Original subtitles

[Yeongsuk] It is the 1950s, following the devastating Korean War.

Female gukgeuk, or traditional theater, captures the heart of the public,

and many girls dream of becoming princes.

Playing the role of Yoon Jeongnyeon,

a pansori genius who dives into the world of stars,

is Kim Taeri.

Playing the role of Heo Youngseo,

an elite trainee skilled at singing, dancing, and even acting,

is Shin Yeeun.

Playing the role of Moon Okgyeong,

the undisputed Prince of Maeran, is Jung Eunchae.

Playing the role of Seo Hyerang,

the beautiful flower of Maeran, is Kim Yoonhye.

And last but not least

is the director of all the girls who dream of becoming princes,

Kang Sobok played by Ra Miran.

We want to thank you for your patience

as we proudly present the story of Jeongnyeon!

"JEONGNYEON: THE STAR IS BORN"

[cheers and applause]

"Narrator: Cho Yeongsuk First-generation female gukgeuk actor"

ALL CHARACTERS, PLACES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND EVENTS IN THIS SHOW ARE FICTIONAL.

THE SHOW CONTAINS JAPANESE EXPRESSIONS TO REFLECT THE TIME PERIOD.

[Okgyeong] If I asked you to leave Maeran with me,

would you?

Leave?

To go where?

Wherever.

So…

would you?

Why me?

What do you mean?

I wasn't the one you looked out for the most.

[sharp inhale]

Jeongnyeon's already a lost cause.

Even if she were to return,

she wouldn't be the same.

[deep inhale]

I can't leave.

Why not?

I'm waiting for someone to come back.

I need to wait here.

[♪ soft pensive music playing]

You still want to compete with Jeongnyeon?

Yes.

I've never actually beaten her in anything,

but I still need her.

Why do you need her so much?

She's the only one who stimulates me and makes me grow.

Not only that…

but she's the only one who truly understands me. [shy chuckle]

[deep inhale]

All right.

You're lucky, you know.

What?

I never found someone, no matter how much I waited.

[scoffs]

Moon Okgyeong directly refutes opium allegations

- [knocking on door] - [door opens]

Other papers have also published Okgyeong's counterstatement.

"Moon Okgyeong refutes allegations with press conference"

[Director Kang] How does it look out there?

More articles are in support of her, but it's still a bit…

[sharp inhale]

Well, it's good that a lot of investors are still with us.

[newspaper rustling, flaps]

[sighs]

You should get some sleep.

You haven't been sleeping recently.

[tuts]

I keep having bad dreams.

You've been like this since Jeongnyeon left.

How about you pay her a visit?

Rehearsals won't start again until next week,

and I can handle the press by myself.

Jeongnyeon took all the scripts with her…

which means she hasn't totally given up.

Just like you.

[sighs]

She'll be heading to Mokpo right now, so please get the car ready.

Understood.

[gasps] Mokpo?

Is the director going to see Jeongnyeon?

Yes, she's heading out right now.

[rattling]

Hong Jooran.

[Youngseo] Jooran.

Hey, Jooran.

- I'm following the director to Mokpo. - Mokpo?

Are you going to meet Jeongnyeon?

Yes, I need to see her.

And if you do?

What will you do then?

She's probably suffering enough as it is.

But I miss her.

I miss her so much.

[Jooran sobs, sniffles]

I know.

I'll go see her.

I'll make sure to bring her back.

[running steps approaching]

[Youngseo] Director! [panting]

You're going to see Jeongnyeon, right?

Take me with you.

Don't tell me… it's because you miss her?

I'm just…

I just need to see her because I need to give her something.

The show is just around the corner. What about practicing?

I'll work extra hard once I come back.

Please, Director.

Mm.

Act 10

[Youngseo] Director.

I think…

another troupe is trying to scout Okgyeong.

Did she… tell you anything?

She didn't elaborate much,

but it seemed like she was thinking of leaving our troupe.

[soft chuckle]

She has the tendency to say ridiculous things sometimes.

So don't worry.

She probably didn't mean it.

[seagulls squawking]

The fire's a bit…

Mother, look.

[Jungja exclaims]

- [yelps] - [Jungja exclaims] Mother!

How dare you show your face here?

[angrily] How dare you!

Why are you here?

To feel better about yourself?

Why are you here?

I'm here to take Jeongnyeon back.

[scoffs]

You're insane.

You're completely out of your mind!

You're here to take her back?

And do you think I'll just let you do that?

How will you take her back?

Are you going to kidnap her?

She'll come back with us of her own will.

She can't live without pansori.

She won't be able to bear not coming back.

[heavy breathing]

Hurry and get the salt!

- [water splashes] - [Youngseo gasps]

[Yongrye grunting annoyedly]

[Yongrye] Salt them!

[footsteps receding]

Oh, hi…

Do you need something?

Could you…

tell me where Jeongnyeon is?

[inhales sharply, exhales heavily]

[♪ soft sorrowful music playing]

[shells rattling, clinking]

[sighs]

- [slips] - [Youngseo yelps, groans]

[Youngseo groans, sucks teeth]

[fake groaning]

What are you doing?

The Blooming Autumn Field

I came to give you this.

You left this behind.

I don't need it, so take it with you.

Why not? You used to treasure this a lot.

I said take it with you.

I'm not going anywhere near pansori.

Then are you never going to come back to pansori or gukgeuk?

Oh, I get it.

You're already giving up because you've already failed once.

[angry breath]

You don't get to talk to me that way.

Well, it's your life, so why should I care?

Just take this. It's yours.

- I said I don't need it. - Take it!

I don't care what you do with it. [heavy breathing]

Crush it into pieces for all I care.

Do what you want.

[shells rattling]

Fine.

[shells clinking]

I will.

[gasps, pants]

Sure, you don't need it.

[gasping]

[bubbling]

[waves crashing]

Hey!

Hey!

[♪ tense music playing]

[both coughing]

[both gasping]

- You little… - [coughs]

Why would you jump in when you don't even know how to swim?

- [Youngseo panting] - [coughing]

[Youngseo yelps]

[Youngseo coughs]

Why are you here?

I already want to die without you taunting me!

- [chokes] - You got what you wanted.

[sobs] You're Okgyeong's successor.

You should go on smugly living your life.

[sobs] Why the hell did you come all the way here?

- [Jeongnyeon sobs] - [grunts]

What makes you want to die so badly?

Nothing I do can ever bring my voice back!

[tearfully] You saw it yourself.

[sobs] So what more do you want from me?

You still have your acting.

Your acting skills that I could never surpass.

[Youngseo] I was…

I was never just afraid of your singing.

[♪ somber music playing]

The way you act…

I was scared to death…

that no matter how much I struggled, I could never be like you.

[sniffles]

[sobs] At the last audition…

your acting was what I could only dream of.

I could hardly breathe while watching you on stage.

[Youngseo sobs] Just once…

I wished with all my heart to be able to act like you just once.

[sobs] But I couldn't…

[heavy breathing]

Ever since I lost my voice,

I keep having the same dream.

I keep dreaming…

about our last audition.

In my dream,

I can sing how I used to.

I widen my stance,

flex my abdomen,

pull my sound from my core…

and sing to my heart's content.

[♪ pensive music playing]

I feel that I have complete control over my voice.

I know it's just a dream,

but it makes me feel so alive.

Then I'd wake up,

but the dream would feel so real.

So I'd try to sing as I did in the dream.

But…

it would be no use.

[deep inhale] Whenever that happened,

I'd feel so scared and lonely…

like I was left alone in the world.

It'd feel like a boulder was sitting on top of my chest.

Jeongnyeon.

You'll never be alone from now on and forever.

I'll be by your side until the end.

[♪ gentle music playing]

I'll wait for you to get back on stage,

no matter how long it takes.

[♪ gentle music continues]

[fire crackling]

Why are you home so late?

Mother had a whole row with some guests from Seoul.

How is she?

[Jungja] I'll take that.

Mother.

We need to catch some octopus tomorrow

and also help Suja with making kimchi.

So get ready to sleep now. You'll need to wake up early tomorrow.

What did…

the director say to you?

What did she say to me?

I didn't want to hear another word, so I drove her out.

Mother.

I'm…

really sorry.

But…

I'm going to continue doing gukgeuk.

[shaky exhale]

Are you insane?

What did that girl say to you?

What did she possibly say to you…

that made you bring up that gukgeuk again?

Mother. [shaky breathing]

Singing is the only way…

to feel this huge release inside me.

[♪ soft emotional music playing]

At first,

I thought that if I couldn't sing as well as I did before,

I should just forget about pansori or gukgeuk altogether.

But whenever I try to turn away from pansori…

I feel even more lost and frustrated…

that I can't breathe.

The only time I can breathe is when I can sing.

[sobs, sniffles]

The only way to release what's inside me is to sing.

Mother.

I have no other choice.

You crazy little brat!

How are you going to sing if you've lost your voice?

Who's going to come listen to you when you can't even sing properly?

You little brat!

If I can't sing, I'll find another way to be on stage.

[sobs] If I never regain my voice,

I'll be a dancer.

And if I break my legs,

I'll be an extra on stage.

You need to wake up.

[sobs] Wake up!

Wake up!

[Yongrye sniffles] My goodness.

I can't believe you.

[sobs] I can't believe this.

- [banging on door] - [Yongrye panting]

[Yongrye] Hello?

Is anyone there?

[innkeeper] Who's there?

Oh, you're Jeongnyeon's mother.

Did another war break out? What are you doing so late?

You have…

Kang Sobok from Seoul staying here, right?

[innkeeper] Kang Sobok?

Leave quietly…

as soon as it's morning.

And don't you dare bother my daughter.

No matter how much you try to hold on to her,

Jeongnyeon will end up…

seeking me out again.

What did you just say?

She'll seek you out?

- [shouts] You lowly witch! - [loud bang]

[sobs, breathing shakily]

You call yourself human?

- She's barely alive right now! - [banging]

[heavy breathing] Are you trying

- to kill her for good? - [bangs]

[frustrated groan]

Jeongnyeon is different from you.

You ran away scared because you weren't a genius anymore,

but Jeongnyeon's not going to run away.

She will get back on her path.

That path is hard enough even without a broken voice!

She'll suffer all her life…

[sobs] Sobok, please.

I'm begging you.

[sobs] Please just leave quietly.

[sobs] I've already lost her once to pansori.

I can't lose her again.

Not again.

[sobbing]

After you left…

I did everything I could

to try and reach the top like you did.

Everyone praised me…

and called me a master of pansori.

- [Director Kang] But I knew. - [♪ pensive music playing]

I knew I couldn't be like you.

I realized it only after you left.

That the reason why I had improved so much…

was because I had you.

[sniffles]

[groans, sniffles]

And after you left me so easily…

I missed you terribly.

- [shaky breathing] - [♪ pensive music continues]

Gongseon.

Pansori singers can't perform with a broken voice,

but gukgeuk is different.

In gukgeuk, even if you can't sing, dance, or act,

you can be on stage.

What can she do with a broken voice?

Then you can teach her.

You… can sing.

I'm sure of it.

You're the only one…

who can teach Jeongnyeon how to sing with a broken voice.

You need to take the first step.

Even if it's just one song.

No,

try singing even just one line.

Then you'll know.

Stop spewing such nonsense.

[sniffles, breathes shakily]

I don't care what you have to say. A no is a no.

Leave now!

[door opens, closes]

[groans]

[heavy exhale]

[shaky breathing]

[shaky breathing]

♪ I want to go ♪

♪ I want to go ♪

♪ I want to follow… ♪

[sobbing]

[Yongrye sobs, breathes heavily]

Jeongnyeon!

[Jeongnyeon panting]

You're coming with us, right?

- I can't go right now. - Why not?

I've hurt my mother too much until now.

So I can't hurt her again.

I'll come back once I have her permission.

So you go ahead.

But what if she never gives you permission?

[Director Kang] All right, I understand.

Come back to us when your mother can gladly let you go.

We'll be waiting.

[Yongrye] Jungja, wake Jeongnyeon up.

[heavy breathing] Mother.

Jeongnyeon's not in the room.

[Jungja] That little…

[shouts] Where have you been?

[Jungja panting]

You scared me. I thought you left with that director.

Mother.

I won't leave home without telling you anymore.

I won't go anywhere

until you let me.

So don't worry.

Just come and make breakfast.

[Jooran] Youngseo! [panting]

Where's Jeongnyeon?

She didn't come with you?

Does she not want to come back? Why?

Is she that sick?

Ah… [grunts]

She's doing fine.

She can't come back right now, but she said she'd definitely return.

Really?

Yeah, she promised me that she'd come back.

[relieved exhale]

That's good.

I told her that you were waiting.

She asked a lot about you.

Really?

[soft chuckle] Really.

[♪ pensive music playing]

There's so much…

I want to tell her.

What?

You must be tired.

Go and get some rest.

[deep exhale]

The Princess and the Fool

[indistinct chatter]

It's Okgyeong!

[fans squealing]

[Okgyeong] Thank you.

- [squealing continues] - [soft chuckle]

Thank you.

[knocking on door]

[Okgyeong] Come in.

[door opens]

Are you almost ready?

Yes.

Hmm…

Do you have something to say?

[Director Kang] Uh…

I'll let you choose the play for our next production.

It's fine even if it's a foreign play or something experimental.

You can choose… anything you want.

We might lose our audience if it's something too experimental.

And you can't stand that.

Ah…

I know…

that you've been scouted by other troupes and even the film industry.

And no matter how much money they offered,

you always chose to stay with us.

So I think it's time for me to make some sacrifices for you.

[soft chuckle]

What's gotten into you?

You're doing all this for me?

[soft chuckle] I'm a bit shocked.

[sharp inhale]

This is the most tempting offer I've ever received.

It doesn't matter what they say against you.

You are the best male lead in female gukgeuk.

[Okgyeong] Yes.

- [whispers] Hey, did you hear? - What?

- Hear what? - There's word going around

that Hyerang will quit gukgeuk after this production.

- What? - Why?

I don't know.

[Boksil] Others say that she fought with the director.

Things are already hectic as is with Okgyeong's issue,

and now Hyerang is quitting?

Our troupe is going to be okay, right?

- [Jooran gasps, yelps] - [body thuds]

- [Jooran groans] - Oh my! Jooran!

[Geumju's friend 1 laughs]

[Chorok] Seriously?

Oh, no. I'm sorry.

I didn't see you there.

[Geumju's friend 1] That must've hurt.

Are you okay, Your Highness? [laughs]

What do you think you're doing? You tripped her on purpose.

[laughs]

Hey.

Can you prove that I did it on purpose?

My foot slipped.

You little…

[all gasp]

What, you want to hit me?

- [gasps] - [yelps] Chorok!

Moon Okgyeong's too busy taking opium

while the trainees are total bullies.

Maeran…

really is a mess, huh? [laughs]

- [glass shattering] - [all yelp]

[heavy breath]

[Youngseo] Sorry.

- [♪ tense music playing] - [shaky breath]

My hand slipped.

[shouts] Hey, Heo Youngseo!

What's next?

Are we going to grab and pull at each other's hair?

Or…

have you sprinkled our shoes with some broken glass?

[scoffs]

If you hate us that much,

beat us on the stage with your skills.

Don't pull these cheap tricks.

[Geumju's friend 1] Geumju, let's just go.

- Let's go. - [Geumju's friend 2] Come on, Geumju.

[door closes]

[sighs]

Thank you.

Don't let them bother you.

[deep exhale]

[cheers and applause]

During the era of the three kingdoms,

in Goguryeo's royal palace

was the only daughter of King Pyeongwon, Princess Pyeonggang.

She was a wee baby who'd cry all the time.

[narrator] She'd cry because of a bee

or because she couldn't finish her meal.

One day, she was crying because she lost her ball.

In front of her appeared a boy in tatters.

And who was he but the famous fool, Ondal,

who lived with his mother who went blind before her thirties?

- ♪ Which bird is crying ♪ - [Jooran crying]

♪ In the Goguryeo palace? ♪

♪ It's our king's one and only ♪

♪ Princess Pyeonggang ♪

You're going to flood our nation with your tears, my little girl.

Tell me,

why are you crying today?

My ball rolled into the bushes and disappeared.

Please find it for me, Father.

Pyeonggang.

You are the princess of the great Goguryeo.

You cannot cry at such a tiny thing,

or you won't be able to look over our people when you grow up.

She's right. [sucks teeth]

What did I tell you?

If you keep crying,

I'm going to have you marry Ondal the fool.

- [actor laughing] - [wailing]

[audience clapping and laughing]

[spectator 1] Oh my, she's so cute.

[Youngseo exclaiming]

- [gasps] - [chuckles]

Who is crying so loudly?

[♪ light music playing]

♪ Life is not always quite rosy ♪

♪ And so many cry in desperation ♪

♪ But if we share this sorrow ♪

♪ You'd cry ♪

♪ And I'd cry ♪

♪ And the whole world would cry with us ♪

♪ So tell me ♪

[Jooran clears throat]

[excited chuckle]

[exclaims, groans]

[loud groan]

[laughter]

- Are you drunk or something? [laughs] - [applause]

How could you say that?

[spectator 2] What? It's funny.

[laughter and applause fading]

[amazed gasp]

I think my legs gave out

because I had never laid eyes on someone so beautiful.

[laughter and applause]

I never knew Youngseo could act like a fool.

This belongs to the princess.

Hurry and get on your knees. This is our princess.

You have stepped foot inside the palace.

[Youngseo gasping]

[Youngseo gasping in shock]

My goodness, Princess!

[Youngseo mutters] I am such a fool.

[clears throat] You may rise.

Did you say that you would cry with me?

Yes, Your Highness.

It is something my sick mother used to say.

"There is no such thing as small tears or big tears,

- light tears or heavy tears." - [♪ soft flute music playing]

"So if you see someone weeping, do not just pass them by."

Even Father and Mother tell me not to cry.

But you would cry with me?

Yes, Princess.

[Jooran] What is your name?

Ondal, Your Highness.

[soft chuckle]

[cheers and applause]

[♪ suspenseful drumming music playing]

[Youngseo] Princess.

I do not care what happens to my lowly self.

[sobs] But what to do of my dear princess's sorrow?

- [sobs] - Wait.

♪ I shall look for you, my love ♪

♪ I shall dry my sleeves of my tears ♪

♪ Treasure the marriage vows ♪

♪ We have taken together… ♪

Chorok.

You should get ready for the next scene.

I'll watch a bit longer.

- What? But-- - [Boksil] Hey, let's go.

♪ Come, my love ♪

♪ I shall wait for you, my darling ♪

♪ I shall sharpen my wits ♪

♪ To rival those of a dragon ♪

♪ And become as strong ♪

♪ As a tiger ♪

♪ On those treacherous mountains ♪

♪ As I wait for you ♪

♪ My dearest love ♪

[♪ somber music playing]

[♪ music fades]

[cheers and applause]

[cheers]

They're cheering like when we first performed Chunhyangjeon.

There's no point looking back at the past.

What we perform today is going to be legendary.

The stage out there…

belongs to you and me.

Hyerang.

Show me your best performance.

And I'll show you mine.

[Hyerang] You wretched soldiers!

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

♪ The Sui and the Göktürks ♪

♪ Lurk in the north ♪

♪ While Baekje and Silla ♪

♪ Threaten us from the south ♪

♪ And you dare betray your country ♪

♪ To side with the treacherous Johyeon ♪

♪ To whom do you pledge allegiance? ♪

Get her!

To whom shall I pass on the sword of Goguryeo?

His arms are to wield the great sword!

[♪ suspenseful music continues]

♪ It shall be my husband My husband indeed ♪

♪ Who shall become a tiger and a dragon ♪

♪ It shall be my husband My husband indeed ♪

♪ Who shall lead The army o f all three countries ♪

♪ It shall be my husband indeed ♪

[cheers and applause]

[laughter and applause fading]

[♪ light music playing]

[Hyerang breathes shakily] Is that you, my love?

[heavy breathing]

- [Okgyeong groans] - [sword clatters]

[soft gasp]

Are you really my princess?

My crybaby princess?

♪ I shall look for you, my love ♪

♪ I shall dry my sleeves of my tears ♪

♪ Treasure the marriage vows ♪

♪ We have taken together ♪

♪ And swear never to cry ♪

♪ Until I find you ♪

♪ Come, my love ♪

♪ I shall wait for you, my darling ♪

♪ I shall sharpen my wits ♪

♪ To rival those of a dragon ♪

♪ And become as strong ♪

♪ As a tiger ♪

♪ On those treacherous mountains ♪

♪ As I wait for you ♪

♪ My dearest love ♪

Princess.

My dear husband.

[♪ mellow music playing]

[♪ music fades]

[audience gasping]

[cheers and applause]

She's so cool even when she's not a prince.

No other male lead will ever be as good as Okgyeong.

Well, of course. [exclaims happily]

[relieved sigh]

[soft chuckle]

[Hyerang] We have done away with the treacherous Johyeon

and have brought back order to our nation.

Now all that is left is to conquer Silla.

[shouts] Go, my soldiers!

Go and wipe out the Silla lands

and bring me back the head of their leader.

Then you shall reap a handsome reward.

[actors shout]

[cymbals clanging]

[♪ suspenseful drumming music playing]

[audience cheering]

[audience clapping]

[spectator 1 whistling]

- [♪ music stops] - [cheers and applause]

[spectator 2 whistling]

[♪ soft suspenseful music playing]

You should retire for the night as you have a long journey tomorrow.

Princess.

So much blood has already been shed to rid this land of that traitor.

Must you continue the tragedy?

My love.

Why do you say this?

I no longer see the wise princess who longed for the peace of Goguryeo.

All I see now…

is a princess who craves more war and bloodshed!

How could you misunderstand my intentions for our lands?

All this is to secure the might of Goguryeo.

You have changed, Princess.

And I am an incompetent husband…

for being unable to see…

and prevent my dear love from declining.

[deep exhale]

My love.

- [♪ music fades] - Do not worry, Princess.

I will not fail… to bring you victory once more.

[lights clunk]

- [suspenseful drumbeats] - [Okgyeong exhales heavily]

- [♪ sorrowful music playing] - [shaky breath]

[heavy breathing]

[Okgyeong] How excruciating.

How could love cause harm to others?

[heavy breath]

[screaming]

[heavy exhale]

All I have done at the palace as the princess's husband is…

[sword clatters]

…behead the treacherous Johyeon!

[shouts] Slaughter the Silla scoundrels!

- [sighs] - [sword thuds]

I wielded the sword just as my beloved Princess ordered me to…

[shaky breathing]

…and my whole body is now drenched in blood.

[shaky breath]

Is this the way of the tiger and dragon…

- that I swore to the princess? - [♪ somber music playing]

This endless cycle of bloodshed?

When I first laid eyes on my beloved princess at the palace pond…

under the fluttering peach blossoms,

I never imagined things would turn out this way.

But… [shaky breathing]

…even if I were to go back…

[shaky breath]

[Hyerang] Ondal.

My princess.

- [arrows swooshes, squelches] - [groans]

- [Hyerang gasps] - [♪ music stops]

Ondal!

[audience gasping]

Ondal… [shaky breath]

- My dear husband… - [weak breathing]

You will be all right.

[sobs] I shall go look for help.

[Okgyeong grunts]

[shaky breath]

[weakly] Life is not always quite rosy…

and so many cry in desperation.

My love…

please do not speak.

[sniffles] Your wound will get worse.

So tell me, what makes you cry so?

What is making you so sad?

- [hand thuds] - [Hyerang gasps]

[shaky breath]

[Hyerang chokes, breathes shakily] M-My love?

My love.

[tearfully] My love. [sobs]

[screams] My love!

[sobbing]

- [Hyerang sniffles, wailing] - [♪ somber music playing]

[actors] ♪ Pass over ♪

[Hyerang wails] My love!

[actors] ♪ He is passing over… ♪

[Hyerang] My love…

My love!

[actor 1] ♪ The general passes over ♪

- ♪ From this indecent world ♪ - [sobbing]

♪ He passes over To a world unknown to the princess ♪

[actors] ♪ Pass over ♪

♪ He is passing over ♪

[actor 2] ♪ We are passing over ♪

♪ Forgetting the world of suffering ♪

♪ We leave behind this cold world ♪

♪ Into a forever Unknown to the princess ♪

[actors] ♪ Pass over ♪

♪ Pass over ♪

♪ He is passing over ♪

♪ Pass over ♪

♪ Pass over ♪

♪ He is passing over ♪

[♪ music fades]

- [cheers and applause] - [spectator whistling]

Director, the audience is going wild.

They're clamoring for more tickets outside.

All right, that'll do it.

They've seen that Okgyeong is as good as ever,

so they'll no longer accuse her of taking opium.

And this joint performance…

will be a success.

[cheers and applause]

Moon Okgyeong!

Okgyeong!

Moon Okgyeong!

[spectator 1] Come out, Okgyeong!

- [spectator 2] Where is she? - [spectator 3] Okgyeong!

[audience chanting] Moon Okgyeong! Moon Okgyeong! Moon Okgyeong!

Moon Okgyeong! Moon Okgyeong!

Moon Okgyeong! Moon Okgyeong!

- [distant chanting] - [door closes]

[Hyerang] Do you hear the crowd?

[sighs]

Heo Youngseo and Hong Jooran?

[scoffs] They've got a long way to go.

Okgyeong.

Let's leave Maeran and join another troupe.

No, we could even create our own troupe.

I didn't tell you…

but this joint performance will be my last.

I know.

- You knew? - Yeah.

So what? What does that have to do with me?

What?

Today's my last day too.

Your last day?

I'm leaving.

I'm quitting gukgeuk as of today.

I have nothing more to show

or anything more I want to do.

If you're leaving,

where are you going?

I'm going to be in films.

I already signed a contract.

Then what about me?

I'm coming with you, right?

[sharp inhale]

Let's go our separate ways from now on.

You can live your own life,

and I'll live mine.

You're joking, right?

[gasps] No!

[shaky breathing] You can't do this.

Who do you think saved you from your opium addiction?

I even had Mr. Ko bribe the press with money from the troupe.

I made you into the flawless prince while I got my hands dirty.

You're not going anywhere until I let you go.

Don't think that you had me under your control.

You've never once had me in your grasp.

[♪ somber music playing]

Okgyeong.

[sobs] I was wrong.

I won't ever do that again.

[sobs] Please don't abandon me.

Is there anything left between us?

If you want me to remember us fondly,

don't sink any lower.

Hyerang.

Your performance today was the best.

Goodbye, Princess.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Okgyeong.

I was on my way to get you.

Let's go. The press is waiting for your interview.

Thank you for everything, Director.

You taught me gukgeuk when I had lost my way

and shaped me into the best male lead.

I had a great time.

Okgyeong.

You just had an amazing performance. Why are you doing this?

I promised you, didn't I?

That I'd let you pick whatever play you like.

Three months ago,

that would have been a tempting offer.

But now…

- [soft scoff] - [♪ dramatic music playing]

…it feels quite late.

You're the lead of this whole production.

Are you really going to leave like this?

Then what about the rest of the shows and your audience?

[shouts] What about Maeran?

You know you can't keep me here.

I no longer have any attachment to Maeran…

or gukgeuk.

[shaky exhale]

Do you have no sense of responsibility at all?

Responsibility?

Did you really expect that from me?

Please have a good life, ma'am.

[soft scoff]

[indistinct chatter]

Okgyeong!

- Okgyeong! - My goodness!

- [Director Kang] Okgyeong! - [door opens]

Moon Okgyeong!

Okgyeong.

Okgyeong.

Open this door.

[shouts] Moon Okgyeong!

- [engine starts] - [Director Kang] Okgyeong!

Okgyeong! Okgyeong!

- [Hyerang] Okgyeong! - Okgyeong!

[Hyerang wailing] Okgyeong! Okgyeong!

[sobs] Okgyeong!

[sobbing] Okgyeong…

[♪ dramatic music continues]

[Hyerang sobbing] Okgyeong…

[wails] Okgyeong!

[sighs]

[indistinct chatter]

Go home, I'll do it.

It's fine.

I'm almost done, so you should go home.

- [fish squelching] - [Jeongnyeon sniffles]

What is it? You have something to say?

[shirt rustles]

[squelching continues]

Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.

I made a promise.

[fire crackling]

Mother.

About Jeongnyeon.

I think it's time…

to let her go.

Let her go where?

You little brat.

Are you trying to help her run away again?

No, I'm not.

And you heard her when she said

she's not going anywhere until you let her go.

Then why would you say that?

Do you have to upset me as well?

Jeongnyeon…

brought all her gukgeuk scripts all the way from Seoul.

Where are they?

- Mother! Mother, no! - I'm going to burn them all.

Mother, there's no point in burning them.

She probably has every line memorized by heart.

[annoyed groan]

[sighs]

I saw her…

caressing those scripts in the room by herself.

She wasn't crying or anything, just caressing them.

And I stood there watching…

because there was nothing I could do.

Mother, I don't know

what it feels like to have a dream.

I've never had one.

So…

I can only imagine how desperate Jeongnyeon is.

But you're different from me.

You know better than anyone how desperate she must be for her dream.

So please…

Could you please…

Could you please let her have this just this once?

- [sharp exhale] - [rattling]

[door closes]

[gulping]

[strained exclaim]

[heavy breath]

Young Master.

Doesn't it just knock your socks right off?

[strained exclaim]

Young Master.

Doesn't it just knock your socks right off?

This is what I was telling you about.

The most famous pavilion on all the land, Gwanghallu Pavilion.

What do you think?

Oh, come now. What do you think?

Isn't it as amazing as I said it'd be?

[floor creaks]

Today is the May 5th festival.

That is Chunhyang, the daughter of Wolmae, a retired courtesan.

I guess it's her turn on the swing.

Just say the word, Young Master,

and I, Bangja, shall go like the true man that I am

and call her over.

[in hoarse voice] ♪ Bangja is being sent over ♪

♪ To fetch Chunhyang ♪

♪ What a splendid, well-groomed And mannered man ♪

♪ What a mischievous, playful And cunning man ♪

♪ Just like the mythical messenger bird To the goddess ♪

♪ What an eloquent, witty And bright man ♪

♪ He places one foot here And one foot there ♪

♪ He's on his way over ♪

♪ He throws a pebble ♪

♪ Scaring away a bird Perched on a branch ♪

[straining] ♪ Away… ♪

[♪ pensive music playing]

[Jeongnyeon straining] ♪ Away… ♪

- ♪ Away it flies ♪ - [heavy breathing]

♪ He breaks off a tree branch ♪

♪ And drags it around like a staff ♪

♪ Then stops ♪

- ♪ Right in front of Chunhyang ♪ - [sobbing quietly]

[Yongrye in soft voice] Jeongnyeon.

Jeongnyeon.

[Jeongnyeon] Mm?

[soft groan]

[whispers] Get up and come with me.

[soft groan]

[water lapping]

[Yongrye] Long ago,

there was a pansori master named Jung Jeongryeol.

He was famous for singing Chunhyangga.

And whenever he sang,

everyone who heard would cry.

They just couldn't help it.

But his voice…

is unfit for pansori.

His voice was very raspy,

and he couldn't sing very high.

He was just born that way.

So how did he become a pansori master?

His voice must have sounded so harsh and broken.

Have you ever heard him sing?

I have.

Master Jung

had honed his raspy voice for years on end

and had transformed it into a hoarse yet powerful voice.

To anyone listening,

his singing didn't sound broken at all,

but in fact, seemed full.

So people used to say…

that he sang with a voice he didn't have.

That he sang something out of nothing.

[♪ pensive music playing]

A voice he didn't have?

Sing something out of nothing?

So Jeongnyeon.

What are you going to use…

to fill the gaps in your voice?

What about you?

What would you have used to fill in the gaps?

I think…

I would have used my tears

or my sighs.

[Yongrye exhales deeply]

Look.

The sun is rising.

[in hoarse voice] ♪ The autumn ♪

♪ Moon ♪

♪ Is in ♪

♪ Full bloom ♪

♪ And it glows ♪

♪ Upon ♪

♪ The marble ♪

♪ Carved from coral reefs ♪

♪ A wild goose ♪

♪ Flies ♪

♪ Underneath ♪

♪ The moon ♪

♪ High in the sky ♪

[straining] ♪ Crying ♪

[vocalizing]

[inaudible]

♪ As the goose ♪

♪ Cries ♪

♪ Empress Sim ♪

♪ Hears the goose ♪

♪ And calls ♪

♪ To the goose ♪

♪ Hark, dear goose ♪

♪ Are you perhaps ♪

♪ A messenger goose? ♪

[Yongrye continues singing]

JEONGNYEON: THE STAR IS BORN

[father] Here, try these on.

Good.

There you go. Perfect.

- They look great, don't they? - [giggling]

[chuckles]

[♪ pensive music playing]

I'm fine.

Your dad doesn't need new shoes.

[father chuckles]

All right, let's go.

Time to go. [chuckles]

[father] Come on.

Here we go.

[birds chirping]

Translated by Jin Yu

Ripped and synced by WEISSACHsubs