Episode 4 of "Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born" unfolds with a dramatic confrontation as So-bok abruptly disrupts Yong-rye's earnest attempts to escort Jeong-nyeon back home. Jeong-nyeon, being Yong-rye's protégée, declares her autonomy, refusing to be coerced into leaving. With a determined heart, Yong-rye sends Jeong-nyeon inside the sanctuary, and the two seasoned women engage in a heartfelt dialogue, their voices mingling with the echoes of the past.
A fleeting glimpse into the annals of time reveals the once inseparable bond between Yong-rye, then known as Gong-seon, and Jeong-nyeon in their youthful days, when friendship blossomed like wildflowers. Gong-seon's triumphant moment in a pansori competition, accompanied by the recording of her rendition, propelled her to stardom, igniting a fiery passion within her.
In the present, So-bok chastises Yong-rye for her perceived surrender, challenging her to acknowledge whether she's truly heard Jeong-nyeon's enchanting vocals. Their footsteps echo through the corridors, leading them to the sanctuary where Jeong-nyeon's practice echoes, igniting a torrent of emotions within Yong-rye. Her eyes mist over as she beholds Jeong-nyeon, a reflection of her former self, resilient and undaunted.
Yet, despite the depths of her affection, Yong-rye pleads with Jeong-nyeon to reconsider, her voice laced with trepidation. She warns of the pitfalls that await, sharing the sobering tale of how she forfeited everything she had poured into pansori. Jeong-nyeon, unwavering in her dreams, steadfastly rejects the notion of a similar fate, even as Yong-rye's threat to sever their mother-daughter bond hangs heavy in the air. With a heavy heart, Yong-rye storms away, leaving behind a trail of unresolved emotions.
Dawn breaks, painting the horizon with hues of hope, but Joo-ran's suffering lingers, the cast removed yet pain persisting. Jeong-nyeon, driven by empathy, ventures to the coffee shop once more, seeking solace amidst the bustle.
Meanwhile, across town, Young-in, Yeong-seo's sister, returns from the United States, her presence lighting up So-bok's world. With fondness, So-bok encourages Yeong-seo to cherish the fleeting moments with her sibling. The two embark on a journey to the coffee shop, where fate intertwines in an unexpected manner. Yeong-seo, upon witnessing Jeong-nyeon's enchanting performance, finds her heart skipping a beat, yet something within her prompts a hasty exit. Little do they know, this chance encounter will soon unleash a series of unforeseen consequences, altering the course of their lives forever.
So-bok publicly confronts Jeong-nyeon about the singing opportunity, her voice laced with indignation. Jeong-nyeon, striving to justify her actions without revealing the true motive to protect Joo-ran, finds herself at a loss for words. So-bok's fury boils over, demanding her immediate departure. As Jeong-nyeon pleads her case, So-bok orders her forcibly removed, leaving no room for argument. Joo-ran, overwhelmed with guilt, profusely apologizes, but Jeong-nyeon, steadfast in her resolve, commands silence and vows to find her way back.
Wandering the streets, Jeong-nyeon's solitude is interrupted by Ok-gyeong's timely arrival. Inviting her into her home, Ok-gyeong offers a warm meal shared with Hye-ran, assuring Jeong-nyeon of a safe haven and promising to intervene with the director on her behalf. However, Hye-ran, in a private moment, cautions Jeong-nyeon against prolonging her stay, fearing it might jeopardize Ok-gyeong's position.
Meanwhile, Ok-gyeong's negotiations with So-bok prove futile as the latter adheres rigidly to the theater's unyielding rules.
Jeong-nyeon's escape from Ok-gyeong's sanctuary leads her to a street vendor's stall, where a simple meal of steamed buns turns sour. Two unscrupulous men snatch her money, entangling her in a dispute with the vendor that ultimately lands her at the police station. Desperate calls to Ok-gyeong go unanswered, prompting a memory of Park Jong-guk's business card as a glimmer of hope.
Back at Maeran, Do-aeng confides in Hye-ran about Mr. Ko's nefarious activities—gambling away the troupe's funds, leaving the students strapped for cash and resorting to odd jobs. Do-aeng yearns to expose the truth to So-bok, but Hye-ran, secretly colluding with Mr. Ko, stalls, advocating for the right moment. Their duplicity deepens as they plot to inflate the trainees' allowances, hoping to avert suspicion from prying eyes.
Park Jong-guk's timely intervention rescues Jeong-nyeon from her predicament, and she seizes the opportunity, inquiring if his previous offer still stands. He confirms, and their hands seal the deal with a firm shake. He leads her to a gleaming studio, where her voice will soon echo across the nation via a live broadcast. Jeong-nyeon signs on the dotted line, embarking on a new journey under the tutelage of renowned singer Patricia Kim. Her temporary home becomes Patricia's abode, where dreams of a dazzling debut begin to take shape.
As they embark on their training regimen, Patricia's attention strays, captivated by Jeong-nyeon's attire. Ensuing is a thrilling transformation montage, where Patricia meticulously crafts Jeong-nyeon a fresh, unparalleled look. Over dinner, Jeong-nyeon discovers Patricia's backstory as a divorcee, which has hindered her stage opportunities. Yet, undeterred, Patricia remains steadfast in her authenticity.
Embarking on Jeong-nyeon's journey as a TV singer, Patricia's tutelage intensifies. Amid their sessions, Joo-ran gracefully interjects, and Jeong-nyeon, beaming with enthusiasm, encourages her friend to aspire for grander roles within Maeran's esteemed theater.
As twilight descends, Jeong-nyeon adorns herself in elegance, greeted by Jong-guk who escorts her to an unexpected rendezvous—with Yeong-seo's family, including her sister Young-in and mother. The trio attends a theater, where Young-in's enchanting vocals captivate the audience, including an unexpected gathering of Ok-gyeong, Hye-ran, and So-bok.
Post-performance, Ok-gyeong, with a touch of wistfulness, cautions Jeong-nyeon not to stray too far from the roots of pansori. Yeong-seo, on the verge of revealing something, holds back. Jeong-nyeon, aware of the underlying tensions, assures her she's not the snitch, boasting a sassy attitude yet an unwavering sense of honesty.
Later, Yeong-seo's family engages in a polite conversation with an assemblyman and his wife, where Yeong-seo's involvement in gukgeuk elicits mixed emotions, particularly embarrassment from Ki-joo. A heated exchange ensues, and Jeong-nyeon, an unwitting eavesdropper, overhears Ki-joo's disparaging remarks about gukgeuk as a lowbrow art form.
As Yeong-seo's mother storms off in anger, Yeong-seo realizes Jeong-nyeon's presence and the weight of her words. The episode culminates in a fiery confrontation, with Yeong-seo lashing out in anger, only to receive a retaliatory slap from Jeong-nyeon. With steely resolve, Jeong-nyeon declares her patience has worn thin, marking a turning point in their complex relationship.
