The Trashy PD Has To Survive as an Idol

Chapter 181

After the third episode of the reality show aired, the response started to heat up.

[Title: Did you guys watch The Dawn’s variety show?

Why didn’t anyone tell me these guys are such a blast?

I feel betrayed right now.

Don’t you know I love this B-grade vibe??

└Have you been living in a cave? The Dawn has been famous for being crazy for ages…

└└No, I was too obsessed with my main fandom…]

Though The Dawn had always showcased incredibly entertaining self-produced content, it was primarily available on platforms like YouTube or subscription-based fandom platforms, making it less accessible to those outside of Noeul.

However, this time, it was a reality show broadcast nationwide on free TV.

If it were the typical content about popular places or travel, it might have been overlooked.

But the show featured these good-looking guys earnestly throwing jabs at each other, desperate not to miss a beat, and once you started watching, you couldn’t help but get sucked in.

Thanks to this, posts like these started popping up not only in idol cafés but also in fashion, beauty, and general hobby cafés.

[Title: The reality show on tvK at 5:30 is so fun

Are these the idols who ranked first in Shining Star??

I wasn’t interested in Shining Star, so I didn’t watch…

But I happened to catch it while watching TV with my daughter, and we kept laughing~ ㅎㅎ

I told my daughter to bring home such handsome young men as husbands, and she just gave me a stern look~~^^

└It feels like the old Saturday variety shows and it’s funㅎ I remember being surprised when I heard that Seo Hoyun was the one with the issue about his parents passing away.

└└Really~~? Didn’t seem like it… He seemed bold and kind^^ I want to keep watchingㅎㅎ]

[Title: Shocked while watching Seo Hoyun’s reality show

Seo Hoyun is so different from the image I had in mind…

I did watch PTC, but I thought he was neat and soft-spoken.

I thought he was a hardworking guy…

But oh boy… the way he teases the members…

It’s just like they brought PD Lee Jeonghun???

└The teasing reminds me exactly of my senior in the military, gives me chills.

└└PD Lee Jeonghun was just living the role. ㄷㄷ]

Fans of The Dawn searched for funny review posts, chuckling to themselves all the while.

[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋOh fuck, this is so hilarious. People are finally starting to see Seo Hoyun’s true nature…]

[Yeah, Hoyun is… well… he treats our Noeul well… But his real personality is…

└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋI mean, he knows everyone has caught onto his personality, but it’s so funny watching him stubbornly pretend otherwiseㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠ]

Seo Hoyun, sharp as ever when it came to The Dawn, was well aware that his true nature had been exposed.

Yet, he always spoke sweetly to the fans.

There was even a time at a fan signing event when one Noeul asked Seo Hoyun why he behaved like that.

He was so flustered that he couldn’t reply, and the moment was captured, spreading like wildfire across various communities.

[There’s a reason he’s called a fan signing angel along with Seong Jiwon… But he’s a devil, lol]

[You could call it false advertising… ㅋㅋ]

The planning team, observing this situation, was smiling as they saw reactions unfolding as planned.

People were gradually realizing that the person they pitied was actually someone with a prickly personality who loved to tease others.

[Anyway, kind of relieved… Seems like the image transition went well]

[ㅇㅇIf they appear on terrestrial variety shows a few more times, it’ll be fine??]

As opinions like “Seo Hoyun is crazier than expected” began to circulate, they knew they had to drive the point home.

Totally doable.

Lee Jihyeon eagerly took Seo Hoyun’s sly suggestion and crafted a plan like mad.

As soon as it was completed, they submitted the proposal to tvK, which got an immediate OK.

This is it.

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It wasn’t just about teasing the members; it was a stage to show that he was a complete nutcase, a “wild one.”

Their largest budget yet would be invested in this final long-term project of The Dawn’s variety shows, including their self-produced content.

[Oh gosh, it’s starting]

Ba-bam! Bam— Ba-bam!

With the BGM, five men sporting black sunglasses, either undoing their jacket buttons or casually draping them over their shoulders, were shown climbing a set of stairs in slow motion on screen.

[Oh fuck, is this what I think it is!!!]

【The Dawn’s Five – Casino Royale】

The logo appeared, and as it disappeared downward, Seong Jiwon lowered his sunglasses slightly and winked, marking the start of the opening.

[Wow~~~~~~~]

[Is this a heist movie concept???]

[Zampano Kim Seonghyeon

Yenicall Kang Ichae[1]

└What about the character settings?

└└ It’s just my desire, sorry]

Fans of The Dawn, already a bunch of enthusiasts, went wild for this concept, rushing in with excitement.

Even ordinary viewers, intrigued by the famous movie-inspired variety show, watched with an “Oh, this looks fun” kind of interest.

Scenes of shuffling cards, chewing gum, turning the dial of a safe, brushing back their hair acting cool, or leaning on their chin while looking at a board with the whole plan were interspersed.

【The Dawn’s Five】

Tazza – Kang Ichae.

Acting-savvy dealer – Kim Seonghyeon.

Genius at tightrope walking, infiltration, and safe-cracking – Seong Jiwon.

Beauty trap, information gathering – Jeong Dajun.

Leader Seo Hoyun, organizing and directing the entire plan.

[Oh no, fuck, Jeong Dajun as the beauty trap is killing meㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[No, acting-savvy < Can Kim Seonghyeon really do this?

└Is this for real… Is this for real…ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Why is Kang Ichae so good at shuffling cards and one-hand fanning, did he live in Macau?]

Then, as the profiles of the five appeared on screen one by one with a “WANTED” stamp, they shattered dramatically and disappeared.

Soon the dark screen gradually brightened, showing The Dawn gathered around a round table in a studio, accompanied by a mechanical voice.

– “Welcome to the Emerging Dawn.”

– “The Dawn successfully pulled off a casino heist. However, due to betrayal within the team, all the jewels and gold bars disappeared.”

– “You don’t know the location of the jewels and gold bars, not even the password.”

– “There are only three things you need to know: the location of the jewels, the gold bar, and the password to the locker containing the jewels; the mission code to say to get the password; and the fact that only the traitor knows the password.”

– “Perform your roles, find the traitor, and retrieve the jewels and gold bars.”

“If we figure out the traitor, we just need to go to the payphone and call?”

“Got it~.”

The Dawn whispered among themselves after hearing all the rules.

[Isn’t it obviously Seo Hoyun?]

Amidst the commotion, the total prize money was announced.

– “If the person who finds the jewels or the traitor wins, a total prize of 5 million won will be awarded to the traitor.”

[Oh wow]

[Paseong, where do you get the money from…

└It’s tvK’s money, obviously…

└└Ah~]

With the rough explanation over and the situation understood, The Dawn stood, eyeing each other warily.

“Let’s split up first.”

“How about dividing into solo-rooms versus roommate pairs?”

“Sure. We can find the traitor at the end anyway.”

They divided into teams surprisingly quickly and coolly without much fuss.

It was because they already knew their roles well without needing to say much.

[The Dawn is top-notch at group projects ㄷㄷ]

[The guys are surprisingly mature and not prone to fighting]

The camera followed the solo-room team first.

Bang.

As soon as Kim Seonghyeon got into the car and closed the door, he spoke without needing any further measurement, as if it was obvious.

“It’s Seo Hoyun.”

[Excuse me]

“There’s no need to say it…”

“Of course, you’d only be wasting your breath.”

Kang Ichae scoffed as if it was the most natural thing, while beside him, Jeong Dajun nodded vigorously.

【Guessing the Traitor!

Kang Ichae, Kim Seonghyeon, Jeong Dajun ▷ Seo Hoyun】

Then, naturally, the screen switched to the roommate group, showing Seong Jiwon and Seo Hoyun peacefully eating street hot dogs.

“Of course, it’s Kang Ichae.”

“Aha, wouldn’t it be strange if it wasn’t?”

【Guessing the Traitor 2!

Seong Jiwon, Seo Hoyun ▷ Kang Ichae】

【The Dawn:

Generally not very trusting of each other.】

[How has this group not disbanded yet?

└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

As the members of The Dawn showcased their tearful true friendship and the Noeuls laughed, the mission began.

【Get a hint about the traitor! 】

Following the staff’s instructions, the solo-room team moved to another studio, where they searched thoroughly and finally found a small message card.

【Act out a scene from the provided movie in your assigned role. 】

That legendary scene.

The jewels had been found, but realizing the SWAT team was approaching the building, they pondered how to escape, coincidentally causing a pipe to burst, and using that opportunity to escape while pretending to be a victim.

“Wow~~!!!”

“Eek~! Abs coming soon~?”

Except for Kim Seonghyeon, who was designated by the message card as having an “Acting-savvy dealer” concept, the maknaes were already dying of excitement at the thought of teasing their hyung.

[tvK, where is it, I’m going to buy stocks]

[The producers are so educated; their educational level is dragging on the floor]

“…Really? Me?”

Kim Seonghyeon paused with his face buried in his hands and let out a deep sigh.

Then, having made up his mind, he took off his jacket.

Ignoring the shrieking maknaes as best as he could, he headed to the designated spot.

After several takes, subtitles appeared.

【Barely managed to capture this after an hour of filming.】

Ssshhh—.

As the pipe burst and water splashed, the screen moved from bottom to top, passing over a hand with visible blue veins, a solid forearm, a sharply indented collarbone through a black tank top, up along a neckline to a sharp jawline.

Kim Seonghyeon filled the screen as he brushed back his hair, wet and obstructing his view, and looked directly at the camera.

[Wow, shot…………]

Everyone watching was left speechless by the seductive scene.

Kim Seonghyeon’s eyes were fierce as he shook his head to fling off the water.

[Uh, sorry, you’re drooling

└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Seonghyeon, you’re still so naïve about this harsh world…]

Thanks to Seo Hoyun’s guidance, Kim Seonghyeon’s expressive acting was quite convincing as long as he kept his mouth shut, leaving everyone in a state of awe.

“Ugh.”

However…

“I. Was. In. The. Shower. And. Now. I’m. Scared. To. Death.” [ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Seonghyeon, please give us a moment to be awed by your body]

[Is this real, shitㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

As Kim Seonghyeon descended the stairs modestly in a bathrobe and delivered his line, the atmosphere shattered.

“I will escort you.”

“Thank. You.”

As Jeong Dajun, dressed as a SWAT team member, extended his arm to Kim Seonghyeon with a stifled laugh, Kim Seonghyeon staggered as if dizzy and leaned against Dajun’s chest. [2]

Even though he had to bend his back and lower his head because of the height difference, Kim Seonghyeon’s expression remained utterly serious.

[Is this for real? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

【Kim Seonghyeon Mission Success!】

【Clue to the traitor acquired.】

Even the production team seemed to think the acting was terrible, as they added an explanation alongside the mission success caption.

【※It seems the ratings will go up, so the production team unanimously decided to give him a pass.】

[Oh my gosh, I feel like my heart’s going to burst

└ From laughing?

└└ You know… I’m not that innocent…

└└I was just asking…]

In a scene that was both cool and funny, one that seemed like it could be chewed over and over for a lifetime, the fans were in stitches, while regular viewers found amusement in Kim Seonghyeon’s awkward acting and his beet-red ears.

Because he was genuinely trying his best.

Having barely completed his mission, Kim Seonghyeon dried his hair with a towel and read the hint given to him by the staff.

“’To you, it might have happened several times, but for me, it’s just once.’”

“Ah! See, it’s Hoyun-hyung!”

It was Seo Hoyun’s part from “Kill the Lights.”

Fans, like the other members of The Dawn, expected either Seo Hoyun or Kang Ichae.

However, the straightforward result felt somewhat anticlimactic.

[What the heck

Is this for real? Talk about a letdown]

[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋBut image-wise, Seo Hoyun is the most fitting…]

As Kim Seonghyeon checked the paper back and forth for any additional information, Jeong Dajun and Kang Ichae exchanged looks.

= OK?

= OK.

Sensing something suspicious, just as Kim Seonghyeon was about to lift his head when—

“Hyung, I’m sorry!!!”

“Sorry!! The number don’t work out neatly when divided by three!!”

“What…?”

Before he could even fully extend his arm, the maknaes dashed out of the studio.

“Hey, hey!!!”

Frozen in place with his hair still wet and his clothes damp, Kim Seonghyeon tried to chase after them, but the stylist clung to him with all her might.

Ultimately, as the scene faded out, Kim Seonghyeon’s profile appeared with a “Fail” stamp over it.

【First betrayal occurs!

Kang Ichae and Jeong Dajun betrayed Kim Seonghyeon.】

[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Guys, this is called teamworkㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[They were blinded by money…]

【Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun and Seong Jiwon’s team…】

On the sunlit terrace of a café, Seo Hoyun dipped a large slice of honey bread into whipped cream and stuffed it into his mouth.

Sitting across from him, Seong Jiwon lazily lowered his sunglasses down his nose and sipped his iced Americano through a straw.

Ignoring the incessant buzzing of phone notifications and calls, they leisurely enjoyed their time.

[Hey]

“Seong Jiwon, is it good?”

“Yeah, it’s good.”

“Glad to hear it.”

[Why are you guys filming We Got Married]

It was a scene of utter tranquility.

[1] Zampano, played by Kim Soohyun, and Yenicall, played by Jun Jihyun, are names of the major characters in the hit 2012 movie, The Thieves.

[2] Spoiler for The Thieves: Towards the end of the movie, Jun Jihyun’s character escape by wetting herself, wrapping a towel around her half-naked body, and letting the police escort her. She then escapes after they give her clothes.