tvN has officially announced the cast for its upcoming drama, ‘”Jeong-nyeon,” based on the popular webtoon of the same name.
Known for its fresh storyline and artistic quality, the source material comprises 138 episodes that ran successfully on Naver Webtoon from April 2019 to May 2022, and it is now poised to captivate television viewers.
The stellar cast set to breathe life into the TV adaptation includes actors Kim Tae-ri, Shin Ye-eun, Ra Mi-ran, and Moon So-ri.
“Jeong-nyeon” is a coming-of-age series set in the post-Korean War era, centering on the journey of a girl blessed with a voice as pure as crystal. She navigates her way through an all-female theater troupe, a branch of changgeuk, a traditional Korean opera that gained significant popularity before and after the Korean War, with all roles portrayed by women.
The original webtoon, created by author Seo Yi-re and illustrator Na-mon, delves into the captivating world of female theater during the 1950s, a unique and unexplored theme in Korean dramas.
Kim Tae-ri takes on the titular role of Yoon Jeong-nyeon, a pansori prodigy who travels from Mokpo to Seoul to pursue a career as a theatrical actress. The award-winning actress, last seen in the horror drama “Revenant,” brings her exceptional talent to the promising project.
Shin Ye-eun transforms into the talented and confident Heo Yeong-seo, who forms a dynamic rivalry with Jeong-nyeon. Shin starred in the historical drama “The Secret Romantic Guesthouse” earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Ra Mi-ran, known for her versatile acting in both film and television, steps into the role of Kang So-bok, the cool and charismatic director of the Ma-ran Theater Troupe. The veteran actress, with major drama appearances early this year in “Cold Blooded Intern” and “The Good Bad Mother,” is expected to bring her seasoned acting to the forefront.
Lastly, Moon So-ri joins the cast in a special role as Seo Yong-rye, Jeong-nyeon’s mother who raised her alone while hiding her past as a genius vocalist. The actress, last seen in the Netflix original series “Queenmaker,” adds another layer of depth to the ensemble.
“Jeong-nyeon” is penned by Choi Hyo-bi, the writer behind Netflix’s romantic series “A Time Called You,” and will be helmed by Jung Ji-in, the director of the popular 2021 historical series “The Red Sleeve.”
The drama’s production team is gearing up for filming, with the aim of bringing “Jeong-nyeon” to small screens in 2024.