The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol

Is Min Jiheon really interested in me?

Or did he just dislike me?

Ad-libbing with a rookie?

Well, yeah. Let’s say he was teaching acting through ad-libs. But shouldn’t he at least give some hint? Besides, this was my first project, and I didn’t even have many scenes.

Is this what they meant by having fun?

But what’s even crazier was that the director didn’t stop him. Rather, it seemed like he had no intention of stopping, judging by his tightly clenched hands gripping the script, as if this situation was thrilling.

Ah, I haven’t heard that Min Jiheon does a lot of ad-libs, this damn kid…

Although my anger was rising, I didn’t want to run away with the excuse that I was a rookie, had few scenes, lacked experience, or because I was an idol.

I exchanged glances with Min Jiheon… No, Min Seungtae.

He had completely taken off the mask he wore to act nice in front of everyone else. He shot a terrifying glare, like a cold-blooded character who didn’t care about anything except Yu Jeonghwa.

“I thought you were a smarter person. You know that I’m the son of the head of Seonghu Trading. Is there a reason for you to get involved in someone else’s business and be bothered by it? You don’t seem to have that kind of sense of justice.”

He cornered me and yet provided a hint.

Just be me.

The hint just makes me even angrier…

But I’d take what I can get. I scanned him without panicking.

“Well, I guess I don’t have that much to say.”

Since the protagonist was supposed to be the same age as I, I just needed to reply with something that sounded like me.

As I countered his lines, the staff members, who thought I would mess up, showed surprised expressions.

“But just watching you do that to someone else, it’s a bit… ridiculous.”

“What is?”

Min Seungtae tilted his head and put one hand in his pocket. He tried to assert dominance, looking down at me like he did to everyone else in the show except for the protagonist.

“What’s so ridiculous?”

“Hmm, since you don’t know, instead of asking me, wouldn’t it be better to reflect on your own?”

As I smirked and countered his lines, a slight hint of guilt flashed across Min Seungtae’s eyes.

“Discovering that your close friend of over ten years is actually the son of your enemy. But pretending not to know? It’s not even a movie. In reality, they would just cut ties.”

“…”

“Maybe you should think about it if you haven’t thrown your conscience in the trash.”

Not sure if I touched a nerve, Min Seungtae slowly wiped his mouth and frowned. He didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

“Right, that’s… true, sunbae.”

“I’m glad you still have at least a gram of conscience left.”

As I said that, Min Seungtae raised his eyes.

“But it’s not your business, sunbae. You’re a total stranger.”

This was how it started. Sparks were flying in this verbal fight. Min Seungtae struck a blow.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t butt in.”

“…”

Butt in.

I stared at him for a moment.

What would I have done if I were still the PD? Would I have stayed quiet after hearing such nonsense from a stranger? Would I have kept quiet just because he was a chaebol?

I slowly fiddled with the lighter, placed it on the railing, and took a deep breath to calm myself down. Then I looked at Min Seungtae and smiled sarcastically.

“Whoa, Seungtae~.”

“…!!”

Staying quiet?

No way.

I was famous for being straightforward.

“Let me explain since you don’t seem to understand… Let’s slowly think about who’s at a bigger disadvantage here, okay?”

One of the staff members’ mouth dropped open, shocked by my lines. After all, there was no such setting as speaking informally in the character. But my mouth was already babbling.

“Is it me, who was working overtime and drinking coffee at the broadcasting station? Or is you, who’s losing sleep at night, worried about being caught by Yu Jeonghwa?”

“What?”

Min Seungtae was at a loss for words. In the drama, Yu Jeonghwa was an absolute presence to him. No matter how tough Min Seungtae was, he had no choice but to lose once the name “Yu Jeonghwa” was mentioned.

“I already have a ton of work, so shouldn’t I take care of my team’s slaves? Why do you have to piss people off with your attitude…”

“…”

“I understand. I’m leaving now.”

That should be enough. The ad-lib was getting too long, so I thought editing and cutting it at that point would be okay. Just as I was about to leave…

“Wait!”

He urgently grabbed me. His shaking gaze seemed to admit that his character, Min Seungtae, had already lost.

“I thought you were just someone who only cared about themselves… But I guess that was just my prejudice. What do you want?”

“…Really? You’ll do it?”

“Yes, if there’s something you want.”

I pulled my arm away from his hand and answered concisely while brushing off my sleeve.

“…A steady salary, a generous bonus, good work-life balance, a boss who doesn’t steal my credit.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Is it like some legendary creature or something?”

I sighed.

“Taking care of my responsibilities and those of my subordinates. That’s what I want.”

“Ha…”

…Hm?

While speaking his lines, Min Seungtae furrowed his brows, and it felt strangely uncomfortable. Though it was slightly different from before… this wasn’t Min Seungtae, just Min Jiheon.

Despite his momentarily wavering eyes, Min Jiheon delivered his lines naturally enough to avoid an NG.

“So, you’ll keep it safe? Will it work if I just change PD Lee Jeonghun’s boss?”

“Annoying chaebols. If you’re going to change something, change the director.”

“…That won’t be easy.”

“Can’t you even do that?”

He looked a bit amused, as if…

Being swayed by my acting?

“Is there anything else you want? Something more manageable as the price for your silence…”

“Something you can do?”

Anyway, I had to deliver the final line.

I lightly tapped his shoulder as if dusting off some dirt. Min Jiheon stepped back a few steps, looking uncomfortable, and I spoke clearly,

“Cut. It. Out.”

“…”

“I’m leaving.”

As I walked out of the camera angle, the PD shouted excitedly.

“Cut!”

Damn that Min Jiheon…

My energy was drained. Even if Lee Jeonghun looked just like me, dealing with unexpected situations while keeping my nerves taut in front of the camera was exhausting.

PD Yu was so excited that he blurted out.

“Cr… Cr… Crazy! You two are crazy!!”

“…”

Alright, I admit that Min Jiheon was utterly insane.

But I wished he’d left me out of it.

“It’s amazing! Wow, how do you both ad-lib so well? The banter was fantastic…! The relationship between Min Seungtae and Lee Jeonghun was clearly shown! We don’t even need to reshoot.”

“…Wow, so we did it in one take?”

“That’s right, Jiheon! Your character really came through this time. I’ll have to show this to Writer Kim again. Not just Min Jiheon but Seo Hoyun was amazing too! Really~ I almost missed out on such a treasure!”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

While maintaining an awkward smile and dealing with the reactions around me, it still felt like something was off. Despite being surrounded by praise and feeling like I should be happy…

What is it?

It wouldn’t have mattered if it was just ad-libbing, but it felt like I had missed something…

The excited PD went away to monitor the scene again, and the hairdresser fixed Min Jiheon’s hair. Our eyes met.

Min Jiheon…

“Heh…”

He couldn’t help but burst into laughter as our eyes met.

“Seo Hoyun, you ad-libbed really well just now. Pffhahaha!”

“…!”

“Is there a reason for you to get involved in someone else’s business and be bothered by it? You don’t seem to have that kind of sense of justice.”

“I thought you were just someone who only cared about themselves… But I guess that was just my prejudice.”

“What do you want?”

Suddenly, the lines Min Jiheon had said earlier flashed through my mind.

Ah! Darn it!

That… That wasn’t a line.

That brat knew I’d usually stay quiet if he asked me those questions privately, so he purposely threw ad-libs at me on set!

How was as a person, what kind of thought process I have, and how I would react in such a situation!

He just threw those ad-libs out of curiosity right in front of the camera!

I opened my mouth wide in anger.

“Wow… that fuc―!”

“Ahaha, haha, ah, seriously.”

I quickly closed my mouth, barely stopping myself from cursing out loud. Min Jiheon, quick-witted as he was, noticed this too and gave up on holding back his laughter, clutching his stomach and roaring with laughter.

Feeling defeated, I had no choice but to stand there and wait for him to calm down…

“Ahaha… Seo Hoyun, your personality is really funny… How have you lived like this? Do you even talk like this to chaebols?”

Min Jiheon laughed so hard he wiped away a tear.

“Ah, it’s so fun these days. It’s exciting…”

“…”

“Let’s all have fun on set today~! Let’s do our best!”

“Oh my, yes!”

Min Jiheon moved on to the next shoot, and the staff members enjoyed their day, saying, “Min Dajung was so sweet today.”

Min Dajeong can go freeze to death. In the entertainment industry full of crazy people, that brat was undoubtedly a lunatic.

He said he wouldn’t play around while acting!

No, it was my fault for believing him!

I fell for that snake’s trick once again. I glared at the direction where Min Jiheon disappeared, fuming…

***

Whether Min Jiheon enjoyed teasing Seo Hoyun or not, the idol Seo Hoyun really lived a diligent life.

Thanks to Lee Jihyeon working like a madman and was now practically one with the energy supplement, The Dawn’s exclusive content poured out in droves.

[Seong Jiwon OST Making Film]

[Kang Ichae, Come to My Room Right Now. Producing Behind CAM]

[The Dawn’s Human Theater Documentary (Feat. the Most Sane Seonghyeon)]

[Seonghyeon and Dajun’s Haphazard Macaron Making Feat. Disgusted Jiwon]

[Heart-pounding The Dawn High School Student Council Election]

And so, Noeul’s fans had fan content, BTS photos, and V-Lives to look forward to whenever they opened their eyes.

Among them, the fan content was particularly eye-catching.

[Ahㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ When Seo Hoyun made his student council president promise, he said he would give half the class hamburgers (The End)

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

└Kang Ichae: (Raising hand) Don’t you just have to give out four?

Seo Hoyun: ㅋㅋYes

└└Ah, I’m going crazy. I knew it since I saw this guy’s pocket, all relaxed]

[Meanwhile, Seong Jiwon’s promise

Seong Jiwon: Um… I’ll reduce practice time by two hours.

Everyone: (Jumping up) Seong Jiwon! President Seong Jiwon! Please give us a word on how you feel about being elected!

Seong Jiwon unanimously selected

└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Are they gagmen?

└Wow, Seong Jiwon really is a tiger when it comes to practiceㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

And so, the student council election content received quite a good response, and Jihyeon, wanting to reuse the fan songs they’d made, came up with a new fan content plan.

It was a mix of the 1980s American high school concept, Will You Go to Prom With Me?

However, the setting was Korea.

There was no way The Dawn knew about American high school life with red plastic cups, active club activities, and heart-pounding proms.

“Alright! Listen up!”

Jeong Dajun, wearing glasses, banged on the blackboard.

“Here’s what the test will be about! Okay? Everyone, write it down!”

It was K-High School.