The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 49

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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 49
As the gift box lid opened, a golden ticket gleamed from the shimmering screen inside.
“It’s a resurrection ticket for eliminated contestants!”
“…!”
“Kyaaaaa!”
“No way!!”
‘Just as I thought.’
I never expected the TX Net Production Team to simply let Kim Sun-yu, who had ranked first at the ranking announcement ceremony, slip away.
‘They’ve already invested so much narrative and recognition into him—they’ll find a way to keep him.’
Especially if he was a trainee who had received such overwhelming PD picks until now.
‘Character and public opinion matter in broadcasting.’
If a key character they’d been pushing disappeared from the broadcast, the damage would undoubtedly be severe.
Moreover, if they eliminated trainees en masse by holding the entire team collectively responsible, they’d face a tsunami of criticism.
‘Anyone can see Kim Sun-yu performed well.’
At this point, with six episodes already aired, the TX Net Production Team was facing an absolute barrage of backlash.
The internet had erupted because they’d eliminated fifty contestants at the first ranking announcement ceremony.
The Internet Homepage had crashed long ago, and they were drowning in mockery and malicious comments.
‘Some obsessed fan even threatened to terrorize the TX Broadcasting Station in their rage.’
I figured the production team, unable to ignore the fandom and public opinion that grew alongside rising viewership, must have prepared some kind of contingency plan to survive.
The disappointed and furious audience began transforming their anger into excitement at this sudden glimmer of hope.
“However, there is a condition.”
“…?”
Yu Hae-in, drawing out the moment slightly, held up his cue card high.
“Not everyone can survive! From each eliminated team, only one trainee will make it through.”
It was an announcement heralding the beginning of cruel hope.
Since five teams had been eliminated in total, only five trainees could possess the resurrection ticket.
“Curious how we’ll decide which single trainee from each eliminated team survives?”
“Yes!”
“Yeah!!!”
“The power to choose for the resurrection of eliminated contestants rests with… you, the National Directors.”
“…!”
“Starting now, we’ll conduct another round of trainee voting through the Internet Homepage over the next week for the ranking announcement.”
The announcement of the re-vote sent the entire venue into a frenzy of excitement.
“Only the single trainee who receives the highest number of votes in the second ranking announcement ceremony voting will earn the privilege of surviving from their eliminated team!”
In other words, they were only going to save whoever had the most recognition.
‘An absolutely massive war is about to unfold.’
I could already envision the massive battle between fans desperate to save their favorite from the eliminated teams.
Ding.
Suddenly, a translucent blue window sparkled before my eyes.
[Sub-Quest (8): Rank within the top 7 at the second ranking announcement ceremony.
If successful, you’ll receive a reward.
If you fail, you die.]
‘Seventh place again?’
[Yes. Since you placed seventh last time, wouldn’t it be possible this time as well?]
‘Seventh place isn’t some dog’s name. This is too much.’
[Will you accept the Quest?]
Either way, I had no choice.
‘Might as well give it a shot.’
“Then please conduct a week-long vote for the trainee you’d like to debut.”
Through the speakers, the theme song “Cheer me on” played as the closing music.
“This concludes the 1:1 Team Battle Mission.”
It was a declaration of a new war, crucial for both the trainees and the eliminated contestants.
☆☆☆
“Kimchi!”
Click.
“Sun-yu, try making a heart shape this time.”
5:55 AM.
In front of the digital billboard at Sinchon Station, I held up my phone camera to repay his kindness.
“Like this?”
“Yes.”
‘As expected of someone with experience—his poses are natural and polished.’
Click. Click.
Star picking5’s popularity was soaring without limit.
Now that it had achieved the highest viewership rating in cable history, the attention pouring in matched the title of “the trend.”
‘It’s more popular than I expected.’
Digital billboards across numerous public facilities, including mass transit, displayed photos of the trainees participating in Star picking5 in fierce competition.
Just in the subway stations alone, dozens of my billboards were displayed.
Fans had begun their full support to claim the eliminated contestant revival slot and the higher rankings.
“The photos turned out great. Let’s hurry to Hongik University Station before the crowds arrive.”
“Thanks, Si-woo.”
“Not at all. You’re taking photos of me too.”
“Still, I’m not as good at it as you are….”
‘Well, that’s obvious.’
There were hardly any people who could outdo me when it came to photography.
“It’s the heart that matters. More importantly, let’s hurry and check the other locations before the main commute hour arrives.”
“Right!”
I’d already learned through the Online Community that my face was displayed on numerous billboards.
But seeing it in person felt different.
A wave of excitement washed over me, drenching my entire body.
‘I’m grateful.’
I had been wanting to repay their kindness somehow, even if it meant taking a certification photo, but I simply hadn’t found the time until now.
‘At first I was swamped with my part-time job, and then I collapsed right after that.’
I was determined to take a certification photo during this free time, no matter what.
I had already mapped out a solo route in advance, but given that we were now facing a losers’ bracket vote, I decided to openly repay the favor instead.
‘Besides, it’s easier and better when two people take photos for each other than doing it alone.’
We could help each other out that way.
“But what if fans recognize us?”
“We’re pretty well disguised, don’t you think?”
With hats and masks covering our faces, we were barely recognizable—only our eyes were visible if someone looked closely.
‘Would we really get caught?’
I had deliberately chosen this early morning hour to avoid any unwanted attention.
Office workers heading in early probably wouldn’t pay us any mind.
They were too exhausted—sleep was their most precious commodity.
‘They’ll probably try to squeeze in a few more minutes of sleep on the Subway.’
As expected, once we boarded, the office workers didn’t even glance our way.
The train heading to Hongik University Station was packed with early morning commuters—most were either sleeping or scrolling through their phones.
Fortunately, no one noticed us standing in the corner.
“But Si-woo, why are you helping me this much?”
“You helped me first, hyung.”
“Still…”
“And you said we’d debut together back then.”
“…”
“Isn’t there a place for me in the future you’re imagining?”
“Ha ha ha!”
Kim Sun-yu’s hearty laughter echoed through the train car.
‘I’m glad I decided to meet him at this timing.’
Seeing Kim Sun-yu’s noticeably brighter expression—so different from when he’d heard the elimination news—made my chest feel a little lighter.
As we chatted, we finally arrived at Hongik University Station.
After tapping my transit card and passing through the turnstile, I felt that strange, bittersweet sensation wash over me once again.
An entire digital billboard wall was covered with my face.
‘Wow… how much did all this cost?’
The pure affection from strangers I’d never met felt unfamiliar.
It was a jumble of gratitude and guilt, tickling my heart with emotions I couldn’t quite name.
The photos displayed were quite varied.
‘This photo is here too.’
The fans seemed to love my selfies—more than half of the billboard was covered with the selfie I’d taken to secure center position.
The rest were mostly photos of me genuinely smiling on stage, not the polished smile of a public figure.
‘If I’m going to repay their kindness, I need to take more selfies and smile more from now on.’
“Wow~ taking up an entire wall like that is incredible. Si-woo, you’re really loved, aren’t you?”
“I know. I’m really grateful. But hyung, you’re not far behind either.”
The opposite wall was completely covered with photographs of Kim Sun-yu.
“You’re right. Let’s really give it our all.”
“Yes.”
“Would you mind standing over here for the verification photo? The digital billboard is visible from this angle, and I think the fans will love it.”
‘He really does have a keen eye for these things—must be from his experience.’
“Yes! Is this spot okay?”
“Good. Can you smile naturally?”
Standing before the countless digital billboards, my heart swelled with emotion.
Click. Click.
“That looks great. Your smile right now is really charming. Would you mind trying a few other poses?”
“Um….”
‘I wonder what kind of poses he likes?’
After a moment of consideration, I executed various poses I’d learned indirectly from Star picking5, one after another.
Since I didn’t know his preference, I tried every pose I could manage—hearts, cheek pokes, cotton candy poses—everything.
After taking a final selfie, I was moving to the opposite side to photograph Kim Sun-yu when it happened.
“Excuse me.”
At the sound of a voice from nearby, I turned my head to find four women cautiously approaching.
“Yes?”
“Are you… Cha Si-woo?”
‘But I’m completely covered up—how did they recognize me?’
“…Yes.”
The woman who had spoken first’s expression brightened, and she began clapping excitedly.
“Kyaaaa!”
“I told you it was him!”
“The person next to you is Kim Sun-yu, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
True to his experience, Kim Sun-yu answered smoothly even in this situation.
“But how did you recognize us?”
“We’re huge fans of yours! If you’re a true fan, you can always tell.”
“Thank you so much.”
Fans truly were remarkable beings.
“Um, I’m sorry to bother you, but… would it be okay if we took a photo together?”
Seeing the fan approach so carefully, I immediately nodded.
“Of course! Are you sure you don’t mind how we look right now?”
“Yes! You’re so popular that if you didn’t disguise yourselves like this, it would probably be difficult to get around.”
“Ha ha. Thank you for understanding.”
Click. Click. Click.
Watching the delighted fans, I posed in various ways for the photographs.
As if drawn by the attention, the number of glances from people around us began to increase with each photo taken.
‘Oh no.’
“Do you think this is enough?”
“Oh…yes! We were holding you up for too long, weren’t we?”
“Not at all. I’m happy to meet our fans like this!”
“Hearing you say that is so touching. We’ll definitely vote for you! Make your debut!”
“Thank you so much! We should get going now!”
After exchanging a silent signal with Kim Sun-yu, I began walking quickly toward the least crowded direction.
What I’d overlooked was that Hongik University Station had such heavy foot traffic that even at this early hour, the crowds were absolutely massive.
“Oh my!”
“Wait, isn’t that person a Star picking5 contestant?”
It seemed we’d attracted more attention than expected, as recognition began spreading through the crowd one by one.
“Sun-yu.”
“Hm?”
“What about running?”
Watching the surging crowd, Kim Sun-yu wore a gentle smile.
“…I suppose we have to.”
“Yes.”
We bolted toward the exit at full speed.
Only after finally escaping the subway and reaching a secluded alley could we finally stop running.
“Huff…huff…”
“Wow…Si-woo, you’re really…fast.”
Kim Sun-yu, equally exhausted, leaned against the wall and caught his breath.
“Haha, I do run pretty well. But it’s surprising that people recognize us even when we’re bundled up like this.”
“It’s strange. Honestly, at this level, your face isn’t even that visible—how did they know?”
“Right? So what do we do now?”
“Well…can we still get photos at the remaining digital billboard walls?”
‘That might be difficult.’
“…To be honest, wouldn’t it be risky?”
If people could recognize us even this heavily disguised at this early hour, they’d certainly do so during rush hour when crowds were thickest.
Leaning against the wall, Kim Sun-yu flipped through his phone’s photo album with reluctant eyes and spoke.
“Still, we got more photos than I expected. And they turned out really well.”
“Well, I took them, so of course they did.”
“That’s right—photography is Cha Si-woo’s specialty! You really do take photos better than professional photo shoots.”
‘You know your stuff, don’t you?’
“Even with the same camera, the photos you take feel on a completely different level from mine.”
“Thank you for the compliment. Since things have turned out this way, shall we settle for the photos we’ve taken today and save the certification shot for next time?”
“Hmm…but I feel like something’s missing this way…”
‘He’s just as desperate as I am, after all.’
With a loser’s revival card on the line, Kim Sun-yu’s expression was full of reluctance.
‘With competition this fierce right now, I need to actively communicate with fans and promote myself to safely make it into the top seven.’
“Then before more time passes, should we try just one more location and decide from there?”
When people are desperate, they naturally find themselves doing one more thing, no matter what.

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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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