Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 4 Review: Daring Actors Go Head to Head!

In Episode 3 of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, Jeong-nyeon faces multiple challenges as she refuses Ok-gyeong’s offer for an official play audition, choosing to earn her spot through hard work. As she struggles with her comedic role as Bangja, a shopping trip with her friend Joo-ran and a street performer’s influence help her discover a new comedic approach. On the day of the performance, despite some sabotage attempts, Jeongnyeon wins over the audience with her humor, earning her an official script and an apology from her rivals.

Meanwhile, tensions rise between Jeongnyeon and her roommate Yeong-seo, culminating in a heated sword training session. As the episode progresses, Jeongnyeon takes on extra work to help Joo-ran, and a chance performance at a coffee shop catches the eye of a TV producer. The episode ends on a dramatic note with the revelation that Jeongnyeon’s mother, once a pansori singer, has come to Seoul to bring her daughter home, leading to a tense confrontation.

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 4 Recap

The episode opens with a tense confrontation between Jeongnyeon’s mother, Geongseon, and So-bok. Geongseon, once a famous pansori singer, has arrived to take her daughter back home, but So-bok refuses, asserting that Jeongnyeon is now a part of the Maeran troupe. As Jeongnyeon returns to the dorm, the two old friends reminisce about their past, revealing Geongseon’s former glory as a celebrated pansori performer and the challenges that led to her downfall. So-bok, frustrated by her friend’s regrets, urges Geongseon to witness Jeongnyeon’s talent. Moved to tears, Geongseon watches her daughter sing and remembers her own lost dreams.

Later, Jeongnyeon and her mother have a heart-wrenching conversation, with Geongseon begging her daughter to return home. Jeongnyeon, however, stands firm in her decision to pursue her own path. Defeated, Geongseon leaves. The next day, Jeongnyeon covers Joo-ran’s shift at the coffee shop while her friend recovers from an injury. Meanwhile, Yeong-seo’s younger sister, Youngin, returns from the U.S., and the two sisters share an awkward tea-room visit. Yeong-seo grows envious as she sees how easily Youngin flourishes in their mother’s approval—something Yeong-seo has always craved but never received.

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When Yeong-seo later spots Jeongnyeon singing at the coffee shop, she realizes this breach of the troupe’s strict rules could be her downfall. Soon enough, So-bok finds out and, furious at Jeongnyeon for tarnishing the troupe’s name, kicks her out, ending her career with Maeran. Jeongnyeon pleads with So-bok, but the decision is final. Joo-ran tries to speak up for Jeongnyeon, but she stops her, not wanting her friend to suffer on her behalf. Heartbroken, Jeongnyeon finds temporary shelter with Ok-gyeong, who tries to reason with So-bok, but to no avail. With her options running out, Jeongnyeon leaves Ok-gyeong’s home after some harsh advice from Hye-ran.

Later, a string of unfortunate events leaves Jeongnyeon penniless and in trouble with the police. Desperate, she calls Jong-guk, the TV producer who had previously offered her an opportunity. He takes her to the broadcasting station, where she meets Ms. Kim, a once-famous pop singer who offers Jeongnyeon guidance. Under Ms. Kim’s mentorship, Jeongnyeon undergoes a transformation, learning the importance of image and public perception. The two bond over dinner, sharing their struggles and dreams, with Ms. Kim revealing how her career faltered after her divorce.

Meanwhile, tensions brew at the Maeran house. Yeong-seo confronts the girls gossiping about Jeongnyeon, and Hye-ran’s dark secret about the troupe’s accountant and their financial misdeeds begins to surface. Yeong-seo’s family dynamics are further strained when her father brings a politician to meet their family. During the dinner, Yeong-seo speaks proudly of her work in gukgeuk, angering her mother, who disapproves of her daughter’s chosen path.

At a private moment, Jeongnyeon overhears a heated argument between Yeong-seo and her mother. She learns just how deep the rift is between them, realizing that Yeong-seo has never been able to win her mother’s approval. When Yeong-seo catches Jeongnyeon eavesdropping, she lashes out, slapping her in a fit of rage. Jeongnyeon retaliates, and the two stare each other down, seething with anger as unresolved tensions come to a boiling point.

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 4 Review

This episode of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born delivers intense emotional drama and character revelations that add depth to the story. The strained relationship between Jeongnyeon and her mother, Geongseon, is brought to the forefront, shedding light on Geongseon’s past as a pansori singer and the dreams she left behind. The tension between the two is palpable as they clash over Jeongnyeon’s future, with Geongseon desperately wanting her daughter to follow a safer path. The emotional weight of Geongseon’s past and the way So-bok pushes her to see Jeongnyeon’s potential makes for a compelling character arc, culminating in a poignant moment where Geongseon recognizes her daughter’s talent.

Meanwhile, the episode also explores the complex rivalry between Jeongnyeon and Yeong-seo. Yeong-seo’s growing jealousy towards her sister, Youngin, and her frustration over her mother’s lack of support adds a new layer to her character. Her internal struggle and the mounting tension with Jeongnyeon come to a head in a fiery confrontation, highlighting the pressures both characters face in their personal and professional lives. The introduction of new challenges, including Jeongnyeon’s expulsion from the Maeran troupe and her budding relationship with TV producer Jong-guk, sets the stage for exciting developments. The mix of emotional confrontations, family drama, and career stakes makes this episode a pivotal moment in Jeongnyeon’s journey.

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

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