Golden Shackles
Various media outlets detailed the start of filming for Yeoyo War, the massive production site, its overwhelming scale, and the flood of trailers that followed, sparking widespread public interest. As soon as news of the first shoot broke at dawn, both online and offline media covered it extensively in real time. Every platform and SNS feed was flooded with related articles and videos, and public reaction exploded almost instantly.
The next morning, major outlets already had on-site photos and footage ready for their headlines.
Article content: A fleet of ultra-luxury trailers appeared on set. Each one featured hotel-suite-level facilities. Namgoong Min, CEO of Four Square, was putting his philosophy into practice: “Actors perform at their best when they can rest comfortably.” Public reaction called it “a scale money alone can’t buy.”
In a live news broadcast from the location, the reporter spoke with visible excitement. “As you can see, this is a set with 4,000 extras and 1,000 staff members — a total of 5,000 people mobilized. A staggering 2,000 horses have been brought in for the shoot. It’s being hailed as the dawn of a new era for Korean historical dramas.”
On major portal sites, related articles dominated the real-time search rankings. Yeoyo War First Filming, Namgoong Min Trailers, and Yoon Eun-jung Set swept the top spots, while comment sections overflowed with awe and envy.
Public interest was explosive. Netizens marveled at the overwhelming scale of the set being reported in real time, showering praise on the “new era of Korean dramas” and “Namgoong Min’s insane investment.” The long-dormant scandal between Yoon Eun-jung and Namgoong Min also resurfaced, adding even more fuel to the fire.
In the end, all the coverage and reactions generated nationwide attention both inside and outside the production, building intense anticipation even before the drama aired.
Namgoong Min’s lips curved into a smile as he scrolled through the articles and reactions rising from his desk. With Yeoyo War now fully on track after the official start of filming, he figured he could leave it alone for the roughly six months until its premiere.
It was time to focus on the next project. First, he reviewed the publicly announced Juri Project. A meeting with the already-confirmed director and writer was scheduled shortly. At sixteen episodes with a per-episode budget of 1.5 to 2 billion won, the romantic comedy genre should deliver satisfying results. Even at the upper end, the total production cost would come to around 32 billion won — a somewhat excessive amount just to secure a minor supporting role for Shin Ju-ri alone.
Yet Namgoong Min didn’t consider the investment wasteful in the slightest. Just like the 550-billion-won Yeoyo War, this drama would also join Four Square’s official production slate. Yeoyo War was more than a simple drama; it was content capable of reshaping the entire media landscape. Producing such a blockbuster would establish Four Square as a core player in content creation beyond mere idol management, becoming a black hole that drew in directors, writers, and actors alike. Countless people would flock to ride Four Square’s capital and planning power, naturally increasing its market dominance.
This project followed the same logic. Offering full production funding in exchange for a single minor role that wouldn’t interfere with the creative vision? High-quality projects would pour into Four Square. For directors and writers, there would be no reason not to knock on their door when the only condition was one minor-role performer instead of a lead or supporting actor, in return for complete financial backing.
Namgoong Min viewed the Juri Project not merely as a vehicle for Shin Ju-ri, but as one of several moves to solidify Four Square’s dominance in the content production market. The additional benefits were equally clear. Casting the company’s own actors would give them valuable opportunities and steady exposure. While one or two projects might not be enough to achieve that effect, the industry and public were already fixated after the 550-billion-won debut. If follow-up titles kept coming — even on a smaller scale — the market dominance Namgoong Min sought would rise dramatically.
Shin Ju-ri herself would also find future roles easier thanks to the personal network she would build through the project. That was why Namgoong Min could offer such unprecedented support, seeing the Juri Project as a broader strategy to strengthen Four Square’s position rather than a personal favor.
The upcoming meeting would confirm exactly that.
Across the wide table sat Executive Director Lee of Square Four’s content production team, along with the popular writer and renowned director who had been brought on for the new project. Kim Eun-kyung, the star writer behind multiple hit dramas. Park Sang-won, the director whose stylish touch and solid box-office record had earned praise in both film and television.
They had gathered here solely because of the contract that included Shin Ju-ri’s minor role as a condition. Coffee cups, contracts, and documents lay on the table. After wrapping up discussions on viewer age ratings and platform deals, the atmosphere remained warm as the conversation shifted to casting.
Namgoong Min spoke in his characteristically smooth, relaxed tone. “I hope the conditions we proposed haven’t offended either of you. We don’t need a large role — just enough for her to get a taste of acting and gain experience.”
Both the writer and director waved their hands and laughed at the same time. Writer Kim Eun-kyung spoke first. “Not at all, CEO Namgoong! As you said, it won’t affect the story much, and with Ju-ri’s popularity and visuals, she’ll actually be a plus for the project.”
The director nodded and added, “Thanks to you, we can proceed without worrying about the budget. We’re the ones who should be grateful for this opportunity.”
“Exactly. These days so many productions stuff in excessive PPL just to cover costs and end up getting cursed out by viewers. Being able to focus purely on the work without that stress is a blessing, haha.”
Namgoong Min smiled with satisfaction. “I’m glad to hear it. Even though Ju-ri is good at facial expressions, this will be her first real acting role, so please teach her well. I’m counting on you both.”
“Of course! Haha. Don’t worry, CEO. By the way, Ju-ri is really lucky to have someone like you as her representative.”
“Your playing days are still fresh in my mind, but I never expected you’d be this good at business too. Haha.”
The meeting wound down in a cordial atmosphere. Details such as the crank-in date, completion of main and supporting casting, release timing, promotional plans, and actor schedules were smoothly agreed upon.
Namgoong Min rose with a satisfied expression. “Well then, let’s wrap up here for today. Thank you all for your hard work.”
Twentieth floor of the Four Square Building, the hallway right outside Namgoong Min’s office. Shin Ju-ri’s steps were light as air. Called in by her manager to meet the CEO, her heart was filled with excitement, anticipation, and pure happiness. He had something important to discuss and wanted her to come by briefly. The manager’s expression alone had told her it was good news.
‘Is he going to talk about the drama?’ She already knew the director and writer had been confirmed, so she guessed it was about the next steps.
Standing at the office entrance, she composed herself and knocked carefully. Knock, knock.
A low, calm voice came from inside. “Yes, come in.”
Stepping inside, she saw Namgoong Min seated at his desk. Beside him were Blossoms’ chief manager and Executive Director Yoon of Square One. Their bright expressions eased her tension.
Namgoong Min set down his papers and gestured with a gentle smile. “Ju-ri, have a seat.”
She bowed her head slightly. “Hello, CEO.”
Namgoong Min glanced over the documents before speaking calmly. “Ju-ri, the project has been confirmed. The director and writer have been secured, and casting is underway. It’s a sixteen-episode complex romantic comedy drama. We should be able to start filming as early as next month.”
Shin Ju-ri’s eyes widened. Sixteen episodes. Complex. The words spun in her mind.
“R… really?” Her voice trembled slightly, her eyes brimming with surprise and emotion. She had known the drama was in the works, but actually hearing the concrete plan made it feel far more real.
Namgoong Min nodded, smiling. “Yes. Your role is ‘Minor Role 2’ — the female lead’s younger cousin. You’ll appear for about ten to fifteen minutes per episode. It won’t heavily impact the plot, but the character is charming enough to stay in viewers’ memories.”
The moment she heard those words, her chest swelled. Ten to fifteen minutes of screen time per episode for a minor role. That wasn’t a minor role at all — it was practically a supporting part. Just that alone would elevate her class by a level. Already the center of an idol group at the peak of popularity, the new title of “actress” would give her an entirely different standing.
And this was a project the CEO himself was personally overseeing.
Tears welled in her eyes. She stood and bowed deeply. “CEO… thank you so much. I… I never dreamed I’d receive an opportunity this big. Really… thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Her voice shook, her gaze filled with sincerity. She sat back down, hands clasped together. Her heart pounded as excitement and gratitude mingled, coloring her cheeks.
The chief manager laughed. “Ju-ri, you should thank the CEO properly. This is your life’s turning point.”
Namgoong Min waved his hand gently with a soft smile. “It’s fine. It’s thanks to Ju-ri’s star quality. I didn’t even expect this much screen time, but it seems the writer and director liked you.”
“I believe you’ll do well. Just keep gaining experience and grow steadily. I’m looking forward to it.”
Shin Ju-ri nodded and bowed again. “Yes… CEO. I’ll do my absolute best. I won’t let you down.”
Executive Director Yoon of Square One chimed in with a laugh. “Haha. The CEO specifically asked us to cast well-known names for the main and supporting roles in this project, so look forward to it. Buzz is what matters most for something like this.”
The chief manager agreed. “Of course. The drama has to succeed for the cast to benefit too. The production budget itself is already an extraordinary amount for a romantic comedy, so you can expect good things.”
“An extraordinary amount?” Shin Ju-ri asked cautiously.
The chief manager smiled. “Two billion per episode. Sixteen episodes means a total budget of 32 billion. By normal standards, that’s enough to be called a big production.”
“Two billion per episode…”
“Haha, yeah. Yeoyo War has already shattered all common sense with its scale, but for a romantic comedy, 32 billion lets us fill it with a luxurious cast and shoot in top-tier locations.”
Inside, Shin Ju-ri was already overflowing with excitement. ‘Screen time every episode… a two-billion-per-episode budget… I’m… really debuting as an actress.’
She looked at the CEO and whispered inwardly, ‘CEO… thank you so much. I’ll… I’ll do my best.’
Listening to the rapid beating of her own heart, she painted a bright future in her mind. Shin Ju-ri’s new beginning was now officially underway.