Idol I

I'M HEAD OVER HEELS

Idol was a really good drama. I enjoyed how Ra-ik’s innocence was proven and how genuinely good Se-na was to him. Overall, the drama is worth watching; however, the last four episodes were not very engaging for me. Maybe I was distracted, but I loved the rest of it. This was not a slow burn per se—it was more complex, with romance developing alongside the main plot. Also, Ra-ik was extremely attractive in this drama; he was pure eye candy. Soo-young was fine in it, and I liked her character.

Lastly, I think there should be a new K-drama just for Chungjae. His character has a lot of potential: someone with a bad, rebellious past who is finally financially independent and able to find his own partner and fall in love with someone who can heal him in some way. No matter how tough he acts, he still needs someone. The cool hacker-detective vibe—especially on a motorcycle—is very attractive. He could easily carry his own storyline, and I would love to see him as a main lead.


before finishing the drama, my thoughts below lol

I’m so glad Kim Jae-yeong is finally getting the recognition he deserves by starring in this drama. He looks criminally good, like genuinely deliciously attractive, and I swear I’m completely head over heels for him.

I’m also really loving this whole concept of the girl “fixing” him. I honestly don’t get why people are being so hypocritical about it, acting like “a girl should never fix a guy”—please, boo hoo. kdrama male leads ALWAYS save the girls, so why not? We literally saw it earlier in *Head Over Heels*, with Seong-ah saving Gyeon-u, and now we have Se-na and Do-ra-ik. I’m obsessed.

Se-na is such a badass, and the dynamic between her and Do-ra-ik is just beautiful. The drama has this bittersweet vibe that hits you right in the feels—it genuinely makes me tear up in every episode. I’m so in love with this story and these characters.

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When two worlds collide

Idol I really surprised me in the best way. What struck me most is how relatable and honest the fangirl world feels: it doesn’t romanticise fandom, but shows the emotional investment, quiet devotion, and the constant balance between passion and reality, and as someone who knows that world, I felt seen more than once.
The story blends mystery, legal drama, and romance without losing its emotional core, especially as the female lead’s two identities collide and force her to face both her professionalism and her feelings. The pressure of public opinion, the loneliness of defending someone already judged, and the focus on trust,in truth, in oneself, and in the person behind the public image, all feel grounded and earned. It also helps that Kim Jae Yeong is always a pleasure to watch, and this just made me want to see him in more romcoms.
In the end, this drama feels intimate, thoughtful, and surprisingly comforting, portraying fandom as something deeply human and meaningful, and it stayed with me far more than I expected

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Not the worst I've seen, but...

I had high hopes for this one and was sadly disappointed.

Story: Did they have multiple writers working in different rooms and then just merge all their ideas together? This seriously seemed like it didn't know what it wanted to be. The murder mystery was full of red herrings, but I just didn't care. Then, when we FINALLY find out what happened, it was so anticlimactic! There was so much that made no sense - the ease of the toxic fans getting into his apartment. The leads realized they met when they were in school, but he was older than her, yet in current times, she seems so much older than him. Throw in some romance, but don't develop it properly. The ending was so flat. Yet another sow with the obligatory time jump. Why?!?!? And in that year, did they have no contact with one another?

Acting: The actors were good, except maybe for the 2FL. She was not believable. The leads are both very attractive, but he didn't seem charismatic enough to carry the lead.

Chemistry: Some good kisses, and they were cute together (in the brief times we saw them interacting with one another), but she just seemed too old for him to me

This was one of those shows that I was counting down how many episodes I had left before I was done so I could move on.

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Between a Fan’s Fantasy and an Idol’s Truth.

A quietly rewarding watch without high- stakes thrills

Idol isn’t a groundbreaking or must-watch K-drama—and that’s precisely its strength. In an era where nearly every show is labeled a “masterpiece,” Idol feels refreshingly normal. It’s a warm, low-effort watch that prioritizes comfort and empathy over shock or intensity. The murder mystery adds just enough momentum to keep the story moving.

Don’t pick it up on a day you are looking for action-packed or fast-paced romance… but tbh its all a personal perspective and experience for everyone.


I watched it during my exam period, and it offered just enough joy to look forward to without demanding emotional or mental energy. The opening episodes are easy and inviting, while the middle slows down slightly, the short 12-episode format ensures the drama never overstays its welcome.

What truly grounds the series is its cozy atmosphere, especially the FL’s home. Filled with sunlight, wooden textures, and a small garden, it evokes quiet childhood nostalgia—even without the typical cluttered “family warmth.” This setting becomes the emotional backbone of the show, reinforcing its gentle and humane tone.

The characters follow familiar K-drama archetypes, but the writing doesn’t force intensity or exaggeration. The ML’s vulnerability and unthreatened masculinity stand out, and while the drama acknowledges emotional wounds, it doesn’t feel the need to dissect them in exhaustive detail—especially as it juggles multiple themes. The thriller subplot remains engaging until the end, and although the investigation isn’t the core focus, the mystery holds attention without becoming frustrating(unless that's the only reason you are watching this).


THE CAST:

Choi Sooyoung is a clear highlight. Her acting feels natural and comforting across all tones—soft, sharp, or restrained—and her presence alone adds warmth to the drama. I do have a bias toward her, and that undoubtedly contributes to my overall fondness for the show.

The ML actor is equally convincing; despite being 37, he never looks out of place as an idol. His portrayal of fragility, quiet vulnerability, and sincere affection has always felt authentic across all his roles in the past, and his dynamic with Sooyoung works effortlessly. I wouldn’t mind seeing him play idol roles for another decade ~~` hehe
The main prosecutor’s character was engaging and layered, though I felt his potential wasn’t fully explored. Still, he remained one of the show’s strongest pillars until the end, and my favorite character.

Woo-seok, on the other hand, was the most pitiable character for me.
I also enjoyed the bond between fl and sml, who felt like two lone strangers who found a family in each other, similar to ml and woo-seok.

At its core, Idol delivers meaningful messages: idols are human, wrongful imprisonment and biased justice have lasting consequences, and second chances matter.

The show raises a few inevitable questions about where admiration ends and obsession begins. Be it relationship or idolizing; Is fandom harmless devotion, or does it sometimes cross into invasion of privacy and entitlement?

Hye-joo’s character further complicates this moral space, making us question if broken people who never received love should always be met with pity and forgiveness. Pain may explain behavior, but it doesn’t excuse it—characters like Maeng or Ra-ik show that suffering doesn’t have to translate into destruction. But it also show how vulnerable and dangerous our emotions and mind can make us.


Overall, Idol I knows exactly what it is. It doesn’t aim high, but it succeeds in being warm, sincere, and quietly thought-provoking—and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

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went in with no expectations ...

and came out really happy that i started this! it was my first kdrama after a long stint of cdramas instead, having struggled to find something to capture my attention recently. the premise seemed interesting enough, and i figured i had nothing to lose in starting it.

the mystery aspect kept me engaged and prevented the show from feeling like another idol x fan drama. the shared backstory between the characters was also interesting though it's very much one of those things that would "only happen in the movies" (aka is it possible for all those coincidences to happen in real life? not impossible but certainly difficult). nonetheless, a drama is always more enjoyable if you don't think too much about all the little things.

the music was also great! i wish gold boys were an actual group because i would very much be a fan of their music 😂 both sooyoung and kim jaeyeong also did fantastic in their respective roles. the supporting cast was wonderful as well.

all in all, things seemed to tie together nicely and i'm glad they didn't drag it on to be a 16-episode drama. definitely happy with how it played out!

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Pure Enjoyment From Start To Finish

I'm a bit surprised at some of the negative reviews. I really found this series to be great in every way. It gives you all angles from the two main protagonists. I think the two actors in this are perfectly cast. Not only do they fit the parts so well, you can feel the chemistry building between the two as you get deeper and deeper into the drama. When Se Na has her first encounter with Laik, anyone who has idolized someone from a far, you know exactly what she's feeling. Soo Young delivers it so well.
Jae Yeong is also fantastic as "The Idol". He makes you feel so much empathy for his character. Someone who had it all and in the blink of an eye, everything disappears overnight. He keeps you rooting for him throughout each episode.
I think what's a rare thing in this series, some of the antagonists in this story, that you really find hatred for early on, do a turn around and show some decency in their character, especially as you get toward the final episodes.
The one thing I always a negative in most series, is when time skips forward as you get toward a conclusion. Where you see that caption "one year later" ... right away I thought, oh boy, they just ruined it. But somehow the writing does a great job at keeping things in perspective. It doesn't turn out to be a negative after all and the final episode it truly an enjoyable sixty minutes right till the end. They keep a blend of drama with a touch of light comedy mixed in.
There's a line used at one point of the series that definitely explains a major story line of this drama ... "Sometimes people's hearts are hard to see, even when they're right beside you"
Excellently written and brilliantly performed drama!

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The failure of this drama was the direction.

==Breakdown==
Background plot- 65%
Romance - 30%
Misc comedy - 5%

Background plot - Pretty good
Romantic chemistry - Excellent
Misc comedy - None to mention / speak of
Production value - Pretty good
Direction / editing - Not great

The casting for this was quite good, and the story wasn't bad (it was also quite good). The script was also good. The failure of this drama was the direction. Some of the direction choices were, quite frankly, terrible, which led to problems in pacing and characterization.

Scenes that should've been short were drawn out for no reason and scenes that might've increased tension and viewer interest were glossed over and rushed.

However, despite the poor direction choices, the actors still shined. I can only attribute this to their natural chemistry and insane talent.

Overall, this was worth a watch for the story and actors. You will have to fast-forward quite a bit, but there are some scenes that are gems, especially between the two leads.

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If you're into legal dramas - don't watch this.
If you're into romance dramas - don't watch this.

It is a sort of blend of the two, but neither here nor there.

The legal part is lacking, but it kept me engaged throughout and I really wanted to find out who the murdered was (although you kind of get the idea early on).

I've seen comments complaining about the leads' chemistry, but I thought given the setting and circumstances, both lead actors played their parts really well.

There was some repetitiveness in the dialogue. I feel like i've heard La-Ik saying "im sorry, i feel this is all because of me" at least 3 times to 3 different people.

The one thing I cannot forgive though, is the half-redemption they tried with La-Ik's mother. The woman did not care if he was sick, burned out, if she hasnt seen him in months, or if he was a murder suspect. Even went as far as basically testifying against him!
Her and the two sasaengs deserved some sort of retribution as well.

Overall a good drama to kill time, you would not feel like it was a waste and although there's ah-lot of crying, it ends on a cheerful note with a little added humour.

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Underwhelming, Lacked Substance

i like the character of the female lead, Sena. She's smart, poised and elegant but her character was pulled down by the childish outburst and over the top behaviour of her male lead, Laik that irritated me to no end.

The story lacked substance. The male lead was tried by public opinion instead of focusing on the process of investigating and coming out with clear evidence and the push and pull way the case was handled. I liked the way Se Na argued the case but hers was drowned out by all the unnecessary side show of Laik who, more often than not, did not listen to her.

The romance was the most frustrating. Both Sena and Laik were grown up adults and yet, they approached their romance like a couple of teen-agers just out of puberty. This is one of the weaknesses of Kdramas in that, as modern as the country is, their view of how romance is conducted is still stuck in the 1950s. Of course there are kdrama exceptions like My Name is Kim Sam Soon that, to this day, is till one of my favorites.

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Subtle (not boring) Story of an Idol & Fangirl's Journey through Fame, Prejudice, Murder & Love!

The true beauty of this drama lies in its subtlety. Every aspect - romance, music, suspense, villainy, and even comedy-was delivered with restraint and finesse. Rather than relying on spectacle or exaggerated emotions, the series chose a quieter path, proving that understated storytelling can be just as powerful. I understand that this can be seen as mediocre/boring - and it does run that risk, I won't deny. But for me, as a viewer, the drama tied all the strings it had, it may have not been the most logical (hence it is not a 10/10) - still it did not feel rushed but had a quiet maturity in its delivery and characters, that left me satisfied, if not awe-struck.

I liked the heart of the story as it explores the life of idols and public figures, showing how audiences can be fickle - adoring them one moment, turning against them the next. It also highlights how fame often strips away privacy, with some treating celebrities’ lives as public property. These themes were handled thoughtfully, giving the narrative depth beyond romance or fan service. The plot weaves together multiple threads: the murder of a bandmate and the search for truth, the prejudices faced by the leads, the romance that grows quietly but steadily, and the prosecutor’s moral dilemma between duty and conscience. Villains and allies alike enrich the journey, from father-like mentors to loyal colleagues and quiet supporters such as the manager and chairman. Each subplot adds texture without feeling unnecessary.

Finally, the grounded portrayal sets this drama apart. The acting, chemistry, suspense, and direction were all understated and for me it worked. While I love over-the-top stories, but then I realised that they make me anxious as well. Like they hype me and others so much, that one flaw and everything breaks. This was not the case here - it kept up a quiet, medium rhythm, while unfolding every facet of the story and characters. A close example would be Lovely Runner. While that one was more glitz/glamour, this one radiates quiet warmth. Songs of Eclipse still are on my playlist, whereas Gold Boys tracks were good as they played during the drama, but not memorable.

Overall Recommend it as a one time watch: cause it's short, sweet and subtle - we need stories like these to pace out the much hyped/rushed dramas/movies.

Special Note:
I have already fangirled for the prosecutor in my comment while the show was airing: https://kisskh.at/787814-idol-kid#comment-24969562 and yes, I will write a spin-off cause he deserves one. I hope to share it with my MDL friends here soon!

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