The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol

Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Screams erupted among the fans.

[Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!]

[Wowowowowow this is totally unexpected fuck fuck fuck Aaaah Jiwon-aaaaah]

Could this really be happening?

Uhhhh???

Seong Jiwon!! Its you, you!

Me? Really me?

An excited Kim Seonghyeon grabbed Seong Jiwons shoulders and shook him. Jiwon had been a nominee, but he had never expected to receive an award for the Please Take the Camera OST; he was genuinely surprised.

Go on, hurry.

Ah, uh.

As the members pushed him forward, Seong Jiwon, finally snapping back to his senses, repeatedly bowed amid the pouring applause while ascending the stage.

He was smiling, but the members, who had been with him almost 24/7, could tell otherwise. Jiwons face was filled with question marks.

By the time he stood in front of the microphone, he seemed to have calmed down a bit and looked okay.

Congratulations, Mr. Seong Jiwon!

Yu Jia handed him flowers, and Min Jiheon gave him the trophy.

When he received the flowers, Jiwon had such a moved expression that he didnt know what to do with himself.

It probably didnt mean much, yet it reminded me of Jiwon clapping fervently when Yu Jia appeared during Shining Star.

Th-thank you. Im Seong Jiwon. I really didnt expect to receive this award um, Im truly happy.

While Jiwon gave his acceptance speech, the members beside me bounced around excitedly. On the outside, I wore a soft smile, but on the inside, my mind was racing.

Seong Jiwon winning the Best OST Award?

Could The Dawns popularity alone secure an OST award?

No, not Jiwon by himself.

This year, the dramas and OSTs had generally flopped. Please Take the Camera was a bit of an exception, thanks to its excellent script by Kim Sukhui and its already solid fanbase. However, the dramas high ratings were largely due to the hard carry of Min Jiheon and Yu Jias acting skills. As a result, the song Humble Confession remained constantly at the top of the charts.

Moreover, it was the song that played every time Min Jiheon cried in the drama, often marking the end of the episode.

Does that mean it gained some popularity along with the dramas recognition?

Hmm.

My thoughts were slightly drifting elsewhere, however.

This was because the camera work had been too obvious.

Min Jiheon and Yu Jia presenting the award, Please Take the Camera OST, and occasional glimpses of me, the one playing the role of PD Lee Jeonghun.

Is this rigged?

I didnt know how they did it.

But it certainly seemed like some trickery was afoot, even if vote manipulation felt like a stretch.

From the beginning, it was pretty clear that there was no intention to hide the bias towards Please Take the Camera, especially when Min Jiheon, just before announcing the Discovery of the Year winner, mentioned someone with deep ties to us.

It feels shady.

Im really happy. Ill work even harder to be a Seong Jiwon you can be proud of.

Lets not ruin this!

I brushed away my thoughts, seeing Jiwons embarrassed smile.

So what!

I had long since sold my conscience to hell.

When given, one must eagerly accept.

Jiwons Humble Confession had done well on the music charts, and the OST awards given to idols had been scarce lately, so I decided to quickly bury this matter.

As I was finalizing my thoughts and about to turn my head, I locked eyes with Kang Ichae. He seemed to share my thoughts as he was smiling slyly.

Im happy.

= This is a push, right?

Must be, right?

= Of course, yeah.

While exchanging glances with Ichae, Jiwon finished his speech and returned to his seat. He spoke well on the stage, but once seated, he tilted his head, still looking puzzled.

Ichae and I quickly changed our expressions and congratulated Jiwon,

Congratulations.

Oh, thank you!

Thanks to a good lead vocal, composers like me can make a living~.

Ahaha.

Jiwon looked down and fiddled with the flower petals. There was no need to explain the situation to Jiwon. Even if he knew, it wouldnt change anything; an award was still an award.

Above all

Its really nice.

Yeah?

Yes.

How could I tell someone who cherished the flowers and smiled so tenderly?

Normally, Jiwon would have been quick to catch on to why he received the award, but right now, he just smiled, his face flushed with excitement.

He might find out eventually, but there was no need for that to be today.

Wow, the attention is no joke.

Discovery of the Year Award, and now the Best OST Award. Even those who were skeptical before were starting to turn envious.

Regardless, I continued chatting away with Jiwon.

If youre jealous, you should work tirelessly and earn awards like I do.

If you havent received an award, then better hold your tongues, you punks.

Anyway, the members enthusiastically enjoyed the rest of the performances while still hugging the trophy.

After a brief intermission, the second half came to an end.

The stage plunged into darkness. Yet, the fans, quick to notice, screamed excitedly once more.

It was time for the collab stage between the hottest idol groups, Black Call and White Cherry.

You drive me crazy

Please tell me, whether this is love,

No, this might be calamity.

It was a given that the biggest cheer came when Joo Woosung, who had been on a roll lately (well, not like they needed to keep riding the wave with their success), appeared on the big screen.

The ceaseless fireworks, its almost like fate.

Their knife-like choreography is killer.

They really didnt need to worry about scandals.

With their overwhelming talent, they didnt need to strategize like me. It was a performance that could enchant anyone who saw it.

Both Black Call and White Cherry were already top-tier idol groups. Plus, they had done countless co-ed collabs during their active periods, so their fandoms werent easily shaken either.

As if to prove my thoughts, the reactions popping up in the system window were generally favorable.

[Wow theres a reason why everyones all about Joo Woosung, for real]

[That guy was he born to be an idol? How could he get even better than six months ago?]

[ White Cherrys live performance is insane. How can it be better than a recording

I freaking love this unnie Always clinging to the members off stage but totally dominating on stage

Theres a reason their group name is White Cherry]

[This years collabs are all legendary The Dawn & Lea Purple, Black Call & White Cherry

The showdown of the century between the Aegyo Machine and Kim Bokbap[1]

So Hoyuns is one thing, but now Joo Woosung is just a food item? ]

As the EX-grade ending pose hit the big screen, the members, who had been holding their breath during the performance, finally exhaled in relief amid the roaring cheers.

Wow, that was truly amazing.

How do they do that?

Even Kang Ichae was stroking his chin in admiration, his eyes sparkling. Next to him, Jeong Dajun nodded vigorously, but then tilted his head in confusion.

Wasnt the atmosphere a bit tense when they came down?

Really? Maybe its because of the songs concept?

Obviously.

It was bound to get tense if you were on the same stage as your ex.

Live a little kinder, Joo Woosung.

If someone like me was telling you that, then you know it was serious.

At that moment, as I was drinking from a water bottle on the table, I locked eyes with someone.

I naturally turned my head, and so did the other person, as if they happened to look my way.

Right.

As I closed the bottle cap, I thought to myself,

Wouldnt it be strange if there were no incidents at an awards ceremony?

.

.

.

After the year-end performances were over and we returned to the van, I changed into comfortable clothes and stepped outside. Making the excuse that I had to run an errand, I headed to the restroom, which was some distance away from the parking lot, and soon someone followed me in.

Good work out there.

Ah, you too.

It was that male idol who had been involved in a scandal with Lea Purple. Was it his third no, fourth year since debut?

I think his name was Yoon Heeun.

Its true what they say, you only see what you want to see

Lea Purple was to be pitied for even being rumored to be involved with this kind of guy.

A sponsor?

Funny joke.

She wouldnt do such dirty things, you little fuck.

Are you done with the call? Then Ill be on my way.

Wow, seriously.

As I sarcastically turned my head, Yoon Heeun, who had been grinding his teeth in frustration, shook his tightly clenched fist.

But really, what could he do?

He probably felt guilty himself, hence he couldnt record any audio or video. And now he was being cussed at by his junior for doing something deserving of it, so whats he going to do to me?

I came here thinking there might be something substantial, but it turned out to be nothing more than an unamusing incident.

Take care~.

Not wanting to waste any more time, I tried to walk past him disdainfully, but Yoon Heeun burst into a laugh of disbelief.

Like attracts like, for sure.

?

The main vocal is quite something too

My head turned slowly backward.

As I let go of the bathroom doorknob and turned around, Yoon Heeun, lifting one corner of his mouth, muttered,

Now thats an expression worth seeing.

He continued.

Daepaseong Entertainment is known for specializing in actors, isnt it? Is that why? Both of you are really good at pretending to be so naive.

Was he implying that he had asked Seong Jiwon first?

To that kid?

I recalled Seong Jiwon from earlier today, smiling without giving away a thing while embracing a bouquet of flowers.

To Seong Jiwon?

To me it was okay, but to him?

You had asked such a thing to someone ten years younger than me?

My mind was gradually growing colder when Yoon Heeun ruffled his hair and scoffed.

Why? Didnt you know? He was pretty sharp-tongued too.

Hes good at playing coy too, I see.

He walked past me toward the door, then stopped and deliberately added one more thing before he left.

As if he hadnt done it already, playing all innocent.

It seemed he meant that since Seong Jiwons former company had been D.go, it was obvious he must have done such a thing.

I remembered Seong Jiwon stepping back with a troubled smile on his face a few weeks ago during a conversation about a fan issue

and as my thoughts had reached that point, for the first time in forever, I felt my head spin.

Bang.

I flung open the bathroom door and stepped outside, staring blankly in the direction he had gone before heading to the parking lot.

Just then, Kang Ichae, who had been lingering nearby, spotted me and approached.

Hyung, I was looking for you.

Is Seong Jiwon in the car?

Ah.

Ah.

With just one word, Kang Ichae seemed to realize what I was about to say, and while rolling his eyes, he subtly asked,

Did he finally?

You know?

I overheard it by chance. I didnt expect him to involve you too, though.

Kang Ichae, with his hair still styled from earlier, scratched his head and crossed his arms as he faced me.

I moved my lips slightly, watching him. I didnt want to share such filthy stories with Kang Ichae, and I wanted to ask why he pretended not to know but that wasnt what was important right now.

Just as I was about to walk past him and have a calm conversation with Seong Jiwon, Kang Ichae quickly grabbed my arm.

Stop, stop.

As I looked down at my captured arm and twitched my eyebrows, Kang Ichae soothed me with a gentle smile.

Dont go to Jiwon-hyung.

What?

He must have his reasons for not telling you, right? Dont go stirring up trouble for no reason.

His choice of words irked me, but seeing Kang Ichae laughing so heartily and standing his ground like that, it seemed like there must be a good reason, so I couldnt help but stop.

Sigh.

After letting out a sigh, I gathered the last bit of my patience and pulled my arm from Kang Ichaes hand.

Ichae-ah, Im not going to say anything to Seong Jiwon.

Hmm?

Hell let things slide unless I bring it up first. Thats why I just want to ask.

Seong Jiwon was decisive.

Objectively speaking, that was true. But to his members, he was also endlessly indulgent.

It was Seong Jiwon who was the first and most supportive of our acting endeavors. He would always laugh things off for the sake of The Dawnfor the membersas if it was the most natural thing to do.

So, how much had Seong Jiwon lost up until now?

He was like that.

Damned kind to the point of making me feel filthy.

Oh

I was taken aback by the sudden exclamation in front of me.

Um, hyung, it seems like youre seriously misunderstanding something.

Looking up, I saw Kang Ichae touched his lips with a complex expression and muttered,

Its true that Jiwon-hyung is unusually kind for his age, but hes not soft.

?

Look at your face. If you had heard what Jiwon-hyung said when Yoon Heeun asked, youd be shocked.

Kang Ichae scratched his cheek and then burst into laughter as he looked at me.

It seems like Jiwon-hyung has been really good to you, huh? For you to think so highly of him.

What he meant was that Seong Jiwon was selectively kind and soft to people.

I wasnt sure what kind of expression I had, but Kang Ichae seemed to realize that I wouldnt say anything more to Seong Jiwon and slyly curled the corner of his mouth.

Right?

There must be a reason, so lets just leave it be.

That quick-witted brat.

I pressed my brow and swallowed a sigh.

I walked past Kang Ichae, who seemed to catch on quickly despite his young age, and strode forward. Ichae followed closely behind.

What could it be?

What?

I wonder what youre thinking to make such a face. What could it beee?

even though he already knew.

It wasnt just about not speaking to Seong Jiwon directly; I was also annoyed with Yoon Heeun, who had caused all sorts of misunderstandings and frustrations.

I need to get back to my roots.

I replied offhandedly, and Kang Ichae let out a forced laugh.

Regardless, I needed to sort out where to start dealing with this mess as I continued walking.

Lim Hyeonsu, Seong Jiwona double-whammy.

Its quite something to be this fidgety in such a short amount of time.

How long will it take?

Having a backer meant it would take some time.

Could I really fuck that bastard up?

Even in the same mud pit, the stickier and filthier it was, the harder it was to blow it up. Especially if the backers power was great.

But theres always a way.

Always.

[Wow.]

I decided to contact Kim Jaeyeon as soon as I got back, all the while plotting a surefire plan to screw over Yoon Heeun.

[Poking Seo Hoyun, who has been quiet]

Right.

A person should live as theyve always lived.

I had been soft before, but I decided to return to my roots and do what I do best.

Kang Ichae muttered as if rhyming to himself,

Our bunny is getting ready to cause a ruckus again.

That meant an impending temper tantrum.

[1] Bokbap is Korean for fried rice, so Kim Bokbap is a fun nod to kimchi fried rice. Dont forget, its Woosungs favorite!