The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 85

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 85
Notes began layering one by one, synchronized with the sounds of nature.
The wind spoke first,
whispering that today would be different somehow.
I checked my outfit once more
and caught my own gaze in the mirror before stepping out—
a song that carried both the fresh innocence and crisp clarity of a beginning.
An unfamiliar thrill
made my heart beat a little faster,
and because it was a first,
everything in the world seemed special.
The debut track’s distinctive brightness and message of new beginnings resonated deeply within my chest.
“Wow…”
“I’ve only finished the intro so far. What do you think?”
“Rua, you’re a true genius!”
“Thanks. Should we proceed with the song as is?”
“Of course. Do whatever you want. I’m telling you, the track you’ve created is superior to any other, and I’m certain of it.”
“Hearing you say that makes me want to keep going. Got it.”
Just from the intro alone, I could tell.
This song would definitely claim the number one spot.
“Si-woo, for the chorus section, I’m thinking of raising the key significantly. Think you can handle it?”
“Yes. I’ll do my best.”
“Great! Then let’s complete the song by incorporating each member’s unique characteristics.”
It was easier said than done—incorporating each person’s distinct qualities into a single track was genuinely difficult work.
Yet Rua spoke about it so casually, as if he were simply mentioning a quick trip to the convenience store down the street.
“What if we highlight the hook with Seo Ha-yul and Kang Chan’s lower vocal tones?”
“That works. A duet section between the two of them would be charming too.”
“Perfect. And since Yoo Ho-seung is so handsome, wouldn’t it be fun to introduce him in the main section with a kick?”
“Agree. I’ll definitely add a short Yoo Ho-seung section to the main part!”
As I continued discussing with Rua, the clock had already crept to 6 AM.
☆☆☆
After completing full styling at the shop, the filming location we arrived at was far more massive than expected.
Following the Buffet Manager to the set, it was filled with vibrant colored backdrops and enormous character figures—it felt like stepping into another world entirely.
“Wow… it’s really Heartping Bread.”
Seo Ha-yul murmured reverently from beside me.
Everyone struggled to suppress their laughter at his solemn tone.
‘I never thought I’d meet Heartping Bread in person at my first commercial shoot.’
This CF was the first major advertisement that came to our team before we even debuted.
In reality, it was the famous character bread we’d eaten frequently during practice—the very one that had sparked my friendship with Seo Ha-yul and the same bread that had beaten me in the snack lottery draw.
‘Quite a persistent connection, really.’
Seeing things from a professional standpoint felt refreshingly new.
“Lucy Star Boys, it’s great to meet you all like this.”
A middle-aged man approached with a benevolent smile.
For reference, Lusbo was shorthand for Lucy Star Boys—people often called our team by that nickname.
“Hello!”
“Good to see you!”
Sensing instinctively that this was someone of high standing, I bowed ninety degrees at the waist.
“Your greetings are so bright and energetic—I like that. I’m Director Yoon Min-ho, and I’ll be directing today’s commercial shoot.”
“Director, it’s an honor to meet you.”
“We’re Lucy Star Boys, making our debut this time!”
“That’s right. You’re all quite famous already, so I know of you well.”
My eyes met the director’s kind gaze directly.
“Actually, the advertiser specifically requested Lusbo for this commercial.”
The director laughed warmly as he spoke.
“They said they often noticed the members seeking out this bread.”
“We do eat Heartping Bread quite frequently.”
“Especially Ha-yul—he really loves this bread.”
“Ha ha. The advertiser must have taken a liking to that. Lucy Star Boys, getting a commercial before your debut—you’ve really succeeded.”
“Thank you so much!”
“Right then. Today, just show us how delicious the Heartping Bread is as you eat it. Understood?”
“Yes!”
“Once we’re ready, we’ll start filming right away.”
“Okay!”
‘Honestly, I never expected my first commercial would be for Heartping Bread.’
I placed my hand on Seo Ha-yul’s head as I watched him swallow eagerly beside me.
“…Si-woo?”
Seeing his bewildered expression, I gently patted his head this time.
“You’re a good kid.”
“Huh?”
‘Commercials pay so well!’
The pay-to-time ratio for commercials was genuinely sweet.
My lips kept twitching at the thought of receiving such a generous modeling fee for a rookie.
Money really is the best thing in this world.
“It’s thanks to you. I’ll buy you Heartping Bread for life.”
“Really?!”
As I watched Seo Ha-yul’s visibly delighted reaction, the actual filming began.
“Alright, let’s start with a group shot. Everyone look straight ahead and hold up the bread!”
As the director’s voice rang out, the Heartping Bread in my hand suddenly looked remarkably beautiful.
‘Since I’m a valuable asset now, I should treat myself carefully.’
“Lucy Star Boys, your poses are perfect. This time, smile as fresh and cute as possible.”
“Yes!”
I shifted my poses and expressions several times according to the Director’s instructions.
“Um… Cha Si-woo?”
“Yes?”
The Director shook his head side to side and gave new directions.
“Your smile is pretty, but… it doesn’t look like a rookie idol debuting at all. Could you try to smile more purely, with a bit more care?”
‘Did my capitalist greed show through that badly?’
The truth was, I’d gotten excited without realizing it—this was a high-budget commercial.
Apparently, I’d been caught red-handed being materialistic.
I bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle and apologized quickly.
“I’m sorry. I’ll pay closer attention to my expression and try again.”
“Alright. Let’s start filming again.”
“Yes!”
‘Mind control. I am pure. I am pure.’
I cast aside thoughts of money and began hypnotizing myself.
‘This is bread that children love to eat. Smile as harmlessly and purely as possible.’
“Action!”
The main camera lens moved.
“Hahaha.”
“Haha.”
“Smile more! Brighter!”
At the Director’s shout, I bared my teeth and laughed.
‘Earning money isn’t easy.’
“Cut! Good. Next, we’ll film each of you eating bread individually.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll start with you, Cha Si-woo. Please stand in the center where the bread is stacked.”
“Yes, understood!”
Heartping Bread was piled high in a pyramid formation at the center of the filming studio.
“Cha Si-woo, please eat the chocolate bread.”
“Yes!”
Surrounded by cameras on all sides, I picked up the chocolate bread.
“Action!”
As I took a large bite of the soft bread, sweet chocolate flavor spread across my tongue.
‘Chocolate really is delicious.’
The moment I took another big bite, thick chocolate cream smudged slightly on the corner of my lips.
‘Oh, what a waste of my cream.’
Instinctively, I extended my tongue and licked away the chocolate cream on my lips.
“Cut!”
‘Oh no.’
I’d made an unscripted mistake, driven purely by instinct.
‘I should have eaten it cleanly without causing an NG.’
“I apologize.”
I quickly bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
A rookie who’d just debuted making a mistake on set—I absolutely had to apologize for this.
I lifted my head to gauge the Director’s reaction, and fortunately, his expression wasn’t unfavorable.
‘Phew.’
“The way you ate the cream that was on your lips just now was incredibly natural.”
‘…?’
“Cha Si-woo, you’re really a rookie, aren’t you? You work well with the camera, and your adaptability is impressive. Your movements are natural and your expressions are great!”
Contrary to my expectations, I received praise instead.
‘I’m grateful he’s someone with flexibility.’
If he’d been a rigid director, I probably would have gotten chewed out for not following the script exactly.
“Thank you for seeing it that way!”
“You photograph well on camera, and there’s something about you—a subtle charm that draws people in. I suppose that’s what being first place in the Survival Competition does for you.”
“You’re too kind. Thank you for the compliment.”
“You’ve got good manners too—you’re going to go far. Since that last scene felt better, I’ll use that version for you instead of what’s in the script.”
“Yes!”
“For the next individual cut, Kang Chan, please.”
My individual shoot wrapped without incident.
‘Commercials aren’t as difficult as I thought?’
Getting praised by the director on my first CF ever—I suspected my high Charisma stat had something to do with it.
“Cut! Again!”
“I’m sorry.”
For reference, Kang Chan was essentially a human robot.
‘It’s fascinating. How can someone eat bread so stiffly?’
While everyone else watched in shock, Kang Chan continued to produce NG after NG.
‘Kang Chan really isn’t cut out for acting, is he?’
Whether from sheer nervousness or not, the creaking, robotic Kang Chan ended up with fifty NGs.
Even the initially patient Director eventually lost his temper as the NGs kept piling up.
Kang Chan had no choice but to finish the shoot moving awkwardly, like a robot.
‘I’m curious how the commercial will turn out.’
“Next is Yoo Ho-seung.”
Yoo Ho-seung’s facial expressions were truly an art form, befitting a future actor.
“Wow~ Yoo Ho-seung, you’re a natural entertainer!”
The tense atmosphere on set brightened again thanks to Yoo Ho-seung.
“Thank you!”
With the temperature clearly divided between the shoots, the final cut was a scene of the members exchanging bread and laughing together.
“Please express the happiness of eating such delicious bread—as if you’re about to float away!”
‘How am I supposed to do that?’
“Understood.”
“…Yes!”
My teammates, doing their best to respond, paired up two by two and stuffed bread into each other’s mouths.
For reference, my partner was Kang Chan.
“Cut! Again!”
As several NGs continued in succession, I felt like my stomach might burst.
‘Just how many pieces of bread have I eaten…?’
“…Sorry.”
Kang Chan’s voice, spoken with an expressionless face, lacked its usual strength.
‘This guy—I’ve never seen him look so dejected before.’
“Chan.”
“Hm?”
“Everyone’s good at different things. So don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“Thanks.”
“And if acting feels too difficult, try thinking of this place not as a filming location, but as just us hanging out together.”
“…?”
“We’re not doing this to show anyone else—we’re really just sharing bread in our dormitory together. Maybe that’ll help you feel a little more at ease.”
“I’ll try thinking of it that way.”
As Kang Chan and I exchanged words, the Director called out.
“Action!”
Clack—
With the sound of the slate snapping down, filming resumed.
Watching my teammates feed bread to each other, I opened my mouth.
“Chan. Give me just one bite.”
If the NGs continued like this, my stomach would burst, so without thinking, I delivered a line born from pure survival instinct.
Kang Chan’s eyes widened, and then he let out a soft laugh.
“Sure.”
The strawberry aroma spread first as the bread pushed into my mouth.
‘It’s sweet.’
“Now you try a bite of mine.”
Of course, I also stuffed bread into Kang Chan’s mouth.
“Okay! Cut!”
Applause erupted from all around the filming location.
“That moment where you were feeding each other looked really heartwarming and nice.”
“Thank you!”
“We’ll wrap up today’s commercial shoot here. Lusbo, everyone worked hard.”
At last, our first proper commercial shoot—aside from that survival competition advertisement we’d practically been forced into—had come to an end.
Breadcrumbs remained scattered distinctly across my hands.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————