The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 5

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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 5
When I worked as a paparazzi, the reason I could capture so many photographs was thanks to bait.
I would identify locations my targets frequented, set up bait, and most would take the hook—the profits were substantial.
What was amusing was that many of those people I’d caught back then were scattered throughout this Filming Location.
‘If I play this right, couldn’t I eliminate a few of them?’
As someone who absolutely had to debut as an idol, I was in no position to be picky.
“Hmm…”
‘Should I really send them down?’
As I deliberated, I found myself reaching the line marked with a green sign.
When I stopped at the very last row, I could see independent trainees in a relatively quiet atmosphere.
‘There are roughly fifteen independent trainees?’
The rest were all from Entertainment Agencies.
From trainees from Major Entertainment Companies whose names everyone knew, to obscure trainees from Small-to-Medium Entertainment Companies, the agencies were diverse.
Along with the Staff Member’s announcement that filming would begin shortly, the Stage lights finally blazed brilliantly.
The murmuring ceased, and the trainees held their breath, gazing at the Stage.
On the large screen behind the Stage, the golden letters “Star picking5” shone clearly.
A well-proportioned man walked onto the Stage with a smile as grand music played.
“Welcome, Star picking5 participants. I’m Yu Hae-in, your host.”
“Wooooow!”
“So handsome!”
‘They’ve got good lungs.’
The trainees unleashed reactions bordering on cheers, desperate to be caught on camera even once.
With the appearance of Yu Hae-in, the current top male idol of the moment, the atmosphere burned even hotter.
‘Speaking of which, Yu Hae-in?’
“Hmm.”
‘I was uncertain seeing his youthful face, but hearing the name confirms it.’
He was one of the idols I’d sent down in my previous life.
“I’m feeling the heat from this passionate atmosphere myself. Shall we start with a program introduction? Star picking5 is the fifth season of a male idol debut survival show following the previous season.”
Yu Hae-in flipped through his cue cards and continued speaking.
“It’s a survival where only the chosen trainees among one hundred survive. So, which trainee will ultimately be chosen by the National Director to debut?”
Yu Hae-in turned the microphone toward the trainees.
The installed camera zoomed in on the direction where I was sitting.
“Me!”
“Pick me!”
“I’m going to debut.”
Fueled by the passionate responses of trainees from all directions, I opened my mouth as well.
“National Director! Please choose me!”
Yu Hae-in, with a satisfied expression, turned the microphone back toward himself and spoke.
“Then let’s officially begin the Star picking5 survival. First, the National Director, you’re meeting these one hundred trainees for the first time. We should introduce who you all are, shouldn’t we?”
“Yes!”
“The first mission will be a self-introduction evaluation. Based on the judges’ assessments, you trainees will receive grades ranging from A to E. You have one day to prepare.”
Ding.
An opaque blue window suddenly materialized before me.
[Sub-Quest (3): ‘Receive a grade of B or higher in your self-introduction.’
Upon success, you will receive stat points as a reward.
Upon failure, it reverses.]
‘My dancing is currently D-minus, and they want me to get a B grade on the self-introduction evaluation?’
[Yes.]
‘Isn’t that asking too much?’
Haha.
‘With my life on the line, you should give me a mission I can actually accomplish.’
[Would you like me to change it to a mission to receive an A grade instead?]
‘…No.’
When things go against me, I turn into a cunning bastard.
[Is that satisfactory, Cha Si-woo?]
I flipped the middle finger at the System.
‘Anyway, what could I possibly do in just one day of preparation to deserve a B grade?’
“You simply need to showcase your talents during a one-minute self-introduction using your most confident song and dance.”
Hmm.
‘Thinking back to when I took the first audition, for some reason my singing seemed to land pretty well.’
The immediate problem was my dancing.
‘At least the dance isn’t a random song—that’s something to be grateful for.’
As I recalled the judges laughing when I danced at the audition venue, I realized that choosing the right song to cover up my dancing was absolutely crucial.
Yu Hae-in flipped to the final cue card and smiled toward the camera.
“Just like last year, the evaluation criteria for the self-introduction grading is solely based on how attractively you present yourself. Does everyone understand?”
“Yes!”
‘So things haven’t changed much from last year.’
All the thorough preliminary research I’d done before participating in Star picking5 had paid off.
Yu Hae-in extended his palm with a satisfied smile at the enthusiastic response.
“Then let’s move to the Star picking5 First Survival Location.”
The stage lights went dark.
Following the Staff Member’s guidance, the trainees boarded the group bus that had been prepared in advance.
“Board the bus in the same order you were standing in line!”
By the time I got on, most of the seats were already taken.
‘In situations like this, the front seats that empty out quickly are the best.’
Looking at the few remaining seats, I sat down in the empty front row.
The old bus seat felt rigid instead of cushioned.
‘They’re using the same bus from the last series.’
Click.
At the sound of the seatbelt fastening, the trainee in the adjacent seat flinched in surprise.
The trainee sitting next to me, who had been gazing out the window, turned their head.
“Wow~”
The moment our eyes met, an exclamation escaped my lips before I could stop it.
‘How can a person’s eyes look like a deer’s?’
Clear, deep brown eyes with pronounced double eyelids captivated my gaze immediately.
Their skin was flawless and radiant, while their delicate neckline and sharp jawline still possessed the soft, youthful contours of someone not yet fully matured.
A sharp nose bridge and lips tinged with pale pink exuded vitality.
‘This kid is seriously handsome.’
During my days as a paparazzo, I’d chased countless celebrities and witnessed countless famous faces.
I’d thought I’d seen enough beautiful faces that nothing could impress me anymore, but this kid ranked among the top five most handsome people I’d ever laid eyes on.
‘But where have I seen them before?’
Under normal circumstances, I would have ignored them and gone to sleep, but cameras were installed throughout the bus.
I could feel the production crew’s determination to capture footage everywhere.
‘Considering the voting that’ll happen later, I need to be mindful of every place with a camera from now on.’
I lifted the corners of my mouth and flashed the most professional smile I could muster.
“Hello. I’m Cha Si-woo.”
The cautious trainee’s eyes trembled slightly.
“Yes. Hello. I’m Yoo Ho-seung.”
“…!”
Yoo Ho-seung.
An influencer famous as the second-generation child of top-tier actor parents.
‘Why are you here?’
During my paparazzo days, I’d received a few requests to track Yoo Ho-seung but came up empty-handed.
‘That guy really only cared about work.’
With his dramas becoming massive hits, he’d gained considerable popularity in the acting industry, which meant many people were after him.
‘Someone as handsome as Yoo Ho-seung should have been among Star picking5’s debut members?’
There were several memories that, no matter how hard I thought about it, wouldn’t surface.
‘Why do I have no memory of them as an idol, only as an actor?’
There had been so many issues surrounding Star picking5 back then, but strangely, several details about the debut didn’t come to mind.
‘This doesn’t seem to be a problem with my memory.’
Considering all the variables so far, there was only one answer.
‘Is this the System’s doing?’
Suddenly, a translucent blue window appeared before my eyes.
[Indeed, Cha Si-woo, you are quite perceptive.]
I’d suspected as much, and it was confirmed to be the System’s influence.
‘Hey.’
[Yes.]
‘Since you’re here, pull up Yoo Ho-seung’s stat window.’
[Stat Window]
Yoo Ho-seung (17)
Appearance A+
Singing E
Dancing D-
Charisma B+
Stamina C
Ability ???
Characteristics: 10 Million Follower Influencer
It was the first time since my regression that I’d seen such extreme stats—Appearance A+ and Singing E.
‘The numbers are too polarized. With weak dancing and singing skills, he must have debuted as an actor instead of an idol.’
“I’m seventeen. How old are you, Cha Si-woo?”
While I was lost in thought, a pair of eyes filled with caution and curiosity fixed on me.
‘His eyes are really sparkling. With those baby cheeks still clinging to his face, he looks almost fluffy.’
“I’m twenty.”
My conscience pricked at me.
I was actually twenty-five, but there was no helping it.
“You’re really handsome, Cha Si-woo.”
‘…Is he mocking me?’
Yoo Ho-seung’s eyes were too pure for this to be subtle ridicule.
“It feels good to hear that from someone who’s handsome himself.”
Yoo Ho-seung’s cheeks flushed slightly.
‘There’s actually an eight-year gap between us, so he really does look young like this.’
The wariness that had filled those fluffy eyes seemed to soften just a fraction for some reason.
For a moment, his expression overlapped with Cha Si-hyun’s.
Jaw.
“…?”
Without thinking, my hand reached up and rested on top of Yoo Ho-seung’s head.
Soft strands of hair slipped through my fingers.
“Ah, sorry. I was thinking of my younger sibling and just… without meaning to.”
“Ah… yes.”
Since he didn’t pull away, seemingly unbothered, I continued running my hand through his hair.
‘It’s oddly addictive.’
“…”
“You have nice hair.”
“Ha ha. Thank you.”
After only ever seeing the sharp, twenty-two-year-old Yoo Ho-seung who had reached the peak of popularity as an actor in South Korea, this pure version with baby fat was quite refreshing.
‘I wonder how Cha Si-hyun is doing.’
***
When I got off the bus, my assigned accommodation was Room 207.
Opening the door to Room 207 revealed a narrow rectangular space constructed of concrete walls and simple furnishings.
Two bunk beds were pressed against opposite walls, and cameras were installed throughout the room.
It was clear that trainees had no concept of privacy here.
The accommodation itself was identical to what had been broadcast last season.
Perhaps the production budget had become truly pathetic after the failure of Star Picking 4.
I’d wager there wasn’t a more cost-effective dormitory in existence for housing a hundred trainees.
‘I absolutely have to claim a bottom bunk.’
From watching the broadcast, I knew the ceiling was low enough that trainees on the upper bunks kept hitting their heads whenever they sat up.
Before the other trainees arrived, I tossed my crossbody bag onto the bottom bunk on the right side.
Creak.
Just then, the door that had been closed swung open.
Three trainees entered the room all at once.
“Wow. I guess this is our room!”
‘Good thing I threw my bag down first.’
“Oh! Someone’s already here! Hello?”
“Yes, hello. It’s nice to meet you all like this.”
“Nice to meet you!”
“…Hello.”
With four men now crammed into the narrow room, it felt impossibly tight.
“Since we’re roommates, how about we do a quick introduction?”
“Sounds good!”
“…Sure.”
“I’m twenty years old, and my name is Cha Si-woo.”
I flashed the practiced smile of a working professional, conscious of the camera’s red light.
“Wow, you look so young!”
“Do you happen to be with an entertainment agency?”
“…”
All eyes—from the two energetic trainees and the shy Gray-haired Trainee—converged on me at once.

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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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