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.
“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
