The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol

Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Whats up?

What did you just call me?

Had this kid lost his mind?

We were in a bustling shooting set filled with staff, and Min Jiheon just called me hyung.[1] I was struggling not to raise the corners of my mouth, but my face threatened to twitch.

Then, Min Jiheon shamelessly tilted his head.

Um can I call you something else? Jeonghun-hyung or maybe Hoyun-hyung? Which do you prefer?

Haha, your expression is funny.

Such a cheeky brat.

He clearly saw that I was just with the camera director.

But, by any chance, was what I saw just now a trick?

What are you talking about, sunbae.

For now, I laughed and brushed him off casually. Then I walked away from the staff, and Min Jiheon trailed along beside me.

Is it alright for you to startle me like this, sunbae? I get that youre immersed in the acting, but were outside the cameras view right now. If this kid, you, Min Jiheon, keeps acting out, Ill lose it, wont I?

Wow your gradation of anger is really cool.

Why did you come? I told you not to pretend like you know me.

Min Jiheon smiled brightly.

Hey, dont be grumpy. I was just curious about what youre up to, thats all.

There was definitely something going on. I studied him closely, then decided to throw a fastball.

Do you know Lee Kangseok well?

Huh?

Min Jiheon tilted his head to the opposite side from before.

Do I? He even gave me a carrot cake, you know?

That must have been delicious.

Ahaha, I wouldnt know since someone ate it first.

Looking at him making such trivial jokes, it seemed he didnt know about the rumors. Well, Lee Kangseok might have controlled his image in front of Min Jiheon so he wouldnt notice.

I shrugged my shoulders and organized my thoughts.

I was asked to act better than Lee Kangseok but thats not objective.

There was a more objective method.

Just prevent him from acting.

Moreover, by bullying his manager, Lee Kangseok perfectly set the stage for me. Ill send Lee Kangseok to hell, and while their ratings might be low, it will still increase ours. I would be a fool if I couldnt take advantage of this.

As I thought about how to carry out my plan, I looked up and saw Min Jiheon staring at me with a strange smile.

What?

Just.

Min Jiheon awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. I always got anxious when he did this.

Out of curiosity you said you originally belonged to another world. Will you go back once this is over?

Of course.

The system window was, as always, quiet.

There was the career Ive built over the past half a year, the fans, and the members.

There was a moment of silence, but as always, my mind was firm.

Im doing all this nonsense to go back.

Why? Even after rejuvenating yourself.

Is that important?

It is.

Min Jiheon chuckled slightly.

And I think it would be better if you stay here.

?

Itd be fun and I want to see what happens.

There was an odd certainty in his tone. I glared at him, and Min Jiheon looked away.

Well fighting.

Min Jiheon.

Min Jiheon tried to leave as if he had said everything he wanted to, but I grabbed him urgently.

Are you saying there are disadvantages if I return to my original world? Or do you think its more advantageous to stay here?

Um

Why?

Uh

Min Jiheon scratched his cheek and let out a deep sigh.

Its hard to explain I dont really know because Im not the one involved Sorry.

Talking to this guy felt like an endless series of unsolvable puzzles.

Min Jiheon, pretending or not, subtly glanced at me.

The more I see you, the more I feel attached. I feel guilty about enjoying this. But weve made a promise Shall we wait for the viewer ratings?

Our drama is doing well right now.

As I said with a frown, a staff member called Min Jiheon from afar.

Min Jiheon, its time to shoot!

Okay~Im going?

Min Jiheon gave me an awkward smile and then walked toward the set. I opened the calendar on my phone and started calculating. There were three weeks left until the last broadcast. When that day comes, I have to get an answer.

What am I waiting for?

I didnt forget to text Kim Jaeyeon.

I need you to check something.

When I finished filming my scenes, I received a reply from Kim Jaeyeon.

Dont worry, I think that situation is under control.

Huh.

It seemed like a green light, a sign that this could be a freebie.

And exactly three days later, the Lee Kangseok issue blew up.

***

[Scandalous revelation about actor B shatters the calm of the entertainment world]

[Lee Kangseoks Bullying controversy, shocking video of him swearing at his manager spreads]

[Title: Have you seen the Lee Kangseok video?

Its spreading even though his agency is trying to suppress it Ah Wasnt Lee Kangseok known for his gentle image?

Yeah, hes really broken

Wow, Seo Hoyun, good job on your last filming!

After finishing the last filming like that, I was told to immediately monitor episode 14. I sat down in the outdoor seats and started talking with the people around me.

This episode is really the real deal. The emotional lines are clean but not clich.

Even though Lee Jeonghun doesnt have a lot of parts in this episode, he plays a huge role in adding the right tension. He is Yu Jeonghwas accomplice and a funny rival to Min Seungtae.

Well, hes a character with a shitty personality and a big mouth!!

Seo Hoyun, you were perfect!

Yes, Im very pleased.

As I was listening to the conversation, the surroundings suddenly became hectic. Then, out of nowhere, a large bouquet was thrust in front of me.

[Thank you so much for your hard work, PD Lee Jeonghun!

Please Take the Camera Staff]

Huh?

Congratulations! You really worked hard on your first drama.

The bouquet suits you well.

Thank you for preparing all of this.

Being with the staff for what felt simultaneously long and short probably made their thoughtfulness even more touching.

When I briefly made eye contact with my manager, he nodded and passed a small card to the staff.

Take this! Hoyun prepared it all night.

What is this?

The staff looked perplexed as they accepted it. I warmly smiled and held onto the bouquet.

Its nothing. Just a token of my appreciation.

Holy cow, gift certificates!!

You prepared all this?! Wait, did you prepare this with your own money?

Haha, its not a big deal.

As the staff opened their eyes wide, another staff member exclaimed in amazement.

Handwritten letters too??! You wrote each and every one of them?

Yes.

Wow even the content is different

It didnt take much time as it was just a few lines. I nodded at the staff looking at me with moved expressions while arranging the bouquet that kept falling apart. I noticed some of them taking pictures and uploading them on SNS.

I was calmly taking in the sight of the last filming when PD Yu next to me took off his glasses and dabbed at his tears.

Seo Hoyun You really have become a person I dont know what to do when you are gone

You have to play well with Min Jiheon-sunbae

If possible, make him work hard.

Anyhow, I looked at the large bouquet with a smile. Although my heart was beating a little, my mind was already racing.

I thought about the old-fashioned conditions made by Min Jiheon.

The first was to beat Lee Kangseok, while the second was to achieve the ratings.

The first condition was achieved by Lee Kangseoks downfall.

I hope the ratings are good~.

Then, all that was left was the second condition.

Indeed.

Since the dramas last episode wasnt far off, it seemed that the highest ratings could change depending on this episodes ratings. Near the end of the 14th episodes airing, a call came from the control room.

Yes, yes. Ahyes?!

PD Yu suddenly stood up. Everyone looked surprised as he covered his mouth with one hand and hung up the phone.

Why?! PD, why?!

Hey, we, we.

PD Yu still couldnt complete his sentence. He scanned the staff and cast with wide eyes, then raised both hands and shouted.

The viewership rating is 18 percent!

At that moment, a smile spread across my face.

Eight, eight, eighteen percent?!

Everyone burst into cheers.

Everyone seemed to have an adrenaline rush, probably because they had been drinking caffeine almost to the point of an IV drip and had been shooting for several days.

Unbelievable. Isnt it the highest rating among the dramas currently airing?

We hit the jackpot.

Congratulations!!

Thinking it was the right moment, my manager quickly turned on the camera and filmed my reaction. With a bright smile on my face, I nodded in greeting.

For the record, it was a genuine smile, not a business one. It was out of joy for fulfilling the mission thrown by Min Jiheon.

Todays company dinner!

No, we cant! We have a lot left to shoot for tomorrow. Go to bed early.

PD Yu cut it off neatly, but he seemed to feel the most disappointed.

I was showered with congratulations until I left the set with the large bouquet in my hand.

Please go in. Thank you so much.

Seo Hoyun! Its not over yet. Lets meet at the wrap-up party~.

Haha, yes. Ill have to congratulate you again then.

Seo Hoyun, youve worked hard.

I finished saying goodbye to the staff, including Yu Jia, who waved at me with a smile. When I got in the car, my manager was still happily chattering away, apparently still lost in the atmosphere.

Wow, its really a jackpot. The company keeps calling.

Youve worked hard too, Manager.

Oh, youre the one who worked hard, Hoyun! Im so touched by the bouquet. When I think about how hard youve worked, I still want to cry

Really? Then lets film your tears.

Hoyun, youre really bad.

Thanks to Lee Kangseok for screwing up on his own, I got the first one for free. I thought I had to wait until the wrap-up party to exceed 18 percent, but it happened sooner than I thought.

As I sank deep into the seat and continued to converse with my manager, I was also fiddling with my phone.

Come on.

Min Jiheon was weird, but he wasnt the type to break a promise. Even though he was moody, he seemed to have his standards (which I didnt understand). He would keep his promise if I fulfilled the conditions he proposed.

Just as I was sorting out my thoughts,

Ring.

My phone vibrated.

[1] Technically, he didnt. Either the author made a mistake or something because Jiheon never actually called Hoyun a hyung in the original text.

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