Uhm Jung-hwa Dominates Ratings with 'My Sweet Star' in a Role Spanning Decades

Actress Uhm Jung-hwa is leading the surge in popularity for 'My Sweet Star' with her astonishing portrayal of a character bridging a generational gap. In the ongoing Genie TV original drama 'My Sweet Star,' Uhm Jung-hwa plays Bong Cheong-ja, a woman who loses 25 years of memories overnight.

She perfectly embodies a 50-year-old ordinary middle-aged woman whose mind remains stuck in the prime of her 20s as top star Im Se-ra, earning widespread acclaim from viewers. The drama intricately depicts Bong Cheong-ja's journey through denial, adaptation, and a comeback show to reclaim her life in the entertainment industry.

Uhm Jung-hwa's performance is lauded for its nuanced depiction of a complex character. While physically appearing as the 50-year-old Bong Cheong-ja, she conveys the 20-year-old Im Se-ra's inner self through meticulous expressions, gaze, and speech patterns, brilliantly highlighting the character's transparency and purity across a 25-year temporal divide.

To realistically portray Bong Cheong-ja, who has been directly impacted by time, Uhm Jung-hwa underwent a significant transformation, including weight gain, a permed hairstyle, and facial redness makeup, all to enhance character authenticity. Beyond the visual changes, she poured her efforts into detailed inner acting through sensitive character interpretation, adding a layer of sincerity.

Uhm Jung-hwa shared her dedication, stating, "Bong Cheong-ja is a character who looks 50 but is stuck at 20 internally. Expressing that gap wasn't easy." She added, "I was careful not to seem like I was 'trying too hard to act young,' so I focused on the 'emotional line of my 20s as Im Se-ra' while acting."

Her deep affection for the project is also evident in her participation in the OST. Released on the 26th of last month, 'Again,' the second track for 'My Sweet Star,' is sung by Uhm Jung-hwa, who also contributed lyrics, further enriching the character's narrative.

The drama's buzz is translating into enthusiastic viewer response. The 6th episode, aired on the 2nd, recorded its highest ratings to date, with 3.8% nationwide and 3.4% in the Seoul metropolitan area, securing the No. 1 spot among all cable channels nationwide. This matches the highest viewership rating for an ENA Monday-Tuesday drama this year.

Uhm Jung-hwa's passionate and authentic performance is deepening viewer immersion with each episode. As she continues to meet audience expectations, further anticipation is building for Bong Cheong-ja's journey, proving once again her status as the 'Queen of the Small Screen.'

'My Sweet Star,' featuring Uhm Jung-hwa's captivating acting, airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM on ENA. It is exclusively available for free VOD on KT Genie TV immediately after broadcast and on TVING.

Uhm Jung-hwa debuted as an actress in the 1993 film 'Marriage Story.' She achieved significant success as a singer in the 1990s with hits like 'Rose of Betrayal' and 'Tell Me.' Recently, she has been actively showcasing her diverse acting range in various projects, including the dramas 'Doctor Cha' and 'A Year-End Medley.'