Unemployed Devotee

Always speak before I think

[dainahlai]

Stat windows in DoD style for some characters I like.. (my guess for the end of the novels/the part im on)

These are NOT canon! I repeat this is all my own imagination and will to OP-ify my favs. Hoyun lost his stat window near the end of main story and his stats were well rounded at A, but I imagine considering how much years he continued to be an idol that they'd all be boosted by a wholee lot more. Same with other characters, who, either didn't show their stat window at the end or didn't have one for their story!!! For Iwol, I recorded is canon levels because those are composed as numbers,, so i winged it to record how i thought itd be as letters instead.

[Seo Hoyun

Age: I forgot

Vocal: S- (S+)

Dance: A+ (S-)

Visual: EX (EX)

Talent: EX (EX)

Stamina: A (S)

Variety: S+ (S+)

Extra/ Acting: S (EX)

Traits:

Producing (S) – Past never betrays the present. (Editing ability +150%, Editing speed +75%)

Eternal Original Intention (EX) – Someone who'll love their fans endlessly. (Enthusiasm +100%, Stats boosted 50% during idol activities)]

[Kim Iwol

Age: I forgot

Vocal: A (S-)

(Canon: 14/A)

Dance: A- (A)

(Canon: 12/B+)

Visual: S- (S)

Talent: B- (A)

Stamina: EX (EX)

Variety: B (A+)

Traits:

Sociability and Acceptance (B) – You tend to be quite sociable even if you don't want to. (Agreeability +50%)

An Office Workers Guide To Life (A) – Working in an office works wonders once you manage to escape. (Adaptability +100%)

A Secret Fanboy! (S) – You've been an idol fan since a while back. (Understanding +150%)]

(Seo Yutae

Age: I forgot

Vocal: S- (S-)

Dance: EX (EX)

Visual: S (EX)

Talent: EX (EX)

Stamina: S+ (EX)

Variety: A (S+)

Traits:

Muscles? MORE!! (S) – No matter what, you really have an amazing body. (Health +200%)

A Genius Composer, A Genius Idol, A Genius Person... What? (EX) – You're really amazing in almost every field you participate in. (Studying and practicing +75%, Composing ability +75%, Presence +100%)

Watch Me (EX) – Whenever you want, whenever you need. (Ability to draw attention +150%, Viewers and onlookers will be able to find you no matter what)

Sincerity Meets The Heart (S) – Whenever you're sincere, you'll be able to make friends anywhere. (Social adaptibility +50%,..)]

Og my god j just realised how canonly op yutae is

Talent refers to presence onstage, ability with adlibs and idol activities. Basically a lot of stuff that equal idols, but aren't equated into actual skills.

[dainahlai]

Throwback to this? Let's go back. MORE PEOPLE. Yeah, who said I stopped reading Idol novels? Come up and get executed.

[Name: Kim Soleum

Age: I forgot

Vocals: EX (EX)

Dance: A- (A+)

Visual: S (S)

Talent: S (S+)

Stamina: S+ (EX)

Variety: B+ (A)

Traits:

Empathy? (S) — Really, really understanding.... (+100% immersion onstage)

Let me go home.. (EX) — Your motivation definitely lets you reach your goals! (-50% chance of failure to tasks, +150% efficency to reach genuinely desired goals)]

[Name: Seong Haeon

Age: I forgot

Vocals: S (S+)

Dance: A- (A-)

Visual: S+ (S+)

Talent: S (EX)

Stamina: C+ (B+)

Variety: EX (EX)

Traits:

The mind of an idol-fan (EX) — As someone immersed in Idol culture... (+150% of understanding toward anything related to Idols)

Loved by a God (EX) — The constellations are watching. Smile. (Favourability from various constellations)]

[Name: Kim Chunyong

Age: I forgot

Vocals: A- (A)

Dance: EX (EX)

Visual: A- (A+)

Talent: S- (S+)

Stamina: S+ (EX)

Variety: S (S)

Traits:

I'm back! (EX) (Deactivated) — You've got another chance. (Regression)

Experience as a Failed Idol (S) — Your past helps your present? (+100% ability as an idol, +25% boosted stats when on stage)]

[Name: Seo Chagyeom

Age: I forgot

Vocals: S+ (EX)

Dance: S (EX)

Visual: S+ (S+)

Talent: EX (EX)

Stamina: A- (A+)

Variety: C (C+)

Traits:

Born to be an Idol (S) — Anything unrelated to being an Idol isn't meant for you... (+200% ability in Idol-related stats, -500% ability in unrelated stats.)]

[Name: Kim Mu-un (Cha Mu-un)

Age: I forgot

Vocals: S- (S) [EX (EX)]

Dance: S (S) [S+ (EX)]

Visual: S (S) [EX (EX)]

Talent: S+ (EX) [S+ (S+)]

Stamina: B+ (A-) [A (A+)]

Variety: A (S+) [B+ (S)]

Traits:

Loved by many (S) — People feel affectionate toward you? (-50% hostility from other people)]

Yeah no you think theres someone wrong here? No everyone here belongs here idk what ur on about. Yeah no Soleum belongs here.

Another note is that I forgot Haeon's position in the group so I just typised him by vibe.

Mu-un is difficult because he's technically two completely different person, so I'll add extra stats for his og body.

[catboysooyoung]

Started reading Trashy PD instead of working on my issues, didn't expect to love Seo Hoyun this much, but he's just so fucking funny. I genuinely love that he even had an ex girlfriend (whom he has/had amazing chemistry with, btw). I love that he's such a good older brother to Hojin. I'm a sucker for those types. I also love that he really is trashy, like he genuinely has a horrible personality lmao, but he's doing all this for his brother... And to an extent, his members too now. He's very strategic and savvy, and it's just really fun to see what hijinks he gets up to. Can't wait to see him stumble and fail at least once though.

[butterfirefly]

What do you do if you see your baby brother in a bunny mascot?

Han Yoojin: Gush over how cute he is.

Seo Hoyun: Declare hunting season.

[dokjak]

This blog will be much less active soon ✌️ orv is special to me but it’s been over 5 years since I finished it.

List of other novels I recommend:

Longer reviews after this TLDR;

Return of the Mount Hua Sect — Martial arts novel. 100 years after he died to stop the end of the world, Chung Myung reincarnates to find his sect in ruins. This novel is hilarious, thrilling, and heartbreaking all at once. I also like it because Chung Myung is insane and his personality sucks.

Debut or Die — The OG idol novel. Ryu Gunwoo wakes up in the body of Park Moondae and must debut as an idol, else his System will kill him. I like it because Moondae is an intelligent but unreliable narrator who doesn’t realize people care about him.

Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols — Kim Iwol, an exploited office worker, wakes up as the next member of his manager’s daughter’s favorite idol group. I love it because the more you learn about Iwol, the more you realize he’s a Freakk. His pre-transmigration life is so horrible it’s funny, and his System is mean to him too 😭

The Trashy PD Has to Survive as an Idol — Seo Hoyun, an unethical TV producer who “evil edits” idol shows for drama and ratings, transmigrates to a parallel world and needs to debut to return home. I like it because Hoyun is petty asf and straight up a bad person <3

normal reviews:

1. Return of the Mount Hua Sect

Summary (Shortened):

The 13th disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, one of the greatest third generation swordsmen, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint: Chung Myung. After defeating the Heavenly Demon and ending his reign of chaos, Chung Myung breathed his last on the summit of the Heavenly Demon Sect's mountain.

Hundreds of years passed, and he was revived as a child.

But... What was that? Mount Hua Sect has fallen? What kind of bullshit is that!?

Why you should read it:

it's my goat 🐐

Chung Myung is a real freak. He's got a bad personality. He's been compared to a rabid shih tzu.

It’s not a power fantasy, and it doesn’t just follow an OP protagonist around. The biggest regret of Chung Myung’s first life was focusing on his own strength instead of ensuring his sect’s survival, so there’s a lot emphasis on the supporting characters’ growth.

It's SO funny. Again, Chung Myung has a personality that makes everyone want to throttle him at all times.

It's touching. This is what I love most about RotMHS, apart from Chung Myung's personality. Given how funny and batshit insane he is, you tend to forget that he watched everyone he loved die in front of him. His grief hits when you've let your guard down and is all the more effective because of it.

It has great prose and some of the best action sequences l've read in a translated novel.

The female characters are incredible and actively resist historical gender roles. Sexism is the most common sin of wuxia novels, but ROTMHS is very respectful of my darling girls Yu Iseol and Tang Soso. I wish they had more screen time though

The webtoon is INCREDIBLE. Incredible character design - no two characters look similar, down to the silhouettes. Not everyone is deathly pale, and monolids exist!! The composition, especially for fight scenes, is striking. It also stays very true to the novel. You can tell the artists love it.

my rotmhs blog is @tangsoso :3c

The remaining recommendations are for idol novels. I don't even listen to kpop, they're just really good.

2. Debut or Die

Summary (Shortened):

A student who had been preparing for the Civil Service examination for 4 years suddenly found himself in an unfamiliar body, 3 years in the past. Along with it came a status window displaying a threat right before his eyes!

[Outbreak!]

[Status Abnormality: 'Debut or Die' occurs!]

A diary about the transformation of the main character, who was suddenly challenged to be an idol even though he had never been in the industry before, due to the sudden threat of death.

Why you should read it:

This is the OG idol novel. If you want a story about idols, people will always point you towards DoD first, and for good reason.

Park Moondae is a fascinating character and unreliable narrator. He cares a lot about others even if he thinks he doesn't, and doesn't realize that people care about him too.

Later on, there's an interesting mystery surrounding how and why he's in Park Moondae's body, what happened to the original Moondae, and what happened to his past identity, Ryu Gunwoo.

It has a good webtoon adaptation too!

3. Assistant Manager Kim Hates Idols

Summary:

Not only does he have to fangirl on behalf of the manager's daughter, but now he has to debut as an idol himself?

Assistant Manager Kim really hates idols.

Why you should read it:

The more you learn about Kim Iwol, the more insane he seems. He's not normal.

He lived such a HORRIBLE life ong.... His job was hilariously, cartoonishly abusive. He’s the poster child of labor abuse. He thinks working 22 hours a day, 7 days a week, is normal, and he's GOOD at it.

Everything you learn about his past is heartbreaking. The more you learn about him the more you go. oh honey... this explains so much about you.

He's the single most unreliable narrator I know of.

He’s so funny he’s so funny he’s so funny

His System is so mean to him. please give him a break 😭

4. The Trashy PD Has to Survive as an Idol

Summary (Shortened):

[Congratulations Seo Hoyun! You have been selected as a player in the Unknown Idol Tycoon.]

The good-for-nothing PD, who is criticized by everyone, becomes an unknown idol in a parallel world. Only his younger sibling remembers him. To return to the original world, he must become a top idol and clear the game!

His specialty is blackmailing, his hobby is persuasion. The survival story of the unscrupulous PD-turned-idol who will stop at nothing!

Why you should read it:

Seo Hoyun is, above all else, a petty bitch. He's a straight up bad person. I love him.

I see people comparing him to Cale from TCF because they're both schemers, but l disagree. Hoyun is an intentionally bad person. If being a gaslighting male manipulator was an Olympic sport, he would be the gold medalist.

The fact that his brother remembers him from pre-transmigration is intriguing and unique for this genre.

He's very protective of people he considers his own, which at first was just his brother. It's sweet to see his group members slowly be added to that list.

A webtoon adaptation is coming out on March 8th!!!

anyways @tangsoso has become my non-orv webnovel blog! i might also post on my main blog every 3 months

[butterfirefly]

Seo Hojin doubting whether or not Seo Hoyun still loved him was so ridiculously baby of him. Like yeah, yeah maybe the guy who's been forcefully raising you since you were ten and who sometimes takes your offhanded comments and gestures as life-altering gospel and who has committed atrocities for you finally got tired of you. And then less than a week later in true big brother from hell fashion Seo Hoyun erases that doubt by making him wish the answer was no. They are never getting out of my microwave.

[delusional-daydreamer18]

I'm slightly–slightly–going insane over the fact that Surviving as a Trashy PD Idol/ The Trashy PD has to Survive as an idol is criminally underrated and has a small fandom like djdjejrjriejr

It's one of my fav manhwas/webnovels ever (prob even second in my list after TCF–) and I kid you not, it's one of the best things I have ever read and it's insane how it's not popular yet (I'm begging you all to read it so I can yap about it all day with someone else...and also bec it deserves more recognition LET'S FUDGING GOOOOOO)

I love the group's bonding and vibes and how they're all just one chaotic family, the blossoming friendships, found family feels, wholesomeness, fluff, angst, comedy–OH HOW I LOVE THE COMEDY PART MAKES ME CACKLE DJDJDHDJDJDJ–

And ofc, let's not forget the best part...

The mc has a younger brother he looks after. Their dynamic? Their backstory? Chefs kiss

What does that mean?

.....

You'll find out.

I didn't have any high expectation honestly when I first read both the manhwa and webnovel but now I'm in love with it.

Bonus for tcf fans like me:

The mc, aka Seo Hoyun, is uncannily similar to both Cale and Kim Rok Soo–sharing very, very similar traits and all merged into one (tho he is his own character ofc and I lub him sm for that)

Anyways, people need to read this precious hidden gem because it's amazing.

[dainahlai]

Stat windows in DoD style for some characters I like.. (my guess for the end of the novels/the part im on)

These are NOT canon! I repeat this is all my own imagination and will to OP-ify my favs. Hoyun lost his stat window near the end of main story and his stats were well rounded at A, but I imagine considering how much years he continued to be an idol that they'd all be boosted by a wholee lot more. Same with other characters, who, either didn't show their stat window at the end or didn't have one for their story!!! For Iwol, I recorded is canon levels because those are composed as numbers,, so i winged it to record how i thought itd be as letters instead.

[Seo Hoyun

Age: I forgot

Vocal: S- (S+)

Dance: A+ (S-)

Visual: EX (EX)

Talent: EX (EX)

Stamina: A (S)

Variety: S+ (S+)

Extra/ Acting: S (EX)

Traits:

Producing (S) – Past never betrays the present. (Editing ability +150%, Editing speed +75%)

Eternal Original Intention (EX) – Someone who'll love their fans endlessly. (Enthusiasm +100%, Stats boosted 50% during idol activities)]

[Kim Iwol

Age: I forgot

Vocal: A (S-)

(Canon: 14/A)

Dance: A- (A)

(Canon: 12/B+)

Visual: S- (S)

Talent: B- (A)

Stamina: EX (EX)

Variety: B (A+)

Traits:

Sociability and Acceptance (B) – You tend to be quite sociable even if you don't want to. (Agreeability +50%)

An Office Workers Guide To Life (A) – Working in an office works wonders once you manage to escape. (Adaptability +100%)

A Secret Fanboy! (S) – You've been an idol fan since a while back. (Understanding +150%)]

(Seo Yutae

Age: I forgot

Vocal: S- (S-)

Dance: EX (EX)

Visual: S (EX)

Talent: EX (EX)

Stamina: S+ (EX)

Variety: A (S+)

Traits:

Muscles? MORE!! (S) – No matter what, you really have an amazing body. (Health +200%)

A Genius Composer, A Genius Idol, A Genius Person... What? (EX) – You're really amazing in almost every field you participate in. (Studying and practicing +75%, Composing ability +75%, Presence +100%)

Watch Me (EX) – Whenever you want, whenever you need. (Ability to draw attention +150%, Viewers and onlookers will be able to find you no matter what)

Sincerity Meets The Heart (S) – Whenever you're sincere, you'll be able to make friends anywhere. (Social adaptibility +50%,..)]

Og my god j just realised how canonly op yutae is

Talent refers to presence onstage, ability with adlibs and idol activities. Basically a lot of stuff that equal idols, but aren't equated into actual skills.

[tangsoso]

*hearts in my eyes* he sucks soo bad

[tomatocatxoxo]

never change joo woosung

[tangsoso]

fascinating choice to keep everything true to the novel except adding in 3 separate kabedons with these two. like sure i guess. it’s in character

[inkstaindusk]

can i prompt you to write a drabble for a recent obscure webnovel you've read

This is great timing because I literally just started rolling around an amkhi x trash pd crossover in my head

When Kim Iwol hears that Spark will be working together with The Dawn, he first thinks of the minor controversies the other idol group has been involved in since their debut. Then he firmly reminds himself to reserve judgment until after they've met; online rumors can easily be blown out of proportion after all.

This resolve crumbles almost immediately when The Dawn introduces themselves and Iwol blurts out, "Seo Hoyun?"

"Hm?"

"Hyung, do you know him?"

Iwol shakes his head and makes an excuse, swiftly returning to his proper idol etiquette, but he can't help sneaking a few more glances as their first meeting continues. The man is about ten years younger and there's a distinct lack of egg yolk in his hair, but he's pretty sure he's not mistaken. Even Iwol couldn't be ignorant of someone so universally hated by idol fans of every group.

Why is Seo Hoyun here?

Seo Hoyun, the trashy PD, the master of evil editing who probably contributed to at least 15% of Spark's terrible image in the previous timeline—that Seo Hoyun... is an idol?

Since when was Seo Hoyun an idol?!

[butterfirefly]

Thinking about Seo Hoyun and how he is a guy with pettiness and spite pumping through his veins but has them completely under his control. You could spit on his face and call him the worst names imaginable but if he deemed it unwise to react for some reason or other he wouldn't even bat an eye. If needed he could absolutely even bow a perfect 90 degrees and apologize profusely if he'd somehow upset you, and it'd only be a month later when you're resting on the couch recalling your confrontation with a smug smile on your face that you'd get a call from the cops telling you your bank account's been hacked your social security number leaked in the dark web and also they'd just unearthed a crucial piece of evidence proving you were the mastermind behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy. From the future.

[nyenye0701]

culture shock, nerds edition (engineer meets biologist)

[midnighttomb]

He's just so freaking adorable!!

(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

[jadequeenemma]

Headcanon that Cale tells the kids disney stories

But

Completely different versions

Like Rapunzel teams up with the dragon (Balck dragon obviously,very great and mighty)to gaurd her tower to complete a magic spell that she will exchange the formula of with the Witch to help defend her kingdom

Snow white and the Queen strike a temporary alliance to kill the evil king and defeat the hunters (heh)

Ariel goes through various trials in order to satisfy the sea king to save her people

Belle transforms into a beast and overthrows her village’s worst criminals before striking an alliance with the Beast Prince

Cinderella plots and schemes her way into becoming the lord/lady of the house

(Mulan basically remains the same because Cake 100% approves of the message they deliver lmao)

That sort of thing

He utterly violates them and i refuse to believe otherwise

Choi Han hears about them and nearly dies of laughter

In general tho I definitely think cale would rewrite the books hes read just for them to read

Only to accidentally revolutionize the Roan’s Empire’s books industry because of it lmao

[godsinthemachine]

Yjh: YOU!!!!!!

[dyingbyamicroscope]

Going back to my hometown js for the weather to be hitting 105 all week 💔