The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol

Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Good work, everyone~.

Yep! Good work.

After the performance, The Dawn returned to the dressing room and guzzled some water.

I finished off a bottle of water as well, plunked it on the table, and then flopped down on the sofa.

The costume manager, who had approached unnoticed, was holding the velvet ribbon I had brought and tying it back into a bow when Kang Ichae poked me teasingly.

Such an easy guy~. Untie the ribbon once more, please~.

Is once enough?

As I teased back with a sly tone, Kang Ichae let out a snicker.

Seong Jiwon and Kim Seonghyeon, who had been scolded for trying to remove their cumbersome flower crowns and headbands, had to fix their outfits again, while Jeong Dajun roamed around nonchalantly.

Hyung, hyung! When do we get to show off our abs??

Jeong Dajun, stop hanging out with Kang Ichae.

The maknae was becoming more and more like Kang Ichae.

Kim Seonghyeon looked at Jeong Dajun, who was sticking close and teasing him, with a look of disgust.

Whoa?! The High Five-sunbae are starting!

Aware of the camera following us for our reactions, the members quickly gathered around.

This team was also known for their hit songs.

We go High We go High!

Is this a track by the Black Call-sunbaes?

How did they end up choosing that one?

This song, a B-side track by Black Call, was popular despite never being promoted, and a dance video was uploaded on YouTube as fan service.

Clearly, Try had chosen it, but High Five had snatched it away.

Perhaps the meme of a raccoon washing cotton candy will make it into the edit?

I overheard the staff casually mentioning that Joo Woosung had also given advice to High Five, but it was so cursory and lacking in content that it would probably be entirely cut out.

Are you ready now?

Its time for me to leap.

Despite that, High Five soared remarkably.

Is it a pilot concept?

Seems like it.

With an airline pilot concept, their uniforms were perfect for fandom hype, and as expected from a group from a major agency, the balance of skills among the members was exceptional.

With a solid fandom and ample financial backing, being from the same agency as Black Call, there would be many others besides Joo Woosung to offer them advice.

These guys could have pulled off a fiery performance with any song they chose.

Im jealous.

Especially the leader, Kang Yeonhu, caught my eye.

Putting aside my initial impression of him as somewhat shady, his vocals were surprisingly good.

Seong Jiwon intently watched the monitoring screen.

If youre scared, dont ride, just watch my move.

Theyre doing well.

It seemed it wasnt a lie to call them the next generation representative idols.

The previous three groups also had excellent performances.

But High Five was on another level.

If The Dawn had gone for a similar concept

We wouldve been buried.

Crushed, sandwiched from above and below.

No matter how good our skills were, we were at a disadvantage, whether it was the agency, backing, or capital.

One must compensate for what they lack with something else.

We go High We go High

Well check the rankings soon!

At the staffs words, Jeong Dajun clasped his hands tightly.

Not that any group here hadnt worked hard, but under Joo Woosungs guidance, we had practiced until we were practically throwing up, so a hint of expectation flickered on the members faces.

Meanwhile, I was preoccupied with other thoughts.

Only onsite and expert votes are counted?

After the face-off, that is, before we chose our first competition song, I sought out Lee Jihyeon.

Despite the intense workload, her face was glowing, probably because a troublesome issue had been neatly resolved.

She tilted her head and said,

That would be difficult. The Dawn cant win with just popularity.

Right, thats what worries me.

Then dont push too hard for the first competition. Or do something so compelling that people cant help but vote.

Does such a thing even exist?

As I asked half-heartedly, Lee Jihyeon clicked her tongue and explained,

Tsk, tsk, Seo Hoyun. Youre still a bit nave.

Go get ready and steel yourself.

For a former PD, it was a bit humiliating to hear such things.

Well, in the end, Lee Jihyeon was right.

Because the onsite reaction was tremendous.

Although at that time, Lee Jihyeon did say that it might cause a bit of a scandal.

No, it was to hide a satisfied smile

It seemed incomprehensible to them that we, the ones they thought would rank last and be buried in obscurity, had secured a high position with a song that failed to even make an impression.

Watching them forcibly smile in front of the camera with twisted expressions was amusing.

Interesting.

Kim Seonghyeon, lets go up.

Ah, okay.

I had kept the promise I made to Kim Seonghyeon when we selected the song.

But why do you look so satisfied?

We got second place.

Thats true!

However, Seonghyeon, who could never guess my real thoughts, simply walked ahead with a face brightened by our high ranking.

I matched his stride, making sure not to fall too far behind as we ascended to the stage.

Unlike the ecstatic members, I was excited about what the future held.

Bang!

At that moment, fireworks exploded, and confetti fluttered down.

It was for High Five, who had won first place in the first round of the competition.

And then

I locked eyes with Kang Yeonhu at the center of it all.

I was slightly amazed.

Wow

The message in his eyes was not merely a jealous guard filled with resentment, seeing someone deemed lesser achieving a higher rank.

It was a pure sharp warning from a competitor.

Oh, this is a bit different, isnt it?

But even that disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving behind only an idol-like sparkling smile.

I smiled back and took the members back down to the waiting room.

Good work, lets head back.

Yap yap~.

Jeong Dajun hopped next to me and started chatting.

Hoyun-hyung, you know.

Hmm?

We really, really, really worked hard! Im happy because it seems like others recognized that!

His cheeks, still chubby with baby fat, were flushed with excitement.

Are you that happy?

Yes!!

We had proven our skills and achieved good results during the blind test, but given our lower popularity, we were significantly behind in the preliminary voting and ended up last, so this outcome was even more satisfying.

Of course, who knows what will happen next time. But well still do our best. Hard work will surely pay off!

No? C-Could it be that we might not win first place?

Dajun finished his sentence and then belatedly glanced at me, as if suddenly second-guessing himself.

Well, yeah. That I might have been too excited and said something a bit dream-like.

And I wasnt too pleased with that.

Jeong Dajun, come here.

?

It felt like I had nurtured him with all my might, but was it still not enough?

I smoothly untied the velvet ribbon and twirled it around Dajuns head, then tied it into a pretty bow.

It matched well with his cat ears.

???

Phew.

Dajun looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Remembering my own twenties and still seeing Dajun as such a baby, I put my arm around his shoulder.

What are you doing?

Jeong Dajun, what are you talking about?

Huh?

Thinking it would be nice to post a photo of this on The Dawns official SNS channel, I poked his chubby cheeks.

Im Seo Hoyun.

And your point is?

Dont you get it?

I was someone who kept my word.

Alright, Dajun, lets prepare your final thoughts.

Dajuns eyes widened even more.

Then he quickly covered his mouth with his hands, ribbon still tied, visibly moved.

Im really feeling excited

Getting worked up over something like this.

I would be taking you on a rollercoaster ride to the very top spot of Shining Star.

[1] Ganggangsullae is a Korean folk dance where people, usually women, danced around by going in circles.