The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 62

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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 62
“Haha, I’ve noticed this for a while now—you really do have an unusual love for Heart Ping bread, Si-woo.”
“That’s a misunderstanding.”
“You deliberately picked Heart Ping bread out of all those options, didn’t you?”
“No, I wasn’t… I was trying to grab the dried squid, but the tongs broke.”
I desperately hoped my grievance would make it into the broadcast.
But contrary to my wishes, the editing had painted me as someone genuinely devoted to Heart Ping bread.
‘Ugh… and I was trying so hard to shake off that image.’
When anything becomes excessive, people naturally develop an aversion to it.
Even in the rapidly scrolling comment section, there were quite a few negative opinions like [the concept is overdone] and [it’s ridiculous].
Still, there weren’t only bad comments.
[Doesn’t seem like a coincidence?]
[It’s actually cute though?]
[Pine tree taste] and other fans were viewing me with kind eyes.
I understood they’d engineered the chat for sensational broadcasting, but the fallout fell squarely on the performers.
[I’ve felt this for a while, but isn’t Cha Si-woo a bit too contrived?]
[Saw you struggling to get one more camera shot]
[Hate seeing that guy, why does he keep appearing?]
[Cha Si-woo seriously…]
‘The hate comments have definitely increased compared to before.’
It was probably because, with so few trainees remaining, the level of sabotage had intensified.
The production staff were trying to boost viewership with live broadcast reactions, but this short-sighted approach had a fatal flaw.
Namely, hate comments poured in unfiltered.
‘Still, it’s not as harsh as it used to be.’
While I was reacting enthusiastically to the broadcast, hate comments about the other trainees came through regularly as well.
[Why does Kang Chan always look so serious on broadcast?]
[Yoo Ho-seung’s shameless. Aren’t you embarrassed about ranking first on face alone?]
[Kim Sun-yu, if you’re a career hire, you should gracefully withdraw. You already debuted—why are you here?]
With hate comments rolling in evenly across the board, keyboard battles inevitably erupted in the chat.
[Broadcasting station, aren’t you managing the chat here?]
[This is a mess. Ban everyone posting hate comments!]
[Distinguish between fans and haters]
As sharp comments continued to accumulate, the screen transitioned.
With a preview of the Flea Market location, the closing music for ‘Star picking5’ began to play.
[Viewers, internet voting for the third ranking announcement of ‘Star picking5’ will now begin. Through voting that will run for one week, please show your support and interest so your favorite trainee can survive!]
With the narrator’s igniting words, episode 9 finally came to an end.
By the way, when filming wrapped, the real-time viewer count had exceeded one million.
Satisfied with the viewership ratings, the PD in Charge picked up the microphone with a pleased smile.
“Did you all enjoy watching?”
“Yes!”
‘No.’
“To all the fans watching this live broadcast, we’d love your enthusiastic cheers as much as you love us.”
“Waaaaaaah!”
The trainees, catching sight of the raw, real-time comments flooding in, managed their expressions carefully and delivered their practiced reactions.
“Then, National Directors watching this live broadcast, thank you so much. We ask for your continued support and votes, and we’ll wrap up the live broadcast here!”
‘I’m basically fanning the flames of an already burning house.’
Watching the chat window scroll by faster than my eyes could follow, I waved enthusiastically toward the camera.
☆☆☆
All filming wrapped up at nearly midnight—quite late in the evening.
Most trainees headed to the dormitory to prepare for tomorrow’s competition, but falling asleep immediately was a luxury.
‘Since the competition is tomorrow, I need to practice a bit more to make it perfect.’
I quickened my pace and rapidly pushed open the practice room door.
“…!”
Inside the practice room stood an unexpected figure.
“When did you get here?”
‘I was sure I’d be the first to arrive.’
“Just now.”
It was Kang Chan, regarding me with an expressionless face.
‘That was incredibly fast.’
“Perfect timing. Since we’re both here, want to run through the choreography one more time together?”
Kang Chan simply nodded without hesitation.
The choreography had improved significantly compared to the beginning.
‘A true triumph of human effort.’
This guy Kang Chan could’ve complained, but he never uttered a single word of protest—he just quietly taught me the dance moves beside me.
“You were half a beat late.”
“Sorry. Let me try again.”
“The flow of the dance feels stiff in this section.”
“I’ll do better this time.”
“Yes.”
“…Huff…hah.”
After hours of practice, we finally took a brief rest.
The practice room was filled only with heavy breathing and a weighty silence.
“Hey, Kang Chan, I’m curious about something.”
Kang Chan, who had been crouching in the corner, slowly lifted his head.
“What is it?”
“Why do you want to be an idol?”
“I… love dancing.”
“I see.”
“Dance is everything in my life.”
‘I can tell he’s genuinely passionate about dance.’
“But couldn’t you dance without being an idol?”
That was true.
There were far more career paths for dancers than one might think.
Dancer, choreographer, instructor—the options were quite diverse.
“I’d love for as many people as possible to see my dancing.”
“…!”
“I want to stand on a stage where my name is called, not in someone else’s shadow, and I want to stay there for a long time.”
Kang Chan’s eyes burned with an unmistakable hunger for the things he hadn’t yet achieved.
‘I thought he was just crazy, but he’s beautifully crazy.’
“Then why do you want to become an idol, Si-woo?”
‘Because I have to save my younger sibling.’
In my past life and in this one, my sole objective has always been saving my younger sibling.
So my future goals will remain unchanged.
“Because I have something I need to accomplish.”
At the thought of my younger sibling, my voice trembled without my control.
“You sound desperate.”
“Yes. More desperate than anyone else. That’s why no matter what I have to do, I will become an idol.”
Even if it means destroying myself in the process.
Behind Kang Chan’s quiet expression, countless thoughts seemed to swirl.
“I hope we can achieve our dreams together.”
“…!”
“To be honest, I think you’re quite a decent person, Si-woo.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You’ve shown real maturity several times.”
‘Me…? When exactly?’
Though bewildered, I forced myself to swallow my words as I met Kang Chan’s earnest gaze.
“If you’re that kind of person, I think being on the same team would be fine.”
Kang Chan, usually expressionless, laughed awkwardly with his ears flushed crimson.
In that moment, something deep within my chest resonated quietly.
‘This is… actually moving.’
A warmth rising from within slowly spread toward my heart.
It was the subtle sense of accomplishment that comes from being recognized as a person, not just a role.
“I think you’re quite impressive too, Kang Chan.”
‘He dances well and objectively speaking, he’s a good person.’
The fact that he had a clear dream and was willing to stake everything on it was genuinely remarkable.
“Ahem!”
With both ears burning bright red, Kang Chan awkwardly ran a rough hand through the back of his hair.
“We might end up on the same team going forward anyway. How about we drop the formal speech starting now?”
‘Unless something unexpected happens, Kang Chan will definitely make the debut lineup.’
No other trainee could match his dancing ability.
I boldly extended my hand forward.
Kang Chan looked at my hand, then quietly clasped it.
The moment our palms touched, our body heat mysteriously mirrored each other.
“Good.”
That brief word carried unwavering resolve.
Somehow, on the eve of the competition, I found myself dropping formalities with Kang Chan for the first time—we were the same age, after all.
“Then shall we keep practicing?”
“Yeah!”
My body was so exhausted it felt strange, as though it might collapse at any moment, yet oddly, my spirit burned even hotter.
☆☆☆
“I’ll add just a touch more highlighter so your eyes catch the camera better.”
“Okay.”
As the Makeup Artist delicately brushed golden shadow across my eyes, my pupils gleamed deeper in the mirror.
‘The artistry of makeup is remarkable every single time.’
The reflection staring back at me in the mirror was quite unfamiliar.
‘So this is what a beauty enhancement looks like.’
“Finally, I’ll apply the lipstick.”
A soft rose gold lipstick was gently applied to my lips.
The subtle yet luxurious shade seemed to elevate the entire atmosphere with an air of nobility.
“Done! Cha Si-woo, what do you think?”
“Wow…! Is that really me?”
“Makeup really does change how you look, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. I feel so refined. Thank you for always taking such care with my makeup.”
I stood up and gave a deep ninety-degree bow.
The Makeup Artist had been the one doing my makeup every time throughout this competition.
“Ha! Cha Si-woo always has such a bright attitude—I appreciate that. But this time, don’t you dare mess up the makeup before the Main Stage, okay?”
“Yes. I’ll remember. If I mess it up again this time, I’ll walk around on my butt instead of my feet.”
“Pfft…! What kind of promise is that? Fine, I got it.”
After another deep bow, the Makeup Artist smiled contentedly and approached Kang Chan.
‘This time, I have to maintain the makeup no matter what happens.’
“Cha Si-woo, once makeup is done, let’s get you into your outfit.”
“Yes!”
The outfit the Stylist handed me was a pure white jacket densely embroidered with golden thread.
Once I changed into the costume and stood before the mirror, the luxurious blend of white and gold immediately caught my eye.
Small golden decorative shoulder pads adorned my shoulders, and a delicate golden chain belt traced along my waist.
The slim-fit white pants made my legs appear long and slender.
“Royal Team, this outfit is absolutely stunning this time.”
“Thank you.”
“Once we add the accessories, it’ll be perfect.”
The Stylist stepped closer.
“I’ll attach the bracelet and cape chain here.”
The cold touch of metal grazed across my wrist.
A delicate golden bracelet wrapped around my wrist, and the golden thread chain decoration flowing down the back of the cape was smoothly arranged.
“When you move, it’ll shimmer and come alive.”
The accessories felt like they would make me shine even brighter on stage today.
“Thank you!”
“Of course. I’m looking forward to today’s performance.”
‘Is all the stage preparation done now?’
Looking around, my teammates were either getting their makeup touched up or adjusting their outfits.
‘But why does it feel like someone’s missing?’
Suddenly, a wave of PTSD crashed over me, and my heart sank.
‘No way…’
Swallowing down my anxiety, I approached Kang Chan, who was getting his makeup done.
“Chan.”
“Huh?”
“Have you seen Ho-seung?”
“When you went in to change clothes earlier, he said he was going to grab a drink.”
“Oh, really?”
‘Phew… that’s a relief.’
A sigh of relief escaped me at the news that it was just needless worry.
“Wait, that’s strange though?”
“What’s strange?”
“Now that I think about it, quite a bit of time has passed, right? Isn’t the vending machine in the corridor?”
At the unexpected news, my heart sank like a heavy stone in my chest.
In that instant, my body reacted before my mind could.
My legs were already rushing urgently toward the door.
“Wait! What’s wrong?”
I heard Kang Chan calling from behind, but there was no time to answer.
My body moved on its own, driven by an instinct that screamed I had to run.
‘Damn. Nothing’s happened, right?’

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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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