The episode begins with Ok-gyeong giving Jeong-nyeon a chance to audition for the official play, offering her a script. Despite the easy opportunity, Jeong-nyeon declines, determined to earn her place and prove her skills without shortcuts. Ok-gyeong supports her decision, though she warns Jeong-nyeon to not regret her choices later.
Despite her determination, Jeong-nyeon still faces challenges with her role as Bangja, a comedic character. Joo-ran takes Jeong-nyeon shopping, where they bond over small bird clips and make a vow to remain friends and perform gukgeuk together. While out, they see a street performer whose dancing inspires Jeong-nyeon, giving her a fresh perspective on her role.
The next day, while sweeping the yard, Jeong-nyeon observes Cho-rok’s clumsy fall, sparking a realization: Bangja’s role is to make people laugh. Inspired, she sets off to further develop her character.
Meanwhile, Yeong-seo’s rivalry with Jeong-nyeon escalates. She pulls Hye-ran aside and reveals her plan to play both roles on stage, showcasing her talent. Despite this scheme, Yeong-seo’s skill impresses Hye-ran.
The day of the play arrives, and although Jeong-nyeon missed most rehearsals, she makes a late entrance, explaining that she has been working on her own version of Bangja. When the performance begins, Jeong-nyeon freezes initially but quickly regains her confidence, captivating the audience. Even Yeong-seo is unexpectedly enchanted by her performance.
A flashback reveals that Jeong-nyeon had spent the last week learning from the street dancer, mastering the art of comedic movement. During one of the key scenes, Jeong-nyeon’s staff breaks, causing her to fall. Though the audience laughs, Jeong-nyeon manages to save the scene, earning Ok-gyeong’s approval. The play ends on a high note, with So-bok praising the team and promising Jeong-nyeon the official performance script.
Despite the success, Hye-ran admits that Jeong-nyeon is talented, though she maintains that Yeong-seo is still the best actress. Ok-gyeong disagrees, pointing out the limitations in Yeong-seo’s acting, a blind spot that Hye-ran seems to overlook.
Back at the school, Yeong-seo scolds Cho-rok and her friends for their attempts to sabotage Jeong-nyeon, warning them that their actions could have ruined the play. Jeong-nyeon thanks Yeong-seo for her earlier warning, but Yeong-seo claims it was only to protect her own performance. She then berates Jeong-nyeon for missing rehearsals, insisting that the play succeeded only because she matched Jeong-nyeon’s energy.
The following day, Yeong-seo and Jeong-nyeon are assigned sword-fighting training. The fight grows intense, leading So-bok to emphasize the importance of being in sync with your acting partner. During Joo-ran’s turn, Cho-rok accidentally injures her, causing a minor fracture in her arm. Joo-ran is upset, revealing to Jeong-nyeon that she works secretly as a waitress to support her sister, who suffers from tuberculosis.
Since Joo-ran’s boss won’t allow her to work with a broken arm, Jeong-nyeon steps in to cover Joo-ran’s shifts at the coffee shop. Although Jeong-nyeon tries to keep her identity secret, she is recognized by some customers as Bangja. Back at school, Cho-rok continues to cause trouble, but Jeong-nyeon reminds her of the favor she owes. She orders Cho-rok to handle Joo-ran’s chores until her arm heals.
That night, Jeong-nyeon and Joo-ran enjoy steamed buns in their room, much to Yeong-seo’s annoyance. Frustrated, Yeong-seo seeks out Ok-gyeong for a sparring match, where she finally asks for feedback on her acting. Ok-gyeong reassures her that she’s close to rivalling Ok-gyeong but advises her to embrace her roles with more freedom and enjoyment.
While working at the coffee shop, Jeong-nyeon is asked to sing when the regular performer backs out. At first, she refuses, but after being threatened with Joo-ran’s job being on the line, she reluctantly agrees. Her singing impresses a broadcast station producer named Park Jong-guk, who offers Jeong-nyeon a chance to become a television star.
Meanwhile, Jeong-nyeon’s mother arrives in Seoul, determined to bring her daughter home. A confrontation ensues, during which her mother reveals that she was once a pansori singer. As the argument escalates, So-bok stumbles upon the scene, recognizing Jeong-nyeon’s mother as Gong-seon, closing out Episode 3 of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born with a dramatic cliffhanger.
Episode 4 of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born continues with gripping drama, exploring family tensions, ambition, and betrayal as Jeong-nyeon navigates her path to stardom. The episode kicks off with So-bok stepping in to stop Yong-rye from taking Jeong-nyeon home, asserting her authority as Jeong-nyeon’s teacher. She sends Jeong-nyeon inside, and the two older women have a tense conversation.
In a flashback, we see that Yong-rye (formerly known as Gong-seon) and So-bok were once close friends. Gong-seon gained fame after winning a pansori contest, but her success came at a personal cost. Back in the present, So-bok confronts Yong-rye, accusing her of giving up on her dreams too easily. She asks if Yong-rye has ever truly listened to Jeong-nyeon sing, prompting them to visit her practice session. Yong-rye is moved to tears, seeing her younger self reflected in Jeong-nyeon.
Despite her emotional reaction, Yong-rye begs Jeong-nyeon to come home, warning that pursuing pansori cost her everything. Jeong-nyeon, however, stands firm, insisting her path will be different. Hurt, Yong-rye declares she will no longer consider Jeong-nyeon her daughter, then storms off.
The next morning, Joo-ran’s cast is removed, but she is still in pain, prompting Jeong-nyeon to work at the coffee shop one more time in her place. Meanwhile, Yeong-seo’s sister Young-in returns from the U.S.. So-bok encourages Yeong-seo to spend time with her, and they end up at the coffee shop, where Yeong-seo sees Jeong-nyeon singing. Outraged, she leaves abruptly.
Soon after, So-bok publicly confronts Jeong-nyeon about the singing job, accusing her of violating the rules. Jeong-nyeon tries to explain, but in order to protect Joo-ran, she can’t reveal the full truth. So-bok, furious, has Jeong-nyeon expelled. Despite Joo-ran’s apologies, Jeong-nyeon insists she shouldn’t reveal the real reason behind her actions and vows to find a way back.
After being thrown out, Jeong-nyeon runs into Ok-gyeong, who takes her home for a meal with Hye-ran. Ok-gyeong offers her a place to stay temporarily and promises to speak to the director on her behalf. However, Hye-ran warns Jeong-nyeon not to overstay her welcome, as it could jeopardize Ok-gyeong’s position. Ok-gyeong later tries to reason with So-bok, but she stands firm on the theatre’s strict rules.
Feeling guilty that she might cause Ok-gyeong trouble, Jeong-nyeon leaves Ok-her home, she stops for steam buns but is robbed by two men. With no money to pay, the steam bun seller takes her to the police station. Jeong-nyeon tries calling Ok-gyeong, but when she doesn’t answer, Jeong-nyeon remembers the card given to her by Park Jong-guk.
Meanwhile, back at Maeran, Do-aeng reveals to Hye-ran that Mr. Ko, the head of finance, is embezzling money from the troupe. Do-aeng suggests informing So-bok, but Hye-ran, secretly in cahoots with Mr. Ko, advises waiting for the right time. To cover their tracks, they decide to increase the students’ allowances to avoid suspicion.
Park Jong-guk bails Jeong-nyeon out of jail. Grateful, Jeong-nyeon asks if his offer still stands, and he confirms it does. He takes her to a studio where she will perform live on a nationwide broadcast. Jeong-nyeon signs a contract and is introduced to Patricia Kim, a singer who will train her for her television debut. Patricia also offers her a place to stay during the training period.
During their training sessions, Patricia becomes distracted by Jeong-nyeon’s appearance, leading to a makeover montage that gives Jeong-nyeon a stylish new look. Over dinner, Patricia shares her story, revealing that her career was derailed by a divorce, which limited her opportunities. Nevertheless, she emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, a lesson that resonates with Jeong-nyeon.
As Jeong-nyeon adjusts to her new life, Joo-ran visits her, and Jeong-nyeon reassures her that she’s enjoying the change. She also encourages Joo-ran to audition for bigger roles in Maeran’s official play. Later that evening, Jeong-nyeon, now dressed up for an outing, is picked up by Park Jong-guk, who takes her to meet Yeong-seo’s family, including her sister Young-in and their mother.
The group attends a theatre performance, where Young-in performs, and coincidentally, Ok-gyeong, Hye-ran, and So-bok are in the audience. After the show, Ok-gyeong advises Jeong-nyeon not to stray too far from her roots in pansori, while Yeong-seo silently observes. Jeong-nyeon assures her that she knows Yeong-seo wasn’t the one who snitched on her. Although Yeong-seo has an attitude, Jeong-nyeon acknowledges she’s not a tattle-tale.
Later, during a conversation with an assemblyman and his wife, the topic of Yeong-seo’s involvement in gukgeuk comes up. Ki-joo, Yeong-seo’s mother, expresses her disapproval, calling it a low-class art form, leading to an argument. Jeong-nyeon overhears the conversation and witnesses Yeong-seo’s embarrassment.
At the end of Episode 4 of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, tensions reach a breaking point. Yeong-seo confronts Jeong-nyeon and slaps her in anger, but this time, Jeong-nyeon slaps her back, standing her ground. She tells Yeong-seo she’s done being patient, setting the stage for an intense showdown in the episodes to come.
In Episode 4 of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, the drama intensifies as Jeong-nyeon’s journey toward stardom faces new challenges. The episode opens with So-bok stepping in to prevent Yong-rye from taking Jeong-nyeon home, igniting a tense standoff between the two older women. Flashbacks reveal their past friendship and Yong-rye’s lost dreams of pansori fame.
Meanwhile, Jeong-nyeon’s budding career is threatened when she’s caught singing at a coffee shop, leading to her expulsion from the troupe. Despite the setback, she finds refuge with Ok-gyeong and begins training with Patricia Kim for a television debut. However, family tensions, betrayals, and fierce rivalry with Yeong-seo continue to complicate her path. The episode ends with a dramatic confrontation between Jeong-nyeon and Yeong-seo, setting the stage for future conflicts.
This episode highlights the struggles of pursuing dreams, loyalty, and the complexities of friendship, leaving viewers eager for the next chapter in Jeong-nyeon’s rise to fame.