Idol I

Engaging and pertinent.

Feb 2026
I really enjoyed this, at times gritty, drama ~ more than I expected to.

Wanting something light to watch, there was actually more to it than I anticipated!

KJY is another actor who plays characters in a more understated way. He doesn't go OTT and can convey a lot purely with his eyes.

The story twists and turns, as Maeng Si-na (CSY) battles to clear her Idol, Do Ra-ik/Laik (sorry, but a very weird stage name, I thought), of murder.

Of course a romance blossoms, but it didn't overshadow the rest of the story, for me.

A mix of characters, nice cast; Kim Won-hae has been in a lot lately, and I liked him in this ~ he's a huge favourite!

Most characters looked like the culprit at some point, which I liked.

Some characters were awful; one redeemed themselves; another kind of did, but was still impossible for me to like.

It got very cheesy at times, and the way Si-na continued to fan over Laik, even though her boyfriend, was too silly for me.

There were actually some very pertinent messages in this drama, too. Mainly, how Sasaengs can ruin an Idol's life, never mind their mental health. Also, how the family of a celebrity cannot be chosen, and their behaviour / activities are beyond the control of any star. How Idols are pushed, controlled, restricted and basically abused in some cases, is also well highlighted. The effects of any/all these issues, really do lead to tragedy, in too many cases.

I just wish these issues were taken more seriously, and could get through to those with the power to change things. Let's hope one day they will.

I was kept engaged, looked forward to episodes and would happily watch again sometime in the future.

Read More

Idol I is a very quiet character-study disguised as a mix of murder mystery and romantic comedy. And while the fun twists keep the audience in constant suspense and well-engaged, the drama’s social commentary of the kpop idol industry, the depth of the characters and their search for their own identity, as well the calmness of life away from loneliness that the world has given them, is the real heart of the story.

Because alongside the tension of a rather well-executed “who done it” mystery, the drama also offers critique about the idol industry, that unhealthy one-sided intimacy and connection that often forms between kpop fans and their favorite idols that make products out of these people and the companies that use that for their own benefit. And unlike some other dramas that have attempted such an approach or similar social commentary goes Idol I deep enough within the topic for it to be satisfactory within the story.

It is this social criticism that is the driving force of the story; drives the plot forward and sets key events in motion until the end where it hesitates a bit too suddenly. But at its core, the center of the story is these two lonely individuals who manage to find trust and hope in each other, in different ways and under different circumstances, when all else fails.

These characters seem very real and tangible, interpreted with a real emotional maturity and heart that makes their struggles recognizable and heartbreaking. Despite the great tension and stakes that the mystery highlights, the characters stay firmly grounded and never get too clichéd.

The narrative is effective and sharp but seems to also knows when to slow down for good, important character moments. The pace serves the emotional depth of the drama rather well and therefore manages to tackle both the theme of the story as well as the twists within the story with good sincerity and without relying too much on predictable tropes.

The romance is there, but it mostly simmers quietly in the background and never rises to a general rolling-boil, which fits very well with the story that this drama is trying to tell. The tone is rather melancholy but manages to strike a light chord from time to time, giving the audience enough time to reflect on the characters’ loss of identity, the pressure, and the emotional cost of being an idol without it feeling too depressing.

Raik’s feelings for Sena are perhaps a little too quickly revealed, making their romantic relationship a bit hasty within an otherwise rather coherent story – but that’s probably because of how few numbers of episodes kdramas get these days.

In general, Idol I strikes a strong balance between dramatic events, the emotional weight of the characters and even the light humor without having too much tonal change within the story. The story therefore has a lot of heart, keeping relatively good pace with a clean, concise narrative and a well-structured plot despite the limited number of episodes it gets to tell its story. Each episode offers an exciting storyline that makes the viewer excited for more and despite the interesting mystery, the story never forgets to focus on the inner conflicts of the characters and the heart of the story even if it does falter on the theme during the second half.

Read More

A great production of an unhinged fanfic

First, I'll star with what I loved.

Since you read the premise, you know what you'll get. Yes it is unrealistic, but I don´t think anyone expected that. I loved it was sort of a love letter for fan culture. It was great to see all sides of fandom, from the good to the ugly, and also, the representation of a grown, succesful woman who enjoyed beign a part of a fandom as a hobby. People tend to think it's a "teenage" or "childish" thing but never bat an eye when men ar die-hard fans of sports too, but I digress.

The cinematography was great, this has so many beautiful scenes, very well shot. Soundtrack was great too.

The casting, superb. Everyone had chemistry with one another, from the Gold Boys members, to the prosecutor and the detective. You could actually bought they all knew each other from a long time before the start. Same with Hye-Joo and La-Ik, you could feel the history and the broken bond between them whenever they interacted.

Main couple, excellent. Their banter and flirting and of course their kisses 10/10.

Yes you do have to suspend your disbelief a little, in real life something like this probably would never happened, but it is like a fanfic adaptation, and a great one at that.

Now for the one thing I didn´t like, I believe the murder mistery could´ve been handled better and tbh at some point I actually lost interest on who the culprit was. Anything they could've done would've been meh to me cause I don't think it was handled well and I did not like at all mental health issued being the reason for the murder.

The final episode, I loved. It was cute, sweet, everything resolved, lots of cute scenes, everyone happy.

I do recommend to watch, always keeping in mind it is a fanfic, don't expect the logic of the real world here.

Read More

Good plot, executed badly

I was really excited for this drama to air as it had a really good cast, and an interesting premise. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. Overall, it was enjoyable but nothing special.

My first problem is the FL. Don't get me wrong, Sooyoung is a great actress, but I felt like her character was written in an unrealisitic way. I feel like this is because as soon as she became the ML's lawyer, she immediately stopped fangirling. As a fangirl myself, I found this to be unbelievable even if the character is supposed to be extremely professional. Also, the fact that she was supposedly professional contradicts with the fact that she was living with her client.

Another issue I had is the ML's ex. For the first few episodes, I found her to be a good character, and quite enjoyed the scenes she was in. But towards the end, I just found her annoying. Not only that but I feel like the group treated her really badly considering that although she wasn't the nicest of people, she had no bad intent towards any of them. I also wasn't happy that there wasn't really a closure between her and the ML.

There were also a couple of other things that got on my nerves a bit, but I won't go into that now.

In terms of things I enjoyed, I thought the chemistry between the ML and FL was really believable and they were also very likeable characters. Another thing I enjoyed was the addition of the ML's mother, as I found her to be an interesting character, although I really wish that there had been more scenes with the ML and her together.

Would I recommend this drama? Probably not. However, if your bored and there is nothing else to watch, go for it!

Read More

Love, Fame, and a Murder Charge!

💡 Story & Themes
The series centers on Maeng Se-na (Choi Soo-young) — a top criminal defense lawyer who secretly worships idol Do Ra-ik (Kim Jae-young). When he suddenly becomes a murder suspect, she switches from fan to defender, uncovering gritty truths about the idol world along the way. The show digs into parasocial relationships, media manipulation, idol pressure, and the dark side of fandom culture, often without easy answers.
It is a dark, emotionally layered take on K-drama idol narratives — blending legal thriller, mystery, romance, and industry commentary in a way that feels fresh and provocative rather than glossy and escapist. It’s not your typical idol romance; instead, it peels back the shine to show what fame, fandom, and obsession can really cost both stars and their supporters.

🎭 Performances & Characters
I think Choi Soo-young delivers a strong, nuanced lead performance, bringing real emotional depth to Se-na’s conflicted mix of professionalism and obsession.
I’ve also been really impressed by Kim Jae-young’s portrayal of Do Ra-ik — he captures the exhaustion of fame, anxiety, and emotional restraint in a way that feels grounded and believable.
For me, the supporting cast (the prosecutors, investigators, and band members) adds extra layers of intrigue and hidden agendas, making each episode feel tense and unpredictable.

🔍 Mystery & Pacing
I find that the mystery and courtroom strategy keep the plot engaging, with twists that make me rethink earlier assumptions. The pacing is generally tight, though at times I feel certain episodes slow down or focus too much on procedural detail instead of pushing the characters forward. [I personally feel they didn’t need to drag Ra Ik’s case for so many episodes. They could’ve wrapped it up around episodes 8 or 9, and then used episodes 10, 11, and 12 to show the downfall of Byeong Gyun’s father and how Se Na brought justice to her own father]

❤️ Romance & Chemistry
I find the romantic tension between Se-na and Do Ra-ik more uncomfortable and layered than fluffy, which feels intentional given the story’s theme of fantasy colliding with reality. The chemistry comes across as subtle and slow-burn to me, though at times I wish it were explored more deeply.

📌 Final Verdict
Idol I stands out as a thoughtful, gripping drama that uses the idol genre to explore deeper issues — obsession, public image, truth, and identity — without sugarcoating. It’s recommended if you enjoy legal thrillers, character-driven mysteries, and nuanced portrayals of fame and fandom.

📌 Final Verdict
Idol I stands out as a thoughtful, gripping drama that uses the idol genre to explore deeper issues — obsession, public image, truth, and identity — without sugarcoating. It’s recommended if you enjoy legal thrillers, character-driven mysteries, and nuanced portrayals of fame and fandom.
As an ARMY myself — someone who truly loves and idolizes BTS and knows how much Jungkook has suffered recently because of sasaengs and stalkers, and how Taehyung and other members have been threatened by obsessive fans who think they own them — I really appreciated how this drama portrayed all of that.

Read More

A Surprisingly Sharp Drama Disguised as a Rom-Com

When I started this show I thought it would be a fluffy Rom-com. That’s not an accident, that’s strategy. It lured viewers in with Rom-com framing, idol hi-jinks, quirky lawyer energy… and then quietly slid a scalpel under the surface.

What we are watching now is a drama that:

Uses fluff as an entry point

Uses familiarity as camouflage

And then asks uncomfortable questions about identity, projection, labor, grief, and truth

That dissonance is intentional. It mirrors the idol system itself: sparkle on the surface, structural sadness underneath.

And the reason it’s working on me, even if I am not the primary “K-pop fandom” audience, is that the writing isn’t didactic. It doesn’t lecture. It lets realizations arrive sideways, through character reflection rather than plot twists.

I came in expecting cotton candy.
I'm getting cotton candy wrapped around a manifesto.

Honestly? That’s the best kind of bait-and-switch.

Read More

Refreshing!!!

It is soooo refreshing to see a female protagonist playing a typical "male" character for a change - ones that takes the lead, stands her ground, but is not showing it off just because it's a woman. She is just being herself, and her being herself also means having an idol even when you're older, your own bubble of interest and grounded vunerabilty.
She acts well and intertwines with the male main character very well, even though he seems like a manchild at first.

The theme is also refreshing, it feels somewhat new and I'm halfway through and couldn't wait till end to write an review.

Read More

Ehhh...............Edit 1/10/'26 Dropping

So.............2 episodes are in the book.........from what's available, we got a fangirl fangirling over her favorite idol whose secretly been a source of strength and life in her little world unbeknownst to him with ties to and from childhood that he doesn't remember just yet, rooting him on from the shadows.......and wants to save him the way he secretly saved her. Or something like that.

A lovely but minor attempt at running something back comes quickly to mind. Good lord.........you can't get any more cliched than this. Guess that's why it's a Mon-Tues piece. I am NOT impressed at all. But this type of drama has a strong viewing base amongst Kdramas fans.
For me, it struggled to keep my attention and her frequent, mindless monologues just kept putting me offset for some reason. But w/ just 2 in, it's not right to dismiss this just yet. Let's see what happens next week.
1-10-'26 Edit
Had to catch up before next episode. Still not impressed. Clingy ex's. The 'love' interests are messy as hell but not surprising with the ppl around the leads or just outside their circle. Friend Zone vs hot ML for the lady's attention. Hidden childhood link. FL's constant 24/7 droning monologues. No side stories worth paying attention to. It's all zzz, vanilla and the leads are not strong enough to carry with a script this bad. Adios to this sleep fest~

Read More

They Have to Follow the Script I Suppose

I’m only watching this because I’m a fan of the male lead. The plot is interesting, though some elements feel unrealistic. Yes, it’s a drama, but an adult obsessing over an idol comes across as sad and strange.

That said, the show does an important job of highlighting issues such as stress, invasions of privacy, the way labels and companies treat artists, and the dynamics within idol groups—topics we need to see more often. All that glitters isn’t gold. Idols are human beings, and they should be able to date without fans reacting as if they own them.

Read More

It's Good

I usually don't like to give points this early on... but it's score is so low despite it's quality. I don't usually watch 'on air' dramas, but I am following this one and it is good.

I don't know much about law. Someone wrote, it is not logical from that aspect. but I came here for rom com and it is going well. That's why I gave it all 10. And I am looking forward to future episodes.

I just wished they wouldn't show the girl getting depressed when the dating rumors were out. I don't want this show to support the toxic fan fantasy. Other than that, I liked everything.

Read More