It¡¯s been 18 years since Jung Ji-in took the plunge into the world of directing―a plunge she took because of her love for dramas. Now a veteran in the industry, she had her own criteria for selecting works, and this project perfectly matched those standards.

¡°When I choose a story, I look at how protagonists pursue their goals, what experiences shape them, and especially―this is crucial for me―how female characters navigate their lives. I often find myself reflecting on my own experiences while exploring these,¡± Jung explains.

Meetng ¡°Jeongnyeon¡± was destiny for Jung. Jung¡¯s work has featured compelling female narratives. Her previous hit, ¡°The Red Sleeve,¡± earned particular praise for its bold, distinctive female characters. So, when the opportunity arose to direct ¡°Jeongnyeon,¡± with its entirely female-driven story, it felt like a natural progression.

¡°Having the chance to direct a project carried entirely by female characters from start to finish felt like winning the lottery,¡± she says. ¡°While tackling gukgeuk¡¯s pansori (traditional lyrical opera) and traditional theater wasn¡¯t going to be easy, that challenge only fired me up more.¡±

Of course, having faith in a project is one thing―bringing it to life is another. Just ten minutes of ¡°Jeongnyeon¡± reveals its ambitious scope. Gukgeuk productions thrived in 1950s society before fading away, yet even many modern-day Koreans have never heard of it. Unlike other theatrical traditions, little documentation of its performances has survived. Moreover, the 1950s setting presented its own challenges―an era neither Jung nor most of her team had experienced firsthand.

Yet Jung never doubted the story¡¯s universal appeal. ¡°I knew that watching talented women come together to create something extraordinary through song, dance and drama would resonate with modern viewers,¡± she says. ¡°The story of people growing as they chase their dreams―that¡¯s timeless. It speaks to everyone, regardless of era.¡±

Jung approaches her role as director with complete commitment. ¡°A director oversees every aspect of drama production, so I had to guide the vision and make crucial decisions,¡± she explains. With this philosophy, connecting the 1950s to the 2020s required meticulous attention to detail. The team pored over period footage, novels, photographs and promotional materials, consulting with museum curators and professors throughout the process. At the same time, they worked to ensure the story would resonate with contemporary audiences. ¡°Stories have their own power,¡± Jung reflects.

¡°Even with 1950s characters and unfamiliar subject matter, you can tap into emotions that transcend time. That was our north star as we adapted and refined the material.¡±

This balanced approach extended to the physical production. While maintaining historical accuracy, they crafted scenes that would emotionally connect with modern viewers. Familiar locations like Christmas in Myeong-dong and the old Seoul Station Plaza were painstakingly recreated, requiring extensive research and location scouting. When practical effects weren¡¯t feasible, they turned to carefully integrated computer graphics.

Jung¡¯s artistic sensibility particularly shines in the drama¡¯s theatrical sequences. Rather than strict historical recreation, she aimed to create ¡°the most magical space possible¡± for these performances. ¡°Both the post-war audience within the drama and our modern viewers needed to feel transported to a world of fantasy,¡± she explains. ¡°Take ¡®The Legend of Twin Pagodas,¡¯ being both the troupe¡¯s last show and the drama¡¯s finale, required special consideration. We developed it to reflect our protagonist¡¯s emotional journey while transforming the traditional stage format into a more modern style.¡±

Her creative instincts proved spot-on. Viewers formed deep emotional connections with the characters, and the show sparked renewed interest in the forgotten history. Through ¡°Jeongnyeon,¡± Jung truly built a bridge between decades.

While ¡°Jeongnyeon¡± has made waves internationally, Jung is quick to credit her team for its success. She shares how every memorable scene was a group achievement.

¡°I oversee everything but don¡¯t physically do anything myself. While making the final decisions can be stressful, it¡¯s the dedication of the entire team that brings everything together. Realizing that dozens of people have poured their hearts into achieving this shared vision―that moment stays with me,¡± she reflects.

¡°Jeongnyeon¡± has left another indelible mark on Jung¡¯s heart. This experience has become her driving force, further solidifying viewers¡¯ trust in her future works. As she prepares for her next project, we asked what kinds of dramas she hopes to create in the future.

¡°I want to create dramas that stand the test of time―ones that are accessible and engaging for everyone,¡± she says. ¡°At its core, drama is about giving viewers something meaningful. My goal is to ensure that every minute they spend watching feels worthwhile.¡±

Having opened viewers¡¯ eyes to one fascinating world with ¡°Jeongnyeon,¡± what reality will Jung Ji-in transport us to next? Whatever she chooses, audiences worldwide will be eagerly waiting.