Episode 8 of "Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born" unfolds with the students immersing themselves in rigorous training under So-bok, who warns them that the songs chosen for their joint performance, titled "The Princess and The Frog," pose a particularly formidable challenge. Yeong-seo extends an invitation to Joo-ran, suggesting they form a partnership for the audition, to which Joo-ran responds by requesting some time to consider.
Later, Jeong-nyeon assumes that they are set to audition together and urges Joo-ran to start practicing. Curious, she inquiries if Joo-ran has opted to partner with Yeong-seo instead. Joo-ran hesitates, claiming it's not quite that simple. However, the following morning, Joo-ran approaches Yeong-seo and expresses her desire to audition alongside her. In an unexpected twist, Cho-rok steps in, requesting Jeong-nyeon as her audition partner and reveals she had witnessed Joo-ran and Yeong-seo practicing together.
Jeong-nyeon, disturbed, confronts them, demanding clarification. Joo-ran reluctantly confesses her fear: that Jeong-nyeon might once again become overly consumed by her role. Conversely, Yeong-seo is deemed more dependable. Yeong-seo, inadvertently, catches the entire conversation.
As Jeong-nyeon retreats, Cho-rok opens up, confiding how deeply she desires to win the audition despite acknowledging her lack of talent compared to the others. The next morning, Jeong-nyeon asks Cho-rok if she isn't apprehensive about their performance potentially being ruined by her. Cho-rok reassures her, knowing that Jeong-nyeon has learned from her past mistakes and doesn't repeat them. This reassurance is enough to convince Jeong-nyeon to embark on this partnership.
Meanwhile, Ki-joo, who has been chosen to sit on the judging panel for the joint performance, pays So-bok a visit. With a competitive gleam in her eye, Ki-joo expresses her desire to witness which young talent prevails – her own daughter or Gong-seon's. Following a press announcement, Jeong-nyeon's true identity is revealed to all, igniting a fierce rivalry between the two girls.
Jeong-nyeon and Cho-rok throw themselves into practice with relentless determination, yet Jeong-nyeon's thoughts constantly wander. Cho-rok voices her curiosity about Joo-ran and Yeong-seo's bond, and even Hye-rang can't help but commend the remarkable chemistry between the two. Spurred by curiosity, Jeong-nyeon sneakily observes them from afar.
Hye-rang, sensing Jeong-nyeon's jealousy, fuels her ambitions by urging her to practice a hundred times a day in a nearby secluded cave. After their arduous session, Yeong-seo confides in Jeong-nyeon that she overheard Joo-ran's conversation, revealing that she was only Joo-ran's second choice.
Elsewhere, Do-aeng and So-bok delve into the troupe's financial woes, with So-bok hoping that a successful joint performance could alleviate some of their debts. Later, So-bok discovers Jeong-nyeon pushing through practice despite her sore throat and warns her to take a break. However, Jeong-nyeon is consumed by her desire to outshine Yeong-seo, screaming in frustration when she can't hit the right note.
A haunting flashback transports us to Gong-seon's youth, where she faced similar struggles. So-bok, then too, had warned her to rest, but Gong-seon pushed through, ultimately coughing up blood. Seeing the parallel, So-bok realizes the peril Jeong-nyeon is courting and tries to steer her away from competing solely against Yeong-seo. Instead, she urges Jeong-nyeon to focus on her unique interpretation of Ondal, the lead character.
The next morning, Cho-rok sets out to find Jeong-nyeon and reveals to Yeong-seo that she has been visiting the mountain daily. Yeong-seo, concerned, tracks Jeong-nyeon to the cave and finds her burning with fever and her voice reduced to a croak. Despite Yeong-seo's earnest pleading, Jeong-nyeon remains convinced that her only asset is her voice, while Yeong-seo has seemingly mastered everything else.
Determined and stubborn, Jeong-nyeon returns to the cave, her voice resonating with song as she coughs up blood. She awakens once more in Maeran, her throat desperate to produce sound, yet only silence greets her efforts. Fortunately, this harrowing experience was merely a dream, and Jeong-nyeon discovers her voice remains intact upon truly waking.
As the day of the audition dawns, Joo-ran confides in Yeong-seo, unveiling the truth behind her absence from Jeong-nyeon's side. She admits to being overwhelmed with anxiety during their practice of Jamyunggo, fearing she couldn't distinguish between Jeong-nyeon and her own character. Yeong-seo, empathetic and supportive, assures Joo-ran that she can lean on her for strength.
The girls prepare for their audition, but Jeong-nyeon is conspicuously absent. Cho-rok informs Joo-ran that Jeong-nyeon has been frequenting the mountain, lost in contemplation. With their turn at the audition looming, there's no time to dwell, as Joo-ran and Yeong-seo perform commendably, albeit with So-bok suggesting that Yeong-seo should embody the foolishness of her character more convincingly.
Jeong-nyeon eventually emerges in the green room, her illness evident in her hoarse voice and frail appearance. Ok-gyeong eavesdrops on their discussion about Hye-rang's counsel and, incensed, confronts Hye-rang before storming off in a fit of anger. The spotlight then turns to Jeong-nyeon and Cho-rok for their audition. They begin promisingly, but Jeong-nyeon's voice falters midway. Desperate, she pleads for another chance, insisting that failure to do so would be unbearable. So-bok, relenting, grants her request.
Jeong-nyeon's voice, now raspier than ever, suddenly breaks into loud, crystal-clear notes. However, her triumph is short-lived as she coughs up blood and collapses on stage, bringing a dramatic close to Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born Episode 8.
