Kim Tae-ri shines in 'Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born,' living up to hype

Peaking with an 18 % viewership rating, the drama achieves both commercial and critical success

By KTimes

The period drama "Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born" has wrapped up successfully, living up to its reputation as one of this year's most highly anticipated shows. The dedication of its cast and crew, who spent years bringing the story to life, has resulted in both critical acclaim and impressive viewership ratings.

TvN's final episode aired on Sunday, bringing to a close a story set in the 1950s, shortly after the Korean War. It follows Jeongnyeon (Kim Tae-ri), a prodigious vocalist aiming to become the greatest performer in "gukgeuk," a Korean opera genre in which all roles are performed by women.

Directed by Jung Ji-in, known for "The Red Sleeve," the drama attracted viewers with its compelling tale of competition, camaraderie and personal growth.

The last episode featured the Mae-ran Gukgeuk Troupe's final performance amid looming closure. Jeongnyeon claimed the lead role of Asadal in "The Legend of the Twin Pagodas."

Fellow performer Yeong-seo (Shin Ye-eun) congratulated her with heartfelt sincerity, saying, "You are our new prince," accepting the outcome with grace. Together, they delivered a moving performance that earned resounding applause.

Notable scenes included veterans Seo Yong-rye (Moon So-ri) and Jeong-ja (Oh Kyeong-hwa) watching Jeongnyeon perform, unable to hold back their tears of pride.

The journey to the small screen was far from smooth. In September, MBC filed an injunction against Jeongnyeon's co-production company, claiming financial losses due to a failed broadcast deal.

The network also cited personnel losses, pointing to the departure of director Jung Ji-in, who became a star after "The Red Sleeve." Production companies countered, accusing MBC of intentionally delaying budget negotiations to sabotage the drama.

Despite the ongoing legal battle, "Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born" aired without interruption, a meaningful victory for its creators.

Fans of the original story voiced disappointment over the absence of "Bu-yong," a significant character in the source material.

Director Jung explained the decision to omit the character was made to streamline the narrative, though the frustration of fans persisted.

Critical acclaim and ratings success

The period drama rose above its controversies by focusing on its core story, earning both high viewership ratings and praise. According to Nielsen Korea, ratings soared from 4.8 percent for the premiere to 16 percent for the finale. The drama also topped multiple charts, including Kino Lights' integrated content ranking, Good Data Corporation's TV-OTT buzz ranking and YouTube views for domestic dramas.

The show's meticulous preparation, which spanned three years, was evident in every aspect. Gukgeuk, a genre combining vocal performance, dance and acting, required the cast to undergo rigorous training.

Kim Tae-ri, along with co-stars Moon So-ri, Shin Ye-eun and others, dedicated themselves to mastering singing, dialects and stage presence to fully embody their characters.

The production team also placed significant emphasis on showcasing gukgeuk performances, successfully sparking renewed interest in the traditional art form.

Released globally on Disney+, "Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born" introduced international audiences to Korea's unique performing arts traditions, such as gukgeuk and "pansori." The drama has become a cultural bridge, earning praise from major overseas media outlets for its portrayal of this vibrant art form.

With its captivating narrative, stellar performances and cultural significance, the drama not only lived up to expectations but also left a lasting impression, proving that dedication and authenticity can overcome even the toughest of challenges.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.