Scenes from tvN series "Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born" / Courtesy of CJ ENM Set in 1950s post-war Korea, Tving’s new historical drama, "Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born," is captivating audiences both domestically and internationally by reviving the nearly forgotten world of "gukgeuk," traditional Korean all-female theater, and presenting it with a modern twist. The webtoon-turned-drama follows the story of Jeong-nyeon (Kim Tae-ri), a young singing prodigy who discovers a gukgeuk star and joins a gukgeuk troupe. Her journey to master gukgeuk, a traditional Korean theater genre known for its all-female cast that challenges conventional gender roles, unfolds throughout the series.
Despite immense popularity in the 1950s and '60s, the genre rapidly declined as actors transitioned to film and broadcasting. While "pansori" (traditional Korean musical storytelling) was safeguarded after being designated as an intangible cultural asset, all-female gukgeuk was excluded from support, leading to a severing of its lineage. Even though it focuses on the lesser-known genre of gukgeuk and features an all-female main cast, the drama garnered pre-release attention due to the popularity of its original webtoon.
It has since exceeded expectations, reviving traditional Korean sounds, dances, and stories. The series appeals to the younger generation discovering this cultural heritage, as well as to the older generation experiencing nostalgia. Since its premiere on Oct.
12, the drama has consistentl.
