The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 18

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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 18
Rua approached with a radiant smile, his lustrous blonde hair cascading in the light.
“…”
Hearing that word directed at me carried more impact than I’d anticipated.
‘Is he messing with me?’
His completely guileless expression only deepened my confusion.
“Pfft…hahaha.”
Seo Ha-yul, seated beside me getting his makeup done, was stifling his laughter.
‘These bastards.’
I forced a professional smile as the camera’s light came on.
“That’s far too generous a nickname for me, don’t you think?”
“Really? I think it suits you perfectly.”
Watching Rua respond with those clear eyes, my lips twitched involuntarily.
“Is that so, Your Highness?”
“Of course.”
Rua’s eyes remained crystalline, his expression utterly unbothered.
‘What on earth is this?’
After laughing until tears streamed down Seo Ha-yul’s face, we shifted our debate to whether he resembled a decadent man or a cat, and then the official press conference began.
In truth, at a press conference conducted without proper information disclosure, there were only two things trainees could do.
Stare at the camera with an endless smile and perform the theme song on stage.
Click. Click.
Countless cameras unleashed a barrage of flashes upon us standing like decorative screens on stage.
The trainees experiencing such relentless camera flashes for the first time instinctively closed or squinted their eyes.
“Hyung.”
“What is it, Ha-yul?”
Seo Ha-yul, one of the trainees struggling to adapt, answered in a small voice.
“I’d rather you call me a decadent man….”
“A cat suits you better.”
“That’s not true. How could you say something so harsh to a sturdy eighteen-year-old?”
“What can I do? It’s the truth.”
“By the way, hyung, how do you not even blink looking at those blinding cameras?”
‘If you’d worked as a paparazzi like me, those flashes would be nothing.’
“It’s just… you adapt if you keep looking.”
“Really?”
“Ha-yul. Stop thinking about other things right now and keep your eyes sharp while smiling. We need good photos.”
“Yes.”
While maintaining my professional smile, the PD in Charge’s formal explanation of the press conference wrapped up briefly.
When the question-and-answer session began, the reporters raised their hands like predators spotting prey.
What followed was a stream of nonsensical answers from the production team.
“Kim Tae-hyun from Yurak Daily News. We expected the Star Picking Series to be discontinued due to last year’s manipulation controversy. What’s the reason for proceeding with Star picking5?”
‘Oh, Kim Tae-hyun. It’s been a while.’
During my paparazzi days, I’d frequently dealt with him because I liked his straightforward personality—he was one of my regular contacts.
‘Five years ago, he must have been a rookie, so fresh and full of enthusiasm.’
As if anticipating the question, the PD in Charge confidently picked up the microphone.
“My mission is to discover exceptional trainees and create the finest idol team possible.”
…?
“Though there were unfortunate incidents last year, this year Star picking5 will be reborn! We will support our trainees’ dreams without any manipulation or controversy whatsoever, and deliver broadcasts filled with emotion and entertainment for our viewers.”
‘There’s already been an assault scandal at the filming location. Unbelievable.’
The assault incident involving a Harmony Entertainment trainee that had occurred during the theme song stage filming had been quietly swept under the rug due to pressure from the large entertainment agency and potential broadcast controversy.
‘At least I managed to put a leash on it.’
The trainees were bound by the unfair agreement they’d signed during audition registration, and thanks to the leash I’d secured, the production team’s attitude toward the trainees had become slightly more considerate.
‘And yet they answer so brazenly, as if sitting on a time bomb.’
The PD’s confidence was honestly absurd.
‘I could recommend acting as a career path for them.’
“This is Han Ji-young from Guguil Daily News. The response to the song that aired on TX Net Show Music yesterday has been explosive. What do you think is the secret?”
This time, a broadcast writer picked up the microphone instead of the PD in Charge.
“I believe it was the synergy created by combining a great song with exceptional trainees. The music is available on all platforms, so we’d appreciate your continued interest and support.”
As the writer lowered the microphone, numerous reporters raised their hands again.
I handed the microphone to a staff member, and a bespectacled reporter quickly reached out to receive it.
“This is Koo Han-sol from CDI Daily News. Information on most of the trainees hasn’t been released yet. When can we expect to learn about the trainees?”
“The trainees’ profiles will be released on the first broadcast day. After that, various videos including one-minute self-introductions, PR videos, and challenges will be uploaded to the YouTube TX Entertainment official account.”
After about an hour of Q&A, the production quickly moved toward the final stage.
“By the way, what’s the center trainee’s name?”
“You’ll find out on broadcast day.”
“I’m also curious about the reason a trainee who’s already debuted is participating, and the fairness of it all.”
“Please check the broadcast.”
“How many trainees will ultimately debut?”
“Watch the live broadcast!”
The message was clear: find out everything through the broadcast.
After the final Q&A ended, I moved to center stage following the staff’s directions.
I stood at the very front, positioned according to the formation for the theme song ‘Cheer me on’ stage.
As countless gazes poured down on me all at once, something stirred within my chest.
Like a child encountering a new toy, curiosity mingled with an intense heat rising from deep inside.
‘This is more fun than I expected.’
The fact that this was my first time in front of an audience made my heart race wildly.
As the familiar ‘Cheer me on’ instrumental began, my body moved naturally.
I’m going to seduce you
“…!”
Click. Click.
In the blinding flashes and the reporters’ heated reactions, three minutes and thirty seconds passed in an instant.
I held the ending pose while facing the camera, and finally bowed ninety degrees at the moment the accompaniment ended.
“National Directors, please debut us as idols with your votes! We ask for your support in watching the broadcast and voting!”
With the scripted closing remarks, the production presentation ended without any major incidents.
☆☆☆
The speed at which articles were being published accelerated even more once the production presentation ended.
Following the Staff Member’s guidance, I returned to the Dormitory and hurriedly packed my belongings.
With a week remaining until the broadcast, we were given free time during the break period.
“The trainees just need to gather on the day of the broadcast next week.”
“Yes!”
A temporary reprieve had fallen upon the cramped confines of Room 207.
It was when I was putting the last of my belongings into my bag after the Production Team left.
“Si-hyun.”
“Hmm?”
“What are you planning to do for the week?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
‘Once I get home, I need to sleep first.’
My entire body felt as though it were being pricked by countless needles from the accumulated fatigue.
‘My head is dizzy, and more than anything, this muscle soreness is no joke.’
I forced my body upright, though it felt like I could collapse at any moment.
I looked at Seo Ha-yul while holding my light bag.
“I’m planning to rest for a bit. My body feels pretty sore.”
“I see. If you don’t mind, would you like to practice together at our Entertainment Agency’s Practice Room?”
‘I was actually wondering where to practice during the week anyway.’
“That sounds gre—”
Buzz buzz.
My phone in my pocket was vibrating intensely.
When I pulled out my phone, the screen displayed [Minhan General Hospital].
“Ha-yul, hold on a moment.”
‘What’s going on?’
I pressed the call button while trying to calm my rapidly racing heart.
“Hello?”
[Hello. This is Minhan General Hospital. Are you the guardian of patient Cha Si-hyun?]
My heart sank with a heavy thud, then began racing wildly.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
All I could hear was the frantic pounding of my heartbeat echoing inside my ears—thump, thump.
“…Did something happen?”
[The patient is fine. I’m calling regarding the hospital bill. It seems you haven’t made an interim payment recently.]
“Ah… I apologize. I’ve been busy lately and forgot about it.”
With everything going on, I had completely forgotten about the interim payment.
‘Am I insane? There are other things I should be forgetting.’
A wave of guilt crashed over me, and my head bowed of its own accord.
[That’s understandable. We’ll need the settlement of 3.5 million won by tomorrow.]
A single day in the ICU cost 150,000 won.
When I factored in the ventilator rental, non-covered medications, and medical equipment, less than twenty days had passed, but the amount was correct.
‘Damn it. How much do I have in my account right now?’
“…Yes, I understand.”
[Thank you.]
“Yes, thank you.”
Without ending the call, I immediately opened the banking app.
‘How much did I save up by this point?’
[0401]
As I entered the familiar password, the screen changed.
‘3,321,600 won’
“…Damn.”
Seeing the shortfall, a sudden headache crashed down on me.
As I watched the sunset filtering through the window, the reality of how little time remained hit me hard.
‘First things first—I need to put out this fire. I have to work right now.’
I needed to earn at least 180,000 won by tomorrow afternoon.
“Ha-yul, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to practice with you. I need to work a part-time job.”
“…A part-time job?”
“Yeah. Let’s do it next time! I’m heading out first!”
☆☆☆
With the sharp mechanical whir, countless packages surged through the conveyor belt.
‘Zone B-21’
The zone number I was assigned to today.
In the sealed space, only the bleak sound of the conveyor belt and the rustling of packages being moved echoed.
The work intensity was high, but it was still one of the few part-time jobs I could do short-term.
‘Night shifts come with hazard pay, after all.’
I forced my drooping eyes open for the simple labor that stretched from 9 PM to 6 AM.
The job was notorious for its grueling intensity, so it was fortunate that the position was available.
They were recruiting same-day.
Today’s wages would be enough to cover the urgent hospital bills.
‘The real problem is the ongoing hospital costs.’
The reality was that I couldn’t earn money while remaining in the Star picking5 audition program.
‘If my debut is confirmed, I could at least pull in a signing bonus, but that’s still ahead of me.’
With the broadcast just starting, there was still considerable time before debut.
For now, my only option was to earn as much as possible during the gaps.
‘Besides, I can’t get a loan and I don’t have any savings.’
Lost in thought, I reached for a package box.
Thunk, thunk-thunk.
Blood droplets fell steadily onto the box.
“What is this…?”
Instinctively, I reached toward my nose as I felt the hot liquid trickling from my nose down to my chin.
Warmth spread across my palm, and the metallic scent of blood hung in the air.
The nosebleed that had started as a trickle soon began flowing at an alarming rate.
‘Can a person really bleed this much?’
My body went rigid, and my heart began pounding at a frantic pace.
My breathing quickened, and I felt both my hands trembling uncontrollably.
After my delivery job ended, I was supposed to head to the Vegetable Market for a Staff Member shift at the event venue.
‘Damn it. I don’t have time to get sick here.’
I stuffed tissue into my nose and tried to continue working, but a throbbing headache washed over me and my vision blurred.
The delivery boxes began multiplying—two became four in my sight.
Ding.
Along with the familiar alarm, a bright red window appeared instead of the translucent blue one.
[(Warning) The participant’s body has reached its limit.]

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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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