Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born

Gukgeuk Is Fascinating

This is hard to rate for me. Let me list the good and bad and go from there.

The Good:
• I like Kim Tae Ri, and she does a fine job here. So does the entire cast.
• The drama subverted my expectations; I never really knew where it was going.
• Jeongnyeon introduced me to pansori and gukgeuk, which I found fascinating and extremely interesting. So much so that I looked up the history of each. Pansori was storytelling with one singer and one drummer. It could be as long as EIGHT to TEN hours long. These productions were very limited; twelve are known, but only five have been passed down. Gukgeuk was an all-female performing troupe that performed pansori with costumes, acting, and sets (similar to opera), but in a shorter form more palatable to the audiences of the 1940s and 1950s.

The Bad:
• I found it hard to sympathize with Jeongnyeon when she was suffering at her worst. When your best friends beg you not to strain your voice, when your mentor warns you against overusing your voice, and common sense tells you not damage your voice, then I guess you live with the consequences when you disregard them. The drama lost me at that point, and my enjoyment decreased greatly. I'd been in Jeongnyeon's corner up to that point, even though she should have been booted out of the company numerous times for her antics (self-centered grandstanding onstage), but that was it for me. Seriously, she was an exhausting character: stubborn, strong-willed, irrational, and inconsiderate. Even so, I liked her!
• The drama subverted my expectations; I never really knew where it was going. When a drama introduces a main character early on, I expect something monumental to happen with that character. Jung Eun Chae played Moon Ok Geong beautifully—easily one of the most memorable characters of the drama—but then she just disappeared and was never heard from again. As for the ending, the bad guys won; the good guys lost. Everyone was to be scattered, and that was presented as a happy ending.

Final analysis: it's worth the watch to see the performances of gukgeuk.

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⭐ A Stage of Their Own ⛩️ °8.5° °Outstanding°

OH, the acting, The Acting, THE ACTING! Every episode that's what I thought. Every muscle twitch of Ra Mi Ran's set my heart aflutter.

It's 1931. It's COLD. Kang So “Bok” and her father (played by Choi Jung Woon & Lee Deok Hwa) stop at the local theater. Dad needs his daughter to have a place to call home - times are tough. The theater owner looks skeptical, but when Bok begins to talk, it's obvious that someone special is before them.

Next, it's 1956. Wartime.

Jeong “Nyeon” has an astonishing voice. She's digging up shells in low tide with the rest of the women. When her mother finds her singing along with them, she drags her daughter off. “I knew she would get angry as soon as Nyeon started humming along,” says one of the marms. We then watch thugs selling “protection” come through, upending stalls, and terrorizing the smallfolk. Nyeon distracts the gangsters by singing. That's what got Moon's attention.

“Moon” Ok Gyeong (Jung Eun Chae from The King: Eternal Monarch-8.3, Pachinko & Anna-8.1) is riding in the back of a car, like a celebrity. That's because she IS a celebrity. Here's the shocker - she's dressed as a man, and it's pretty convincing. This was a time when the men were off to war and the women kept everything going, including live theater. Moon plays male leads, as gorgeous as she is ~ and this gurl is a looker. Straightaway, after complaining that everything is boring for her now, even singing, is when she hears Nyeon's warbling. Moon exits the car to hear Nyeon demand money before she'll sing again. No problem there. Moon makes sure Nyeon will gladly sing again.

Directed by Jung Ji In (The Red Sleeve, Late Night Hospital) and adapted from the webtoon "Jeong Nyeon," about Pansori theater. Written by Seo Yi Re, JTSiB is a 2024 release that is rated 92 on AWiki. It is 1 season consisting of 12 70-minute episodes. Per AI, “Pansori is a traditional Korean narrative singing style where a vocalist (sorikkun) and a drummer (gosu) tell a story through song, narration, and stylized gestures. It combines expressive singing, spoken narration, and dramatic movements, accompanied by the rhythmic drumming of a buk. “Cheonguseong" refers to a clear, pure, and melodious vocal quality, often associated with traditional Korean singing, particularly pansori.” In the show they describe it as a clear and strong voice, gifted from the heavens, immersed with a feeling of deep sorrow. "Gukgeuk refers to a unique genre of Korean all-female theater. It emerged after Korea's liberation from Japan in the 1940s, gaining popularity in the 1950s, particularly during the post-war period. In gukgeuk, women perform all roles, including male characters, often blending traditional pansori with Western opera influences.” Of all the Cheonguseongs in the world, Nyeon‘s voice is the Cheonguseongiest - just like her mother's. Moon gives Nyeon tickets to that night's performance, but MOM threatens to shave Nyeon's head as a punishment for singing in public. Mom sure does hate singing. Waddup with that?

On the other hand, the village women are quite impressed with Nyeon's singing, and they're /very/ impressed with the tickets. Nyeon wasn't sure what she would do, but their begging her to take them to the performance spurs her to attend. It's not hard to guess that Nyeon was blown away by live theater. Moon played the prince. The entire theater erupted in glee at the closing - they sealed the performance with a kiss.

Enticed by Moon's coaxing, Nyeon dramatically escapes her mother's clutches and passes through the audition - barely. Ra Mi Ran (Black Dog-8.2, Reply 1988-8.6, The Good Bad Mother) is grown up Bok, whom we met in the opening. She now manages the theater. She explains to Nyeon that, since Moon brought her, she has to work from the bottom so that everyone can see that she made it by merit, not connections. She then asks what her mother's name was? Bok looks surprised when she doesn't recognize the name. Nyeon's singing had taken her right back to her friend from her youth. Nyeon seems like the ghost of Pansori past. The whole audition scene is mesmerizing.

Nyeon‘s presence, on the other hand, is disturbing to most of her classmates. She's a bumpkin. She's a fishmonger. She smells! Yet MOON brought her /personally/. They are disgusted AND jealous. Kim Tae Ri from Space Sweepers-7.6, Revenant-7.4, & Mr. Sunshine-9 plays Nyeon. She really shows her range here.

Shin Ye Eun (Revenge of Others-8.1, More Than Friends-8) portrays Heo Yeong “Seo”. She wouldn't admit to breathing the same air as Nyeon. Her background is OPERA. Her mother and sister are FAMOUS. Her family's RICH. Her acid reflux is in major flux: She is appalled by Nyeon ‘s presence. So, she pulls a stunt to try and set Nyeon up. The trainees are putting on a show in 10 days. One of the girls who had a lead part as the jokester, Banja, had to back out of the role, so they need a last-minute replacement. Seo offers it to Nyeon, hoping she'll crash and burn. This is not an easy part. Nylon doesn't mind a challenge, though. It doesn't look like things are going well, because Nyeon skips the last two practices. She's even late for the performance! But she goes out and knocks ‘em dead. She's been practicing with a street performer all week, and now she's got ~moves~. The audience loves her😍. Her enemies hate her all the more😬. The competition between these two is beginning to heat up, and it's one of the major drivers of the plot.

Kim Yoon Hye portrays Seo Hye “Rang.” She's ruthless as the star FL player in the troupe. I've seen this actress in My Sassy Girl-8.5, which I consider to be woefully underappreciated. In MSG she's haughty, cold, and not given to many words. It's not completely dissimilar to Rang, yet she keeps the personas thoroughly distinct. I've also seen her in Vincenzo-7.9 and never knew it was her! She plays someone geeky, quiet, and slightly goofy. For the record, e'erbody in Vincenzo is slightly goofy, at a minimum. Here, they never have her looking her best. Her makeup is always thick and garish while her hair is over-coiffed in 40's permed perfection. They don't put her in complementary colors, either. She's her most beautiful when she's broken down and crying; when she's not in neon makeup, her natural beauty shows. Her crying scene is exceptional.

With regularity, art imitates life in JTSiB. The play in ep10, along with the lines that Moon and Rang must deliver, mirror their current reality. “How could the heavens only gift him with this great talent, but curse me with only the eye to recognize such talent?” That's a line from the last play that they perform, and the dialogue mirrors Seo & Nyeon's situation. JTSiB is about competition, hard work, not giving up, and legacy. The rivalry between Nyeon and Seo is the primary vehicle. Jooran (Woo Da Vi from Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist & Dear.M) gets caught in the middle. She and Nyeon are close, but after she co-stars in a play across from Seo, Seo starts to rely on her, too. Nyeon has the talent, it's harnessing it that is the challenge for her. She makes mistakes, and her enemies among the thespians instinctively know to capitalize on them.

Nyeon nearly goes off the rails in ep8. It's difficult to watch. I suppose if I have a complaint, it's that we see mostly struggle, while a bit more triumph would have lifted the weight. JTSiB is heavy. Nkw, I feel like a hypocrite since I frequently complain about shows dragging because they have too many episodes for the available content. JTSiB should have been 1 episode longer to allow it to breathe more. I guess I'm never happy, sigh.

As is, the show is superb. The acting is especially superb. The directing and editing support it crease-free. Does mid-century and 40's fashion get anybody else's heart racing? When they finally do the changing room scene and update Nyeon's look, it gave me a thrill. The color palette is soft and often borderline overexposed like an amateur snapshot. JTSiB, itself, deserves to be “overexposed.” It's is one of the best Kdramas on the Hulu stage.


QUOTES🗣

He's a… WOMAN!?

The path of an artist is very long. You'll be going through countless ups and downs in your life. As you endure all of that you'll find yourself at the highest summit looking out further than anyone.

I do not understand myself either.


IMHO〰🖍


📣8.4 📝8 🎭9 💓5 🦋6 🎨8.5 🎵/🔊8 🔚8 🤗7 ▪ 🌞6.5 ⚡4.5 😅2 😭3.5 😱2 😯4 🤢2 🤔5.3 💤0


Age 13+ Rated: PG


Re-📺? Would


In order of ~lite&trite~ to ~heavy&serious~ you may also like:

Dabbling in the Arts

My Only Love Song-8.7 ~ excellent comedy,
My Runway-7.5,
My Secret Romance-7 (if you ff thru overdone flashbacks);
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Her Private Life-8,
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Oh My Ghost-10,
Run On-7,
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Hospital Playlist-9,
It's Okay Not To Be Okay-9,
More Than Friends-8,
Nevertheless-7.6,
Saimdang-8.5,
Anna-8.1,
Hymn of Death-8.4,


〰 Hulu Catalog 〰

A Shop for Killers-8.7
Big Mouth-7.4,
Blood Free-8.5,
Call It Love-8.4,
Crazy Love-7.8,
The First 1st Responders-7.8,
Flex X Cop-8.5,
Gangnam B-Side-7.2,
The Golden Spoon-8.1,
Han River Police-7.1,
High School Return of a Gangster-7,
The Judge from Hell-4.5
The Legend of the Blue Sea-7.2 (this show is marvelous except for taking a quality dip in eps 20-22)
Light Shop-8.6,
Link: Eat, Love, Kill-6.7,
Maestra: Strings of Truth-6.8,
Moving-8.5
Pandora: Beneath the Paradise-3.9,
Parasite-9,
Revenant-7.4,
Revenge of Others-8.1,
So I Married the Anti Fan-6.8,
Uncle Samsik-8.4,
What's Wrong With Secretary Kim-6.8,
Why Her?-8,
Wonderful World-7.8,
The Worst of Evil-7.7

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When Acting Becomes Art

Some dramas impress you with their story. Others stay with you because of a single unforgettable performance. Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born gave me both. While I don't think the story was consistently outstanding from beginning to end, it was meaningful, inspiring, and filled with memorable moments and life lessons. At its core, it's a story about dreams, perseverance, sacrifice, and the price people are willing to pay for something they truly love.

Kim Tae-ri is simply phenomenal. This is one of the finest acting performances I've ever watched in a K-drama. She completely disappears into Jeongnyeon, making every emotion, every struggle, and every small victory feel genuine. There were scenes that genuinely moved me to tears, not because they were overly dramatic, but because her performance felt so honest. It's easy to understand why she won the Baeksang Best Actress award for this role. She absolutely earned it.

I ended up giving this drama a 9/10. The story didn't quite reach masterpiece territory for me, but the acting certainly did. More importantly, I walked away with new perspectives and lessons that I'll remember for a long time. That's something I value more than perfect pacing or constant excitement. If you appreciate character-driven stories, passionate performances, and watching someone give everything to chase their dream, I highly recommend giving Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born a chance. It reminded me that having a dream is a blessing, and that some performances are so authentic they stay with you long after the final curtain falls. ❤️

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Kim Tae Ri as always at her superb best

Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024)

A stunning production, which I gather did not garner much enthusiasm as the time it was released. Which is a pity because, for someone like me who knew nothing about pansori storytelling or gukgeuk theatre, it was a real eye-opener – the theatrical productions and auditions from this Korean arts tradition were a joy to watch. Whether the writing between the lines is Sapphic or not.

The cast, with Kim Tae-Ri in the lead, were also stellar. The vocal acrobatics of all actor/singers (whether voiced-over or not I do not know, but it didn’t seem to matter in any case, so why am I raising the issue…) were staggering in stark contrast to the simple folk tales and heroic events enacted in the theatre productions.

Kim Tae Ri, as ever, stood head and shoulders above everyone for the depth, intelligence and sensitivity of her acting, whether as a young woman fighting multiple challenges in order to become a gukgeuk actor, or as that actor on stage. Her vocal modulation technique in particular was remarkable. I never tire of watching her in the ambitious parts she always manages to choose.

My only quibble would be the tendency at times towards lengthy melodramatic moments, especially between members of the gukgeuk troupe. But that may be my 21st century European perspective which could arguably be viewed as inappropriate for a series set in Korea in the 1950s (excellent set and costumes btw). However, perhaps the script could nonetheless have taken the contemporary sensitivities of the target viewership into account?

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A BREATH OF FRESH AIR : A wholesome exploration of theatre and art!!!!

"Jeongyneon: A Star is Born" is set in the 1950s and follows a Mokpo girl named Jeongyneon, who has a remarkable talent for singing. She dreams of using her gift to explore the world, achieve fame, and lift her family out of their underprivileged circumstances.

Despite her mother's opposition, she seeks help from her sister and a lady she meets, who turns out to be a renowned theater performer. This mentor recognizes Jeongyneon's talent and helps her move to Seoul, where she joins an all-women's theater group. Throughout her journey, she faces various challenges, adjusts to her new environment, and encounters different competitors and individuals who shape her path toward her dream.

This drama is truly a masterpiece, and I want to share my thoughts on it from the perspective of someone who hasn't read the webtoon. My review is based solely on what I've experienced in the show, and I must say, I'm genuinely impressed.

The story is refreshing and unique, taking us on an inspirational and emotional journey that really tugs at the heartstrings. The acting is exceptional, with the cast showcasing a wide range of raw emotions. It's not just the main characters who shine; the entire ensemble brings depth and authenticity to their roles.

The characters are fascinating, from Jeongyneon, our vibrant female lead, to Moon Okyeong, the renowned theater performer she encounters. We also have Yeoseong, her current rival, and Jooran, her loyal best friend. Each character has distinct personalities that add to the series' charm. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their interactions are both engaging and dynamic. I particularly admire how Jeongyneon embodies a carefree spirit while also displaying a strong determination to achieve her dreams. Her character development is evident as she navigates various life lessons throughout her journey, making her story even more relatable and inspiring.

I developed a craving for theatre while watching this drama, as it beautifully tells the story of a performing arts group and features many of their plays throughout the series. I'm genuinely impressed by how the characters brought these plays to life. It's fascinating to see them act while already performing, and the plays were not only fun to watch but also an amazing addition to the overall narrative.

The character development is another highlight; each character undergoes visible growth, making their emotional journeys incredibly rewarding to experience. The pacing of the drama is perfect—nothing feels rushed or slow, allowing viewers to fully appreciate this wholesome piece of art.

Overall, this drama is simply amazing. It's artistic, original, inspirational, and emotional—a complete journey.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely! It's a breath of fresh air, and its originality truly shines through in both the plot and the characters.

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A dancer dies twice.

"A dancer dies twice—once when they stop dancing, and this first death is more painful.” Martha Graham

This show is hands down, one of the best Kdramas I have ever seen and probably the most touching one since The Red Sleeve, for me. I feel like it should be going down in some book as one of the most poignant shows made about music, art, the artist's connection to their art, tradition, and the slow painful death that culture goes through when the times move on with a faster speed than it can keep up with. This show is a love story. Not a romantic love story, though. It is a love letter to Pansori and Gukgeuk. They have crafted this story with such compassion and care that you are moved by the slow tragedy that unfolds, twice over; once on behalf of the characters who are going through it, and once again as you absorb the enormity of watching an era's slow but dignified death.
The story follows country bumpkin, Jeongnyeon, who loves to sing but is forbidden to do so by her mother. After finally escaping home, she comes to Seoul to audition for a position at a gukgeuk troupe called Mearan. After finally getting in, her true journey starts: honing her craft, learning humility, making friends and foes, and overcoming the unexpected hardships that life puts in her path.
The story is heartbreaking as things first go up but unavoidably come down again, as darkness overcomes the light. And one comes to understand that sometimes determination and love are not enough and despite wanting otherwise, some endings are unfortunately inevitable. The only thing that remains is the love for the music. For singing. For dancing. The joy of bringing that art to the insatiable audience. This is not a love story but it might as well have been.
Unfortunately for this show, it is an adaptation of a webtoon, and as all webtoons cast a curse on their good adaptations, this one also had the misfortune of being a significantly inaccurate adaptation, or so I've heard, and that has come to harm the show's intergrity. The source material being an explicitly sapphic romance, the show falls short of bringing that from subtext into text and in addition, has erased a key love interest out of existence, so it seems to be suffering from a boycott by the original source's fans.
I haven't read the original and, not being a fan of Korean webtoons, it's unlikely I will ever read it so I can't judge the depth of the betrayal but as a casual viewer with no prior knowledge of this webtoon's existence, just watching the show as a show that exists separate from its other associations,I thought this show was magnificent. There was also definitely multiple romantic subplots but the romance is not the center of the story here. At all! But its existence is pivotal to how the characters behave and move the plot forward so despite not being centered, it is a critical part of the story that helps connect every character and their motivations together. That said, the main pairing of the story wasn't my favorite and my investment in their romance was very low (hashtag Team Jeong-Seo 4ever!) I was more interested in another dynamic that never actually developed fully into a romance. However, the sapphic themes are obvious and crucial but not central as the story takes great pains to put the love for gukgeuk at the forefront of the show and I loved that decision, actually. The way that this show talks about music and art is magnificent and something I have rarely seen done with so much love and devotion to the craft. So I still think this is still a love story but not a romance.
The acting is pure perfection. I'm actually speechless. I can't find enough words to praise this ensemble. Every single actress in this show was perfect. They were so good! They were glorious! Artful! Sensational! I don't know! Kim Tae Ri doesn't even need an explanation. Everybody knows she's amazing. But holy f***, I did not know Jung Eun Chae had that in her, woah! Also, the rest of this cast need to be 50 times more famous, already. Shin Ye Eun was so good and so was Woo Da Vi and everyone else too! And I haven't even gotten to explaining what magic they created when they were performing on the stage within the show. I cried so much, watching these actors as their characters put on shows in which they played other characters!!!! That's two layers of acting and they did it with such passion and refinement, I was crying during every Changgeuk performance. Which brings me to...
Music: So the music in this show is a solid 10 out of 10 stars because the music is out of this world. This is essentially a musical, with at least two musical performances per episode throughout the run. Each song is performed again and again by multiple characters in parts before we see the full performances later on. Each freaking performance brought tears to my eyes. I'm not Korean but my god!!!! These songs based on Korean folklore touched my heart like I had grown up with them! I cried A LOT! Because the music was so pure and the artistic value was so high that it did not require education or knowledge to be moved by it. And that's how it should be. I love pansori but I had never listened to it to this extent and honestly, it was a bit heartbreaking hearing this heavenly music of the past and thinking of what is called "music" today. We live in hell.
The production of this show was immaculate too. The quality was so high that I have no comment besides pouring out many praises. Nailed it!
Rewatch value: Girl, I might! I don't know! I already wanna rewatch some scenes, to be honest...
Overall: I don't know. I loved this. Storytelling: perfect! Plot's progress: devastatingly touching. Acting: Awards are not enough. Music: Ethereal. Production: Professional and flawless. I don't know, this was as good as it gets both in substance and production. We rarely get shows that are so uniformly good and I just feel like it would be the loss of a lifetime to miss out on experiencing such a feat.

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Mea culpa!

I wasn't going to write this missive (I'm not going to call it a review), but it has been  on my mind for some time so I'm just going to put it out there.

As you can see from my scores, I don't hate the show.

On many levels, it is an excellent production. However, I just can't get into it. There are too many barriers to entry for me. 

This show is set in the 1950's so there is more a near history than a historical drama. It is a very turbulent time in Korean history. The Korean War has just ended and the whole society is in flux. Added to that, the traditional female only theatre trope is uniquely Korean. I appreciate their skills and artistry but it is largely opaque to me. 

I tried to enjoy the show purely as entertainment but the nuanced historical backdrop and subtle cultural mores have me foundering. There are some familiar tropes but it is a trap for the unwary. I find it unsettling as I struggle to get a toehold. I think some viewers might be in the same boat. That is why I decided to write this. Your level of enjoyment is definitely subjective in this case. Much more so than I expected.

It is on me that I can't understand and enjoy the show to the fullest. Maybe one day I will do the necessary research and tackling it again with more confidence. Peace.

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Probably one of the best drama/production of the year

I haven’t read the original webtoon and I honestly didn’t know that much about Pansori before watching Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, so I’ve started watching it without any prejudices.

Firstly, I want to say that I’ve literally felt in love with the art of Pansori and Gukgeuk throughout this kdrama. And it is all thanks to the production team for filming it very flawlessly and sublimely which brought us feeling that we were literally into the theaters, watching passionately the performances.
I got emotional and really charmed by listening to all these Pansori songs, watching all the marvelous acting from the cast. I can’t even imagine all the work and practices they went through for achieving such a perfect stages like this.

Talking about the cast members, it was very refreshing having a women-only cast as it is rare in this kdrama industry. And what a great cast!
Kim Tae-ri’s supremacy is not even to be proven, she has shown once again that she can carry and lead a drama to the highest level with her character of Jeong-nyeon. The character was really passionate and touching that we had no choice to be cheering for her pursuing her dream to become a pansori's master. Shin Ye-eun wasn’t leftover and she succeed of embodying Yeong-seo as both the rival and best friend of Jeong-nyeon, but also as a young woman which have many doubts in her capacities, inferiority complex with her sister and a child lacking recognition and love from her mother.
And finally we can’t not talk about Woo Da Vi which played Joo-ran, which was the main relatedness character between this trio. Joo-ran played a big part in the relationship between Yeong-seo and Jeong-nyeon switching from enemies to best friends, but also in the awakening of these two as pansori’s masters.
The line between the friendship and love is really tight and well written in this story. Many of us won’t easily forget the heartbroken plot of the impossible love between Joo-ran and Jeong-nyeon, literally becoming a forbidden love at the moment that Joo-ran being dragged back to his family to fullfill her duty as a woman. This is not only a heartbroken love story but also an assumed criticism of the society, both in 1950s and today. Woo Da Vi perfectly embodyed the touching and lovely character of Joo-ran, who has ingrown the essence of love in the softness way ever.
Finally, I have to congratulate all other actresses, from Ra Mi-ran as the kindness director Kang So-bok, Jung Sun-chae and Kim Yoon-hye as the best prince and princess duo Ok-gyeong and Hye-ran and a special coup de coeur for Hyun Seung-hee as the research student Cho-rok which had a really good character development all along the show.

More than the plot, Jeong-nyeon The Star Is Born greatly open the door for discovering the world of Pansori and Gukgeuk which is not well known in the world as an authentic and beautiful part of the Korean culture.
I did not have heard much about it before (I barely known just the name) and thank to this show, I did some research to learn more about it. Pansori is a real art of singing and acting which required a lot of work. Even by watching all the research students learning and training hard to masterize all the skills of this art, we can tell that not everyone can do Pansori. The level of details in the facial expressions and the gestures in addition to the singing part, while being able to be perfectly united and merged with his fellow troops mates.
I was fascinated and really touched all along the show by watching each Pansori’s performances, crying and laughing while watching all these ancestral and magical stories.

Jeong-nyeon: The Star Is Born si surely one of the best drama and exceptional production of the year in several ways. We cheered and followed the chatacter of Jeong-nyeon achieving her dream, but we also were delighted by the lovely mood in the Maeran Pansori’s troop. The whole cast carried the show that well, breaking all audience records.
I highly recommend this kdrama, it’s basically for discovering this kind of gems that I keep watching Korean dramas.

I’m truly grateful for these six last weeks.

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Queer Longing in a World of Pansori

Jeongnyeon is the kind of drama that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go especially when it sings. The combination of powerful acting and breathtaking pansori performances made me cry more than once. Every time a scene shifted into song, it felt like I was watching something sacred. The raw emotion, the vocal strength, the tradition it was honestly overwhelming in the best way.

The acting is equally incredible. The cast doesn’t just perform they embody. There’s a deep sorrow and love in the characters' eyes that feels too big for the screen. And maybe that’s part of the problem this drama is bursting at the seams with feelings it’s afraid to name.

What frustrated me, though, was how Jeongnyeon seemed to shy away from its own truth. The chemistry between certain characters especially Jeongnyeon and her close companions felt like so much more than friendship. It lingered, it tugged at you. And when I looked it up and realized the original webtoon features a lesbian relationship? Everything clicked. The drama clearly tried to straighten that out, both literally and figuratively, and the result was a narrative that felt emotionally stunted.

Even the family relationships were confusingly subtle. It’s only eventually made clear that Seo Hye-rang is Eun-Jae's mother not her aunt which changes everything about their bond. I also couldn’t shake the feeling that Seo Hye-rang and Moon Ok-gyeon were in a romantic relationship, raising Eun-Jae together. But the show dances around this so cautiously, it almost feels like erasure rather than nuance.

Jeongnyeon could have been groundbreaking. Instead, it’s a beautiful, heartbreaking piece of television weighed down by fear of fully embracing its queer roots. Still, it’s worth watching for the music, the emotion, and the silent stories that speak louder than words.

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a Masterpiece! every episode leaves you Mesmerized!

I don’t even know where to start. I binge-watched this drama not because I had time but because I was completely bewitched by it! Every aspect of this masterpiece—the Acting, Storyline, Plot, Music, and Production—left me utterly speechless.

I was screaming in excitement, jumping and clenching my hands throughout the whole series. Not a single episode is boring! It keeps you thrilled and glued to the screen!

First and foremost, I watched this because of Kim Tae Ri. She was absolutely phenomenal! The fact that she trained for three years for this role truly shows. It’s evident in every movement, every emotion she poured into her character. Her portrayal of Jeongnyeon wrapped the audience in a tight embrace, making us feel every single emotion her character experienced. Jeongnyeon’s journey, from someone who came from nothing to becoming the prince who never gave up no matter what life threw at her. I felt every ounce of her pain, her determination, and her triumphs. I ended up crying every time Jeongnyeon cried. Kim Tae Ri’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. She is truly a gem of an actress.

The second reason I watched this was because of a TikTok I saw featuring Moon Ok-Gyeong, portrayed by Jung Eun Chae. Oh my goodness, she nailed this role so perfectly that I often found myself thinking of her as a man. Her transformation and the conviction she brought to her character were simply amazing!

I also cannot overlook Shin Ye Eun’s incredible performance. She left me speechless, particularly during the Bangja scene. That moment caught me off guard and continued to do so throughout the drama. Her acting was so raw and so powerful.

Woo Da Vi’s portrayal of Jooran deserves special mention as well. Her farewell performance scene with Jeongnyeon was breathtaking. It was filled with such emotion and authenticity.

Kim Yoon Hye and Ra Mi Ran’s portrayals of HyeRan and Director Kang were equally mesmerizing. Their acting made every scene believable and impactful. I could understand and connect with each of their characters because of how deeply they embodied their roles.

The music was another standout element of this drama. Each performance left me stunned. I watched every musical scene as if I were sitting in the audience of a grand theater hall, utterly captivated. The cinematography complemented the performances beautifully, making every shot feel magical and immersive.

The script was brilliant. There were no cliché moments, every scene and line felt essential to the plot. It was refreshing to see a drama where every moment held weight and significance.

One aspect I absolutely loved was the focus on a predominantly female cast. It’s rare to see such a dynamic, woman-centered story, and it was absolutely amazing! The strength, resilience, and complexity of these characters were inspiring.

What struck me most about this drama was how the main character never gave up, no matter what obstacles life threw her way. I’ve often felt beaten down by life, but watching her unwavering determination gave me hope. She held on to her dreams, and that inspired me to hold on to mine.

Quotes from the drama resonated deeply with me:

“Some might call me crazy for chasing after the stars when I should be busy finding a way to live. But to me, those stars are my dreams that help me survive.”

“I’ve got a team to perform with and an audience to watch me. So why should I be anxious?”

“You can chip away at the stone all you want. But without inspiration, you are only left with a piece of boulder.”

This drama wasn’t just entertainment.
It was a heartfelt journey that left me inspired, emotional and in awe.

It truly is the definition of a MASTERPIECE.

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A Heartfelt Journey Through Tradition: Review of Jeongnyeon: A Star is Born (2024)

Kim Tae-ri delivers a standout performance in Jeongnyeon: A Star is Born, a powerful drama that blends the beauty of pansori with an exploration of Korean culture and the pursuit of fame. As Jeongnyeon, a woman striving to master this traditional art form, Kim Tae-ri captures both vulnerability and strength, making her journey incredibly compelling.
The drama immerses viewers in the world of pansori, showcasing not only Kim Tae-ri’s impressive acting but also the emotional depth of the music. Each performance feels like a profound connection to Korea's cultural past, exploring themes of love, loss, and perseverance. The show also balances tradition with modernity, highlighting Korea’s struggle to preserve its heritage in a rapidly changing world.
With a steady pace and powerful supporting performances, Jeongnyeon: A Star is Born is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates deeply emotional stories and cultural exploration. Kim Tae-ri’s exceptional performance and the drama’s rich portrayal of pansori make it a standout in 2024’s K-drama lineup.

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What can we say about these learning methods that consist in humiliating and discouraging ? Asking young women to do the impossible and then telling them that they suck for not getting it right the first time is pretty bizarre. Teachers, those damned little cops. And their shows, it's like they discover it by performing it, in the first episodes at least. Don't they ever do real rehearsals ? Too weird.

Kim Tae-ri plays her colorful character with a lot of life and empathy, despite an extremely toxic and invasive entourage. Give her a break ! She exudes energy and has an impressive physical presence. A total commitment. The audition scene, in tears, is intense... But the rest of the cast is not to be outdone. The members of the troupe personalities evolve intelligently, and they don't go from very mean to very nice all at once. They don't even try to justify bad behavior, they simply take responsibility. And then the series manages to make us feel involved in a traditional theater we'd never have seen or even known otherwise. To the point where you don't know where the story ends and the theater begins.
As we say in France: “bravo les lesbiennes !” (courage Jooran)

"You can forget me. I'll remember us, for both of us."

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