The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 362

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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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362

The autumn rains had finally ceased, and the oppressive heat had begun to fade, giving way to crisp, refreshing days.
Kang Yeon-hu, having just finished a personal schedule, sat in the van heading to his next location, rubbing his forehead with his palm as he stared at his phone.

[Title: Kim PD’s Latest Variety Show is Hilarious

School Trip
↑I was dying the whole time watching it

The fact that LV Entertainment went first with such an insane lineup really made me think they put in some effort…
And even before, when I watched Victory is Mine, I got the sense that White Cherry’s members were something else lol, they really exceeded expectations as variety show personalities

Kim PD: What do you usually spend your time doing?
Liz: I’m focusing entirely on our activities!
Cherry: (muttering) IRIX…
Kim PD: What field are you most interested in these days?
Liz: Well, I’ve recently gotten into rewatching our old performances. I’m working hard with the members to recapture that fresh, innocent spirit we had at the beginning!
Woo Bin: (muttering) Promotion matches…
Liz: (dying)

Liz was merciless with her members, but the way she suddenly got shy in front of Yoo Ji-a was so cute

Liz: Ji-a unnie… I really enjoyed watching your drama last time
Yoo Ji-a: Wow, really? I listen to your songs a lot while driving too~.
Liz: (face turning red) I listen to your songs a lot too…
Cherry: Aww, come on~!

Han Chae-ri is incredibly beautiful, and I always sensed a bit of that wild streak from her debut, but these days she’s matured and is absolutely flying

└Liz stays composed until she’s in front of Yoo Ji-a, then suddenly gets shy
└└Liz is famous for liking Yoo Ji-a lol
└White Cherry members look innocent but why are they so bold? Woo Bin and Cherry are great at being harsh with each other while getting flustered around the staff, it’s so cute
└White Cherry members are apparently obsessed with games no matter what—rain or shine… I treat these girls as less than professional gamers
└└…How much further is Han Chae-ri going to perfect herself?]

[Title: I Think I’m Falling in Love with PD Kim Hee-young

Since she mostly handled survival programs, I thought she’d be super strict, but surprisingly she’s laid-back and the broadcast itself was so fluffy and crisp—really loved it
There is no competition and everyone looks so excited, so cuteㅠㅠㅠ

└See how she went “ding!” excitedly at the front
└When she took off her mask, totally shocked—such a round and beautiful face…
Despite that appearance, he’s a heavy smoker lol
Don’t make me love you even more.
└Unnie, I’m sorry for cursing you out during Shining Star… Back then I was completely smitten with some drug-addled guy…]

The newly launched program had been receiving nothing but praise.
I lifted my hand from my forehead and scrolled back up, hitting refresh.

[Title: WH is appearing on “Let’s Go on a School Trip Too”

Have they lost their minds?]

‘Look at the reaction.’

The warm sentiment from before had vanished, and the atmosphere had completely flipped.
Kang Yeon-hu let out a small sigh at the backlash he’d already anticipated.
WH Entertainment’s recent moves were distinctly different from before. The company, which had been quite closed-off by nature, had aggressively shifted its stance after acquiring Dae Pa-sung.
The decision to send all WH Entertainment artists to large-scale variety shows—something they would never have done originally—was part of that shift.

[Title: The Dun, Black Call, High Five, Min Ji-heon

Hahahahaha
Just listing the words is insane

└A massive wave of obsessed fans incoming^^
└Now? Really? At this point when there are only a few months until the award ceremonies?????
└└I really like it ㅜㅜ… The kids playing are really cute… But rather than seeing all the looks and behavior, I’m going to quit social media and only watch the original videos day and night ㅜ]

[Title: Black Call is the winner

The gap in caliber is so huge they don’t even face any resistance

└That’s nonsense. K-pop fans are always beating down Black Call
└Black Call hasn’t made a comeback in a year and a half
└└Damn, but Black Call is still… doing incredibly well
The Members each have so much experience that you can see they act with composure.
└└He’s crazy sexy every time he shows off that he’s Joo Woo-sung’s senior ㅜㅜ]

[Title: But seeing them burn this intensely over just one variety show appearance

This time, the composition/framing of the shot is definitely locked in lol
The Dun vs High Five

└I’m betting on The Dun…
└Personally, I hate it haha. These guys always get beat up for being their enemy, but it’s rare to find kids who are as nice to their fans as they are. ㅜㅜ I cry when I think about the hard times we’ve gone through.
└└Are you really a High Five fan?
└└(Deleted comment)
└└(Deleted comment)
└└(Deleted comment)
└└When you put it that way, my contrarian nature kicks in and I want to support The Dun
└└Then my even stronger contrarian side emerges—you were already supporting The Dun, so why are you using contrarian nature as an excuse
└└(Deleted comment)
└└It’s rare to see someone rise this far from nothing
└└(Deleted comment)
└└(Deleted comment)
└I’m genuinely curious—why post something like this? To start fandom wars?]

Kang Yeon-hu turned off his phone after reading that far.

‘This is making me dizzy.’

Kang Yeon-hu was suffering in his own way.
If High Five didn’t win the award, they’d be mocked for draining their seniors’ funds only to lose to a mid-tier company group, and if they did win, he’d be put on trial and judged for whether they even deserved it.

‘…Still, I want to win. No, I have to win.’

No matter how beloved he was, to the company he was ultimately a product—a consumable.
In Kang Yeon-hu’s view, High Five didn’t have much time left. If they missed this opportunity, the company might not push them anymore.
He didn’t want to fade into obscurity and disappear into the shadows.
The reason Kang Yeon-hu had endured the endless trainee years wasn’t just because of stubborn perseverance—it was because he had a clear goal he wanted to achieve, and his ambitions were equally high.
Something felt stuck, his chest tight. He buried his face in his hands and rubbed his face dry when the Road Manager’s voice reached him.

“Yeon-hu, we’ve arrived at the filming location.”
“…Ah, yes. Thank you.”

I composed my expression briefly, and by the time I stepped out of the van, I had already slipped back into my usual self as Kang Yeon-hu.
I greeted both familiar and unfamiliar faces alike with a warm smile.

“Ah, Yeon-hu. Hello.”
“It’s been a while, Audio Director.”

Kang Yeon-hu stepped into the gymnasium located on the outskirts of the amusement park and surveyed the surroundings. The staff members were busily preparing for filming.
While we had originally planned to rent the entire amusement park after evening, we had hastily negotiated to use the gymnasium during daytime as well.

“Oh?”

At that moment, my eyes met with PD Kim Hee-young, the main producer directing the filming location.

“You arrived quite early, Yeon-hu.”
“I didn’t come too early, did I?”
“Better early than late.”

She brushed back her long bangs and added in a tone that suggested she wasn’t particularly curious.

“You must be having a tough time these days with how busy you are, Yeon-hu?”

It was clearly something said for public consumption.
Yet even with such an attitude, Kang Yeon-hu didn’t harbor any ill feelings toward PD Kim Hee-young.

‘She seems to be enjoying herself these days.’

She still carried a weary expression, but compared to how she’d been during the final stages of Shining Star Season 2, she looked considerably better. Back then, her brow was always furrowed, and her temperament seemed sharp, so all the cast members had gradually begun avoiding her.
But after all the filming wrapped up, I still hadn’t forgotten what she said when she extended her hand for a handshake.

“Kang Yeon-hu, thank you for bringing honor to our program.”

She had conveyed this to each of the other idols as well, making eye contact with them one by one.
Still remembering that moment, Kang Yeon-hu responded with sincerity.

“Being busy is a good thing. You must be having a hard time too, PD, with so many people seeking you out these days.”
“My, look who’s gotten smooth-tongued since we last met.”

After exchanging a few light words, Kang Yeon-hu made his way to the waiting area for performers that PD Kim Hee-young had indicated.
In that space, lined only with chairs, someone had already claimed a seat.

“Hello.”

The man wore an ivory polo knit and black slacks that reached his ankles, paired with neat oxford shoes. His hair gleamed in a soft ash brown as autumn sunlight streamed through the window.

“…Hello.”
“….”

When no response came, Kang Yeon-hu greeted him again, and only then did In-young lift his head, scanning him from head to toe.

“Hello, Yeon-hu.”

Min Ji-heon—the foundation and pillar of Dae Pa-sung to this day.
A true actor who fearlessly challenged diverse roles without worrying about the image that would cling to him.
Though experts and the public alike praised him as such, the reality was that until The Dun rose to prominence, he had been treated as the breadwinner of Dae Pa-sung.
Despite his benevolent appearance, he exuded a chilling atmosphere. When he lifted the corners of his mouth in a smile, a welcome as dazzling as flowers scattering in the wind seemed to bloom around him.

‘Min Ji-heon actually showed up.’

Kang Yeon-hu swallowed hard, bowed his head once more, and sat in a chair a little distance away.

‘…But did he really not hear my greeting just now?’

As an unsettling feeling washed over him belatedly, Kang Yeon-hu glanced at Min Ji-heon, who responded to the staff member’s questions at a half-beat delay, and brushed back his hair.

‘…It must have been a misunderstanding.’

He shouldn’t take things too sensitively.
Just as he hoped the High Five members would arrive soon to fill this awkward silence, the gymnasium door opened.

“Hello.”
“Whoa.”

Leader Kim Sung-hyun entered first, followed by maknae Jung Da-jun, who stumbled. Kang Yi-chae appeared next, catching Jung Da-jun’s arm before he fell and steadying him with a chuckle, while Sung Ji-won followed behind, gently scolding him.

“Oh, The Dun’s here.”

And finally, entering with a refreshing smile was Seo Ho-yoon.

“…Man, your face really brightened up.”

Min Ji-heon’s murmur reached my ears.
Indeed, Seo Ho-yoon seemed to have an even more radiant glow to his skin than the last time we’d met.

“Hello. I’m Seo Ho-yoon.”

Even though finding someone here who didn’t know him would be harder, Seo Ho-yoon politely introduced himself with those three syllables and bowed respectfully. After greeting PD Kim Hee-young, Seo Ho-yoon sat down next to the Members.
Then Min Ji-heon suddenly twisted his upper body around and spoke to Seo Ho-yoon.

“Seo Ho-yoon~.”

Min Ji-heon, who had been expressionless just moments before, now wore a mischievous grin.

“It’s strange meeting like this on set after so long, right?”
“Yes, senior. It feels fresh seeing you after all this time.”
“….”
“Have you been doing well all this while?”
“…What’s with that way of speaking? I’m getting goosebumps. Just call me Pig-heon like usual.”

What was this….
Startled by the potentially controversial remark, Kang Yeon-hu instinctively glanced around. Fortunately, no one had their microphones on yet and the camera lights were off. The staff members also seemed too busy to have heard.
Just a brief exchange between Min Ji-heon and Seo Ho-yoon, yet I felt as though I’d already experienced a preview of this show’s catastrophic episode.

‘…I need to stay sharp. I really have to be careful.’

The moment I let my guard down, it felt like I’d board an express train straight to disaster.

“When did I ever do that, senior?”

The recently mentioned intimate scenes between High Five and The Dun would never look good on broadcast. Seo Ho-yoon would certainly be well aware of this point.
Just as I was thinking to maintain distance between the groups, Seo Ho-yoon shifted his gaze from Min Ji-heon to me. When I met those desaturated eyes directly, tension suddenly washed over me.

“Seo Ho-yoon, hello.”

Kang Yeon-hu smiled sadly, hiding his discomfort.

“How have you been?”
“…Yeah, well.”

‘Huh?’

Puzzled by Seo Ho-yoon’s unusually distant demeanor, I continued speaking with a composed expression.

“That’s good to hear. You’ve seemed busy lately, so I was wondering if you were doing okay health-wise….”
“Junior?”
“Yes?”
“What’s with that tone.”

The moment a familiar sense of déjà vu struck the back of my head, Seo Ho-yoon’s eyes curved with innocent delight.

“Call me Ho-yoon.”

Kang Yeon-hu suddenly wanted to forget about filming and just go home.

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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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