The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol – Chapter 85

Author: Cireng

Chapter 85

One by one, notes began layering themselves over the sounds of nature.

—

The wind speaks to me first

Somehow, today feels different

I check my clothes one more time

Before heading out, I meet my own eyes in the mirror

—

It was a song that perfectly conveyed both the freshness and youthful excitement of a first beginning.

—

An unfamiliar fluttering feeling

Because of that, my heart starts beating a little faster

Simply because it’s a first time

The whole world

Everything looks special

—

The refreshing feeling unique to a debut song, along with the message of a new beginning, struck deep within my heart.

“Wow…”

“I’ve only finished the beginning part so far. What do you think?”

“Rua hyung is really a genius!”

“Thanks. Do you think it’s okay to continue with the song like this?”

“Of course. Just do whatever you want with it. I can confidently say that the song you’re making right now is better than any other song out there.”

“Hearing you say that makes me want to work harder. Got it.”

I could tell from the intro alone.

This song would definitely be capable of taking first place.

“Siwoo, for the chorus part, I’m thinking of raising the key significantly. Do you think you can handle it?”

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

“Good! Then, while we’re at it, I’ll finish the song by incorporating each member’s unique characteristics.”

It sounded easy when he said it.

In reality, creating a song while accounting for each person’s different strengths and traits was incredibly difficult.

Yet, Rua said it as casually as if he were talking about making a quick trip to the convenience store down the street.

“Sounds good. What if we use Hayul’s and Chan’s low voices for the hook?”

“That’s not bad. A duet part between the two would be attractive too.”

“Nice. And since Hoseung is handsome, wouldn’t it be fun to have him appear as the kicker in a main part?”

“Agree. I should definitely give Hoseung a short main part!”

As I continued discussing ideas with Lua, the clock eventually pointed to 6 a.m.

☆☆☆

After finishing our full styling session at the salon, the filming set we arrived at was much larger than expected.

The set our manager led us to was filled with colorful backgrounds and giant character figures, making it feel as if we’d stepped into another world.

“Wow… It’s really Heartping Bread.”

Beside me, Seo Hayul muttered reverently.

Everyone struggled to hold back their laughter at his serious tone.

‘I never thought we’d encounter Heartping Bread at our very first commercial shoot.’

This commercial was the first major advertisement our team had landed before even making our debut.

It was actually the famous character bread we’d often eaten during practice… the very bread that became the reason Hayul and I got close, and the same bread that had screwed me over during the snack lottery.

‘We really have quite the history together.’

Seeing it again in a professional setting felt strangely nostalgic.

“Rusta, it’s nice to meet all of you.”

A middle-aged man approached us with a gentle smile.

For reference, “Rusta” was the abbreviation people often used for Lucy Star Boys.

“Hello!”

“It’s an honor to meet you, sir!”

Instinctively sensing that he was someone important, I bowed ninety degrees.

“I like how polite you all are. I’m Yoon Minho, the director overseeing today’s commercial shoot.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Director.”

“We’re Lucy Star Boys, the group making our debut!”

“Of course. You’re all famous enough already. I know who you are.”

My eyes met the director’s kind gaze.

“Oh, by the way, the advertiser specifically requested Rusta.”

The director laughed aloud.

“They said they often saw the members searching for this bread.”

“We do eat Heartping Bread quite often.”

“Especially Hayul. He really loves it.”

“Haha. It seems the advertiser liked seeing that. Rusta, getting a commercial before debuting… I’d say you’ve already made it.”

“Thank you!”

“Alright. Today, all you need to do is show everyone how deliciously you’re enjoying the Heartping Bread. Understood?”

“Yes!”

“Then we’ll start filming as soon as preparations are complete.”

“Yes!”

‘Honestly, I never expected our first commercial to be for Heartping Bread.’

As I watched Hayul practically drooling beside me, I placed a hand on his head.

“…Siwoo hyung?”

Looking puzzled, he stared at me while I gently patted his head.

“Good job, kid.”

“Huh?”

‘Do you know how much money commercials pay?!’

Commercials had incredibly good pay compared to the time invested.

Knowing we’d be receiving a modeling fee that was exceptional for rookies made the corners of my mouth keep twitching.

Money really was the best thing in the world.

“A huge part of this is thanks to you. I’ll buy you Heartping Bread for the rest of your life.”

“Really?!”

While watching Hayul’s visibly delighted reaction, filming officially began.

“Alright, we’re starting with the group shot. Everyone face forward and hold up your bread!”

As the director’s voice echoed out, the Heartping Bread in my hand suddenly looked extraordinarily beautiful.

‘It’s an expensive product. I should handle it carefully.’

“Lucy Star Boys, your poses are good. This time, smile as brightly and cutely as possible.”

“Yes!”

We changed poses and expressions several times according to the director’s instructions.

Then…

“Um… Cha Siwoo?”

“Yes?”

The director shook his head slightly.

“Your smile is pretty, but… how should I put it? It doesn’t feel like the smile of a rookie idol making his debut. Could you try smiling a little more innocently?”

‘Was it obvious how corrupted by capitalism I am?’

Since it was such a high-paying commercial, I’d honestly gotten a little too excited.

Looks like my materialistic side had shown.

I immediately bowed ninety degrees.

“I’m sorry. I’ll pay closer attention to my expression and try again.”

“Good. Let’s start filming again.”

“Yes!”

‘Mind control. I’m innocent. Pure and innocent.’

Throwing away all thoughts of money, I began hypnotizing myself.

‘This is bread that children enjoy eating. Smile as harmlessly and innocently as possible.’

“Action!”

The main camera lens began moving.

“Hahaha.”

“Haha.”

“Smile more! Brighter!”

At the director’s shout, I flashed a wide grin.

‘Making money isn’t easy.’

“Cut! Good. Next, we’ll film individual shots of each member eating the bread.”

“Yes.”

“We’ll start with Cha Siwoo. Please stand in the center where the bread is stacked.”

“Yes, sir!”

A mountain of Heartping Bread had been stacked into a pyramid at the center of the set.

“Cha Siwoo, you’ll be eating the chocolate bread.”

“Yes!”

Surrounded by cameras from every direction, I picked up the chocolate bread.

“Action!”

I took a large bite of the soft bread.

The sweet taste of chocolate filled my mouth.

‘Chocolate really is delicious.’

As I took another big bite, a thick smear of chocolate cream stuck to the corner of my lips.

‘Ah, what a waste of good cream.’

Instinctively, I stuck out my tongue and licked the cream off my lips.

“Cut!”

‘Damn.’

Led by instinct, I’d made an unscripted mistake.

‘I should’ve eaten it cleanly. I can’t believe I caused an NG.’

“I’m sorry.”

I quickly bowed ninety degrees.

A rookie making mistakes during filming deserved an apology.

When I cautiously looked up, fortunately, the director didn’t seem upset.

‘Whew.’

“The way you naturally licked the cream off your lips just now was great.”

‘…?’

“Cha Siwoo, you’re really a rookie? You’re comfortable with the camera, adapt quickly, and your actions and expressions are very natural!”

Unexpected praise came instead.

‘Thankfully, he’s flexible.’

A strict director would’ve probably chewed me out for not following the script.

“Thank you for thinking highly of me!”

“You look great on camera, and you’ve got this strange charm that draws people in. Maybe that’s why you ranked first in the survival show.”

“You’re too kind. Thank you for the compliment.”

“You’re polite too. You’re going to go far. That scene felt better than the script version, so we’ll use that take instead.”

“Yes!”

“Next, Kang Chan’s individual shot.”

Fortunately, the individual filming wrapped up smoothly.

‘Commercials aren’t actually that difficult, are they?’

Getting praised by the director during my first commercial shoot was probably thanks to my high Charm stat.

“Cut! Again!”

“I’m sorry.”

As a side note, Kang Chan was literally a human robot.

‘This is fascinating. How can someone eat bread this stiffly?’

To everyone’s shock, Kang Chan kept producing NGs one after another.

‘Kang Chan definitely can’t act.’

Maybe because he was too nervous, he moved like a squeaky robot and ended up recording fifty NGs.

Even the director, who had been kind and patient at first, eventually lost his temper after so many mistakes.

In the end, Kang Chan finished filming while moving awkwardly like a robot.

‘I’m curious how this commercial will turn out.’

“Next, Yoo Hoseung.”

As expected of a future actor, Yoo Hoseung’s facial acting was incredible.

“Whew~ Yoo Hoseung was born to be an entertainer!”

The atmosphere on set, which had become tense, brightened up again thanks to him.

“Thank you!”

With the stark difference in performance levels clearly visible, filming continued.

The final scene involved the members exchanging bread and feeding it to one another while laughing.

“Act like you’re so happy from eating such delicious bread that you feel like you could fly!”

‘How exactly are we supposed to do that?’

“Yes.”

“…Yes!”

Trying our best, we paired up and began stuffing bread into each other’s mouths.

My partner happened to be Kang Chan.

“Cut! Again!”

After several more NGs, it felt like my stomach was about to burst.

‘Just how many pieces of bread have I eaten…?’

“…Sorry.”

Kang Chan’s expressionless apology sounded weaker than usual.

‘This is the first time I’ve seen him look this dejected.’

“Chan.”

“Yeah?”

“Everyone has different things they’re good at. So don’t let this get you down too much.”

“Thanks.”

“And if acting feels too difficult, try imagining that this isn’t a filming set.”

“…?”

“Instead of performing for other people, imagine we’re just hanging out together, eating bread in our dorm. Maybe that’ll make you feel more comfortable.”

“I’ll try thinking about it that way.”

As we talked, the director shouted:

“Action!”

Clack

The slate snapped shut, and filming resumed.

Watching the members feed each other bread, I spoke up.

“Chan, give me a bite.”

If the NGs kept going, I felt like my stomach would explode, so a survival-instinct-level performance came out naturally.

Kang Chan’s eyes widened before he let out a small chuckle.

“Sure.”

The scent of strawberries reached me first as the bread was pushed into my mouth.

‘Sweet.’