Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: Ro-si's Acting Debut
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I arrived at the company.
I'd been talking with the Daepyo-nim and lost all track of time.
“Min-jun, aren't you getting out?”
The Daepyo-nim, who had already stepped out of the car, asked as he looked at me still sitting inside.
“I have to go to Ro-si's drama shoot tonight.”
“Oh, right. Answer has so many individual schedules, I keep forgetting. You’re working so hard, can’t even go home. Did you bring her profile?”
“Yes. I brought a few copies of the latest updated version.”
“Heh. That’s our thorough Min-jun. Anyway, Ro-si's lucky. She gets to ride in the Sprinter.”
Since Sung-hoon hyung didn't have a schedule, I planned to let her ride in the most expensive van to boost her confidence.
“I’ll be on my way.”
“Yeah, take care. Good luck working late.”
I drove off to meet Ro-si.
It was a one-time role with no script reading, but it was Ro-si's acting debut. She had to do well for bigger opportunities to open up. The footage from today's shoot would also be a great help when she auditions for acting roles in the future.
Anyway, I had a feeling a quest would probably pop up today.
I arrived at the acting academy.
I could hear the voices of actor Jeong Hyung-sik and Ro-si. It seemed like he was giving her some last-minute coaching.
“Have you ever heard of Stanislavski?”
“Yes, sir. I know him as the father of modern theatrical directing.”
“Hahaha! It's a waste for you to be just a singer. I'd rank you in the top three of all the people I've ever taught.”
Actor Jeong Hyung-sik laughed heartily.
Being an actor himself, Jeong Hyung-sik seemed to subconsciously place actors at the top of the entertainment hierarchy. It was natural for him to be biased, but I felt a small sense of resistance.
But seeing Ro-si's confidence get a little boost, I suppressed my feelings.
“Stanislavski once said, ‘There are no small parts, only small actors.’”
“Those are wise words.”
“Right? I think they're perfect for you right now. Even though it's a minor role without even a script reading, you must never take it lightly. You have to understand the character's situation and…”
He spoke with such grandeur, but it was really just a minor role with a few lines. Not that it wasn't important, though.
“The script is just a guideline. If an ad-lib comes to you, just go for it.”
Despite it being only a few lines, he seemed to be coaching her with great care.
But doing that on a real set could get you chewed out by the director and writer. You need a certain level of skill to back it up; ad-libbing on your first appearance was nothing short of a gamble.
There was still plenty of time, so I pulled up the entertainment section of the news.
-[Seopyeong Confectionery Delivers Snacks to Orphanages Nationwide Through Connection with JD Enter]
-Seopyeong Confectionery, which formed a connection with Answer after inviting them to a company event, delivered snacks worth 300 million won to orphanages across the country today. JD Enter’s CEO Park Jae-yong and Answer’s manager, Min-jun, personally visited an orphanage near Sadang Station to deliver the snacks.
(Photo 1) A vehicle filled with boxes of snacks.
(Photo 2) CEO Park Jae-yong performing for the orphanage children and staff.
(Photo 3) Children performing Answer's dance for CEO Park Jae-yong as part of a talent show.
(Photo 4) CEO Park Jae-yong and Manager Min-jun listening to the difficulties faced by the orphanage director.
-This reporter also listened to the orphanage's struggles. Children who must leave the orphanage after turning 18 with only five million won to start their new lives. While awareness of this issue is growing and support measures are being explored, the problem has always been the budget.
-CEO Park Jae-yong: I discovered a child who loved to dance at an orphanage where we went to donate goods. After turning eighteen, the options for these kids are limited, and they can't even dream of developing their talents because they're worried about basic necessities. It broke my heart. So, I decided to do what I could in my field and planned a private audition. If there are talented children in orphanages across the country, we intend to take responsibility for their food, clothing, and shelter so they can dream of a bright future. Oh! And there's something important. This wasn't just my idea. Answer's manager, Min-jun, who was with me, deserves a lot of the credit. He's a mentee I trust very much. Hahaha.
-With Dope Scale's Kim Sung-hoon, the popular girl group Answer, and musician Lee Yoo-ah, whose overseas debut is confirmed, JD Enter seemed determined to reclaim its former glory while spreading a positive influence. In a harsh world where it’s hard to trust anyone, one can only hope that a small spark will spread across a wide field, allowing it to be reborn as fertile, nutrient-rich land.
It was surprising enough that the article about the orphanage was already up, but seeing that it even included the conversation I had with the Daepyo-nim thirty minutes ago, I knew he must have pushed for it.
-JD's doing some image management.
-Even if it is image management, tell them to keep it up. Why are jealous losers always the first to comment on donation articles?
-Why's Park Jae-yong so fat? Looks like he's sweating buckets.
-But Seopyeong Confectionery didn't even donate 300 million in cash, they just threw 300 million worth of snacks at them. Aren't they being too flashy about it?
-Kids these days act like 300 million is pocket change. They're probably just brats who have no idea that companies with hundreds of billions in revenue barely avoid losses with an operating profit of a few hundred million.
-Let's just praise them when they do something good. If you get crapped on for donating, who would want to donate again?
-You can just tell what kind of pathetic lives the people stirring up trouble on articles like this have.
-I'm sick of this kind of media play.
-But if you think about it, Seopyeong Confectionery spent the money and Park Jae-yong didn't do anything? He didn't even make a personal donation? He earns so much and just freeloads?
It seems the first comment is important everywhere.
-I'm an employee at the Sadang Orphanage. I couldn't stand seeing people who know nothing badmouthing Mr. Park Jae-yong, so I'm leaving a comment. Mr. Park made a personal donation without his manager or the reporter knowing. He asked us never to reveal it, saying the amount was so small it might tarnish the company's image, but I have no choice. It seems JD Enter is slowly recovering, but they must have gone through a lot. He gave us 10 million won in cash and received a donation receipt. If you're reading this, I'm sorry I couldn't keep your secret.
-LMAO, he took the donation receipt. Totally ruins the image.
-I can picture it.
-Hey, kid. Of course you get a receipt when you make a donation. You're only laughing because you don't pay taxes.
-Oof... I was about to bash him, but he did a good thing.
-Right, right. Even if you earn billions, 10 million won is not a small amount. Good on him. He seems thoughtful too.
-That's right. You sometimes see donations with company money, but it's rarer than you'd think for a CEO to donate their personal money. Park Jae-yong is a good guy.
-From now on, Seopyeong Confectionery for snacks and Answer for celebrities will be my priority.
Fortunately, the comments were turning positive again. CEO Park Jae-yong making the donation in secret had been an excellent choice. I never expected things to turn out like this.
“Don't worry. I'm an actor with pride. If Ro-si had been below par, I wouldn't have recommended her.”
Ro-si and actor Jeong Hyung-sik came out of the practice room.
“Oh! You’re back?”
“Yes.”
Ro-si said with a tense smile upon seeing me.
“Mr. Handsome Manager, you were already waiting.”
“Sir, would you like to come with us?”
“Hahaha. No, it's alright. I'd like to watch, but it's not my scene, and I have another class soon.”
Outside, when I led Ro-si to the car, she was startled to see the black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
“Isn't this for Kim Sung-hoon seonbae-nim?”
“It is.”
“Whoa…”
Ro-si got into the van with a smile that was a mix of joy and nervousness.
The feeling of the massage chair-like seat enveloping her body seemed to put Ro-si in a very good mood.
“I feel like a real A-list actress.”
“Don't say that. I'm so nervous right now.”
Ro-si said, her face on the verge of tears.
I headed to the designated filming location with Ro-si.
“Oppa…”
Ro-si said in a barely audible voice.
“What is it?”
“I'm sorry, but could you turn up the music?”
“…Alright.”
She clearly wanted to practice her lines out loud. She would probably feel too self-conscious to practice properly if she thought I was listening.
I turned up a song with the concept I had in mind for the band Earl Grey.
♪♬
Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!
Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!
♪♬
A lively melody, like a bass being plucked but played on a traditional Mongolian string instrument, rang out rhythmically along with the rough breathing of horsemen galloping across the Mongolian Plateau.
Ro-si seemed to smile as she looked down at her script. To emphasize that I wasn't listening, I started singing along.
♪♬
A madman stumbles to work, last night!
Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!
Opened the door, goddammit, what a mess, you bastard Genghis Khan!
Hoo! Ha! Hoo! Ha!
♪♬
“…Pfft… Pffft!”
Ro-si, who had been focused on her script, covered her mouth and started to laugh. I guess I'd overdone it.
“Ahaha! What kind of song is that!”
Even Ro-si, who was usually quiet, laughed out loud.
“It's a song for the concept of a newly signed band. I won't sing along, so go ahead and practice.”
Ro-si looked back down at her script seriously. But as time passed, a smile spread across her face.
“…But their music is really catchy.”
“It has to be.”
***
We arrived at the filming location, a neighborhood playground on the outskirts of Seoul.
For some reason, the bright lights shining on the desolate night playground, a place rarely visited, made my heart ache. Perhaps it was because I already knew the content of the scene.
Dozens of crew members were preparing for the shoot, but there were only a few onlookers. As our van pulled in, the eyes of the crew instantly focused on us.
“I know telling you not to be nervous won't stop you from being nervous, but…”
“If the role I'm given is a pooper, I shouldn't be ashamed to poop in front of the audience.”
Ro-si repeated the words I'd once said with a serious expression.
Would Ro-si be disappointed if she knew I was overly emotional when I said that to her? Ignorance is bliss, I suppose.
“Fighting.”
I nodded, cheering her on.
“Fighting!”
Ro-si got out of the van with a bright smile, and I followed.
Whoosh.
On top of the unseasonably cold spring night wind, the high altitude made the wind chill feel close to early winter.
“Hellooo! I'm Ro-si from Answer. It's a pleasure to work with youuu!”
“Hello, I'm Ro-si. I'll work harddd!”
Contrasting with the gloomy atmosphere of the location, Ro-si's bright voice filled the playground.
“Ugh, damn. The singer has arrived.”
“Riding in a ‘Merciless’ now that she’s getting popular.”
“What's a ‘Merciless’?”
“Mercedes-Benz, you idiot.”
I could clearly hear the crew members whispering. Ro-si probably couldn't, but my mood was completely ruined.
It was true that idols in the past had created a negative stereotype about their acting skills, but lately, there were many former idols who were good actors. This was an overreaction.
“Ah, damn it. This night shoot is annoying enough as it is. Are we going to be here until dawn?”
“Tsk. Wanna bet on how many takes it'll be? I'll bet 30,000 won on thirteen takes.”
“I'll take fifteen. Check your wallet, you got 30,000 won?”
“Fine, here! 30,000 won. You put yours up too.”
But thinking from their perspective, their reaction was understandable. They were likely freelancers who wouldn't get a penny of overtime for working late. It was only natural for them to get angry at the slightest possibility of their time being wasted.
“Please, I don’t care if her acting is terrible, just let it be under fifteen takes.”
“Hey, do you know what this scene is? Even for a minor role, the emotional line is crucial. Forget fifteen takes, I just hope she doesn't piss off the director.”
“Pfft. He'll be pissed by the tenth take. She'll probably end up acting with real tears by the end.”
The two of them snickered as they grumbled.
Oblivious, Ro-si was politely greeting every single crew member, starting with the director.
[Sudden Quest, ‘Ro-si’s Acting Debut’ has been updated.]
Many people on set are pessimistic about Ro-si's acting. Her acting debut will have a major impact on her future. Lead Ro-si to a successful performance.
Objective: 5 or fewer retakes.
Probability of Acting Failure: 81%
Success Reward: Related Connection (Very Important)
Failure Penalty: Decreased Self-Esteem (The related ‘Ro-si’s Presence’ quest will also fail due to a severe drop in self-esteem)