The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 12
I swallowed hard, watching the camera’s red light flicker to life.
If a trainee carelessly revealed the Judge Panel’s evaluation, it could spark controversy.
“Once filming wraps, come to the Practice Room where we usually train. Got it?”
‘This isn’t something to say in front of the camera.’
Seo Ha-yul reluctantly nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Understood.”
“Good. See you in a bit.
At the Staff Member’s urging, I separated from Seo Ha-yul and moved toward the A-Grade Section.
To be honest, my previous action had been impulsive.
‘When did I start caring so much about other people’s business?’
In my previous life, I would have simply walked past this situation.
But strangely, toward Seo Ha-yul, who had taught me the choreography, I felt compelled to fulfill at least the bare minimum of human decency.
As I arrived at the A-Grade Section with the trainees whose grades had improved, a barrage of loaded stares descended upon me all at once.
‘I’m going to burn to death at this rate.’
The moment I sat in an empty seat nearby.
“Hey.”
A bright voice came from the adjacent seat.
“Yes?”
“Cha Si-woo, it’s nice to meet you.”
When I turned my head, between the flowing blonde hair, a face appeared with flawless, porcelain-white skin.
‘Was his name Rua?’
The blue eyes that met mine sparkled as if he were wearing contact lenses.
‘Now I understand why people call him a natural-born celebrity.’
Watching the red light of the nearby camera, I offered my most gracious professional smile.
“I’m delighted to meet you as well.”
“Let’s become close friends.”
Rua flashed a brilliant smile, revealing perfect teeth, and extended his hand forward.
‘Why are these idol trainees so genuinely committed to networking? Is he trying to secure some kind of connection too?’
With the camera rolling, I couldn’t afford to speak carelessly.
“Haha.”
Instead of answering, I laughed and grasped the hand he offered.
‘If I don’t accept his greeting here, that’ll spark another controversy about my character.’
“I’m 23 years old in Korean age, and my name is Rua.”
“I see. I’m 20 years old, and my name is Cha Si-woo.”
“So I’m your senior?”
‘You bastard. I’m actually the senior here.’
“…By age, I suppose so?”
“I really like Cha Si-woo.”
‘What? What does that even mean?’
“Haha. Thank you.”
“I mean it sincerely.”
‘…What do you mean?’
“I also think Rua is impressive and remarkable.”
“Oh! Then let’s be like older and younger brothers from now on. Talk casually and call me by my name!”
For some reason, goosebumps erupted across my entire body.
My instincts were telling me something.
‘This is the type of person who’ll definitely become a hassle if I get entangled with them.’
“I’m quite shy around new people. Speaking casually from our first meeting feels a bit burdensome.”
‘No. I don’t want to.’
“Then let’s take time to get to know each other gradually!”
‘What is this… some kind of blind date?’
“Hahaha.”
Just then, the C-Grade trainees took the Stage, and their Star picking5 theme song performance began.
“That person performs well on stage.”
As I naturally shifted my gaze to the Stage, Rua’s persistent stare beside me also turned toward it.
Once the tedious C-Grade trainees’ performance ended, the D-Grade evaluation began.
On the Stage stood Yoo Ho-seung, whom I’d encountered on the Bus.
“Trainee Yoo Ho-seung looks much more handsome in person than in photos!”
“Right? The camera doesn’t do him justice.”
For a moment, Yoo Ho-seung’s brow twitched slightly.
“Actually, I’ve been a fan of trainee Yoo Ho-seung for a while now.”
“…Thank you.”
As the son of a top actor couple renowned for their unparalleled visuals, Yoo Ho-seung possessed exceptional genes and radiated a brilliant appearance today as well.
‘Isn’t he more of a celebrity than just an influencer in terms of recognition?’
Born as the second-generation child of a top actor, Yoo Ho-seung had garnered immense attention since birth, boasting 10 million followers.
The overwhelming number, surpassing most celebrities, was simply extraordinary.
‘Unless something major goes wrong, isn’t he guaranteed to debut through fan support alone?’
“Let’s start trainee Yoo Ho-seung’s theme song performance.”
“Yes.”
As the familiar accompaniment flowed out—so familiar it was practically burned into my ears—Yoo Ho-seung’s body began moving to the rhythm.
‘Something feels lacking?’
He was putting in effort, but his singing and dancing were definitely behind.
However, his confidence and expressiveness toward the camera were overwhelming.
As the song ended, Yoo Ho-seung wiped the sweat from his forehead and exhaled roughly.
“Your singing and dancing are still quite lacking.”
“Still, you’ve grasped the lyrics and choreography, and your skills have improved from before. Your growth potential is promising.”
“Your camera presence and facial expressions were outstanding. With such superior visuals, your expressiveness is truly exceptional.”
‘So being handsome really is everything.’
“Trainee Yoo Ho-seung’s grade is C-Grade.”
“Thank you.”
The fact that I received a C-Grade despite having E-Grade vocals and D-Grade dancing was impressive.
‘After watching Yoo Ho-seung’s performance, I understand it clearly now.’
Even with lacking dancing and singing skills, the ability to captivate an audience was incredibly important for an idol.
‘Is that why the System boosted my charisma stat?’
Ding.
As if answering my question, a translucent blue window appeared.
[This System is moved that Cha Si-woo would have such a thoughtful realization.]
‘Thx.’
[Please put more sincerity into it.]
‘Thanks.’
[TT]
‘If you’re not giving me stats, then get out of here.’
While playing around with the System window shedding tears of emotion, the final E-Grade trainees’ performances were underway.
The E-Grade theme song evaluation stage was, in a word, a complete disaster.
“Honestly, how could you not memorize the choreography? Isn’t that too much?”
“The pitch is all over the place. How did you even think you could be an idol with this level of skill?”
“Get off! Just quit!”
…?
The judges’ sighs and harsh criticisms continued endlessly at the amateurish level performances.
‘Their words are pretty cutting.’
The Production Team members were visibly excited at the thought of editing this provocatively for broadcast.
Finally, all the trainees’ theme song grade evaluation performances came to an end.
‘Managing my expression in front of the camera is no easy task.’
After smiling throughout the long filming session, my lips began to tremble.
“I’ll now announce the final grade statistics for all trainees from the theme song stage.”
A low, heavy bass sound spread slowly from the speakers, vibrating the floor.
It was the moment Yu Hae-in’s voice resonated.
“The grade results are….”
The camera swept across the contestants’ faces in turn.
“The final grades for the theme song stage are: 11 A-Grade, 23 B-Grade, 30 C-Grade, 20 D-Grade, and 16 E-Grade.”
In conclusion, compared to the beginning, the number of top-tier trainees had decreased overall.
The trainees stirred with commotion throughout the Filming Studio, a result that contrasted sharply with the ten days of lessons they had received.
‘So that’s why they evaluated the A-Grade trainees first.’
The Production Team had deliberately changed the order to reduce the number of A-Grade trainees.
With eyes already raised by the A-Grade performances, watching relatively lower-grade trainees inevitably made the skill difference seem much more pronounced.
I could see the Production Team’s calculated strategy—cross-editing the judges’ harsh criticisms with grade changes in the early broadcast, creating sensational content.
‘Whatever. Either way, this works in my favor.’
In fact, having my grade improve in this situation meant I would receive even more favorable editing.
Yu Hae-in, holding the cue card, wore an innocent smile.
“The grade redistribution created quite an interesting topic for the theme song evaluation.”
‘Right. From a third-party perspective, it must be entertaining.’
“We look forward to seeing the trainees’ performances on the TX Net music broadcast in four days. Now then, everyone….”
‘Is filming finally over?’
Contrary to my expectations, instead of closing background music, a sudden explosion of tension erupted—drums and strings intertwining in a burst of sound.
…?
“You thought it was over, but it’s not! Now we’ll select the center for the most important ‘Cheer me on’ stage performance.”
While Yu Hae-in beamed with a bright smile, the trainees’ expressions descended into chaos.
‘They’re selecting the center right here, right now?’
It was another unexpected twist.
Throughout the Star picking series, the center had traditionally been announced the day after the grade evaluation.
The center was selected through deliberation between the Production Team and the Judge Panel.
There had been much talk about whether Entertainment Agency influence played a role, but Star picking had silently continued the tradition regardless of controversy.
However, Star picking5 saw a change.
Whether due to the failure of Star picking4 or the manipulation controversy, they’d decided to make a bold move this time.
“The center will naturally be one of the eleven A-Grade trainees receiving benefits. Curious how the center is decided? The center is actually…!”
Yu Hae-in, who had paused for effect, smiled toward the camera.
“Determined through a vote by the trainees themselves.”
“…!”
‘They actually put some thought into this.’
“What do you think are the qualities of an idol?”
Yu Hae-in turned the microphone forward.
“Being good at singing!”
“You have to dance well!”
“A special talent!”
“Being handsome!”
Trainees from other grades quickly repositioned themselves, desperate to be caught on camera even once.
Yu Hae-in brought the microphone back to his lips and spoke.
“Exactly. An idol is someone who must demonstrate versatile skills across various fields—singing, dancing, appearance, and charisma. Since this is the representative theme song, we’ve prepared a time to select a center who embodies the qualities of an idol. All A-Grade trainees, please come up on stage.”
Amid the confused atmosphere, I climbed back onto the stage following the Staff Member’s directions.
Looking at the eleven men standing under the hot lights, Yu Hae-in pointed to one wall with his finger.
A large Screen displayed a circular roulette wheel.
“Starting with Star picking5, the method for selecting the theme song stage center has changed. Introducing the random roulette center!”
“Huh?!”
“What?”
The rainbow-colored roulette wheel, divided into eleven equal sections, had text written on each segment.
‘Dancing, eating, drawing, playing instruments, photography, singing, gaming, cooking, sports, reading, fishing…?’
“Wondering what this is? These are the special talents the A-Grade trainees wrote down when they submitted their audition applications.”
‘That explains it. Not a single one overlapped.’
“From now on, we’ll spin the roulette, and all A-Grade trainees must showcase their charisma through the single selected talent.”
‘So having fewer listed talents would be advantageous then?’
The Production Team, obsessed with viewership ratings, had resorted to random selection for the crucial center position to maximize entertainment value and generate buzz.
“To prevent manipulation allegations, I’ll press the roulette button myself.”
‘They’re openly discussing rigging like this?’
Whirrrr.
A massive rainbow-colored roulette wheel began spinning at high speed, accompanied by tension-filled background music.
“Naturally, trainees whose listed talents are selected will have an advantage, right? But everyone, luck is truly crucial for idols!”
Yu Hae-in flashed a radiant smile and boldly pressed the button once more.
Click. Click.
The rainbow roulette slowed, and the needle began ticking at regular intervals.
A collective intake of breath rippled through the Audience Seating.
Ding.
In that instant, a familiar notification sound accompanied the appearance of a translucent blue window.
[Sub Quest (5): ‘Claim the center position on the “Cheer me on” theme song Stage.’]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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