This drama deserves accolades! I love how in the world of kdramas (where admittedly a lot are about the oppas/males), they managed to make this female centric kdrama with no principal male actors! It will not fit this story anyway, as it is a story of the art form gukgeuk (korean theater art form where all actors are women whether their characters are male and female). One thing I enjoy about kdramas is discovering art forms from Korea through these shows. Various gisaeng dances performances (including the one where the gisaeng dances on top of a hanging rope) in the 2006 drama Hwang Jini, paintings, instruments like the gayageum, and additional gisaeng dances in the 2008 kdrama Painter of the Wind, art of cooking in Jewel in the Palace/Dae Jang Geum, and now Gukgeuk in Jeongnyeon.
Kim Tae Ri is excellent in this, not only as Jeongnyeon but she's also excellent in portraying Jeongnyeon who is portraying her characters. Such skills required to portray a character who herself is playing a character. Another thing noteworthy of her performances is her chemistry with all the other actresses in this show. This seem to be Kim Tae Ri's strength, her strong chemistry with actresses, as shown in other works from Handmaiden, Mr. Sunshine and 2521.
Kim Tae Ri's costars are also excellent. Shin Ye Eun is great portraying Kim Tae Ri's rival turned friend. She is so good in portraying a young woman wanting to overcome a rival due in order to please her mother. I love Woo Da Vi as Hong Joo Ran as well. At first she seems like the sweet friend who is there just to show support, but I love that in her own way, she tried to work on her own dreams and even managing to get her own role in their gukgeuk performances. She and Kim Tae Ri have excellent chemistry, from their sweet friendship to the obvious attraction that they have for each, especially from Joo Ran's side. And of course, Jung Eun Chae deserves a mention. In real life, she is so beautiful and feminine, but in this show she is so appealing as someone who always play the male lead in gukgeuk performances, you'd wish she was a male. She is the closest the show has for a male lead. The other actresses are also believable in their roles.
In an era where the chauvinism of some Koreans are still apparent (based on my observation from social media), it is important that Korea continue to make female centric dramas like this, showing women stories where they are able to work on achieving their dreams and life's passions.