The Trashy Pd Has To Survive As an Idol: 문찐 [139+]

TW: Coercion / Sexual Exploitation (implied)

Seong Ji-won's day as a 21-year-old was extremely ordinary.

Classes, classes, classes, and then practice.

Acting, dancing, singing.

"No matter how hard you try, it's not going to work out. Why do you even bother?"

"..."

He simply loved singing.

Just a simple compliment like "Ji-won, you're really good at singing," could make his entire day feel blissful.

His trainee period was by no means short.

From a young age, he had a clear idea of what he wanted. He also knew that his looks were decent enough, so he had gotten into this world fairly quickly.

"Ji-won, I'm not saying this just because you're my boy, but you're truly beautiful. As you go through life, you'll surely encounter many good things. So only speak kind words, and listen to beautiful stories."

That was what his grandmother always said to him.

There were times he responded with tears, and times he smiled brightly and hugged her.

But reality was never so kind.

'Grandma… I'm sorry.'

"You still haven't debuted after all this time? Doesn't that tell you something? You're not cut out for this."

After struggling so hard to finally earn the center position, he had it taken from him recently. And even after winning first place again in today's monthly evaluation, the response he got was something like that.

"Aren't you tired of this? I am. Watching someone like you cling on like a damn roach—it's exhausting."

The guy in front of him clearly had below-average looks and skills, yet somehow always managed to sneak into the debut lineup.

Maybe that's why—whenever Ji-won saw him—he felt like his long trainee years were being trampled on.

'Would it really be worth it to debut in a group with someone like that?'

Now, he wasn't so sure anymore.

What was clear was that this guy was definitely not someone good for him.

"Yeah, it's not fun anymore."

At some point, Ji-won, who used to know nothing but practice, ended his days constantly exchanging harsh words with fellow trainees who didn't know how to respect others.

"Do you think it's fun watching you flail around every day like this?"

"...!"

It was just one sentence, but the way the guy's face flushed red and pale was quite the sight.

"Hey, Seong Ji-won—!"

"Hyeong-jo."

Ji-won didn't think vile insults and curses suited him, nor did he enjoy them much. But he knew exactly how to deal with someone like the guy standing in front of him.

"How about spending your time practicing instead of selling your body?"

Looking down at the dumb, gaping face, he turned around and left the company.

Hmm.

The truth was, he had also been feeling increasingly on edge lately.

And with good reason—D.go had recently launched a new boy group project.

Last time, he'd been told he didn't match the group's image. The time before that, he was deemed too young.

The "Not a fit" labels stuck to him had long exceeded ten fingers.

More than anyone else, he knew this was his last chance.

"Ji-won, you're home?"

"Ah, Grandma!"

As soon as he opened the front door, Ji-won heard his grandmother's voice and hurried to the master bedroom, sweetly massaging her shoulders.

"How was your day?"

"Of course it was great, as always."

Sung Ji-won gave a picture-perfect smile.

Even though their household was relatively well-off, the absence of his parents left a shadow that never quite lifted. His grandmother always treated him with special care and sensitivity.

"You've seemed busy lately, my puppy."

"Yes, I made it into the debut group."

"Oh? That's wonderful! Are they treating you well?"

"There's a director I trust and follow…"

Suddenly, his eyes fell on the deep wrinkles layered across his grandmother's face.

They looked like they'd been carved there from years of worrying about him, and that thought made his chest ache a little. But he could still bear it—for now.

"I need to give it my all."

His grandmother's wrinkles deepened slightly as she smiled warmly, the corners of her eyes curling gently.

"Yes, yes. There's no one as lovely as our Ji-won. But don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

"Of course."

Ji-won held each of her words close to his heart. Even though things weren't going so well right now, he didn't want to burden her with even more worries.

She gently stroked his cheek with a look full of affection.

"Still, since it's your birthday tomorrow, come home early, alright? I'll make all your favorite foods."

---

"…What?"

One day, Director Cho called Ji-won aside.

"We need to redo your profile shoot."

There was something off about Director Cho's awkward smile.

"But… we already did that a month ago."

"I think it'd be better to shoot again. The new boy group the company's planning is being formed around performance, and your profile photo gives off too soft an image. Oh, do you have any other plans for today?"

Ji-won couldn't answer right away.

Today was his birthday.

He remembered how his grandmother had asked him to come home early—but after a moment's thought, he slowly shook his head.

It wasn't like redoing a profile shoot would be a big issue.

"…No, I don't have anything."

"Great. Then I'll give you a ride."

As if he'd been waiting for those words, Director Cho quickly slung an arm around Ji-won's shoulder and urged him toward the parking lot.

"Huh? Director, why are you—"

"No reason. Sometimes it's nice to do something a little different."

Ji-won was surprised by Director Cho acting a bit out of character, but he soon followed where he was led.

The only reason he had stayed here, despite the countless failed debut chances, was because of Director Cho. In this rotting, crumbling place, he was the one person Ji-won could trust and rely on.

"I'll be in your care then."

Even this day, he trusted him.

It seemed like a small act of kindness—nothing more.

"Even Seong Ji— did it ——."

"They're all the same— looked so clean——but seriously, what a joke."

While waiting for the elevator to head down to the underground parking lot, Ji-won heard other trainees whispering behind him.

It was something he was used to hearing by now, and yet—for some reason—it felt ominous this time.

Ji-won hesitated for a moment, then quietly turned on his phone's voice recorder app.

He felt guilty, as though he were doubting Director Cho, but he reassured himself—there was no harm in being cautious.

Seated in the passenger seat of a luxury foreign car, Ji-won stared out at the buildings passing by.

All he could think about was how to finish the profile shoot as quickly as possible so he could head home.

"…I've heard you've been training really hard."

"I need to work even harder, haha."

Breaking the silence, Director Cho finally spoke.

Ji-won put on the smile he had worn so many times before.

Hard work and dedication never betray.

Even if the world shook around him, he firmly believed the time, effort, and sweat he had invested would eventually pay off.

No—in truth, that belief was the only thing Ji-won had left to cling to at the time.

"…Hey, Ji-won."

The car that was supposed to take him to a profile shoot came to a stop in front of an unfamiliar hotel.

"Take this."

"…Sorry?"

Ji-won looked around, unsure of what was going on, as Director Cho handed him a small paper envelope.

A sense of unease kept him from taking it right away, but Director Cho placed it directly into his hand. In that moment, Ji-won understood what this was.

"I really care about you. I didn't want to push you into this. But the company's in a rough spot right now."

"..."

"If things go on like this, you won't debut this time either. The entire project could be scrapped. Honestly, there are tons of kids who want to be celebrities. Are you really going to throw away this opportunity?"

The envelope in Ji-won's hand slowly crumpled. What Director Cho meant was simple: do this, or be replaced.

After a pause, Cho sighed softly and added in a gentler tone,

"…Just go inside. Contact me when it's over. It's best if nothing… bad happens. For both of us."

Ji-won wanted to argue, ask why, demand answers—but the words wouldn't come out.

"Don't forget your hat."

As if possessed, Ji-won got out of the car and walked into the hotel lobby in a daze.

He passed under a chandelier scattering rainbow lights, then collapsed onto a couch in the first-floor lounge.

The high-end leather of the seat clung to his body, and everything visible under the brim of his hat felt too vivid, too cruel.

Rustle.

He remembered the envelope he had been clutching.

Ji-won opened it and took out what was inside.

In his trembling hands was a card with a three-digit number on it.

It was likely a room key.

"…Ha, ha…"

The place smelled nice. It was cozy. And yet, he felt like garbage tossed into a gutter.

"Haha…"

A profile shoot? What a joke.

His time, his effort, his convictions—even the person he trusted.

All of it had crumbled to nothing.

"Wow. So this is how it ends."

A bitter laugh escaped without him realizing. He stopped the recording on his phone.

The more he replayed what had just happened in his mind, the drier his throat felt.

What should I do?

Ji-won wasn't stupid.

As much as he wanted to achieve his dream, he couldn't bring himself to cross that line.

Should I switch agencies?

If so, getting into a major one would be tough. D.go would do everything to drag him down.

He dismissed the idea immediately.

Expose them?

It'd be satisfying—for a moment.

Then they'd sue him, or worse, he'd be blacklisted from the entire industry.

Maybe… blackmail?

If he dangled the recording over them, maybe they'd stop trying this kind of thing.

But they'd just find a reason to kick him out of the debut group. And even if he did debut, he'd never get promoted.

There was no way he could survive alone, fighting against those snake-like adults.

"…Ha."

No matter how he thought about it, every path led to suffocation.

The world looked black and white.

Ji-won decided to throw everything away and end it.

Let's just quit.

He had waited too long without any reward.

It was time to stop living in fear of an uncertain tomorrow.

As he gathered his thoughts and picked up the key card—

"Cheolsu-ya~~!!"

A voice called out someone's name.

It wasn't his, so Ji-won slowly stood up and pulled down the brim of his hat.

"Hey, Cheolsu. Where you going?"

"…?"

"Hyung's here."

A stranger's firm grip suddenly pressed down on his shoulder.

The low, pleasant baritone voice came from just behind him, relaxed and casual.

"Not happy to see me? I've been waiting forever, you know."

Ji-won turned his head slightly to look at the speaker.

He, too, wore a hat pulled low over his face.

When Ji-won furrowed his brows, the man lifted his head just a little.

Even Ji-won—who had spent years at a major agency—briefly mistook him for a celebrity, that's how handsome he was. But his complexion was pale, his eyes shadowed, and his expression cold.

"…Who are you?"

"Me?"

The corners of the man's lips curled upward in an easy grin.

"I'm the guy who's about to blow this place up."