# Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born

Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (Korean: 정년이) 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 entry and growth of a girl born with a talent for singing in the 1950s. It aired on tvN from October 12, to November 17, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Disney+ in selected regions.

## 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

* Kim Tae-ri as Yoon Jeong-nyeon
* Shin Ye-eun as Heo Yeong-seo
    A trainee and excellent at singing, dancing, and acting. She is also Jeong-nyeon's rival.
* Ra Mi-ran as Kang So-bok
    Director of Maeran Theater Company.
* Jung Eun-chae as Moon Ok-gyeong
    The prince of Maeran Theater Company and Jeong-nyeon's mentor.
* Kim Yoon-hye as Seo Hye-rang
    The princess of Maeran Theater Company.

### Supporting

* Woo Da-vi as Hong Joo-ran
    A member of Maeran Theater Company and close friend of Yoon Jeong-nyeon.
* Seunghee as Park Cho-rok
    A member of Maeran Theater Company.
* Jeong Ra-el as Seo Bok-sil
    A member of Maeran Theater Company.
* Jang Hye-jin as Han Ki-joo
    The mother of Heo Young-seo.
* Min Kyung-ah as Heo Young-in
    The older sister of Heo Young-seo.

### Special appearance

* Moon So-ri as Seo Yong-rye / Choi Gong-seo
    Jeong-nyeon's mother who raised her child alone while putting her past as a genius singer behind her.
* Woo Mi-hwa as Jeong Nam-hee
    The head of the Women's National Theater Company, "Our Sound Gugak Company".

## Production
### Development

The series was originally published as a Naver webtoon, later adapted into a drama. It is 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 is jointly handled by Studio N, Management MMM, and NPIO Entertainment.

### Casting

Kim Hieora was positively considering a role in the production but suddenly canceled due to her controversy.

## Reception
### Viewership

| Season | Season | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Average |
| Season | Season | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Average |
| | 1 | 1.202 | 1.879 | 2.114 | 2.794 | 2.328 | 3.205 | 2.259 | 3.044 | 2.728 | 3.219 | 2.985 | 3.840 | 2.633 |
Average TV viewership ratings :
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share (Nielsen Korea) | Average audience share (Nielsen Korea) |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | 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 | 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). ||||

### Accolades
#### Listicles

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