Episode 3 of "Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born" kicks off with a pivotal moment, as Ok-gyeong gracefully presents Jeong-nyeon with the script for the esteemed audition, acknowledging her inherent talent and dedication. Jeong-nyeon, displaying her characteristic humility and ambition, gently refuses the offer, her voice laced with determination. She desires not the path of least resistance but the arduous journey that will undeniably validate her skills. Ok-gyeong nods in understanding, cautioning her protégée against future regrets while respecting her choice.
The dilemma of embodying the role of Bangja lingers, but Joo-ran steps in with an act of camaraderie, taking Jeong-nyeon on a shopping spree. They bond over trinkets like miniature bird clips, sealing their friendship with a solemn oath to tread the gukgeuk path together, bound by an unbreakable bond. Amidst the bustle, a street dancer captivates their attention, igniting a spark within Jeong-nyeon.
The following dawn, the courtyard echoes with laughter as Cho-rok's clumsy tumble amuses all. This fleeting moment enlightens Jeong-nyeon—realizing that Bangja, too, was a figure who brought joy to hearts. Inspired, she darts off, a newfound insight guiding her steps.
Meanwhile, Hye-ran corners Yeong-seo, her voice laced with concern, inquiring if her devious scheme to upstage Jeong-nyeon threatens the harmony of the play. Yeong-seo, unfazed, unveils her audacious plan: to double-cast, dazzling the audience with her mastery of both roles. Hye-ran, captivated by her prowess, is left in awe.
Finally, the day arrives, and Jeong-nyeon, having missed countless rehearsals, saunters in late, her eyes ablaze with a purpose. She confides in Joo-ran, sharing her relentless pursuit of the essence of Bangja.
As the curtains part, tension mounts. Yeong-seo and Jeong-nyeon take their marks, but an initial hesitation clouds Jeong-nyeon's demeanor. Yet, within moments, she shatters the silence, her performance igniting the auditorium with a fiery confidence that captivates even Yeong-seo, who finds herself momentarily ensnared in the spell Jeong-nyeon has woven.
A poignant flashback unfolds, capturing Jeong-nyeon's earnest query to the street dancer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, as she inquires about learning his unique art of eliciting laughter through dance. For an entire week, she immerses herself in his tutelage, becoming his eager apprentice.
As the narrative shifts to a new scene, tensions simmer between Yeong-seo and Jeong-nyeon, with Cho-rok and her clique conspiring in the shadows. Yeong-seo, perceptive as ever, senses the undercurrents and issues a timely caution to Jeong-nyeon. The stage comes alive with emotion, and amidst the drama, a heart-stopping moment occurs: Jeong-nyeon's prop malfunctions, sending her crashing to the ground. Yet, amidst the unexpected laughter that ripples through the air, Jeong-nyeon displays remarkable resilience, pushing past the setback and salvaging the scene with her mettle. Following the climax, Ok-gyeong departs, satisfied that she's witnessed all she needed.
The play concludes triumphantly, So-bok heaping praise upon the ensemble, including Jeong-nyeon, who is overjoyed. Keeping her word, Do-aeng bestows upon Jeong-nyeon the script for the official performance, an honor she receives with unbridled excitement. In keeping with their agreement, Cho-rok, humbled, offers Jeong-nyeon a sincere apology before the assembled crowd.
Meanwhile, Hye-ran acknowledges Jeong-nyeon's talent but remains steadfast in her belief that Yeong-seo reigns supreme. Ok-gyeong counters, asserting that Yeong-seo's acting pales in comparison to its full potential. She challenges Hye-ran, querying why she hasn't yet pointed out Yeong-seo's shortcomings, only to be met with the revelation that Ok-gyeong too, harbors a blind spot when it comes to Jeong-nyeon.
Back at the academy, Yeong-seo chastises Cho-rok and her companions for their antics, warning that they could have jeopardized the entire performance. Her reprimand is interrupted by the sight of Jeong-nyeon, who expresses gratitude for Yeong-seo's warning. Yeong-seo clarifies, her tone laced with a hint of indifference, that her concern was solely for ensuring the integrity of her own performance, not Jeong-nyeon's.
She proceeded to chastise Jeong-nyeon harshly for her absences from rehearsals, insisting that the play's success was solely due to Yeong-seo's impeccable ability to complement Jeong-nyeon's flawed performance. The following day, amidst rigorous training, Yeong-seo and Jeong-nyeon found themselves embroiled in intense swordplay drills, mimicking the intense action sequences of their play. Their battle escalated to a point where So-bok intervened, emphasizing the vitality of harmonious coordination among actors.
As Joo-ran's turn arrived, an unfortunate mishap occurred when Cho-rok's blow inadvertently fractured her arm. Joo-ran's dismay was palpable, and Jeong-nyeon discerned the root cause: her secret employment as a waitress to support her tuberculosis-stricken sister. Though students were permitted outside work, Joo-ran's situation was dire, as her injured arm rendered her unfit for duty. Jeong-nyeon, empathetic to her plight, volunteered to fill in at the restaurant until Joo-ran recovered. Little did she realize that her Maeran identity would be swiftly unveiled by a few discerning patrons.
Back at the academy, Cho-rok's antics resumed, prompting Jeong-nyeon to remind her of a favor owed. Seizing the moment, Jeong-nyeon tasked Cho-rok with attending to Joo-ran's chores until her arm healed.
Later, amidst the comfort of her room, Jeong-nyeon and Joo-ran indulged in steamed buns, an act that inadvertently irritated Yeong-seo. Frustrated, Yeong-seo retreated to the sparring grounds, where she encountered Ok-gyeong in training. Engaging in a spirited duel, Yeong-seo emerged victorious, prompting her to seek feedback on her theatrical performance. Ok-gyeong, acknowledging her prowess, advised Yeong-seo to embrace her roles fully and let go of constraints.
Meanwhile, at the coffee shop, Jeong-nyeon found herself in an unexpected predicament when the singer abruptly canceled. Upon learning of her gukgeuk background, the proprietor begged Jeong-nyeon to sing in place of the absent artist. Jeong-nyeon declined, only to be met with a threat to Joo-ran's job. Forced into a corner, Jeong-nyeon reluctantly sang, captivating the attention of a television producer, Park Jong-guk, who was present among the patrons. Impressed, he introduced himself and extended an invitation to Jeong-nyeon, offering his card should she ever consider a career in television.
As fate intertwined, Jeong-nyeon's mother embarked on a journey towards Seoul, determined to reunite with her daughter. Upon locating Jeong-nyeon, she attempted to coax her back home, only to encounter fierce resistance from the young woman. Frustration boiled over within the elder, ultimately prompting her to disclose a hidden truth: she was once a renowned pansori singer. Amidst this emotional tug-of-war, So-bok unexpectedly appeared on the scene, gracefully acknowledging Jeong-nyeon's mother by her name, Gong-seon, in a poignant moment that concluded Episode 3 of 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born,' leaving an indelible impression.
