The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 83

Chapter 83

 

“A company values results, doesn’t it? Stability guarantees demand, and it’s also good from a career standpoint, wouldn’t you say?”

Based on his first impression and behavior, Director Seo seemed to prioritize results above all else.

So it was only natural that words like ‘profit’ and ‘career’ would sway him.

“Yes.”

“That’s right.”

“We want to go with a refreshing concept too!”

Once again, the dependable members stepped in with supporting fire.

“But all the songs we’ve already received are in the sexy category. We don’t have much time. How about saving the refreshing concept for the next album and going with sexy this time?”

The department director began skillfully persuading them without backing down.

“Even if we try to get songs as quickly as possible, there are limits. It’s already difficult enough to obtain songs we actually like.”

“…”

It was a hard fact to refute.

The schedules of famous composers were probably booked solid years in advance.

“There isn’t much time left before the year-end award ceremonies. When exactly do you plan to prepare a refreshing song?”

Faced with that realistic obstacle, the members fell silent.

There simply wasn’t enough time to pressure a composer into producing a song.

‘Isn’t there some way to get a refreshing concept song quickly?’

“I completely understand your opinions. But let’s face reality.”

Just as the department director was about to drive the final nail into the coffin…

“I’m here!”

Rua stood up confidently.

“I can do a refreshing song well.”

Everyone’s attention turned toward him.

“Really?”

“Can you do it?”

Rua answered the flood of questions with a powerful voice.

“Yes. I can do it. In fact, I can make a song that’s much better than these.”

‘If it’s Rua, he really might be able to do it.’

Throughout the audition program, he’d demonstrated arrangement skills that often surpassed the original songs.

If it were Rua, maybe he really could save us with a better song than this hopeless mess.

The director listened before eventually shaking his head.

“No matter what, can a song made by a trainee really compare to one made by professionals?”

“I can do it!”

“Director, please trust us just this once.”

“We’re confident we can do it.”

“No means no.”

At that moment…

“I think the refreshing concept sounds good.”

The one opposing the stubborn department director was Director Seo.

At last, we had gained a reliable ally among upper management, and the employees in the conference room were confused.

In reality, the only people with actual decision-making authority here were the department director and Director Seo.

‘Though the director seems to hold more power between the two.’

Watching the director struggle with Seo’s intervention, I reviewed his personality once more.

‘I think I’ve figured him out.’

The type who becomes obsessed with one thing and pushes it through.

And someone who likes taking gambles.

With that in mind, I boldly opened my mouth.

“How about setting our group’s direction as a self-producing idol group?”

“…!”

“Like BlueLive Entertainment. Self-producing groups are popular these days, aren’t they?”

“…BlueLive?”

The moment I mentioned the rival company that had been locked in a long-standing feud with TX Entertainment, the department director visibly flinched.

‘So this was the correct answer.’

“Come to think of it, our company doesn’t have a self-producing idol group. I thought it might be nice to have at least one.”

“Hm…”

The aggressive tone he’d maintained softened slightly.

“Can you really do it?”

“Of course. Rua Hyung, how long would you need?”

‘I need to lock this in before the director changes his mind.’

“One week is enough!”

Rua declared confidently.

“We’ll come back with the best debut song within one week. Please listen to it then and make your judgment.”

Then I delivered the decisive blow to the director.

“We’re confident we can do better than BlueLive Entertainment.”

“…!”

The director flinched noticeably once again.

“…Fine. I’ll give you one week.”

In the end, he finally took a step back.

“But you’ll have to make a better song than the ones we already have. If you fail, Mr. Cha Siwoo will bear all responsibility.”

‘Considering how terrible these songs are, we’ll probably win without much difficulty.’

“Yes. I’m confident.”

“I’ll listen to it in one week. If it’s disappointing, we’ll immediately proceed with the sexy concept song I selected.”

“Understood.”

Thanks to those awful songs, we found ourselves facing the extreme challenge of producing an original debut track in just one week.

 

☆☆☆

 

At long last, the lengthy meeting came to an end.

We had already signed the contracts, including the unprecedented clause:

“If the group wins Rookie of the Year this year, the company will fulfill the artists’ requested conditions.”

There were still a few minor details left to settle, but those would be discussed again after the song was completed.

“Alright, let’s have our own meeting now.”

The company’s official meeting was over.

But for us, the real work was only beginning.

We’d decided to start filming our own content immediately.

‘At least they’re quick with approvals.’

After checking public reactions, it was clear that fans were already desperately waiting for our debut and new content.

While wondering how we could repay them during the preparation period for our debut song, I came up with the idea of self-produced content.

The department director had readily approved the suggestion near the end of the meeting, allowing filming to begin immediately.

‘It’s also the best thing we can do right now.’

Considering how exhausted fans were from waiting, it was the optimal choice.

We could prepare our debut while simultaneously maintaining the fandom’s enthusiasm.

Two birds with one stone.

Thankfully, the company agreed to provide editing staff.

‘As a major agency, they should be able to handle editing properly.’

Now that we were all in the same boat, only an idiot would create malicious edits that harmed us.

“Okay. But before that, there’s something I want to decide.”

Rua raised his hand high.

Perhaps because of the survival show, everyone was already accustomed to cameras and acted naturally in front of them.

“What is it?”

“Let’s choose our leader!”

Rua’s cheerful voice echoed through the conference room.

‘Rua really never changes.’

“Now that I think about it, we still don’t have a leader.”

Kim Sunyoo replied with a gentle smile.

“Yes.”

“Then, shall we decide on the team leader first?”

“Yes!”

“Sounds good!”

The members enthusiastically reacted while staring at the camera with its red recording light on.

‘I don’t think they’ve fully escaped survival-show mode yet.’

Even after debuting, things somehow felt the same.

“Anyone want to be a leader?”

At Kim Sunyu’s question, I immediately raised my hand.

“Siwoo? Do you want to be a leader?”

‘Am I crazy? Why would I become a leader?’

“No.”

“Then…?”

“I’d like to nominate someone.”

A strange tension filled the room.

“I nominate Sunyoo hyung as leader!”

For things like this, it was best to choose a target quickly and build momentum.

None of the members seemed particularly ambitious about becoming a leader, making it possible.

“…Me?”

Kim Sunyoo opened his eyes wide and pointed at himself.

“Yes. Honestly, you have strong leadership, a sense of responsibility, and you’re dependable as an older brother. I think you’re the best leader for our team.”

He’d been my leader candidate from the very beginning.

“Haha! It feels good hearing Siwoo say that.”

“Me! What about me?!”

Rua suddenly jumped to his feet.

‘You… absolutely not.’

The moment I imagined Rua as a leader, my vision darkened.

There would definitely be one incident after another, followed by Sunyu and me constantly cleaning up the mess.

“Absolutely–!”

I forced myself to stop after noticing the camera.

“Hm?”

“I definitely support Rua hyung too. But you’re already our incredible producer. You’re already handling such an important role, and we’re very grateful for that. Taking on leadership as well would probably be too much pressure.”

It was the perfect workplace-friendly answer.

“Haha! Siwoo-dongsaeng, you’re really funny!”

Rua laughed so hard that tears formed in his eyes.

‘This guy is definitely acting extra because the camera’s on.’

Still, seeing both older members satisfied made me breathe a sigh of relief.

“Siwoo hyung, what about me?”

“Hm?”

Turning right, I met Yoo Hoseung’s sparkling eyes.

‘…Guess I should meet expectations.’

“Hoseung is our team’s core visual and does an amazing job managing social media. I’m always grateful.”

“Hehe. I’ll work even harder!”

“Good.”

I wasn’t entirely sure why, but as long as the youngest member was happy, that was enough.

“Ahem!”

Hearing a cough, I turned left.

I met Kang Chan’s expressionless gaze.

He continued coughing.

“Ahem. Ahem! What about me?”

‘I get it, man.’

“Chan, you’re our amazing main dancer. Having you on the team makes me feel incredibly secure when it comes to dance.”

Apparently satisfied with the answer, Kang Chan’s ears turned bright red.

Workplace relationships really weren’t easy.

‘I don’t even know why I’m doing this.’

“Siwoo hyung, what about me last?”

‘Why are you doing this too?’

Seeing Seo Hayul’s expectant eyes, I boldly ruffled his gray hair.

“You need to stop eating fish-shaped buns. We have to manage our weight if we’re debuting.”

“Ah… Siwoo hyung! Why don’t I get praised?”

“The conversation got sidetracked. Shall we get back to choosing the leader?”

“Hehe!”

“Hahaha!”

With the atmosphere even warmer than before, the leader was finally decided.

Everyone apparently thought the same thing.

Kim Sunyoo received an overwhelming number of votes and officially became our team leader.

‘Thank goodness.’

Knowing that someone reliable had become the leader was reassuring.

“Thank you for choosing me as leader.”

Perhaps because he hadn’t expected it himself, Kim Sunyoo couldn’t hide the smile spreading across his face.

“I may not be a perfect leader, but no matter what happens, I’ll do my best to make us a team that discusses everything together and faces everything together.”

‘There probably isn’t anyone more perfect for the role among these members.’

“And I’ll be the first person to put the team above myself. So let’s endure together and stay together for a long time.”

As expected of the leader I’d chosen, even his acceptance speech was worthy of a true leader.

“Woooo!”

“Please take care of us, Sunyoo hyung!”

“Sunyu is the best!”

And just like that, Kim Sunyoo became the leader exactly as I’d hoped.

“Alright. Then, shall we talk about the most important thing… our debut song?”

“Sounds good.”

Once again, another meeting.

Something we’d unintentionally become very familiar with.

 

☆☆☆

 

“Wow!”

“This is really the dorm we’ll be living in?”

After finally finishing the meeting that stretched late into the night, we arrived at our new home.

The unfamiliar scent of something brand-new tickled my nose.

The interior work had apparently been completed in a hurry.

The smell of fresh wood and paint that hadn’t fully dried yet lingered in the air.

Cameras had already been installed throughout the dorm for the self-produced content.

The living room was larger than expected.

There was a sofa, a table, and even a huge television against one wall.

For a rookie idol group that hadn’t even debuted yet, the accommodations were surprisingly good.

‘Being popular really has its advantages.’

We were rookies.

But we certainly weren’t being treated like rookies.

“Wow…!”

“The dorm is amazing!”

The members reacted enthusiastically.

As expected of people who had survived a survival program, the learning effect was obvious.

There were three bedrooms in total, lined up along both sides of the hallway.

“Everyone, please note that cameras have been installed everywhere except the bathrooms. Please keep that in mind while living in the dorm.”

The manager standing by the front door spoke, drawing everyone’s attention.

For reference, our newly assigned manager was a man in his thirties with about two years of experience.

‘I’ll figure out what kind of person he is after spending some time with him.’

“Yes!”

“Understood!”

“Then lastly, I’ll tell you about tomorrow’s schedule.”