Rose's Ambition, The Juri Project
The casual conversation between Namgoong Min and Ju-ri had now shifted into a proper meeting.
His smile remained gentle, yet his face carried a serious undertone.
After taking a sip of tea, Min opened his mouth.
“Miss Ju-ri, shall we begin the real discussion now? Is there anything in particular you’re hoping for?”
Ju-ri fell into brief thought at the unexpected question from the CEO.
What could the CEO be thinking by asking this? Is it a test? No, that doesn’t seem like his personality… He can’t possibly grant every single wish I mention, right? Maybe he’s looking for something to reference?
Unable to read his exact intentions, she offered a careful smile and gave a standard answer.
“It’s such a sudden question… I can’t think of anything right away. For now, I’d like anything that helps with Blossoms’ activities.”
Watching her make a thoughtful expression before giving such a safe reply, he smiled.
“You seem like you need time to organize your thoughts after a sudden question? Feel free to tell me later, whenever you’re ready.”
Before Ju-ri could even let out a small sigh of relief, he moved straight to the heart of the conversation.
“By the way… Miss Ju-ri.”
“Yes, CEO.”
She straightened her posture again and looked at him with tense eyes.
“Do you have any interest in acting? Of course, while continuing your work with Blossoms.”
Ju-ri’s eyes widened at the sudden acting offer from the CEO.
“Acting…? I… actually, I’ve been interested in it for a while. But I’m still only in my first year since debut… and I’ve never really had the chance to try it properly.”
Her voice trembled slightly, but the excitement hidden within it was impossible to conceal.
She had always believed she had real potential in the field, but hearing it directly from the CEO’s mouth made her heart pound once again at this unexpected opportunity.
Acting… Is he really giving me the chance to debut as an actress? I’m only in my first year since debut.
Min quietly observed her reaction and smiled.
“Think about it. I believe you’d be more than capable, Miss Ju-ri.”
At those words, Ju-ri’s chest swelled with emotion.
She had proven her massive star power as a top idol by filming numerous CFs, yet she had never once received a formal acting offer.
Even she had thought it would be difficult to challenge the high status of acting without caution.
If a first-year idol like her expanded her reach into acting, her value would undoubtedly skyrocket beyond anything before.
Countless idol members sought acting careers after their groups disbanded, but only a tiny fraction ever succeeded.
It was a field with extremely high barriers and prejudice, and although no one said it openly, there was an unspoken culture that valued actors more highly than idols.
Even as a Hallyu star who filmed countless CFs and enjoyed popularity, there was still an invisible wall one could feel subconsciously.
Excluding a small handful of exceptions, actors still held the clear advantage in terms of “status” compared to idols.
Ju-ri looked at the CEO with eyes that were surprised yet filled with trembling anticipation as she answered.
“O-of course, CEO. If I get the chance, I’d absolutely love to try it!”
Her excited voice, sparkling eyes, and slightly trembling fingers revealed exactly what she was feeling.
“Really? That’s good to hear. Then I’ll give you the details later. For now, since you’re a top idol but completely new to acting… let’s start by building experience through a few supporting roles.”
Ju-ri was greatly shocked in her heart at the CEO’s words.
The promise that he would let her film several projects right away, despite her having zero acting experience.
The corners of her eyes grew slightly moist with emotion.
“Really…? CEO… thank you! I’ll work incredibly hard!”
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
Even if they’re just supporting roles, it’s fine! The CEO is opening the path of acting for me!
This wasn’t some mediocre agency. These were the words of the head of Four Square Entertainment, which even possessed its own content production team.
When he said something like this, it was practically as good as confirmed.
Namgoong Min, seeing her reaction, gave a pleased, gentle smile.
“I’ll be looking forward to it, Miss Ju-ri.”
Those words made Ju-ri’s heart swell once again.
She instinctively understood that his proposal wasn’t just empty talk — it was an opportunity that could change her future.
***
After the meeting ended, Ju-ri’s steps were light and bouncy.
Even during that short walk back to the practice room, she mulled over the new opportunity the CEO had given her.
They’re supporting roles… but it’s not just a one-time appearance. He specifically said he’d let me do several.
Having witnessed the overwhelming scale of the drama Yeoyo War with her own eyes, Ju-ri knew that once Namgoong Min set his mind on something, he would push forward regardless of profit.
Therefore, his words — “let’s start by building experience through a few supporting roles” — essentially meant that appearing in several projects was already set in stone.
That single sentence had opened a door that would change her future.
She had reached the highest position as an idol, yet the new world of “acting” that had seemed so out of reach had opened up to her with just one sentence from Namgoong Min. The emotion she felt was beyond words.
CEO… thank you so much. I… I’ll definitely do well. I won’t let you down…
The intense desire to live up to his expectations.
For a while, Ju-ri had felt anxious and a little hurt, wondering if the CEO’s attention had shifted entirely to Eun-jung.
She wanted his recognition.
She wanted to rise to the very top among the agency’s idols.
And she wanted to become someone worthy of standing by his side.
But she had felt that simply being an idol — simply being Shin Ju-ri of Blossoms — wouldn’t be enough to reach that place.
And the scandal news with Eun-jung that had broken at just the right time had been slowly chipping away at her confidence.
But now, a new path called acting had opened before her.
It might be small for now, but the entrance to a path that had been so difficult to even step onto had finally opened.
If she steadily climbed the steps, she might one day stand at the top actress position that Eun-jung currently enjoyed.
With those thoughts, her steps back to the practice room were impossibly light.
A captivating rose scent lingered faintly in the places she passed.
A new change was about to begin for her as well.
***
Right after the meeting with Ju-ri ended, Min met with Executive Director Lee, the head of Square Four.
“Director Lee. How much spare manpower does Square Four have available these days?”
After thinking for a moment, Executive Director Lee answered.
“Right now we’re fully focused on producing Yeoyo War… I’d need to check the exact numbers, but I don’t think there’s much available.”
Square Four.
The content production label under Four Square Entertainment.
It had been created to plan and produce everything from YouTube content for the agency’s actors and the idol group Blossoms to web dramas and films.
And a significant portion of their staff was currently assigned to the massive 550-billion-won historical drama Yeoyo War.
After thinking for a moment at Director Lee’s words, Min continued.
“Select personnel who won’t affect the ongoing production of Yeoyo War and draw up plans for a modern romantic comedy drama.”
Executive Director Lee’s expression showed slight doubt at Namgoong Min’s new project directive.
Paying no mind to that reaction, Min went on.
“Since it’s a modern drama, the budget won’t even be comparable to Yeoyo War. The key point is something else.
First, secure a writer and director for the drama. Then present them with the condition that Shin Ju-ri will appear in a supporting role. Under that condition, we will provide explosive support for the production budget and casting.”
“You mean… Shin Ju-ri from Blossoms?”
“Yes. From now on, Miss Ju-ri will begin acting in parallel with her Blossoms activities.”
At the unexpected statement, Executive Director Lee paused his note-taking, his expression turning slightly confused.
Shin Ju-ri… the center of Blossoms. So the CEO is personally pushing for her acting debut. But didn’t he have a scandal with Yoon Eun-jung? I thought he had special feelings for her…
Looking at the thoughtful Executive Director Lee, Min gave a faint smile and said,
“It seems unexpected that I’m pushing for Miss Ju-ri’s acting debut?”
“Ah… no, sir. You must have your reasons. I’ll prepare everything as instructed.”
“Yes. I’m counting on you, Director Lee.
Keep the project light as a romantic comedy, but make sure to cast her in a role where she can naturally shine. Utilize her image to the fullest. If the condition is full budget support in exchange for including one supporting role that isn’t too significant, I doubt there will be much difficulty in planning the project.”
Executive Director Lee chimed in agreement with Min’s words.
“That’s true. These days in the production industry, it’s very much a case of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. A lot of places are struggling to secure budgets. If we suddenly demanded she be cast as the lead, they’d be in a tough spot… but if it’s just a supporting role, the other side will probably welcome it with open arms, CEO.”
“Yes, that’s exactly why I’m saying this, so please take good care of it, Director Lee.”
“Understood, CEO.”
Satisfied, Min nodded and wrapped up the conversation with Executive Director Lee.
***
Namgoong Min’s instructions spread quickly throughout the company.
Rumors centered around the Square Four production team spread, and employees could be heard discussing it everywhere.
In the break room, cafeteria, in front of the vending machines, and everywhere else.
Whenever employees gathered, they talked about the new project, sharing their impressions and speculations.
The main topics were Shin Ju-ri’s first acting debut and guesses about the CEO’s “true intentions.”
Occasionally, there were guesses that something might be going on between the CEO and Shin Ju-ri, but unlike the scandal with Eun-jung, these didn’t gain much traction.
It was clearly an unconventional decision to support the production budgets of several dramas and films, but the overall reaction was positive.
There was the huge difference in budget scale, and above all, the CEO’s calm attitude toward the previous scandal, the fact that Blossoms was Four Square’s flagship idol group, her debut in a supporting rather than lead role, and the support for Shin Ju-ri — the most popular center — all drew sympathy and understanding from the employees.
Internally, it was quickly dubbed the “Juri Project,” and Shin Ju-ri was emerging as a new rival to Yoon Eun-jung, who had been in the spotlight every day thanks to Yeoyo War.
