Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born

 

This 2024 historical and musical Korean drama is a masterpiece. The cinematography exceeds my expectations. Set in postwar Korea during the 1950s, the art direction is meticulously researched and executed. What is truly remarkable, however, is the presentation of a legendary folkloric musical theater genre that had been deeply ingrained in Korean culture. This drama not only revives the genre but also preserves it. 

"Jeongnyeong: The Star Is Born" is not just a drama in the traditional sense; it is a documentation of Korean artistic heritage called "geukgeuk" that has been passed down through generations, surviving until its decline in the 1960s, when it faced competition from the rising popularity of cinema and television. The actors are, of course, outstanding, with the youthful Kim Tae Ri leading the cast. Her performance solidifies her status as a brilliant actress, particularly in the realm of Korean historical dramas. 

There is nothing negative about this drama as I see it, except when I feel a little bit of discomfort in some scenes with lesbian undertones since I am a conservative.   Nevertheless it doesn't affect the integrity of this drama at all.