Original subtitles

It is the 1950s, following the devastating Korean War.

Female gukgeuk,or traditional theater, captures the heart of the public,

and many girls dream of becoming princes.

Playing the role of Yoon Jeongnyeon,

a pansori genius who dives into the world of stars,

is Kim Taeri.

Playing the role of Heo Youngseo,

an elite trainee skilled at singing, dancing, and even acting,

is Shin Yeeun.

Playing the role of Moon Okgyeong,

the undisputed Prince of Maeran, is Jung Eunchae.

Playing the role of Seo Hyerang,

the beautiful flower of Maeran, is Kim Yoonhye.

And last but not least

is the director of all the girls who dream of becoming princes,

Kang Sobok played by Ra Miran.

We want to thank you for your patience

as we proudly present the story of Jeongnyeon!

"Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born"

"Narrator: Cho Yeongsuk First-generation female gukgeuk actor"

All characters, places, organizations, and events in this show are fictional.

The show contains Japanese expressions to reflect the time period.

1931, Gyeongseong

It's freezing, isn't it?

Put this on.

Here.

All right.

There you go.

She would like you to come in.

Let's go.

It's been so long.

What have you been up to?

Well…

nothing much.

We've just been wandering about here and there.

I don't have anything saved up…

having devoted my life

to accompanying pansori performances.

And I'd be fine living like that by myself.

But my daughter…

I couldn't bear to see my daughter…

suffer in the cold anymore.

So if you could perhaps…

let us stay a while…

Of course I will.

You should have come to me sooner.

You were foolish not to.

Thank you so much.

You have a strong look about you.

What's your name?

Chae Gongseon.

Oh.

Would you like to go to school?

Nowadays, even girls can go to school.

I heard you teach pansori.

I'd like to learn how to sing.

Nonsense.

She doesn't know what she's talking about.

You want to learn pansori?

Yes.

I want to become a famous pansori singer like you.

Quiet.

Watch what you say.

Why do you want to learn pansori?

Is it so that you can wear nice clothes

and do nothing but sing all your life?

Hmm…

Whenever I sing,

I just feel this huge release inside me.

I love it.

You feel a huge release, you say?

Yes.

You're still so young,

and you've already felt such things?

Whenever I'm frustrated or lonely,

I feel as if something is blocked within me.

But when I sing, it all goes away.

The path of an artist doesn't always involve glory.

And for you to sing pansori…

you'll have to go through intense training

that will strain your throat to no end.

Do you still want to learn?

I do.

All right.

Then let's hear how good you are.

I will decide whether to take you after that.

Sobok, bring the drum.

Yes, ma'am.

♪ Gazing at the beautiful pear blossoms ♪

♪ From the top of Namwon Fortress ♪

♪ There are all kinds of birds aflight ♪

♪ And look, a lark ♪

♪ The seagulls cry at the sunset ♪

♪ And the willow trees sway in the wind ♪

♪ A pair of nightingales ♪

♪ Take flight to the mountains ♪

♪ Chirping ♪

♪ My love ♪

♪ Oh my love ♪

♪ Oh love, oh my love ♪

♪ You are my love ♪

1956, Mokpo

Act 1

Huh?

Let's go.

But the tide's still out.

I said let's go.

You're leaving already, Jeongnyeon?

Yeah.

I knew your mother would get mad

as soon as you started humming along.

Go follow your mother.

I'll be back tomorrow, so leave some for me.

Hurry up!

I'm coming.

She's so angry.

All right, I won't.

I won't sing.

Come on, let's go.

Jungja must be waiting.

Have you read this?

They're really praising our Maeran Gukgeukdan.

"Tickets sold out for Maeran Gukgeukdan's performance"

They're calling you the Crown Prince of female gukgeuk.

Okgyeong.

Why are you so down?

It's no fun.

What is?

Everything.

Acting isn't as fun as it used to be.

You're just too worn out from the tour.

You'll feel better after some rest.

Hey, Jeongnyeon!

- Jeongnyeon, you're here! - Yeah!

Oh, that's new.

- Hey, Jeongnyeon. - Hey.

- Have you eaten? - Not yet.

Jungja! Goodness!

Oh, my goodness!

Good work.

Oh my, this is heavy.

My goodness.

You dug up so many.

The more we sell, the more money we get.

- Girls. - Yes?

I'm heading out to work in the field.

Don't even think about singing to gather customers, all right?

Goodness, look how dirty.

Did you hear me?

I heard you, okay?

See you later.

But seriously…

One song will get enough customers to sell everything.

Such a waste.

You love money that much, huh?

- You want me to bash your head in? - But sir!

What's with this?

Here, take everything.

Your knives are dull.

It must be hard doing business out here.

If you had paid us more,

you would've had a better spot instead of this dingy corner.

You're being so difficult.

This isn't enough money.

That's more than enough!

We've doubled the price starting this month.

What are you staring at?

You've already taken a fortune from us.

If you double the price,

we'll end up starving to death!

Would you look at this brat, all riled up?

Whether you starve or not is none of my business!

If you don't have the money to pay,

then go work at a bar or something to make some.

You know what?

You're all grown up.

How about I recommend you someplace nice

to make yourself useful?

Trash it! Damn it, that hurts.

Stop it! Our money!

I said stop it!

No, don't! My money!

I said stop!

♪ Gazing at the beautiful pear blossoms ♪

♪ From the top of Namwon Fortress ♪

♪ There are all kinds of birds aflight ♪

♪ And look, a lark ♪

-Let's go! -That's it!

♪ The seagulls cry at the sunset ♪

♪ And the willow trees sway in the wind ♪

Let's go, Okgyeong.

♪ A pair of nightingales ♪

♪ Take flight to the mountains ♪

♪ Chirping ♪

Don't!

Don't cheer her on!

♪ Oh my love ♪

♪ Oh love, oh my love ♪

♪ You are my love ♪

- That was great! - Amazing!

Stop clapping, you idiot.

Stop cheering.

Pay for the song!

What?

I don't sing for free, so pay up.

You said to work at a bar to make money.

I just sang for you, so pay up!

Oh, wow.

Is this scrawny young thing kidding me right now?

Everyone!

Am I wrong?

- Of course not! - Pay up!

She's right.

You have to pay if you listened to her song.

- Yeah. - Pay up.

-Why, you little… -That's right.

And Jeongnyeon's singing is top quality. So pay your fee.

You don't get a free concert.

Sir, let's go for today.

I can't believe this. I'll see you next time.

- You have to pay up! - Are you running away?

Okay, settle down.

Jeongnyeon, one song wasn't enough.

We want to hear more. How about it?

- One more song. - Go on, Jeongnyeon.

I can't believe this!

Our mother is going to kill her if she hears this!

What are you saying?

Yes, I might die, but I'm going to die rich.

The preview was free,

but if you want to hear more, you'll have to pay up.

-Come on. -Really?

My goodness.

We can't sell these.

But these fish are fine!

How about you buy these?

I'll buy them all.

- Who's that? - Goodness.

- Oh my… - How pretty.

You're buying all of these?

In return,

I want to hear a different song than Namwon Fortress.

What would you like to hear?

-Jeongnyeon… -It's fine.

Tell me what you want to hear.

Anything you're good at.

Then I'll sing you something from Chunhyangga.

What are you waiting for? Pack up the fish for the customer.

You can't!

♪ I want to go ♪

♪ I want to go ♪

♪ I want to follow ♪

♪ My love ♪

♪ Over the snowy hill ♪

♪ Even the wind struggles to go over ♪

♪ Even the clouds ♪

♪ Struggle to go over ♪

♪ Even the birds ♪

♪ All kinds of birds ♪

♪ Struggle to go over ♪

Nice.

We got some rice and meat.

This is great.

See?

I sold all those fish just by singing.

I'm telling you, singing makes money.

I'm glad we sold everything,

but I'm so worried Mother will find out.

She's not going to be happy if she hears.

How would she find out if we keep our mouths shut?

You're right.

Hey, Namwon Fortress!

You're not going back on buying all that fish, are you?

Don't even think about it.

Where did you learn pansori?

I don't have the time or money to learn anything.

I was just mimicking others.

Yet you're able to use cheonguseong so easily?

Unbelievable.

Cheonguseong? What's that?

You don't even know what it is?

I've never heard of it before.

Do you know what gukgeuk is?

Yes, I've heard of it.

It's where actors sing and dance on stage, right?

They're tickets to tomorrow night's performance.

Come and watch.

Jamyunggo Ticket

Make sure to be there.

Also, Namwon Fortress.

Yes?

What's your name?

Yoon Jeongnyeon.

Yoon Jeongnyeon.

I'll see you again.

I'd rather have money than tickets though.

What use are these paper scraps?

I think I've seen that face before.

Who? Him?

Where have I seen him?

I wouldn't forget such a distinctive face.

"Moon Okgyeong"?

"Maeran Gukgeukdan…"

It's Moon Okgyeong!

Who?

It's Moon Okgyeong from Maeran Gukgeukdan!

The star actor!

"Maeran Gukgeukdan"?

Didn't you see the performance posters all around the neighborhood?

I guess her unique face is what draws all the girls to her.

"Her"?

He's a… woman?

That's right.

Maeran Gukgeukdan is an all-girls theater troupe.

My goodness.

Could I have just one head of your kimchi?

My kimchi this year doesn't taste as good.

One head isn't going to be enough for your family.

Here, have a lot.

Well then…

Let me have a taste.

Goodness!

But Yongrye,

your daughters aren't back yet?

They must still be at the marketplace.

You must be so proud of them.

They're such good kids helping out at the market.

That's true for Jungja.

But Jeongnyeon isn't like her sister

and causes so much trouble,

always doing what I tell her not to do.

She's still a good girl.

And she sings so beautifully.

Everyone was amazed at the marketplace.

Did Jeongnyeon sing at the marketplace?

Oh, no.

We're home!

My goodness.

Mother, look at this.

Did you sing at the marketplace?

Well then, I'll be off.

Time to make dinner.

Nine.

Keep counting.

Ten.

You stubborn girl.

Not a sound from you, huh?

I told you not to sing, didn't I?

What are you, a performer? A courtesan?

Why do you keep singing in front of people?

Those guys were causing trouble again.

I didn't have a choice!

Is that right?

You think they won't come back just because you sang at them?

It was better than doing nothing like you.

I'm just using my talent to make money.

Why are you so against it?

We don't even have money for rice.

What's so wrong about earning money by singing?

Is that so?

I've been too kind.

I'm going to shave you bald…

so you won't be able to go out in public again.

All right, let's go.

Where are we going?

To the barber.

Let's go shave your head.

-Come. -Wait!

Hold on. Mother!

I'm not going.

- Come on. - I'm not going!

Oh my…

Get inside!

- Mother! - Mother, no!

-Mother! Mother, no! -Goodness!

Mother, calm down!

Please! Mother!

-Get back here! -Mother, wait!

I think she got your point.

Is that why she keeps singing when I tell her not to?

You're at fault too.

You were right there with her. Why didn't you stop your sister?

She wasn't there when I was singing. Don't blame her!

- That's just great. - Quiet.

What great sisters you are!

How dare you speak back to me, you brat?

Mother! Mother!

-No! Mother! -Come here!

Mother!

You're right. I'm sorry.

From now on,

I'll make sure to keep her from singing ever again.

So please let her go for now.

Jeongnyeon's all grown up now.

If you shave off her hair…

…how is she going to show her face in public?

Goodness gracious.

-Get up, Jeongnyeon. -Goodness.

Tell her you're sorry.

I'm sorry.

And?

I'll never…

sing again.

Thank you, Mother.

What am I going to do with you?

You should have been begging on your knees.

Why would you talk back to her?

Hey, you bring in the food.

Go on.

I will, all right?

Stop.

You at the end.

Minju.

-Yes, ma'am? -Get out.

You're banned from the stage even as an extra.

Extra: A role in a play without any lines

Resume.

Director, I think you should see this.

Star actor of famous theater troupe suspected of opium addiction

When was this published?

This morning.

Should we inform Okgyeong?

No, let her focus on performing for now.

Yes, ma'am.

Jeongnyeon, I heard you were with a handsome man yesterday.

Was it your boyfriend?

Come on.

You really think it was her boyfriend?

Where would she find the time to date when she's so busy selling clams?

All she talks about is money.

No man is going to go for her.

What's wrong with you?

Hey.

You want to know who the handsome man talking to Jeongnyeon was?

It was Moon Okgyeong.

Stop talking nonsense.

Why would she of all people be at the marketplace,

talking to Jeongnyeon?

Jeongnyeon.

Let them see the tickets.

The tickets?

Jamyunggo Ticket

Oh my.

It's true!

Did you really meet with Moon Okgyeong?

What did she say?

She just wanted me

to come to the performance.

Jeongnyeon, take me with you.

Is she really all that?

Moon Okgyeong and Seo Hyerang are the Prince and Princess of Maeran.

- Right. - Then does she earn a lot of money?

Are you kidding me?

She has her own house, car, and anything else you could think of.

- Mm. - I'm so jealous, Jeongnyeon.

Is that so?

Hey.

Jeongnyeon!

You're not thinking of going, are you?

Are you?

Are you?

Jamyunggo Now showing

Sold out

Jamyunggo is now showing!

Come and watch the Prince and Princess of Maeran,

Moon Okgyeong and Seo Hyerang!

I don't think we should be here.

Mother's going to be furious when she finds out.

Mother told me not to sing,

but she never banned me from watching gukgeuk, did she?

Besides, we finished all our chores for the day.

What's the problem?

- Look at that. - Even so…

Hot buns.

- Get your hot buns here. - How much are these?

15 hwan for 10 buns.

- 15 hwan? That's too much. - We'll have a bag.

Just give me ten hwan. Listen, Jungja.

Mother's too busy helping out with a party in the neighboring village.

We'll have plenty of time to get home before she does.

Looks delicious!

I told you, it's 15 hwan!

Let's settle at 10 hwan!

It's Moon Okgyeong!

This is insane! These look so good.

I waited three whole months for this.

I'm going to buy Okgyeong's picture for sure this time.

- Wow. - Hyerang's just gorgeous.

Make sure to get the poster.

Maeran Gukgeukdan's Jamyunggo

I can't believe it. I'll be seeing Moon Okgyeong in the flesh!

- Get your taffy here. - Taffy!

Jeongnyeon, it's taffy!

Just eat the hot buns.

You're here because gukgeuk actors earn a lot of money, aren't you?

Aren't you curious too?

We work our fingers and backs off every day

and still don't have enough to buy rice.

I need to see why this gukgeuk makes a lot of money

with my own two eyes.

You do that.

♪ Hooray, hooray ♪

♪ Rejoice ♪

♪ Red flowers on every mountain ♪

♪ Green barley in every field ♪

♪ All is well ♪

♪ Thanks to our great and noble king ♪

♪ Hooray ♪

It's Moon Okgyeong.

The children are singing.

How merry. Ha!

This is all thanks to our great king.

Enough!

What is wrong, my prince?

Can you really say that all is well?

Han strikes from up north…

and Nakrang attacks from the east.

Alas, how my land suffers.

♪ Han strikes from up north ♪

♪ And Nakrang attacks from the east ♪

♪ Alas, how my land suffers ♪

♪ The north wind quakes our earth ♪

♪ And the east wind brings forth a storm ♪

How could anyone say that all is well?

"Mokpo loves Moon Okgyeong Moon Okgyeong fan club"

Oh, my heart.

She really is a prince, huh?

Right?

Princess.

I have something to tell you.

The heavens have appointed us rulers on earth.

And even beasts have their mates.

It's only right for us to be together.

♪ Dear Jamyunggo ♪

♪ Turn a blind eye ♪

♪ Do not set your eyes ♪

♪ On my heart I once laid down for my country ♪

To my heart that now yearns for the enemy prince.

All things under the sun are set by the heavens.

So why were we fated to be enemies?

♪ My love, oh my love ♪

♪ Oh, my dearest love ♪

-♪ My love, oh my love ♪ -♪ My love, oh my love ♪

-♪ Oh, my dearest love ♪ -♪ Oh, my dearest love ♪

-♪ You are my love ♪ -♪ You are my love ♪

-♪ Indeed you are my love ♪ -♪ Indeed you are my love ♪

Maeran Gukgeukdan's Jamyunggo!

Ms. Moon!

Please look over here!

-Over here! -You were amazing tonight!

This is for you!

- Okgyeong! - Ms. Moon!

You've sold out every performance on this tour so far.

Please give us a word.

Yes.

Our troupe only exists thanks to our fans.

We will continue to do our best

to showcase the best performances for our fans.

Ms. Moon!

Could you comment on your scandal with film actor, Kim?

There's evidence that you've regularly met up.

If you consider meeting up with someone as dating,

then I guess that means I'm in countless relationships.

What is it?

Did something happen?

Tell me.

Star actor of famous theater troupe suspected of opium addiction

The article didn't name any names,

but everyone would have gotten the hint.

They did this so I won't be able to press charges.

The article says it was at Kim's house in Seoul.

And you've been spending a lot of time there

with your artist friends.

Say something, Okgyeong.

We need to know what's going on to protect you!

What's there to know? You already think I did it.

Do you also think I did it?

Whether you did or did not,

I will publicly announce that you did not.

That's the only way to save our troupe.

I didn't do it.

This is all just speculation.

My friends and I are all clean.

I made a promise when I joined the troupe.

And I always keep my promises.

All right, I believe you.

I'll take care of this then.

And I think it's best…

if you stay away from Seoul for the time being.

Ms. Kang.

There are too many journalists trying to get the scoop on Okgyeong.

It's best to lay low in times like this.

The children are singing.

How merry.

This is all thanks to our great king.

Then…

Moon Okgyeong says…

Can you really say that all is well?

There was something different from the moment Moon Okgyeong first spoke.

Can you really say that all is well?

No, that's not it.

It wasn't like this.

She wasn't trying to sound cool.

I'm missing something…

What am I missing?

Can you really say that all is well?

That's right.

She had elegance.

Yes, elegance.

Sophistication.

Can you really say that all is well?

How could anyone say that all is well?

What are you doing up?

You scared me.

It's just…

my heart keeps racing and I can't sleep.

You keep saying that.

Maybe you're sick.

No, I'm not sick.

My heart…

just keeps thumping.

Ah…

You're just excited

because you heard those actors make a lot of money.

Am I?

Just forget about it.

Those people are from beyond the stars.

Beyond the stars?

You're right.

What I saw today…

was from beyond the stars.

Morning, sir!

Excuse me, sir.

Is this where the Maeran actors are staying?

They just left.

What?

They already left?

You just missed them.

Yoon Jeongnyeon?

What the…

Are you here to see me?

How come you're still here?

Something came up, so I'll be staying in Mokpo for a while.

Really?

So why did you come to see me?

What?

Huh.

I'm here…

Well, I'm here…

I'm here because…

Come with me.

H-Hello?

Is this Hanseong Inn in Mokpo?

You have a call from Seoul.

-Please wait until I connect-- -Oh!

This is a script for Chunhyangjeon.

Try reading it out loud.

Don't think too much about it.

"Here it is, Young Master."

"This is what I was telling you about."

"The most famous pavilion in all the land…

Gwang…

…G-Gwanghallu Pavilion."

"What do you think?"

It seems…

you've never acted before.

You're as stiff as a board.

I mean… this was so out of the blue.

How could I be good at something I've only just seen?

Then are you better with something you've seen before?

Of course I am.

The children are singing.

How merry.

This is all thanks to our great king.

Can you really say that all is well?

What is wrong, my prince?

Han strikes from up north

and Nakrang attacks from the east.

Alas, how my land suffers.

You memorized all that?

I did.

But you've only seen it for the first time yesterday.

I know, right?

I wasn't trying to memorize them,

but the lines were just imprinted in my brain.

Ah.

Even I can't memorize something I've only seen once.

So how was it?

My acting was better than the first time, right?

No.

You were still as stiff as a board.

So why did you have me do this?

I wanted to see if you had it in you to become a gukgeuk actor.

Isn't that why you came to see me?

Huh?

Yes.

But…

you just said that I couldn't act.

A gukgeuk actor must be adept at three things.

Singing, dancing, and acting.

Your acting isn't the best…

…but it'll get better with practice.

And you probably can't dance.

Yeah.

But you have your voice.

My voice?

You were born with cheonguseong.

It's a pure and lovely voice

that also contains aewonseong, or deep, heartfelt sorrow.

That's why it's called cheonguseong,

a voice given by the heavens.

A voice given by the heavens?

My voice?

In other words…

you were born to sing pansori.

Oh, my goodness.

I can't believe my ears.

My mother really ought to hear this.

Of course, that alone won't guarantee that you can join our troupe.

Our director is incredibly picky.

Even so…

you're saying I have a chance, yes?

I think so.

-Jungja. -Yeah?

Hypothetically…

let's say there's something you want to do.

But there are so many reasons why you shouldn't.

What would you do if you still want to do it?

Something I shouldn't do?

Is it something illegal?

No, nothing like that.

Let me think.

I think there's a clear answer.

What is it?

You said you still want to do it, even if you shouldn't.

Then you'd end up doing it eventually.

The human heart is like that.

You tell someone not to do something,

and it makes them want to do it even more.

Hey, take it easy.

Please stop!

There they go again.

Those scoundrels!

Kick everything down, okay?

The heavens ought to smite them to pieces.

It would be quicker for us to leave Mokpo…

than to wait for the heavens to act.

Kick this down as well.

I refuse…

to live my life waiting for divine intervention.

I've made up my mind.

I promised my mother I would never sing again.

If she finds out I'm trying to become a gukgeuk actor,

she's going to shave my head bald.

But I still want to do it.

You said I had a chance.

I want to make big money with this talent, even if my mother kills me.

So teach me what I need to do

to get out of here and get to Seoul.

Our troupe is going to hold an audition for new trainees.

You'll be taking that audition.

Au…

Sorry, what?

An audition.

It's an entrance exam for the troupe.

So what do they test at this "audition"?

Three things.

Singing, acting, and dancing.

Experts for each of the criteria will serve as judges,

but Director Kang is the one who holds the final say.

We'd better focus on acting and dancing

since we don't have a lot of time.

"Is that grass I see on the roof?"

"Since you wouldn't stop talking about this Gwanghallu Pavilion,

I thought it'd be much grander than this."

"But is this what…

…all the fuss is about?"

Uh, the biggest problem…

is that you're not phrasing the lines properly.

The audience won't get a word of what you're saying

if you read off a string of lines like that.

I have a question.

How much do you earn if you play the main character?

What?

My friends said that if you succeed as a gukgeuk actor,

you'd be rich enough to buy a house and a car.

Is that true?

You better practice if you want to get rich.

Relax your shoulders.

And maintain eye contact with the person you're talking to.

Here it is, Young Master.

This is what I was telling you about.

The most famous pavilion in all the land, Gwanghallu Pavilion.

What do you think?

Isn't it as amazing as I said it'd be?

Is that grass I see on the roof?

Since you wouldn't stop talking about this Gwanghallu Pavilion,

I thought it'd be much grander than this.

But is this what all the fuss is about?

What?

Was it weird?

No.

Your tone and mood changed completely. Let's keep going.

Pause.

Lower your shoulder and your knee.

And raise your toes.

Finish up here, will you?

Okay.

Good. Let's stop here.

I'd say you're not too bad now.

Seriously?

Come on, tell me something better than that.

I'm telling you you're not that bad.

Which means I'm nowhere near good.

But…

why are you helping me?

It's not like I'm paying you.

I'm not bored.

What?

Everything was starting to get boring.

But you must be so busy with all the performances.

What was so boring for you?

Anyhow, I want you to join our troupe

and continue to entertain me.

So make sure to pass the audition for my sake.

So you weren't really helping me just to help me.

Let's just say we're helping each other.

The breeze feels nice.

Pfft.

Where have you been running off to these days?

I…

I've been hanging out with Insuk at her place and…

They told me you weren't at their place.

They haven't even seen you around these days.

That's…

Chunhyangjeon

What are all these?

Do these have something to do with…

where you've been going these days?

I've been practicing by myself to join the theater troupe.

I know you don't like me singing,

but could you just let me do it this one time?

Once I make the troupe,

I promise I'll work more than twice as hard as the others

and make it big.

Then I'll be able to help the family with all the money I'll be making--

- Oh, my goodness! - Mother! Mother!

-Get some water! -Water?

Mother! My goodness! Mother, breathe!

-Here's the water! -Oh, my goodness!

-Mother! -Drink the water!

Goodness.

A theater troupe?

A theater troupe?

Didn't I…

tell you…

to never sing again?

I know, Mother.

I also tried not to because I promised you.

But…

I have a talent.

And I'll be able to transform our lives with this talent.

Stop talking nonsense!

You think you have some grand talent

just because people cheer you on a bit when you sing?

I can't believe you.

-Mother, no! -Get it together, you brat!

I'll never let you sing,

even if I have to beg on the streets!

I don't want to beg on the streets!

You want me to live my whole life paying those thugs whenever they want?

I'm telling you, we can have a better life!

I don't care!

You're not allowed to sing.

So tell me why I'm not allowed!

You'll only get hurt if you do!

How…

How would you know that?

I have nothing more to say.

You can't sing.

Just listen to your mother…

so you won't regret it later.

I won't regret it.

I'm…

going to make it…

no matter what.

Huh?

Mother! Mother!

- Mother! - Mother!

Mother!

You can't do this, Mother!

Don't you dare let her out before I say so.

And don't even think about giving her food behind my back.

So you're just going to let her starve?

Until you swear never to dream of gukgeuk or singing ever again,

I'm not letting you out.

Mother.

Oh, no.

- Mother! - Jeongnyeon!

- Jungja! - Oh, no…

What are you doing? Get over here now!

This is driving me crazy.

Jungja, don't go! Don't go!

Jungja!

I hear Moon Okgyeong is in our neighborhood.

I heard that too.

They say she's still at the inn the troupe was staying at.

What's she doing here?

The innkeeper says

that she goes out early morning and returns late at night.

Tch. Maybe she's seeing someone.

Oh, please.

You think Moon Okgyeong would date some bumpkin from Mokpo?

Oh my. My goodness!

That's Moon Okgyeong!

It's her!

Hey, someone pinch me.

Am I dreaming?

You're Jeongnyeon's sister, right?

We've met before.

Yes.

Jeongnyeon.

Jeongnyeon!

Jeongnyeon!

- My goodness! - Jungja!

You must be hungry.

Are you thirsty?

I'm fine.

Hurry and tell Mother that you won't do gukgeuk!

That's the only way!

Jeongnyeon!

I can't do that.

If I give up now…

I'm going to regret it for the rest of my life.

I don't want to do that.

What are you doing there?

Oh… I…

I didn't do anything.

Oh, the laundry.

I need to do the laundry.

I'll wash these clean!

I'm going over to the neighbor's,

so you'll have to eat by yourself.

Okay.

You better not give any food to your sister, all right?

I won't.

Chunhyangjeon

These blasted things.

I ought to burn them all.

Oh my!

Oh, no.

What do I do?

What do I do?

Yoon Jeongnyeon

Could you tell Jeongnyeon that we'll have to leave by today?

What?

What do you mean?

Tomorrow morning is the entrance exam for the troupe,

so we have to leave by today.

I mean…

Please tell her to meet me at Hanseong Inn.

But…

Thanks.

Come on out.

Hey, this way.

Come on!

Hurry.

Our star must be waiting.

Are you okay?

I'm okay.

I'm sorry I'm so late.

It's fine. Let's go.

Mother's going to kill you.

I'm so sorry.

Come on.

You think I didn't know that when I let you out?

I'm good at begging on my knees. I'm not stubborn like you.

I know…

…how hard you're working to support our family.

I'm also sorry about that.

I'm telling you, I'm fine.

Jeongnyeon.

Having a dream is a blessing.

If this is what you want…

then go and see it through to the end.

I promise I'll make it big.

It's all right if you don't.

Just know that whenever you feel lonely, you can always come home.

I'll keep the door unlocked.

Go on.

Or Mother might catch you.

Jungja!

I promise I'll come back after making it big!

Don't skip your meals!

No. 90, Seo Boksil?

- Yes. - All right.

- No. 91, Park Chorok? - Yes.

You're the last two. Please get ready.

Time's up. Let's close the gates.

Yes, ma'am.

Wait!

I want to sign up too.

I'm here for the Maeran Gukgeukdan audition.

And your name?

I'm Yoon Jeongnyeon!

Special thanks to Moon Sori, Lee Dukhwa, Kang Jieun,

and Oh Daehwan for their special appearance

Chunhyangjeon

Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born

I would have danced better

if it weren't for my shoulder.

That's all of the official trainees.

I don't care

how small a role it may be.

Just let me be on stage.

I was a small fish in a pond.

Don't be ridiculous. You and I are not on the same level.

You underestimated me.

Make sure to watch closely.

I'll show you what I'm made of.

Translated by Jin Yu