Chapter 186
Chapter 186
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: Lowering the Odds
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"I'm going to go change."
Ro-si got into the car, and I was preoccupied with figuring out how to lower the probability of her failing the scene.
Once she actually started acting, it was obvious the failure rate would drop significantly thanks to my Starmaker trait and others kicking in. But seeing the probability fluctuate from moment to moment, it was clear that removing certain hindrances would lower it.
If you're going to give me a system, it'd be nice if it just showed me everything clearly, but it always makes me think like this. What a wretched system.
Was it because of the people who were prejudiced against Ro-si for being an idol? But that was something that could only be eliminated if her acting was successful.
"Manager, they want Oh Ro-si to get ready for filming quickly."
"Got it."
We arrived a full thirty minutes early, yet they were rushing us.
Knock, knock.
"Yes!"
As expected of a good car, it was well soundproofed. I cupped my hands around my mouth and spoke toward the car.
"They want to start filming soon."
"Okay, okay. I'm coming out!"
I could faintly feel the vibration of her hopping on one foot. Soon, the car door opened, and out came Ro-si, dressed in a shabby short-sleeved shirt and pilled sweatpants, her hair tied back carelessly.
Her glamorous image was gone, replaced by a look that could evoke feelings of pity and compassion. Assuming she could act well, of course.
[Name: Ro-si (Age 20)]
[Ongoing Quests]
-‘Ro-si's Presence’ (Self-esteem 61/100)
-‘Ro-si's First Act’ (Attempts Remaining 5/5)
Vocal: 64/75
Dance: 60/68
Rap: 70/91
Talent: 55/92
⋮
Acting: 70/70/??
She had regained some of the self-esteem that had hit rock bottom, and through acting lessons, Ro-si had reached the maximum acting skill level she could currently achieve.
The last time, when we were viewing the shareholder registry, she had synchronized with my system and given a brilliant performance as if possessed by a tycoon, but that was only when she was with me. The synchronization would break if we were too far apart.
I couldn't follow Ro-si around forever, so I had to help her complete all her quests and draw out her innate talent even without me. Otherwise, she would surely be branded as an inconsistent actor.
"Let's get you in there. We don't have time."
"Yes, yes!"
A flustered Ro-si scurried off without even a chance to talk to me.
In the idol world, she had gained a fair amount of recognition, but this place felt like a completely different world.
Were there no Answer fans among the production crew? Or do people in this industry just look down on idols?
The four-year-old girl who would be filming with Ro-si was carried toward the swings in her mother's arms.
[Acting Failure Probability: 83%]
The failure probability, which had been fluctuating between 75% and 80%, suddenly jumped by 3%. Was it because Ro-si was nervous from being rushed?
At this rate, the chances of her failing to succeed within five attempts were very high.
[Trait ‘Starmaker’ Activated]
[Trait ‘Soulmate’ Activated]
[Target Ro-si's confidence and acting skill will increase due to synchronization with you.]
[Acting Failure Probability: 61%]
The failure probability dropped a lot. Statistically, with five chances, the likelihood of success was much higher now.
"Hello."
"Hmm… Please do a good job. With the acting."
Ro-si spoke to the mother who had brought the child, but the mother subtly showed her displeasure.
She was clearly worried that an idol-turned-actor, not a professional, would ruin the chemistry with her child.
Everyone seemed to be provoking Ro-si and me.
Let's do this, Ro-si.
Ro-si sat on the swing, holding the child.
"Hi there. Let's do a good job together."
"Yeah. Are you my mommy?"
"Yes. Unni is your mommy."
"...Unni?"
"No, no. For the shoot, I'm your mommy. Mommy."
Ro-si looked troubled by the young child who couldn't quite understand. The assistant director held up a slate with 'Scene 87a' written on it in front of the camera.
"...Hey, hey. Get that slate out of here."
"Yes, sir."
When the director showed a displeased expression, the faces of the crew members all soured. I'd heard he was a picky director, and it seemed the rumors were true.
"Hey... can't you do your job right? What's her role?"
"...A young mother in an unfortunate environment..."
The assistant director mumbled, as if he couldn't quite grasp the director's intention.
"Right? An unfortunate environment, so she's wearing a shabby t-shirt and pilled sweatpants."
"...Yes."
"Does a gold necklace and color makeup suit a mother like that?"
"Ah! I'm so sorry!"
Damn. The production team was in such a hurry that I didn't notice it either.
Suddenly turned into the culprit, Ro-si shot up from the swing, not knowing what to do.
"Hey, you punk. Is this your first day on the job? Do I have to take care of every little thing like this?"
"I'm sorry! We started earlier than scheduled."
"Are you blaming me right now?"
"No, sir! I'm sorry."
"If the assistant director can't even handle this, I might as well do everything myself, shouldn't I?"
The director berated the assistant director to the point of crushing his pride, and I could feel the immense psychological pressure on Ro-si, who had witnessed it all.
The drama's writer let out a deep sigh, tapped her neck with her script, and walked off the set.
[Acting Failure Probability: 65%]
[Acting Failure Probability: 67%]
[Acting Failure Probability: 71%]
⋮
"What are you doing, kid! Get that makeup off, now."
Ro-si shot up and bowed her head to each of the crew members, apologizing.
"I'm sorry, Director. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry. It's my fault. Don't be discouraged."
"No, it's not. I did wonder if I should remove my makeup, but I didn't say anything because I thought it was okay. It's my mistake. I've sometimes seen people on TV who just appear like that."
It was the necklace I had gifted to all the members of Answer, which made me feel even worse about it.
Ro-si took off her necklace and handed it to me. The moment the necklace, still warm with her body heat, touched my cold hand, I had a realization.
What if her mouth was frozen from the cold? Perhaps this cold was the main culprit drastically raising the failure probability.
After getting yelled at like that, it wasn't about five attempts anymore. She had to get an "OK" in a single take.
"Besides, we arrived early, so it's the production team's responsibility that the makeup wasn't done right. Don't blame yourself. Like you said, some people don't pay attention to makeup."
"Okay!"
While Ro-si removed her makeup and had a paler look applied, I quickly grabbed a blanket and draped it over her.
[Acting Failure Probability: 70%]
[Acting Failure Probability: 69%]
⋮
The failure probability was definitely related to the cold, as it began to drop little by little.
I couldn't suddenly make her exercise to warm up, and I regretted not noticing sooner.
Vrooom.
Another sprinter van pulled in.
"Actors Jung Woo-jin and Yoo Sang-hoon have arrived."
A staff member announced the arrival of the two lead actors as if to make sure everyone heard.
Everyone's faces, including the director's, brightened. I guessed that the filming schedule wasn't as elastic when it came to their arrival times.
"Director!"
"Oh, you're here? Your costumes are perfect. We can start filming just like this. Just tidy yourselves up a bit and let's go."
"Yes, Director."
The difference in temperature compared to how they treated Ro-si. Those actors must have gone through a lot to get where they are, but I couldn't help feeling bitter.
"We're starting with scene 89a, the Woo-hyun and Grim Reaper scene!"
Normally, this would have put me in a foul mood, but right now, it was actually a relief. It was a golden opportunity to warm up Ro-si's frozen body and bring down her failure probability.
"Jeez. They should have let us go first, especially with a child here."
The child's mother grumbled in Ro-si's direction.
Her gaze seemed to blame her, as if to say, 'Isn't it obvious your filming order was pushed back because you're a rookie who's bound to make a lot of mistakes?'
After her makeup was done, Ro-si approached the tall, early-thirties actors, Jung Woo-jin and Yoo Sang-hoon.
"Hello, Seonbae-nim!"
"Oh. You're from Answer, right? I heard your song is pretty good."
"Thank you!"
"You're pretty."
"Thank you, Seonbae-nim!"
Ro-si bowed deeply to the two actors.
I felt a little disappointed in the two lead actors. If it were me, I would have at least checked the script for Ro-si's name and used it... I worried it might have hurt the sensitive Ro-si, but thankfully, her self-esteem didn't seem to drop.
Personal stylists and makeup artists swarmed around the two male leads as they talked with the main writer, who had returned. It was an insignificant scene, but I found myself getting sentimental for no reason.
"Scene 89a is ready. Stand by."
Ro-si, sitting on the swing with a lonely expression while holding the child, was filmed in a full background shot, far from the two actors, as the two leads exchanged their lines.
Ro-si's scene, which required her to hold the child and look like she was crying without any lines, ended, and they moved on to filming a two-shot of the lead actors.
Her turn pushed back, Ro-si approached me.
"Ch-ch-chatter."
I could hear her teeth chattering, and the acting failure probability began to rise again. Sitting still on the swing in a thin short-sleeved shirt must have made her even colder.
[Acting Failure Probability 72%]
I didn't know how long the lead actors' shoot would take, but I had to warm Ro-si up before then.
"Ro-si, follow me."
"Okay."
I set my sights on a hill about 50 meters away. Ro-si stood beside me, looking at the same spot as if asking what was going on.
We were at a distance where our running wouldn't interfere with the on-set sound recording.
"If you want to show your true skills, you have to beat the cold first."
"Okay."
"Run with me."
"Huh?"
I took the lead and started running, and a bewildered Ro-si began to follow.
Ro-si, who along with Yi-na had the weakest physical abilities among the Answer members, quickly became out of breath.
Many of the crew members stared at us running, bewildered.
"Hah... hah..."
If my prediction was correct, the lead actors' scene would be over quickly. It wasn't just their acting skills; their long experience meant they knew exactly what the picky director wanted.
[Acting Failure Probability: 72%]
[Acting Failure Probability: 62%]
[Acting Failure Probability: 51%]
The more breathless Ro-si became, the more rapidly the failure probability dropped. Her body was clearly feeling the heat instead of the cold now.
Thankfully, my guess was right. If we could just maintain this, she might really get an "OK" in one take.
"Haah, haah, haht, haah."
[Acting Failure Probability: 49%]
[Acting Failure Probability: 53%]
As Ro-si became completely winded, the failure probability started to rise again. It was time to stop.
I took off my jacket and draped it over Ro-si.
A few crew members watched silently as Ro-si and I came down from the hill.
Ro-si didn't question my sudden actions, simply looking at her script as she slowly descended the hill.
While the two leads were filming their scene, whenever Ro-si felt cold, I had her do a set of squats.
"Hoo... haah... hoo... haah."
Completely trusting me, Ro-si simply did as I said, and the failure probability remained around 50%.
It was clear that with her current acting skill, the probability of getting an "OK" in one take couldn't get any higher than that.
"Cut! That was good."
The two actors monitored the few filmed scenes with the director, looking satisfied.
"That's top actors for you. As long as they're not late, filming is over in a flash."
"Hey, Director. We came early today, what's with that? So, we can go now, right?"
"Hmm. We might need to do a reshoot..."
"Aww, Directooor! You're great at piecing things together... give us a break. You always make the picture fit perfectly."
Just as they had arrived, the two of them got into a single car and disappeared again.
It seemed like less than thirty minutes had passed from their arrival to their departure.
As the two actors left, the director's gaze turned toward Ro-si, who flinched in surprise. The director beckoned with his finger, and Ro-si practically ran over to him.
"Yes, Director."
"Why were you making such a scene, running around and doing squats? It was distracting."
Ro-si looked at me, her expression pleading for help.
"We were warming up her body so she wouldn't flub her lines from a frozen mouth. It's partly our personal desire for a great shot, but also so the director and crew, who are working hard late into the night, can go home sooner."
"Hmph."
The director, who had been so cynical toward us, let out a small chuckle for the first time.