The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol - Chapter 97

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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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97

“…Seo Ho-yoon.”

Throughout the overlapping filming schedules, Lee Kang-seok would visit during every break, approaching Min Ji-heon with a melancholic smile. The man himself seemed slightly uncomfortable with it, though he looked like he’d drink lye if it meant eating something. But that kindness didn’t extend to me.
I was passing by to talk with a Staff Member when I made direct eye contact with Lee Kang-seok, who had apparently been waiting for me all along, his expression gloomy.

“Why are you really treating me like this?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m trying to do well here….”

Lee Kang-seok visibly deflated. Was his idea of “doing well” really just flattering Min Ji-heon and Yoo Ji-a?
As I crossed my arms and stared at him, trying to understand what he was getting at, Lee Kang-seok suddenly lifted his head.

“Everything comes easy to you, doesn’t it, Seo Ho-yoon?”
“Pardon?”

What kind of nonsense was this?

“You’re a trending idol, everything works out smoothly for you, you’re with the same agency as Min Ji-heon, and you only befriend people who are already successful….”
“Really? What a strange thing to say… Ah, Lee Kang-seok, do you really calculate all those factors when you make friends?”
“….”

Lee Kang-seok muttered a quiet curse. A raw emotion radiated from his eyes.
Inferiority complex.
And a victim mentality.

‘Interesting.’

I’d seen plenty of types like this back when I was a PD.
Men who blamed those above them for their own stagnation, who attributed their failures entirely to others, who refused to take responsibility for their own circumstances.
It wasn’t entirely wrong, but that very mindset caused them to shut the door on any opportunity to climb higher themselves.

‘Somewhat pitiful, really.’

I wasn’t entirely different from them, but they weren’t really my type either. As I stared silently, Lee Kang-seok—whether from some misunderstanding or not—suddenly dropped his gloomy expression and accelerated abruptly.

“You’re doing well with your acting, right?”
“Hm?”
“Idol acting controversies aren’t rare, so I’m a bit concerned. Your first episode airs soon—hang in there. I’ll be rooting for you.”
=You’re screwed when episode one airs lol

He tried to sound cool and cultured, but the sarcasm bleeding through his tone couldn’t be completely hidden.
What good are pretty words when you’re openly picking fights in public spaces? That alone proves you’re an idiot….

‘…Wait?’

Is this some kind of self-introduction?
I paused to reflect on my own behavior, then gave up thinking and half-listened to what Lee Kang-seok continued saying.

“Do you mess up takes pretty easily?”
“….”
“It’s a shame. Idols really do have a different tone than actors. So people should originally study acting professionally….”

The conversation looked like it would drag on. I needed to talk with the staff and then head straight to makeup.
I slowly scanned him from top to bottom.

‘Actor’s disease… mixed with artistic obsession.’

I made a quick diagnosis.
There were plenty of people afflicted with actor’s disease. Especially among those who spouted off about art—those cases were common. They believed they failed because they relied solely on acting ability, while everyone else succeeded through questionable methods.

“When an idol comes in, doesn’t it kind of lower the standard?”
“Yes. Thank you for the support, senior.”
“….”
“So when should I expect my first broadcast celebration cream cake?”
“Damn it….”

Lee Kang-seok couldn’t resist the provocation and immediately cursed. Honestly, it was entertaining to watch.
Still, Lee Kang-seok made an effort in his own way. He was the type who’d even bake a carrot cake to curry favor with his seniors.
But if it were me, I’d have given it to the director or screenwriter instead of Min Ji-heon.

“Lee Kang-seok, senior. Why do you like Min Ji-heon so much anyway?”
“What?”

Lee Kang-seok blinked for a moment. He seemed quite flustered, but he answered anyway.

“Well, uh, he’s popular right now… and handsome… and kind…. Gentle. And incredibly considerate.”
“…?”

Kind and gentle…..
Right now… are we really talking about the same Min Ji-heon, you and I? As I stared at him with a tired expression, he grew increasingly embarrassed.

‘This bastard’s character analysis is completely off….’

“And.”

He mumbled, his voice growing quieter and more hesitant.

“…And because he acts really well.”

‘Oh….’

It seemed he regarded Min Ji-heon as the sole exception—someone who climbed the ranks with nothing but raw talent, no backing whatsoever.

‘Like some kind of role model for aspiring actors….’

Min Ji-heon was certainly someone worthy of respect as an actor.
I scratched my cheek. I felt my resolve waver slightly.
I dragged over a chair that had been lying around and sat down. Lee Kang-seok regained his composure beside me and grumbled something about how talent alone wasn’t enough in this world, but I just nodded along absently.

“…Are you even listening to me??”
“Of course.”
“He’s a supporting actor in a drama airing at the same time slot as Please Camera. He’s a secondary lead, so there’s a difference between him and supporting actors like PD Lee Jung-hoon.”
“Of course, of course~.”
“…Let’s see if you can stay this confident even after the results come out.”
“Sigh… yes. Walk confidently anywhere~.”
“….”

After halfheartedly playing along, I rested my chin in my hand and watched his departing figure as he huffed away.

‘I guess from his perspective, I could be someone he dislikes.’

An actor with that kind of disease would abandon his pride and cling to Min Ji-heon with flattery, but if some idol who suddenly rolled in started acting… he’d be furious.
But it wasn’t my concern.

‘Lee Jung-hoon is me, you bastard.’

Once he watches episode one, he won’t be able to say such things anymore. The fact that a supporting character in a drama trapped inside his own game was modeled after me… the absurdity of my situation made me laugh and turn my head, when I spotted Yoo Ji-a and Min Ji-heon staring at me with fascinated eyes.

“…Hehe.”

It was clear they’d witnessed the entire exchange.

“What are you doing here?”
“Opening popcorn….”
“Honestly, this is more entertaining than the drama now.”

The moment my expression turned ugly, Min Ji-heon quietly averted his gaze, while Yoo Ji-a pointed with her index finger and spoke.

“It’s amazing how Seo Ho-yoon always seems to run into people like that. It’s almost getting pitiful.”
“Me?”
“Lee Kang-seok.”
….

***

Drama filming doesn’t necessarily proceed in script order. Most adjustments are made according to location scouting and each actor’s schedule.
Still, things were progressing smoothly enough that most of the shooting was done except for a few scenes from the scripts up to episode four….

“Wow! Seo Ho-yoon?”
“…Hello?”

The problem was this: since the drama was set at a broadcasting station, we’d been filming recently at the broadcasting station set and various locations throughout the station, so I kept running into acquaintances unintentionally.
While waiting for my scene during a break, I was blowing a mini fan to keep my makeup from smudging and drinking a beverage from the vending machine when I unexpectedly ran into White Cherry and exchanged greetings. I thought I’d just pass by, but she cheerfully struck up a conversation.

“Are you filming a drama?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Ooh! So you’re acting with Ji-a unnie this time? Lucky~. Isn’t Ji-a unnie’s personality just the best?”

She’d laughed at me having a power struggle yesterday… but standing next to Min Ji-heon, Yoo Ji-a seemed like an angel, naturally.

“Yes, I’m always grateful for your support.”
“Aha!”

She giggled again, her laughter bright and infectious.
I was taken aback by how naturally she approached me, despite us having no real connection. If anything, the only person I could point to was Joo Woo-sung, and lately he’d been sulking—barely responding to my messages.
But if word got out that I was close to Joo Woo-sung… (which I wasn’t) and he was an ex-girlfriend I’d parted with on bad terms, wouldn’t I be someone she should be more wary of?

‘…What’s going on?’

As someone who doesn’t form relationships without reason, I wasn’t sure how to respond. My eyes darted around uncertainly until the Leader of White Cherry stepped in to mediate. She sighed and nudged Han Chae-ri with her elbow.

“Hey, you can’t just spring things on people like that.”
“Oh my, I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. But is there something you needed?”

If someone at the Broadcasting Station saw a senior apologizing to a junior, rumors would spread in seconds. Liz seemed to share that concern and quickly explained the situation.

“After the Victory is Mine incident, I wanted to say hello. But none of our members had your number, Seo Ho-yoon. You don’t seem to have many connections, do you?”

…Was she saying I had no friends?

“Because of you, Seo Ho-yoon—well, not entirely because of you, but several events were discontinued after that incident.”

‘Ah.’

“It wasn’t my doing, so there’s no need to thank me.”

I tried to slip away with a light smile, but Liz saw right through me. Sensing my discomfort, she opened up about something difficult instead.

“This is a bit embarrassing, but… I injured my ligaments there a few years ago. Even now, intense choreography is still challenging for me.”

There were plenty of idols like that.
Not just from that program, but across variety shows—idols who’d pushed themselves too hard, gotten injured, and couldn’t handle intense choreography anymore.

“I’ve finished my rehabilitation, so it doesn’t matter for me. But I’ve always hoped my juniors wouldn’t go through the same thing. And this time, that actually became reality, so I wanted to say thank you.”
“You know that clip of you carrying a member is still being talked about on YouTube, right? It’s so cool.”
“Han Chae-ri, watch your words.”

Liz tapped Han Chae-ri’s side. Han Chae-ri laughed and clung to Liz.

“Sister~, most rookies wouldn’t even think like that. I’m only being bold now, but back then I was too scared!”
“Cherry, you were exactly the same back then, weren’t you?”
“Was I~?”

Han Chae-ri laughed heartily, her boisterous energy unmistakably matching the woman who had once splashed water on Joo Woo-sung and kicked him across the room.
I recalled the StarStar story that had surfaced during the Jung Da-jun incident and briefly lowered my gaze. My deliberation was brief.

“I was grateful for that back then.”

Liz smiled silently.
Han Chae-ri, who had been watching us with a pleased expression from beside me, changed the subject.

“Right, how’s that bastard Joo Woo-sung doing?”
“….”

But this was an even more awkward topic.
Standing before Han Chae-ri, one of Joo Woo-sung’s many exes, I found myself rolling my eyes, trying to figure out what answer to give as someone who knew him, when she let out a snort of laughter.

“Ah, I know Joo Woo-sung a bit, so I heard you two are close.”

We’re not close…
And Joo Woo-sung has been quite sulky lately.

“Um, I don’t know. I haven’t been in touch much either, so….”
“Well, I don’t really keep in touch either….”

Han Chae-ri shrugged her shoulders.

“She was… a bit unstable in the past, but these days she seems to be fine.”
“He used to be… quite unstable back then, but these days he seems to be doing better.”

Woosung Joo is unstable?
Joo Woo-sung was unstable?

“Ah, I guess I don’t know… Well, for some reason, I’ve come to my senses these days. Seo Ho-yoon might not know.”
“Ah, you don’t know then…. Well, for some reason lately he’s gotten his act together. You might not know about it, Seo Ho-yoon.”
“Pardon?”

After speaking up to that point, Han Chae-ri looked embarrassed and stopped.

“Well, I’m not even a party, so what am I saying?”
“Well, I’m not even the one involved, so what am I saying?”
“….”

While I was entering information that I had just learned for the first time, Han Chae-ri burst into laughter.

“Anyway, please get along well with him. He may be a bit of an asshole, but he’s a good kid.”

The ex-girlfriend, who spoke in such a cool way, kept her mouth shut again when the leader tapped her side telling her to be careful with her words.

“Charlie, what are you doing with a busy person?”
“Cherry, why are you holding up a busy person?”
“Oh, um, sorry. I was just happy to see you.”

As the White Cherry members turned around and left after saying hello, I could hear them whispering in low voices.

“But, sister, are you going to live with Mr. Joo——?”
“But unnie, are you and Joo——— in a——— relationship?”
“Don’t you know his———?”
“Oh——.”

Han Chae-ri and the White Cherry members walked away without any regrets.
Han Chae-ri and the White Cherry members disappeared without hesitation.

[UNTRANSLATED LINE 261]

For some reason, the reply came back sooner than I expected.

[Joo Woo-seong: What do you know?]

Is this kid still mad?
Was this guy still sulking?

[Woosung Joo: Callie]
[Joo Woo-sung: cali]
[Me: huh?]
[Me: why?]
[Joo Woo-sung: just is]
[Joo Woo-sung: yo but this place is kinda worth living in??]

What are you saying?

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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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