The S-Rank Paparazzi Reincarnates as an Idol Chapter 94

Chapter 94

 

> [I’ve already been waiting!]

> [I can’t wait for the song to drop.]

> [Why am I the one who’s nervous?]

> [Congrats on your debut, LSB!]

> [Heart pounding.]

 

At exactly midnight, our debut song was finally uploaded to the music sites.

“Everyone, our song is out!”

“Please give our debut song, ‘First Greeting Hello,’ lots of love!”

“Since it’s finally released, shall we listen to it together?”

As soon as I pressed play, a piano melody flowed out.

The captivating intro, combining the whisper of the wind with soft piano notes, was more than enough to capture people’s attention.

‘The song definitely came out well.’

 

> [Amazing!]

> [This is really a debut song?]

> [Did you really make it yourselves?]

> [Why is the song so good?]

> [Wow… you might hit No. 1 right after debuting.]

 

The real-time reactions to our debut song were overwhelmingly positive.

In a way, that was only natural.

There was no reason for someone who wasn’t already a fan to watch a live stream from a boy group whose debut song hadn’t even been released yet.

‘Still, I’m grateful they’re this happy.’

I couldn’t keep up with the rapidly scrolling chat, but the messages that managed to catch my eye were full of congratulations and praise.

“Everyone, thank you for watching our live broadcast.”

“We’ll end things by singing a short part of the chorus!”

“We’ll also be appearing on TX Music tomorrow, so please tune in!”

“See you again on our next live stream!”

After briefly singing the addictive chorus together, we bowed ninety degrees toward the camera.

Our very first live broadcast had come to a successful end.

 

☆☆☆

 

‘I had no idea idol music show recordings started this early in the morning.’

The pre-recording began before dawn.

The newer the group, the earlier the assigned time slot tended to be, so I arrived at the broadcasting station at 2 a.m.

‘The actual broadcast airs during prime evening hours, so why are we filming this early?’

For rookies, filming between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. was standard industry practice.

Thanks to that, we had the honor of being the very first group to do a pre-recording after our debut.

“Everyone, are you all ready?”

Even our manager, who approached carrying a tablet, looked somewhat exhausted because of the early schedule.

“Yes.”

“Good. The PD called for me, so I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Okay!”

“I don’t know exactly when filming will begin, so stay here and wait.”

“Understood.”

Our manager busily ran around preparing for our first pre-recording amidst the chaos.

‘It seems difficult for one person to handle all of us alone…’

I should ask the company later if they could assign us an additional manager.

“I can’t believe it’s our first pre-recording! I’m so excited!”

“Right? I’m so nervous!”

“We can do this, right?”

The members’ faces, fully made up, were filled with tension.

Although we were on the same team, our outfits each highlighted our individual personalities.

The common theme was a refreshing style paired with boyfriend-fashion looks that felt realistic and approachable.

With a major corporation’s budget behind the styling, everything looked clean and luxurious.

Despite coming in after barely getting any sleep, the members all looked energetic.

‘It’s because we’re finally debuting.’

“The song’s reaction has been good too, so I’m sure we’ll succeed.”

As soon as it was released, our song entered the Real-Time Top 100 chart.

It was still climbing steadily, so I had high expectations.

As long as we performed well on stage, we’d definitely see good results.

“That’s right. We can do this.”

“Let’s not get nervous and just do what we practiced!”

“Yeah. We practiced so hard for this.”

As we chatted and eased our nerves, the waiting room door suddenly opened.

A staff member wearing a headset looked around and shouted.

“Rusta, rehearsal will begin shortly.”

“Yes!”

“Please move immediately.”

The call for rehearsal had come before our manager returned.

“When is the manager coming back?”

“I’ll call him first.”

Kim Sunyoo hurriedly pulled out his phone.

‘If we wait for the manager, we’ll probably be late.’

“Should we just head over ourselves?”

“Yeah, I think that’s better.”

“Let’s go.”

The stage area was fairly quiet when we arrived with the staff.

Since only staff and broadcasting personnel attended rehearsals, the audience seats were completely empty.

“Hello!”

“Please take care of us!”

After bowing ninety degrees to the surrounding staff, we stopped in the center of the stage.

“Hmm… you’re the rookie group debuting this time, right?”

The camera director’s indifferent voice echoed through the studio.

“Yes, that’s right!”

“I enjoyed watching the survival show. You all seemed incredibly popular.”

“Thank you!”

‘Even the filming director recognizes us… the power of a survival show really is incredible.’

It was another moment that made me realize just how popular Star Picking 5 had been.

“Since it’s a team full of aces, you’ll probably do well on your own. I’m looking forward to seeing how good your stage is.”

“We’ll work hard!”

“We’ll do our best!”

“Good. Let’s begin filming right away.”

The familiar melody of our debut song, “First Greeting Hello,” rang loudly through the speakers.

Our first music show rehearsal began under a palpable sense of tension.

‘Just do what we’ve practiced. Don’t make any mistakes.’

 

☆☆☆

 

Only after three rehearsals were we finally able to step down from the stage.

‘I thought they’d go easy on us because we’re rookies, but they’re surprisingly thorough.’

Since our agency belonged to the same TX group, it felt like they were taking a little extra care of us.

Even the members who had been extremely nervous started flying across the stage once they got up there.

Maybe they were simply born performers.

‘Well, they always performed well during the survival show too, without making major mistakes.’

Thanks to that, we completed rehearsal smoothly without any incidents.

“Now only the actual pre-recording remains.”

Yoo Hoseung let out a sigh of relief.

‘Maybe he was the most nervous because he’s the center?’

Still, he always gave his all once he stepped on stage, so I wasn’t particularly worried.

“Yeah. If we keep performing like this, our debut will be a success.”

“But Siwoo hyung, you’re the same as usual even on your debut day.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. It’s your debut stage, but you don’t seem nervous at all.”

“Hmm… if the oldest doesn’t set an example, how will the younger members learn?”

Honestly, that was a lie.

I’m human too, so I get nervous before going on stage.

‘I’m just better at hiding it than most people.’

Even now, my palms were covered in sweat.

“As expected, Siwoo hyung is so cool!”

I lightly ruffled Yoo Hoseung’s hair as he looked at me with admiration.

‘They’ll fix our hair and makeup before the actual recording anyway, so this should be fine.’

“Siwoo really is a good hyung.”

Seeing Kim Sunyoo smiling warmly, I nodded immediately.

“Of course.”

Thanks to the successful rehearsal, the walk back to the waiting room was cheerful.

But when I opened the waiting room door, the previously empty room had already become noisy.

“…!”

‘Who are these guys?’

The moment I saw people inside, I instinctively bowed ninety degrees.

“Hello.”

“Hello, seniors!”

The members behind me quickly followed suit.

“Oh?”

“Another rookie group?”

“Hello.”

That’s right.

According to broadcasting station regulations, rookie singers with low recognition often had to share waiting rooms with existing artists.

As a result, another boy group was already occupying the room when we returned from rehearsal.

“It’s an honor to share a waiting room with you, Fault sunbaenims.”

‘Fault…? Don’t tell me it’s that Fault?’

I quickly straightened up from my bow.

Seven men with rainbow-colored hair stood before me.

As I looked closer, I recognized several of their faces.

‘Well, well.’

They were the same guys whose photos had appeared on the front pages of newspapers before my regression.

‘It’s nice seeing them like this.’

Back during Star Picking 5, I could have eliminated trainees involved in social controversies using scandals I already knew about.

But I didn’t.

I didn’t want to go that far against trainees.

‘After receiving that penalty, I became strangely reluctant to do things like that.’

But once they debuted, things were different.

The moment they stepped outside the protective shell of being trainees and became rookie idols, they were thrown into a ruthless society.

Before the catastrophe of quest failure arrived, I needed to secure victory by any means necessary.

‘If they’re competing with us for Rookie of the Year, it’d be better to remove them early.’

Because Fault would continue rising until their scandals exploded, eventually securing a place among the top-tier idol groups.

“Looking at you now, aren’t you those famous guys who debuted through that survival show?”

“What was your name again?”

“Was it Luji?”

“Hey, Luge is something from KartRider.”

“Then was it Loser Star?”

“Pwahahaha! Loser!”

The guys laughed among themselves as if they found it hilarious.

‘Is this the infamous rookie hazing I’ve heard about?’

No matter where you go, rookies always seem to be easy targets.

Seeing my members’ uncomfortable expressions, I knew it was time for me to step in.

I was just about to take a step forward.

Then I saw Kim Sunyoo giving me a look, so I swallowed my words.

“We’re Lucy Star Boys.”

Kim Sunyoo spoke on behalf of the team.

“Ah, Lucy. I got confused because the name is so lame.”

“Pwahahaha! Hyung, you can’t just say it’s lame to their faces!”

‘I knew this industry wasn’t easy, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad.’

Honestly, I never thought they’d provoke us so openly.

“Haha, I was just joking. You’re not offended, right?”

One of Fault’s red-haired members asked with a crooked grin.

“Of course not.”

Kim Sunyoo simply maintained a gentle smile as though nothing had happened.

“Let’s get along as fellow rookies. We’ve only been debuted for six months ourselves.”

“…!”

Fault’s leader extended his hand.

‘Six months since debut.’

Just as I expected, they were rivals competing for Rookie of the Year.

‘Their attitude sucks too. Should I just get rid of them quickly?’

I was contemplating which Fault member’s scandal I should expose first.

At that moment, Kim Sunyoo stared at the redhead’s outstretched hand before finally shaking it.

“Hahaha!”

“…?”

‘This is the first time I’ve ever seen Kim Sunyoo laugh that loudly.’

The laughter echoed through the waiting room, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

“If it’s only six months, then you’re basically a baby compared to me, right?”

“…!”