The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 41

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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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41

A question for you all.
What kind of person is Kim Sung-hyun?
First to answer: Sung Ji-won.

“Huh? Sung-hyun? He’s a good guy. Always considerate, always thinking of others. He looks intimidating, but when you think about it, Ho-yoon, you’re no pushover either… Ah, I get it. I’m just joking.”
(He says he’s not joking!)(No way! Ho-yoon, you know I’m not being serious, right?)

Second to answer: Kang Yi-chae and Jung Da-jun.

“Why are you suddenly asking that? Well… sometimes he’s more like a parent to us than our actual parents. I heard he has a lot of younger siblings, so maybe that’s why he has such a strong sense of responsibility.”
(He remembers every little detail! He even remembers when I stubbed my pinky toe on the doorframe two years ago and tells me to be careful every time!)(Nobody asked.)(Yes….)

Third to answer: the Manager.

“When I think about our Sung-hyun, tears just start flowing…
(He’s actually crying)
He was our company’s very first trainee, and from back then he’s quietly followed along with us. We haven’t done much for him, yet he calls me Manager and listens so well. He’s truly genuine.”
“….”
“If I ever had a son, you know? I’d want him to turn out like that. But Ho-yoon, what about you? Hmm… if my son were Seo Ho-yoon, that would be a bit scary. Yeah. Sorry, Ho-yoon.”
“Sigh….”
“Don’t sigh! That’s scary!”

I turned away, ignoring the Manager.
Wait, how does someone with such glowing praise like Kim Sung-hyun end up with school violence allegations?
After practice ended, I glared at Kim Sung-hyun. Misunderstanding my look, he pulled out a fresh bottle of water and tossed it to me.

“What? You don’t like that? Want something else?”
“No, this is fine.”

But what could I even say here?
What happened to you? Are the school violence allegations real?
How could I suddenly ask that?

“What’s wrong, you’re being so bland.”
“That’s enough….”
“If something hurts, tell me. Let’s go to the Hospital right now.”
“I said that’s enough.”
“You’re being extra prickly today.”

Kim Sung-hyun clicked his tongue and walked away.
Now that I think about it, Kim Sung-hyun rarely got angry. Let me recall the moments when he actually did.
1. When I first joined and the team was on the verge of falling apart.
2. When I got hit by an egg.
3. When I chose Today and said I’d take sole responsibility.

‘…Am I trash?’

No matter how much I thought about it, Kim Sung-hyun hadn’t done anything wrong.
His anger only flared when it concerned the team or others. Based on everything I’d seen from him so far, I couldn’t imagine him causing harm to anyone. Well, I suppose I can’t know for certain. You can fathom the depths of a river, but never the depths of a person’s heart. And in the entertainment industry especially, such betrayals were commonplace. People would smile sweetly to your face, then stab you in the back the moment you turned around.
I should only trust what I can verify.
I should only believe in what’s certain.

What should I do?
What should I do?

Uncover Kim Sung-hyun’s past.
Kim Sung-hyun is extremely reluctant to discuss this matter.
Ask him for the full details of the incident.
Success: Kim Sung-hyun Trust increases, Main Scenario progresses
Failure: Reputation drops significantly, unable to release album within one year
Note: Four days until school violence allegations surface]
Note: Four days before the school violence controversy broke out]

“Crazy.”

Four days until the school violence allegations surface.
It meant someone was already harboring malice toward Kim Sung-hyun.
I calculated the timeline. Four days—two days after that would be the start of the Second Round Competition. If I couldn’t resolve the school violence allegations by then, we were obviously doomed.
I calculated the dates. Four days, and four days later, two days after that is when the Second Round Competition begins. If we can’t resolve the school violence controversy by then, we’re obviously finished.

Let’s practice again.

At Sung Ji-won’s words, I shot to my feet. Now wasn’t the right time to ask questions anyway.
After practicing for quite some time, dawn was already approaching.
Jung Da-jun murmured.

“Don’t you think we’re really going to do well this time?”
“We picked a good one.”
“Honestly, I think it’s better than Today’s original.”
“Right.”
“Kang Yi-chae really is talented at composing.”
“So you’re finally recognizing my greatness?”
“What about composer Lim Hyun-sung?”
“Compared to her, my skills are garbage….”

Kang Yi-chae surprisingly backed down quickly. He genuinely seemed to respect Lim Hyun-sung.
I was so exhausted I crawled across the practice room floor.

“Let’s head back to the dormitory soon. We need to get some sleep.”
“What’s gotten into you, practice fiend?”
“Of course, after sleeping for three or four hours, I’ll have to come back and practice again.”
“What happened to my human rights?”

Kang Yi-chae grumbled but got up to follow Sung Ji-won. However, Kim Sung-hyun suddenly hesitated alone.

“What is it, Kim Sung-hyun? Aren’t you coming?”
“I want to practice a bit more. I feel like I’ll forget if I don’t do it now.”
“Wow, you’re really insane too.”
“Understood, but you have to get at least some sleep.”
“I will.”
“Ho-yoon, let’s go.”

I hesitated. Part of me wanted to go back to the dormitory with them and sleep, but I couldn’t miss this chance to talk with Kim Sung-hyun alone.

“I’ll practice a bit more too.”
“Ugh, why are you both like this?”
“Sung Ji-won’s practice obsession must be contagious.”

Kang Yi-chae clicked his tongue. Everyone seemed tired and left the practice room without much else to say.
Kim Sung-hyun glanced at me.

“Where do you want to start practicing?”
“I want to make a decision from here.”
“Alright.”

The moment those words left his lips, the arrangement Kang Yi-chae had composed began to play. A flute melody wove through the grand prelude of sweeping strings.
I was matching steps with Kim Sung-hyun when he suddenly stopped and tilted his head thoughtfully.

“You know that expression about ‘walking through clouds’? I think it would work better if we changed this part to a group formation and expressed the swaying of wind instead.”
“How?”
“If I take the lead here….”

Kim Sung-hyun continued explaining methodically. To be honest, I was only half-listening. Even if I’d paid serious attention, I probably wouldn’t have understood it anyway. All I could truly feel was how genuinely committed he was to this stage.

“Hey, are you listening?”
“I wasn’t.”
“Seo Ho-yoon, you….”
“Let’s talk about it when the others arrive. I think I’ll understand better seeing it all together.”

I said that and collapsed onto the floor, exhausted.
Kim Sung-hyun grumbled in frustration while continuing to scribble on paper, still deep in thought.

“Kim Sung-hyun.”
“Yeah?”
“Why do you want to be an idol?”
“…What?”

I’d asked it indirectly, but it seemed to catch him off guard. He stopped writing and looked down at me.

“Then why do you do it?”
“I had no choice.”
“What do you mean you had no choice?”
“Sometimes life throws things at you like that….”

Like when a System Window suddenly appears and forces you to become an idol, practically coercing an innocent person….
At my words, Kim Sung-hyun let out a bewildered laugh.

“Just give me a real answer.”
“You’re acting really strange today.”

Kim Sung-hyun glanced at me sideways, tossed his pen aside, and sprawled out flat on his back.

“It’s pretty straightforward, honestly. I was a b-boy, got cast on the street, thought it looked fun… and I liked the members.”
“Were you with Dae Pa-sung from the start?”
“Yeah. Unlike Sung Ji-won, I was with Dae Pa-sung from the beginning. I’m literally the first trainee idol here.”
“Yes, Senior Kim Sung-hyun. Please teach me well.”
“First, make sure you take your vitamins, and get proper sleep…”

I threw out a joke, and Kim Sung-hyun launched into a lecture—half serious, half joking. I blocked out his nagging and dangled some bait instead.

“Since high school?”
“Huh?”
“Were you a trainee since high school?”

At my subtle mention of high school, Kim Sung-hyun’s expression stiffened noticeably. His answer came only after a long pause.

“Not back then.”
“…”
“Back then, I just… loved dancing. Like an idiot.”

Like an idiot.
I studied his face quietly, and he suddenly sat up.

“That’s enough practice for today. Let’s head back, take some supplements, and get some rest. We need to leave soon to sync up with the others.”
“…Yeah.”

My attempt to gently probe and unearth his past had failed. I couldn’t press further when he wore that expression. I shrugged and left.

***

“Wow! Isn’t this the rebel idol!”

After barely catching a few hours of sleep at the dormitory, I arrived at the company to find Joo Woo-sung lounging in the lobby with a smirk. The members beside him looked utterly bewildered and restless.
I made a disgusted face.
Why was Joo Woo-sung here? But more importantly—

“What’s a rebel idol?”
“You don’t know? That’s your nickname these days.”
“My nickname?”

Why is that my nickname? I was still half-asleep, gulping down water, when Joo Woo-sung snickered.

“Episode 2 aired yesterday, right? The first round hasn’t even finished airing yet, but everyone who knows anything knows about it. That you filmed for Today.”
“Ah, that.”

So that’s where the “Idol Who Defies Hierarchy” nickname came from. I’d have to be more careful leaving the building. I had no desire to get beaten to death by Today fans.

“Wow, I knew this bastard was crazy, but I never expected him to charge in like that.”
“Is that why you came?”
“Nah. I figured I’d check in on you guys while I’m at it. Plus, I’ve got some things to talk about.”

Joo Woo-sung clicked his tongue and glanced toward the members. Understanding what he meant, I gestured to them.

“I’ll be right there. Go on inside first.”
“Got it.”
“Let us know if anything comes up. We’re heading to the practice room, senior.”
“Yeah, fighting.”

Sung Ji-won bowed respectfully, and the rest of the members seized the opportunity, rushing off toward the practice room.
I glanced around the lobby before quietly leading Joo Woo-sung to the conference room.

“This isn’t really lobby conversation material, is it?”
“Can’t we go to a cafe? I don’t want to breathe in dust from your shabby building.”
“If I leave now, I’ll get beaten to death.”
“Right, you’re the type to worry about things like that.”

Was he joking? Back when I was a PD, I used to sneak out the back door to avoid all sorts of antis, creeping through the parking lot before heading home. When Kim Hee-young saw me doing that, she asked what kind of idol I was trying to be….

‘Wait, I’m actually an idol now, aren’t I?’

“Listen.”
“Yes, sir.”

I snapped back from my trip down memory lane and looked at Joo Woo-sung. He settled into a chair and started fiddling with the conference room microphone before speaking.

“That can’t possibly be the case.”
“Yes.”
“I’m just asking.”
“Yes.”
“It’s not that I suspect you or anything….”
“Stop being annoying and just ask already.”

Why was he dragging this out so much?
As my irritation showed, Joo Woo-sung scratched the back of his head.

“Did you meet a paparazzi?”

My eyebrows twitched.
Ah, I think I understood what Joo Woo-sung was anxious about.

“Did you meet Kim Jae-yeon?”
“That wasn’t the name. Ah, maybe it was an alias.”
“He’s dumber than I thought….”

I muttered under my breath, pressing my temples firmly. I’d known from my previous life that Kim Jae-yeon was that kind of bastard, but his threats seemed weaker than expected. Already drowning in things I couldn’t control, frustration welled up inside me. I sank deep into my chair, contemplating how to handle this, when my eyes met Joo Woo-sung’s.
I was already frustrated with all these things I couldn’t control, and my irritation flared up. I buried myself deep in the chair, pondering how to deal with it, when my eyes met Joo Woo-sung’s.

“Oh my.”

I mocked him.

“This bastard really needs to learn some manners.”
“No. There’s nothing for you to worry about, Joo Woo-sung.”
“No. There’s nothing for Joo Woo-sung to worry about.”

Even at my firm words, Joo Woo-sung still seemed unable to believe me.

“I’m making a move.”
“What move?”
“To rank first on Shining Star.”
“What? Are you still chasing that pipe dream?”
“What? You’re still chasing empty dreams?”

Joo Woo-sung let out a hollow laugh.

“No way. Today Entertainment is really pushing hard this time. You can tell by how the production crew treats you guys.”
“I know. I understand.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“There are so many ways in this world….”

Since I spoke in roundabout terms, Joo Woo-sung didn’t press further. Still, his shoulders shrugged slightly.

“What you’re doing is fine, but try to look after your team members too.”
“….”
“When I bring you up, everyone stays quiet, but do you know what’s written all over their faces? Worry on the left, anxiety on the right. They’re all on edge because they don’t know which way you’ll jump. It’s pitiful to watch.”
“That’s….”

I tried to protest but closed my mouth instead.
The truth was, I had nothing to say. Only questions kept circling.

“Have you never felt this way before, Joo Woo-sung?”

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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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