The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 50

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

50

“Seo Ho-yoon.”

I arrived at the PD Editing Room, a place I’d visited occasionally before. Kim Hee-young looked perfectly fine—no, more radiant than ever. I approached her as she waved enthusiastically with a bright smile.

“I heard you were looking for me, PD.”
“Yes, yes. Have a seat here. Sorry for pulling you away from practice—I know you must be busy. Dragging you all the way to this dingy, cramped little hole.”
“No, it’s fine. Would you like this, PD?”

I offered her the Americano I’d bought beforehand. Kim Hee-young looked at me with a slightly puzzled expression. She absolutely hated plain, bitter Americano. I quickly added:

“Triple shot.”
“…Now I’m getting scared. Are you a fortune teller?”
“Ha ha.”

Triple shot Americano—that was Kim Hee-young’s preference.

“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”

After handing it over, I sipped my caramel frappuccino. Kim Hee-young studied me with a peculiar expression.

“What?”
“Just looking at you, I’d have pegged you for an espresso drinker.”
“I actually like sweet drinks.”
“…I see.”

As I sat down, I could see Kim Hee-young was in the middle of editing the final episode’s VCR footage. She could have delegated this to someone junior, but this was where her character truly showed—she handled the crucial details herself.

“Ugh, seriously. Editing while cutting out all the Today content is killing me.”
“Still, you managed to keep the program going.”
“Yeah, well. Today Entertainment isn’t even on our radar right now. And with Shining Star doing so well, Today Entertainment isn’t demanding we shut down—they’re practically begging with stacks of cash, but it’s not happening. Director Kook would just laugh at them.”

Kim Hee-young shook her head in disgust.
I’d seen the tvK Director Kook a few times myself. To put it kindly, he was pragmatic; to put it bluntly, he was obsessed with money.

“Well, it worked out. I cursed up a storm, but I never expected you’d mess it up so spectacularly. Apparently a paparazzi got wind of it.”
“Yes….”

I did it, but I didn’t feel like correcting her, so I stayed silent. Kim Hee-young didn’t need to know anyway.
Kim Hee-young kept her gaze fixed on the video with an indifferent expression, clicking her mouse rhythmically.

“Anyway, enough tangents. Let me get to the point… I’m curious about something.”
“Yes, what is it?”

She asked without turning to look at me, her tone still casual.

“Did you do it?”

‘Wow….’

“Do what?”
“Don’t play dumb. Did Seo Ho-yoon stab Today?”

I studied Kim Hee-young quietly. Her expression was composed, but there was a hint of tension beneath it.

‘Is she recording this?’

It was possible. If this conversation leaked, I wouldn’t survive it unscathed either.
After blinking once, I simply

“Yes.”

answered.
Without searching for a recorder or dodging the question.

“I did it.”

Because it was Kim Hee-young.
Not because I trusted the goodwill she held toward me. It was just that she was that kind of person—someone very different from me, someone who couldn’t tolerate injustice.
She thought herself worn down by the storms she’d weathered, but from where I stood, she remained unchanged.
With someone like Kim Hee-young, it was fine.

“Ha, haha….”

Kim Hee-young let out an incredulous laugh. Only then did she tear her eyes from the screen, sigh, and wash her face with her dry hands.
I waited for her thoughts to settle, sipping only on my Frappuccino. The sweet flavor bloomed across my palate.

“…PD, how did you figure it out?”

I could piece it together well enough, but I wondered if there was something I’d overlooked. When I asked to confirm, Kim Hee-young began rummaging for a cigarette.

“You seemed too composed from the start. It was strange. I thought maybe you were some silver-spoon kid with something to believe in.”
“I wish that were the case.”
“Ha… unbelievable.”

If anything, I came from dirt-poor origins.

“You said the successor was already decided, yet you said there was no need to apologize. That was strange too. But the most decisive thing was that request.”
“….”
“Devil’s editing.”

I’d asked Kim Hee-young to do devil’s editing on Kim Sung-hyun. Specifically, only when Today appeared.

“At first, I thought you were maintaining a rivalry dynamic just to scrape by on the scraps. And to clear my name from the PD’s pick accusation too. I had debts to repay, so I went along with the request. But… now that things have come to this, suddenly all the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly.”

Hearing it laid out like this, it was crystal clear. Kim Hee-young couldn’t have missed it.

“If Today’s reputation drops, then you guys who were checking them would naturally get reevaluated. With manipulation controversies and sympathy votes combined, first place would be half-guaranteed.”
“Spot on.”

That really was my intention.

“How do you… think like that?”
“Why can’t other people think that way?”
“….”
“It’s not that they lack the capacity—it’s that they have a conscience.”
“…And you?”
“I don’t have one.”

Normally, I wouldn’t have even asked Kim Sung-hyun’s permission. But I indulged in a small whim.
As I brazenly sipped and sucked on my caramel Frappuccino, Kim Hee-young exhaled a deflated sigh.

“…Ho-yoon. I’ll be honest with you.”
“Yes.”
“You have a demonic talent.”
“Thank you.”
“Shouldn’t you have gone into politics instead of becoming an idol?”
“I’ve given it a lot of thought.”

Kim Hee-young fidgeted with her cigarette pack, scratched her head, then clicked her mouse again with her lips pressed firmly shut.

“…Look, I’ll be really honest—I want you guys to take first place. But even with all your popularity, there’s one thing that won’t go away.”
“What’s that?”
“Kim Sung-hyun’s school violence scandal. What are you going to do about it?”

Kim Hee-young’s gaze shifted to meet mine.

“I’m really sorry to you guys. I feel like I owe you a debt. But in this final episode, there’s only so much I can do with editing anymore.”
“…”
“To place first, you need at least 5,000 points. The live broadcast voting will be the biggest factor. But with the school violence controversy, you won’t be able to get those overwhelming scores.”
“You really do seem sorry. Worrying about us like this.”
“You really are…”

I let out a quiet laugh when a message notification chimed on my phone. It was Sung Ji-won.

[Ho-yoon!! Where are you?]

I checked it and felt my lips curl upward.

“PD, it’s fine.”
“Huh?”
“Look.”

I showed the message to Kim Hee-young, whose brow was furrowed. The screen displayed Sung Ji-won’s message.

[A School Violence Victim just posted their testimony!!]

As if to prove that beautiful, fairy-tale words about goodness being rewarded eventually were true.

***

[Title: Hello. I am the victim of school violence mentioned in Kim Sung-hyun’s bullying controversy.

Hello.
I am the school violence victim mentioned in The Dun’s Kim Sung-hyun bullying controversy.
To cut to the chase, everything in that post is a lie.
Sung-hyun was my friend, and he is my benefactor—someone I will forever be sorry to.
…]

The post, which started with a clear conclusion, laid out everything that had happened until now.
The sudden ostracism was agonizing, and even when I told my teachers, they didn’t help. The post continued with how Kim Sung-hyun had supported and helped me throughout that entire year.

[…I committed something irreversible.
While I was being assaulted, Sung-hyun called the police and rushed over to help me.
But the moment the police arrived, the bullies told me to name Sung-hyun as the perpetrator. They said if I didn’t, they would torment me throughout my school life—no, until the day I died.

I was so terrified of them back then, they seemed so overwhelming, that I ended up lying and saying Sung-hyun was the one who did it.
I’m also attaching the audio file I recorded at the time of the incident….]

In the crackling audio file, the sound of Kim Sung-hyun rushing over to help was clearly captured.

[…After that incident, Sung-hyun withdrew from school, and I fled abroad to study. Even after years passed, I was so tormented that I cut off all contact with Korea. That’s why I found out about this incident so late.
That Sung-hyun had become an idol, and that those bullies were tormenting him again.

Let me say it once more: Sung-hyun is not that kind of person.
Sung-hyun is my benefactor.

(Excerpt omitted)

I’m rushing to enter the country because I want to apologize to Sung-hyun in person. I won’t be reachable for the next few hours, but I wanted to convey this message urgently, no matter what.

Sung-hyun, I want to use this space to tell you that I’m always sorry and grateful.
I was so cowardly. You must have been scared too, but thank you for stepping up. And I’m truly sorry.]

It was just sentences strung together, yet trembling seeped through every word. The truth revealed by the victim, who spoke honestly despite their fear, ended with one more sentence added.

[The truth is, back then, you were my hero.]

The post that went up on the Community spread in an instant. While news of Today being sent to the prosecution had gone silent, this post became the kindling that set the public ablaze.

[Title: The Dun Kim Sung-hyun Not School Violence Perpetrator

(Link)
1. The person who posted about Kim Sung-hyun’s school violence controversy was the actual perpetrator
2. Kim Sung-hyun actually helped the victim
3. Due to false testimony, Kim Sung-hyun was forced to withdraw from school.

One-line summary: Kim Sung-hyun wasn’t the school violence perpetrator—he was actually the victim

└Is this bullshit?
└└Watch the video]

[Title: Kim Sung-hyun is a light

Did you listen to the recording file? Wow… how did Kim Sung-hyun endure this..
If it were me, when the school violence controversy broke, I’d seriously lose it and post a direct callout immediately

└The school violence perpetrator really has no conscience
└└Even Satan would be like, well, that’s too much
└Kim Sung-hyun must have been gathering evidence back then]

[Ahhhhhhhhh! Sung-hyun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
[The video is real… I can’t watch it all the way through, my heart aches too much. I’m crying so hard my head hurts..]
[Seonghyun, who is sick and dying ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Our Seonghyun ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]
Hyun-sung… I’m really sorry, I’m so sorry. I should have protected you more. How much pain must you have been in…
[Dae Pa-sung, you bastards, why why why why aren’t you doing anything? Release a statement and file a lawsuit immediately!!!]
[Sue all the malicious comments, damn it!!!]

Riding the wave of that outrage, entertainment reporters who’d caught the scent of a massive story rushed to publish articles one after another.

[The Dun Sung-hyun’s School Violence Controversy: He Was Actually the Victim]
[Kim Sung-hyun’s School Violence Victim Says ‘Kim Sung-hyun is a Hero’]
[The Truth Emerges! Excessive Cyberbullying Against a Hero]

Every sensational keyword imaginable was plastered across the headlines.
Unable to stand by any longer, exactly two hours later, Dae Pa-sung Planning finally released Kim Sung-hyun’s official statement.

[Hello, this is Kim Sung-hyun from The Dun.]

The statement began plainly and remained measured throughout.

[First, I sincerely apologize for the turmoil caused by this unfortunate news over the past few weeks. I was extremely cautious about adding my voice to this matter, which is why my response has been delayed.

For the past two weeks, rumors have circulated claiming that “Kim Sung-hyun from The Dun committed school violence.” Let me be clear: all the school violence allegations being spread online about me are false.

I have never committed violence against anyone, nor have I spoken in any manner equivalent to such actions. While it is true that I withdrew from high school, this was not a recommendation due to school violence—it was my own decision to begin my life as a singer. I urge you not to spread false information.

I will pursue legal action without leniency against all malicious comments, including those spreading false facts.
Additionally, I ask that you refrain from excessive privacy violations, such as recklessly speculating about the identity of school violence victims.

Finally, I would like to speak carefully to those experiencing school violence.

None of this is your fault.

Though it may be presumptuous, I speak with courage, thinking of my own painful mistake. Back then, I believed I was alone and spent long nights in solitude. But in truth, those around you are always waiting for you. I hope you will grasp that helping hand firmly.

I will return to you with a better version of myself going forward.

Kim Sung-hyun]

Seo Ho-yoon had subtly tried to offer advice, but Kim Sung-hyun refused. The official statement posted by the Entertainment Agency was written entirely by Kim Sung-hyun himself from beginning to end.
Kim Sung-hyun’s candid statement spread rapidly across the internet.

[Title: Where is Kim Sung-hyun?

All I can see is light

└Godly Sung-hyun… he is light… nothing but light…]

[Title: Criticize Godly Sung-hyun and You’re Dead

Cease fire!!! He’s one of us!!!

└Godly Sung-hyun… Godly Sung-hyun…]

[Unlike kids these days… truly… a foolishly righteous young man. This is what modern politicians should be like.
└Why suddenly politics; go home old man and wipe your feet before bed]

[Hey guys
I’m seriously about to die happy nestled in Kim Sung-hyun’s dimples lol
└PDF sweat lol
└└Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk I love you to death, Seonghyun]

It was skyrocketing.
At the same time, Kim Sung-hyun’s direct cam footage from the Second Round Competition and The Dun’s guerrilla video began circulating again. The comments were nothing but praise for Kim Sung-hyun.

[└Kim Sung-hyun is seriously so cool, doing it with such determination (Likes: 10339)]
[└This was when Kim Sung-hyun got the most hate.
The school violence controversy and the massive negative voting campaign that buried Today meant that Today fans were actively hostile. They were there during the competition, and those~ such noble Today fans^^ showed complete silence and boycotts.
But everyone was absolutely shocked during the competition. Because Kim Sung-hyun was so incredible. (Likes: 3953)]

[└Sung Ji-won’s line from before seems to have predicted all of this…

‘If I were you, I would have been anxious too.
To you, I am merely a stranger.
But know this one thing.
No matter how many times it takes, no matter how many times I must return.
I will set everything right.’

In the end, Kim Sung-hyun really did set everything right…
Chills… How far ahead did The Dun see this.. (Likes: 532)]

[Seo Ho-yoon’s line too…

‘I’m not anxious. Because I know you.
So shall we try again?’

In the end, Kim Sung-hyun straightened everything out…
Chills… How far ahead did The Dun see? (Likes 532)

And so, all the breadcrumbs that Seo Ho-yoon had painstakingly scattered converged into a single message.
In this way, all the pieces of cake that Seo Ho-yoon throws together are combined into one argument.

If you’re human, vote for The Dun.]
Why don’t we try again from the beginning?

***

“Oh, where is Seonghyun?”
It was a feast.
Thus, all the breadcrumbs that Seo Ho-yoon threw out through his grueling efforts converge and flow together into a single argument.

Tomorrow is a live broadcast.

“Eh, there is nothing but light.”
***
“Hyung! Are you there? If you are, would you like to answer?”
“Hey, where’s Hyun-sung?”
“I’m right here?”

Kang Yi-chae wandered around laughing. He did it on purpose when Kim Seong-hyun felt awkward.
Kang Yi-chae tilted his head in confusion. Jung Da-jun muttered seriously from beside him.

“Dude, all I see is light.”
“Just… light…”

“Nnngh… glllgh…”

“Heroes don’t bully.”
Kang Yi-chae laughed and wandered around. He was doing it on purpose because Kim Sung-hyun looked uncomfortable.
Sung Ji-won, who was practicing while moistening his throat, caught sight of this and snickered.

“Guys. Stop messing with Hyun-sung.”
“Sung Ji-won, can you tell them to cut it out?”

Kim Sung-hyun looked at Sung Ji-won with a pained expression, but Sung Ji-won smiled serenely.
“Godseonghyeon! Godseonghyeon!”

“Hey!”
“Heeeeero~!”

Kim Sung-hyun writhed in agony, tugging at his hair. I clicked my tongue and turned my attention to my phone.
Still, I felt relieved seeing Kim Sung-hyun’s expression brighten considerably.
“…Do you have time later?”

“God Sung-hyun! God Sung-hyun!”

Between practicing, praying for Today to collapse, and resolving Kim Sung-hyun’s school violence issue, I needed three bodies just to keep up.
I was stretching, cracking my neck, when Kim Sung-hyun crept over to me.
‘Thank you’ was written all over Kim Seong-hyun’s face.

“Huh?”

Kim Seong-hyun’s face, who hated me, came to mind, and I grinned.

“Uh, no.”
Kim Sung-hyun was hesitating as he looked at me.
It made sense—I’d called Hwang Jung-gyu earlier.

Seonghyun Kim nodded eagerly. Actually, Seonghyun Kim listens best among the members.
‘He’s so different from the first day.’

I remembered how much Kim Sung-hyun had hated me back then, and I smirked.
“yes!”

“…!”
“Just kidding. You can.”
There are no more points to buy Cheongsimhwan.
Kim Sung-hyun nodded eagerly. Among the members, he was actually the most obedient.
I turned my head and was mentally mapping out the stage movements when a Staff Member suddenly opened the door.

“The Dun, you’re going on stage for the live broadcast in five minutes! Get ready!”
“Yes!”

We scrambled to our feet and headed toward the stage.
Along the way, I glanced at Sung Ji-won. I was wondering if he might be nervous again.

There’s no more aegyo I can pull out.
I was only thinking about it when our eyes met directly. Sung Ji-won answered quickly.
“I have to do better on the live stage.”
“I’m fine. I’m not nervous.”
“…You’re perceptive.”

I’d only glanced at him once.

“I think it’ll be okay now.”

“You did great.”

“You’re really Sung Ji-won, aren’t you?”

[yes!]

“Sung Ji-won’s mental stats, can’t you check this?”

[The system window is not omnipotent.]

“Yes, I know very well that you are incompetent.”

As I laughed and joked, the system window popped up a bunch of windows as if protesting, but I ignored them all. As I went to the back of the stage, I noticed the eyes of the staff and other group members.
[Yes!]

“Can you check Sung Ji-won’s mental stat or something like that?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————