The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 20

Chapter 20

 

“Wow. Is it wedding season because it’s spring? The wedding business is really booming.”

As always, Miss Park had become a professional wedding guest and pulled an invitation out of her bag.

Even she hadn’t expected to be attending another wedding as a guest at the same wedding hall where an acquaintance’s wedding had been held five days ago.

‘When I saw the address on the invitation, I honestly thought I was seeing things.’

Rumor had it that this venue had practically cornered the wedding market lately, and now she could feel that it was true.

‘That part-timer I saw back then was exactly my type, though.’

Miss Park recalled the part-time worker who had approached like a savior when she accidentally broke a plate.

He had been wearing a mask, but his handsome aura couldn’t be hidden.

His long eyelashes and deep, captivating eyes had nearly sucked her in despite it being their first meeting.

‘I’m sure I’ve seen him somewhere before, but I just can’t figure out where.’

Hoping she might get to see the kind part-timer again today, Miss Park entered Athena Hall.

As expected of a luxury wedding venue, the hall was lavishly decorated with fresh flowers, and every time she saw it, she couldn’t help but be impressed.

The entrance of today’s stars, the bride and groom, who were both attractive and well-matched, was followed by their wedding vows.

Now it was time for the congratulatory song that her old classmate had been boasting about nonstop.

‘They kept bragging that some incredibly famous singer was coming. I wonder who it’ll be?’

“Next, we will move on to the congratulatory performance. To celebrate the future of the newlyweds, a special guest has prepared a song fitting for this meaningful occasion. Please welcome them with a big round of applause.”

Amid the cheers of the audience, a tall young man walked onto the stage.

“…Why is he here?!”

The part-time worker, with his distinct features, long eyelashes, and deep eyes, stopped at one side of the stage.

‘How could I ever forget those eyes?’

“What? You know him?”

“He’s a part-timer I saw a few days ago.”

“Huh?”

Even her friend beside her, who had looked bored a moment ago, suddenly brightened up at the appearance of the handsome man.

Picking up the microphone, the part-timer smiled slightly.

“First of all, it’s truly an honor to be able to sing at such a meaningful occasion.”

His sweet voice flowed through the hall like a whisper in the ear.

“I hope the bride and groom’s future will always be filled with love and laughter, and I’ll sing this song with my heartfelt congratulations.”

Clap. Clap. Clap.

‘A wedding song sung in that voice…!’

No matter what song he chose, it was guaranteed to melt women’s hearts.

‘I absolutely have to record this!’

Watching the part-timer bow at ninety degrees, she quickly picked up her phone.

As the applause died down, a bright, cheerful, lively melody came from the speakers.

…?

Everyone looked at the part-timer with puzzled expressions.

As if answering their confusion, he made a finger heart.

“…Huh?”

Doom-da-da-doom, ping ping ping!

At the completely unexpected song, not only the bride and groom but even the guests’ eyes visibly widened.

As the overly bright and cheerful opening of a familiar children’s cartoon theme song played, the part-timer began swaying to the rhythm.

 

— 

I’m going to become a princess~

Heart Ping, who has fallen for me!!

— 

 

As the princess-themed cartoon song that was hugely popular among children filled the hall, several kids in the audience jumped out of their seats.

“Kyaaaah!”

“Heart Ping Ping Ping!”

“I wanna dance too!”

The children squealed like dolphins.

Smiling brightly, the part-timer performed the dance motions, and the children became even more excited and started dancing along.

Even through the high-pitched highlight section, he sang cleanly and attractively, and the atmosphere in the wedding hall heated up.

Watching the children’s laughter and the guests smiling warmly, the bride and groom finally smiled with satisfaction.

 

— 

Heart Ping, Love Ping Ping Ping!

— 

 

“Wooooah!”

As the part-timer tossed finger hearts in every direction, the reaction was explosive.

When the song reached its ending section, the part-timer looked in her direction.

The moment their eyes met, he winked and shot a finger heart at her.

The camera in her hands shook violently.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

Her heart began pounding wildly.

‘Is this part-timer actually insane?’

When the accompaniment finally ended, applause erupted throughout the hall as if it were a concert venue.

 

☆☆☆

 

“Everyone, did you have a good week?”

Perhaps they couldn’t afford to bring in a top-tier idol every time, because today the producer himself was holding the microphone.

“Yes!”

After safely finishing even the last part-time job, I arrived on time for the Star Picking 5 filming.

Thanks to working nonstop, I no longer had to worry about hospital bills for a while.

‘That wedding performance paid pretty well.’

The bride and groom had been so grateful that they gave me a generous payment.

‘The coordinator even gave me a business card and a bonus.’

The coordinator’s eyes had become much friendlier after telling me to contact him whenever I had time to sing at weddings again.

‘I should give him a call the next time I’m looking for part-time work after filming.’

“Today is a historic day. It’s finally the day Star Picking 5 officially begins broadcasting!”

“Wooooah!”

“Since it’s such a meaningful day, we’ll all be watching Episode 1 together.”

That’s right.

Inside the high-ceilinged auditorium, trainees were seated according to their grades while filming took place.

It was obvious the production staff wanted reaction shots for Episode 1.

A giant screen on the stage displayed the TX channel, currently playing commercials.

“All you have to do is sit comfortably and watch. Enjoy the show!”

Once the producer stepped down from the stage, all the trainees turned their attention toward the screen.

When the commercials ended, the opening showed brief clips of top-tier idols, including Yoo Haein, performing.

[The survival battle of trainees striving to become K-pop idols begins now!]

The subtitles announced that all trainees’ profiles would be uploaded to the website after the broadcast ended.

With TX Net’s trademark narration, footage of a gymnasium in Seoul filmed by a drone appeared.

The camera zoomed into the gymnasium before revealing a trainee clearly on screen.

[Hello. I’m contestant number 1000, Yoo Hoseung.]

The appearance of the most famous contestant in Star Picking 5 caused gasps throughout the auditorium.

‘As expected, if you want attention, the most famous person is always the best bait.’

[No way…!]

The judges were visibly shaken by Yoo Hoseung’s striking looks and confident smile.

[Why is someone so distinguished at this humble audition venue…?]

The screen shifted to Yoo Hoseung’s Dalstagram account alongside provocative captions.

[The child of a celebrity power couple with 10 million followers.]

His Byulstagram was packed with selfies and daily-life photos.

In other words, he had built ten million followers almost entirely through his face and public attention, without any special content.

‘That’s a talent in itself. Pretty impressive.’

As several photos of the genetically blessed Yoo Hoseung appeared, murmurs spread throughout the auditorium.

“Wow, he’s really handsome.”

“He looks exactly like a perfect mix of both his parents.”

“His childhood photos are so cute.”

Watching the cameras with their red recording lights, trainees reacted with a mix of genuine amazement and a desire for screen time.

When I glanced toward the C-grade section, Yoo Hoseung’s ears had turned bright red.

The screen shifted to an interview.

[Q: What made you decide to participate?]

[A: Honestly, becoming an idol has been my dream since childhood. More than anything else, I want to be recognized purely for my skills and stand on stage as an idol.]

‘Hmm.’

The phrase “more than anything else” definitely carried implications that would spark controversy.

‘Still, his publicity value is incredible.’

After the brief interview, the scene returned to the audition hall.

[All right, let’s watch contestant number 1000, Yoo Hoseung’s performance.]

The low tremble of string instruments slowly filled the room.

The screen cut away after showing a judge swallowing nervously.

“Oh~”

“Are they saving the protagonist for last?”

It was obvious the producers intended to milk his popularity for as long as possible.

The perspective shifted to the waiting room filled with trainees.

Trainees wearing large numbered tags waited nervously for their numbers to be called.

[I’m really nervous. But I’ll do well.]

[I practiced a lot. I really hope I pass.]

[I want to become a successful idol just like my famous seniors!]

Footage of ambitious trainees entering the audition room alternated between harsh criticism and praise.

‘Good editing.’

It was the kind of editing that alternated between frustration and satisfaction to keep viewers hooked.

[Hello. I’m contestant number 1805, Rua.]

Rua astonished everyone by bringing a violin and showcasing incredible live performance skills alongside a brilliant violin performance.

‘What the hell even is that guy?’

“Wow. I was really nervous back then, you know?”

Rua, sitting beside me, flashed his cheerful smile and struck up a conversation.

“Ah, I see.”

“Absolutely! When does Mr. Seduction show up? I’m really curious about your audition!”

“…Don’t get your hopes up.”

After receiving lavish praise from the judges, Rua got a respectable amount of screen time.

[Hello. I’m contestant number 1308, Seo Hayul.]

Seo Hayul appeared wearing black clothes and silver accessories dangling everywhere from his gray hair.

‘What is he, some child of darkness?’

To a fast beat, Hayul’s low voice echoed through the hall.

The auditorium erupted at his high-level rap skills.

[…!]

The judges couldn’t close their mouths until he finished rapping.

Even someone like me, who knew nothing about rap, could tell he was ridiculously talented.

[Trainee Seo Hayul is incredibly skilled.]

[He dances on top of the beat so naturally that I got excited just watching.]

[You said he has three years of trainee experience, right? His dance fundamentals are solid, and his rap skills are good enough to release an album immediately.]

‘Exactly. This guy never belonged in E-rank.’

[Thank you!]

Hayul also received a good amount of screen time without any malicious editing.

After several trainees either got eliminated or failed to leave an impression, Kim Sunyoo finally appeared.

[Hello. I’m contestant number 1, Kim Sunyoo.]

[…!]

[Didn’t you already debut as an idol, Kim Sunyoo?]

[That’s right. I debuted five years ago as the youngest member of Luminor Stars.]

The screen switched to brief footage of Luminor Stars’ activities.

Because the group had been involved in a major scandal, all members except Kim Sunyoo were blurred out.

[Then why are you here…?]

Kim Sunyoo gave the confused judge a lonely smile.

[I still want to stand on stage.]

He pulled out an old pair of in-ear monitors from his pocket.

[I still can’t throw these away. Every day, I imagine myself standing on stage again.]

Clearly receiving the producer’s favor, Kim Sunyoo’s story was edited into an emotional narrative.

[I think this is my last chance. I want to challenge myself to become an idol one more time. I joined this audition because I want to do my best without leaving any regrets behind.]

One of the judges was so moved that they shed tears.

‘They edited that well.’

[Let’s see Kim Sunyoo’s performance.]

With a perfect storyline and polished singing and dancing skills, Kim Sunyoo received the most screen time in Episode 1.

As the episode neared its end, Yoo Hoseung, the trainee shown in the very first scene, appeared again.

After finishing a performance that felt rather underwhelming compared to all the hype, Episode 1 moved into its closing remarks.

“Starting today, the profiles of all trainees appearing in Star Picking 5 will be available on the official TX Net website. We ask for your continued support and interest!”

After the closing music played, the screen changed.

‘…What about me?’

It was honestly surprising that I hadn’t appeared even once throughout the entire episode.

‘Wasn’t singing the national anthem a pretty unique move?’

At that moment, the darkened screen began playing the preview for Episode 2.

[Hello. I’m contestant number 2031, Cha Siwoo.]

 

☆☆☆