The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 32

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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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32

The Main Vocal, and Yoo Hyuk.

“I don’t know, that bastard gets on my nerves. I’m already annoyed with Sung Ji-won, and now he’s picking fights over every little thing….”
“Hey, is there something between Seo Ho-yoon and the PD?”
“What do you mean?”

The person in question was right here. Kim Hee-young stared in that direction with a frightening expression.

“The talent show, the special broadcast, everything—even the final stage got changed. Those nobodies wouldn’t have gotten that kind of treatment unless the agency threw money at them, right?”
“That’s not it.”
“Then it’s obvious. Seo Ho-yoon is connected to the PD. That’s why PD Kim is backing them up.”
“Ah… yeah, that makes sense. That’s gotta be it.”

Ding!

[How pathetic….]

Even the system lamented it. Exactly. People only see what they want to see, trapped in their own prejudices, spouting nonsense. One more rumor added to my already filthy reputation wouldn’t matter, but I was about to step away, worried it might affect Kim Hee-young.
I didn’t mind adding one more dirty rumor about myself, but I hesitated in that moment, worried it might affect Kim Hee-young.

“Is it fun?”

Before I could turn around at that muttering sound, Kim Hee-young was faster.

Clang!

The sound of a bottle breaking rang out. A half-broken bottle was in Kim Hee-young’s hand. Main Vocal and Yoo Hyuk turned pale and froze at the sight of the shattered bottle.

“Hey there.”

Kim Hee-young laughed brightly.

“I won’t be able to say goodbye…”

“PD, PD!!”

Today seemed flustered and couldn’t even greet her properly. Kim Hee-young pressed the broken bottle against the wall and dragged it slowly downward.

Screeeeeech!

A bone-chilling sound echoed through the back alley, and the red neon from the sign cast across her left cheek, making her gaze appear even more menacing.
The mad PD of this district had arrived.

“What are you two discussing so amusingly…?”
“PD, PD.”
“Let me join in, won’t you?”

Yoo Hyuk, regaining his composure, wore a servile expression.

“That’s not what we meant. Please, just calm down first….”
“Calm down?”
“Yes, yes. So, um, just put that down for now….”

Kim Hee-young’s smile deepened further. Honestly, I was terrified too.

“Do you know my nickname?”
“…!”

‘If you don’t know, you’re a spy, sister.’

Even Today’s complexion had gone pale slightly. Kim Hee-young hummed in an elegant tone.

“The mad woman of tvK Broadcasting Station. Do you know why I got that nickname?”
“Ah, um, no.”
“Once I was dragged to a company dinner, and this bastard Main CP pretended it was an accident while touching my junior….”

I’d heard the story through rumors many times, but hearing it from Kim Hee-young’s own mouth was something else entirely. She spoke without even sparing me a glance.

“So what did I do? I grabbed a bottle of soju and poured it right over the CP’s head. To help him regain his senses. But when he asked what I was doing, I just grabbed a bowl of rice and threw it in his face.”
“PD… PD.”
“Then he threatened to fire me, so I went straight to the section chief and told him. He told me to endure it. So I went to the department head next. He said the same thing. So finally, I went to Director Kook. And I told him.”

It was such a famous line that had quietly spread throughout the broadcasting circles. Even I, standing in the back, slowly recited that line with my lips.

‘If you don’t deal with that pervert quickly.’

“If you don’t deal with that pervert quickly….”

Gulp.

Today swallowed hard, visibly tense.

“—Tomorrow’s 9 o’clock news will be covering his corpse.”

Crack!

Honestly, hearing that made my heart race—it was just too cool.

“In the end, he got fired~. Hahahaha!”

She giggled and cracked her neck side to side.

“What do you think? Should we run one more exclusive?”
“…I’m so sorry!!”
“I’m so sorry!!”

Today bowed deeply and bolted from the room. He looked like he’d just come face-to-face with history’s greatest serial killer.
As for me, despite finding the situation intriguing and entertaining, I was concerned that being alone with an excited Kim Hee-young might be dangerous.

‘Maybe I should run too….’

“Seo Ho-yoon.”
“Yes!”

I clasped my hands respectfully. Kim Hee-young clicked her tongue disapprovingly, her eyes narrowing.

“Don’t hang around with people like that. It’s nothing but harmful.”
“Yes, I’ll keep my distance from them.”
“Good, that’s a relief. Damn.”

I carefully removed the bottle from Kim Hee-young’s hand.

“Ugh, how infuriating!!”

I checked to make sure there were no injuries, then carefully gathered the pieces and tossed them into the trash bin beside me. Kim Hee-young narrowed her eyes, studying me intently.

“Seo Ho-yoon. I’m going to be honest with you.”
“Yes.”
“That shameless group over there is going to take first place. It’s already decided. My conscience is eating at me, so I’m just telling you straight. So you shouldn’t strain yourself either—just aim for second place. That way you’ll at least gain some recognition….”
“Yes, I know.”
“At least it’ll be something decent. Wait—you already know?”

I nodded silently. Kim Hee-young’s face went pale, and her mouth fell open like a slice of bread.

“Where did you hear this from?”
“The industry is small, after all.”
“But when did you find out?”
“From the beginning.”
“Then why did you write first place as your predicted ranking? Are you insane?”

No, I wasn’t insane.
I brushed off my hands and looked at Kim Hee-young. She seemed to be trying to figure out whether I was mad or not.

“Didn’t I tell you, PD? I said it was fine—that even if I was treated poorly, I was fine with it. That’s what I said.”

I offered a faint smile.

“I’m going to take first place.”

I’ll make it happen.

“To do that, I’ll need a little help from you, PD.”
“…What? Hey, I told you. I can’t do that. I don’t have the authority.”
“You will soon.”
“….”
“Very soon.”

There was no point in saying more anyway.
I bid Kim Hee-young farewell and headed back to the store. Jung Da-jun greeted me warmly with an innocent expression on his face.

“Brother!”
“Yeah.”
“Where did you go? I’ve been looking for you.”

Members who know nothing at all.
Honestly, I feel sorry for them.

“Did you find me?”

But I hid my true feelings and flashed a bright smile.

“…W-what is it? That kind tone of voice. It’s unsettling….”

I ignored Jung Da-jun, who was trembling in fear.

***

[The Dun appears on ‘Shining Star’… Will they clash with Today?]
[The Dun vs Today, what’s the result?]

“Damn it, why are these trash journalists stirring up trouble again?”

The office worker, worn down by their boss once more today, was in a vicious mood. The only solace for a fan with an expression that said “I’ll kill anyone who touches me” was The Dun, who had been missing from the lineup lately.

‘What is this guy? Insane… so handsome….’

The fan, who had been saving screenshots from Seo Ho-yoon’s Shining Star work preview with tears streaming down her face, turned fierce upon seeing an article.

“How can they pit them against Today? Their fanbase is notoriously extreme!”

Honestly, Today was more popular than The Dun. But from the fan’s perspective, Today’s character was rotten.
Memes from their fan signing event showing their vacant stare and “Oh, really?” were already circulating, yet the fans turned a blind eye and deaf ear.

‘The Dun is so much more handsome anyway!’

Wanting to see that beautiful face, she wished they’d hold a fan meeting! She was ready to throw money at them! Why else was she earning money like this right now? Why was she saying “yes, yes” to her boss asking for materials even after work, calling her constantly? It was all to dedicate her bank account to The Dun.
Grinding her teeth while ignoring all the provocations, that moment came. The timeline was in chaos. She checked what it was and shot up from her seat.

[The Dun – Like Girls Want You]

“An early release?!”

Shining Star had released an early preview. The three-minute stage had been condensed into a video lasting less than a minute.
The fan took a deep breath and pressed play.

[My fellow pirates, this is our show time!]

It was Kang Yi-chae who opened the doors to the performance.

“Oh, Kang Yi-chae, seriously…!”

My heart clenched. Pirate costumes? The Dun had absolutely torn K-pop apart this year.
While the office worker clutched her chest, the ticking of a clock echoed, and there was Seo Ho-yoon, his head tilted at an angle.

[Hey, let me greet you once more]

“Ahhhhh! Ho-yoon!”

My chest aches, sobbing and sobbing.
Seo Ho-yoon seemed either unaware or unconcerned about the fan’s feelings, radiating composure on screen. As he stumbled forward on the display, he let out a soft laugh and spoke.

[I know you’re wavering
You’re destined to come to me anyway]

“Ho-yoon, I’m going… My sister is going….”

“I’m leaving right away!!”

The short 45-second preview ended as I grabbed my wallet and played the blues alone.
The office worker stared at the black screen for a long time, tears streaming down her face, unable to shake the lingering impression. The community was already in chaos.

[What is it that I heard is Like Girls Want You??????]
[Wait, is that Like Girls “Want You”??????]
Am I crazy??? This is so different! It’s bright and refreshing, but I felt it was a bit bland before. But this one is seriously numbing spicy! A swaggering but strong-willed pirate clinging to me? My tongue is burning!
[But isn’t that supposed to be a fairy tale concept? Come on… I was honestly skeptical when they picked Peter Pan, but they’re bringing in the pirate concept from there—does that mean stay away from Peter Pan??? Brother, I’m not going. Totally possible.]
[Yi-chae, I just went and beat up Peter Pan]
Hahahahahahahahahaha
“The main character is so original lol”
[Fighting a crocodile bare-handed? Totally possible]
[I need to confess something
I want to die in Hyun-sung’s dimples

Everyone was so excited that they were in the middle of a parade. But suddenly, a strange post appeared on the community.

[Title: What is The Dawn PD Pick?

Ah, just by looking at it, it’s PD Pick haha.
Ah, you can totally tell this is the PD’s pick just by looking at it lol

└So I wondered if the agency was sane. Why are the kids who won first place last time competing there?
└That’s what I said—does the agency have any sense? Why would the ones who came in first compete there?

“madam….”

It was aggro.
The bait had been cast.
In cases like this, it was almost never a Today fan. Even the most extreme Today fans wouldn’t openly light a fire like this in a public community.

It was a post that started with ‘I like Mars.’

[Today’s performance was also good. The Dawn was also good]

Sorry, Mars fans… To be honest, I don’t know if Today’s performance is good, but I desperately tried to cover it.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 263]
Do you like it better when it’s like that?

‘omg… !’

I made a mistake because I was in a hurry. I tried to quickly take down the post and struggle in tears, but the original post had already attracted a lot of aggro.

[Title: Honestly, Today’s skills and personality hahaha
Honestly, Today’s skills and character are both laughable lol

Aren’t they all affiliated with the agency?
Isn’t it all just their agency’s backing?

└Are you kidding me? Compare it to what you heard now?
└Are you joking? Comparing them to nobodies right now?
└Honestly, when I saw this pre-release, I thought The Dawn was the senior~~ Today covered White Cherry Lemon Love this time, and I was blinded when I saw it haha ​​Compared to that, The Dawn is a fairy~

“It was ruined….”

It was completely ruined. Secret accounts on social media were already pouring out curses in response to the community reaction that was spreading without any time to do anything. This was a bad situation.
Completely finished. The community backlash was spreading faster than I could contain it, and my secret SNS account was already drowning in insults. This was a bad situation.

[1st contest viewing application form]

No, not without notice. This is a declaration of war.
No, not obliviously. This was a declaration of war.
A declaration saying: if you don’t want your kids’ spirits crushed, apply and come.

“Go, I have to go.”

Today fans were never allowed to occupy the audience room. Our pups had to keep their spirits up.
Today’s fans absolutely could not monopolize the audience seats. Our kids needed their spirits lifted.

***

“Our first episode is in a week?”
“Our first episode airs in a week?”

The staff explained concisely.
The staff explained concisely.

“Yes, I understand.”
“Yes, understood.”

Seong Ji-won expressed his concern.
Sung Ji-won’s concern was evident.
There will probably be quite a few. Our fanbase is still small, so it’ll be less than Today’s, but still.

“As you know, The Dawn won first place in the talent show last time, right? So you will get a special 15 minutes in episode 1.”
“As you know, The Dun placed first in the talent show last time, right? So we’ll get a special 15-minute segment in the first episode.”

Jeong Da-jun smiled brightly and clapped his hands. Kim Seong-hyeon and Kang I-chae also high-fived and smiled happily.
Jung Da-jun grinned brightly and clapped his hands together. Kim Sung-hyun and Kang Yi-chae exchanged high-fives with satisfied smiles.

“Then, I will announce the mission for the first contest.”
“Now I’ll announce the first round mission.”
“Yes!”
“The first round is… your signature hit song.”

Our reaction became cold in an instant.
Our energy deflated instantly.
One single, and one debut album.

“It is conducted through audience evaluation votes, judges’ votes, and the performers’ own votes. And among them, the group that takes first place will be given special privileges.”
“The competition will be decided by audience voting, judge voting, and the performers’ own votes. And the group that takes first place will receive a special privilege.”
“A privilege?”
“Yes. You’ll find out what it is when you get on stage. The first round will take place the day after the first episode airs. That gives us eight days.”
“That’s fast….”

The staff steps back and now only the camera remains.
The staff stepped back, leaving only the camera.

“There is only one stage… and we only have two songs. There won’t be any time consuming due to song selection.”
“We only have one stage and two songs, so there’s no time to waste on song selection.”
“That’s good, at least.”

Seong Ji-won smiled, but his face was pale. Although the recent single performed well, it was safe to say that the debut album received no response at all.

“Well, I narrowed it down to which song to choose between ‘Second Chance’ and our debut song ‘Glow’. I guess Second Chance was more popular….”
“So it comes down to ‘Second Chance’ or our debut track ‘Glow.’ Since ‘Second Chance’ was more popular….”
“To get a reaction from the live audience, we should pick the song more people know.”

Kim Seong-hyun, who had been lost in thought while touching his chin without saying a word, carefully opened his mouth to the members.

“yes.”
“Yes.”

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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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