The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 38

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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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38

“Ahhhhhhh!”
“Seo Ho-yoon, you absolute scumbag!”
“What? What did you just say?”

The fandom clash was on the verge of turning into a full-blown brawl when security finally stepped in.
The result nobody had anticipated—or at least, nobody wanted to believe would happen—had erupted. The security guards barely managed to break up the fight, escorting some fans out of the venue, and a cold silence descended over the entire hall.

“…Sh….”

Today couldn’t maintain their composure. One member’s face flushed red before they hastily covered their mouth in panic.

“By audience vote, Today receives a penalty score! The current total is now negative….”
“Shut down the program! Get rid of it!”

Me? I didn’t bother managing my expression. It felt far too exhilarating and refreshing to care about composure.
Looking back at my members, they hadn’t expected me to call out Today at all. They stood frozen like meerkats, completely stunned.

“H-hyung.”

I quickly handed the microphone to a staff member approaching me. Then I greeted some fans who looked absolutely delighted and retreated to where the other groups were standing.
The situation had escalated far beyond expectations, and the staff were signaling urgently for the hosts to wrap things up quickly.
Yoo Ji-a took the microphone and drove the final nail in the coffin.

“Today’s earned score of 4,200 points is now reversed to negative. Please display the current totals.”

Not just Today, but everyone else in the venue fell silent. Today’s fall to fifth place, right after Nightmare who had the lowest recognition, was quite the spectacle.

“We’re truly excited to see if Today can make a comeback from this. Stay tuned for the next competition.”

After the broadcast closing remarks were finished, Yoo Ji-a glanced at the idol groups on stage. Only then did the red camera light blink off, and everyone hurriedly descended from the stage without even properly exchanging greetings, their heads bowed in quick succession.

“Get down, get down.”
“Hurry up!”

No one dared to look toward the audience.
Of course, I was the only one who approached the fans with an unhurried stride, greeted them, assessed the situation, and made my way through. The atmosphere was so tense it felt like a full-blown brawl could erupt at any moment.
The moment I arrived at the Waiting Room behind the stage, Yoo Hyuk grabbed me by the collar.

“You bastard!”

Even the VJ following us flinched, hesitating whether to keep the camera rolling or not.

“What the hell are you doing?”
“Mm.”
“You really screwed us. I didn’t even know you were this crazy.”

The other members of Today rushed over.
Surely they weren’t about to start a fight right here.
At that moment, Kim Sung-hyun suddenly stepped between us.

“Hey, let go.”
“Hey? Did you just say ‘hey’ to me?”
“Why? You said last time that it was okay to say ‘hey.'”

When I teased him about the aegyo I’d done at the talent show last time, Yoo Hyuk’s eyes flared with rage.

“This bastard really wants to die…!”
“Can’t you read the room? Don’t you see the camera rolling?”

Kim Sung-hyun spoke coldly. I thought he’d be angry with me, but fortunately his anger turned toward Yoo Hyuk instead.
Yoo Hyuk curled one corner of his mouth into a sneer.

“They’re gonna edit it all out anyway. Damn. Do you think I care about that?”
“Yeah? Then can I throw a carton of eggs at you right now?”

Kang Yi-chae also smirked mockingly, and Yoo Hyuk’s face flushed red and purple. As the stage cleanup finished and staff, Yoo Ji-a, and even the PD began to gather, Yoo Hyuk was forced to swallow his anger.

“Seo Ho-yoon, you know you just dug your own grave, right?”
“….”
“If you’d just stayed quiet, you might’ve gotten half the sympathy. You’re done now. You’re going to get torn apart and fail miserably. Why didn’t you at least play the victim?”

It was the truth.
Most people wouldn’t have chosen Today in that situation.

“You brought this situation on yourself. Right now, there’s no one who can cover for you. We just need to advance in the next competition. But you guys? What are you even going to do?”
“Senior.”

I brushed off my crumpled collar, which had been grabbed by the fist.

“You’re quite talkative today. I guess I really got under your skin.”
“You bastard…!”

Just as he lunged at me again, Sung Ji-won stepped in, unable to hold back any longer.

“Stop it!”
“Sung Ji-won, shut up and back off.”
“You should be careful too. Your loose tongue might get you killed.”
“What…?”
“Do you think I don’t know a thing or two?”

At Sung Ji-won’s words, Yoo Hyuk, who had been visibly flinching, quietly closed his mouth.
I couldn’t hide my astonishment. That meek Sung Ji-won was actually threatening someone.

‘It must be about sponsors…’

But the moment I spoke about sponsors, even Sung Ji-won could be ruined. It was a card too dangerous to play carelessly—a move that could backfire on me.

“Stupid bastards…”
“…”
“You idiots better get along.”

Yoo Hyuk ground his teeth and walked away.
My eyes met Kim Hee-young’s, but I passed by without a word. As I was gathering my things in The Dun’s waiting room, Kim Sung-hyun turned me around.

“Seo Ho-yoon.”
“Yeah.”
“Why did you do that? You didn’t seriously just charge at him out of anger, did you?”
“Hyun-sung.”
“I need to know. I took your side in front of everyone, but this isn’t something that can be brushed aside so easily.”

I understood their position well enough. It would drive anyone crazy.
Kim Sung-hyun stared at me with weary eyes, clearly frustrated.

“You’re already getting criticized for PD favoritism and manipulation. After the guerrilla concert, public opinion flipped completely. People were cursing Today, but if you choose Today right now, it’s the same as saying you want to be cursed.”
“Hyung, the real victim here is Ho-yoon hyung.”
“I know. That’s why I’m even more frustrated. Why do you keep doing this alone?”

Kim Sung-hyun is meticulous. He looks after each team member individually, and as the leader and senior, he’s always tried his best for the group.
But I wasn’t that type.

“I told you to trust me.”
“Hey, Seo Ho-yoon!”
“If you start wavering already, what are we doing? You said you’d trust me even if I did something incredibly stupid.”
“Why are you really like this?”

Even if I explained why I was doing this, there was no doubt he wouldn’t understand me.

“I am sorry to you guys, that much is true. The team is taking damage, that’s a fact. So play the victim role, you guys. Say Seo Ho-yoon did something crazy and you all got hurt because of it. I’ll take full responsibility.”
“Hey!”
“Hyung, hyung.”

As Kim Sung-hyun clenched his teeth, Kang Yi-chae grabbed him. And in a way unlike Kang Yi-chae, he spoke slowly, as if soothing him.

“Hyung, Ho-yoon hyung must have his reasons.”
“….”
“You said it would be fun, but I didn’t expect it to be like this.”

Kang Yi-chae laughed, letting out a deflating sound. He seemed somewhat disappointed. Then he turned to look at me.

“Ho-yoon hyung, I won’t tell you to take responsibility. That would be selfish. But hyung, think about Sung-hyun hyung once.”

As I raised my eyebrows, Kang Yi-chae shrugged.

“You’re smart, hyung. You’ll figure it out soon.”

***

“Hey, guys. Want to grab some tteokbokki on the way?”
“….”
“You guys liked that tteokbokki restaurant last time. I’ll buy, how about it?”
“It’s fine, Manager. I’m not hungry.”

Jung Da-jun answered carefully, gauging the mood.
The car ride back to the Dormitory felt so silent that you could hear an ant passing by. The atmosphere was frigid enough to make the Arctic jealous.
Even with the Manager’s efforts, the mood didn’t shift until we arrived at the Dormitory, and he eventually dropped us off with a miserable expression.
Kim Sung-hyun didn’t say a word even after arriving at the Dormitory. I pulled out my phone in my Bedroom but stepped outside, thinking Kang Yi-chae might feel uncomfortable.

“It’s getting cold.”

The weather was growing colder by the day. I crouched down on the Staircase in front of the Alley and checked my phone.
The notifications were blazing again. I opened and read Lim Hyun-sung’s messages.

[Lim Hyun-sung: Hey]
[Lim Hyun-sung: I heard. You want to retire, right?]
[Lim Hyun-sung: If you’ve got nowhere to go, want to work at my Studio? In exchange, you’ll have to be my servant]
[Me: Sounds good]

I sent a casual reply. Next was Seo Ho-jin.

[Seo Ho-jin: Hyung, did something happen today?]
[Seo Ho-jin: Hyung]
[Seo Ho-jin: Never mind]
[Seo Ho-jin: Just turn off your phone]

“Well, well.”

[Me: Seo Ho-jin]
[Seo Ho-jin: What?]
[Me: Did you eat?]
[Seo Ho-jin: Not yet]
[Seo Ho-jin: What about you, hyung?]
[Me: You internet addict, just eat something]
[Seo Ho-jin: ——]

I turned off the messages after that.
It was clear that Seo Ho-jin was showing concern in his own way.
I happened to think of it and checked the online reactions—people were furious and ranting everywhere.

[Title: I’m sick of defending him]

All the time I spent defending him feels wasted

└Fuck the shield, it hasn’t even been that long since that incident—did you really defend him for just one day?
└What?? Is this about that thing?
└└Yeah SHY
└└What happened?
└└Check the popular posts, but it could blow up soon]

[Title: The Group That’s Profiting From This Mess

Nightmare
He looked almost hopeless, but Seo Ho-yoon saved him because he’s such a crazy guy lol

└Did you see Today’s expression? They were literally cursing out loud
Even I would’ve cursed at it lolol The PD’s pick was acting up, got hit with an egg, and for some reason only Today got cursed at, but the fandom atmosphere was seriously so toxic back then.
└Only Today deserves sympathy22
└└They got cursed at]

[Title: Am I the Only One Who Likes SHY

Honestly, Today’s kids were getting ridiculed like crazy
Seo Ho-yoon chose Today over Nightmare lol it was so satisfying

Lol that reversal of hierarchy is seriously hilarious haha
“A character I’ve never seen before lolol”

[Title: But The Dun’s members seem like they didn’t expect this

Isn’t this something Seo Ho-yoon did alone?
Only The Dun’s members are pitiful, seriously
Seo Ho-yoon isn’t pitiful—he’s insane

└Yeah, it’s their manipulation anyway
Lol but seriously it seems right though did you see everyone’s shocked expressions.. only Seo Ho-yoon stayed calm so he must be a sociopath
If the kids had known, they wouldn’t have been so surprised.
└No, I feel bad for Seo Ho-yoon—it’s the production crew that made him announce it that way
└└If you’d seen his expression, you wouldn’t feel bad—he’s just genuinely insane]

Well, fine. So I’m the only one getting cursed out.
The members of The Dun weren’t receiving nearly as much criticism as I’d anticipated. At least that was a relief.

‘Episode 1 already aired, and Episode 2 comes out in a week. The next competition is ten days away.’

Not much time left. That should be enough to keep the momentum from dying down.
Just as I was about to set my phone down, a message came through at the top of the screen.
It was from Kim Hee-young.

[Kim Hee-young PD: I’m sorry]

There’s no need to apologize.
I was debating whether to pick up my phone and send a reply.

“What are you doing here?”

It was Sung Ji-won.

“Aren’t you cold?”
“Nah, I’m fine.”
“Hold on.”

Sung Ji-won pulled a can of yuzu tea from his pocket. It was warm. When did he buy this?
Sung Ji-won scratched his cheek sheepishly.

“Actually, I saw you out here like this. So I bought two.”
“Thanks.”

Sung Ji-won squeezed in beside me and planted himself on the staircase. I rubbed my hands against the can, popped the lid, and took a sip. It was subtly sweet.
After savoring a few more sips of yuzu tea in silence, I casually asked.

“…What about Kim Sung-hyun?”
“Ha, he’s sulking, you know. He’s got this look when he pouts.”

Sung Ji-won mimicked Kim Sung-hyun. He narrowed his brows and raised his eyebrows—it actually looked similar to Kim Sung-hyun. A laugh escaped me.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but… try to understand even if Sung-hyun gets upset. He’s just got a strong sense of responsibility.”
“He has every right to be upset. It’s affecting the team.”
“No, it’s not like that.”

Sung Ji-won spoke firmly.

“You’re angry because Hyun-sung is trying to carry everything alone.”
“….”
“It’s been like that since the guerrilla performance. Actually, from the very beginning, Ho-yoon, you’ve been trying to do everything by yourself.”

Sung Ji-won fidgeted with the yuzu tea can.

“You told us to trust you, but you don’t trust us in return. That’s what hurts.”
“….”

The words struck me unexpectedly. When I couldn’t respond, Sung Ji-won let out a small laugh.

“Though I’m one to talk, doing nothing right now.”
“Sung Ji-won.”
“Yeah?”
“Were you really going to grab the microphone back then?”

Sung Ji-won nodded without hesitation.
It couldn’t have been easy.

“Who were you going to call out?”
“Who else would I pick? Obviously Today.”

Sung Ji-won chuckled.

“So the outcome would’ve been the same anyway. I’m just sorry you ended up taking more heat.”

Sung Ji-won’s mental fortitude had solidified into something unshakeable. I rested my chin in my hand and gathered my thoughts.
Hurt—I hadn’t heard that word directed at me in so long. Everyone else had said they hated me or disliked me.
Were the members forgiving me because they were naive and young, or had I simply worn myself down too much?
I spoke impulsively.

“Were you the center for Today?”

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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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