New rating record
The twelfth and final episode of the tvN drama “Jeong Nyeon” (also known as “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born”, which aired on the 17th), recorded an average rating of 17.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area (with a peak of 18.8%) and According to Nielsen Korea, the series reached 16.5% nationwide (peaking of 18.2%) among viewers aged 20 to 49 years, reaching 5.9% nationwide and 5.3% in the Seoul area 15% barrier since its final.
The final episode provided emotional moments when Jeong-nyeon (Kim Tae-ri) was chosen for the lead role after an audition. Her rival, Yeong-seo (Shin Ye-eun), accepted the result graciously. Supported by the entire Maeran theater troupe, the two took to the stage and gave it their all.
Here, Jeong-nyeon gave a completely different performance from Ok-kyung (played by Jung Eun-chae), who until now had reigned as the “Prince of Maeran”. It was the moment when the “new prince of Maeran” was born and Jeong-nyeon became the brightest star on stage with her voice and acting that she had longed for.
Great acclaim
Directed by Jung Ji-in and written by Choi Hyo-bi, “Jeong Nyeon” explores the life of a young genius, Jeong-nyeon, as he navigates the post-Korean War era on a quest to become the best “gukgeuk” ( traditional Korean theater) actress. The drama captures competition, camaraderie and radiant personal growth, blending nostalgia with an inspiring narrative about women’s dreams in the 1950s.
Kim Tae-ri won acclaim for her performance, maintaining her reputation as one of Korea’s best actresses. Shin Ye-eun delivered a stunning performance that rivaled her previous work in “The Glory.” Jung Eun-chae brought life to her role as Ok-gyeong, while Kim Yoon-hye and Woo Da-bi left lasting impressions as Seo Hye-rang and Hong Ju-ran, respectively.
Controversy over the ending
However, some fans of the original webtoon expressed disappointment with the ending of “Jeong Nyeon.” While the source material emphasized characters prioritizing their dreams and hope for women, the drama’s conclusion saw Hong Ju-ran and Yeong-seo’s older sister (played by Min Kyung-ah) choose marriage, leaving fans frustrated. Critics argued that this altered the feminist narrative of the original, with some accusing the show of “destroying its representation of women’s stories”.
Results despite criticism
Despite the backlash, “Jeong Nyeon” solidified its place as tvN’s ninth-highest-rated drama of all time, surpassing Song Joong-ki’s “Vincenzo” (14.6%), with “Queen of Tears ” which still holds first place at 24.9%.
For Kim Tae-ri, this marks another successful collaboration with tvN after her roles in “Mr. Sunshine” (18.1%, 5th place) and “Twenty Five Twenty One”. Her performance as Jeong-nyeon, which required three years of vocal training and learning the Mokpo dialect, demonstrated her unparalleled commitment and talent, earning her recognition as an irreplaceable actress.
In a statement, Kim Tae-ri reflected: “It was an almost impossible challenge, yet miraculously she came to life, receiving immense love in such a short time. I extend my infinite gratitude to the viewers, the courageous production team and my fellow cast members who made this miracle possible.”
Source: Daum
