tvN's weekend drama Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, starring Kim Tae Ri, hit impressive ratings with its latest episode on October 26.

Episode 5 saw her character, Jeongnyeon, return to the Maeran National Theater after overcoming serious challenges, with the episode peaking at a national rating of 12.1% and a household average of 10.2%. This made it the top-rated show across all channels in its time slot, even surpassing public broadcasters!

Among tvN’s target audience (ages 20-49), the episode scored a national peak of 3.8%, taking first place across all networks, with a regional high of 3.1% (Nielsen Korea, paid platforms).

In this episode, Jeongnyeon faced betrayal from PD Park Jong Guk, who used her to feature her famous mother, folk singer Chae Gong Seon, on his show and later pushed her out of the theater.

Although hurt, Jeongnyeon showed resilience, deciding to perform on her debut day with her unique style, even after Jong Guk insisted on a different, more sensual performance. This defiance led to a powerful moment on stage where she tossed her shoes aside, a move that stunned everyone.

The episode also saw Jeongnyeon mend fences with her theater rival, Yeong Seo, as both prepared for their auditions.

On audition day, Yeong Seo surprised the judges by choosing a bold villain role, while Jeongnyeon opted for a minor role, Soldier 1, hoping to learn from others. Tensions between them continued to rise, leaving viewers on edge as Yeong Seo vowed that Jeongnyeon would never surpass her.

The episode ended with heightened drama and powerful rivalries, building anticipation for the next performances in Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born.

With strong viewership ratings and escalating conflicts, fans are excited to see what comes next!

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Director Kim Hyung Joo of The Match has finally shared his thoughts on Yoo Ah In’s involvement in a drug scandal, calling it a major disappointment, especially considering the actor’s role as the lead in the film.

On March 19th, the director attended a press screening and briefing for The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Alongside Kim, actors Lee Byung Hun, Ko Chang Seok, Hyun Bong Sik, Moon Jung Hee, and Jo Woo Jin were present to discuss the film.

The Match revolves around the legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after a loss to his disciple, decides to challenge the top players again, driven by his competitive spirit. The movie is directed by Kim Hyung Joo.

Lee Byung Hun plays the iconic Go champion Cho Hun Hyun, while Yoo Ah In portrays his disciple, Lee Chang Ho.

During the event, Kim recalled the casting process, saying, "When we were casting, Lee Byung Hun was cast first. Just having him felt like we had the world, and then, getting Yoo Ah In as a bonus made me even happier."

Although filming wrapped up in 2021, Yoo Ah In's drug scandal led to the indefinite postponement of the film’s release. Now, nearly four years later, The Match is finally set to hit theaters on March 26th.

Reflecting on Yoo Ah In's scandal, Director Kim openly shared his frustration, calling it "irresponsible and disappointing" for the actor to make such a mistake as the lead.

He added, “Before being an actor, he made a mistake as a member of society and was punished, so I don’t think there’s much more to say.” Kim smiled bitterly as he spoke.

Describing the challenges he faced due to the scandal, Kim compared the experience to being trapped in "a hellish tunnel."

He said, "There was nothing I could do inside, so it was overwhelming. But now that we have the light of release, it feels like I can breathe. I’m deeply moved."

The director also shared that because Yoo Ah In was the lead actor, the film had to be released as it was, without editing. This has led some people to feel uneasy about watching the film, given the actor’s scandal.

When asked about this, Director Kim said, "Choosing and judging is up to the audience, so I can't force anything. But I hope they watch the movie as it is. I unintentionally got hurt before the release, so I hope people watch the movie warmly, as if applying ointment to a wound."

The Match will officially be released on March 26th.

Source: [1]