The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 22

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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 22
“No matter what happens, I really want to be the Team Representative.”
Park Soo-gyeok, whose expression had turned sour, quickly composed himself as the red light on the camera activated.
“Does anyone else want to be the Team Representative?”
“…It doesn’t seem like it.”
“Then we’ll choose between Cha Si-woo and Park Soo-gyeok.”
“While leadership is important for a representative role, this time song selection matters more than anything. What if we choose whoever runs the fastest?”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
As the seven men exchanged opinions, the timer had already crept close to fifteen minutes.
“We need to decide on our song too, so shouldn’t we choose the Team Representative quickly?”
‘I need to cut this off before it drags on any longer.’
“Time has already passed like this.”
“Since we’re running short on time, would it be okay to do a vote, as befits a democratic nation?”
“Yes, that works.”
“Then, given the time constraint, we’ll conduct the vote by a show of hands. Park Soo-gyeok and Cha Si-woo, would you please step forward?”
“Yes.”
As I stepped forward two paces, Park Soo-gyeok beside me fixed me with an intense stare.
‘I’m going to burn up at this rate.’
“Please give us a brief statement about why you should be the representative. Park Soo-gyeok, you first.”
Park Soo-gyeok turned his gaze toward the Vocal Team 2 trainees and clenched his fist.
“If I become the Team Representative, I’ll do my absolute best to ensure our team takes first place.”
“Woooow.”
“That’s an impressive ambition.”
The Vocal Team 2 trainees, conscious of the camera, broke into applause.
“Next, Cha Si-woo, your turn please.”
I glanced around the room.
I flashed a professional smile at the six pairs of eyes fixed on me with varying intentions.
‘Time to show the experience I gained chasing celebrities as a paparazzi.’
“I’m more confident in my stamina than anyone else. I’ll make sure to bring you the songs you want with my speed!”
“That’s impressive!”
“A true man is different, isn’t he?”
Rua, whose lips were twitching, opened his mouth.
“Then let’s proceed quickly.”
“First, those who think Park Soo-gyeok would be a good representative, please raise your hands.”
Park Soo-gyeok and a trainee who was close to him raised their hands.
“That’s three votes total.”
“…”
“Next, those who think Cha Si-woo would be a good representative, please raise your hands.”
As three people besides me raised their hands, Park Soo-gyeok’s face flushed slightly.
Finally, as I too raised my hand, Rua began clapping rapidly.
“Congratulations!”
“Based on the voting results, the Team Representative of Vocal Team 2 is Cha Si-woo.”
“Congratulations.”
I bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle to acknowledge the trainees’ congratulations.
“Thank you. Now that I’m the Team Representative of Vocal Team 2, I feel the weight of responsibility. I’ll do my best in this role.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“Then shall we select the song right away?”
“I object.”
Park Soo-gyeok raised his hand quickly, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
“Pardon?”
“I could potentially run faster than Cha Si-woo. Choosing a representative through voting like this is unreasonable.”
Rua’s brow furrowed as he watched the remaining time dwindle.
“But the voting is already finished, isn’t it? We need to accept the results.”
“Still… I don’t think we should choose a representative based on who’s better at running physically.”
‘This guy’s going to keep pushing this until the end, isn’t he?’
“That’s right.”
When a trainee close to Park Soo-gyeok chimed in with support, about ten minutes remained on the Screen’s timer.
‘At this rate, we’re just wasting time on pointless arguments.’
I despised group projects ruined by troublemakers—it was genuinely awful.
“Then let’s have a race.”
“What?”
“We’re running out of time, so let’s race right now. You said you’re confident you can run well.”
“…Fine.”
“But this time, you accept the results unconditionally. Understood?”
“Yes.”
A short-distance race to the opposite wall began quickly.
“On your marks—”
I swallowed hard and waited for the starting signal while Vocal Team 2 watched intently.
“Go!”
Whoosh!
Our bodies burst forward without hesitation.
The moment my heels pushed off the ground, all surrounding noise vanished, leaving only the thunder of my heartbeat and ragged breathing in my ears.
Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump!
It wasn’t the sound of running—it was my heart pounding.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve run like this.’
Back in my paparazzi days, whenever I spotted a fleeing target, I’d grab my camera and chase them down.
Running without the camera made my body feel considerably lighter.
The short-distance race to the wall ended with a decisive gap—a clear victory for me.
‘Easy.’
“Cha Si-woo wins!”
“Wow! You’re really fast!”
Park Soo-gyeok’s face had turned crimson as he gasped for breath.
“Well, since the Team Representative has been decided, shall we quickly choose a song?”
I spoke urgently, watching the timer count down.
“I think ‘Neon Promise’ would be a good choice.”
“That’s right. It was incredibly popular, holding the top spot for an extended period.”
‘Neon Promise’ was a song by the group Yu Hae-in belonged to—a track that had received tremendous love last year and could be called the representative song of male idols.
Rua, shaking his head side to side, opened his mouth.
“No. That song carries too much risk. Wouldn’t ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ be better? It’s a ballad that can showcase vocal skills well.”
“I agree. It’s rare to find a ballad that displays singing ability so clearly.”
‘The Moment I First Saw You’ was a traditional ballad—the textbook audition song that could effectively demonstrate vocal elements.
Vocal Team 2’s opinions were sharply divided.
The time displayed on the Screen had dwindled to less than three minutes.
‘Hmm.’
It didn’t matter which song we chose, but we had to avoid any first-tier male idol songs at all costs.
‘Neon Promise’ from Yu Hae-in’s group was included in that.
No matter how well the trainees performed, attempting to match established first-tier male idols would inevitably look like a mere parlor trick.
‘We’d be compared relentlessly.’
As the heated debate intensified, no consensus emerged.
With time slipping away and opinions clashing back and forth, I quietly raised my hand.
“Both songs are excellent, but I believe we should focus on the mission itself when selecting our song. I think ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ is the right choice.”
All eyes from Vocal Team 2 turned toward me at once.
“Why?”
“Because this is a position evaluation. Showcasing vocal elements is what matters most. ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ is called the representative audition song precisely because it has distinct high notes and emotional transitions—it’s perfect for demonstrating technique and breath control.”
“…!”
“Through those elements, we can effectively demonstrate the vocal position. Since this mission is a position evaluation, it’s the most fitting song choice.”
Some trainees nodded in agreement, but Park Soo-gyeok quickly shook his head.
“But ultimately, we need to show that we’re idols. Wouldn’t ‘Neon Promise’ be better than a ballad? The performance is flashier too.”
‘Direct comparison would only make things worse.’
“What if we arranged ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ to match our style instead?”
“…!”
“The evaluation criteria include not just individual ability, but also collaboration, stage production skills, and charisma. Rather than using the song as-is, I think it would be better to create the stage ourselves so we can showcase both vocal appeal and idol charm.”
“But…!”
It was Rua who cut off Park Soo-gyeok’s stubborn protest.
“Sounds good! That works.”
“Cha Si-woo, your analytical skills are really impressive.”
“I also think ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ is a good choice—it fits the evaluation criteria while letting us catch two birds with one stone.”
Rua, who had championed the traditional ballad from the start, broke into a broad smile and sent a wink my way.
I avoided Rua’s gaze and, befitting a democratic nation, quickly proceeded with a show of hands vote.
In the song selection vote, ‘The Moment I First Saw You’ received five votes.
***
“Team Representatives, are you ready?”
I steadied my breathing, standing quietly before the Starting Line.
My left knee bent naturally while both hands stretched straight behind the white line.
“Dance Team 1, let’s go!”
“Vocal Team 2, fighting!”
“Rap Team 5, run!”
Behind me, scorching cheers erupted.
Fifteen Team Representatives stood at the Starting Line, tension hanging thick in the air.
“Run toward the songs!”
Bang!
At the signal, I bolted forward like a madman.
Wind scraped against my ears as my heart thundered in my chest.
The moment my feet pushed off the ground, every bone felt alive.
‘Five years younger—my body feels so much more youthful.’
My body felt light.
‘I’m running faster than I expected.’
“Wow! These trainees have impressive speed!”
I was approaching the song I’d chosen.
“This is an intense race!”
Beside me, a man with bronzed skin and a lean, muscular frame pursued me by mere inches.
“It’s a neck-and-neck battle between Cha Si-woo and Kang Chan!”
Wind slammed against my face.
“Haa… haa…”
His breathing came close beside me.
I glanced sideways and our eyes met.
In that instant, a silent declaration of war passed between us.
‘This guy can really run.’
More power surged into my leg muscles.
Losing went against my nature entirely.
I pushed deeper into the ground and finally reached the Song Wall.
‘When was the last time I ran with such genuine intensity?’
I stretched out and swiftly snatched the album I’d been aiming for—”The Moment I First Saw You.”
“Phew… haa…”
As I expelled my ragged breaths, I felt an intense gaze from beside me.
Deep in Kang Chan’s eyes, a profound emotion stirred.
“Cha Si-woo arrived first, and Kang Chan arrived second!”
The other Team Representatives filed in one by one after that.
“You’re quite fast.”
In Kang Chan’s hand was the “Neon Promise” album.
“Thank you. Your speed is impressive too, Kang Chan.”
“…Yes.”
After exchanging brief greetings, the Team Representative finally finished selecting songs for all the trainees.
“Trainees, have you all chosen your desired songs?”
“Yes!”
“No.”
The trainees who arrived late and had only female idol songs and trot to choose from wore dejected expressions.
“With the songs you’ve selected today, we’ll invite the National Directors and hold a position evaluation Stage two weeks from now.”
“Wow!”
“…Finally!”
“Performing in front of the National Directors makes me nervous!”
The trainees couldn’t hide their excitement at the prospect of competing before viewers.
“I’ll inform you of the evaluation criteria for the ranking announcement you’re all most curious about.”
“…!”
“For the position Stage, reflecting that this is the first competition, your rankings will be determined by 30% on-site voting, 30% internet voting, and 40% Judge Panel scores.”
Ding.
A translucent blue window suddenly appeared.
[Sub Quest (6): Place in the top 10 at the first ranking announcement ceremony.
Success grants a reward.
Failure results in death.]

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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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