The tvN drama “Jeongnyeon” (full name “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born”), starring Kim Tae-ri, surpassed double-digit ratings in just 4 episodes. The episode aired on the 20th recorded a 13.6% average household rating in the metropolitan area and a peak of 15.0%, while nationwide it reached 12.7% with a peak of 14.3%, taking first place in its time slot.
In fact, the series is expected to surpass “Queen of Tears” in terms of viewership progression at the rate it has been going.
“Jeongnyeon” is set in the 1950s, following the inspiring journey of Yoon Jeong-nyeon (Kim Tae-ri), a “genius with a natural talent for sound,” who strives to become the top Gukgeuk (Korean traditional theater) performer in post-Korean War Korea. Yoon Jeong-nyeon leaves home to become a Gukgeuk performer. After showcasing her talent in the troupe, she faces expulsion and briefly works at a café to support her friend Juran (Woo Da-bi). Jeong-nyeon seizes a chance to sing on stage, attracting Yeong-seo’s (Shin Ye-eun) attention, which leads to her dismissal by Sobok (Ra Mi-ran).
In just 4 episodes, the drama follows her rise in the troupe, her expulsion, and her preparations for a singing debut. A dramatic moment, where Jeong-nyeon awakens after a slap from Yeong-seo, has left viewers eager for more. Kim Tae-ri’s performance has garnered high praise.
Kim Tae-ri began training in traditional Korean singing in 2021. She shared, “Once I decided to do the project, I started taking lessons for quite a long time, practicing Gukgeuk, Mokpo dialect, and stage acting.” She even traveled to Mokpo to listen to the dialect and took classes 2-3 times a week.
Her 3 years of dedication paid off in the third episode during a charity performance by the Mae-ran gukgeuk troupe, where she wowed viewers as Bang-ja in Chunhyangjeon. Fans praised her performance, saying it felt like watching a live show, leading TVING to release a 22-minute full version of the scene.
This drama success marks a redemption for Kim Tae-ri after her recent films, “Alienoid” Parts 1 and 2, flopped at the box office. Despite a 37 billion won (approx 27.8 million USD) budget, “Alienoid” Part 2 failed to break even with just 7 million viewers.
Kim Tae-ri has shown her strength in dramas, previously achieving top ratings with “Mr. Sunshine” (18.1%), “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” (11.5%), and “Revenant” (11.2%). Now, “Jeongnyeon: has also surpassed double-digit ratings, hinting at its potential as a hit.
Source: Daum
