tvN’s upcoming drama “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” has unveiled new stills of Kim Tae Ri!
Based on a popular webtoon, “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” is directed by Jung Ji In, known for “The Red Sleeve.” Set in the 1950s, shortly after the Korean War, the drama follows Jeong Nyeon (Kim Tae Ri), a young vocal prodigy who dreams of becoming a top traditional theater actor. The show explores Jeong Nyeon’s journey through competition, teamwork, and personal growth amid a difficult era for the nation.
The newly released stills capture Kim Tae Ri fully immersed in her character Jeong Nyeon as she deeply inhales amidst a mountainous area and also surrounded by other female actors with serious expressions.
Ahead of its premiere, Kim Tae Ri expressed her excitement in a written interview, saying, “I feel nervous and thrilled because it seems like a drama we’ve never seen before. I can’t wait to meet [the audience] through the broadcast.”
She also shared her initial thoughts upon receiving the script, remarking, “The drama and its original webtoon have their unique appeals. The original had the power of silence that comes from the printed page, while the script fills the moments that were condensed in the webtoon.”
Regarding the character, she candidly revealed, “Even though most of my previous roles went through a growth journey too, Jeong Nyeon literally goes from nothing to something. I felt like I was portraying the journey of a raw potato becoming a person.”
The actress then emphasized the importance of voice training, stating, “Since imitating the singer’s innate talent was crucial, I focused heavily on vocal practice. I trained for about three years from April 2021 to June 2024 and continuously honed my singing, dancing, dialect, and traditional opera until filming wrapped up.”
Kim Tae Ri also reflected on her growth alongside the character, saying, “Elements like speech and behaviors evolved as I grew together with the character through this project. In terms of dancing, both Jeong Nyeon and I started from scratch, so I’m hopeful that I’ve captured some raw and authentic moments.”
She mentioned the challenges faced while filming large stage performances, recalling, “We filmed about four to five major stage scenes, which were significant challenges and a first for everyone involved. After each performance, I reviewed it with the director and prepared for the next one. Instead of relaxing, it was the start of a new set of challenges.”
Finally, Kim Tae Ri teased the drama, saying, “Jeong Nyeon will showcase various sides of herself as she grows through the stages of singing, dancing, and acting. I hope viewers will look forward to her transformations as well as the storyline. Since we filmed over a long period, the actors have also grown in real-time with their characters. Watching each of their developments will bring another layer of joy to the viewing experience.”
“Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” premieres on October 12 at 9:20 p.m. KST.
source: Soompi