“Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born” Premieres to 4.8% Ratings, Sparking Controversy After Controversy

In the premier episode that aired on October 12, viewers are introduced to the protagonist Yoon Jeong-nyeon, portrayed by Kim Tae-ri. Despite her remarkable vocal talent, she leads a mundane life selling fish in her hometown of Mokpo. However, a life-changing event propels her into the enchanting realm of traditional Korean opera, Gukgeuk.

This debut episode garnered an impressive average rating of 5.7% within the metropolitan area, reaching a peak of 6.8%. On a national scale, the episode secured a 4.8% average rating, peaking at 5.9%. It claimed the top position among both cable and general programming channels during its air time, based on data from Nielsen Korea, which accounts for cable, IPTV, and satellite viewership.

In Mokpo, Yoon Jeong-nyeon endures a challenging existence alongside her mother, Seo Yong-rye (played by Moon So-ri), and her sister, Yoon Jeong-ja (Oh Kyung-hwa). Although her singing ability is undeniable, her mother does not support her aspirations. When confronted by a local thug, Chang-ho (Oh Dae-hwan), who demands protection money, Jeong-nyeon responds with a song, “Namwon Fortress,”enchanting the crowd and forcing Chang-ho to retreat.

Among the audience are celebrated Gukgeuk performers Moon Ok-kyung (Jung Eun-chae) and Seo Hye-rang (Kim Yoon-hye), who extend an invitation to Jeong-nyeon to join their show. It is revealed that Ok-kyung is quite a star, which piques Jeong-nyeon’s interest in pursuing a lucrative career as a Gukgeuk actress. Despite her mother’s opposition, Jeong-nyeon resolves to chase her dream and seeks clandestine lessons from Ok-kyung.

As the audition day approaches, Yong-rye discovers her daughter’s intentions and confines her in a storeroom. However, Jeong-ja steps in to help her sister break free just in time for the audition. The episode concludes with Jeong-nyeon on the verge of realizing her dreams, while introducing another character, Chae Gong-seon (Lee Ga-eun), who also has aspirations in music, suggesting an intriguing connection to Yong-rye.

Source: Daum

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