Shin Ye-eun Reflects on 'Jeongnyeon-i' Finale: 'The Curtain Call Applause Felt Like It Was From the Viewers'

Shin Ye-eun, the rising star praised for her powerful performance in 'Jeongnyeon-i' (정년이), shared her thoughts on the series' conclusion during an interview on November 20. The tvN drama, which aired its final episode on November 17, is set in the aftermath of the Korean War in the 1950s and follows the journey of Jeongnyeon, a girl with a natural talent for singing, as she joins a women's national theater troupe. The unique theme of women's national theater, combined with the cast's exceptional performances, garnered significant affection from viewers.

In 'Jeongnyeon-i', Shin Ye-eun portrayed Huh Yeong-seo, a rival to the main character Yoon Jeong-nyeon, showcasing her impressive skills in singing, dancing, and acting, along with a privileged background.

During the interview, Shin expressed her emotional response to the final broadcast, stating, "I cried while watching the last episode. The curtain call scene felt like my own performance was truly coming to an end." She noted that while she usually feels relieved when a project wraps up, this particular series left a profound impact on her.

Shin watched the finale with her family and remarked, "I’m not usually one to cry easily, but this time was different. The applause during the curtain call felt as if it was marking the end of my stage. I hoped that applause was from the viewers." She described her feelings as a mix of emotions, saying, "It wasn’t just relief, nor was it solely sadness; it was a strange feeling. Memories of the time spent with many people flooded back, and I found myself in tears."

In closing, Shin Ye-eun expressed her hope that the memories of this project would linger for a long time, extending her heartfelt gratitude to the audience.

'Jeongnyeon-i' concluded with a remarkable viewership rating of 16.5% according to Nielsen Korea.