A mess of a script.
Once again I asked myself "how should I rate this drama?" I tend to feel like that when there are elements in a drama that have really annoyed me.The answer became clear when I finally gave up on episode 9, not interested anymore on reaching the end.
Honestly the script was so unintelligent that I wondered who was the target audience. Plotholes all over the place, the villain characters cartoonishly evil that was almost laughable, and the romance for me was not romancing enough to save the series.
Among all this, Choi Sooyoung's acting was the only thing I enjoyed. Her character had such an interesting background, a devastating past which had my eyes welling up when they occasionally mentioned it.
Her dad's case was the reason I kept watching, but when I reached ep9 and they were still dealing with the "evil" CEO and the "evil" prosecution I was finally fed up.
Overall, this drama is not for people that enjoy intelligent or even semi-intelligent scripts. I really wanted to like this, but when I kept spending my time wanting to skip scenes and frowning with the badly written story, no amount of Choi Sooyoung's intriguing acting could make me stick around for more.
I had so many thoughts (not good ones) while watching the episodes but now that I'm writing this I don't know what to say anymore.
Anyway, this series was not for me and that's about it.
I gave it 4.5 for the acting and ok directing but story based it's not even a 2.
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Best Kiss
Gotta start with the Kiss in episode 10 -- boy that Idol can kiss & his acting partner backs it up -- the kiss is so good that you truly believe that this is fabulous acting -- there is something about the dual that you could never ship them but they acted the crap outta this series -- the premises is also very timely Kim Jae Yeong plays an Idol well & all the angst that accompanies being one -- the hopelessness of having to play for the fans & how quickly the public writes you off -- the reality that not all members of these groups nor the people surrounding them even like or support each other -- the reality once again of the extreme bulling culture in Asian films -- which you can only wonder is it also a real life issue in that country -- The awful fans is one thing but the awful parents is quite another. In all economic classes in this series the children are relentlessly hurt by the parents Choi Soo Young does an excellent job as the pent up lawyer with severe emotional trauma from childhood bulling & losing her parents All around good seriesWas this review helpful to you?
What starts with a murder and ends with a singalong?
Taken as a whole, it is a decent rom-com. However, if we look closer, we soon find cracks.The show starts quite angsty with a hint of an exposé on the idol industry and (toxic) fandom. An unexpected murder hints at darker motives and conspiracies. Any sign of cuteness evaporated.
As it stands, the law and order subplot is laughable. There is little suspense. The revelation of whodunit towards the end has little impact. The inept police investigation and the "corrupt" prosecution process are groan worthy. They seems to have never heard of forensics. No finger printing, no DNA tests, blood splatters? It is borderline criminal negligence. Are Koreans numb to plots making a mockery of their police and judicial system?
Just to rib salt into the wound, most of the real detective work are done by the protagonist. Good on them, but that's cold comforts.
It is obvious that most of the subplots are there to push our leads together. The breadcrumbs all leads to their eventual HEA ending.
I'm not surprised that the last ep is largely fan service, but I was taken aback by how little substance there is. Did the writer-nim took an early vacay and left it to the intern to wrap things up?
In terms of acting, most actors are in their element. The support cast is largely from central casting. Our leads do look good together. They have chemistry and some nice skinship. Pretty much par for the course.
As a run-of-the-mill rom-com, it is fine. I enjoyed it. Fans of our leads will rejoice. Their romance is nice and cute. Just don't expect a serious crime thriller or any heavy hitting social commentaries.
It feels like an odd choice to start so heavy handedly and then reduce it to a fluffy romp by systematically paving over the darker elements with unicorn pastures. In the end, the rom-com bits are tropey and predictable. The rest feels half baked and tacked on. It is not a bad show, just a little underdone. I like the FL so the show gets an extra 0.5. ;)
One and done. Enough said. Peace.
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This review may contain spoilers
If you love a murder mystery with a subtle romance in the background. Watch it.
I loved how the shows main focus was the murder mystery factor and how the romance was a secondary theme.I loved Kim Jae Yeong acting in the first few episodes where he was showing the stages of grief.Felt super raw and emotional.
Choi Jae Hui's storyline and everything that happened to him and his feelings of jealousy also really interested me and made me curious.
I loved Park Jung Jae's character.
I surprisingly enjoyed episode 12, it really made sure there was no open endings.
The only thing I slightly disliked was the couple becoming a pair initially did feel a bit pushed into the storyline.
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A great murder-mystery drama
I have no words. This was an incredible journey – from observing the dynamics among the members of Gold Boys to exploring the differences in perception between idol-fan interactions, solving the murder mystery, and following the romance between Ra Ik and Se Na. I had such a wonderful time!This drama is truly exceptional, and I won’t tolerate any negative remarks about it (LOL).
Honestly, the cast deserves a major shoutout. They did an amazing job. I wasn't familiar with Kim Jae Yeong before, but I'm so glad I got to see his performance. He portrayed Ra Ik's character and emotions beautifully. There were moments when I felt sorry for him, and other times when I wanted to scream at him – this made him feel very human to me.
The same can be said for Choi Soo Young, Choi Hee Jin, and Jung Jae Kwang, all of whom impressed me greatly!
Overall, I think this is a must-watch. It's fun, incorporates good suspense and mystery, features great romantic chemistry, and the story is genuinely moving once you reach the end.
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Great watch.
Loved this series start to finish. Love bothleads Male and female. The acting was first
class The script was fab. Welldone to the writers. Kim Jae-young ML looked like an idol.
The Korean visuals I like. Not like some actors
who lose their asian features and look westernised... I did look at his age and couldn't
believe how young he looks. My other bias was
Jung jae kwang.. Loved the female lead. All round... great series.. Didn't want it to end..
These series are what makes bl dramas super to watch.. We need more like this.. ❤️
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The show wants too much and ends up doing nothing.
This is a half-baked idol-romance, mystery-thriller, lawyer-drama and social critique about the terrors of idol reality. Maybe the show wanted too much and failed to deliver... in anything really. This COULD have been good, if the script was better, sharper and had fleshed out their characters more. Aside from the ML, nothing stood out. Actor was really good as well.The best thing about the show are the leads! Their romance was cute, ok, but nothing memorable, sadly.
As usual for mediocre k-dramas we as viewers are assaulted by typical elements like: nonsensical law enforcement, forced second male lead romance, incompetent police officers and overdone childhood-encounters (even though this was ok, I think).
The idea of the show was great, but the script was so mediocre that even the murder plot was as exiting as watching paint dry. I honestly did not see it coming... because it didn't make any sense. There was no backstory here so make it make sense??? There were basically no clues, no motives, it didn't fit the character, whatever. It also got resolved wayyy to easily. Where was the investigation work?
I have no idea why they even bothered with the 2ML romance, it was there for one episode and then never mentioned again (and unnecessary). I caught myself wishing the attorney was the ML because there was more potential for a more interesting love story. At least with a better script writer. Sadly, the chemistry was a bit better with them.
That said, I didn't hate the drama but I didn't love the drama either. Lackluster, but okay.
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This review may contain spoilers
I really enjoyed this overall, especially because the leads were so strong. I wasn’t familiar with Kim Jae Yeong at all, but he impressed me here — his scenes dealing with grief, mental health struggles, and being accused of murder were some of the best in the show. He and Choi Soo Young had great chemistry and carried a lot of the emotional weight. I do wish the drama had pushed harder on its critique of obsessive fan culture and media bias. The show touches on how idols are treated as less than human, but it never digs as deeply as it could have. Even so, the performances and core story kept me invested.
Even when the writing gets predictable or overly dramatic and some plot points land flat, the themes and character moments kept it watchable.
2/1/26
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From the Filming, to the Writing, to the characters to the story - Perfect!
My Rating: 10/10I haven’t enjoyed a drama this much in a long time.
What really stood out is how unique the overall blend of genres is. It’s not just a romance or an idol drama — it seamlessly weaves together mystery, crime, legal elements, and a grounded look at idol life. That combination alone makes it feel fresh, but what elevates it even further is the execution.
The filming was absolutely stunning. I even looked up who the director was, Lee Gwang Young, the acting and filming were top level. I will be excited to see her other works. There’s a clear artistic vision behind how this drama was shot. Certain scenes — like the nature shots or even simple moments inside Maeng Se-na’s home — felt intentionally composed in a way that made everything look elevated without feeling artificial. It never felt overly filtered or unrealistic, just… expertly captured. Like a photographer who knows exactly how to frame a subject to make it look its best.
It’s the kind of cinematography that makes you notice the direction, not just the story. I actually found myself wanting to look up the director afterward just to see what else they’ve done — and that doesn’t happen often.
I also really appreciated the more grounded portrayal of the industry. Through Do Ra-ik’s experience, the drama doesn’t just show the glamorous side of fame, but also the pressure, lack of privacy, and emotional toll that comes with it. If you’ve seen other works in this space, you can tell there’s a clear interest in showing the reality behind celebrity life rather than just the fantasy. It has elements that reminded me of the Indie film "Time to Be Strong" which I saw on a Delta flight and wish was widely available. These types of films, that show the less glamorous aspects of fame, are important to validate the experience many that choose these paths go through.
On top of that, the pacing and storytelling keep you engaged the entire time. There’s always something unfolding — whether it’s the legal case, the mystery, or the developing relationship — so it never feels slow or dragged out. Kim Da Rin, the screenwriter did an amazing job and I also looked up her other works. If what I saw was accurate this may be her first but I will be paying attention if she does more, because this was an amazing show with great writing.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and would absolutely watch it again. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys:
Romance
Idol dramas
Mystery/crime
Or especially a strong blend of all of the above
⚠️ Spoilers
This drama did an incredible job keeping me guessing.
From the beginning, I was sure Do Ra-ik wasn’t actually guilty. But beyond that, it constantly shifted where suspicion landed. At first, it really seemed like Choi Jae-hee (the bandmate who was always angry with him and had just fought with him) could be responsible. For a good portion of the show, that felt like the most obvious answer.
Then after Jae-hee's accident, that theory started to fall apart, and attention shifted elsewhere. For a while, it really felt like the truth might lie with someone closer to the situation — possibly even someone unexpected like a female character involved in the case.
At one point, it even made you question whether someone like Lee Young-bin could be behind it all, or if there would be a twist involving someone who seemed neutral — like the “peacemaker” type within the group. That constant shifting is what made the mystery so engaging. It never felt predictable.
Another standout element was how the show handled fan culture.
The obsessive fans around Do Ra-ik were uncomfortable to watch — but in a very real way. The lack of boundaries, the constant surveillance, the physical closeness without consent… it all felt grounded in reality. Anyone who has dealt with that kind of behavior (even on a smaller scale) would recognize how unsettling it is.
One particular fan’s behavior bordered on cringe, Se-na, but it also made more sense once her backstory was revealed — especially the fact that Do Ra-ik had played a role in saving her life. That added a layer of understanding without excusing the behavior.
The relationship between Maeng Se-na and Do Ra-ik was something I really loved. There is a slight gray area with professional ethics early on, since she is initially connected to him in a professional capacity, but the dynamic shifts naturally over time. Much of the emotional progression comes after that boundary is no longer in place, which makes it feel more acceptable and organic.
I also really enjoyed the subplot involving Maeng Se-na’s tenant/friend. His investigative skills were impressive, and the backstory of how she helped pull him out of a life of crime was genuinely heartwarming. It added another layer to her character and showed her impact on others beyond the main storyline.
Now… Do Ra-ik’s mother.
She was honestly a difficult character to watch. The idea that she essentially pushed him into the industry at a young age and shaped his entire life around that choice is hard to ignore. The drama does attempt to frame it later in a more positive light — suggesting recognition of his talent — but it definitely takes some narrative stretching to make her actions feel justified. That’s something I’ve noticed comes up often in Korean dramas, but here it stood out more.
Also — the hairstyles in the early days 😄I understand they were trying to make the group look younger, and early K-pop styles were definitely… a choice. It worked for the timeline, but it was still noticeable.
As for the romance — I loved them. Completely.
The only very minor disappointment for me was the ending. While we clearly see that Maeng Se-na and Do Ra-ik are together and happy, I would have loved to see a proposal. It felt like the story was right there, ready for that final step, and it just stopped short.
It’s a small thing, but I really wanted to see how he would ask — what that moment would look like. Ending without it felt just slightly incomplete for such a strong relationship.
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i like this drama
Interesting storyline and talented actors. I like it.Interesting storyline and talented actors. I like it.
Interesting storyline and talented actors. I like it.
Interesting storyline and talented actors. I like it.
Interesting storyline and talented actors. I like it.
Interesting storyline and talented actors. I like it.
Interesting storyline and talented actors. I like it.
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Good Idea - But dragging
I loved the idea. Started watching it so happy. After episode 4 it kind of started to drag a little. No progress is made. The story between them is really predictable. I'm not sold on how one episode he's stuck on another woman and then next episode he's all of a sudden in love with the female lead.Also when he finds out she's a fan she just says nothing. This is bad writting to just create drama.
Now i want to know who did it but I watched the last episodes while skipping 10sec all the time. It's so slow and so many useless scenes.
I will not rewatch 😁
PS : don't get me started on his 2005 haircut 😨
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This is an excellent K-Drama that is one of my new faves.
I've watched almost 70 K-dramas, C-Dramas, and Japanese Dramas (J-Dramas?) I can say this is literally in my top 10. The performances are excellent and the chemistry between the leads is off the charts. I don't get those people that say she is acting like a child about her fave Idol. If you saw most of us adults in our own living room watching our K-dramas or our favorite K-Pop band we would look just as childish. They didn't show that she had those childish moments in public. In addition, she is emotionally immature when it comes to romantic relationships after what happened to her father and that also explains why she is still living in her childhood home. It's hard to let go of the past when everything you love was taken away from you at a young age. In some ways, I think the FL and ML are the same level in emotional maturity. Both had their childhoods stolen from them. And I don't find it over the top when it comes to legal segments either. Yes, Law in Korea is different from the US and other countries. I think most of us have watched enough K-dramas to know that money and power still rule. (Honestly not unlike the US) But overall, the laws in Korea seem less flexible and less protective of women and even those in debt. I'm far from an expert, but this show does seem similar to many others I've seen. I've watched 10 episodes and I still don't know if that is the end of the first season or there are a couple of more coming on Netflix in this season. Obviously ep. 10 wasn't the end. I give this show a strong 9 and am looking forward to the final episodes!Was this review helpful to you?
