After only two episodes, "Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born" has proven its undeniable appeal as its ratings skyrocketed from 4.8% to 8.2%. What has captivated audiences so much? Perhaps it's the emotional story of a talented young woman who dares to dream and is willing to face all difficulties to conquer the pinnacle of art. Kim Tae Ri's brilliant acting has breathed life into the character Jeongnyeon, making viewers sympathize and be moved by her arduous yet equally brilliant journey.
Not just a story about feminism and gender identity
Set in the 1950s, after the Korean War, during the reconstruction of South Korea, Jeongnyeon is a poor girl from the port city of Mokpo, who dreams of becoming a traditional theater actress. Despite her lack of formal education, the young girl possesses a natural talent for singing, especially in the pansori genre.
Although it only joined the Korean film race last week, Jeongyeon: The Star Is Born has quickly proven its irresistible appeal with a sudden increase in ratings.
From a young age, Jeongnyeon showed an independent and strong personality, completely different from her mother and sister. Her emotional voice and personality both helped and troubled her, as in the society at that time, women were stereotyped as humble, resigned, and accepting of fate.
After witnessing her father's death, Jeongnyeon's passion for escaping poverty and providing a better life for her family grew even stronger. Her burning ambition took her from the ancient land of Mokpo to the bustling city of Seoul, where she set out to realize her dream of performing on the stage of a traditional Korean opera troupe.
Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, the drama depicts the growth and career of musical prodigy Jeongnyeong.
Meeting Moon Ok Kyung, the star of the Maeran troupe, plays a crucial role in Jeongnyeon’s development. Ok Kyung’s encouragement and support not only helps her realize her own potential but also empowers her in her artistic journey. Their relationship, along with their rivalry with Heo Young Seo, paints a vivid picture of friendship, harmony, and the pursuit of artistic perfection.
Overcoming many difficulties, she gradually shined from a "rough diamond", proving her ability and spreading her passion.
Jeongnyeon, with her genderless appearance and naive, sassy personality, has created a new breeze on the Korean screen. She is not only a talented young girl but also a symbol of freedom and openness. Through the character of Jeong Nyeon, the film cleverly raises questions about gender and gender identity, while also provoking deep conversations about the role of women in society.
Her journey to conquer her dream is also a journey to affirm the value of women.
Her relationships with her friends not only bring laughter but also help the audience better understand the difficulties and pressures that young girls face. It is an opportunity to open up a deeper dialogue about gender identity, reflecting the desires and struggles of women in a still conservative society.
Traditional Korean art is celebrated on screen for the first time
In the context of Korean society in the 1950s, when forms of entertainment were limited, Pansori truly shined and became an indispensable spiritual food for the people. With its profound melodies, touching stories and skillful performances by the Gukgeuk, Pansori brought precious moments of relaxation.
Pansori is a long-standing traditional art of Korea.
Not only a form of entertainment, Pansori also plays an important role in preserving and promoting national cultural identity. Recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, Pansori has affirmed its position as a unique cultural symbol of Korea.
Korea in the 1950s and 1960s witnessed rapid modernization and urbanization. Western influence, along with the development of new music genres such as pop and rock, caused traditional art forms to gradually fall into oblivion. The younger generation was attracted to modern music trends, no longer "mindful" of the long stories and traditional melodies of pansori.
The film cleverly tells the historical story of this art form to honor and preserve traditional values.
In the film, Jeongnyeon's rival Heo Young Seo, despite being one of the most talented of the next generation, struggles to gain family recognition by pursuing national drama, instead of opera and contemporary pop music like her older sister. This creates a huge generational gap, making it difficult to teach and maintain this art form.
Furthermore, after the Korean War, when South Korea focused on rebuilding the country and building a modern national image, Pansori, which was a symbol of traditional culture, suddenly fell into oblivion. The government prioritized the development of modern industries, causing traditional arts such as Pansori to receive inadequate attention.
The film's setting is the foundation to arouse the precious spirit of the country's core values.
The space for this genre in film is huge, the glorification of pansori is successful when the main character's dream comes true.
Pansori artists, including many talented Gukgeuk artists, face countless difficulties. Finding performance opportunities becomes limited, income is uncertain, forcing many to give up their passion to make a living. Even drama trainees like Jeongnyeon’s friend Ju Ran have to take on many different jobs to make ends meet. The decline of Pansori is a great loss for Korean culture.
In the context of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, pansori is not only the basis for the protagonist’s talent, but also a symbol of aspiration and cultural identity. The musical element recalls a time when traditional theater played an important role in the spiritual life of the Korean people. The melodies and stories in pansori express the pain and joy, as well as the dreams and aspirations of people, helping the audience connect with their own history and culture.
A period when this type of theater played an important role in the lives of Korean people.
Each episode of Jeongnyeon has broken its own highest viewership rating, promising a strong explosion in the near future. And it is very likely that it will become the next rare drama this year to join the club of ratings above 20%. Of course, the future is unknown, but currently with 4 episodes aired, Jeongnyeon has been highly appreciated, even ranked by the audience as one of the strongest candidates for the 2024 Best Drama Award.
