K-DRAMA RECAP: “Jeongnyeon The Star is Born” Episodes 5 and 6

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This week we dive into the theme of staying true to oneself as our heroine finds herself in a tough spot where she is forced to do as told after realizing the harsh reality of the world she threw herself into.

Another one facing the same dilemma is our elite trainee, who is torn between what she wants to do and satisfying her perfectionist mother.

Bunny S. watches Jeongnyeon The Star is Born on Disney +

Episode Recaps:  01&02 | 03 & 04 |

Jeongnyeon The Star is Born Episodes 5 and 6 Highlights

“I can’t live my life as anyone but me.”

Following the night of the recital, a feeling of discomfort and uneasiness creeps inside Jeong-nyeon. Those feelings are further cemented after she figures out Producer Park’s true motives for approaching her. Proving to be more cunning than we think, it turns out that Producer Park knew the identity of Jeong-nyeon’s mother since the beginning, plotting to use Jeong-nyeon as bait to get her mother.

To expedite things, Producer Park let it slip to Director Kang that Jeong-nyeon sang for money so that Jeong-nyeon would be kicked out on the streets. That evil man! When Jeong-nyeon confronts him about it and resolves to call it quits, Producer Park brazenly threatens her with the breach penalty she must pay if she ruins her performance. And poor Jeong-nyeon is left with no choice but to do as told and sing on TV.

Producer Park might be sly, but our girl is no pushover. With some pep talk from Patricia, Jeong-nyeon delivers an amazing performance, singing as her true self, not in the way Producer Park wants her to. Thus, once again captivating the hearts of everyone listening to her. Patricia tears up while listening to Jeong-nyeon, and Director Kang can’t help but admire Jeong-nyeon’s performance as well.

The spectators might be mesmerized, but neither Producer Park nor the investors are pleased with Jeong-nyeon’s performance. Apparently, they didn’t need a singer but someone who allures people with her body. Giving her an ultimatum, Producer Park tells Jeong-nyeon to either get her mother to show up on television or pay the penalty.

As we already know, neither option is possible. But no need to worry about Jeong-nyeon since Director Kang turns up and saves the day, paying the penalty and arguing one of her trainees is there, so she has come to fetch her. (Unable to handle the guilt any longer, Joo-ran comes clean about everything to Director Kang. Paired with some nudge from Ok-gyeong, Director Kang settles to forgive Jeong-nyeon.)

“I thought having a famous mother like you would be amazing. But now I see that isn’t necessarily true.”

On their way back, Jeong-nyeon asks Director Kang if the reason she took in Jeong-nyeon was because of her mother, just like Producer Park did. So far, Jeong-nyeon had no idea her mother was a famous singer. But now she feels she has been living in her mother’s shadow even when she was unaware of it. Director Kang assures Jeong-nyeon that none of that is important. What matters is what Jeong-nyeon decides to do with the chance she is given.

Having found out the truth about her mother, Jeong-nyeon now understands Yeong-seo better and how hard she had it, being constantly compared to her successful mother. Reaching out first, Jeong-nyeon apologizes for calling Yeong-seo a princess who has nothing to worry about during their argument that night. Being her usual self, Yeong-seo acts nonchalant, though she is clearly touched by Jeong-nyeon’s words. Hopefully, this marks the end of their enmity and the beginning of a healthy rivalry and some entertaining sismance.

I guess we had our wish come true sooner than expected. Having been locked in by a mysterious person whom we later learn is Hye-rang, Jeong-nyeon almost misses the audition for the official performance. But with some help from Yeong-seo (who also subtly encouraged Jeong-nyeon to work harder), Jeong-nyeon makes it to the audition in the nick of time.

After the audition, Jeong-nyeon thanks Yeong-seo for helping her. Yet instead of accepting it, Yeong-seo claims she only did it because she wanted to observe Jeong-nyeon acting once more to assess her skills. Whatever the reason was, Yeong-seo helped Jeong-nyeon big time. She also reported to Ok-gyeong that Hye-rang locked up Jeong-nyeon on purpose, though we have yet to see Ok-gyeong’s reaction to it.

“Don’t I have to do the best for the audience?”

Surprising everyone, Jeong-nyeon auditions for a minor role, instead of going for a bigger role. When asked about it, Jeong-nyeon says she would rather take a smaller role this time and focus on learning how to act properly and hone her skills. While Yeong-seo snatches the antagonist role, surpassing the actress who takes on this role every time. And Joo-ran gets to play Yeong-seo’s counterpart.

During the script reading, Yeong-seo mimicked the other actress instead of playing her own interpretation. So, Jeong-nyeon advises Yeong-seo to play her own version. But Yeong-seo arrogantly mocks her for playing a minor role, arguing that Jeong-nyeon will always stand behind her. To which, Jeong-nyeon counters that at least she will make that role her own. Also, no one knows what the future holds in store. Maybe Yeong-seo will be the one standing behind Jeong-nyeon.

Honestly, Jeong-nyeon has said nothing wrong and Yeong-seo knows it too. Yet instead of admitting to it, Yeong-seo lashed out at Jeong-nyeon. When the judges chose her over the other actress, it was because they liked Yeong-seo’s version better. But after hearing some gossip about how much people admire the other actress, Yeong-seo started to waver and mimicked the other actress.

Yeong-seo might be talented indeed, but the way she lets her emotions get the best of her and how hooked she is on getting her mother’s approval might be her downfall. At least, Yeong-seo isn’t completely unreasonable. After seeing Joo-ran feeling excited about delivering her interpretation of her role, Yeong-seo comes around and plays her own version.

Meanwhile, Jeong-nyeon goes into town to do some research. This time, she is playing a male soldier, but something feels missing about her performance. So, instead of staying stuck all day, Jeong-nyeon settles to experience for herself what it is like to act like a man. Luckily, she comes across a volunteering camp offering help to the injured soldiers and gets to see for herself what soldiers’ lives is like.

Pouring her soul into her performance, Jeong-nyeon once again stuns the audience with her skills. But I guess doing too well might be a bad thing if one is playing an extra. The audience might have been captivated by Jeong-nyeon’s performance. But the mad look on Director Kang’s face and the concerned look on Ok-gyeong’s face suggest otherwise. Our girl jumps out of the frying pan only to get into the fire.

Jeongnyeon The Star is Born Episodes 5 and 6 Musings

I appreciate how the drama plays its characters as foils to each other. Thus, emphasizing how people can behave differently even when put under the same circumstances. This is most highlighted through Jeong-nyeon and Yeong-seo’s character arcs. Both were born to successful mothers and experienced both the privileges and the shackles that come with it, yet adapted differently to it.

Instead of getting her hands tied by it, Jeong-nyeon resolves to live as herself and enjoy whatever she does. While Yeong-seo burdens herself with satisfying her overbearing mother. Training with Joo-ran might have helped Yeong-seo loosen up a bit. Which was clear in how amazing they were on stage, bringing out the best in each other. But deep inside, Yeong-seo still yearns for her mother’s affection. I don’t blame her for it, but rather pity Yeong-seo for being unable to find true happiness and tying her self-worth to what her mother thinks of her.

On the other hand, we have Ok-gyeong and Hye-rang, two successful actresses who have reached the peak of success yet find themselves in a spot where other trainees might challenge their positions. As for Ok-gyeong, we have already seen how kind-hearted and supportive she is. But Hye-rang turns eviler by day. Further, she might be involved in something shady with the finance manager. At this point, I am losing hope in Hye-rang’s character. But perhaps the latter half of the drama will prove me wrong and give her a redemption arc.

One thing I am most curious about is Director Kang’s reaction to how Jeong-nyeon stole the show to the point the audience demanded she sing a song that wasn’t in the script. According to Jeong-nyeon, she only wants to give it her best no matter how small her role is. Yet Director Kang focuses on the big picture and how the spotlight should remain on the main characters. I guess we have an intriguing confrontation to look forward to next week. Hopefully, it all turns out well.

Photos and Videos: tvN Drama

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