I think the way you idealize research is not naive by any means, and you should stick to your view.
By all means, one year is not too late - you should change your research project to something that's your very own. If your advisor doesn't let you, change your advisor too.
I think you're exactly the type that needs to lead a project, and be the first author, instead of contributing bits here and there, implementing somebody else's "vision". Leave that for those that think academic success is putting their names on the maximum number of papers.
By all means, one year is not too late - you should change your research project to something that's your very own. If your advisor doesn't let you, change your advisor too.
I think you're exactly the type that needs to lead a project, and be the first author, instead of contributing bits here and there, implementing somebody else's "vision". Leave that for those that think academic success is putting their names on the maximum number of papers.