tvN's 'Jeongnyeoni' Unveils New Play 'The Fool and the Princess' Amidst Rising Popularity

tvN's drama 'Jeongnyeoni' is captivating audiences with its new play-within-a-play, 'The Fool and the Princess.' The show has released performance posters featuring rising stars Shin Ye-eun, Jung Eun-chae, Kim Yoon-hye, and Woo Da-bi, along with still cuts from the live performance. Set in the post-Korean War 1950s, 'Jeongnyeoni' follows the journey of a 'born sound genius' aspiring to become the top national drama actor. The series has dominated various popularity metrics, including being ranked first in TV-OTT integrated buzz by Good Data Corporation, first in Kino Lights' integrated content ranking, and first in domestic drama views on YouTube, reaching its climax with unstoppable momentum.

In the recent ninth episode, Jeongnyeoni (played by Kim Tae-ri) participates in a child role audition for the women's national drama troupe's joint performance 'The Fool and the Princess.' However, she suffers a vocal strain from excessive vocal training, leading her to leave the troupe and return to her hometown. The episode also depicts the turmoil within the troupe as Hye-rang (Kim Yoon-hye) is dismissed by the troupe leader So-bok (Ra Mi-ran), and Yeong-seo (Shin Ye-eun) and Ju-ran (Woo Da-bi) struggle with feelings of loss. The lead actress Ok-gyeong (Jung Eun-chae) faces an opium scandal, threatening the performance's cancellation. Although Ok-gyeong holds a press conference to plead her innocence, she later suggests to Yeong-seo that they leave the troupe together, raising questions about the troupe's future and the fate of 'The Fool and the Princess.' As the tenth episode approaches, the production team of 'Jeongnyeoni' has announced the opening of the women's national drama association's joint performance 'The Fool and the Princess,' prepared with the utmost dedication by troupe leader So-bok. The released performance poster captures the main characters—'Ondal' Moon Ok-gyeong, 'Pyeonggang' Seo Hye-rang, 'Young Ondal' Heo Yeong-seo, and 'Young Pyeonggang' Hong Ju-ran—in vibrant 1950s colors, drawing attention with their charisma and compelling ensemble. The live performance stills featuring Yeong-seo, Ok-gyeong, Hye-rang, and Ju-ran on stage further heighten interest. 'The Prince of Maeran' Ok-gyeong commands the stage with regal presence, while 'The Princess of Maeran' Hye-rang exudes a heroine's aura with her radiant visuals and confidence. Yeong-seo and Ju-ran, poised to become successors to Ok-gyeong and Hye-rang through 'The Fool and the Princess,' shine with their own brilliance, highlighting the meeting of established and rising stars in the women's national drama scene. The absence of Jeongnyeoni, another star meant to illuminate the stage, adds a layer of poignancy. Viewers are left wondering what will happen to Jeongnyeoni after leaving the stage and what events will unfold in the 'The Fool and the Princess' performance without her. 'Jeongnyeoni' airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM, with the tenth episode set to be released today (10th).

Reporter: Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia bella@tenasia.co.kr