The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 48

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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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48

[Title: Breaking Down Exactly Why Kim Sung-hyun Despises Today

Analysis based on the Shining Star Gallery.
I’ve compiled only the facts, excluding some of the controversies.

1. First off, Kim Sung-hyun is genuinely a model citizen. Stories of his good deeds? Endless. He’s just not well-known, so people don’t hear about them. He naturally treats his fans well, and with three younger siblings, he takes good care of his group members too. He volunteers at shelters for abandoned dogs, works at orphanages, and has been donating to a certain organization for six years, even if it’s a small amount.
2. Today, on the other hand? They’re completely rotten.
First, their fan wars are absolutely brutal. (The fans who put up with it are saints.)
They’re only friendly to people who are doing well.
They love clubs and women even more. There are rumors about sponsorships and assault, but since those aren’t confirmed facts, I’ll exclude them for now.
3. So why does Kim Sung-hyun hate Today? I think the connection point is Sung Ji-won.
Sung Ji-won was originally Today’s center, but suddenly left and joined the unknown Dae Pa-sung, debuting with Kim Sung-hyun. They get along well. But looking at this broadcast footage

[Today ignores Sung Ji-won]
[Sung Ji-won forces a smile but his expression is off]
[This part goes by quickly, but you can hear Today cursing at Sung Ji-won]
[Kim Sung-hyun’s face stiffens beside him]

You can clearly see Today taking jabs at Sung Ji-won. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I believe this is the decisive reason Kim Sung-hyun came to despise Today.

Conclusion: Today’s character is completely corrupted, and Kim Sung-hyun absolutely despises them for it.

Anyone saying Kim Sung-hyun is a school bully after reading this clearly can’t comprehend context and is just an anti.

└Why is it so long?
└└They already gave a conclusion, you idiot. Is the college entrance exam even passable at this level?
└Sincere recommendation
└Facts lol you’re such an obvious Kim Sung-hyun fan lol go to The Dun gallery instead
└└Isn’t hyping up Kim Sung-hyun too much actually making him an anti? Are you a Today fan with no brain?
└But it seems like the right thing to say… When I watch the broadcast, I really feel it. Today’s favoritism isn’t originally towards Today either, but it’s especially severe towards The Dun lol
└└Lime lol Today’s original Today favoritism
└Bring evidence of Today’s character if you’re going to talk about it
└└Physiognomy
└If this is real, it’s a pilgrimage lol]

I checked the community and nodded. Ever since the viewership ratings climbed close to 6 percent, naturally all the attention has been focused on Shining Star lately.
Discussions about Kim Sung-hyun are starting to emerge again, and everything is neatly organized. Excellent.

[Please do this.]

I sent a text to Kim Jae-yeon and couldn’t hide the smile leaking through.

“The time has come.”
“Indeed, the time has come.”

Jung Da-jun suddenly interjected from beside me. I glanced at him.

“Finally! Now we can coordinate on stage!”
“That’s not what I meant… but yes.”

I patted Jung Da-jun’s head. He’s so pure and untainted by the world that something about him—his round, glossy eyes—reminds me of a tiny puppy.

“Your eyes just looked strange.”
“Why?”
“Like you were looking at me as if I were some small animal…”
“Spot on.”
“Ah, Hyung!”

At times like this, his perception is a hundred times sharper. I ignored what Jung Da-jun was saying and glanced up at the stage.
The final competition would be broadcast live. That’s why I’d come to the Broadcasting Station to conduct a special rehearsal to ensure no accidents occurred.

“We’ll do a dry run today, then a camera rehearsal, and only then the actual broadcast. There’s still plenty of time to prepare, but we need to nail the blocking today! Perfectly! We have to get it right.”
“Sung Ji-won is at it again….”
“What are you trying to say, Yi-chae?”
“You look incredibly handsome today, hyung! The best!”

Kang Yi-chae quickly raised his thumb. Seong Ji-won gave me a ‘ha’ look as if he knew everything, but I just ignored it.
The final competition.

“Now we’re heading toward the end.”

The other members’ rehearsals began. The order was determined by lottery, and we were scheduled right before Today.
The members seemed a bit disappointed, but I didn’t think it was bad.
And for good reason….

“Hey there!”

Before I could finish my thought, the Marz Vocalist approached us.

“Hey.”
“You’re looking sharp today, huh?”
“Thanks.”

The Marz Vocalist had a better personality than I’d expected. He grinned and approached Sung Ji-won with casual familiarity. Somehow, he’d built a sense of closeness with me.
It seemed that filming Today had played a significant role in raising his favorability toward us.

“Are you all prepared?”
“Not bad. What about you guys?”
“Haha, we’ve let go of our ambitions a bit.”
“…?”
“Ah~, is it the composure of being first place? Today is running late again today.”

The Marz Vocalist sighed deeply. There was a probing quality to it. When I stayed quiet to gauge his true intentions, the Marz Vocalist shrugged his shoulders.

“You guys still don’t know, do you?”

Something felt different about his reaction than usual.
There was a self-deprecating edge to it. He glanced around to check if there were any microphones or staff members nearby, then came close and whispered to me.

“Actually, Today is the presumed first-place winner.”
“Ah.”

So that’s what this was about.

‘You’re only finding out now?’

I remained expressionless, but the Marz Vocalist didn’t seem to notice the dissonance and continued grumbling.

“Ugh… hearing that yesterday left me speechless. What was everything we’ve done up until now for then? We cursed them out like our lives depended on it yesterday.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, still, the program’s viewership ratings have been so good. Even if we don’t take first place, there are things we’ll gain from this.”

Fair point.
The Marz Vocalist quickly adapted to reality.

“Let’s just accept what comes our way.”

Anyone would have said the same.

“Why are you giving up already?”
“Huh?”

That’s when Today burst in energetically, before the Vocalist could even ask me what I meant.

“Hello everyone~!”
“Hello!”

They were doing things they normally didn’t do, even greeting the staff members.

“What a wonderful day!”

Wonderful, they say.

“Ahahaha!”

‘Their brain is pure-hearted, isn’t it.’

Things have been going smoothly all the way to the finals, so it’s only natural they’re acting like this.
I clicked my tongue and watched their shoulders puff up to the heavens, when my eyes locked directly with Yoo Hyuk’s. He grinned wickedly and sauntered toward me with exaggerated swagger.

“Well, well, isn’t this our insubordinate junior from The Dun?”
“Yes, senior.”

I answered flatly.

“I’m in such a fantastic mood, you know. I’ve been waiting so long to watch you guys completely bomb today.”
“Hey, hey. Stop messing with the kid. One more poke and he’ll start crying.”

Before I knew it, all the members of Today had gathered around.
They snickered and sneered, which was honestly quite tedious.

“Is looking shabby your concept today? Didn’t even prepare stage costumes?”
“Leave them alone. What would their agency know anyway?”

It was The Dun versus Today all over again.
I wonder if the cameras are catching this—even if it doesn’t air, I’d love to keep this footage for myself.

“The guy with the big mouth can’t say a word today.”
“Hmm….”

Ding!

[Didn’t you hear me say senior? Are your ears blocked?]

This should’ve been my moment to get excited, but the System Window was getting annoyed on my behalf instead. As I stared blankly at it, Yoo Hyuk somehow misinterpreted my silence and got even more excited.

“Did your spirit finally break? Got knocked around a bit and placed fifth, so now you’re coming to your senses? If you were so bitter about it, you should’ve joined a major entertainment company.”

‘Woof woof… woof woof woof….’

I was quietly translating his nonsense in my head.
The members of The Dun frowned sharply at the situation. Sung Ji-won strode over and positioned himself between Yoo Hyuk and me.

“What’s going on here?”
“Ah, our guardian has arrived.”

Yoo Hyuk chuckled with amusement.

“Ji-won, I’m genuinely curious. How does it feel? You acted so righteous, but you crashed and burned spectacularly.”
“….”
“I told you this would happen. Why didn’t you listen to me?”

Sung Ji-won didn’t respond to those words, but his gentle expression had vanished, replaced by something cold and sharp. Yoo Hyuk remained undeterred and continued to snicker. Instead, an angry Kim Sung-hyun grabbed Sung Ji-won’s arm and pulled him away.

“Don’t listen to him.”
“Wow, you two get along. But Ji-won, can you really trust him? He doesn’t hit you when things go wrong, does he?”

Sung Ji-won’s expression shifted dramatically.

“Watch your mouth.”
“Ji-won, you throw such a fit with us~ such a fit~ but what makes him different? School violence is okay? I can’t follow your tiny little brain.”
“Yoo Hyuk.”
“Huh? Go ahead.”

Yoo Hyuk raised his finger and poked Sung Ji-won’s forehead repeatedly. Sung Ji-won’s face visibly hardened.

‘Wait, but….’

This bastard?

‘Why is he touching someone else’s member?’

A sudden disturbance rippled through my otherwise calm mind.

“Hey.”

I grabbed both Kim Sung-hyun and Sung Ji-won and yanked them toward me.
While they stumbled in confusion, I quickly pushed them behind me.

“Huh, what?”
“Stay still.”

I deliberately positioned myself in front of them and fixed my gaze on Yoo Hyuk. I spoke calmly and deliberately.

“Senior, are you a thug?”
“What?”
“Why are you messing with someone who’s minding their own business?”

Yoo Hyuk froze in shock. My voice echoed alone across the quiet set. Every eye—staff members, other group members—turned toward us.

“Damn it, what’s with that tone to your senior? Did you just curse at me?”
“This is how I always talk. And you’re the one who cursed just now, senior.”
“Wow, seriously… Do you have no fear at all?”
“I do. Just not of you, senior.”

The guy standing next to Yoo Hyuk clenched his fists. I kept my gaze steady, refusing to show any reaction.
Truth be told, I was getting annoyed.
This nobody acting tough, constantly poking at someone from a prestigious family like that.
I could torment these guys, but they can’t do the same to me.

‘Perfect hypocrisy.’

I crossed my arms and deliberately let out a long sigh.

“Senior, I’ve been thinking about something. Why do you keep bothering someone who’s just trying to mind their own business? And I came to a conclusion.”

I snapped my fingers.

“You’re jealous because you’re ugly.”
“What?”
“You must be jealous because our members are better-looking than you.”

Yoo Hyuk’s jaw dropped in disbelief, but his eyes quickly filled with rage as he lunged at me.

“Hey, you… what are you—”
“What am I?”
“….”

I’d hit a nerve. Yoo Hyuk, momentarily at a loss for words, his eyes now blazing with fury.

“…I don’t understand what you’re relying on to struggle like this.”
“Struggle?”
“Guys like you can never reach first place no matter how hard you try.”
“Oh, how terrifying.”

I let out a yawn.
Apparently that got to Yoo Hyuk, because he grabbed me by the collar.

“I’m going to ruin you. You won’t be able to set foot anywhere in the entertainment industry. I’ve already marked you.”

I scratched my ear and chuckled.

“Seriously, no matter where you go, the threat repertoire stays the same.”
“You bastard… does this look like a joke to you?”
“No, it doesn’t look like a joke.”

Back when I was with the PD, I’d heard the threat about being blacklisted from the industry so many times it had become clichéd. But I always had the same response ready.

“You know? I’ve heard this speech at least ten times… and I’m still doing just fine.”
“…You!”
“But what about you?”

I pointed directly at him with my finger.

“Will you be fine?”

Just as Yoo Hyuk frowned, not understanding what I meant, the Today Manager suddenly burst through the door, his face drained of all color.

“Hey!!”
“Geez, what is it….”
“Hey, Yoo Hyuk! You guys!”

Yoo Hyuk turned around. I was in the middle of having fun, and his expression suddenly shifted.

“Hyung, come back later. I need to teach these bastards a real lesson today.”
“Stop with the lesson nonsense! You idiot! You guys are in big trouble!”
“What is it?”

I etched each of these moments into my memory with satisfaction. The way saliva flew roughly from Yoo Hyuk’s mouth, the deeply furrowed brows of the Today members, the uncontrollably trembling eyes of our members.
I would never forget this delightful moment, no matter how much time passed.
This was finally the climax of the story.

Then, screams erupted from the staff. Yoo Hyuk whipped his head toward the sound, and upon hearing the words that followed, his face went deathly pale.

“Today, drug involvement…?”
“…!!”

Kang Yi-chae, standing beside the staff member, glanced over and let out a snicker. Then, with the obliviousness of someone from another dimension, he deliberately acted as if he’d just noticed and loudly read from the smartphone in the staff member’s hand.

“All members of the idol group ‘Today’ are known to have purchased and used drugs through acquaintances since 20XX.”
“…!!”

Ah~

“What?”

He’s gone now~

I pressed my forehead with my hand as if genuinely sympathetic and lowered the corners of my eyes, but Kang Yi-chae’s voice didn’t diminish.

“Furthermore, in CCTV footage from a club in Seoul obtained by reporters, a scene of Today member Yoo Hyuk assaulting a customer was captured in vivid detail! Oh my!”

Farewell~

“How, how could that be….”
“Oh dear~, what do we do.”

It won’t go far~

I hummed while watching Yoo Hyuk, whose face had gone deathly pale. His hands trembled as they quivered.
Watching the panicked Today members, all those difficult days I’d endured flashed before my eyes in succession.
As I contentedly observed this scene, my eyes met those of the Marz Vocalist. It seemed I’d been far too composed while everyone else was in turmoil.

‘Could it be?’
‘Yeah, that’s right.’

I smiled gently and winked. I didn’t bother to say it aloud.

‘Of course, I knew everything from the start.’

Knew? That’s not all.
I planned everything from the beginning.
The origin of this long, drawn-out Shining Star incident was like this.

First, the information Joo Woo-sung had told me.
-The first-place winner is already decided.
-Really?

Second, getting a hint through the Marz Vocalist.
-Today’s crew is famous for being dirty party animals, you know.
-Oh, really?

Third, squeezing information out of Kim Jae-yeon.
-Found it! I found it, drug photos of Today!
-Ha ha, really?

I’d waited a very long time for this moment of satisfaction.
So what’s the conclusion?
If the first-place winner is already decided….
Then all I had to do was eliminate the predetermined winner.

‘Trash belongs in the trash bin!’

I was staring at Today when I shifted my gaze toward Kim Sung-hyun. Even Kim Sung-hyun seemed flustered, apparently unaware that Today was this much of a mess.

“Drugs? Assault?”

Yoo Hyuk trembled, his face drained of color. Everyone standing around him rushed to open search portals, and articles about Today filled the screens completely.

“Hyung, something’s wrong, right? The agency can still cover this up, right?”
“I don’t know. We’re t-trying our best to handle it, but it’s spread too far.”
“Where did it come from? Which bastard spread this!”

‘Thanks to. The great paparazzi, Kim Jae-yeon.’

Watching Yoo Hyuk fall apart felt incredibly satisfying. It was like chugging down a refreshing soda.
Yoo Hyuk was raging when our eyes met. I smiled as warmly as I could.

“What do I do, senior?”
“….”
“Can I even set foot in this industry now?”
“Damn it!”

In that instant, Yoo Hyuk’s eyes flipped completely. So this bastard had instincts after all.
His body trembled as if he were having a seizure, and he yanked up my collar even harder, shaking me violently.

“You knew, didn’t you? You’ve been acting so confident like this because you knew, right?”
“What are you talking about, senior?”
“You… you, Seo Ho-yoon, you bastard. Don’t tell me.”

Yoo Hyuk trembled violently.

“Did you do it?”
“Huh?”

‘Yes!’

I answered with a broad smile inside my head, but outwardly I just tilted my head in confusion. I brushed away Yoo Hyuk’s trembling hand that gripped my collar and straightened my clothes.

“I’m not sure what you mean, senior. I’m just a fragile person who cries easily when touched. How could I do something like that?”
“You…, you…!”
“Ouch, that hurts.”

I rubbed my neck and pretended to be in pain, lifting the corners of my mouth into a smile. Yoo Hyuk completely lost it.

“Seo Ho-yoon, you son of a bitch!”

With so many eyes on the set, he raised his fist to strike my face. I furrowed my brow, wondering if I should just take the hit.

‘Fine, whatever.’

One more news story wouldn’t hurt. I could take a punch or two, I thought in that moment.

“Hyung!”

Jung Da-jun suddenly shoved me aside, grabbed Yoo Hyuk’s arm, and threw him down hard.

“Ahhhhh!”

He’d literally knocked him flat.

“….”

The noisy set fell into stunned silence. Even I, who’d been grinning moments before, found myself equally speechless.
Not Kim Sung-hyun. Not Kang Yi-chae. Not Sung Ji-won.
Our maknae, Jung Da-jun.

“W-we….”

Jung Da-jun clenched his fists tightly, his words stumbling over themselves. And finally, flushed with anger, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, he let out a sharp cry toward Yoo Hyuk.

“Don’t you dare touch our hyungs!!”

I suspect we all shared the exact same thought in that moment.

‘Not scary at all….’
‘…A puppy?’
‘How cute.’
‘…A little pup.’

The image of our gentle pup with his tail bristled, growling fiercely, flashed through my mind.
In any case, I tilted my head and looked down at Yoo Hyuk, sprawled and knocked out cold on the floor.

“Haha.”

The cursed idol’s hardship was just beginning.

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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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