The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 18

Chapter 18

 

“…Huh?”

Rua approached with a bright smile, his glossy blond hair swaying.

“…”

Hearing that nickname directly was a lot more damaging than I had expected.

‘Is he messing with me?’

The fact that he looked completely innocent made it even more confusing.

“Pfft… Hahahahaha.”

Seo Hayul, who was getting his makeup done in the seat beside me, was laughing so hard he was practically wheezing.

‘These bastards.’

Looking toward the camera with its recording light on, I forced a professional smile onto my face.

“It’s a nickname I don’t deserve. Don’t you think?”

“Really? I think it suits you.”

Seeing Rua answer with clear, innocent eyes made the corners of my mouth twitch.

“Is that so, Your Highness?”

“Of course.”

Rua’s expression remained completely unaffected, his eyes as bright as ever.

‘What even is this?’

After shifting my target to Seo Hayul, who was now laughing so hard tears were forming in his eyes, we ended up debating whether he was more of a decadent pretty-boy or a cat before the official press conference finally began.

In truth, there were only two things trainees could do at a press conference when hardly any information had been revealed yet.

Smile endlessly at the cameras.

And perform the theme song stage.

Click. Click.

Countless camera shutters rained down upon us as we stood on stage like decorative folding screens.

For trainees experiencing such relentless flashes for the first time, it was common to instinctively squint or close their eyes.

“Hyung.”

“Yeah, Hayul-nyang?”

One of the trainees, struggling to adapt, Seo Hayul, replied in a small voice.

“Please just call me a decadent guy instead…”

“You suit a cat better.”

“I do not. How can you say something so cruel to a healthy eighteen-year-old young man?”

“What can I do if it’s true?”

“By the way, how can you stare into those blinding cameras without even blinking?”

‘Try working as a paparazzo. This level of flash assault is nothing.’

“You just… get used to it after seeing it enough.”

“Huh?”

“Hayul. Don’t let your mind wander right now. Keep your eyes open and keep smiling. The pictures need to come out nicely.”

“Yes, sir.”

While maintaining my professional smile, the producer’s formal presentation concluded shortly afterward.

As soon as the Q&A session began, reporters shot their hands into the air like predators spotting prey.

What followed was a lengthy period of listening to the production staff spew nonsense.

“I’m reporter Kim Taehyun from Yurak Daily. Many expected the Star Picking series to be canceled after last year’s rigging controversy. Why continue with Star Picking 5?”

‘Oh? Kim Taehyun. Long time no see.’

Back when I was a paparazzo, he had been one of my regular contacts because I liked his straightforward personality.

‘Five years ago, he was still a rookie. Looks a lot fresher and more passionate.’

The producer seemed to have anticipated the question and confidently picked up the microphone.

“My mission is to discover outstanding trainees and create the best possible idol group.”

…?

“Although there were unfortunate incidents last year, Star Picking 5 will be reborn! We will support the trainees’ dreams without any rigging or controversy, and provide both inspiration and entertainment for viewers.”

‘There was already an assault incident at the filming set.’

The Harmony Entertainment trainee assault incident during the theme song shoot had been quietly swept under the rug due to pressure from a major agency and concerns about broadcasting controversies.

‘At least I put a leash on them.’

The trainees remained silent because of the unfair confidentiality agreements they had signed when applying, and perhaps because of the leverage I held, the production staff had become noticeably friendlier toward trainees.

‘Having a ticking bomb sitting there and still answering so shamelessly.’

Honestly, the producer’s confidence was absurd.

‘I should recommend acting as a career path.’

“I’m reporter Han Jiyoung from Gugu Daily. The song featured on TX Net’s Show Music yesterday is receiving a very positive response. What do you think is the reason?”

This time, instead of the producer, a writer picked up the microphone.

“I believe it’s the synergy created by a great song and outstanding trainees. The track is available on all major platforms, so we hope everyone continues to show it lots of love and support.”

As the writer lowered the microphone, countless reporters immediately raised their hands again.

When a staff member handed over the microphone, a reporter wearing glasses quickly reached out and grabbed it.

“I’m reporter Gu Hansol from CD Daily. Information about most of the trainees hasn’t been revealed yet. When will viewers be able to learn about them?”

“The trainees’ profiles will be released on the first broadcast day. Afterward, one-minute self-introduction videos, PR videos, challenges, and various other content will be uploaded to TX Entertainment’s official GyuTube channel.”

After roughly an hour of questions and answers, the press conference quickly moved toward its conclusion.

“What’s the center trainee’s name?”

“You’ll find out on the first broadcast.”

“What motivated already-debuted trainees to participate, and how is that fair?”

“Please watch the show to find out.”

“How many trainees will debut in the end?”

“Please tune in to the broadcast!”

The answer to everything was simple:

Watch the show.

After the final question ended, we followed the staff’s instructions and moved to center stage.

I took my place at the very front according to the formation for the theme song Cheer Me On.

As countless eyes focused on me all at once, something stirred deep inside my chest.

Like a child discovering a brand-new toy, a burning excitement rose together with curiosity.

‘This is more fun than I expected.’

The fact that this was my first time standing before a live audience made my heart pound wildly.

As the familiar instrumental of Cheer Me On began playing, my body moved naturally.

 

— 

I’ll seduce you

— 

 

“…!”

Click. Click.

The dazzling flashes and the reporters’ enthusiastic reactions made three and a half minutes pass in an instant.

Holding the ending pose while facing the cameras, I finally bowed at a perfect ninety degrees as the music ended.

“Please make us idols with your own hands, National Directors! We ask for your support, your votes, and your viewership!”

With that predetermined closing line, the press conference ended smoothly without any major incidents.

 

☆☆☆

 

The moment the press conference ended, articles began pouring out even faster.

Following the staff’s guidance, I returned to the dormitory and quickly packed my belongings.

With one week remaining until the first broadcast, we had been given free time during the break period.

“All trainees should gather again on the day of the first broadcast next week.”

“Yes!”

At last, there was a temporary release from the cramped Room 207.

After the production staff left, I was putting the last of my things into my bag when…

“Siwoo hyung.”

“Yeah?”

“What are you planning to do during this week?”

“Not sure.”

‘Once I get home, I’m sleeping first.’

The accumulated fatigue made it feel as though needles were stabbing every part of my body.

‘My head’s spinning, and the muscle pain is no joke either.’

I forced my body upright despite feeling like I could collapse at any moment.

Lifting my small travel bag, I looked at Seo Hayul.

“I’m going to rest first. My body’s pretty sore.”

“Ah. If it’s okay with you, would you like to practice with us at our agency’s training room?”

‘I was actually wondering where I’d practice during the week.’

“Sure, I’d lo–”

Bzzzt. Bzzzt.

The phone in my pocket suddenly vibrated intensely.

When I pulled it out, the screen displayed:

[Minhan General Hospital]

“Hayul, give me a second.”

‘What happened?’

Trying to calm my racing heart, I pressed the call button.

“Hello?”

[Hello. This is Minhan General Hospital. Are you the guardian of patient Cha Sihyeon?]

My heart dropped.

At the same time, it began pounding even faster.

“Yes. That’s correct.”

The only thing I could hear was the pounding of my heartbeat echoing inside my ears.

“…Did something happen?”

[The patient is fine. We’re calling today regarding the hospital fees. You haven’t completed the interim payment recently.]

“Ah… I’m sorry. I’ve been busy lately and completely forgot.”

I had been so overwhelmed lately that I’d forgotten all about the payment.

‘Am I insane? Of all things to forget.’

Guilt washed over me, and my head lowered automatically.

[That can happen. Please settle 3.5 million won by tomorrow.]

A day in the intensive care unit costs 150,000 won.

Adding the ventilator rental fees, non-covered medications, and medical equipment expenses, the amount made sense even though twenty days hadn’t yet passed.

‘Fuck. How much do I have in my account right now?’

“…Understood.”

[Thank you.]

“No, thank you.”

The moment the call ended, I immediately opened my banking app.

‘How much had I saved around this time again?’

[0401]

Entering the familiar password, the screen changed.

3,321,600 won

“…Fuck.”

A headache hit the moment I saw the shortfall.

Looking at the sunset shining through the window made it feel all too real how little time remained.

‘First, put out the immediate fire. I need to work right now.’

I needed to earn at least another 180,000 won by tomorrow afternoon.

“Hayul, sorry, but I don’t think I can practice with you. I need to work a part-time job.”

“…A part-time job?”

“Yeah. Let’s do it next time! Hyung’s heading out first!”

 

☆☆☆

 

The sharp sounds of machinery echoed as countless packages streamed along the conveyor belts.

B-21

That was the number of the section I was assigned to today.

The sealed warehouse was filled only with the mechanical rumble of conveyor belts and the sounds of packages being moved.

The work intensity was high, but it was still one of the few jobs available on short notice.

‘Night shifts come with extra pay.’

From 9 PM until 6 AM, I forced my drooping eyes open while performing the repetitive labor.

Thankfully, because the workload was infamous for being brutal, there happened to be vacancies for temporary workers.

They were hiring the same day.

Today’s wages would be enough to cover the urgent hospital bill.

‘The real problem is the future hospital bills.’

The reality was that I wouldn’t be able to earn money while remaining on Star Picking 5.

‘If my debut becomes certain, I could probably pull in a signing bonus. The problem is before that.’

The show was only just beginning, which meant there was still a long way to go before its debut.

For now, the only option was to make as much money as possible whenever there was downtime.

‘I can’t get a loan, and I don’t have any savings either.’

Lost in thought, I reached for another package.

Drip. Drip drip.

Drops of blood suddenly splattered across the box.

“What the…?”

Feeling a hot liquid running from my nose down to my chin, I instinctively reached beneath my nose.

Warmth spread across my hand, and the metallic smell of blood filled my nostrils.

What had started as a few drops soon became a steady stream.

‘Can a person really bleed this much?’

My body stiffened.

My heart rate skyrocketed.

My breathing became shallow, and both hands started trembling.

After finishing this warehouse shift, I was supposed to head to an event staff job I had found on the local marketplace app.

‘Fuck. I don’t have time for this. I can’t get sick here.’

Stuffing tissues into my nose, I continued working, but a headache surged through me, and my vision began to blur.

By the time two boxes looked like four…

Ding.

Along with the familiar notification sound, a bright red window appeared instead of the usual translucent blue one.

[(Warning) The participant’s body has reached its limit.]