Jung Eun Chae shared her thoughts on completing the tvN weekend drama Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born and addressed the controversy surrounding a deleted same-sex kiss scene.
In a recent interview at a café in Gangnam, Seoul, Jung Eun Chae reflected on her experience portraying her character, Moon Ok Kyung. Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, which concluded on November 17th, is set in the 1950s, following the ambitious journey of Jeong Nyeon, a prodigy striving to become Korea’s greatest traditional opera star in the aftermath of the Korean War. Jung Eun Chae played Moon Ok Kyung, a top star of the women’s theater company, known for her mysterious poker face and her commanding performances in male lead roles.
Despite the public’s praise for her dramatic transformation, including her bold short haircut, Jung Eun Chae acknowledged the challenges of embodying Moon Ok Kyung. “Initially, it was difficult to approach the character because Moon Ok Kyung is a woman, but she appears almost as a man in the drama. It had to be convincing at first glance,” she shared.
The actress talked about her transformation: “I put a lot of thought into how I could blend the original charm of Moon Ok Kyung from the original work with my own personality. I researched ways to emphasize an androgynous charm without making it feel forced or unnatural.”
A draft script of the drama recently surfaced online, revealing a deleted scene in which Moon Ok Kyung kisses Seo Hye Rang (Kim Yoon Hye) before saying the line, “Take care, princess.” The atmosphere between the two characters had already hinted at unspoken tension, sparking curiosity about Moon Ok Kyung’s feelings toward Seo Hye Rang.
Jung Eun Chae described their relationship as deeply layered and emotional. “‘Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born’ isn’t just about growth—it’s a work filled with diverse colors. As Moon Ok Kyung, my feelings toward other characters were very complicated,” she said. “Hye Rang is someone who has been there since the theater company’s early days. Even if certain moments aren’t shown in the drama, there’s an unspoken history only they share. Hye Rang is like family, a soulmate, someone who shares strengths and vulnerabilities that no one else sees. It cannot be summed up in a single word.”
When asked about the deleted kiss scene, Jung Eun Chae expressed her trust in the production team. “We filmed every scene that was in the script, trying different approaches. Watching the final broadcast, I realized, ‘So this is how it was edited.’ I think, after extensive discussion, it was ultimately the most appropriate direction,” she concluded.
>> Kim Chung Jae Cheers on Jung Eun Chae’s ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born’ Performance With Love
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