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

Kang Yeonhu, who had just said that, seemed a bit tipsy as he suddenly held out the bottle he was drinking from. When I waved my hand to refuse, he pouted.

"Anyway, well. Seo Hoyun, you're good at singing, and your dancing isn't bad either…"

"..."

"...Is it bad?"

"So this whole setup was just to roast me, huh."

Kang Yeonhu chuckled, his shoulders shaking.

"Just kidding. Honestly, I think you're amazing. I feel like you're going to go even further."

"Of course. If not me, who else would?"

"Confidence level, off the charts."

It wasn't confidence—it was simply stating what needed to be done and what the future should be.

Going from the 2nd team to the 1st was just as hard as going from unknown to mid-tier.

Even if you were signed with a major agency, even if you got massive promotional push, if you didn't leave an impression on the public, it was meaningless.

That's why, even while being criticized for it, agencies kept churning out junior groups like factories the moment idol images started to feel stale, endlessly trying new approaches. Who knows what will be a hit in a month, a year, or a decade?

'It's not just luck.'

I decided to call that it factor—star quality.

The kind of thing that someone like Joo Woosung, who once said I was surviving off just my looks and nerve, possessed.

Kang Yeonhu seemed to get lost in thought for a moment, then opened his mouth again.

"Looks like The Dawn's international fanbase has grown a lot over the past year. If the opportunity comes, trying to break into the U.S. market wouldn't be a bad idea. We tried pushing hard but ended up flopping."

"Yay, thank you for that advanced firsthand cautionary tale."

Kang Yeonhu shot me a sideways glare with a sulky look.

'What?'

WH Entertainment really was unnecessarily sentimental.

Even if we were called rivals, they treated us surprisingly well.

"Well~, I guess you'll manage just fine, Seo Hoyun. I saw how smoothly you dodged every documentary interview question."

"I also watched one of your team members get so excited after a stage that he said he felt like he was the center of the world. That was fun."

"What?! Who said that?!"

Kang Yeonhu looked genuinely shocked and nearly spit out his beer.

"Why, why didn't you stop him?!"

"Do you know high five?"

"Wow, this guy has zero industry ethics!"

When I searched up Kang Yeonhu before, fans often described him as calm and cool-headed, but I seriously didn't know where in this person that calmness or coolness supposedly resided.

"You are so annoying, you know that?"

"Of course. But that's actually my favorite thing to hear—didn't you know?"

"..."

He sighed, muttering that he was never giving me advice again, then stumbled away with his empty beer can in hand. I laughed to myself.

'Still, he's sharp.'

Judging from his industry experience, he probably had a decent sense of what kind of direction we'd take next.

That bastard Kang Yeonhu is probably going to rise even more too. Definitely not someone to take lightly.

'But sorry, we're going to make it big before you do.'

I smirked and pulled my phone out of my pocket.

'Alright. Time for phase two.'

Coming all the way here just to do a 20-minute performance wasn't worth the time, effort, or cost.

[Me: Lee Ji-hyun-ssi]

[Lee Ji-hyun: Yep, you're talking about the teaser, right??]

I stared at the perfectly timed reply.

Lee Ji-hyun—did she come with a Bluetooth function or something?

[Me: That—]

[Lee Ji-hyun: Yep! I'll post it once the national pride hype dies down a bit!!]

Seriously, what is she?

[Me: Yes but—]

[Lee Ji-hyun: You mean you want to add a bit of European vlog aesthetics too, right?? If you send it over, I'll check it right away!]

"What is up with this girl?"

I was honestly impressed by Lee Ji-hyun's ability to anticipate everything like clockwork.

[Me: Umm… Lee Ji-hyun-ssi, by any chance—]

[Lee Ji-hyun: I have no plans to set up a mat in Gangnam yet!]

[Me: Wow~ lol]

Very satisfying.

No wonder she was always the No. 1 employee for incentives each month.

Laughing to myself, I sent one more text.

[Me: I'll send over the fan song data we recorded today then]

Phase two, initiated.

Always thinking of the fans, anytime, anywhere.

[I wonder if our kids are eating kimchi okay…]

Meanwhile, The Dawn's Korean fans were spending their days gorging on videos and countless memes, thanks to the global livestreams of K-pop concerts.

[Why is Seo Hoyun so good on stage lately..?]

[The more I watch him, the more I realize… I've totally lost my mind over a guy… ha]

Seo Hoyun, who believed in "If you draw your sword, you better slice some radish," was dedicated to filling in his own gaps and constantly worked to improve as an idol.

His growth in performance was so visible, it could be seen day by day.

[Wow this stage has our song lineup lolol]

[But our song's variety show lineup...

Seriously… they're so not close

They greet each other from afar and just walk off in different directions

└ Call it the "Bluetooth greeting" of this success-obsessed generation..

└└ Isn't Bluetooth how you're supposed to greet?

└└ omg that's true tho]

While fans were rowdy over performances and behind-the-scenes clips, Noeul chuckled the next day at a fan encounter post.

[So many people were staring at Seonghyeon lol

Guess he's super popular in Europe

Well, with that physique and his look, he would be a hit abroad

└ Seonghyun-ah… do you have to go to Europe?

After all, there are other girls there too]**

[Jeong Dajun is obsessively filming something with his phone again

└ This guy's the type who wants to try every trend… probably wants to vlog

└└ Baby…ㅠ but Kang Ichae is better at filming

└└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Ah, Seo Hoyoon sighting at a Korean restaurant in Germany

Looks like he'd go to the Louvre reciting art history and have elegant steak and wine, but nope—he's eating sundubu jjigae

Ate two bowls of rice too]

[Asked about it on Poppop and the way it got exposed is the funniest

??: Why did you hide it?

Hoyoon: I thought Noeul would be disappointed

└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ omg Seo Hoyun you sneaky bastard]

Of course, videos with that "chug the national pride, don't stir, just shake" energy were uploaded on YouTube as well.

["What happened at the German airport the moment a Korean idol arrived?!" < Do these nationalist YouTubers ever change?]

[Honestly, they should change the title to something like Seo Hoyoon style

'The Korean idol who hunted down sundubu jjigae the moment he landed in Germany?!'

└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ yeah that works]

However, at some point, the fan sightings stopped completely.

According to their schedule, their return to Korea was still a ways off, but once the reports from Germany dried up, Noeuls started to feel a bit antsy.

[Sigh... I know this is such a privileged complaint,

But not getting any updates for even a day or two except for Poppop or selfies feels a bit empty…]

Noeuls, who had grown used to a flood of high-quality content, confessed their feelings even though they knew it was an overreaction.

[ㅠㅠ No variety content either, guess I'll just rewatch all the stuff they've released so far and wait]

[Ugh.. why does it feel so miserable when they go overseas and the updates stop]

[Huh? Wait, did they come back to Korea already? What's going on? Other idols still have fan sightings going up]

But all of that buzz died down instantly because of a single photo posted to The Dawn's official SNS.

In a street with a dreamy purple sunset, Seo Hoyoon was turned back, smiling brightly.

The composition suggested someone else had taken the photo. Whether it was intentional or not, the photo wasn't in high definition.

[??? What's this picture?]

Below the photo was a single letter, "O," and a date.

After that day, more photos were posted one by one featuring other members, each with a new letter added.

[Orbit??? What is this]

[Is this a teaser for something? They're not making a comeback yet though]

Not long after, a notification popped up from The Dawn's official YouTube channel.

[?????]

[What is this????]

There had already been a bold plan by the production team to make good use of their Europe trip by producing in-house content, because after all, even randomly shot clips in Europe came out looking aesthetic.

[Orbit]

But the biggest push came from Seo Hoyun's own request—since it had been over a year since they last released a fan song, he wanted to release another one this year.

[You crazy geniuses~~~~!!!!!]

Fans were already starved for The Dawn content. With fewer updates than even when the group was in Korea, Noeuls had reached their limit deciphering mysterious letters. At this point, even the much-hated Daepaseong (their video editor) seemed worthy of worship.

Chak. Chwarureureuk.

A black screen lit up with [THE DAWN], followed by the sound of wheels rolling across asphalt.

As the screen brightened, the camera showed Kim Seonghyeon skateboarding through a neighborhood of unfamiliar scenery—clearly meant to be a visual continuation of their previous fan song, Will You Go To Prom With Me?

Pastel-colored rooftops whizzed by, and a cheerful guitar riff played. A heartbeat-like drum followed underneath, and an ethereal yet bright synthesizer spread into the background.

["Hey, is this recording?"]

The footage, filmed between Germany and Italy, was captured by the members themselves, making it feel a little rough but sincere.

As Kang Ichae's muttering faded out, the real melody began.

[The world folded, and on the other side

I dreamed I was holding your hand]

It was a fan song recorded before they left for Berlin, dedicated to Noeuls.

[I told you, and you laughed—so annoying]

Next, the video cut to Seong Jiwon taking a giant bite of a sandwich on a terrace at a café in Rome. Next to him, Seo Hoyun coughed on cocoa powder while eating tiramisu.

[One day you told me,

Do you wanna be together?]

Clips continued as they pointed phones and tiny digital cameras at each other.

It felt like watching The Dawn members enjoying a moment of fun together, just for themselves.

[Felt like you were just messing with me

You're not the type to say something like that]

The next scene showed Jeong Dajun tossing a coin into a fountain and making a wish. Eyes squeezed shut in concentration, he nailed the shot on the first try, then ran up to the camera and blew a kiss.

Watching proudly with arms crossed, Kim Seonghyeon gave a thumbs up when the camera zoomed in on him.

[Nah you are going far away,

But when I answered, the silence dragged on

Couldn't hide my expression, umm hmm

But still, it's okay]

Then came a close-up selfie cam of Kang Ichae, waving at the camera—until Seong Jiwon popped in grinning.

[Because I'm going to catch you anyway]

Behind fresh foreign landscapes, the sun began to set.

The synth swelled—anxious, tight, as if it could burst like youth itself.

[Yes yes, I tried to fold it up too

But what can I do?]

Through the twilight, both blue and red and a little dark, the members of The Dawn ran around laughing.

The scene faded into a black river.

[When you call me, I spring up like a coil]

On a bridge, Seong Jiwon stared at the moon's reflection in the pitch-black water.

[The world folded and I imagined holding you]

Seo Hoyoon stood on a white beach, waves crashing behind him.

[I guess my world goes around you

Just like the moon orbits the Earth]

Jeong Dajun stood by the window of a white house flooded with sunlight.

[Honestly, I've never thought of it in a bad way]

Kim Seonghyeon stood inside a cathedral as pieces of colored light streamed in.

[I will waste my youth on you

Always feel like I'm being pulled in

But I've never really hated it]

Then—whoosh!—the screen went black.

Then it lit up again, showing the back of someone walking away.

From behind the camera came Kang Ichae's voice:

"Hyung!"

Seo Hoyoon turned his head slightly and smiled.

[I guess my world goes around you]

Just like the moon orbits the Earth

The screen faded again, and this time, the title appeared:

[THE DAWN – Orbit]

> [I…..]

Noeuls, who had been zoning out for a while, placed their hands on their foreheads.

> [I was in Italy that day…]

It was perfect.

[The age of the metaverse is here…]

[I'm overwhelmed right now.

Don't mess with an otaku.

How about an idol group that releases a fan song every year like clockwork]

[Wow the members filmed everything themselves and Daepaseong only did a quick edit… This is… seriously amazing…]

[And nearly all of them were wearing clothes fans gave them ㅜ sob ㅠㅠ]

Fans immediately started replaying the fan song.

The sight of The Dawn wandering through Europe, laughing and goofing around, was more than enough to set Noeuls' hearts on fire.

[I feel unsettled…..]

["Mom, I want to marry Seo Hoyun"]

["I'm fully charged on heterosexuality 'complete'

└ "Oppa, anyway don't smile—other girls are here too"

└└ "Keep it quiet hehe Hoyoon is sleeping right next to me… ㅠㅠ please don't wake him;;"

└└ "Crazy lowkey rivalry, ㅅㅂ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ"]**

Noeuls, clutching their racing hearts, were drooling over the chat when suddenly a live-stream alert sounded.

Since their Berlin trip, The Dawn had mostly gone live to share cozy restaurant discoveries or connect with fans from their hotel, so Noeuls expected the same this time.

But instead, in the livestream, under a bright sky and unfamiliar scenery, the members appeared holding mics or guitars—or seated in front of a piano.

[????]

[What are you guys doing????]

Even Kang Ichae was tuning his guitar on camera.

[You're busking?!?!?!]

"Hi, Noeul."

Seo Hoyoon greeted casually, briefly searching for words.

"We are…."

[Yes yes ㅠㅜㅜㅜ What are you doing, this is awesome—you guys are so cool]

He paused.

"We have no money."

[Huh?]

Comments froze mid-flow, as if the chat had lagged.

Yet Seo Hoyun simply wore a blank expression.

"So from now on, we'll start busking—for our dinner."

Phase three.

"Creating legendary self‑produced content."

April Fools' Side Story

∴ This side story is for April 1st only and is unrelated to the main story.

---

"Seo Hoyun PD‑nim, what do people say about you?"

When you asked people who know Seo Hoyun, opinions split into two categories:

1. "...Well, I guess he's not that terrible… maybe."

2. "...Seriously?!"

"...Probably?"

The first group gave half-hearted but somewhat positive takes, while the second group spat:

"Fuck! Why are you asking me about that bastard?! That piece of shit—!!!"

Both groups basically didn't like him—and both used curses.

Still, those with secondhand sympathy could criticize him—but as soon as you agreed and defended, they'd retort: "You know he's brilliant at what he does, right?"—leaving others in shock.

Seo Hoyun was that kind of person: meticulous, sensitive, a perfectionist, and short-tempered—but unbelievably talented—making him difficult to offend.

When he first joined the station, people saw him as a pretty-faced rookie and treated him lightly. But later, after he proved himself several times over, they revised their opinions: "What a brutal, nuts bastard."

Because of all that built-up tension, people around Seo Hoyun waited for April Fool's Day every year—hoping to catch a rare crack in his icy facade.

---

Two years ago, April 1st.

"PD Seo, I really like you~."

Even the simplest compliment was the limit—people feared backlash. Those who usually avoided him came in droves every April to say the same sappy things. To Seo Hoyun, it was annoying, but manageable.

Then he replied:

"No, I don't like you."

He was in a foul mood that day. With his forehead on his computer screen, he replied without turning around:

"Did I… fuck, do something wrong to you, PD Seo?"

"...Probably not."

It was meant as a joke—but rumors circulated days later that he had marked someone down. People laughed it off.

---

Last year, April 1st.

"Uhaha, PD-nim! You're a total asshole in personality but I respect and like you when it comes to work!!"

It was during a rare team dinner. Later, some colleagues followed him outside to smoke. One emboldened by alcohol dared to approach him.

"Was that an insult or a compliment?"

"Ah, PD-nim~! It was a compliment~. I really like you, haha!"

He was in a good mood that day—the horrible director had finally approved his slick new program idea, after countless rejections.

So Seo Hoyun ground out his cigarette under his shoe and chuckled:

"What can I say—I feel the same."

"...Excuse me??"

He looked up and flashed a slight smile.

"Well then, I'll go. See you tomorrow."

He simply matched the vibe. That day, he dropped countless similar lines. The people left behind were thrown into chaos.

---

The next day, the department heads, excluding Seo Hoyoon, met and decided to ban the "April 1st confession prank" to restore peace.

"That bastard's face is just damned arrogantly good."

"Right? He's a fucking psycho but if he stayed quiet he'd look totally innocent."

They complained about him like caffeine addicts ranting about coffee. They finally agreed it was too tacky—so from then on, only the junior staff would make the prank.

---

So this year, April 1st.

"Damn it! You goddamn seniors!"

Even the Entertainment and Cultural departments bet money on it. The junior PD, powerless and unlucky, had to face relentless pranks.

He steeled himself and climbed down to Seo Hoyoon's editing room—but was told he was accidentally at a music show shoot.

He trudged over and found Seo Hoyoon already talking to someone. He craned his neck and saw Ju Woosung standing there.

"It's Joo Woosung—the center of BLACKCALL and hottest idol right now."

Noeuls: "Wow, Joo Woosung is fuckin' hot."

Seo Hoyun said:

"Woosung-ssi, the company will contact you regarding this soon, and we'll go over schedule details. If you accept, we'll proceed."

Woosung's brow furrowed and released instantly.

"Haha… It's an honor. But if it doesn't go through my company, I'm not completely sure."

Seo Hoyunn nodded:

"I see."

Internal thought: "Woosung's gotten so big, they said it'd be tough to get him."

He'd come personally to secure the booking.

"Hmm..."

Seo Hoyoon quietly rubbed his chin and just stared silently, causing Joo Woosung to glance around, looking for someone to help him.

But everyone deliberately ignored the situation and briskly walked past. No one wanted to get entangled with Seo Hoyoon if they could help it.

In the end, Joo Woosung hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking,

"Is this a program you're producing, PD Seo?"

"I'm not the main producer, but… yes, I'm involved."

"Ah… I see…"

Joo Woosung seemed to try hiding his expression, but it was written all over his face in big, bold letters:

"I really don't want to do this."

"Looks like Woosung finds the PD uncomfortable."

Seo Hoyoon wasn't just a subject of discussion among broadcasting station employees—he was controversial even among celebrities who had to work with him.

While there were rare cases of people genuinely admiring his professionalism or liking him personally, his reputation for countless incidents made him difficult to approach.

"Okay, well… I'll talk to the company about it."

Just as Joo Woosung was barely holding back from outright rejection, Seo Hoyun's gaze scanned him from head to toe.

The junior PD saw the look on Seo's face and barely suppressed a scream.

"Gasp!!"

That was the exact look he had right before grilling someone for crossing the line.

Seo Hoyun squinted his eyes and gave a bright smile.

"If you're uncomfortable being around me, Mr. Joo, I'll do my best to stay out of your way."

"Huh?! No, not at all! That's not what I meant!"

"Haha, no, it's just~ Mr. Joo, your expression was a little off. I don't want to be a burrrrden."

"He's doomed! It's the infamous Seo Hoyoon guilt-trip interrogation mode!!"

Joo Woosung, one of the top idols in the industry, surely noticed what was happening.

He flailed helplessly in panic.

"No, ah—PD Seo, when did I ever say that…!"

"No, no. We need to accommodate our cast as much as possible. Even though I have to give directions on set, manage the shoot, take care of other cast members, and might have to see you once every minute!"

"No, really, no!"

"It's okay. I'll just walk around like this, staring at the ground. I'll sneak through the shadows or places without any lights so I won't be seen."

Then he dramatically lowered the ends of his eyebrows.

"And if you still don't want to show up… I'll explain everything to the director. I'll say Mr. Joo didn't want to come because of me…"

"..."

Joo Woosung turned pale like a plaster statue. Clenching his jaw, he finally forced out a slow response.

"N-no, not at all. I definitely—definitely want to appear…."

"Wow~! Really?!"

"Y-yes! If PD Seo's not there, I don't even want to be on set. I'll make sure to tell my company that—definitely!"

"Haha, there's no need for that~ But since you insist so, so earnestly, I really appreciate it."

"..."

The junior PD was speechless.

"He's overwhelming!"

That was the most absurd method of securing a guest appearance she'd ever seen.

Seo Hoyoon continued: "Even if you change your mind, that's okay too. I'll beg the director if I have to. Really, don't worry! Just relax, relax~."

Then, once Joo Woosung walked away mumbling curses like a monk chanting, Seo Hoyun finally chuckled.

The junior PD fell into despair at the gangster-level negotiation skills, clutching her head as she remembered her seniors shaking their coins at her and telling her to do well—because they'd bet a stock's worth of money on her success.

She hesitated, then finally approached Seo Hoyoon.

"Um… PD Seo?"

"Oh? What brings you all the way here, PD Lee?"

"Is he in a better mood now?"

Rumor had it he relieved stress by grinding people down. As she saw him looking more lively and smiling, she timed her approach carefully.

Then—

"Why is Kim Heeyoung over there?!"

"...Huh?"

"Sorry, PD Lee. Later."

Seo Hoyoon suddenly shot up and dashed away.

No—fled was a more accurate description.

"…Who did he see?"

First attempt: failed.

"I'll try again later."

A few hours later, she spotted him again in the hallway and started to approach, but a coworker yanked her by the back of the neck.

"Hey, hey! Not now—don't go!"

"Ugh, why?!"

"You'll die if you go now. Seriously, don't."

Sure enough, he was talking with a petite woman, and even from a distance, the vibe looked off.

Later she learned the woman was a PD from another station—his ex-girlfriend.

"He had a girlfriend?!"

She was more shocked by the fact that someone with his awful temper had dated someone than by her own close brush with death.

Second attempt: failed.

Then came a flood of work, and five hours later, the night shift began.

At this rate, April Fool's Day would end without her even making an attempt.

"Ugh, what should I do…"

The seniors who bet on her success were glaring over their cubicle walls like they could stab her with their eyes.

She had no confidence, but she was more terrified of the wreckage her social life would become if she failed without trying.

"Koreans believe in doing things three times, right?!"

So she left her desk and headed for the break room.

A few minutes earlier, Seo Hoyoon had said he was going out for a smoke.

By the time she arrived, he was already back—sitting on a bench by the vending machine, holding his forehead and mumbling,

"Ah… I'm so f***ing pissed…"

"Maybe Koreans should know when to give up too!"

Just as the junior PD saw the storm cloud over his head and tried to retreat—

"PD Lee, what's up?"

"Eep?!"

His voice stopped her mid-backstep, freezing her in place.

With a deep frown and a pen between his teeth, he didn't even look at her as he asked,

"You've been circling me all day. Don't you have something to say?"

"A-ahaha… It's nothing!"

"It's not nothing. Come sit."

She rolled her eyes in defeat, stuffed her "I'm screwed" expression deep inside, and dragged her feet to sit one seat away from him.

"Fine. If it's come to this, I'll just get it over with."

"U-uh… I—I want to q-quit!!"

There! She'd done her part.

Surely Seo Hoyun knew what day it was. Even if he didn't, the worst that could happen was him sarcastically replying with something like, "What's so hard about collecting a paycheck doing nothing?" or "I've been wanting to quit too—should we turn in our resignation letters together?"

Then she'd just need to scream "I'm sorry!" ten times and bolt.

"…Why?"

"…Excuse me?"

But the reply was totally unexpected.

"If it's something personal, you don't have to say it. But is work giving you a hard time? Because of that tantrum Kim sunbae threw the other day?"

"Huh??"

Well, sure. If she ever quit, 95% of the reason would be that. (The remaining 5% would be because of SeothoRai's insanity.)

But she never imagined Seo Hoyoon had actually paid attention to that. The junior PD could only stammer, completely at a loss for words.

Seeing that, Seo Hoyun's frown deepened.

"If it's just that, don't quit. That senior probably forgot what it was like to be a newbie."

"…I-I see?"

"If it's really unbearable, I'll make sure that senior stops bothering you."

"W-what??"

All she could say was "huh?" again, but Seo Hoyun continued with a serious face.

"You're too good to just quit like this, PD Lee."

The junior PD's mouth fell open.

And soon after, a wave of emotion hit her.

"N-no, it's okay!"

She was touched by the thought that this sensitive, crazy bastard of a genius PD actually acknowledged her.

"I-I mean, sure, sometimes I think this job sucks, but I don't actually want to quit! It's something I've dreamed of doing for a long time, I love it, and it's fulfilling! I want to work even harder, and…"

"..."

The junior PD, caught up in emotion, didn't notice Seo Hoyoon's eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

"I want to work hard and become a PD like you, Seo PD-nim!!"

As she fired trust-filled sparkles from her eyes, Seo Hoyoon fully grasped the situation.

"Our dear PD Lee."

"Yes!! Seo PD-nim!!"

Seo Hoyoon called her gently with a soft smile.

"You must have a lot of free time."

"…Sorry?"

For a second, it looked like light radiated from his exhaustion-worn face.

But the junior PD could tell right away—

"—So you've got enough energy to pull April Fool's pranks?"

That was the face he made when he was absolutely pissed.

---

"Uugh, Seo PD-nim, I'm sorry… I'm not free at all… Please stop giving me more work…"

"Hey, what's up with PD Lee?"

"No idea. Having a nightmare?"

The junior PD, temporarily dispatched to the music show due to staffing shortages, was curled up napping during a brief break at the edge of the set.

But when she started groaning and whimpering in her sleep, the main PD of the music show gave her a couple of light taps to wake her.

"PD Lee, wake up. Who's Seo PD?"

"…Huh? What are you talking about? Who's that?"

"Oho? You back-talking your senior now? Getting bold, huh?"

PD Lee wiped off the drool from her mouth with the back of her hand and got up, ignoring the senior as usual. She'd been out of the "junior" role for a while now, but seniors still treated her like one.

'This damn broadcasting station…'

She was sure she had a horrible dream—she was drenched in cold sweat—but couldn't remember any of it.

Muttering curses internally, she got up and noticed a drink bottle placed next to where she'd been lying.

She opened it and took a sip, then nudged her senior.

"Whoa, thanks for the drink, sunbae. I'm seriously touched."

"What drink? I didn't put that there. Didn't you buy it?"

"…Huh?"

Then who?

She was puzzled, but she'd already had a few sips, and it didn't taste like poison, so she chugged it.

Behind her, the cast of The Dawn passed by in a noisy cluster.

Seo Hoyun, watching the now-busy PD from a distance, turned his eyes away without hesitation.

At that moment, Jung Dajun clung to Seo Hoyun and asked,

"Hoyun hyung, what was that earlier? The drink?"

"Ah…"

Seo Hoyun brushed him off and replied half-heartedly.

"Just… saw someone I knew."