The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 75

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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 75
“Really?”
“Of course. So let’s stop this now. We can’t keep showing the fans you crying, can we?”
“Yes…!”
Seo Ha-yul nodded, and only then did his tears finally cease.
“Live broadcast in 30 seconds. Everyone, prepare!”
At the PD in Charge’s shout, all the Staff Members descended below the stage.
“Entertainment Company trainees, please stand in your designated positions.”
“Yes.”
The stage was already marked with masking tape indicating each trainee’s position.
Since numbers were assigned according to ranking, my number was 10.
It was when all the trainees had taken their proper places.
“Well then, thank you all for your patience! We’re now beginning the final broadcast, Part 3 of ‘Star picking5’!”
“Woooooo!”
“In Part 3, we’ll finally announce which trainees are debuting!”
The moment Yu Hae-in finished his remarks, scorching lights poured down from above my head all at once.
“So just how many trainees from among all of you will be debuting?”
That’s right.
Following the established convention of the ‘Star Picking Series’ that had been running until now, the final number of debuting trainees was only announced at the very end.
‘Please let it be a large number.’
Obviously, the more trainees who debut, the higher my chances of debuting become, right?
A tense drum beat echoed through the speakers.
On the massive display screen, numbers from 3 to 12 began scrolling past at increasingly rapid speeds.
“The total number of trainees who will be debuting is….”
Boom— Boom—
Though the drum beats maintained a steady interval, they somehow felt increasingly slower to those waiting.
Both the stage and the audience seating held their breath.
Even the light sticks remained motionless as only the drum beat moved in place of time.
“We’ll leave it to fate and draw the number using a roulette.”
“…!”
“What?”
‘They’re deciding this crucial number with a roulette, just like that?’
Bewildered cheers poured onto the stage, but Yu Hae-in simply wore an innocent smile.
“Then let’s spin the roulette right now.”
A roulette wheel appeared on the massive display screen, evenly divided into 10 sections numbered 3 through 12.
‘Three people is really harsh, isn’t it?’
In that instant, a wave of gasps rippled through the audience seating.
All the trainees stood on the stage, looking up at the roulette.
No one spoke, but everyone understood.
That single number would determine the scale of our debut.
‘I need a high number to have a better chance of debuting.’
As Yu Hae-in slowly raised his hand, a low drum sound echoed across the stage once more.
Boom— boom—
At this point, I was developing PTSD from that drum sound.
The spinning roulette wheel began to slow its rotation.
“And so, the final number of trainees to debut is…!”
Finally, the roulette’s arrow came to a stop on a single number.
“The fateful number is 6! The final number of trainees debuting is confirmed at 6!”
“…!”
‘…Only?’
“This can’t be!”
“Nooooo!”
In an instant, the filming location descended into chaos.
It was the smallest number of trainees to debut from any Star Picking Series team so far.
‘They’ve been selecting anywhere from 7 to 11 members until now. Why on earth…?’
“With such a limited number of members debuting, I’m curious to see which trainees will make it into the top 6.”
‘What are these people thinking?’
When debuting idols through competition shows, it was standard practice to debut more members than idol teams from entertainment companies.
This was because they were starting with an already-established fanbase, so having more members meant greater commercial viability.
‘But only 6 members debuting? I never saw this coming.’
From a financial standpoint, debuting more members would’ve been better for them too.
The reduced debut number had inadvertently proven that they actually spun the roulette legitimately, without manipulation.
The producers who prioritized money must be bitter about this.
And my own heart felt heavy seeing the decreased probability of debuting.
“Now, let’s announce the 5th-ranked trainee who will be debuting!”
Yu Hae-in moved forward quickly, not giving the chaos time to settle.
The stage lights dimmed one by one.
The massive screen remained blank, with only silence stretching out second by second.
Among the trainees standing in a line, an anxious tension hung heavy in the air.
Some clenched their fists so tightly their knuckles turned white, while others unconsciously twisted the hem of their uniforms.
“The 5th-ranked trainee is someone who captivated all the National Directors with outstanding dancing skills!”
‘…Could it be…?’
The camera, scanning each trainee one by one, stopped persistently in front of one particular trainee.
“Congratulations!”
Boom—!
Colorful confetti burst across the stage.
“Kang Chan is debuting as the 5th-ranked trainee!”
“Kyaaaaa!”
“Chan!!!”
A faint crack appeared on Kang Chan’s previously stoic expression.
My pupils began to tremble visibly, and my usually steady gaze lost focus, groping through empty air.
“…Me?”
The sound barely escaped my lips, which merely formed the shape of those words.
“Yes, Kang Chan, we’d like you to come to the center of the stage right now.”
“…Yes!”
Startled, my eyes widened.
Standing at the center of the stage, my expression looked quite bewildered.
“Kang Chan, congratulations on your debut. We’d like to hear your thoughts for the National Directors!”
As Yu Hae-in extended the prepared bouquet, I accepted the flowers with both hands and finally broke into a bright smile.
“First, I sincerely thank all the National Directors who voted for me.”
As I lowered my head, the audience seating erupted in fervent cheers.
“To be honest… I’m not particularly good at speaking.”
My distinctive low baritone voice resonated heavily through the speakers.
“I simply love dancing so much…. I auditioned because dancing was the only thing I was confident in.”
My hands holding the microphone trembled slightly, yet I gazed at the camera with unwavering eyes.
“Even while participating in Star picking5, I always wondered if I could debut by working hard at dancing alone.”
My voice wavered slightly at the end.
“But as I met various trainees, I realized something. That together, not alone, I could do it.”
I didn’t try to embellish my words.
Instead, I simply laid bare my genuine feelings.
“Thanks to the encouragement of the National Directors and the trainees who prepared the stage with me, I was able to reach this moment. Thank you so much. I’ll continue to do my very best going forward!”
‘So I’m debuting after all.’
In truth, I had expected Kang Chan to debut.
‘Because he possesses superior dancing skills compared to any other trainee.’
If we were to form a team, he would be a reliable ally as the main dancer.
“And finally, I’d like to dedicate this glory to my grandfather who raised me. Grandfather! Your grandson will be on TV now, so please watch me!”
After that touching closing remark, I suddenly set down the microphone and bouquet.
“…?”
As everyone expressed confusion at this sudden action, I abruptly bowed toward the camera.
“Wow…!”
“That’s really cool!”
‘I’ve felt this for a while now—Kang Chan’s closing remarks are something special.’
“Let’s give a round of applause for Kang Chan, who shared such heartfelt words!”
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Bolstered by the intense cheers and thunderous applause, I slowly rose to my feet.
“Kang Chan, please sit in the chair marked with the number 5.”
“Yes.”
As I turned my head, I could see six chairs hastily placed at one side of the stage.
Watching me move away, Yu Hae-in picked up the cue card again.
“Next, we’ll announce the fourth-place member who will be debuting. Who would you like to see debut?”
The moment Yu Hae-in lifted the microphone toward the audience seating area.
“Ho-seung!!!!!”
“Sun-yu!!!”
“Lucinyeong!”
As countless trainees’ names were called out all at once, I heard my own name echoing from various corners of the audience.
‘Me!’
I too cried out desperately in my heart.
“With the support and wishes of our National Directors, I will now announce the 4th place.”
‘If my name isn’t called this time, honestly, I’m almost out of chances.’
In truth, I had secretly hoped my name would be called in 5th place.
It only made sense that I, who had ranked 10th at the last ranking announcement, couldn’t possibly claim a top position.
“4th place is a trainee who demonstrated outstanding vocal ability.”
In that moment, four trainees including myself and Rua appeared on the screen.
‘Please call my name.’
I gazed at Yu Hae-in desperately, trying to calm my racing heart.
“Congratulations! 4th place goes to trainee Rua, who possesses overwhelming arrangement skills!”
‘Damn.’
A bitter taste filled my mouth at the realization it wasn’t me.
Boom!
Rua, beaming with a bright smile amid the falling flower petals, dashed toward the center of the stage.
“Unbelievable!”
“Trainee Rua, congratulations on your final debut! Would you share your thoughts for our viewers?”
Rua, receiving the bouquet from Yu Hae-in, began bouncing excitedly while swinging it side to side.
‘I’m envious. Well, Rua is a genius, so he deserves to debut.’
Rua was indeed one of the people I had expected to debut.
Still, I couldn’t help the sting of jealousy that it wasn’t me.
“I’m so happy! Thank you for choosing me!”
Rua’s cheerful greeting drew laughter from various corners of the audience seating.
“I’m so grateful to meet people who love me and my music! I promise to share lots of good music with you in the future, so please look forward to it! Thank you, National Directors, and I love you!”
The tense atmosphere on stage transformed into a warm one as Rua smiled radiantly.
“That’s truly a heartwarming comment just to hear. Trainee Rua, please take the seat marked with the number 4.”
“Yes!”
Yu Hae-in quickly flipped through the cue cards as Rua walked away.
“Next, we will announce the trainee who will debut in third place.”
Tense music filled the stage once more.
Thump— thump—
A dull bass mimicking a heartbeat seeped through the floor.
With that sound, the air seemed to gradually tighten around me.
‘I know it’s shameless and presumptuous, but it absolutely has to be me in 3rd place.’
From the beginning to the end of the broadcast, 1st and 2nd place had consistently been contested between Kim Sun-yu and Yoo Ho-seung.
That statement meant, in 99% certainty, that first and second place were locked in as Yoo Ho-seung and Kim Sun-yu.
Which left me with only three possibilities: third place, sixth place, or elimination.
‘Please…! Just call my name for third place and put my mind at ease.’
“Based on the voting results, the trainee who achieved third place is…”
The stage lighting shifted gradually.
By casting deep shadows, long lines of darkness fell across the trainees’ faces.
With only their eyes illuminated, everyone gazed toward the camera in the same direction.
“The all-around idol trainee Kim Sun-yu, blessed with outstanding leadership, vocal prowess, and dancing ability!”
“…!”
“Kyaaaaaaaa!”
‘…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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