The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 385

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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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385

After excluding those who couldn’t attend due to scheduling conflicts, each team still had one extra member. Eventually, once everyone gathered at the meeting point, we conducted a random draw to select one person from each team to form a makeshift group with Min Ji-heon.
Standing in a line—Joo Woo-sung, Kang Yeon-hu, Seo Ho-yoon, and Min Ji-heon—the bizarre team name “Seo Min Kang Joo Team” appeared as a subtitle below them.
[Seriously? Four people forming a team? How did the random draw work out so perfectly?]
These were people who had no real connection beyond belonging to WH Entertainment.
The only common thread was that Joo Woo-sung, Kang Yeon-hu, and Min Ji-heon had each appeared on broadcasts with Seo Ho-yoon before.
So in the early stages of the program, most viewers simply found it an interesting combination and left it at that.
“…Joo Woo-sung, hello….”
“Ah, yes, hello. Min Ji-heon….”
The moment their greetings ended, they both turned their heads away and stared into the distance.
【The extremely busy Min Ji-heon and Joo Woo-sung haven’t gotten close yet.】
As if supporting the caption, brief clips of Min Ji-heon’s intense acting scenes and Joo Woo-sung’s solo performance flashed across the screen.
The classification of other teams continued afterward.
In the meantime, glimpses of the Seo Min Kang Joo Team occasionally appeared on screen, and each time, Kang Yeon-hu—sandwiched between Min Ji-heon and Joo Woo-sung—was visibly fidgeting alone.
“Um, senior, let me do that….”
“Huh? No, no, it’s fine~.”
As Min Ji-heon lifted himself from his chair searching for water, Kang Yeon-hu also sprang up and began fidgeting about uselessly. But he wasn’t helping at all.
Joo Woo-sung, who had been watching him with a languid, indifferent expression, hooked his foot around the chair leg and pulled it back, signaling him to relax. Kang Yeon-hu’s eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
“Hey, just sit down.”
“Ah, ah, yes.”
【The face of a newcomer.jpg】
Hahaha I feel like I’m doing something but I’m actually not doing anything at all lol
Kang Yeon-hu is so damn stingy lol
Even if it were me, it would’ve been really difficult to handle… Even though the age gap between Kang Yeon-hu and me isn’t that big, we’re talking about ‘Joo Woo-sung’ and ‘Min Ji-heon’ here lol. They’re the current top two in the Entertainment Industry.
[A celebrity among celebrities…wow]
People deeply sympathized with Kang Yeon-hu’s position, while their gazes naturally shifted to Seo Ho-yoon, who had been standing expressionlessly beside them.
【Finally succeeding in obtaining water, Min Ji-heon carefully returns to his seat…!】
“…Seo Ho-yoon, here.”
“Thank you.”
The camera captured Min Ji-heon—who had bent down as much as possible to avoid being filmed while visiting the other teams—handing a bottle to Seo Ho-yoon. Seo Ho-yoon bowed his upper body politely as always.
But that was all there was to it. He wasn’t anxious or flustered like Kang Yeon-hu.
Whether Joo Woo-sung put an arm around his shoulder or Min Ji-heon poked him playfully with jokes, he maintained his composure and responded calmly.
【Is this person… a seasoned professional who’s been through the wringer?】
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
What’s with this guy’s confidence? lol
[I heard he was shameless, and it’s really true—completely confident]
But in the first place, Seo Ho-yoon was already so close with Joo Woo-sung and Min Ji-heon… hahahaha
└Wait, really??
└└Yeah, there are still people who don’t know.. He’s especially famous for being genuine friends with Joo Woo-sung!
Isn’t that actually you being polite in front of the camera right now? lol
At that moment, Min Ji-heon pulled his chair forward slightly and spoke.
“Come on, should we decide on our team name?!”
Joo Woo-sung, Kang Yeon-hu, and Seo Ho-yoon all looked disinterested, their faces sliding past like Tibetan foxes. Among them, only Min Ji-heon grinned with excitement.
“—What if we take each of our surnames and call it Seo Min Kang Joo?!”
The camera angle passed over Kang Yeon-hu forcing up the corners of his mouth, through Joo Woo-sung’s bewildered gaze, and reached Seo Ho-yoon, zooming in sharply.
Ah, Seo Ho-yoon is cursing with his eyes lol
[I heard our Ho-yoon didn’t get this angry even when his stage name was Ho-u Ho-u, but he really hates Seo Min Kang Joo]
[LOL Min Ji-Heon is just grinning even though he is hit directly by the bloody energy LOL]
[Is it real that Joo Woo-sung is mouthing “hold it, hold it” next to him?]
Soon after, the first mission “Conditional Running” began. While Joo Woo-sung was constantly being called around without a moment’s rest, Seo Ho-yoon, who had been standing in place the whole time, received a summons from Sung Ji-won and rushed out cheerfully without even checking the note’s requirements.
It was later revealed that Sung Ji-won’s task was to bring the most shameless person here, and all the cast members burst into laughter.
Seo Ho-yoon, who had shown no reaction as if in shock, soon turned his steps around reluctantly.
“Ho-yoon, I respect you too. Being handsome and shameless is Seo Ho-yoon’s obvious charm, aha-ha!”
“Keu-ha, Min Ji-heon, your sense of humor is amazing!”
“Fun fun, right?”
“Puh-ha-ha!”
But as they say, one mountain after another.
Back at the team, Joo Woo-sung and Min Ji-heon, who had been distant the whole time, had somehow become close friends and were giggling while teaming up to tease Seo Ho-yoon.
【Two gentlemen displaying high-quality comedy befitting mid-level company directors….】
Similarly, Kang Yeon-hu, who had been called away by Chae Jung-woo and arrived late to witness this situation, deliberately avoided eye contact as if he hadn’t heard.
Seo Ho-yoon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then, a scene of a waterfall flowing gently overlaid behind him.
【A new employee with n years of experience who has reached enlightenment through spiritual practice in adaptation.】
Kang Yeon-hu hesitantly sat down while gauging the mood, and Joo Woo-sung and Min Ji-heon tapped his forearm and asked warmly.
“Yeon-hu, that was a moment of epiphany—how was it~?”
“Ha-ha-ha, wasn’t what Min Ji-heon said funny?”
“Ha, ha-ha… Yes, well, you certainly have great sense!”
Kang Yeon-hu, whose eyes were unfocused and whose mouth corners were pulled as far as possible, was overlaid with a CG of water splashing out of a bucket.
【And the first-day new employee….】
[hahahahahahahahahaha]
[Is this a joke? Hahahahahahaha I’m going to go home and cry afterward]
[Man, it’s like watching “Surviving in the Jungle Called an MZ-Generation Company”]
As each mission was completed and the friendship between Min Ji-heon and Joo Woo-sung deepened, it was edited to show Kang Yeon-hu and Seo Ho-yoon’s solidarity gradually strengthening as well.
Soon they entered the third mission “Thrilling Ferris Wheel,” and Min Ji-heon, who had entered as their secret weapon, was devastatingly defeated by a food counterattack and returned to the team with heightened sensitivity.
When Min Ji-heon whined about being hungry in an expression that didn’t suit his serious face, Kang Yeon-hu and Seo Ho-yoon’s faces alternated on screen.
【 – This is it, we entry-level employees have to survive no matter what…! – 】
However, contrary to the captions that suggested he’d steeled himself, the moment Kang Yeon-hu entered the Haunted House as his penalty, his screams never ceased.
“W-wait, I’m f-fine… KYAAAAAAAH—!”
【But the first day of a new employee’s working life was far from smooth sailing!】
[Yeon-hoo…
The more he appears on variety shows, the more his composed and calm image crumbles
But of course, I think it’s great]
[Ordinary people would probably see Kang Yeon-hu and think, “Oh, that naive and cute guy?” But in High Five, he’s quick-witted and dependable as the family breadwinner (laughs)]
Of course, even at this moment, Seo Ho-yoon remained perfectly composed. Despite the haunted house’s reputation—featuring meticulous and realistic makeup, cruel themes, and even occasional reports from visitors claiming to have experienced paranormal phenomena—he approached the props for closer inspection, carefully examined various corners of the venue with apparent interest, and eventually even struck up a conversation with one of the part-time staff members.
“Do you stay open late these days? Or are you working overtime just for us?”
【(Why are you saying things like that during the ‘Horror Hospital’ experience)】
Just as Joo Woo-sung was advising the endlessly screaming Kang Yeon-hu to sing if he was so frightened, Min Ji-heon—who had been quietly following behind the others until now—suddenly pressed close to Seo Ho-yoon, his face hardening as he whispered something urgently.
The conversation was drowned out by Kang Yeon-hu’s voice, but from Seo Ho-yoon’s expression alone, it seemed as if he’d suddenly grasped something important, an exclamation mark practically materializing above his head.
【The boss doesn’t seem to be in good condition…!】
And then a montage of Min Ji-heon, who had been losing games and having his snacks taken away, was inserted.
【So what should Seo Ho-yoon, a seasoned veteran with years of experience, do in this situation?!】
Tense background music played, and all manner of mathematical formulas flashed across the screen behind Seo Ho-yoon. Soon, having reached his conclusion, he shouted loudly.
“Huh? You’re saying Min Ji-heon is hungry?”
Swiftly overtaking Joo Woo-sung, Seo Ho-yoon surged ahead to take the lead.
Offering a light smile to the bewildered Kang Yeon-hu, who stumbled backward in surprise, Seo Ho-yoon strode confidently through the Haunted House.
【This is the vibe that comes from experience!】
[Wow, look at his action skills haha]
What’s wrong?
A trembling new employee & a boss in poor condition—instantly resolved]
“I’ll always be by your side―. Bathed in the warm light that love brings, let us move forward together.”
【And he even sings the theme song while following Kang Yeon-hu!】
Damn, that’s some crazy way to navigate the world lol
“Jackpot shabashaba skill final showdown lolololol if I were the Boss I’d definitely promote them lololololololololol”
“At this point, isn’t he past being a newbie anymore lolol 😭😭😭😭😭 He’s even surpassed the assistant manager level, he’s practically Planning Team Lead material 😭😭😭”
[It was so cute after the lecture with Joo Woo-seong quietly singing along next to him.
Meanwhile
Min Ji-heon doesn’t know the lyrics, right?
[Hahahahahaha… Ji-heon was just a young breadwinner of Dae Pa-sung…]
After a few more minutes passed, they spotted the exit marked “EXIT” and safely made their way outside.
The production crew erupted in cheers and applause.
At the same time, Seo Ho-yoon, beaming brightly and responding to their enthusiasm, was briefly caught glancing toward Kang Yeon-hu, who had collapsed onto the ground as his legs gave out.
[Even the finale was perfect with this guy..]
Most viewers, who were simply enjoying the broadcast as entertainment, were unaware of the rivalry between the idols and became immersed in the “new employee’s working life” narrative created by the editing, thoroughly entertained.
[When scolded by the boss, there’s the new employee thinking “Oh no, did I make some huge mistake?” and the jaded n-year veteran thinking “Ugh, whatever”… the combination is absolutely exquisite…
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ugh, I totally relate to this lol
[Year later? Did you say that? ㅅㅂㅜㅜㅜ I feel like I’m looking at the same person I was a year ago, so I really want to cheer for him ㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜ It’s hard… office life…]
[At the end when Min Ji-heon pats everyone on the back asking if they’re okay and suggests going out for food, even mentioning gamjatang—it’s so much like our department head’s vibe…]
I can see Joo Woo-sung looking at Seo Ho-yoon’s actions with a pleased expression lolololol I’m dying lololololol It instantly reminds me of the senior colleague and junior relationship at the Entertainment Company right now, it’s so good!!!!!!!!!!
In the brief preview of the next episode that was released, the focus seemed to shift from the “Seo Min-gang-ju Team” to the individual charm of each group.
[Yeah.. whether they’re idols or whatever, life is all the same for everyone…]
[I wish these four would do a year-end special stage together]
“No way, if the weight class goes up and I call everyone together, I’ll go bankrupt hahahaha”
Those who had tasted fun in an entirely unexpected direction through “Let’s Go on a School Trip” lingered in that afterglow, and though they believed it would be difficult to achieve, they genuinely and repeatedly hoped to encounter the combination of Min Ji-heon, Joo Woo-sung, Kang Yeon-hu, and Seo Ho-yoon once more somewhere.
* * *
“Ugh, it’s absolutely freezing.”
Just as the school was bustling with activity following the college entrance exam, the season’s first snow made its appearance.
‘Why is it snowing already?’
Bloy, who had been fidgeting with the now-lukewarm hand warmer in her pocket, quickened her pace. After exchanging brief pleasantries with a friend she’d run into at the school gate, she opened the door marked “Class 1-3” and stepped inside.
After removing her coat and setting down her bag, she was rubbing her frozen hands to warm them when another friend, whose silver-framed glasses gleamed as if testifying to her intelligence, approached with a hunched posture and lowered her voice conspiratorially.
“Hey, you know my cousin works at WH, right?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Apparently The Dun sold coffee at the in-house cafe this time.”
“Seriously? They must’ve filmed a behind-the-scenes video.”
They really do work hard.
A bitter feeling crept up inside me for no reason.
I tried not to envy The Dun’s constant stream of content, but Black Call had been so scarce lately that aside from personal live streams, they’d practically stopped all official activities and announcements.
At least they appeared in “Let’s Go on a School Trip,” so I should be grateful for that much.
I’d already watched it dozens of times, memorizing exactly which scene appeared at which minute and second. I could even recite the dialogue like a stage play.
‘What if they suddenly announce they’re enlisting in the military…?’
Struck by a sudden wave of negative thoughts, I slapped my own cheek hard and opened my textbook. I should study instead of wasting time like this. My goal was to get a perfect score on the college entrance exam. And I wanted to do an interview saying, “I was able to reach this point because of Black Call!”
As I kept rereading the words that wouldn’t stick, one word from my friend’s continued chatter suddenly pierced my ears.
“The official video hasn’t been released yet, but apparently Black Call was all gathered together there….”
“What?!”
“Aren’t they preparing for a comeback?!”
“Oh my god! The Dun, I’m so grateful! Thank you! My boys are still alive after all!”
I’ll definitely check out The Dun’s self-produced content the moment it uploads.
Seo Ho-yoon, who was always clingingly pestering Joo Woo-sung without being particularly helpful, had always seemed annoying—but today, he looked like an angel.
I was mentally noting the schedule when my friend, pushing her glasses up with her index finger, clicked her tongue and grumbled.
“Our guys have moved up in tier too, so they don’t really do regional events anymore. Back then, they were so indiscriminate that they even earned the nickname ‘The Dun’ for attending every single event… I miss those days….”
“You’ve gotten pretty full, haven’t you?”
To say such a thing in front of Bloy, who’d been waiting for nearly a year and a half.
Black Call was her first idol and colored every aspect of her fan experience.
“Please come to our school… I’m begging you….”
Bloy, who had been staring at her friend’s earnest mutterings with a sidelong glance, was about to shift her gaze back to her book when she suddenly noticed something unfamiliar beyond the window.
A strange vehicle was parked in the parking lot adjacent to the school auditorium. It was a black van.
“…?”
Her brow furrowed slightly.
No matter how I looked at it—from any angle—she seemed suspicious, ranking first in suspiciousness.

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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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