The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol - Chapter 86

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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 86
“Hello, everyone!”
“We just wrapped up an interview and have come to the Company’s Music Studio!”
“It’s to create our own original song for our upcoming debut!”
“I wonder if the Company staff will like the song we’ve created?”
It seemed the team members had grown fond of the self-produced content.
They were actively filming everywhere—in the vehicles during transit, in every space where they could breathe.
‘At least we won’t have to worry about running out of footage.’
The Music Studio we’d borrowed after requesting it from the Company in advance had cameras installed throughout, thanks to our prior arrangements.
A large desk and mixing console occupied the center of the studio.
“Rua, you’ve already finished the song sketch?”
“Yes. Want to listen to it together?”
“Sure.”
Across dozens of buttons and sliders, the monitor displayed unnamed tracks layered upon each other.
The clear melody I’d heard at dawn began to resonate once more through the studio speakers.
Notes were added one by one to match the sounds of nature, and Rua’s guide vocal filled the studio.
The wind speaks to me first
Today feels somehow different
I check my clothes once more
Before stepping out, my eyes meet mine in the mirror
The word “beginning” came to mind instantly, and a fresh, vivid feeling washed over me intensely.
An unfamiliar excitement
And so my heart begins to beat a little faster
Because it’s a beginning
Everything in the world seems special
The freshness unique to a debut song and the message of a new start resonated deeply in my chest.
‘This song is worth listening to again.’
“I tried to maximize our target fresh concept as much as possible. How is it?”
The team members’ eyes widened in surprise, and they exchanged glances with each other.
“Wow… I’ve always felt this about Rua, but you’re truly a genius?”
Kim Sun-yu was the first to speak.
“You really made this yourself?”
“Of course.”
“Honestly, the song is just too excellent?”
“I really hope our debut song is one that you created, Rua!”
As praise poured in, Rua eventually broke into a grin, teeth showing.
‘I’m glad everyone loves this song.’
Honestly, compared to the song the Division Director had marked, Rua’s composition was a hundred times better.
“Thanks! Since this is still just a sketch, I’m thinking of adding a few more things. Do you have any suggestions?”
“It already sounds so good that I don’t think there’s anything else to add?”
“That’s right. It’s perfect.”
The members responded enthusiastically as well.
“Still, I’m not very knowledgeable about the rap section, so I’d like to hear Kang Chan and Seo Ha-yul’s opinions.”
“First, the verse section fits well with the song, so it sounds good.”
“But I think it would be even better if we made the hook a bit more addictive.”
“Okay. I’ll work on making the hook more catchy.”
Since this was our debut track, the song work proceeded with everyone actively contributing their opinions.
Rua tapped the equipment several times whenever he heard feedback.
What was remarkable was that each time he pressed a button, an even more refined version of the song flowed through the Music Studio speakers.
‘So that’s why he usually arranges songs so quickly.’
“Rua, how do you modify songs so fast?”
“Times have changed, you know. All you need to do is press a few buttons.”
Even so, the speed was unreasonable.
“Do song productions usually finish this quickly?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t know anyone who makes songs, so I can’t really say.”
“Still, I can tell this is on another level entirely.”
The talent of a genius truly was different.
“Rua, could I see the sketched sheet music?”
“There’s no sheet music.”
“Pardon…?”
“It’s all in my head. If you want, I can draw it out right now.”
Silence filled the Music Studio for a moment.
It was the perfect confirmation that made it impossible to deny Rua’s genius.
‘Why is someone like this even an idol?’
“Wow… this doesn’t make sense.”
“Hyung, this isn’t a dream, right?”
Watching the members’ dumbfounded reactions, Rua laughed heartily and continued working on the song.
“I’ve got the basic flow down, and now the lyrics are the issue.”
“The lyrics?”
“Yeah. Since we’re making it together anyway, I think it’d be better if we wrote them ourselves with our own story in them.”
He was clearly committed to the team’s direction as a Self-Producing Idol Group.
“Then should we all write lyrics together to match Rua’s song like he suggested?”
At Kim Sun-yu’s suggestion, everyone quickly nodded in agreement.
“Sounds good!”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Since Rua put so much effort into this song, I’ll give it my all.”
“Good.”
I grabbed paper and a pen and headed to the corner of the Music Studio.
The Company seemed serious about self-produced content.
Cameras were installed at every corner.
‘Since these kids are working so hard, I need to put in more effort too.’
“Everyone, we’re currently creating the lyrics for our self-produced song ourselves.”
I picked up the camera and zoomed in on each member one by one.
“I’m really curious what kind of lyrics will come out. Let me focus too!”
After capturing all the members, I lowered the camera and stood before a blank sheet of paper.
‘Every time I see a blank page, I never know where to start.’
Since the song was refreshing in tone, the lyrics needed to be crisp and youthful.
‘What kind of words would the fans enjoy?’
Inside the Music Studio, only the sound of the pen tip gliding across the white paper echoed.
The subtle friction of ink seeping into the page filled the quiet space as time flowed slowly.
☆☆☆
As I pushed through the densely packed schedule, a week had already passed in a flash.
Finally, the decisive day I’d promised the Division Director had arrived.
We gathered once more in the Company Conference Room.
‘They’ve already made all their preparations.’
The Conference Room was equipped with cameras set up throughout for the self-produced content shoot.
On the table, materials about the song the Division Director had marked were piled high like a mountain.
The Division Director’s strong resolve to push their choice all the way through was palpable from the sheer thickness of the documents alone.
‘That’s not going to happen.’
About thirty minutes after we sat down, the Division Director and Director entered together.
“Hello!”
I stood up and quickly bowed deeply to both of them.
“Lusbo, it’s been a while.”
“How’s the new song preparation going?”
“Great!”
“I’m curious to see what kind of amazing song you’ve prepared in just one week.”
“Exactly. I’m not sure if a rookie who just debuted can beat a professional’s song.”
Unlike before, there was a hint of sarcasm mixed into their voice.
‘Well, that’s what I expected.’
I pulled out my professional smile.
“I’m confident—you’ll definitely love the song.”
The air in the Conference Room stiffened subtly.
The Division Director sat deep in his chair with his arms crossed, while the Director glanced at his watch and nodded indifferently.
Their lack of expectation was written all over their bodies.
“Since you’re so confident, shall we listen right away?”
“Yes!”
Meetings are best conducted swiftly and decisively.
I played Rua’s song, which we’d already recorded with guide vocals.
A captivating instrumental flowed through the speakers.
“…!”
As the crystalline piano melody layered itself note by note in harmony with the sounds of nature, the Staff Members’ expressions shifted noticeably.
‘Not bad, is it?’
Though I hadn’t composed the song myself, my shoulders lifted with pride nonetheless.
Once the intro concluded and the song flowed in earnest, the Division Director and Director’s expressions transformed simultaneously.
The Division Director’s furrowed brow smoothed, and his previously closed eyes opened fully.
He uncrossed his arms and began tapping the table lightly with his fingertips.
The Director, who had been carefully controlling his expression, gradually tilted his head toward the speaker.
The moment the chorus exploded, both men’s eyes widened dramatically.
‘Just as I thought—this song’s real hook is the chorus.’
After roughly four minutes, the song ended.
A brief silence fell over the Conference Room.
The Division Director cleared his throat and straightened his posture; the Director set down his pen.
No words were spoken, but their expressions said everything.
The self-composed track we hadn’t expected much from was, undeniably, exceptional enough for anyone to appreciate.
“How did you find the song Rua composed?”
Kim Sun-yu, living up to his role as team leader, spoke first.
“Ahem…”
“Hmm…”
The two men swallowed their words several times over.
“It’s good, right? You agree?”
Pressed by Rua’s urging, they finally spoke.
“To be honest, it’s quite good.”
“The impact is strong. I’m impressed.”
“…!”
“Does that mean…?”
The Division Director exhaled and nodded.
“Lusbo’s debut track will proceed with this song.”
“Yes!”
“Really?”
Watching the members rise from their seats in joy, the Division Director laughed heartily.
“Yes. You’ve won. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to beat the professionals.”
“To produce such an incredible song in that short timeframe is remarkable.”
‘Phew… thank goodness.’
I’d avoided the disaster of debuting with a failed song.
More importantly, it was fortunate that the Division Director and Director weren’t the type to cling stubbornly to their own opinions.
‘It’s refreshing to work with straightforward people.’
“We’re officially confirming that Lusbo’s debut track will be the song composed by Rua.”
The Staff Members added their voices to the Division Director’s confirmation.
“Rua, you really know how to compose songs.”
“Lusbo can move forward with a self-producing idol group image from here on out.”
Thanks to the song, the team’s direction naturally settled on becoming a Self-Producing Idol Group.
“By the way, what’s the title of the song?”
The Division Director asked, his expression noticeably brighter.
“It’s ‘First Hello’—a greeting we’re offering to fans we’re meeting for the first time.”
“It’s a title that suits the song’s atmosphere and lyrics perfectly.”
Thanks to the song, the meeting continued in a warm atmosphere, unlike how it had started.
“Since a quick debut is crucial, let’s finalize the rest promptly.”
“Yes.”
After that, starting with minor details, the music video shooting schedule and debut song release date were confirmed.
The debut song would be released on September 8th—exactly one month away.
‘The schedule is going to be incredibly tight.’
I could see a grueling sprint ahead, but there was no way to postpone it further.
‘Debuting in early September is already late if we’re aiming for a rookie award at year-end.’
Only after discussing teasers, pre-release videos, self-produced content, and subsequent schedules did the entire meeting finally end.
☆☆☆
Because of the tight debut timeline, an endless stream of insane schedules followed one after another.
‘Getting four hours of sleep a day would be a blessing.’
Knowing how crucial a debut song is for an idol, the Company had temporarily halted other broadcast appearances and advertisements.
‘But that doesn’t mean I get any rest.’
There was only one song, yet mountains of things needed to be prepared.
Among them, the most important was undoubtedly vocal and dance practice.
The problem was that the schedule was even more brutal than during the Survival Program, and fatigue had already accumulated to its limit.
‘System.’
[Yes?]
‘Show me my stat window.’
Ding.
[Stat Window]
Cha Si-woo (20)
Appearance: A-
Singing: B+
Dancing: B-
Charisma: B+
Stamina: B+
Ability: ???
Status: Paparazzi who regressed five years into the past.
Fatigue: 50
‘My fatigue has already accumulated to 50.’
Even after the idol Audition Survival Program ended, I hadn’t gotten a single day of proper rest.
High fatigue was, in a sense, inevitable.
‘The real problem is that with so little time left until debut, I can’t rest at all.’
If my fatigue continues to accumulate at this rate, I’ll inevitably find myself in a situation where I have no choice but to take out another loan.
The thought of the penalties I’d have to endure sent chills down my spine.
That’s not an option.
I had no intention of creating a situation where I’d face penalties again.
I’ll use the gacha I received as a reward.
At this point, the random gacha is the only thing I can trust.

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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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