Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 3 Review: The Mysterious Secret of Jeongnyeon’s Mother Comes Out

In Episode 2 of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, Jeong-nyeon auditions despite facing mockery from her peers and struggles during the dance round due to a sprained shoulder. However, her emotional performance, driven by memories of her late father, surprises the judges, particularly director So-bok, who is moved by her authenticity. Although not selected as a full trainee, Jeong-nyeon earns a spot as an understudy. Encouraged by both So-bok and actress Ok-kyeong, she vows to prove herself. When faced with bullying and given the humiliating role of Bangju in the trainee play, Jeong-nyeon remains determined to succeed, showing her resilience and passion for acting.

Directed by Jung Ji-in, this series offers a glimpse into the post-war theatre world, capturing the ambition, rivalry, and personal struggles of its characters.

– Contains Spoilers –

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 3 Recap

In Episode 3 of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, the episode kicks off with Ok-gyeong handing Jeongnyeon the script for an official play audition, believing Jeongnyeon has already demonstrated her talent. However, Jeongnyeon declines the offer, stating that she doesn’t want to take the easy route. She wants to earn her place through her own skills. Ok-gyeong acknowledges her decision but warns her to not regret it later on.

Jeongnyeon still struggles with portraying the role of Bangja, a comedic character. Sensing her frustration, Joo-ran takes Jeongnyeon shopping to help her unwind. During their outing, they purchase matching bird hair clips and make a pact to always be friends and perform gukgeuk together. As they continue shopping, they spot a street performer dancing, which sparks an idea in Jeongnyeon’s mind.

The next day, while sweeping the yard, Cho-rok trips and falls, causing everyone to laugh. This moment gives Jeongnyeon an epiphany—Bangja is a character who uses humor to connect with people. Inspired, she dashes off to figure out how to inject this insight into her performance.

Meanwhile, Hye-ran confronts Yeong-seo, urging her not to let her plot to humiliate Jeongnyeon sabotage the entire play. Yeong-seo reveals her plan to play both parts on stage, showcasing her acting chops to impress Hye-ran. While Hye-ran is impressed, she still questions Yeong-seo’s motives.

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The day of the performance arrives, and Jeongnyeon, who missed several rehearsals, shows up late. She explains to Joo-ran that she’s been searching for her unique take on Bangja. The play begins, and although Jeongnyeon freezes at first, she quickly regains her confidence, captivating the audience—even Yeong-seo can’t help but be drawn in by her performance.

A flashback reveals that Jeongnyeon had sought out the street dancer she saw earlier to learn his comedic style, becoming his apprentice for a week. This newfound ability to make people laugh becomes the key to her portrayal of Bangja. As the play progresses, Cho-rok and her friends seem to be plotting something. Yeong-seo catches wind of their plan and warns Jeongnyeon. During an emotional scene, Jeongnyeon’s prop staff breaks, causing her to stumble and fall.

Despite the audience’s laughter, she remains composed and manages to salvage the scene. Ok-gyeong, watching from the audience, leaves, satisfied that she’s seen enough. The play ends successfully, and So-bok congratulates the entire cast, including Jeongnyeon. True to her word, she gives Jeongnyeon the script for the official performance. Overjoyed, Jeongnyeon accepts it, and Cho-rok publicly apologizes to her as promised.

Elsewhere, Hye-ran acknowledges Jeongnyeon’s talent but still insists that Yeong-seo is the superior actress. Ok-gyeong, however, points out that Yeong-seo’s range is limited and asks Hye-ran why she hasn’t critiqued Yeong-seo’s shortcomings. Hye-ran counters by saying that Ok-gyeong is just as blind to Jeongnyeon’s flaws.

Back at school, Yeong-seo scolds Cho-rok and her friends for trying to sabotage Jeongnyeon by tampering with her staff, saying they could have ruined the whole play. Later, Yeong-seo crosses paths with Jeongnyeon, who thanks her for the warning during the performance. Yeong-seo coldly responds that she did it to protect her own performance, not to help Jeongnyeon. She also berates Jeongnyeon for missing rehearsals, claiming the only reason the play succeeded was because she adjusted her performance to match Jeongnyeon’s.

The following day, Yeong-seo and Jeongnyeon are paired for sword training, a common element in gukgeuk action scenes. Their sparring escalates, and So-bok intervenes, emphasizing the importance of actors syncing with each other during fight scenes. When Joo-ran’s turn comes, Cho-rok accidentally injures her arm, resulting in a small fracture. Joo-ran, visibly upset, reveals she’s been secretly working as a waitress to send money home for her sister, who suffers from tuberculosis. Unfortunately, her boss won’t allow her to work with a broken arm. Sympathetic, Jeongnyeon offers to cover her shifts, knowing how important it is to earn money. However, a few customers immediately recognize her from her performance as Bangja.

Meanwhile, at school, Cho-rok continues to stir up trouble. Jeongnyeon reminds her of the favor she owes and asks her to take over Joo-ran’s cleaning and laundry duties until her arm heals. That night, Jeongnyeon and Joo-ran enjoy a lighthearted evening, sharing steamed buns in Jeongnyeon’s room, which irritates Yeong-seo.

Frustrated, Yeong-seo heads to the sparring area, where she finds Ok-gyeong practicing. They spar, and Yeong-seo manages to win. Afterwards, she asks Ok-gyeong for feedback on her performance. Ok-gyeong praises her progress but advises her to let loose and truly enjoy her roles.

Later, Jeongnyeon is working at the coffee shop when the singer for the evening cancels. Upon learning that Jeongnyeon is a gukgeuk performer, the owner pressures her to sing, threatening Joo-ran’s job if she refuses. Left with no choice, Jeongnyeon sings, catching the attention of a broadcast producer named Park Jong-guk, who offers her his card and an opportunity to become a television star.

As Jeongnyeon’s day unfolds, her mother arrives in Seoul, determined to bring her home. Jeongnyeon resists, leading to a heated confrontation. In a moment of frustration, her mother reveals that she used to be a pansori singer. As tensions rise, So-bok stumbles upon the scene and greets Jeongnyeon’s mother by her stage name, Gong-seon, closing the episode on a dramatic note.

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 3 Review

Episode 3 of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born offers a captivating blend of character development and dramatic tension as Jeongnyeon’s journey to self-discovery takes center stage. Her refusal to take the easy route and determination to prove herself shows her resilience and desire for authenticity. The episode effectively portrays her struggle with the role of Bangja, a comedic character that doesn’t initially suit her, until a moment of inspiration leads to her breakthrough. This evolution, paired with her strong bond with Joo-ran, adds emotional depth to her character, making her a more relatable and driven protagonist.

Additionally, the episode builds up the tension between Jeongnyeon and Yeong-seo, positioning them as both rivals and reluctant allies. Yeong-seo’s complex motivations and subtle warnings during the play show her competitiveness but also her respect for the craft. Meanwhile, the cliffhanger surrounding Jeong-nyeon’s mother and the revelation of her past as a pansori singer adds an intriguing layer to Jeongnyeon’s backstory, setting up further emotional conflicts. The episode manages to balance personal growth, competition, and family drama, keeping the audience invested in both Jeongnyeon’s journey and the overall story.

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

Also read: All Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Reviews