Viewers are enthralled by tvN’s “Jeong Nyeon” (also known as “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born”), which revives the golden age of female gukgeuk, a 1950s Korean musical theater genre featuring female performers in all roles. Set in the post-Korean War 1950s, the drama follows Yoon Jeong-nyeon (Kim Tae-ri) as she tries to become the leading actress of the Maeran Gukgeukdan troupe. The drama gained popularity, starting with 4.8% ratings and rising to 13.4% in episode 6. Its play-in-a-play format immerses viewers in the vibrant world of Gukgeuk.
Episodes 3 and 6 feature the performances of “Chunhyangjeon” and “Jameonggo,” featuring the actors’ captivating singing, dancing, acting, costumes and sets. The production team spent a third of their time on “Chunhyangjeon,” with Kim Tae-ri and Shin Ye-eun spending more than 20 minutes on screen. The show “Jameonggo,” depicting a tragic love story, aired for over 15 minutes. “Jeong Nyeon” highlights Yoon Jeong-nyeon’s journey as a Gukgeuk prodigy, exploring the characters’ competitive and collaborative dynamics. The dedication of the actors is key, with Kim Tae-ri and Shin Ye-eun training their voices for years.
The expert who transformed Kim Tae-ri into a Gukgeuk actress
The direction of Gukgeuk’s performances, distinct from the main plot, was crucial. The production team involved sound director Kwon Song-hee, choreography director Lee Eisul and artist Park Min-hee to enhance the authenticity and quality of the performances.
Kwon Song-hee, who led Kim Tae-ri and others from 2021 onwards, graduated from the Department of Korean Traditional Music of Hanyang University and completed a Ph.D. music program at Seoul National University. She is famous for her work as a singer in the band “Ihlatchi”, which fuses pansori with modern pop music.
Probationary periods varied depending on the role, some lasting up to three years. Preparation could last from 3 months to more than a year. After the music was composed, the actors worked with their sound teacher to refine their tone, breathing and gestures, recording and refining their performance until it met the standard.
Help from Technology and Innovation
In addition to physical training, technical support such as sound systems helped improve performance, particularly where emotional expression was difficult with practice alone. The most recorded song was “Gunsaseolum” in episode 6, with Kim Tae-ri recording 2 versions and re-recording to heighten the emotion. Kwon Song-hee highlighted Kim Tae-ri’s passion and dedication in transforming into Yoon Jeong-nyeon.
Choreography and movement training
Choreography director Lee Eisul, a graduate of Korea National University of Arts, brought the stunning dance movements to life. The actors trained up to 7-9 hours a day, with each actor’s training varying based on the role. The rehearsals were filmed and reviewed with Lee Eisul and director Jeong Ji-in to perfect their movements. Lee Eisul praised the actors’ dedication: “Even when I thought they had mastered a move, they continued until it was absolutely perfect.”
Stage direction and scenography
Director Park Min-hee, a graduate of Seoul National University and a performance artist, brought Jeong Nyeon’s Gukgeuk stages to life by breaking traditional norms and exploring new performance expressions. He worked closely with the production team to integrate the performances with the story. Filming the Gukgeuk stages took several days, with live performances filmed in front of audiences. Park Min-hee shared, “Even if it’s captured on screen, the stage gives the performance its power, and going on stage allows anyone to transform into someone else.”
Through these meticulous efforts, “Jeong Nyeon” has brought Gukgeuk to life in a way that resonates with viewers, showcasing the vitality and relevance of the art form in the modern era.
Source: Daum
