Kim Tae-ri’s “Troublesome Protagonist Controversy” Unveils Deeper Issues in Collapsed Female Narratives & Original Destruction in ‘Jeongnyeon’

An Analysis of “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born”and the Evolution of Female Narratives in Opera

The landscape of traditional women’s opera has experienced a significant decline, often reducing narratives of female independence to mere focus on marriage. In this context, the growth and success stories of female protagonists tend to vanish, leading to unsatisfying conclusions that overlook their development.

Successful Finale Despite Controversy

tvN’s weekend drama, Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, wrapped up its series with an impressive peak viewership rating of 16.5%. Throughout its airing, the show attracted considerable attention, thanks to its unique exploration of women’s traditional opera and powerful performances by a talented cast that included Kim Tae-ri, Shin Ye-eun, Ra Mi-ran, and Jung Eun-chae. The vibrant depiction of the opera stage added to the show’s appeal.

Initial Challenges Faced by the Production

However, Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born encountered a rocky start. Before the series found its home on tvN, MBC had attempted to claim it by filing an injunction. They alleged that the production company had violated the Unfair Competition Prevention Act, arguing that they suffered significant losses due to a lack of scheduled broadcasts. Yet, the production team refuted these claims, asserting that no formal agreements had been made with MBC regarding the series.

Controversial Adaptation Choices

The adaptation has also faced scrutiny for altering key queer elements from the original narrative. Notably, the character Buyong, who originally had a romantic connection with Yoon Jeongnyeon, was omitted. When concerns were raised regarding changes made to appease viewers uncomfortable with queer representations, the production team defended their decision by stating that the extensive content of the original work had to be condensed into just 12 episodes. They further mentioned that the essence of Buyong’s character would be woven into another character, Jooran, as the story progressed.

Mixed Reactions to Character Depictions

Viewer reactions to Jeongnyeon were also polarized. Many felt that her intrusive and self-centered behavior detracted from the overall narrative, causing frustration amongst the audience. This divisive representation of a “troublesome protagonist” left many viewers conflicted about their engagement with the series.

Contention Surrounding the Series Finale

The most debated aspect of Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born was its ending. In stark contrast to the original narrative, where the characters achieve success as opera stars and the Maeran Theater Company thrives, the drama opted for a somber and unresolved conclusion. The epilogue portrayed the opera troupe disbanding, with members pursuing separate paths as performers and leaving Jeongnyeon, who becomes Maeran’s new prince, to close the curtains after a single performance.

These narrative choices included troubling developments such as the decision of Maeran Theater Company’s director, Sobok (portrayed by Ra Mi-ran), to sell their building to a brothel for financial gain and the character Jooran choosing marriage over her career to support her family. Such choices undermine the previously established theme of strong female characters breaking free from societal constraints. In the original narrative, Buyong’s determination not to marry represented a significant departure from traditional female roles, garnering widespread acclaim. Conversely, the series adaptation saw both Jooran and Yeongseo’s sister abandoning their careers to marry, evoking a sense of disillusionment with the portrayal of female empowerment.

A Critical Look at Historical Representation and Narrative Intent

While one could argue that these developments reflect historical realities, it’s essential to remember that Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born is a work of fiction. The original story aimed to provide a hopeful narrative that championed women’s growth and empowerment, consciously breaking from historical limitations. The dramatic changes in the adaptation effectively erased this hopeful conclusion, leaving audiences to grapple with the harsher realities that women faced. This leads one to ponder whether this bleak ending was truly the intent behind the adaptation.

For a deeper dive into the series and its implications on women’s narratives, be sure to check out further discussions and analyses.

Source: Naver

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