Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 10 Review: As the Sun Rises, So Does Jeongnyeon’s Willpower

In the previous episode, Jeongnyeon collapses during an audition and is rushed to the hospital, only to learn she may never sing again due to severe vocal cord damage. Meanwhile, Young-seo is selected as lead but wrestles with guilt, especially upon discovering her mother bribed the judges. However, So-bok reassures her that her talent earned her the role. Desperate, Jeongnyeon considers drastic measures to regain her voice, leading to tension with So-bok, who takes her to a doctor in the U.S. only to receive grim news.

Devastated, Jeongnyeon leaves the Maeran troupe and returns home to find solace with her family. Tensions rise further at Maeran as Hye-rang’s manipulations come to light, and Ok-kyeong faces scandalous accusations of opium use. In the midst of these struggles, Ok-kyeong encourages Young-seo, even suggesting she consider leaving Maeran, leaving Young-seo with difficult choices. This episode highlights the sacrifices each character makes for their dreams and the profound toll of ambition on their lives.

Directed by Jung Ji-in, this series offers a glimpse into the post-war theatre world, capturing the ambition, rivalry, and personal struggles of its characters.

– Contains Spoilers –

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 10 Recap

In this emotional episode, Yeong-seo asks Ok-kyeong why she’s encouraging her to leave the Maeran troupe. Ok-kyeong tries to sway her by saying that Jeongnyeon’s future is a lost cause, but Yeong-seo stands firm, saying she’s waiting for someone important to return to Maeran. Understanding that Yeong-seo is talking about Jeongnyeon, Ok-kyeong leaves, wishing her well and remarking how she wishes she’d had someone like Yeong-seo to rely on.

That same night, So-bok prepares to leave for Mokpo to find Jeongnyeon, now that Ok-kyeong’s opium scandal has finally been cleared up. Jooran offers to go with her, but Yeong-seo steps in, saying it will only hurt Jeongnyeon to see more members of the troupe. Promising to bring Jeongnyeon back herself, Yeong-seo joins So-bok on the trip. On their way, Yeong-seo confides in So-bok that Ok-kyeong had mentioned leaving Maeran, which unsettles So-bok as she worries about the future of the troupe. Upon arrival, they’re met by Jeongnyeon’s mother, Geon-soon, who angrily splashes water on them and demands that they leave. But So-bok stands her ground, expressing confidence that Jeongnyeon will eventually come back to the troupe.

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Undeterred, Yeong-seo speaks with Jeongnyeon’s sister, Jung-ja, and finds Jeongnyeon by the shore. Trying to reconnect with her, Yeong-seo offers her a treasured album of her mother’s autumn field music, but Jeongnyeon coldly refuses it. Frustrated by her friend’s stubbornness, Yeong-seo throws the album into the sea, and Jeongnyeon impulsively dives in after it, even though she can’t swim. Realizing her friend is in danger, Yeong-seo jumps in and rescues her, and the two of them bicker passionately before finally sitting down for a heart-to-heart. In a moment of vulnerability, Yeong-seo promises to stay by Jeongnyeon’s side no matter what. This reassurance leads Jeongnyeon to promise that she’ll return to Maeran someday.

That evening, Geon-soon, still distressed over her daughter’s struggles, goes to meet So-bok privately. Despite her frustrations, Geon-soon is touched by So-bok’s plea to give Jeongnyeon the chance to train again, knowing how much it means to her daughter. Afterward, Geon-soon returns home, where she tearfully sings an old pansori song, releasing the heartache she’s carried for so long. Early the next morning, Jeongnyeon approaches So-bok and Yeong-seo and tells them she’ll only return to Maeran with her mother’s permission. From that day, Jeongnyeon works with Geon-soon, and her mother, despite her hesitations, recognizes how deeply her daughter yearns to go back to the stage.

Back at Maeran, the troupe performs their show “Ondal the Fool,” with Jooran and Yeong-seo as the leads. Their powerful performance receives loud applause, and the audience is moved by Yeong-seo’s talent. When Ok-kyeong and Hye-rang come onstage, their acting is so intense and lifelike that it leaves everyone spellbound. However, when the play ends and the cast takes a bow, Ok-kyeong doesn’t join them. In the dressing room, she reveals to Hye-rang that she’s leaving the troupe for good.

Hye-rang, outraged by the news, retaliates by reminding Ok-kyeong of how much she’s done to protect her from the opium scandal, even bribing newspapers to keep her reputation intact. But Ok-kyeong, unaffected, reminds Hye-rang that she’s always made her own choices and was never controlled by anyone. With that, she walks out, and when So-bok and Hye-rang rush after her, she simply drives away, leaving them stunned. Now, with Ok-kyeong gone, So-bok is left to lead Maeran with an uncertain future ahead.

Meanwhile, at home, Jung-ja talks to their mother about Jeongnyeon’s dreams of becoming an actor and how hard she’s been practicing, despite the strain on her voice. Later that night, Geon-soon sees her daughter practicing by herself, pushing through the pain with unwavering determination. Moved by her daughter’s resilience, Geon-soon wakes Jeongnyeon in the early morning and takes her to the seashore. There, she tells her about Master Jung, a legendary singer who transformed his broken voice into a skillful pansori sound, showing her that hope is not lost.

As the sun rises, Geon-soon begins to sing her own version of the “Autumn Field” song, her voice cracking with age and emotion. Hearing her mother’s song for the first time, Jeongnyeon is overcome with tears, finding the courage and determination to get back up and keep fighting for her dreams.

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 10 Review

This episode delivers an emotional journey filled with resilience, sacrifice, and the powerful bond between friends and family. Yeong-seo’s decision to stay loyal to Maeran despite Ok-kyeong’s insistence captures her unwavering dedication and belief in Jeongnyeon’s talent, even as she grapples with the pressures from her mother. The scene between Yeong-seo and Jeongnyeon on the shore is a standout, bringing raw honesty and vulnerability to the surface as they confront their insecurities and strengthen their friendship. Through her determination to bring Jeongnyeon back, Yeong-seo reaffirms her loyalty and belief in her friend’s ability to overcome any hurdle.

Meanwhile, Geon-soon’s tearful plea to So-bok and her heartfelt song by the sea add a layer of depth to her character, reflecting both a mother’s anguish and her desire for her daughter’s happiness. As she shares the story of Master Jung’s journey with Jeongnyeon, she offers her a glimmer of hope and a reminder of the strength that lies within. The episode’s closing moments, with Jeongnyeon recommitting to her dreams, are both inspiring and bittersweet, foreshadowing the challenges ahead while celebrating the courage it takes to rise again. With layered performances and compelling dialogue, this episode beautifully explores the cost of ambition and the powerful support of those who believe in you.

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

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