Fortunately, his Manager was standing in front of the black van.
Just as I was about to grab him and ask about Joo Woo-sung’s whereabouts, I spotted the back of a head peeking out between the cars.

“Manager, I’m heading out now.”
“Ah, get some good rest. Be careful.”
“Yes, thank you.”

I gathered strength in my core and called out his name.

“Joo Woo-sung!!”

My voice rang out sharply through the air.
It might have even reached the staff members, but I didn’t care.

“…sir!”

Move!
Joo Woo-sung’s eyes widened as he turned to look at me.
He rushed forward, breathing heavily as he spoke.

“Joo Woo-sung, where are you going?”
“Huh?”
“Can you spare some time?”
“No, what are you—”

I glanced around to check if the paparazzi vehicle was still there.
It was.

“I have an appointment—”
“Have dinner with me.”

I’d been interrupted plenty of times because of that golden kid, but I’d gained just as much in return.
I’d been planning to help him anyway.
It wasn’t anything difficult.

“…Excuse me?”
“This is my first time here.”

Besides, someone who shines on stage belongs on that stage.
I’d shaken off paparazzi in Los Angeles before—I could certainly do it in Japan.
I pulled my lips into a brazen smile.

“Just be my guide.”

With this, I’d settle my debt.

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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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