WHY DID I LIKE THIS SO MUCH? LOL
I really can't fathom why or when I was hooked onto the show but the unique story was really getting to me for sure. I've watched a lot of dramas, especially featuring idols but this is the definition of idol drama. Like die hard from trainees until they debut type of stuff and I just can't wrap my head around the concept but I was obsessed. Lol. It showed us everything we think we know how the idol world and how being a celebrity is and the struggles of it not always being rainbow and butterflies. It's not always 6 years in the making or never been on a stage before but there's drama in between, things taken out of context and of course you're gonna fall in love in your lifetime, why not? It all is just one big clash that I can actually really dig. And that's what it is; with a hidden story behind, boy and girl know each other, love each other but how do you make it work when your whole life is everyone else's life? Especially when you're on 2 different spectrums of "idol"; it do be like that.I absolutely LOVED the acting, they clicked all so well, between the ML and the bandmates, I ordered them so much.
Adored the music, MAHA's song If We Were is def my number 1 right now.
Overall, if I need a level of comfort, I would definitely watch this again. This was definitely the definition of IDOL drama to me.
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What in the publicity-
Imma start off with this, I think this drama is very much geared towards kpop fans, which isn't necessarily a bad thing given that the entire drama is about the kpop industry. But if you are a seasoned drama watcher I wouldn't highly recommend this one.I watched this at a time where I was just getting into dramas and found it pretty entertaining, but I don't think I would like it as much now.
I think that it does do something to address the toxicitiy and sometimes the barbarities of the kpop industry but doesn't make it the center focus.
This would also be fine if the main romance was more interesting and less for a lack of better words... bland?
Like I get it you're 2 kpop idols who like each other but can't really be together because of the industry and you like this other guy whos better. (Love ya Yunho) It might just be that love traingles aren't for me, but this one wasn't greatly executed plot wise.
I feel like they did try to address the problems in the industry but did it in a way that was very tone deaf and attempted to shove a romance in there.
Im gonna address the other big thing in here... using Ateez and SF9 for what I believe is mostly publicity. Here I am mainly just talking about San, Seonghwa, and Hwiyoung. Because Jongho and Yunho did have major parts. I think they kinda shoved the 3 of them in there just to get fans to watch it. This is by no means saying they are bad actors but they showed up occasionally not doing much for the plot. Obviously this isn't the first time cameo's have happened but they legitimatley had almost nothing to do with the story and felt like they were there for the soul purpose of the Ateez and SF9 brand to get people to watch.
I also completely lost why the drama was called Imitation after a while. Like I understand that Maha wants to be like another idol she looks up to. But all the sudden it kinda just gets lost in the plot and it became really confusing? The idea of wanting to be like her comes back at random points and is supposidly forgotten again. Idk its very strange
Finally, I found the pacing strange. The beginning was dramatic and then by episode 2 it got really slow. And then all the sudden mid show it hits the ground running with plot and drama, and at the end it slows down. Like its werid because I remember thinking about dropping the show and then all the sudden its interesting. But that only lasts so long and gets boring.
I think if you're a fan of kpop its an ok watch and I think it still has the capability to be enjoyed.
Stan Ateez and SF9
This show made me a Jongho bias
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So far... the best drama about idol world
The drama is a very good one, I really love the script, some lines (best quotes from Larima , who litterally stole the show) and for me the ending is very satifying, I think kpop and music fans should watch it. I have not given 10 for those reasons:- akward camera movements and poor makup/ styling, the music videos from Music bank are much better than in the drama
- lack of chemistry of the FL and ML though they are good actors, we don't undestand why they love each other, the high school moment are pointless
- not great kiss scenes too and many convincing good stage scenes at the beginning
BUT for me, this drama is a VERY GOOD for thoses reasons:
- a very honest drama and kpop reach for stardom
- lots of light and funny moments, not too much angst
- great chemistries between the idol members, the secondary couples are much more relatable
- good supporting roles, the idols here act well, nice female chemistry... I really the scene where Larima tells the producer how an artist is important to the production world, singers are not sheer tools.
- nice music moments, I especially love the duet music scenes where the leads'love story is resumed in 4 or 5 songs. KBS have done a good job in showing ambitious final stage scenes
- the final song "the sign" a very emotive ensemble dedicated to those trainees who give their youth for music without being known.
Just read the webtoon which is really good and more focused on the romance part.
It was an entertaining drama for me and I will surely rewatch it.
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Very touching and entertaining
As soon as I started watching the first episode, I couldn't stop. I binged this show in two days and honestly don't regret it at all.I feel like I learned a lot about the kpop industry. I already knew all of it, but I think it hadn't really hit home how horrible some of the kpop practices were until this show really highlighted them.
My favorite story was by far EunJo and Annie. While they didn't have as much screentime as the rest (since their story was mostly told in flashbacks), it was the story that had the greatest impact on me. Of course I loved watching MaHa and Kwon Ryok's romance bloom, but EunJo and Annie made me cry - I felt their love in a very real way. I will say though, I really enjoyed the comedic relief that Kwon Ryok provided (especially when trying to figure out his feelings). I found myself laughing quite a bit during some of his scenes :)
Yes, this show has some loop holes, but its pros very much outweigh its cons, at least for me. I really loved that each character wasn't perfect; they all had their weaknesses and strengths. I felt like it made the story much more realistic when, for example, we see that Kwon Ryok didn't handle EunJo's situation as best as he could have, because it sends this message of "No, these people aren't perfect. But they're trying." It also reminds us that to err is to be human, and as long as we're trying to be good humans, that's all that matters.
I'm actually glad that real idols were a part of this. I feel like it adds to the authenticity, and also to maybe the weight of this story. These idols are shining a not-so-positive light on the idol industry, and I think that's really cool.
Of course, the ending might not have ended in the most realistic way (Shax was able to get off pretty scotch-free; we didn't see any backlash from MaHa and Kwon Ryok's relationship being public), but honestly after the emotional rollercoaster episode 11 took me on, I think I needed that ending.
All in all, I say good job. It might not be everyone's cup of tea (see what I did there? Tea Party?) but it was definitely mine.
(By the way, the only reason my rewatch value rating is so low is because EunJo and Annie's story, although very beautiful and touching, really did a number on me emotionally, and I'd need to be in a very specific mindset to watch that again).
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her hair...
I'm a Kpop idol fan, so I'm often interested in watching idol-themed dramasbut dramas about idols are sometimes not satisfying to watch. Maybe because the budget is low or something else.
In this drama, the actors' acting is OK, but not good either.
Apart from that, what is very disturbing is the female lead's hair which looks like it hasn't been taken care of. Her original hair was short and then connected to make it long according to the time in the drama, but the connection was still clearly visible. It's really disappointing how the drama team didn't provide wigs to make this issue look presentable.
There's also nothing new about the concept of romance in this drama, so it's quite boring.
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writing almost as bad as maha's wig. stream tea party.
i started watching this drama because of im nayoung and ateez, but not even they could save this drama. i liked the overall plot but the writing was not that great and the conversations often felt awkward. while i usually looove a good love triangle, it was awkwardly done in this drama. it caused the relationship between the SL and a side character to feel really sudden and out of place. i was honestly angry for that side character, because it did not feel genuine at all.the side characters really made this show enjoyable for me, especially hyunji (im nayoung), riah (kim minseo), hyuk (choi jongho) and dojin (park yuri). the music that was released by the fictional kpop groups in this drama slaps though, i unironically listen to malo by shax.
funny how i really didn't like jung jiso as maha in this drama, when she was FANTASTIC in the glory. so glad i watched the glory after imitation, because she's actually an amazing actress.
also, to the person who decided to put maha in that horrible wig... jail!
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WATCH THIS DRAMA! <3
AMAZING. This drama was soooo good. Had happy, sad, and heartbreaking scenes. It is about romance & friendship. It talks about the kpop music industry and the hardships many face, especially trainees. How one starts from the bottoms and can go all the way up. EVeryone faces hardships, always do your best, but do not push yourself too hard. This drama is literally a 100000000/10!!!! This has to be by far my favorite kdrama. I love the story and actors were amazing. I loved the FL and ML so much, they were so cute. Also, the other couples were so cute as well. The songs also were so good! The emotion this drama had is just beautiful.Was this review helpful to you?
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Interesting
I really enjoyed this series, do love watching series about Idols. (Helps liking Kpop).I was surprised about some of the low ratings, but everybody has different taste.
I thought it was cool all the Kpop idols in the series.
Even if half of the story had true issues, pretty sad what they have to go through and sadder on the ones that don't make it big.
I like series that are only 12 episodes which this one was (16 for me is too long).
I think the last episode was my favorite, very touching.
I did enjoy this a lot; the story, the actors, all and all a worth watching series, I think.
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NOT TOO GOOD BUT NOT TOO BAD
While watching this drama I had a feeling it would be rated low..I came here and yes it’s actually rated low. The reasons why I had that feeling was cos of the acting. Great storyline…very realistic and tackles issues with korean fans and their idols but the actors didn’t really do justice to it. First time I would watch a Korean drama and complain about the acting. I could tell they were acting and I didn’t like that. It’s such a realistic and touching topic but execution from the leads was quite poor. They tried though but they could have done better. Looking forward to the leads other dramas hope they improve on their acting. Will support them?Was this review helpful to you?
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Plot + review
Plot: Lee Ma Ha is a member of the new K-pop girl group Tea Party, formed by Ji Hak, who was once the manager of the famous boy group Shax, but resigned after the sudden disappearance of the member Eun Jo in the middle of a concert. Prior to joining Tea Party, Ma Ha was a member of the group Omega III, which disbanded on its debut day due to a tragic incident involving a former trainee at the group's company. This led Ma Ha to support herself by performing as an impersonator of the popular solo singer La Li Ma. Starting anew with Tea Party, Ma Ha finds herself repeatedly crossing paths with Kwon Ryok, the center and most popular member of Shax who is still haunted by Eun Jo's disappearance three years later. While Ryok initially dislikes Ma Ha due to her imitation of Li Ma, the two eventually begin to grow interest in one another and start a secret relationship that could put both of their careers in danger. Meanwhile, Lee Yu Jin, Ma Ha's loyal friend who is the center of the rising boy group Sparkling, has been in love with Ma Ha since their idol trainee days. When he notices the budding relationship between Ma Ha and Ryok, he determines to protect her from Ryok and leads Sparkling to beat out Shax as the most popular boy group in the industry.Review: This was a wonderful kdrama, showing kpop idols in a slightly realistic way. I loved that they used idols for the characters, and I was super impressed with their acting. It had me fully engaged, it’s a shorter drama and is funny while also having very emotional and serious scenes.
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Simple and predictable, but still enjoyable
The story felt bland and predictable. With the base concept for a story about the struggles of idols, it kind of touched the main points and struggles but then oversimplefied or overlooked them so the story would proggress in the direction of a happy ending for everyone.I liked both ML and FL, not sure if it is the directing, but there were moments when they were not very natural, but I liked them. HSout out to Chani as well, I enjoyed his performance. Also some scenes feel rushed, and it seems that there is not enough time to properly represent every character. The characters lack depth in general, maybe due to wanting to focus on everyone, but not really pulling it off since the characters are many and not a lot of episodes to do it right.
I love ATEEZ, (they were the reason for me to watch this) and as non-actors they were good with what they had to do. I believe tho they were a bit underused, like they can sing and dance much better compared to what was actually shown, but it is what it is...
Tea Party and Shaxx music was ok, but for Sparkling I was really uninpressed, since they were almost all Ateez, but they gave them such empty and weird songs. At least it became a good meme "Finally now, it's my time~"
It was still an enjoyable drama in my opinion. It scraches the surface of a very relevant topic in idol industry, and as a fan myself, I wish there was more awareness for the slave contracts and trainees conditions. If looking for an actually good series, I would not recommend, but if you want something chill and not too deep, it is an option.
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