Shin Ye Eun Talks About Her “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” Character, Working With Kim Tae Ri, And More

Oct 2, 2024

Shin Ye Eun has shared her thoughts on her upcoming drama “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born”!

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.

Shin Ye Eun will star as Heo Yeong Seo, an elite trainee at the Maeran Gukguek-dan. Known for her strong skills in singing, dancing, and acting, Shin Ye Eun is ready to bring her character to life.

In a recent written interview before the drama’s premiere, Shin Ye Eun shared her excitement. “Every time a teaser is released, memories from filming come rushing back,” she said. “I’ve moved forward without regrets, and now I’m looking forward to the premiere with anticipation. I hope that through all my hard work, ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born’ will resonate with viewers as a great production.”

Shin Ye Eun shared her thoughts on joining the drama, saying, “This project requires a lot of preparation, and I believe the sense of achievement and joy from completing it will be immense. I also thought that working alongside respected seniors would turn any challenges into valuable lessons, which motivated me to take on this challenge. I’m grateful for the chance to explore different genres as an actress; I see it as a significant blessing.”

The actress also described her character, saying, “Yeong Seo may appear cold on the surface, but I believe she has a warm heart. She struggles to give love because she hasn’t received much herself, and she has a strong desire to be recognized. Her perfectionist tendencies can make it hard for her to see her own strengths, making her a bit of a wounded soul.”

She continued, “I focused on making Yeong Seo’s personality feel a bit mechanical and restrained in her roles as a male character in the traditional Korean theater.”

Shin Ye Eun also mentioned that her personality is similar to her character’s. She revealed, “Woo Davi, the actress playing Hong Joo Ran in the series, is a high school friend. She once told me that I was like Yeong Seo during our school days. I felt a connection because Yeong Seo’s drive to succeed and the pressure she feels reflect my own traits. Those comments gave me confidence and helped me relate more to Yeong Seo.”

The actress also shared, “I have vivid memories of the entire process of creating Yeong Seo with Director Jung Ji In,” reflecting on her efforts so far.

Shin Ye Eun explained, “Unlike the other characters, Yeong Seo doesn’t use casual, everyday language; her tone is a bit cold and distant. I collaborated closely with the director to develop this way of speaking. Since Yeong Seo plays many roles in traditional Korean theater, I filmed practice videos for each piece and sent them to the director. At first, it felt awkward and embarrassing, but as I continued, I started to enjoy it. It became a way to review my own acting and receive feedback from the director,” providing an interesting behind-the-scenes look at her preparation.

Shin Ye Eun will play a rival to Kim Tae Ri’s character in the drama, setting the stage for an exciting storyline. This has sparked anticipation for her on-screen dynamic with Kim Tae Ri.

Shin Ye Eun shared, “I felt proud and excited to work with a senior I’ve respected since before my debut. Even on days when we weren’t filming, we practiced together almost every day. I regularly met with Tae Ri unnie for training. I learned a lot by sharing thoughts and experiences beyond acting, and I believe these moments helped build the chemistry between our characters in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born.'”

Finally, Shin Ye Eun said, “Personally, I really like the third and final production from the Maeran Gukguek-dan. It allows Yeong Seo to show a different side as she grows and changes. I enjoyed filming it as Shin Ye Eun, not just as Yeong Seo, so I hope those emotions come through on screen.”

She also encouraged viewers to anticipate the actors’ transformations, stating, “You might be surprised to see different sides of these actors! Everyone in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born’ worked really hard to prepare. Not only will you enjoy the performances, but you will also find pleasure in watching and hearing the traditional Korean theater featured in the drama. Additionally, the stage design that captures the era and the actors’ styling are also highlights to look for.”