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.

Go.

The Princess and the Fool Young leads audition

They're going to announce the audition results.

Let's go in.

Thank you, dear judges,

for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here today.

And most importantly,

thank you to all the contestants

who have presented their talents for this audition.

Now,

I shall announce the results of the joint performance audition.

The two young leads

who will grace the stage for the joint performance are as follows.

Playing Ondal is Maeran Gukgeukdan's

Heo Youngseo.

And playing Princess Pyeonggang

is Maeran Gukgeukdan's Hong Jooran.

Come up and say a word, Youngseo.

- Congratulations. - Ms. Heo, look here, please.

Could you give us a wave?

…of a dragon

And become as strong

As a tiger

No.

- Over here. - Ms. Heo!

- Here, Ms. Heo. - Over here!

A word, please!

- Where's she going? - What's going on?

Thank you, everyone. Thank you.

Everyone, please bow.

Jeongnyeon.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Okgyeong!

Okgyeong! Okgyeong!

Give me your hand.

Just leave me be!

Are you that sad?

Are you that sad Jeongnyeon is ruined now?

What is she to you?

I'm sad because of you.

You ruined everything.

What the hell have I ruined?

Okgyeong.

We can just keep living our lives.

We'll continue performing as Maeran's leads.

We can just live like that.

What's the point…

of playing a good-for-nothing prince?

It's important to me.

Every single show we've performed together is precious and important to me.

At the audition…

when Jeongnyeon started singing…

…I thought that finally, someone could surpass me.

It was absolutely exhilarating.

I had chills all over my body.

I've never felt anything like that before.

But now…

Now…

Act 9

Oh, you're too kind.

Thank you.

All right then.

Goodbye.

Look at me getting all the congratulations

when you're the one who got the lead role.

Mother,

I have something to tell you.

Ma'am, someone is here to see you.

Show him in.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm glad you came.

You can say hi to him while you're here.

Who is he?

Hello, sir.

I'm so sorry for taking so long to invite you here.

I should have done so sooner.

Say hello, Youngseo. This is Mr. Kim Nosik, a pansori master.

This must be your daughter who got the lead role.

How about it, Ms. Heo?

Are you ready to spread your wings

in the National Gukgeukdan that we're about to create?

The National Gukgeukdan?

We're going to create the best theater troupe

with only the best talents in the country.

There, you'll be guaranteed a lifelong career.

You should be honored.

Mr. Kim here has decided to specially promote you

because you got the lead role in the audition.

No.

I'm not performing in the joint performance.

I actually came here to tell you that.

Youngseo,

what are you talking about?

Thank you for your offer regarding the National Gukgeukdan…

but I'll have to decline as I'm not worthy of such a position.

I'm sorry, sir.

Young… Youngseo.

Youngseo! What do you think you're doing?

Go and apologize right now!

Is this what you intended to do from the beginning?

You were trying to plug me into another theater troupe?

Then how long did you think you could stay in Maeran?

All other troupes are holding on by a thread.

You think Maeran's any different?

At the audition,

the person who sang the true essence of pansori that you like so much

was Yoon Jeongnyeon, not me.

No.

It was you.

Stop spouting nonsense

and get prepared to leave Maeran after the joint performance.

No.

I'm going to stay in Maeran.

You'll have nowhere to go if it's too late.

Do you have any idea what I had to do to get you that role?

Did you bribe the judges?

You did, didn't you?

Of course, I knew you'd get the role either way,

but… there's no harm in making sure.

Youngseo.

I did it for you.

- I was looking out for you-- - No!

You did this all for yourself.

You needed a daughter…

who wouldn't shame the great soprano Han Kijoo.

Is that so bad?

Is it so bad to want a daughter that I could be proud of?

Do you know?

I've never once lived my life as just Heo Youngseo.

I've always lived as Han Kijoo's daughter.

I wanted the same… No, even just half!

I practiced to death for half the love and recognition you give Youngin!

"I'm proud of you, Youngseo."

"You're the best."

That's all I wanted to hear from you.

I'm…

I'm my own person.

I'm not going to live as Han Kijoo's daughter anymore.

Youngseo…

You can't perform in the joint performance?

My mother…

bribed the judges.

Someone else should have gotten the lead.

The choice to pick you…

was a unanimous decision.

- A unanimous decision? - Yes.

I also picked you.

And if I were to go back, I'd do it again.

But if Jeongnyeon hadn't lost her voice--

And what's the point of speculating?

You're right.

Jeongnyeon's performance was truly extraordinary.

But your singing, dancing, and acting

were just as extraordinary.

You were a lot more stable than Jeongnyeon,

and your chemistry with your partner was just perfect.

You know what I find the most ridiculous about your mother?

She was too busy holding someone else's daughter in check

that she failed to see how much potential her own daughter had.

Don't be foolish like your mother.

Don't underestimate your own value.

Her vocal cords have gotten a lot better,

so speaking shouldn't be a problem now.

But it'll be difficult for her to sing pansori anymore.

She may be able to sing after some time passes,

but I don't think she'll be able to sing the same way as before.

You need more practice, kiddos.

Oh, Director!

You must be so busy with the joint performance.

So thank you for coming to pick me up.

Of course I should come.

I was itching to get out of here.

I'm going to get myself some herbal medicine once I'm out.

I looked into medicine that would help me get my voice back.

Medicine that would get your voice back?

Yes. Since I can't sing pansori for now,

I'll have to focus on getting my voice back.

You heard from the doctor about your voice, right?

That I'd never get to sing pansori again?

That's just because the doctor doesn't know much about pansori singers.

I've seen it back in my hometown.

It's common for pansori singers to temporarily lose their voices.

Once they got a lot of rest and took the right medicine,

they got their voices right back.

I smell steamed buns.

They're steamed buns, right? Did you get them for us?

Hands off!

They're not for you. They're for Jeongnyeon.

You got her steamed buns?

She likes these.

She must have craved them at the hospital.

Park Chorok.

How could you do this to us?

Since when were you this close to Jeongnyeon?

- She's right! - Shut it!

You should also try doing something nice for your friend who's been sick.

You're so cheap.

- I want some steamed buns too! - Yeah!

Nothing's changed, huh?

My goodness.

Jeongnyeon!

You guys are so noisy.

I could hear you from outside the gates.

Is your voice all right?

I went to visit you at the hospital,

but they said you were asleep, so I couldn't see you.

Don't worry, I knew you came to visit.

My gosh, you're pretty kind deep down.

Since you're speaking fine, is your voice all right now?

- Of course. Everything's fine. - Really?

We thought you'd never sing pansori again

because you were coughing up blood--

Come on. Do you know how strong my throat is?

That incident couldn't keep me from singing.

Once I get my rest and eat well,

I'll get better in no time, so don't worry.

Wait.

I smell steamed buns.

I got them for you.

What? For me?

My goodness, Chorok.

Here.

- So hot. - Here, have some.

They taste better if you share.

- Mmm! It's so good! - So delicious!

My goodness.

Hey, did you also clean my room?

No, that was Jooran.

She was busy cleaning this morning because you were coming back.

I shall look for you, my love

I shall dry my sleeves of my tears

Treasure the marriage vows…

Sorry, I'll go again.

That's enough for today.

Let's try again tomorrow.

You should go first.

I'll practice by myself for a while.

Are you that scared?

What?

You're afraid to run into Jeongnyeon,

aren't you?

It's not like that.

I'm back from the hospital.

Yeah, I heard.

How are you?

I'm good now.

See? I can speak just fine.

That's good then.

I heard you got the lead.

Congratulations.

You better do your best for my sake too

since you beat me for that role.

The one who should have gotten that role…

wasn't me.

- It was actually-- - That day…

I gave it my all

and didn't get the part.

That's all it was.

So you shouldn't think otherwise.

Come on, you should be happy.

Put on a smile, will you? You got the role you wanted.

What to do of my dear princess's…

Hey, you're here.

What's going on?

Are they singling our troupe out?

Both the leads and the young leads are from Maeran,

so the other troupes are complaining because they feel like extras.

But what's the issue? They all auditioned.

They're just looking for things to complain about.

Hey.

Hello, everyone.

We will now start the read-through for the joint performance.

Oh, please do not cry

My beautiful love

Do not shed

Your pearly tears

On your jade-like face

Oh, please do not cry

If you leave now

When will you return?

I'll miss you a thousand times

I'll miss you

My love

I will miss my dear husband

To no end

Let's move on to the antagonist.

I have heard that a boy has been visiting the princess's quarters.

So it is true.

This is the perfect opportunity

to drive out the king.

Again. That was a bit excessive.

You don't have to be so overtly malicious just because you're the antagonist.

Go again.

I don't want to.

- "I don't want to"? - What's with her?

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that I'm the antagonist.

He needs to be intimidating.

And this is his first appearance.

He should be a bit extreme to leave an impression on the audience.

You haven't analyzed your character correctly.

Johyeon is a calculating character who often doesn't show his true self.

That's just…

your interpretation.

How dare you?

I don't think she's being that unreasonable.

Maeran may have always followed your take,

but in my troupe,

I always respected the take of individual actors.

And that is my rule.

We need to think of the play's whole narrative.

She's sticking out like a sore thumb without any coherence to the plot,

and you want us to respect that?

Is that so bad?

The majority of the leads in this production are from Maeran.

What's so wrong about Geumju trying to stand out from the others?

Is that what you wanted to say?

For you, this is the best-case scenario right now.

You get to advertise Maeran with Okgyeong and Hyerang,

while simultaneously pushing Youngseo and Jooran as the next stars.

Then are you saying…

we should remove Okgyeong and Hyerang from the show?

The majority of the audience for this production

will be here to see Okgyeong and Hyerang.

Especially Okgyeong.

Do you have any idea how much influence her presence has on ticket sales?

You're right.

We need Okgyeong.

But if I were you, I would have given the other troupes a chance at the audition

and not let Maeran compete.

You said this joint performance was so important to you.

But you have no idea

what the other troupes are unsatisfied about

with this production.

And you probably don't care.

Let's practice by ourselves next time.

Yeah, I think that would be better.

I'll get going first.

Are you going somewhere?

Yeah.

Jeongnyeon!

Are you going to see another doctor?

Where is it this time?

I heard there's a good doctor in Cheongju.

How are you going to get all the way there?

Mr. Jung has some business in Cheongju, so he'll drive me there.

If I leave now, I'll return by nightfall.

I'm off.

She keeps coming back disappointed.

How many times is this?

I hope this time is different.

But is her voice actually getting better?

What? I'm just asking.

My gosh.

Herbal medicine clinic

Please wait your turn.

What's your name?

Yoon Jeongnyeon.

You said you lost your voice?

I didn't lose it completely, but…

It's just…

Let me see your hand.

Listen.

Try taking my pulse on this side.

What's the point of taking pulses?

This is as clear as day.

There's no way to fix something that you've already lost.

Just accept it.

This is driving me crazy.

Sir.

I came all the way here from Seoul because I heard you were that good.

I'm holding on by a thread every day, and I'm willing to try anything.

Could you give me some kind of remedy?

You could try poppy flower extract.

Poppy flower?

But…

isn't that opium?

Yes, opium.

Haven't you heard

that you can do anything with your voice when you take opium?

Who knows?

Maybe opium could fix your voice.

But what if I become addicted?

My goodness.

You said you were willing to try anything.

Just forget it.

Next.

- Get a move on, Manseok! - Yes, sir.

Next! The doctor will see you now.

What is this?

I was told I'd get my voice back if I took opium.

Who told you such nonsense?

There are countless pansori singers whose lives were ruined by opium.

You want to end up like them?

Then what else can I do?

I need to do something!

When are you going to stop going around in circles?

You have never once accepted the fact that your voice is completely gone!

And if I accept it?

What happens after I accept it?

Asking a pansori singer to accept that her voice is gone

means you're asking her to die.

You know that better than anyone.

So how could you…

I just haven't found the remedy yet.

My voice will get better for sure.

Jeongnyeon.

Let's go see a doctor tomorrow.

There's a famous doctor who's studied in the States,

and he's in Korea right now.

He's a renowned expert in his field.

Then…

can he fix my voice?

I can't guarantee anything until he sees you.

If he sees you

and says that there's even the slightest hope,

then I'm going to wait for you no matter how long it takes.

But…

if he sees no hope…

then you have to accept things for what they are.

I was just going to leave.

Hey…

you don't have to do this anymore.

It's not like you're my maid. My limbs are fine.

I just…

I just felt sorry.

I thought I should at least do this much.

What are you sorry for?

It's all my fault.

No.

What happened to me has nothing to do with you.

I was the one who made that choice.

It has nothing to do with you.

So…

stop doing this.

It's uncomfortable.

Okay.

She's such an idiot.

What is she beating herself up for?

All right.

Now try saying, "Ah."

Okay.

Doctor, do you think I could get better?

Most of these vocal disorders caused by overusing your vocal cords

go away after resting your voice for some months.

Then does that mean I could--

But in your case,

you've overused your cords too much.

So it'd be difficult for you to sing pansori

as well as you have before.

But there is some good news.

You'll have no trouble talking at all on a daily basis.

I mean…

I get that I can talk.

But what about singing?

I don't quite understand what you mean.

I mean…

I can sing pansori again one day, right?

I'm sorry to say this,

but you'll have to give up pansori.

This can't be.

But you're an expert.

You know a way, don't you?

Come on, sir.

I'll do anything you tell me to.

So could you please fix my voice?

I heard that in the States, they can fix anything with an operation.

I could get an operation for my voice.

It can't be done.

I'm sorry.

Jeongnyeon.

Are you sure he's an expert?

It makes no sense that an operation can't be done.

It's because… your vocal cords are too damaged.

I've seen others get their voices back after damaging them.

So how come I can't get better?

Why can't I?

Jeongnyeon.

Jeongnyeon.

Jeongnyeon!

Upon

The marble

Carved from coral reefs

A wild goose

Flies…

This won't make your voice come back.

You need to accept your reality.

You need to find your path again…

even if you've lost your voice.

What do you want me to accept?

That I've lost my voice for good?

What can a pansori singer who lost her voice possibly do?

It's late. Where are you going?

To the mountain.

I lost my voice in the mountain,

so I'm going there to get it back.

Are you insane?

Are you trying to get eaten by some wild animal going out this late?

I'd rather get eaten by a wild animal than live like this.

Get your act together!

This won't make your voice come back.

Then what in the world am I supposed to do?

Medicine doesn't work,

acupuncture doesn't work,

and nothing I ever do seems to work.

So what now?

What should I do to sing again?

I'm begging you.

Please tell me what to do so I can sing again.

I'm begging you.

Get back inside.

Rehearsal's not over yet.

Let's go.

Guys, let's go. Come on.

She was already gone when I woke up.

Dear Director.

I'm going back home.

Please forgive me

for leaving without saying goodbye.

From Yoon Jeongnyeon.

Don't worry about someone who's already left.

You both should focus on the performance.

The Blooming Autumn Field

Oh, my goodness.

Jeongnyeon!

There, there.

It's okay.

It's okay.

Good job coming home.

Good job, Jeongnyeon.

Chunhyangjeon

You're making medicine?

Make sure to take this every morning and evening starting tomorrow.

You're looking worse and worse every day.

Mother…

After you lost your voice…

how long did it take for you to be okay?

Something keeps raging inside me…

and I feel like I'll burn to death.

Jeongnyeon.

Some days…

it was suffocating, like something was sitting on my chest.

And some days, I'd feel better about it.

And on other days, I'd be absolutely furious

and cry myself to exhaustion.

I'd get sick from time to time…

and keep going back and forth.

And it turns out I could live on.

So stop looking back on what you've left behind.

Just keep looking forward.

That's how you can keep going.

The smoke is getting into my eyes.

Stay seated.

Let's warm up with The Song of Four Seasons today.

Jeongnyeon, you can start.

I mean, Youngseo.

Youngseo, you start.

The flowers

Are abloom

It is spring indeed

The flowers

Are abloom

Director.

Yes?

I thought a lot about whether I should tell you this.

But now that Jeongnyeon has left,

I think you should know.

So you actually saw and heard…

Hyerang doing this?

Yes.

You want me to leave Maeran after the joint performance?

You heard me right.

I want you to leave our troupe after the joint performance is over.

Who's going to replace me once I'm gone?

That's none of your business.

You can't just kick me out like this.

I've worked so hard for Maeran.

I was out there day and night promoting our troupe,

and that's how we grew!

You're right.

Our troupe grew alongside you and Okgyeong.

Then as the face of our troupe,

you should have been more responsible and taken care of the trainees.

Not destroy them one by one.

How could I just stand by and watch as they tried to take my place?

What kind of an idiot just lets others take what's theirs?

So…

now that you've cut off their buds, what's left for you?

Are you going to keep clinging… to Okgyeong's shell?

I'm to blame for all this since I failed to stop you…

from ending up like this.

Fine.

After the performance, I'll gladly leave the troupe.

But know this.

If I leave, Okgyeong will leave too.

Do you still not get it?

You can't manipulate Okgyeong…

to do what you want.

I think I can sound more carefree from the beginning

since she's the lovable crybaby princess

who disarms everyone with her warmth.

Youngseo.

Oh, I'm sorry.

We were talking about Pyeonggang, right?

Yes, I think it'd be better to show more of her innocence.

Sorry.

Where were we again?

Hey, let me do it. You should go rest.

It's fine.

You go rest.

Just how many did you do?

Oh, goodness me!

It's as smelly as ever.

Well, look who it is.

It's that brat who talked back to me.

I guess you're back from Seoul, huh?

All right.

Here, just take it.

I'm actually glad to see you.

How about a song?

I'm carrying a lot of cash today.

All right, we hear you.

Just take this and go.

She's sick, okay?

I don't give a damn. She sings when I tell her to sing.

She was happy to sing last time when no one asked her to.

What, you can't now?

I don't know how to sing.

Stop disrupting our business and go.

Would you look at this brat?

Hey, kid. Are you trying to get killed on purpose?

Just kill me then.

What?

I said kill me.

I guess you must have lost your mind in Seoul.

But did you hear?

In cases like this,

a good beating is what you need.

All right, boys. Trash it all.

Let's go!

No!

- Stop it! - Move it!

Don't!

I said stop it!

I can't believe them.

We can't even sell any of these now.

Those blasted scoundrels.

I hope you all get hit by lightning!

Cheap honey taffy

This taffy is dirt cheap

From the numerous peaks

And temples of Mount Geumgang

We gathered

All kinds of precious herbs

And even ginseng for this taffy

Taffy made by a teenage girl

From ginseng extract

Hey, they're burning.

Mother.

Is Jeongnyeon going to be okay?

She's working nonstop from dawn till dusk.

I'm so worried for her.

Sometimes she stares into nothing like she's totally out of it.

Just leave her be.

Only time… will heal her.

Cheap honey taffy

This taffy is dirt cheap

From the numerous peaks

And temples of Mount Geumgang

We gathered

All kinds of precious herbs

And even ginseng for this taffy

Taffy made by a teenage girl

From ginseng extract

It oozes with oil…

Director.

Moon Okgyeong, the Prince of Gukgeuk, wanders around opium den

How could you do this, Mr. Ma? Who are you calling an opium addict?

Explain herself?

What does she have to explain when she's done nothing wrong?

Release another statement right now!

- Ms. Moon! A word, please! - Okgyeong! It's okay!

Who were the people who took opium with you?

Is it true that you're still using opium?

Does Maeran Gukgeukdan know about this?

Ms. Moon, a word, please!

The investors are demanding their money back.

What's going on? Opium addiction?

You already know the answer.

You've seen me up close all throughout our rehearsals.

Did I ever seem like I was addicted to opium?

I know the other troupes aren't happy with Maeran right now,

so you would have raised the issue yourself

if you thought I had a problem.

Am I wrong?

It doesn't matter what we believe. The public's not going to buy it.

It does matter.

If you don't believe me,

then of course the public won't either.

If we turn against each other,

the public always notices.

Okgyeong's right.

In times like these, we need to unite even more

and show everyone that we believe Okgyeong.

Sobok.

The investors haven't withdrawn their money yet.

I'll talk to them and convince them myself.

And Okgyeong, you will meet with the press and release a counterstatement.

Don't just say you didn't do it,

but make sure to counter each and every point from the allegation.

Okay.

You really want us to go through with the performance with this fiasco?

What if things keep going south?

I can't do it.

And the other troupes are probably feeling the same.

If we end up losing money with this joint performance,

Maeran will take full responsibility.

Are you serious?

The future of Maeran and female gukgeuk itself

hangs on this joint performance.

Okgyeong has always been and continues to be

the face of female gukgeuk itself.

If we can't protect our prince,

it won't just jeopardize our performance,

but female gukgeuk itself as well.

Where's everyone else?

I don't know.

Everyone's been so agitated…

because of Okgyeong's article.

I think things are pretty bad right now.

The article is all anyone's been talking about.

Jooran. Someone's here for you.

Jooran.

Mom, what are you doing here?

Did she fall sick again?

Is she back in the hospital?

Fortunately, she was discharged yesterday.

I had no idea.

I'll visit home this weekend.

Jooran.

How long are you planning on staying in the troupe?

Are you telling me to quit again?

Mom, please give me a little more time.

I've finally started to get proper roles,

and I'll be able to send more money home once I get paid more.

We received a good marriage offer for you.

He's a government worker, and he's a great man.

Mom…

He said that once he marries you,

he'll take care of your sister's hospital and medicine fees for good.

This must be a match sent from heaven.

You know how sick your sister is.

How long will you play around in that theater troupe?

The Princess and the Fool

I want us to stand on stage face-to-face one day

with you as the male lead

and me as the female lead.

I'd love to!

I don't deny that I've used opium in the past.

But once I started gukgeuk, I have never once used it.

Yes?

But according to the article,

a witness saw you frequenting an opium den with your friends.

To perform a single gukgeuk show,

I have to practice for at least six hours a day

for two whole months.

If I really were that addicted to opium, how could I have survived such a schedule?

I'm directly addressing the witness from the article.

If you really have recently seen me at an opium den,

then come out and address me directly.

You're always practicing till late.

Yes.

Are you nervous about the upcoming performance?

Uh, Ondal has a lot of sword-fighting scenes,

and I don't want to make any mistakes.

There's no need to be nervous just because it's a joint performance.

Just do as you've always done.

It's not that.

I'm playing the younger version of you.

So this performance means a lot to me.

Is that so?

Your name, Moon Okgyeong, represents female gukgeuk itself.

It has until now, and it always will.

So I want to be perfect in this role befitting your reputation.

I'm very thankful that you have such determination.

The fact that you've reached this point after fierce competition

proves that you deserve to take my place.

Really?

Of course.

What about Jeongnyeon?

Jeongnyeon?

I used to feel so excited about her.

I thought that with all her imperfections, I had found a diamond in the rough.

I still don't think I was wrong though.

But what use is that now?

In the end, she left us.

The audience only applauds the one who has survived to be on stage.

And they applaud the most for the prince.

And they will applaud you too.

I do crave the audience's applause…

but I crave your applause even more.

Youngseo.

If I asked you to leave Maeran with me,

would you?

JEONGNYEON: THE STAR IS BORN

How about you pay Jeongnyeon a visit?

How dare you show your face here?

Mother!

I'm here to take Jeongnyeon back.

You have something to say?

Jeongnyeon's already a lost cause.

But I still need her.

You know better than anyone

how desperate she must be for her dream.

Mother.

Singing is the only way

to feel this huge release inside me.

Translated by Jin Yu

Ripped and synced by WEISSACHsubs