Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born

Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born
Promotional poster
Hangul
정년이
RRJeongnyeoni
MRChŏngnyŏni
Based on
Jeong Nyeon
by
  • Seo Ireh
  •      Namon
Written byChoi Hyo-bi
Directed byJung Ji-in
Starring
Music byJang Young-kyu[1]
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producerKim Sun-tae[2]
Producers
  • Heo Seok-won[2]
  • Lee Se-hee[2]
  • Park Hoon-joo[2]
Running time70 minutes[3]
Production companies
Budget₩33.6 billion[4]
Original release
NetworktvN
ReleaseOctober 12 (2024-10-12) –
November 17, 2024 (2024-11-17)

Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (Korean정년이) is a 2024 South Korean television series written by Choi Hyo-bi, starring Kim Tae-ri, Shin Ye-eun, Ra Mi-ran, Jung Eun-chae, and Kim Yoon-hye. Based on a Naver webtoon of the same Korean title by Seo Ireh and Namon, it depicts the story of a girl born with a talent for singing in the 1950s. It aired on tvN every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST) from October 12 to November 17, 2024.[5] The series is also available for streaming on Disney+ in selected regions.[6]

Synopsis

Immediately after the Korean War in the 1950s, Jeong-nyeon, a girl born with a talent for singing, entered the Yeoseong Gukgeuk troupe and grew up in it.

Cast

Main

A trainee and excellent at singing, dancing, and acting. She is also Jeong-yeon's rival.
Director of Maeran Theater Company.
The prince of Maeran Theater Company and Jeong-nyeon's mentor.
The princess of Maeran Theater Company.

Supporting

A member of Maeran Theater Company and Yoon Jeong-nyeon's close friend.
A member of Maeran Theater Company.
  • Jeong Ra-el as Seo Bok-sil[13]
A member of Maeran Theater Company.
Heo Young-seo's mother.
  • Min Kyung-ah as Heo Young-in[15]
Heo Young-seo's older sister.

Special appearance

Jeong-nyeon's mother who raised her child alone while putting her past as a genius singer behind her.
The head of the Women's National Theater Company, "Our Sound Gugak Company".

Production

Development

In 2020, according to Naver webtoon on the 18th, the series "Jeongnyeon" was going to be produced by Studio N, a subsidiary of Naver Webtoon, and is currently being planned and adapted.[17]

In 2022, it was directed by Jung Ji-in, who directed The Red Sleeve (2021), and written by Choi Hyo-bi, the writer of the Netflix series A Time Called You (2023). The production was jointly handled by Studio N, Management MMM, and NPIO Entertainment.[18]

Casting

On November 16, 2022, Kim Tae-ri was confirmed to take the main character Yoon Jeong-nyeon.[19]

On August 10, 2023, Shin Ye-eun was confirmed to play Heo Yeong-seo, Ra Mi-ran was confirmed to be play Kang So-bok, and Moon So-ri was confirmed to play Seo Yong-rye.[20] On September 6, 2024, Moon So-ri explained that she was going to cast as Yoon Jeong-nyeon's mother at Kim Tae-ri's request.[21]

Viewership

Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
123456789101112
11.2021.8792.1142.7942.3283.2052.2593.0442.7283.2192.9853.8402.633
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[22]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[22]
Nationwide Seoul
1 October 12, 2024 4.844% (1st) 5.678% (1st)
2 October 13, 2024 8.216% (1st) 8.911% (1st)
3 October 19, 2024 9.223% (1st) 8.886% (1st)
4 October 20, 2024 12.728% (1st) 13.578% (1st)
5 October 26, 2024 10.212% (1st) 10.182% (1st)
6 October 27, 2024 13.383% (1st) 13.744% (1st)
7 November 2, 2024 10.146% (1st) 10.257% (1st)
8 November 3, 2024 12.845% (1st) 12.952% (1st)
9 November 9, 2024 11.995% (1st) 12.735% (1st)
10 November 10, 2024 14.058% (1st) 14.311% (1st)
11 November 16, 2024 12.762% (1st) 13.460% (1st)
12 November 17, 2024 16.458% (1st) 17.090% (1st)
Average 11.319% 12.144%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This drama aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).

Reception

"Jeongnyeon" premiered on October 12, 2024, receiving an initial viewership rating of 4.8%. Following its first episodes, the drama experienced a substantial increase, with ratings soaring to an average of 8.9% and reaching as high as 10.0% in the capital region right after the second episode.[23] This remarkable rise indicates its strong audience engagement and interest in the unfolding narrative.

Despite controversies surrounding the adaptation, including character removals and scheduling issues, the drama has captivated audiences with its storytelling and performances.[23] Kim Tae-Ri's portrayal of Yoon Jeong-Nyeon has been frequently praised for her emotional depth and singing talents, contributing significantly to the drama's appeals.[23][24]

In the fifth week of October, Good Data Corporation's TV-OTT drama buzzworthiness report showed Jeongnyeon maintaining its top rank for four consecutive weeks. The series led across VON (Voice of Netizens), SNS, video categories, and even the search response survey. Moreover, its topicality score consistently rose, setting new records weekly. In TV-OTT drama performer buzzworthiness, Kim Tae-ri also held the number one spot for four consecutive weeks. For the fifth week, other cast members in the top 10 included Shin Ye-eun (3rd), Jung Eun-chae (4th), Woo Da-bi (6th), and Kim Yoon-hye (7th).[25]

Accolades

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2024 Grand Prize (Daesang) Kim Tae-ri Won [26][27]
Drama of the Year Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born Won
Best Director Jung Ji-in Nominated
Best Screenwriter Choi Hyo-bi Nominated
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Kim Tae-ri Nominated
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Jung Eun-chae Won
Shin Ye-eun Nominated
Asian Television Awards 2025 Best Drama Series Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born Pending [28]
Best Direction (Drama) Jung Ji-in Pending
Baeksang Arts Awards 2025 Best Director Jung Ji-in Nominated [29]
Best Actress Kim Tae-ri Won
Best Supporting Actress Oh Gyeong-hwa Nominated
Jung Eun-chae Nominated
Best Technical Achievement Jang Yeong-gyu (Score) Won
BANFF Rockie Award 2025 Best Scripted Limited Series Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born Nominated [30]
Bechdel Day 2025 Bechdel Choice 10 Placed [31]
ContentAsia Awards 2025 Best Drama Series Made in Asia for a Regional or International Market Won [32]
Cable TV Broadcasting Awards 2025 Grand Prize (Daesang) for Drama Category Won [33]

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
South China Morning Post 2024 The 15 best K-dramas of 2024 10th place [34]
The New York Times 2024 Best International Shows Included [35]
Time Magazine The 10 Best K-Dramas of 2024 2nd place [36]

References

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  2. ^ a b c d "Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born". Studio Dragon. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  3. ^ 정년이 [Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born]. CJ ENM. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Heo, Ji-hyong (September 12, 2024). 김태리 '정년이' 못보나... MBC, 제작사에 가압류 신청 [MBC applies for seizure against Kim Tae-ri in 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born']. Star News Korea (in Korean). Retrieved September 12, 2024 – via Naver.
  5. ^ Yoon, Sang-geun (August 21, 2024). 김태리X신예은 '정년이' 베일 벗었다... 10월 12일 첫방 확정 [공식] [Official: 'Jeongnyeon' starring leads Kim Tae-ri and Shin Ye-eun will premiere on October 12]. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via Star News.
  6. ^ Chin, Carmen (September 11, 2024). "Watch the trailer for Disney+'s new K-drama, 'Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born'". NME (in Korean). Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Tae, Yoo-na (August 10, 2023). [공식] 김태리, 판소리 천재 된다...'더 글로리' 신예은과 '정년이'로 호흡 [Official: Kim Tae-ri, a pansori genius, co-stars with 'The Glory' actress Shin Ye-eun in 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born']. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023 – via Naver.
  8. ^ a b Choi, Hee-jae (August 10, 2023). 김태리·문소리, 모녀로 재회...'정년이' 캐스팅 라인업 [공식입장] [Here's how the official casting of 'Jeongnyeon' featuring family duo of Kim Tae-ri and Moon So-ri]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  9. ^ Go, Jae-wan (January 29, 2024). [공식] 정은채, '정년이' 합류..국극 최고 스타 문옥경 캐릭터 [Official: Jeong Eun-chae plays the character Moon Ok-kyung in 'Jeongnyeon'] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
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  11. ^ Lee, Ha-neul. 우다비, '정년이' 캐스팅으로 김태리·신예은과 연기 호흡. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  12. ^ Lee, Myung-joo. '오마이걸' 승희, '정년이' 출연...김태리 괴롭히는 동기 役. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  13. ^ Jang, Jin-ri (September 21, 2023). [단독]'7인의 탈출' 정라엘, '정년이' 캐스팅...안방 '특급 행보'. SPOTV (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  14. ^ Jang, Jin-ri. [단독]장혜진, '정년이' 캐스팅...김태리→신예은 '믿보배' 라인업 합류. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  15. ^ Min, Kyung-ah (July 17, 2024). 뮤지컬 배우 민경아, 신예은 언니 된다...'정년이' 출연 확정 [Musical actress Min Kyung-ah confirmed to appear in 'Jeongnyeon' as Heo Young-soo's older sister played by Shin Ye-eun]. Star Today (in Korean). Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  16. ^ Geum, Bit-na (September 4, 2024). 우미화 '정년이' 합류...여성국 극단 단장 '정남희' 役 [공식]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  17. ^ '정년이' 드라마화된다… 웹툰 원작 드라마 '대세' [Webtoon 'Jeongnyeon' gains drama adaptation] (in Korean). September 18, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  18. ^ Lee, Seung-gil (December 5, 2022). 웹툰 '정년이', 드라마 제작 확정...연출은 '옷소매 붉은 끝동' 정지인 감독 [Webtoon 'Jeongnyeon' adaptated into a drama directed by Jeong Ji-in of 'The Red Sleeve']. MyDaily (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  19. ^ Jo, Ji-young (November 16, 2022). [단독] 김태리, 웹툰 원작 드라마 '정년이'로 여성국극 도전..꿈의 캐스팅 완성 [Exclusive: Kim Tae-ri selected for a female national drama based on the webtoon series 'Jeongnyeon'. Here's the complete cast of the drama] (in Korean). Retrieved June 8, 2025.
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  22. ^ a b Nielsen Korea ratings:
  23. ^ a b c "Kim Tae-ri's "Jeongnyeon" Surges in Ratings Despite Controversies". KBI Zoom. October 27, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
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