A Comprehensive Look at Jeongnyeon 2024

In-Depth Review of 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born'

Explore every aspect of ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’ in this comprehensive review. Dive into character insights, strengths, and weaknesses. If you haven’t seen the drama yet and are looking for a spoiler-free review, check out the link below.

Spoiler Alert!

Warning: This review contains major spoilers for the Korean drama ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’. Proceed with caution if you have not yet watched the series.

Key plot points and character developments will be discussed in detail.

Reading further may reveal significant story elements that could affect your viewing experience.

Series Details

General Information

Air Date: October 12 – November 17, 2024

Episodes: 12

Where to Watch: Hulu

Genre: Historical Drama

Starring: Kim Tae Ri and Shin Ye Eun

Story Summary

'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born':

Traditional Musical Theater

In the 1950’s, following the Korean War, the popularity of an all-female form of theater called Gukgeuk swept the country.  Into this setting, we meet a young girl from mokpo with a natural talent for pansori, who dreams of becoming a famous actress and supporting her struggling family.  But talent alone will only carry her so far.  Luckily, she also has a determined spirit and a solid work ethic.  And as she trains with Maeran Theater Troupe, she will be challenged by the rigor of the art and the jealousy of her fellow trainees.  

Yun Jeong Nyeon and Heo Yeong Seo

Exploring the Leads

Kim Tae Ri as Yun Jeong Nyeon

Jeong Nyeon's Story

Yun Jeong Nyeon grew up helping her mom sell fish in their small town.  She has a natural talent for singing pansori, but her mother has forbidden her from singing in public.  But one day, while Jeong Nyeon is singing in the town market, she meets Moon Ok Gyeong, who is a famous gukgeuk “prince”.  Recognizing her obvious talent, Ok Gyeong agrees to help Jeong Nyeon train to join a theater troupe in the city.  

At first Jeong Nyeon is allowed to stay on at the theater as a stage hand.  But over time, she is able to become an official trainee, and she begins working to get bigger and better parts.  But her continual pushing eventually causes a potential career ending injury that puts her whole future in jeopardy.  Now she will have to draw on her additional training as an actress to fill in the gaps where her voice no longer carries her and hope for the best.  

 

 

 

A Comprehensive Look at Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born 2024

Jeong Nyeon's Character

Yun Jeong Nyeon is cheerful and hardworking.  In the beginning, many of the theater members were jealous of her talent and saw her as unwanted competition.  But Jeong Nyeon’s supportive optimism eventually wins over almost all of her fellow actresses.  Kim Tae Ri is an interesting actress who isn’t afraid to push the limits of her talent.  And that makes her dramas such a joy to watch.  This part was far from easy, but I feel like Kim Tae Ri played it perfectly and I enjoyed every last minute of it.  

 

Shin Ye Eun as Heo Yeong Seo

Yeong Seo's Story

Heo Yeong Seo is the daughter of a famous singer.  Her sister followed in her mother’s footstep, and tours the world as a singer.  Yeong Seo’s mother has never understood Yeong Seo’s insistence on singing pansori, and considers it beneath their family and their talent.  Because of this, Yeong Seo works tirelessly to win starring roles that will impress her mother and prove her worth.

Yeong Seo has been a member of Maeran Troupe much longer than Jeong Nyeon, so she is less than happy when the new member starts competing for lead roles.  But over time, the actresses find that some healthy competition can help bring out the best in both of them.  And slowly, Yeong Seo warms to Jeong Nyeon and offers her new friend comfort and support when Jeong Nyeon is ready to give up.  

A Comprehensive Look at Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born 2024

Yeong Seo's Character

Heo Yeong Seo is a perfectionist who is obsessed with becoming the best singer and actress she can be.  She isn’t close with any of the other girls in the troupe, since she spends all of her free time training and rehearsing.  But as she watches Jeong Nyeon interact with the other troupe members, she begins to see that team work is beneficial to their troupe as a whole.  Shin Ye Eun is a gifted actress and she played this part beautifully.  Her graceful portrayal of this complex character was well done.  

Supporting Cast Insights

Meet the Secondary Cast

Ra Mi Ran as Kang So Bok

A Comprehensive Look at Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born 2024

Kang  So Bok is the Director of Maeran Troupe.  She also grew up as a performer and was best friends with Jeong Nyeon’s mother when they were young.  Now she trains the girls and helps arrange and promote their performances.  

Jung Eun Chae as Moon Ok Gyeong

A Comprehensive Look at Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born 2024

Moon Ok Gyeong is the ‘Prince” of Maeran Theater.  She performs all the leads male roles.  She is beloved by fans and unrivaled as an actress.  But she has grown bored of the status quo, and sees Jeong Nyeon as her competition and eventual successor.

Woo Da Vi as Hong Ju Ran

A Comprehensive Look at Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born 2024

Hong Ju Ran is Jeong Nyeon’s best friend at Maeran.  When Jeong Nyeon is still new, Ju Ran takes her under her wing and helps her adjust to life in the troupe.  And practicing with Jeong Nyeon pushes Ju Ran’s talent to new levels as well.

Highlights of 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born'

What I Loved About the Drama

Female Energy

Very seldom do we get a Korean drama that is predominently females.  And this one is basically all women, with the exception of a couple pathetic villains who make brief appearances.  And the magic that these actresses manage to create together is really beautiful.  While there is no direct romance, there are some intriguing touches of love and passion.  

Play Within a Play

So much of this drama revolves around practice and performance that it feels like we are actually watching a theater production at times.  The cinematography is so realistic, that it often feels like we have front row seats to these amazing performances.  It semmed like I got such a feel for what it must have been like to sit in the audience for these plays and I learned to really appreciate the art of them.  

Jeong Nyeon's Mom

I loved the subtle development of Jeong Nyeon’s mom.  At first, she seems unnecessarily strict and unreasonable.  But as her story unfolds, we see that she was deeply hurt by her rise and fall as an actress.  And she is really just trying to save Jeong Nyeon from a similar pain.

I love that it is her mother’s coaching that helps Jeong Nyeon see that she can still have a future as a singer after her injury.  This shows that her mom’s number one concern is the health and happiness of her daughter, not her own pains and prejudices.  And having her there in the audience for Jeong Nyeon’s final Maeran performance must have meant the world to both Jeong Nyeon and So Bok.  

Critiques of 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born'

What I Didn't Love About the Drama

Ju Ran

Ju Ran’s ending felt so bittersweet and wrong.  Especially since she left right before the final performance of Maeran.  I mean, it’s great that Cho Rok got a chance but poor Ju Ran.  I would have loved to see her and Jeong Nyeon get their wish just once to stand on the stage together as co-stars.

Ok Gyeong

I wish we had seen more development from Ok Gyeong.  Especially since her ending is a bit maddening.  The idea that she would just abandon the troupe without a second thought in their time of need is so disappointing.  And I would have liked to see more interactions between her and Jeong Nyeon.  

Abrupt Ending

I’ve seen a lot of people complaining that we didn’t at least get some kind of epilogue of where everyone went once Maeran closed.  For sure, it was a time when life was changing and the need for all-female theater probably lessened once the effects of the war died down.  But to just say “they all scattered, the end” is kind of anti-climatic.  I would have loved to hear if any of them went on to do other kinds of acting or theater.  

The Conclusion of 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born'

Drama Ending Explained

‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’ gives us a bittersweet ending without much real closure for our characters.  First Ju Ran, Ok Gyeong, and Hye Rang all leave the troupe, each for their own reasons.  But with the loss of their prince and princess, Director Kang comes to the difficult decision that she has no choice but to sell the property and disband the theater troupe.  But not without one final performance.

So Bok chooses not to tell the girls about her decision, but they all figure out on their own that Maeran will be closing its doors after this last show. Jeong Nyeon has come back after her injury, and she has learned to bring all the elements of acting together to compensate for her “broken” voice.  She and Yeong Seo compete for the starring male role and Jeong Nyeon gives such a stunning audition performance that even Yeong Seo joins in to congratulate Jeong Nyeon.  And in a fun twist, Yeong Seo is awarded the villain role, which allows her to also play a lead.

At the final. performance, the actresses all vow to give it their all for one last time.  Both Jeong Nyeon and Yeong Seo’s mothers are in the audience, as well as Jeong Nyeon’s old teacher, Patricia Kim.  The performance is emotional and quite possibly the groups best show ever.  And as the curtain closes on the stage, we get a vague voiceover about how each of the girls went on to discover their own path. Although the lack of any real explanation of where they all went or what each one did is a bit disappointing, it highlights the idea that this drama and these characters don’t exist outside the world of Maeran.  And what happens next is another story for another drama.

 

Personal Insights

Reflecting on 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born'

‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’ is a historical drama that centers around traditional gukgeuk drama and a young troupe of female performers.  The themes of friendship, love, and passion are the focus.   I have to say this may be the most interesting and educational drama of the year for me.  The way it weaves the unique story with the opportunity to learn about this art form was fascinating. 

I knew nothing about gukgeuk or pansori going in,  and wasn’t really sure what to expect from the drama. But I feel like I have gained an appreciation for this style of musical theater after watching this drama.  Kim Tae Ri takes some of the most challenging roles of any actress, and she and the rest of the cast are fabulous.

I have personally not read the webtoon this drama is based on.  I have heard some complain about the exclusion of LGBTQ relationships in the drama.  And if you aren’t at all interested in listening to or watching traditional theater being practiced and performed, you may be bored by the lengthy play segments.  While the drama may have been cut a bit short, I was absolutely entertained and spellbound by the singing and acting.   I give “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’ a 10 out of 10 ramen.

 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜 🍜

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