The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Wow, totally busted, Seong Jiwon?UppTodated from

Who who was he?

Kim Seonghyeon seemed to know something as he frowned, but Seong Jiwon just greeted him calmly.

Hello, Yu Hyeok-sunbae.

Hahaha, just kidding, buddy! Whats with that disgusting look?

The man called Yu Hyeok put his arm around Seong Jiwons shoulder.

Ah, now he seemed familiar. Today, a boy group that debuted three years ago. They were quite popular because they came from a large agency and even won first place a few times.

Speaking of which, was their agency D.go? It was the large entertainment company Seong Jiwon used to belong to.

No matter how much earlier I debuted, weve been eating from the same pot for years. I just wanted to talk to you because its been a while, and Ive heard good things about you lately.

Thanks.

It seemed the two practiced together in the past.

Im really glad things turned out well. My heart ached when your debut got canceled. I worried that maybe you were pushed out because of me like I stole your spot.

Me?

Im happy to see things working out for you, even if its late.

But this guy, he was subtly jabbing at Seong Jiwon.

I hope things continue to go well. Well its a game with a predetermined outcome anyway.

A predetermined outcome?

Before I could even deduce what he meant, Yu Hyeok glanced at Kim Seonghyeon. Seeing his glare at Kim Seonghyeon, I remembered where I had seen him before. He was the guy who stared too long when a girl group member handed a note to Kim Seonghyeon earlier.

Your hoobae should work hard too. If you keep being clingy here and there, itll cause bad rumors.

Ah.

Now the situation was clear.

This Yu Hyeok seemed to have a crush on that girl group member, and he was upset because she showed interest in Kim Seonghyeon instead.

Kim Seonghyeon, who had never been clingy, raised his eyebrows in disbelief. At that moment, I deliberately dropped a piece of paper on the floor.

Oh, shoot!

When I said it out loud, everyones attention turned to us. I hurriedly picked up the note and carefully put it in Kim Seonghyeons pocket.

Seonghyeon, be careful with it.

Seonghyeon?

Whats this after dropping it, huh?

Kim Seonghyeon looked at me with a bewildered expression. He didnt seem to understand what was going on. Yu Hyeoks eyes were fixed on Seonghyeons pocket.

No matter how many you receive, you shouldnt be dropping them like this.

What

Oh right, you said you werent interested, didnt you?

I pulled out the piece of paper from Kim Seonghyeons pocket.

Ill pass this on to the manager.

Hey, whats that?

Oh, sorry for interrupting. Kim Seonghyeon is just so careless.

Yu Hyeok couldnt take his eyes off the note. I bowed my head with a kind smile.

Thank you for the advice, sunbae. We wont be swayed by such things in the future, and well work hard.

I grinned and playfully waved the paper.

It was an outright provocation. Yu Hyeoks expression turned grim, realizing what I had done.

Seong Jiwon let out a hollow laugh, and next to him, Kang Ichae turned red as he tried to hold back his laughter.

You Whats your name?

Its Seo Hoyun, sunbae.

As I answered with a smile, Yu Hyeok approached me and snatched the paper.

You little punk, already losing your mind? Thinking youre something just because you got a note?

I obediently handed it over. Shocked glances were cast from the side.

Hey, youre the one who said to watch your mouth at the broadcasting station.

Are you crazy? A note with a sunbaes phone number?

Its personal information?

That was the kind of look they gave.

They were probably worried the note would be passed to that sunbae, and wed get caught. But I was confident.

Yu Hyeok unfolded the note with a swagger.

Ill pass this on to that sunbae. You guys are already acting so high and mighty without manners Huh.

Yu Hyeok checked the folded paper and closed his mouth.

Yes?

Yeees? What did you say?

Because, you see, it was a receipt.

A receipt for the salad we had for breakfast.

I wouldnt carelessly leak personal information like that.

A receipt?

I tilted my head. Kang Ichae was laughing so hard beside me that he was almost in tears.

What is this?

Ah, its the receipt for the salad we had for breakfast. Our manager always tells us to take the cash receipts when we buy something.

But Kim Seonghyeon doesnt know these things very well. Maybe because hes only focused on practicing.

Then what you said earlier about not being swayed was.

Oh, I thought you were obviously talking about dieting.

As I calmly replied, even Seong Jiwons face turned red, trying to hold back laughter.

I, on the other hand, sighed.

Being an idol was tough These kids were jealous of their juniors wanting to date

Sunbae, I dont know why you want our receipt, but if you wish, feel free to take it.

Maybe he has a hobby of collecting cash receipts Thats unusual.

Or maybe he just likes the smell of the salad on the receipt Wait, do salads even have a smell?

Hey, hey. You should keep that kind of stuff to yourself.

Jeong Dajun muttered seriously beside me. I pretended to stop him with a laugh.

Jeong Dajun, this guy was really funny. A great character for variety shows. Especially when theres an opportunity to tease people, I must involve Jeong Dajun.

These punks

Yu Hyeoks face turned red and pale. He lunged at me as if to grab my collar, but I dodged him smoothly.

If Yu Hyeok threw a punch at me here, it wouldnt be too bad to use it to our advantage. I was secretly looking forward to it.

It would be great if Kang Ichae was recording this. Yu Hyeok was trying to grab me at that very moment.

Ive become a legendary jerk within White Cherry.

Oh, right. They were dating.

Did you break up?

I was dumped, actually.

One of them finally escaped.

Of course, I was talking about White Cherrys side.

Kids these days are scary, you know? Splashing water wasnt enough; they brought a big bowl of water from the bathroom and threw it at me. I was completely soaked.

Well, thats understandable.

I crossed my arms, looking at the legendary jerk.

Well I am a jerk, after all.

Whats going on?

Was he finally going to treat his fans better? Or was it just a realization after being threatened?

Anyway, if I leave, half of those people are my ex-girlfriends.

Hey, Im not that bad Am I?

Joo Woosung seriously pondered. I ignored him.

Anyway, I didnt call you to talk about that. Its something else.

What is it?

You guys are entering a competition this time, right?

I was about to dismiss it as nothing serious and respond casually when my ears perked up.

How did you know?

I heard it from someone. It seems the variety show department is pushing for that program this time. The lineup doesnt look bad.

Joo Woosung said, tapping on his phone.

Shining Star seemed to be a gathering of idols with moderate popularity. I didnt know the lineup was considered good, though.

Did you hear whos participating?

From what I know, Refined, Maze, and Today, the ones who picked a fight with you guys earlier.

Hmm

Refined, Maze, and Today. All of them debuted between 1-4 years ago. The competition seemed fiercer than I thought. Today has overwhelmingly higher recognition. It might be tough to break through the competition here.

But dont expect to win first place.

I quickly raised my head.

I thought he said that because of the difference in popularity, but Joo Woosung added calmly.

Theres already a predetermined winner.

What?

Shining Star and Todays agency seem to have strong ties. Theyve already arranged everything and are proceeding with the program.

A rigged program with a predetermined winner. Thats why Yu Hyeok said those words earlier.

The outcome is already set.

Todays side must know it as well.

I wondered if Kang Ichae recorded it earlier but decided to drop it. Yu Hyeoks words were too weak to overturn the situation. It would be over if he claimed he didnt have such intentions since it was too vague.

As I was thinking about what to do, Joo Woosung casually said.

This kind of thing is common. Im telling you not to be too passionate and end up disappointed.

As far as I know, the second and third places havent been determined. You wont be able to compete with other groups as the first place, but itll still be quite useful for raising your recognition.

My disappointment must have shown as Joo Woosungs words became lengthier.

Thank you.

Huh?

Im grateful you told me. Can I tell the members and the company about this?

Yeah, theyd know anyway. Just dont mention that Im the source.

I understand.

Seeing my unbroken spirit, Joo Woosung raised his eyebrows with a Look at this expression.

More importantly, there was something else.

Whos the PD?

All of a sudden?

Yes. Did you hear who the PD of Shining Star is?

The CEO said they were still searching for one. Joo Woosung frowned at the unexpected question.

I dont remember that. Why?

Its important. Can you find out for me?

Well, finding out isnt a problem Whoa.

Joo Woosungs words trailed off, and he suddenly asked earnestly.

Seo Hoyun, youre not planning to threaten the PD, right?

I wouldnt do that.

I cant believe you since you have a history of it.

It was difficult to damage a PDs reputation, even when they had flaws. I had to look for another way.

Rather than threatening, something more enticing

As I was pondering, Joo Woosung shrugged.

Anyway, Ill find out and let you know. If you have any more questions about the program, just ask.

Why are you being so helpful?

Joo Woosung had been surprisingly helpful to a blackmailer like me. When I asked him honestly, he just grumbled.

Even when Im being nice, youre suspicious, you bastard.

Im joking. I appreciate it, so consider me in your debt.

What would I gain by having you in my debt?

Well, who knows what will happen in life?

It was good for me that they were helpful. Joo Woosung and Lim Hyeonsu were softer than I thought.

My focus was already on Shining Star. It was understandable since a new quest window had appeared.

[Quest Arrival!

Win first place on Shining Star.

Success: Acquire hidden talent, +50 to all stats.

Failure: Unable to release the next album for 3 years]

I needed to create a new plan.

[1] So the joke is essentially a play on the similar-sounding words (Yoo Hyeok, his name) and (Yoo Hyung, the word for study guide).

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