The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 375

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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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375

“Yeon-hoo, are you alright?”

Kang Yeon-hu nodded at Lee Se-hyun’s question while ignoring the tingling sensation radiating through his ankle.
It hadn’t been long since rehearsal ended, yet the audience seating had filled completely and the K-POP concert was already underway.
His younger members—earnest and obedient, never complaining despite the grueling schedule—were monitoring the live broadcast transmitted in real-time through the television set up in one corner of the waiting room.

“Let’s see… The Dun is performing three songs, right?”
“We’ll be able to catch their stage before we leave, won’t we?”
“Probably? Since there’s a Japanese artist performance between The Dun and us, we should have some time to spare.”

The company had instructed the members to avoid watching The Dun’s footage whenever possible. They cited the superficial reason that mutual influence might create similar images, but Kang Yeon-hu assessed it as preventive—a precaution against potential shock that could disrupt their activities.
And he had deliberately ignored that instruction all this time.
He needed to verify it himself.
Where this year’s grand prize would flow toward.

‘Surely not entirely to The Dun… No, that can’t be…’

Kang Yeon-hu shook his head, scattering the negative thoughts attempting to take hold.
He didn’t dislike seeing his pure, perpetually somewhat dejected members laughing joyfully of late and becoming animated with excitement over their rising recognition.
Kang Yeon-hu shifted his gaze from his members to the side. On the screen, an idol he’d seen frequently through broadcasts was setting up the stage.

‘The problem isn’t this group.’

“Here it comes.”

It was what came next.
As the lights extinguished and darkness descended across the venue, colorful numbers cascaded onto the stage. Then, one by one, lifts rose, and In-young briefly appeared. The concert venue erupted with cheers.

【THE DAWN】

The numbers that had been tangled chaotically formed ASCII code, then transformed into alphabets announcing the entity that had arrived.

【Don’t overthink it,
it’s my round】

Just as Kang Yeon-hu swallowed hard against the tension, Seo Ho-yoon’s soft narration flowed out alongside a specially crafted intro.

【Forget everything and just hold me tight
Drop all the pointless words
Just tell me about love for once】

The Dun wore form-fitting black t-shirts that hugged their physiques, each layered with a racing jacket that differed only slightly in detail and color—all coordinated to match the concept of their latest album’s title track, Level S2.

【Tonight we don’t need difficult words
Just whisper to me endlessly】

Despite having checked the song countless times already, Kang Yeon-hu felt his nerves tighten.

【But let’s keep it under level S2
Before it deepens, let me break through this letter
Don’t ask—just come dance with me, Babe】

Whenever Seo Ho-yoon’s smiling face appeared on screen, his shoulders involuntarily tensed.
Usually so unsettling and intense, but under that glittering light, he looked as though he’d been born to be an entertainer—and the sight of it made the pain in his ankle vanish in an instant.

【The dawn belongs entirely to us】

Kang Yeon-hu, who’d been staring at the television while barely breathing, finally exhaled when the melody cut off.
That’s when Lee Se-hyun, rubbing the back of his neck with his palm, muttered something under his breath.

“…Still the same as always.”

Despite the slight tremor in his voice, Lee Se-hyun’s expression remained composed.
He understood what the comment meant.
The helplessness of watching a rival group advance day after day….

‘Still, there wasn’t really anything better we could’ve done.’

No, at this point, with The Dun having already wrapped up their activities, there’s a limit to how much buzz they can generate.
As things stood, High Five—who had recently captured everyone’s attention with ‘New Thrill’—held a far more advantageous position.
Kang Yeon-hu, having roughly organized his thoughts, was trying to calm his restlessly pounding heart when a new VCR appeared on the central screen and instruments rose from the center of the stage.
It seemed they were about to perform the B-side track ‘Superhero’.

“We should head out too—….”
“Huh?”

A short exclamation escaped from Lee Young, whose eyes had been glued to the screen.
The sound landed ominously. He planted his lifted foot back on the ground and turned his head.
In that brief moment, The Dun—having changed only their outer layer into casual formal wear—appeared on screen.
The instant Kim Sung-hyun’s gaze, with the electric guitar strap slung across his shoulder, locked with the camera, his Adam’s apple moved and a deep voice resonated through the microphone.

【Drop.】

Simultaneously, Kang Yi-chae’s pick struck the electric guitar strings with force.

Zzzzzing—!

The lights scattered brilliantly in sync with the melody that swept in like a tempest.

“Woooooah!”

【I can find you
Among countless people at the crossroads
I can discover you】

The soft yet vibrant and refreshing B-side track with its hopeful feeling vanished, replaced entirely by powerful new music.
Seo Ho-yoon, slightly wrinkling the bridge of his nose as if bothered by the glasses he wore as a prop, poured force into his voice and sang with a scraping intensity.

【I want to be your superhero
I’m happy wandering unknown paths searching for you
I want to be your superhero
Ordinary me, for you
Can become a hero capable of anything】

“Wow….”

And the second verse that followed was even performed with lyrics changed to Korean.
The sense of foreboding seemed to be taking on tangible form. Struck by a sudden wave of dizziness, Kang Yeon-hu squeezed his eyes shut, unable to watch further.
Unaware of his brother’s turmoil, Jung Chae-hyung and Lee Young chattered excitedly amongst themselves.

“The instrumental performance is absolutely killer.”
“Right? They’re really doing everything they want to do.”

The more forcefully Jung Da-jun’s drumsticks struck the drums, the more the atmosphere intensified.

【The dream we painted backstage
Your colors that dyed my colorless self
Melting into the sunset, illuminating my world
You know what I will say?】

The stage that had shimmered with vibrant colors suddenly blurred into grayscale as thunder rumbled—and dark clouds rolled in thick and heavy.
Kim Sung-hyun, who had taken a handheld microphone from the stand, opened the introduction to the next song.

【—I’m not mature enough】

‘What is this?’

Kang Yeon-hu’s brow furrowed slightly. Jung Chae-hyung beside him also seemed to sense something amiss, his eyebrows knitting together.

‘Why are they changing the lyrics…’

But the moment the intro began in earnest, every member of High Five except Kang Yeon-hu jumped to their feet with a roar.

“Woooooah!”

A mega-hit from Revi, the second-generation girl group that had led the Korean Wave craze in Japan and was so phenomenally popular that it was no exaggeration to say every Japanese person knew their name.

“I can’t mature!!”

Witnessing his members’ over-the-top reactions—the kind that would be perfect for a variety show—sent a chill down Kang Yeon-hu’s spine.

‘Damn it.’

So that’s why they had suddenly said they were changing their outfits.
The song had originally featured a masculine concept that was uncommon for girl groups at the time, which made the reaction all the better.

【Yeahh——!】

A warning alarm blared in his mind, signaling danger, as Sung Ji-won’s crystalline soprano soared through the air with refreshing clarity.
One by one, The Dun members set down their instruments and stepped forward, grabbing their microphones before striding confidently onto the extended stage.

【When I meet you, my mood becomes even better
The moment I sit down, my instincts tell me something’s wrong】

Seo Ho-yoon, positioned at center stage, removed his glasses and tossed them aside before bringing the microphone to his lips.

【A fragrance I’ve never encountered before
You order coffee without saying a word
Today my mood feels somewhat cold】

Kang Yeon-hu found himself recognizing it anew—Seo Ho-yoon possessed a remarkable talent for commanding attention.

【Why are you taking off the couple’s ring?
Why are you looking at me so coldly?
I don’t understand why you’re saying we should break up】

The Dun’s youngest member followed, tousling his hair as he adopted a bewildered expression. Despite his youthful appearance, there was something captivating about it.

【There’s no beauty in breaking up
But still, I should have at least given you flowers before leaving】

Sung Ji-won, who had been positioned diagonally, switched places with Jung Da-jun. Jung Chae-hyung, listening to the lyrics, blinked several times before speaking.

“…Uh, wasn’t the original lyric ‘I should have thrown flowers at you before leaving’?”
“They changed it all bit by bit.”

Combining rock with a medium-tempo blues arrangement for their cover, they had clearly reworked the lyrics overall to suit themselves.
The Dun members, lined up in a row, performed their signature hip dance from “We Can’t Mature.”

【Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh…】

The endless cheers resonated vividly even into the High Five Waiting Room.
At that moment, Kang Yi-chae grabbed Seo Ho-yoon’s wrist and pulled him close.

【Give me a moment, what’s your phone number?
Everyone asks me this when I walk down the street
But you don’t know my worth?】

Waaaaaah―….

Originally it had been a performance utilizing a necktie, but with the costume changed, they seemed to have modified the movements slightly. Still, by preserving the girl group’s original choreography, the screams from the audience seating grew even louder.
Kang Yi-chae lifted one corner of his mouth in a smirk, then released his pulled hand as if pushing it away.

【This situation is just absurd】

Then, as Seo Ho-yoon and Kang Yi-chae made a large turn and stepped back, Kim Sung-hyun surged forward to fill that space.

【I’ve never felt this frustrated before
My heart aches so much】

He followed by thrusting his hips upward and executing a wave motion. The loosely draped jacket slipped off his shoulders as it swayed.

【Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh…】

“Woooah….”

【I endure this pathetic feeling
I leave my pride untouched
Yet you only push me away coldly】

Even the members of High Five had quieted down by now.
Kang Yeon-hu could guess how the audience would react without needing to check their response separately.

【I’m not mature enough
Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh…】

…So they were determined not to lose the public’s attention until the very end, then?

“They tore it up….”
“Wow, seriously. They completely shredded the concert.”

Watching Seo Ho-yoon smile while catching his breath with heaving chest, Kang Yeon-hu forcibly suppressed a sigh that was about to escape involuntarily.

‘I made a mistake.’

Even though they had checked the song list in advance, they believed they wouldn’t fall far behind. They had already experienced firsthand at Shining Star just how formidable they were in actual competition.
Suddenly, the pain in his left ankle flared sharply. Kang Yeon-hu deliberately pressed harder against the ground as he spoke to his younger members.

“Let’s head up too.”

He weaved through the bustling staff members and made his way backstage.
A foreign song in an unfamiliar language drifted through as a Japanese singer’s special stage was underway on the main stage.
Kang Yeon-hu carefully observed the stage, making sure his expression remained composed.

“High Five’s VCR is coming up next! Performers, please head to the lift in three minutes!”

Just as the High Five members were warming up, caught between excitement and nervousness,

“Wait.”

Kang Yeon-hu’s forearm was suddenly pulled backward.
When he turned in surprise, Seo Ho-yoon stood before him, his face etched with irritation, breathing heavily.

“Give me ten seconds.”

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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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