“Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born,” starring Kim Tae Ri, has become a topic of discussion, not just for its storyline set in 1950s Korea and Kim Tae Ri’s performance, but also for rumors of financial difficulties despite high viewership. The drama, which follows a young woman’s journey to become a theater actress, has reportedly exceeded 10% viewership ratings, but reports suggest it might not have recouped its production costs.
High Viewership, High Costs
Reports indicate that the production budget for “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born” reached 336 billion KRW, exceeding initial estimates. The costs escalated due to the challenges of recreating historical settings. Kim Tae Ri’s per-episode salary, rumored to be over 300 million KRW, matching Kim Soo Hyun’s fee for Queen of Tears, also contributed to the high expenses.
While CJ ENM and Studio Dragon representatives have stated that production costs were recovered, industry whispers paint a different picture. The drama’s release on Disney+ as a 12-episode series is also being cited as a less profitable venture, with rumors suggesting that the streaming platform also faced losses.
Legal Troubles Add to the Strain
Adding to the financial concerns, MBC has filed a lawsuit against the production company, alleging unfair business practices. MBC claims tvN violated the Unfair Competition Prevention Act by allegedly stealing its project and interfering with contract negotiations. This legal battle is expected to further complicate the financial situation surrounding the drama.
A Story of Dreams and Hardships
“Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born” is adapted from the webtoon Jeong Nyeon by Seo Irae and Namon. Set in post-war Korea in 1956, the story follows Jeong Nyeon, a talented singer from Mokpo who dreams of joining a women’s traditional theater company. The drama showcases her journey as she navigates the hardships of that era to achieve her dreams.
The cast includes:
- Kim Tae Ri as Jeong Nyeon
- Shin Ye Eun
- Ra Mi Ran
- Jung Eun Chae
- Kim Yoon Hye
- Woo Davi
- Hyun Seung Hee
- Lee Se Young
- Jung Ra El
- Jo Ah Young
Watch the trailer here:
Whether “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born” ultimately proves to be a financial success remains to be seen. The combination of high viewership, critical acclaim, and ongoing legal issues makes its financial performance a topic of much interest.
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