According to Nielsen Korea, a viewership rating research company, on the 11th, the 10th episode of tvN’s Saturday-Sunday drama ‘Jungnyeon’ (written by Choi Hyo-bi/directed by Jeong Ji-in), which aired on the 10th, averaged 14.3% among paying households in the metropolitan area, a maximum of 15.4%, and the national average among paid households. It recorded 14.1% and a maximum of 15.5%, ranking first in the same time slot on all channels, including terrestrial broadcasting. This is the highest viewership rating for ‘Jeongnyeon.’
The episode began with Yeong-seo (played by Shin Ye-eun) politely rejecting Ok-kyung’s offer to go to the Gukgeuk troupe together. Yeong-seo said that she had to wait for the day when Jeong-nyeon could return to Mae-ran and compete properly with her, revealing that she had come to accept Jeong-nyeon as a true rival and friend.
The opium scandal seemed to have come to an end with Ok-kyung’s explanatory press conference. Sobok (played by Ra Mi-ran), who was finally able to take a breather before the joint performance of ‘The Fool and the Princess’, chooses to go to Mokpo to bring Jeongnyeon back to Maeran, and Youngseo tells Jooran (played by Woo Dabi), “I must make sure to bring Jeongnyeon back to Maeran.” He left a promise, “I will bring you back,” and followed Sobok.
Yong-rye (played by Moon So-ri) treated Sobok rudely at the door when he came to take Jeongnyeon. While Sobok was trying to persuade Yongrye, Yeongseo visited Jeongnyeon. Young-seo tried to convince Jeong-nyeon, who was ignoring her, to go back by handing him a record of ‘Chawolmanjeong’, but Jeong-nyeon firmly pushed him away, saying, “I won’t look or listen to the sound anymore.”
However, Jeongnyeon’s heart was also moved by Yeongseo’s continued persuasion. Meanwhile, Yongrye went to Sobok and threatened her not to bother Jeongnyeon. Accordingly, Sobok was confident that, unlike Yongrye, who left the sound board after losing his genius title, Jeongnyeon would not run away and return to his place.
The next day, Sobok and Yeongseo returned to Seoul, and as time passed, the long-awaited joint performance ‘The Fool and the Princess’ began.
When the first performance ended with an explosive response, Sobok finally let go. But a shocking twist occurred. Ok-kyung, who did not appear at the curtain call, abandoned both Maeran and the world of Gukgeuk and went to the film industry.
Jeongnyeon, unaware of the shocking events taking place in Maeran, was just steadily going about her daily life, waiting for Yongrye to send her back to the world of Gukgeuk.
That night, Yongrye witnessed Jeongnyeon going out alone at night when everyone was asleep. Yongrye finally changed his mind when he saw Jeongnyeon singing a part of ‘Chunhyangjeon’ with a rough and choppy voice.
Yongrye then woke Jeongnyeon up at dawn and took her to the beach. He told her the story of a singer who became a master singer despite being born a talented singer, and asked, “What will you fill the empty vocals with?” It was recognition of the path of singer Yoon Jeong-nyeon.
And Yong-rye looked at the rising sun and uttered ‘Chae-wol-man-jeong’ for the first time in decades, sending out the regretful past days over rough and rough sounds, stimulating the viewer’s eyes to tears.
Economy Queen Reporter Kim Kyeong-eun Photo News 1
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Time.news Interview: The Phenomenon of ‘Jungnyeon’ and Its Cultural Impact
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have with us Dr. Min-seo Hwang, a cultural critic and expert in Korean dramas. Dr. Hwang, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Hwang: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss ‘Jungnyeon’ and its impact on viewers.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The latest episode of ‘Jungnyeon’ achieved remarkable viewership ratings, averaging 14.3% and peaking at 15.4% among paying households. What do you think accounts for this surge in popularity?
Dr. Hwang: It’s fascinating! K-dramas, especially on platforms like tvN, have cultivated a loyal audience. ‘Jungnyeon’ resonates with viewers through its compelling characters and the emotional depth of its storyline. This recent episode showcased pivotal moments in character development that likely captivated audiences.
Editor: Absolutely! We see character evolution as the storyline progresses. For instance, the relationship between Yeong-seo and Jeong-nyeon reflects themes of rivalry and friendship. How do you think these themes resonate within Korean culture?
Dr. Hwang: These themes tap into the deeply ingrained values of perseverance and resilience found in Korean culture. The idea of embracing a rival as a friend, as seen with Yeong-seo, promotes a positive message of personal growth and understanding. It’s a narrative that encourages viewers to confront challenges rather than shy away from them.
Editor: Interesting! The episode also featured an opium scandal that seemed to find resolution through a press conference. Scandals in K-dramas often serve as a mirror to societal issues. How do you see this reflected in ‘Jungnyeon’?
Dr. Hwang: The opium scandal is symbolic of larger societal problems, such as corruption and deception. By addressing these issues in the drama, it prompts public discourse, allowing viewers to engage with real-world implications. It reflects a trend where entertainment intersects with social commentary, which audiences appreciate.
Editor: Indeed! Additionally, the production techniques, such as music, play a significant role in heightening tensions and emotions within the show. How does music influence viewer engagement in dramas like ‘Jungnyeon’?
Dr. Hwang: Music acts as an emotional anchor in storytelling. In ‘Jungnyeon’, the score enhances moments of conflict, nostalgia, and longing, allowing viewers to connect deeply with the characters’ experiences. The use of music can evoke feelings that dialogue alone may not be able to achieve, proving to be an essential element of dramatic storytelling.
Editor: Thank you for highlighting that! As someone who studies the intersection of media and culture, where do you see the future of K-dramas heading, especially amidst such engaging narratives?
Dr. Hwang: The future of K-dramas looks promising, especially if they continue to explore diverse narratives that reflect both personal and societal struggles. With the global audience’s growing appreciation for K-drama storytelling, I anticipate more cross-cultural narratives that appeal to wider demographics while maintaining authentic Korean elements.
Editor: That’s an exciting prospect! ‘Jungnyeon’ has certainly captured the hearts of many, and it seems we can expect even more impactful storytelling. Dr. Hwang, thank you for your insights today.
Dr. Hwang: Thank you! I enjoyed our conversation and look forward to witnessing the continued evolution of K-drama storytelling.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in! Be sure to catch the next episode of ‘Jungnyeon’ and continue following us for more discussions on cultural trends and innovations.