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.

Final Act

Based on popular opinion,

Chorok will be playing Asanyeo.

Chorok.

You need to prepare for this thoroughly, understand?

Yes, ma'am.

Another thing.

Jeongnyeon and Youngseo.

I won't be choosing the scene for you to audition with.

So you can each choose the scene you would like to perform.

Yes, ma'am.

[Director Kang] Now then,

let's warm up our voices.

Who will start the song?

I'll do it.

All right then. Begin.

[drum beating]

♪ The key to being an entertainer ♪

♪ Is firstly your looks ♪

♪ Then your choice of words ♪

[members] ♪ The key to being an entertainer ♪

♪ Is firstly your looks ♪

My beautiful love.

You cannot fathom how much I have missed you.

[shaky breath]

[♪ Somber music playing]

My love.

Why are you so downcast

on this fine…

My love.

Why are you so downcast on this…

My love.

[inhales shakily, sighs]

[Youngseo] Looking for this?

[shaky breath]

[♪ Somber music continues]

[Jeongnyeon sobbing]

What are you doing here?

Well…

I'm just here to take a look at what's soon to be my property.

[Mr. Ko] Look here.

- We should make this into a pond. - Yes, sir.

How's the maintenance?

What are you on about?

The director is not selling this place.

[Mr. Ko] Ah. Perhaps not right now.

But she'll come around.

Get out right now.

You think the director didn't report you because she forgave you?

Get the hell out before I call the police.

Sure. Call the police.

If you drive me away,

you'll be driving away the only savior who would ever buy this place.

Think about it.

Who else would buy a property so heavily in debt?

[Mr. Ko scoffs]

Tell your precious director

not to drag this out.

Hongmae… isn't that patient.

Let's go. [chuckles]

[♪ Tense music playing]

[Mr. Ko] Goodness gracious.

What's going on?

We're selling the property?

This is because of the debt from the joint performance, isn't it?

Maeran took on all of the debt from that performance.

We're trying to get the production budget for the next performance…

[tuts]

…but the investors won't meet with us because they already heard about it.

The director's trying to keep things on the down low,

so you never heard this, all right?

Don't worry.

She'll do anything she can to keep the production going.

[Boksil panting] Doaeng!

[pants] Oh, my gosh! Please come!

In the lounge… The lounge…

[mover 1] Get a move on! Make sure to take that too!

- Hurry up! - Wait…

- What do you think you're doing? - [♪ tense music playing]

[mover 2] Get out of the way!

Who are you?

Why don't you go ask your director?

Who do you think you are, causing all this ruckus?

- Who do we think we are? - [Director Kang] Jeongnyeon.

Director!

- Let them pass. - What?

Let them pass.

- [mover 1] All right, let's head out. - [mover 2] Hurry up.

- [mover 3] Okay. - [mover 4] Make sure to get everything!

- Get that too! - [mover 5] Watch your step!

- Hold on… - [mover 4] Come on, hurry up.

[mover 1] Grab the pots too.

- [mover 2] Let's get a move on! - [mover 4] All right, more!

[mover 1] What are you doing?

What is this? Take this too!

That too.

Hurry up, take that!

- [mover 5] Hurry up! - [member 1] Please don't!

- Follow me. - [member 2] Please stop.

Are you here to see Mom?

I was on my way to say goodbye to you.

Where are you going? What's with the bag?

I'm leaving home.

I'm getting married.

- Married? - Yes.

As soon as I get to the States.

I'm also…

quitting singing.

I just told Mom all this.

Wait…

I was always so jealous of you.

At least you liked doing gukgeuk.

[bag thuds]

People like you…

are the ones who can reach the heights of artistry.

Not me.

Take care.

You left as though you'd never come back here.

And now you crawl back in…

to tell me that you want your share of the inheritance?

I heard that Grandpa left me a share of the inheritance.

I'd like that right now.

[scoffing]

Please.

You're the same as your sister.

Did you two coordinate this to drive me crazy?

You.

Do you know your sister's getting married?

She just told me outside.

Sure.

I can tolerate her getting married.

But… she's quitting singing?

That thankless girl!

What did I do to deserve all this?

Do you have…

Do you have any idea how I raised you two?

[angry grunting]

The great Han Kijoo!

But what's the point?

She couldn't have a son!

All she could manage were two daughters!

- [♪ Somber music playing] - I was sick and tired

of being treated like a sinner,

so I took even more care in raising you two.

[shaky breathing] So… how could you two…

[groans, shrieks]

[Kijoo sighs]

It's not easy for me to ask this of you either.

I know!

What is that theater troupe to you?

Aren't you worried about your mother?

Or are you only worried about your precious director?

[Kijoo sobbing]

[Kijoo groans]

If you give me my inheritance…

I'll do whatever you want me to do.

What are you talking about?

If you tell me to…

[sharp inhale]

…I'll leave the troupe and even quit gukgeuk.

Are you serious?

Yes.

As long as we can put on this upcoming performance,

I'll do whatever you tell me to do.

So please…

I'm begging you.

[fans squealing] Jeongnyeon!

I heard you're working on The Legend of the Twin Pagodas.

- I'll talk to you later, okay? - [fan] Jeongnyeon!

We're so excited about your next production.

Yes, we are.

It's the birth of a new prince.

A new prince?

You, silly!

We were rooting for you from Bangjajeon...

I mean, from Chunhyangjeon. We knew you'd be a huge star.

You were such a refreshing talent that we were sure you'd be our new prince.

I thought you guys would stop coming because Okgyeong isn't here anymore.

We weren't just in love with Okgyeong,

but with everything Maeran had created so far.

Maeran will forever be our dream.

Maeran, forever!

[fans chanting] Forever! Maeran! Maeran! Maeran!

Maeran! Maeran!

[knocking on door]

Just leave it be, ma'am. I'll do it.

It's fine. I can do it by myself.

Director,

I have something to tell you.

Where did you get this money?

My mother helped out.

Take it back.

I really appreciate the gesture,

but you don't have to do this.

How did you even get this money with your pride?

I can lay down my pride in a heartbeat for something that truly matters.

[♪ Gentle music playing]

What matters most right now is to get our production going.

[Director Kang] Youngseo.

I promise…

I'll do whatever it takes

for our production to see the light of day.

[soft chuckle]

[scrubbing]

What's the point of all this?

[heavy breath] What's the point of cleaning?

[sobs] This building's about to be taken away.

Sure, that may be true.

But we still need to do what we can now.

What can we do?

Put on our production?

How can we when we don't have the money?

There's no point in trying. It's all useless.

If you think this is all useless, then don't bother and just go.

Why are you here arguing with me?

Because I can't just do nothing.

[♪ Pensive music playing]

Because I'll drive myself mad if I don't do anything.

We'll keep performing.

You were the one who said…

that even if everyone else left,

you'd hold your ground here and not go anywhere.

I'm the same.

I'm not going anywhere,

and I'll keep performing with you.

Everywhere we stand will be our stage.

So what more do we need?

But…

we may not be able to perform in a theater for a while.

Then we better prepare for the performance of a lifetime.

We'll put on a performance that our audience will never forget.

How about it?

Sounds great.

[sniffles] Let's do it.

[birds chirping]

I know you have enough on your plate dealing with the debt collectors.

But Director.

How about you try visiting a cooperative?

A cooperative?

It's an organization created by the common people,

and word is going around that it's a safe place to get a loan.

Apparently, they loan you money with very low interest.

How about we reach out to them?

"Credit union"

[cooperative manager] You're trying to settle your debts

and work on a new production?

Yes.

Forgive me for saying this,

but I heard that this production may be Maeran's last.

Do you really need to go this far for one last show?

That's not true.

This production is crucial for my troupe members.

This new production will give birth to a new prince,

which will mark the beginning of a new era for my troupe.

This upcoming production will be our troupe's new milestone.

And for that, I need to clear our current debt.

Please think of this…

as an investment in our future…

not our present.

An investment in your future…

"Credit union: signing up, savings, and loan consultation"

The debt is taken care of.

They'll lend us the money.

That's great.

[soft chuckle]

Now we just have to come up with a production budget.

Director.

How about we postpone this production?

But the whole troupe's looking forward to it.

How could we?

I'm not saying we cancel it altogether.

I'm saying we postpone it until we find a better time for it.

Director.

Maeran needs to continue for the members to thrive too.

[sighs]

Not my hands! Please spare my hands!

I need these hands to make the stone pagoda, so please…

To make the stone pagoda...

No, to build the stone pagoda.

To make the stone pagoda… [groans]

Jeez, what do I do?

[Director Kang] What is it?

Is something not going well?

Director.

Ah… [grunts]

Asadal's such a free-spirited character that my accent keeps slipping out.

But a male lead isn't supposed to have an accent.

So I'm a bit worried.

Hmm…

I don't know.

I don't see why not.

Asadal is from Baekje.

But it's the male lead.

Would that really be okay?

This is your version of Asadal.

I think it'd be good to show an Asadal only you could portray.

Yes, ma'am.

It's hard to focus with everything going on, isn't it?

I know how uneasy you must be.

[♪ Gentle music playing]

From beyond the stars…

What?

The night I first watched a gukgeuk performance,

I couldn't sleep because my heart was racing too much.

Then my sister said this.

[yawns]

[mimics Jungja] "Just forget it."

"Those people are from beyond the stars."

[chuckles]

[chuckles]

And boy, was she right about that.

To a couple of country bumpkins from Mokpo,

that dazzling performance was from beyond the stars, all right.

Some might call me crazy for chasing after the stars

when I should be busy finding a way to live.

But to me,

those stars are my dreams…

that help me survive.

Your dreams?

And I'm not alone.

The crowd of girls outside our gates who can't wait to watch our show

and all our troupe members

can get through anything if it means we have gukgeuk in our lives.

I've got a team to perform with

and an audience to watch me.

So why should I be anxious?

If we still have our people with us,

we've got everything.

You're right.

We still have our people.

So, Director.

I hope you don't suffer by yourself too much.

We're a lot stronger than you think.

Yes.

[soft chuckle]

[chuckling]

[soft exhale]

[thumps]

[Mr. Ko sighs]

Everything looks good.

We'll be vacating the premises after the production as the contract says.

As you wish.

So what changed your mind?

I thought your pride would never allow you to agree to this.

My real pride…

lies in being able to give my troupe members a proper production.

- [door opens, closes] - [door bell jingling]

[birds chirping]

[Director Kang] Where did you go early this morning?

Today's the audition.

Did you go to the temple again?

[Youngseo] You knew I was going to the temple?

[chuckles] Of course I did.

Then…

were you able to find your own Asadal there?

Yes.

Uh…

My Asadal is…

someone who seeks the truth.

[Director Kang] Someone who seeks the truth?

He must be an artist

who carves out the revered Buddha in pursuit of truth.

Good thinking.

Really?

[soft chuckle]

But…

Jeongnyeon probably thought of something better.

I know I shouldn't get too hung up on the competition.

But I really want to win.

It's okay to be hung up on the competition.

And it's all right to want to win.

Right now is a time for you to show your everything to win.

Youngseo…

I've had my share of suffering

staring at the back of someone ahead of me.

So I know better than anyone

how anxious and frustrated you must be.

Then…

how did you overcome it?

The path of an artist is very long.

You'll be going through countless ups and downs in your life.

And as you endure all that…

you'll find yourself

at the highest summit looking out further than anyone.

[♪ Gentle music playing]

You have what it takes to become such an artist.

I'll be looking forward to your audition.

- [fan club 1] Jeongnyeon! Jeongnyeon! - [fan club 2] Youngseo! Youngseo!

- I'll be rooting for you, Youngseo! - No, Jeongnyeon will win.

- [Boksil] This way, gentlemen. - [Yeonhong] Hi, please pick up your pace!

- Did you see that? - Oh, my goodness!

- [member] Until here, gentlemen! - Why?

Please wait outside.

- Just let us in! - [member] No, you have to wait here.

Let me introduce our judges for today.

[Director Kang] The choreographer, Ms. Cho Suyeon.

Our drummer, Mr. Lee Yonggeun.

And last but not least, Ms. Baek Doaeng,

who will be directing our production of The Legend of the Twin Pagodas.

And aside from these judges I mentioned,

we'll have the Maeran troupe members attending as special judges.

Now then,

let's begin the audition for this production's male lead.

Have you decided on your scenes?

Yes.

I chose Act 4 Scene 2, when Asadal finishes the stone Buddha.

And Jeongnyeon?

I also chose that scene.

All right.

Whoever pulls the stick with a mark goes first.

[Youngseo] I'll be going first.

[Doaeng] You may begin when you're ready.

[Youngseo] My teacher taught me

the ways of the hammer and chisel.

And my beautiful and resilient wife

taught me the joys of life.

I honored the princess's call and left my beloved homeland

to come to Seorabeol.

And here…

I only tended to Buddha's teachings.

But what did Seorabeol give me?

♪ I have had to endure ♪

♪ Fits of jealousy And countless accusations ♪

♪ I fortunately met a friend ♪

♪ Whom I could rely on ♪

♪ But he has deceived ♪

♪ And ♪

♪ Betrayed me ♪

♪ Despite all my hardships ♪

♪ I finish the pagoda ♪

♪ And rush home ♪

♪ But all that welcomes me ♪

♪ Is a pair of shoes ♪

♪ That belonged to my wife Who has passed ♪

♪ My dear Asanyeo ♪

♪ As beautiful as the clouds in the sky ♪

♪ And the flowers of the field ♪

♪ You left ♪

♪ Without saying ♪

♪ A word of goodbye ♪

♪ Pitter patter ♪

♪ Pitter patter ♪

♪ My dear wife's ♪

♪ Dainty feet ♪

♪ Are stepping ♪

♪ To the heavens ♪

♪ Pitter patter ♪

♪ Pitter patter ♪

♪ She is passing over ♪

[bell tolling effect]

Hark.

[Youngseo] Buddha sits yonder.

[heavy breathing]

♪ With my chisel in one hand ♪

♪ And my hammer in another ♪

♪ I strike here ♪

♪ And bang! Goes the stone ♪

- [drum beating effect] - [heavy breathing]

♪ I strike there ♪

♪ And crash! It shatters ♪

♪ My fingers ♪

♪ Reveal Buddha's mantra ♪

♪ And my hammer ♪

♪ Unveils Buddha's precious face ♪

- ♪ My hammer ♪ - [drum beating effect]

♪ Unveils Buddha's precious face ♪

♪ My hammer ♪

♪ Unveils Buddha's ♪

- ♪ Precious face ♪ - [intense drum beating effect]

[shaky exhale]

[♪ Light music playing]

If Youngseo's that good, is there even a point to this audition?

Who could be a more perfect fit for Asadal?

[Ms. Cho] I agree.

She's always been technically perfect,

but now, even her emotions have deepened.

This is the Asadal that I've found.

Yes.

I knew what kind of Asadal you found the moment you began.

It was absolutely amazing.

[shy chuckle]

It's my turn now.

Watch me as I have the time of my life out there.

[in low voice] My teacher taught me

the ways of the hammer and chisel.

And my beautiful and resilient wife

taught me the joys of life.

I honored the princess's call

and left my beloved homeland…

to come to Seorabeol.

And here…

I only tended to Buddha's teachings.

But…

what did…

Seorabeol give me?

- How do we get in? - Seriously.

- [applause] - [reporter 1] Hmm?

- [reporter 2] What was that? - [reporter 3] Huh?

- What's going on? - Hurry. Let's go in!

[members exclaiming happily]

Is it over?

Everyone, please settle down.

We'll soon announce the results.

[sniffles, exhales heavily]

[Youngseo] Director.

You don't need to announce anything.

We all know the result.

Jeongnyeon… [sharp inhale]

…is our new prince.

Would that be okay with you?

Yes.

[♪ Gentle music playing]

[soft chuckle]

[sniffles]

Congratulations, Jeongnyeon.

You're our new prince.

[heavy exhale]

[camera shutters clicking]

[applause]

[chuckles]

[soft chuckle]

[heavy breathing]

[door opens, creaks]

[door closes]

Eunjae.

What are you doing out here? Where's your aunt?

[sighs]

[curtain sliding]

[Director Kang sighs]

[Hyerang groans softly] What are you doing here?

So you want to drown yourself in alcohol?

Why are you here?

I have nothing to do with Maeran anymore.

[bottles clinking]

Will you spend the rest of your life drowning in alcohol?

Yes.

I will.

Nobody cares about me.

Yoon Jeongnyeon came and told me the other day.

That I'm just an empty shell.

[Hyerang sobs]

She may be able to live on with a messed-up throat

and Okgyeong abandoning her…

but I can't.

[sobs] I'm not as strong as she is.

I failed as a gukgeuk actor…

- and got abandoned by Okgyeong. - [♪ somber music playing]

[sobs] It's over for me!

You abandoned me too!

I'm going to keep living like this until I die…

[shouts] …so get out of my face!

[sobs, wails]

[sobbing]

Every girl who aimed to become a female lead in our troupe

said the same thing.

"I wanted to join after watching Seo Hyerang's acting."

"I want to surpass her someday."

To them,

your acting was always their benchmark.

You were a huge part… of someone else's life.

So let go of Okgyeong, who was but a brief part of yours.

Live your own life.

You still have Eunjae who needs you.

[sobbing]

[sobbing continues]

You want me to play Dalbi?

I've discussed it with the director,

and we think you're the perfect fit for Dalbi.

Dalbi may just seem like an antagonist jealous of Asadal's talent,

but he's also his greatest ally who treasures his talents.

And the one person who can act out that complex character

is you.

How about it?

Are you interested?

Yes.

- I'd love to. - [soft chuckle] All right.

Then let's put on a great show.

[soft gasp]

Until you come see me, my love,

I shall continue to wait

and pine for you.

So please…

Please…

[sighs]

- [indistinct chatter] - [Chorok groans]

It's more sophisticated the more you think about it.

A prince or a princess isn't the main character.

And it's not a happy ending.

And on top of that,

the main lead isn't a hero or a prince,

but an everyday peasant.

[sighs] Our production will go down in history.

But will the audience like it?

Of course.

These kinds of sophisticated plays are just the thing for younger audiences.

And everyone in our troupe is amazing at acting.

Including our main female lead.

- [chuckles] - [member 1] So that's what you wanted?

To show off?

- My goodness. - Leave her be.

She's been like this for a week.

- [laughter] - Why would you say that?

[Boksil] Why are you embarrassed?

[member 2] All right, keep going, keep going.

I said keep going.

[member 3] No, I'm good.

[insects chirping]

[Jeongnyeon] What are you looking at, ma'am?

[Director Kang chuckles softly]

I was reminiscing about when we bought this land

and built this whole place.

I carefully chose every single tile and brick

and built this place alongside the workers.

I even came here to sleep every night

even though our roofs weren't up yet.

Oh my.

You even slept here?

You must have really loved this place.

I was so happy.

Not once did I feel tired…

or exhausted.

[♪ Pensive music playing]

[Jeongnyeon] I heard…

that we've sold the property.

I can't imagine how painful it must be.

- [Jeongnyeon sighs] - It's not painful.

I realized something after what you said the other day.

The foundation of Maeran Gukgeukdan isn't these buildings,

but its people.

We've got you,

Youngseo,

and all the other troupe members.

As long as we have the people to perform with,

we can always start over.

You're absolutely right.

[soft chuckle]

So…

have you thought about how you'll drive the performance as the male lead?

Yes.

But I'm a bit worried.

I can't just do as I please on stage anymore,

nor should I.

[soft scoff]

- [fist thumps] - I guess this is the weight I must endure

as a prince or something.

[both laughing]

It's probably something you'll have to keep enduring from now on.

But if it's you,

I'm sure you'll find your own way

to not get crushed under all that weight.

You just need to remember one thing.

Our upcoming production

is yours and yours alone.

And all you need to do…

is enjoy your moment on stage

to the fullest.

[soft chuckle]

Yes, ma'am.

[soft chuckle]

[soft chuckle]

The Legend of the Twin Pagodas The debut of the rising stars!

[fan 1] "Asadal, Yoon Jeongnyeon."

- [indistinct shouting] - I told you.

I'm never wrong about these things.

Remember how I said Yoon Jeongnyeon would become the male lead?

You weren't the only one.

I knew that too.

[sighs] Heo Youngseo…

Her face is so regal.

What the… [chuckles]

You're fangirling over Heo Youngseo?

Yes, I've always been her fan.

- What about Okgyeong? - Her too.

What about Jeongnyeon?

Her too.

- You can't have three. Choose two. - Yeah, choose two.

[fan 2] Where did that rule come from?

[fan 1] Right here. [gibbers teasingly]

[fan 2] You're so childish.

[Eunjae] Auntie.

What are we watching today?

We're here to watch a gukgeuk performance

called The Legend of the Twin Pagodas.

Hmm…

[♪ gentle music playing]

Eunjae.

Yes, Auntie?

You don't have to call me Auntie…

at home or even outside anymore.

Then?

Call me Mommy.

I'm…

your mom, after all.

Can I really?

Of course.

Of course you can.

Eunjae.

I'm so sorry for making you lie…

all this time.

It's okay, Mommy.

[Jungja] Should we sit here?

[indistinct chatter]

Excuse me, you could take these seats.

[spectator 1 gasps]

- [spectator 1] It's her! - [spectator 2] The soprano!

- My goodness, it's Han Kijoo! - You're Han Kijoo, right?

[Kijoo chuckles]

- Hello! - Oh, my goodness!

- [spectator 3] I'm a huge fan. - [spectator 4] Gosh.

[Kijoo inhales deeply]

[Kijoo] I feel like I recognize her from somewhere.

Is she one of my fans?

[laughs] That must be it.

[Kijoo] I have fans everywhere I go.

- Of course! - Yes, you do!

[indistinct chatter]

[puffs]

Here, let me.

Hey, am I trembling?

[soft chuckle]

[soft chuckle]

[gasps]

What? I ran out.

Just use mine.

But yours is expensive.

This is going to be our last show, so it's okay.

[Boksil] Just use it all up.

[silence]

[softly] Hey, we agreed not to say things like that.

Right. We did.

Why did I have to run my mouth?

Wait, you guys knew about that?

We caught on.

Wait, you knew too?

Of course I did.

I didn't say a word about it because I didn't want to bum you out.

It's fine. I knew too.

How could I not with all that's been going on?

You all knew it too, right?

- Yeah, we did. - We knew.

Really?

I wasted all my energy on keeping it secret.

How did you guys keep it to yourselves?

How could we not

when the director's doing her best to keep everything running?

And even if it's our last...

- Hey! Don't say that! - Don't!

- [member 1] Don't say that. - [member 2] Stop saying that.

- [Chorok] Okay, okay. - [chuckles]

I was just saying,

whether it's our last or not, nothing changes.

Every performance matters.

My goodness, look how much Chorok's grown.

She's right. Every performance matters.

We just have to have the time of our lives out there

like we did during our trainee performance.

Hey, that's a good quote.

Let's use it as our slogan.

- Our slogan? - That's good.

- Sounds good. - Yeah.

Now that you mention it, let's huddle up!

- Hey, gather together. - [excited squeals]

All right, let's have the time of our lives out there!

[all] The time of our lives!

- [laughter] - [door opens]

Why aren't you guys done getting ready?

Hurry up. We're about to begin.

[members] Yes, ma'am!

Jeongnyeon.

- Huh? - [Doaeng] Here.

What's this?

[Doaeng] I don't know.

Someone told me to give it to you.

[heavy breathing]

[Jooran] Dear Jeongnyeon.

Jeongnyeon, did you know?

To me, you were my dream, my longing,

and my one and only prince.

I've now returned to where I originally was,

but I can never return to the time when I hadn't met you.

Thank you.

Now you'll be everyone's prince. I'm rooting for you.

From Jooran.

[♪ soft pensive music playing]

[clanking]

[hammer thuds]

[sighs]

How many times is this?

[Youngseo exclaims, clears throat]

Greetings.

- [fans squealing] - [crowd cheering]

[cheers and applause]

- [Youngseo] Greetings. - [cheering continues]

I am Dalbi, a stone sculptor.

The king of Silla has issued an order for a stone pagoda in Bulguksa,

so I have been working on it for three whole years.

But as you can see,

all I have built is the base.

But something that drives me even more insane

is another stone sculptor building his stone pagoda…

Asadal.

Just when I think I am one step ahead of him,

he is always two steps ahead of me.

I despise him.

I also despise the heavens for gifting him with such talent.

I wish the stone pagoda he is building would fall to pieces!

But the strangest thing is…

another side of me…

cannot wait to see what kind of masterpiece he will create.

I do not understand myself either.

[bell tolls]

Enjoy the performance.

[cheers and applause]

[♪ Cheerful music playing]

♪ Hooray and rejoice ♪

♪ Give thanks and rejoice ♪

♪ Thanks to the great mercy of Buddha ♪

♪ And his divine compassion ♪

♪ All is well in our country ♪

♪ All is well ♪

All right, get back to work!

Where's Asadal?

[Youngseo grunts]

[actor 1] Well…

He has stepped out for a drink, sir.

Again? [tutting]

We are sculptors carving out Buddha's divine will.

It isn't right for him to succumb to drinking.

[Youngseo] And what of that stone base?

Oh, right.

Lord Asadal made it, sir.

Overnight?

Let me take a look.

[♪ Whimsical music playing]

♪ The corner pillars are polished smooth ♪

♪ And the inner pillars Between the slabs ♪

♪ Are firm and stable ♪

♪ Look at its neat and tidy form ♪

♪ How in the world ♪

♪ Did he create this overnight? ♪

♪ Look at its neat and tidy form ♪

♪ How in the world ♪

♪ Did he create this overnight? ♪

[cheers and applause]

[blows air]

You're up next.

- Are you ready? - Yes.

[Jeongnyeon groans]

[cheers and applause]

[mumbles]

[Jeongnyeon] This drink tastes great.

- [groans] - [laughter]

Shall I drink over here?

I feel good.

[Youngseo] Did you really build this overnight?

That I did.

I only had a vision for the base,

so that is all I built last night.

- [groans] - [laughter]

- Had a vision? - How else could one build a pagoda

but by seeing the vision of it in the stone?

[Jeongnyeon groaning]

[Jeongnyeon chugging]

Then are you saying

you did not work on the pagoda unless you were inspired?

Of course.

You can chip away at the stone all you want.

But without inspiration, you are only left with a piece of boulder.

[scoffs]

But you must know this already.

- [Jeongnyeon] Oh, goodness me! - [audience exclaiming]

[laughter]

Hey! Get me more to drink!

I'm cold.

All I have made over the last three years…

is this piece of boulder.

[♪ Pensive music playing]

But Asadal created this masterpiece overnight.

How could the heavens only gift him with this great talent,

but curse me with only the eye to recognize such talent?

[audience exclaiming, murmuring]

- [Jeongnyeon] Gosh! My goodness! - [soldiers grunting]

[Jeongnyeon] Goodness!

Wait, wait, wait!

Not my hands!

Please spare my hands!

I need these hands to build the stone pagoda, so please…

- How dare you! - [yelps]

I shall surely teach you a lesson today.

[audience gasping]

[actor 2] Men!

Beat some sense into this drunkard!

- No, please! - [Youngseo] Sir, wait!

[all yelling]

[♪ Comical sting]

Wait, you are Dalbi, are you not?

Dalbi? [gasps]

- [Jeongnyeon whimpering] - [♪ comical suspenseful music playing]

Do not meddle in our affairs.

- [shouts] - [all exclaim]

[♪ Comical sting]

[laughter]

[drumbeat]

Sir.

The king himself is counting down the days until Asadal's stone pagoda is finished.

So things will be bad if this scoundrel gets injured.

The king, you say?

- [gasps] - [drumbeat]

[grunts] That won't do.

You drunkard.

Consider yourself lucky.

[Jeongnyeon whimpers]

Let's go, men!

[actors] Yes, sir!

[♪ Comical suspenseful music playing]

[laughter]

[groans]

[Youngseo] What in the world have you done this time?

- [laughter] - I cannot believe you.

The pagoda!

[Youngseo] What? The pagoda?

[♪ Cheery music playing]

♪ With my chisel in one hand ♪

♪ And my hammer in another ♪

♪ I strike here ♪

- ♪ And bang! ♪ - [Youngseo gasps]

♪ Goes the stone ♪

♪ I strike there ♪

- ♪ And crash! ♪ - [gasps]

♪ It shatters ♪

Have you lost your mind?

[silly chuckle]

[Jeongnyeon vocalizing]

♪ This hammer in my hands ♪

♪ Reveals Buddha's words ♪

[vocalizing continues]

♪ And this chisel in my hands ♪

- ♪ Proves his mantra ♪ - [Youngseo groans]

[actors vocalizing]

- [actors] ♪ Asadal's hammer ♪ - [Jeongnyeon laughing]

- ♪ Reveals Buddha's words ♪ - [both laughing]

[vocalizing continues]

♪ And Asadal's chisel ♪

♪ Proves his mantra ♪

Listen, Dalbi. Just listen to me.

I know it now!

I know exactly how to finish my stone pagoda!

[heavy breathing]

You were inspired.

Once I finish this pagoda,

I shall return to Baekje and see my beloved wife.

It won't be long until his pagoda is finished.

My beautiful moon goddess,

my Asanyeo.

The world will soon witness the birth of a never-before-seen masterpiece!

Just two weeks!

I shall see her again in just two weeks!

My dear wife, Asanyeo!

Only Asadal can complete the greatest pagoda for Silla.

Asadal cannot meet Asanyeo!

♪ My Asanyeo is like a lotus flower ♪

♪ My Asanyeo is like the moonlight ♪

♪ Her dear face ♪

♪ Is like precious jade ♪

[cheers and applause]

- [insects chirping] - [shaky breathing]

[Youngseo clears throat]

[Chorok gasps]

Excuse me, where is my Asadal?

When his stone pagoda is finished,

this pond will reflect its top.

You will need to wait until then.

I shall, sir.

I shall wait right here.

So please tell my Asadal that I shall be waiting for him…

right here.

I pity you quite a lot.

Pardon?

Asadal fell in love with Princess Miryeong.

[♪ Tense music playing]

Once his pagoda is completed…

he is to be wed to the princess.

[♪ Unsettling music playing]

♪ My beloved ♪

♪ Asadal ♪

♪ How I miss you so ♪

♪ I finally met you ♪

♪ After eons of searching ♪

♪ And countless reincarnations ♪

♪ Just as star-crossed lovers ♪

♪ Finally meet ♪

♪ Just as the sword blade and handle ♪

♪ Come together to form a mighty sword ♪

♪ I thought we would ♪

♪ Live in love ♪

♪ For all time ♪

[audience sobbing]

- [running footsteps] - [Jeongnyeon panting]

Asanyeo!

[♪ Light music playing]

Asanyeo.

What happened?

Why are you here?

Were you not about to be wed to Princess Miryeong?

To be wed? What are you talking about?

Lord Dalbi told me to wait here until this pond reflected your pagoda…

and that on the day it is completed,

you would be wed to the princess.

That is utter nonsense.

I was pining for the day we would get to meet again.

[♪ Somber music playing]

[sniffles]

[angrily] How dare that Dalbi…

No, my love.

[Chorok] There is no point to it anymore.

Please do not hold a grudge…

against anyone or anything.

[audience sniffling, sobbing]

♪ My beloved ♪

♪ Asadal ♪

♪ How I ♪

♪ Miss you so ♪

♪ I finally met you ♪

♪ After eons of searching ♪

♪ And countless reincarnations ♪

♪ You shall be my love ♪

♪ When we meet again ♪

♪ You shall be my husband ♪

♪ When I am reborn ♪

[Jeongnyeon sniffling]

Asanyeo…

[♪ tragic music playing]

[breathing shakily, sniffles]

Asanyeo, Asanyeo…

Please get up.

[sniffles, grunts]

[sniffles, breathing shakily]

Let us go home.

Let us go back…

to Baekje.

[weakly] My beloved homeland…

I shall return…

to my country.

- [audience exclaiming] - [spectator] My goodness.

[audience murmuring, sobbing]

[♪ Somber music playing]

[shaky breathing]

[sobs, shouts] Asanyeo!

[Jeongnyeon sobbing]

[applause]

[sniffles]

That Asadal actor is amazing, isn't she?

Yes.

Her name is Yoon Jeongnyeon.

She's my student.

She really is a once-in-a-lifetime talent.

[soft chuckle]

[sniffles]

[heavy exhale]

[lights clunk]

[Jeongnyeon in low voice] My teacher taught me

the ways of the hammer and chisel.

And my beautiful and resilient wife

taught me the joys of life.

I honored the princess's call

and left my beloved homeland to come to Seorabeol.

And here…

I only tended to Buddha's teachings.

But…

what did…

Seorabeol give me?

- [drum beating] - [♪ mellow music playing]

♪ I have had to endure ♪

♪ Fits of jealousy And countless accusations ♪

♪ I fortunately met a friend ♪

♪ Whom I could rely on ♪

♪ But he has deceived ♪

♪ And ♪

♪ Betrayed me ♪

♪ Despite all my hardships ♪

♪ I finish the pagoda ♪

♪ And rush home ♪

♪ But all that welcomes me ♪

♪ Is a pair of shoes ♪

♪ That belonged to my wife Who has passed ♪

♪ My dear Asanyeo ♪

♪ As beautiful as the clouds in the sky ♪

♪ And the flowers of the field ♪

♪ You left ♪

♪ Without saying ♪

♪ A word of goodbye ♪

♪ Pitter patter ♪

♪ Pitter patter ♪

♪ My dear wife's ♪

♪ Dainty feet ♪

♪ Are stepping ♪

♪ To the heavens ♪

♪ Pitter patter ♪

♪ Pitter patter ♪

♪ She is passing over ♪

[shaky breathing]

[♪ Music swells]

[♪ Music fades]

[shaky breath]

[Youngseo panting]

Asadal.

It is I, Dalbi.

Let us go back.

Your health has waned greatly.

It is Buddha.

- [bell tolls] - [gasps]

Hark!

[shouts] Buddha sits yonder!

- [intense drum beating] - [Jeongnyeon gasping]

[bell tolling]

[shaky breath]

It is…

[tolling continues]

…Buddha.

[drum beating]

Buddha?

[♪ Intense music playing]

♪ With my chisel in one hand ♪

♪ And my hammer in another ♪

♪ I strike here ♪

♪ And bang! Goes the stone ♪

[heavy breathing] I was wrong, Asadal!

Please blame me!

[loud bang effect]

♪ I strike there ♪

♪ And crash! It shatters ♪

[Youngseo] Just kill me instead.

At this rate, you'll die!

♪ My fingers ♪

♪ Reveal Buddha's mantra ♪

[♪ intense music continues]

♪ And my hammer ♪

♪ Unveils Buddha's precious face ♪

♪ My hammer ♪

♪ Unveils Buddha's precious face ♪

♪ My hammer ♪

♪ Unveils Buddha's ♪

♪ Precious face ♪

[♪ music stops]

[silence]

[shaky breath]

[shaky breathing]

[sobbing]

[sobbing continues]

[cheers and applause]

[♪ Emotional music playing]

[chuckles]

[♪ Emotional music continues]

- [spectator 1] Jeongnyeon! - [spectator 2] You were incredible!

- [spectator 3] Asadal is the best! - [spectator 4] Seriously the best!

[audience cheering]

[shouts] Yoon Jeongnyeon!

[indistinct cheering]

[cheers and applause]

[audience chanting and clapping] Yoon Jeongnyeon!

Yoon Jeongnyeon!

Yoon Jeongnyeon!

Yoon Jeongnyeon!

[fireworks booming, crackling]

The Legend of the Twin Pagodas The debut of the rising stars!

[cheers and applause]

[♪ Emotional music continues]

[muffled chanting and clapping] Yoon Jeongnyeon!

[♪ Emotional music continues]

Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born

- [Kim Taeri] Female gukgeuk. - [♪ closing theme music playing]

Whether it's Chunhyang and Hyangdan

or Bangja and Yi Mongryong,

all roles are played by women.

Only those women

who excel in singing, dancing, and acting

may rise to the gukgeuk stage.

They were the stars that shone the brightest on stage.

These stars that once graced the gukgeuk stage

would go on to continue their paths as artists,

as pansori singers,

outdoor theater performers,

or even film actors.

Life is long, thus the stage is forever.

The stars have merely dispersed, not disappeared,

and they will shine on in the vast night.

"The time spent with Jeongnyeon has been unforgettable."

"We hope you all shine brightly among the stars."

The End

- [cheers and applause] - [spectator whistling]

Translated by Jin Yu