The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 10
Chapter 10
“Will all A-rank trainees please come up onto the stage right now?”
The fifteen A-rank trainees all climbed onto the stage at once.
Following the staff’s instructions, the A-rank trainees lined up at regular intervals along one side of the wall where a giant screen was installed.
“Oh ho. Maybe it’s because they’re A-rank trainees, but they definitely give off a different aura.”
Looking at the trainees, Yoo Haein smiled with satisfaction.
“Then we’ll begin the theme song midterm evaluation stage. First up, trainee Kim Sunyoo, please come forward.”
Kim Sunyoo casually stepped out from among the A-rank trainees.
Stopping at the center of the stage where the cameras were concentrated, he bowed toward the judges.
“Hello. I’m Kim Sunyoo, a 23-year-old trainee from Starlight Entertainment.”
The judges smiled along with Kim Sunyoo’s gentle smile.
“Our model student is here?”
“Wow~ Choreographer, are you showing favoritism to Kim Sunyoo right now?”
“Honestly, he really is a model student.”
“Kim Sunyoo is already so good that my expectations are incredibly high.”
Even under the sparkling gazes of the judges, Kim Sunyoo maintained a confident smile.
“Thank you.”
Maybe because he was an experienced idol, but he definitely radiated composure.
“Then let’s see Kim Sunyoo’s theme song performance.”
“Yes!”
Doo-dung, doo-doo-dung.
The instrumental for the theme song ‘Cheer Me On’ flowed through the speakers and echoed throughout the studio.
Without hesitation, Kim Sunyoo stepped closer to the camera.
—
I’m going to tempt you,
Every moment is filled with you
—
His blazing gaze didn’t waver in the slightest.
—
Even after this night passes, I’ll only look at you
I’ll give you everything I have, so choose me
—
Despite the countless eyes watching him, he remained unfazed and danced with the ease of a seasoned professional.
—
A little deeper, together with you,
I hope this moment lasts forever
—
Finally, the difficult highlight dance section arrived.
—
Like a dream, feel your breath
—
As Kim Sunyoo executed the movements perfectly and smiled toward the judges’ table, short gasps escaped from all around the room.
His performance could be summed up in one sentence:
It was the textbook definition of ‘Cheer Me On’.
Clean, flawless, and lacking nothing.
‘As expected, experienced professionals really are different wherever you go.’
Clap. Clap. Clap.
As the instrumental ended, applause bordering on reverence filled the studio.
I also looked toward the camera with its red recording light on and clapped as enthusiastically as possible while maintaining my professional social smile.
‘Wouldn’t want to get dragged into a controversy over my attitude.’
Because of the system, I didn’t know who the eventual debut members of ‘Star Picking 5’ would be.
But one thing I was certain about:
‘Unless something major happens, Kim Sunyoo is definitely debuting.’
“Amazing.”
“He’s seriously good.”
“Wow! I got goosebumps.”
The scattered exclamations only died down once a judge picked up a microphone.
“Kim Sunyoo.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve completely fallen for you.”
“Me too. You’re really good.”
As endless praise poured from the judges, Park Chae-\young picked up her microphone.
“I’m a little disappointed, though. How should I put it… The singing feels too textbook. Technically, it was excellent, but I don’t feel any emotion. I’d like to see more expression.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Even after receiving the vocal judge’s sharp criticism, Kim Sunyoo continued smiling calmly.
‘His mentality is strong too.’
“Based on the evaluation, Kim Sunyoo remains A-rank.”
“Thank you!”
As Kim Sunyoo returned to the wall with the screen, Yoo Hae-in lifted her cue card.
“Thank you for showing us Kim Sunyoo’s outstanding skills. Next, trainee Kang Chan, please come forward.”
“Yes!”
A deep, concise reply echoed through the studio.
A trainee with a tall frame, tanned skin, and a solid, muscular physique stepped forward confidently.
Even though he wore the standard school uniform, his broad shoulders and imposing build stood out immediately.
The masculine trainee, with sharp eyes and strong facial features, stopped in front of the camera at the center of the stage.
“Hello. I’m Kang Chan, a 20-year-old trainee from Beat & Wave Entertainment.”
His low voice carried the distinct accent of the Gyeongsang region.
“Oh! Kang Chan, your voice and accent are really charming.”
“I’ve been wanting to ask since last time… where are you from?”
“Busan.”
“Oho~ A Busan guy!”
The dance trainer hurriedly grabbed a microphone.
“Wait, are you that famous dancer from Gwangalli…?! That guy, right?”
The expressionless Kang Chan carefully nodded.
“Yes.”
“…The one with two million subscribers on GyuTube!”
The studio stirred once again at the appearance of the famous Gwangalli dancer whose videos racked up massive view counts.
‘Wait a second. If he has two million subscribers, doesn’t that mean he already has an insane fanbase?’
“Wow~ You always wore a hat in your videos, so I wasn’t sure, but seeing your build, I can tell now.”
“With a face that handsome, why did you hide it under a hat while dancing?”
Kang Chan’s ears turned slightly red as he rubbed the back of his head.
“I get embarrassed when people stare directly at my face. I wanted people to focus only on my dancing.”
“That’s cool. Between singing and rapping, you’re aiming for the rapper position, right?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t wait. Let’s begin your theme song performance.”
As the familiar instrumental began, Kang Chan’s serious expression transformed instantly.
His powerful dance, combined with an intense gaze, was enough to seize everyone’s attention at once.
‘Even when it’s the same choreography, it can feel this different?’
Honestly, it was shocking.
His fluid movements looked as though he had been born solely to dance.
Watching his dance lines felt like watching a work of art.
‘Hey, System.’
[Yes?]
‘Show me Kang Chan’s status window.’
Ding.
—
[Status Window]
Kang Chan (20)
‘ Appearance: B+
‘ Singing (Rap): C-
‘ Dance: A+
‘ Star Quality: C
‘ Stamina: B+
‘ Ability: ???
‘ Traits: Gwangalli dancer with 2 million GyuTube subscribers
—
I had already thought his dancing was exceptional, but this was my first time seeing an A+ dance stat.
Everything, from his rhythm to every tiny detail in his lines, felt incredibly crisp and satisfying.
‘So this is how good you have to be at dancing to become an idol.’
There was a strange charm in his living, breathing dance lines that drew people into a trance.
Thinking back to my own stiff, robotic dancing up until now, I couldn’t help shaking my head.
‘I’ve still got a long way to go.’
His rhythmic rap flowed smoothly with the beat, and his low voice gave it a unique appeal.
‘His rap isn’t as good as Seo Hayul’s, but his voice is great. More importantly, his dancing is so good that it covers everything else.’
When Kang Chan’s performance finally ended, applause erupted throughout the studio once again.
“Wow! That dance was insane!!!”
“Honestly, that’s not trainee-level dancing.”
“The feeling when he dances is really different. His ability to convey emotion is incredible!”
Amid the judges’ praise, Kang Chan shyly scratched the back of his head.
Park Chaeyoung, the vocal judge, picked up her microphone.
“Your dancing is better than many active idols. But you know your rap still needs work, right?”
“Yes! I’ll work harder!”
Satisfied with his spirited answer, the judges began discussing among themselves.
Finally, Park Chaeyoung raised her microphone again.
“Kang Chan.”
“Yes!”
“The result is…”
After a brief pause, Park Chaeyoung broke into a bright smile.
“A-rank. There probably isn’t anyone here who dances better than you.”
“Thank you!”
Smiling faintly, Kang Chan bowed respectfully toward the judges.
After Kang Chan returned to the wall with the screen, the evaluations continued as the remaining A-rank trainees were called one by one.
“Did you really practice? Jin Younghoon, you’re C-rank.”
“Hm, your singing was a little disappointing. Lee Jinsoo, you’re B-rank.”
While some trainees maintained their A-rank status, quite a few dropped in rank.
‘The rank changes are more drastic than I expected.’
“Lastly, trainee Rua, please come forward.”
“Yes.”
At last, the final A-rank trainee was called.
A trainee with flowing golden hair reaching his shoulders walked toward the center stage like a runway model.
‘So foreigners are participating too.’
Beneath long eyelashes, blue eyes sparkled like the sea.
The appearance of the handsome foreign trainee, with his high nose bridge and striking features, caused another stir throughout the studio.
“Wow. For a second, I thought a prince from a fairy tale was walking toward us.”
“It’s not just me, right? Every time Rua appears, I swear I can see a white horse behind him.”
“The visuals of this season’s ‘Star Picking 5’ trainees are on another level.”
At the judges’ blatant compliments about his appearance, Rua flashed a broad smile that revealed perfectly white teeth.
“Thank you.”
He looked like someone who was already used to being told he was handsome.
‘Well, with looks like that, he must hear it all the time.’
“By the way, Rua, where are you from? I’ve been curious. England? Sweden? Denmark?”
“My nationality is the Republic of Korea, Seoul.”
“…?”
“What?”
Everyone looked puzzled.
Rua’s appearance practically screamed ‘foreigner’ from every genetic angle possible.
“You were born in Seoul?”
Raising the corners of his lips, Rua smiled like an easygoing gentleman.
“Yes. My mother is Korean, and my father is Danish.”
“Ahh~”
“No wonder your Korean is so good.”
“You must have inherited your father’s genes strongly.”
The judges nodded and smiled warmly before lifting a microphone.
“Then let’s begin Rua’s theme song evaluation stage.”
The theme song that I had heard hundreds… no, thousands. of times by now flowed through the speakers.
Moving naturally with the rhythm, Rua’s golden hair began swaying.
From the very first line, a refreshing yet gentle voice emerged.
Combined with his smooth dance lines, it felt as though a fairy-tale prince had come to life.
His clean vocals and natural facial expressions made him stand out even more.
Before anyone realized it, the one-minute performance was over, and the instrumental stopped.
Rua exhaled slightly.
Mesmerized murmurs spread among the trainees.
“Wow! He’s practically born to be a celebrity.”
“A trainee who can even handle facial expressions this well? That’s amazing.”
‘Hey, System!’
[Mr. Cha Siwoo, you’re calling me a lot today.]
‘That happens sometimes. Show me Rua’s status window.’
[Understood.]
Ding.
—
[Status Window]
Rua (23)
‘ Appearance: B+
‘ Singing: B
‘ Dance: B-
‘ Star Quality: B
‘ Stamina: C-
‘ Ability: ???
Traits: Mixed-race Korean with prince-like visuals
—
‘A-rank trainees really are different. His average stats are high across the board. He’s way beyond normal trainee level.’
Praise poured from the judges’ table.
“This season of ‘Star Picking 5’ is definitely higher quality than last year’s!”
“I knew you were good during practice, but you’re still exceeding expectations.”
“Rua, you’re A-rank.”
“Thank you.”
With Rua, the final performer, the A-rank evaluations came to an end.
‘The A-rank trainees are definitely good overall.’
A few of them already showed the qualities needed to debut.
‘This is making me nervous.’
“Great work, A-rank trainees.”
The A-rank trainees descended from the stage wearing expressions ranging from joy to disappointment.
Following the staff’s instructions, everyone took seats according to their new ranks.
While the crew repaired a piece of malfunctioning equipment, a short break was given.
About twenty minutes later, a staff member climbed onto the stage and shouted:
“We’ll resume filming now. All trainees, please take your seats.”
After confirming that everyone had gathered, the staff member raised a hand and began the countdown.
“Three, two… one.”
Then he lowered one finger and said in a clear, low voice:
“Cue!”
Standing on stage, Yoo Haein naturally lifted her microphone.
“The A-rank trainee performances have now concluded. Compared to previous seasons, there are definitely more highly skilled trainees this time, making things very exciting. Next, will all B-rank trainees please come up onto the stage?”
‘It’s finally my turn to show them.’
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