The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol – Chapter 36

Author: Cireng

Chapter 36

The music announcing the opening ceremony rang out.

The synthesizers surged like an explosion, and the EDM rhythm burst forth alongside the giant screens.

“Hello, trainees. At last, we will begin the first ranking announcement ceremony of Star Picking 5!”

Unlike Yoo Haein’s cheerful voice, the trainees’ faces were filled with tension.

On the stage, chairs of various kinds had been arranged in a pyramid formation.

Large numbers were attached above each chair.

“As you can see, each chair has a number on it. When your rank is announced, please sit in the chair corresponding to your ranking.”

The chair marked with a ‘1’ at the very top looked more like a throne.

Black velvet embroidered with golden threads draped over it, and a dragon was carved sharply into the backrest.

At a glance, it radiated luxury.

The lower the rank, the poorer the chairs became.

In the section marked ’36–50′, bright red plastic chairs were lined up.

They were the same familiar chairs I often saw outside convenience stores.

Honestly, dividing chairs according to rank was an incredibly childish concept, but it suited a survival show.

“And trainees who fail to enter the Top 50 will no longer have a seat. That means elimination, and you will be asked to leave the filming site.”

“Ah…”

“That’s so cruel…”

Sighs and groans erupted from all around.

The trainees’ expressions darkened further as they looked toward Yoo Haein, unable to hide their mixture of anxiety and hope.

“We will now begin the first ranking announcement based on the combined scores from the judges’ evaluations, on-site votes, and online voting.”

Thump… thump… thump…

The sound of drums echoed like a heartbeat.

“The first successful trainee is ranked 49th.”

The rhythm accelerated, squeezing at my ears.

The trainees bit their lips or clasped their hands together, barely moving.

In a silence so deep I could hear my own heartbeat, Yoo Haein’s voice rang out.

“Congratulations… It’s trainee Hong Ryuhan!”

At last, the first surviving trainee was called.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Everyone applauded enthusiastically.

Relief mixed with complicated emotions on Hong Ryuhan’s face as he sat in the red convenience-store chair marked ’49’.

“Next is 48th place.”

The music swelled dramatically, and one trainee after another began to be called.

‘When am I going to be called?’

It felt as though a heavy stone was resting on my chest.

Countless thoughts tangled together in my head.

The thought of dying if I failed to enter the Top 10 made my heart race.

Anxiety slowly spread through me.

‘Please… let me make it into the Top 10.’

The judges had given us high scores, but the uncertainty of online votes churned inside me like a violent storm.

“Next is the trainee ranked 19th. A charming trainee who captured the hearts of the National Directors with his outstanding rap skills.”

Someone diagonally across from me visibly flinched.

“Congratulations. It’s trainee Seo Hayul!”

Seo Hayul lifted the head he’d been keeping lowered.

His eyes were red.

I placed a hand on his shoulder while he stood frozen in place.

Startled back to reality, he widened his eyes.

After exchanging a firm high-five, I ruffled his hair.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Siwoo hyung. I’ll be waiting up there.”

Responding to the congratulations coming from all directions, Seo Hayul sat down in the chair marked ’19’.

‘I was worried, but that’s a relief.’

Hayul had received an E-rank during the theme-song evaluation, but fortunately, he secured a good ranking in the first announcement.

The problem was me.

“Next is the trainee ranked 18th. A trainee praised by the judges for his singing ability.”

‘Could it be… me?’

My heart dropped.

“It’s trainee Kim Jiwoo!”

‘Whew.’

A sigh of relief escaped me.

The trainee sitting beside me cheered, both hands clasped.

He was one of the members of Vocal Team 2.

“Yes!”

“Congratulations, Jiwoo.”

“As expected! Amazing.”

As the members showered him with praise, I added my own.

“You worked hard. Congratulations.”

“Thank you!”

Smiling brightly, Kim Jiwoo took his seat in the chair marked ’18’.

After that, members of Vocal Team 2 continued to be called one after another.

The fact that we had ranked first in the judges’ evaluation was clearly helping.

“16th place goes to trainee Park Sugyeok!”

Park Sugyeok widened his eyes and glanced toward me.

When our eyes met, he lowered his head slightly.

“…Thank you.”

Apparently, he knew who had carried the team by the collar.

‘If this guy had run away back then, there’s no way he’d have gotten this rank.’

Mindful of the camera’s red recording light, I nodded.

“Congratulations.”

“Yes. Thank you so much.”

After confirming that Park Sugyeok had taken his seat, Yoo Haein picked up his cue card.

“Starting from the trainees ranked in the Top 15, the treatment changes.”

The chairs marked ‘6–15’ were cushioned seats.

The thought of sitting comfortably during the long announcement sounded pretty nice.

“In addition to better seats, you’ll also have time to give a short speech.”

“…!”

The trainees visibly brightened at the thought of getting additional screen time.

“Then let’s announce 15th place. A trainee who displayed excellent rap skills and leadership…”

Tense music filled the venue as the camera focused on one person.

“It’s trainee Jin Younghoon!”

Jin Younghoon, the leader of Seo Hayul’s team, stopped on stage with a nervous expression.

“Congratulations, Jin Younghoon. Would you like to share your thoughts?”

“Thank you to all the National Directors who voted for me! Honestly, the training process wasn’t easy as a team leader, so I’m incredibly happy to receive such a good result. I’ll continue working hard and showing you my best!”

‘The training process wasn’t easy?’

Several trainees from Hayul’s team were forcing smiles while clapping.

‘Hmm. Maybe I haven’t been paying enough attention to other teams.’

I’d have to check the broadcast later.

As the rankings continued, Yoo Haein’s gaze shifted toward Vocal Team 2.

“11th place belongs to a trainee with a fantastic tone and outstanding vocal ability, from the team that received the highest judges’ score. It’s…”

Everyone from Vocal Team 2, except Rua and me, had already secured a place within the Top 50.

‘Seriously… is it me?’

The quest required me to place within the Top 10.

If I ranked 11th, death was guaranteed.

‘No way… right?’

The camera slowly moved toward me.

‘I have to make the Top 10 this time.’

“It’s…”

The more the suspenseful music intensified, the faster my heart pounded.

“Trainee Rua!”

“Woooooo!”

Overcome with joy, I ended up hugging Rua.

“Siwoo dongsaeng! I’m so happy you’re even happier than I am!”

‘I’m happy because I survived, you know?’

Since every member of our team had survived, there was almost no chance I’d fall outside the Top 10.

I simply let Lua keep hugging me.

Relief flooded my entire body.

The excitement welling up inside burst out naturally.

Watching us warmly, Yoo Haein finally picked up his microphone.

“You trainees seem to be very close. Rua, could you please come up to the stage now?”

His voice snapped me back to reality.

I quickly stepped away from Rua.

Still grinning from ear to ear, he climbed onto the stage.

“Thank you very much. I’m happy that our team put together a great performance and achieved such a good result. We’ll continue showing fun and excellent performances in the future!”

With a bright smile, Lua sat down in the cushioned chair marked ’11’.

“Thank you for your comments, Lua. Next, we’ll announce the trainee ranked 10th.”

I straightened my clothes and quickly composed myself.

‘It should be my turn now.’

I was preparing an appropriately humble speech and wearing my usual professional smile when…

Yoo Haein met my eyes.

Then he looked somewhere else.

“It’s trainee Park Hoonhyuk!”

“…?”

‘That’s not me.’

The brief speech from the trainee in 10th place ended.

Then 9th place.

Then the 8th.

I was beginning to panic.

‘Shouldn’t I be called soon?’

Sweat gathered on my fingertips as I wiped my palms on my pants.

Then…

“7th place goes to a trainee who demonstrated exceptional vocal skills and leadership.”

A dramatic narration rang out over heavy breathing sounds.

“The trainee who will stand here is…”

A deep drumbeat slowly filled the hall.

“Trainee Cha Siwoo!”

“Waaaaaaah!”

Whether because of the cameras or genuine excitement, congratulations poured in from every direction.

“Wow~”

“That’s amazing!”

“Congratulations, Siwoo hyung!”

Among them were Kim Sunyoo, smiling warmly, and Yoo Hoseung, who looked visibly nervous.

“Thank you!”

I bowed ninety degrees and quickly made my way to the stage.

The certainty that I had completed the quest and saved my life naturally lifted the corners of my mouth.

“First of all, I sincerely thank all the National Directors who voted for me.”

I immediately bowed ninety degrees toward the camera.

“I’ll take this unexpectedly high ranking as encouragement to work even harder. I’ll continue preparing diligently and show you even greater improvement in the future. Please continue supporting me. Thank you.”

For once, the smile on my face wasn’t the fake smile I used for social situations.

It was genuine.

As I climbed toward the chair marked ‘7’, congratulations continued to pour in.

“Siwoo hyung, congratulations. I really mean it!”

“Ah, thanks.”

I responded to Seo Hayul while climbing the remaining steps.

Then, Rua suddenly stood up and threw his arms around me.

“…Ghk!”

“Congratulations, Siwoo dongsaeng!”

“…Thank you.”

After finally prying Rua off me, I sat down in the chair marked ‘7’.

At that moment…