Idol I

Despite interesting set up and idol context, underwhelming

This drama focus on a defense attorney that find herselves defending her favorite idol accused of murder. I loved watching Kim Jae Yeong acting in this : he is super hot and credible in portraying the brutal downfall of an idol. I also enjoyed all the tidbits of idol life and fan experiences that were highlighted through the series. I even wish there would have been more of it because it was the most interesting part.

Other than that, I felt the investigation was super empty, with everybody being dumb just for the sake of dragging the plot. The legal aspect was very minor making the trials feel very superficial. At the end the resolution felt half-backed with not much legal work but rather luck...Writing was poor overall with male lead making dumb choices and his touching moments were not enough to not feel just frustrating. The female lead was smarter but her dialogs were very uninspired. If I'm honest, I found the acting quite average for most of the cast. It is probably due to the scenario, but despite finding the male lead very hot and convincing for some scenes, the chemistry with the female lead felt limited for the romance.

The production value (directing, making, effects...) felt super cheap for a South Korean production and the soundtrack was also very mid...For a show set up in the context of idol, I expected much more, at least from the music.

I would not recommend this to people unless you are a fan of Kim Jae Yeong or another cast member. The legal aspect of the series is pretty poorly executed and the romance is also rather average. The series felt very slow with not much happening. The most interesting part of the series for me was the Entertainement industry set up but it was not exploited enough.

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very promising first half, second half predictable

the first half of the drama was enjoyable and interesting, fresh and charismatic. the plot itself was intriguing and at the beginning it didn’t feel predictable and it felt like there might be an interesting plot twist or a something a bit deeper than what it came to at the end. the drama lost my focus and interest towards the end and I had to force myself to finish it. the heaviness of the tragedy was lost as the drama progressed and the complicated relationship between band members and Do Ra-ik and his mother wasn’t resolved in a heartwarming or serious manner as it should be. the chemistry between Kim Jae-Young and Choi Soo-Jung was enjoyable, but sometimes got lost in the poorly written scenes where they felt more like friends and less as two people in love with each other. I expected more from the plot because the first couple of episodes were really great, but overall it was an good drama. not a must watch, but not a waste of time.

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How Far would You Believe the Truth?

This drama dove deeper into the lives of celebrities that may be a reality check also for fans. Many celebrities in Korea do face much pressure with just a small rumor. And this drama showed an extreme situation - La Ik being caught in a murder case.
And how far you will go as a fan? - Would you turn away from him no matter what? Would you not seek the truth? Would you only love him because he looks good and sings well?

And it is good that La Ik has one fan who does not believe in the lie. She went out of her way to defend him without revealing herself as a fan. She believed in his innocence and tried everything in her power to find the truth. It isn't what the majority she believed, she just believed in him.

The story went well, though there are parts which I think could have been presented earlier - like the checking of the cloud message of Woo Seong's phone. From the start they knew they cannot find the phone, and of all people, La Ik knew that he records everything and sync in the cloud. Was he too shocked or sorrowful that can't even think what he needs to do to get himself out of that trouble? Was it deliberately placed at Episode 11 so that the drama be longer?

I find this missing - their manager and producer failed to help him. Do they just use them for their own success? Is this reality now? I remember watching Sh**ting Stars where a public relations team help build and protect the image of their clients. Somewhat the drama has loopholes when it comes to protecting their stars. This goes to show the need for a strong trust between the managers and their stars.

This drama has redeeming factors:
1. Atty Kwak learned to stand on the truth and not just go with the flow with his father. In the end, he was able to find the real criminal.
2. La Ik learned to trust Se Na
3. And with the help of Chung Jae, Se Na's friend, they were able to gather evidence. I like this character, that though he knows Se Na loves La Ik, he did not stop supporting her. He is very grateful to her, for helping him out from his own troubles in the past.
4. Se Na finally pursuing the retrial of her father's case. Though it may look late, this character has been consistent in finding the truth.

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Again according to the reviews I thought I'm going to find a spectacular drama
But for sorrow it was very normal
Sometimes boring
The romance was tooooooo lukewarm although it could be amazing during the events
How could a woman loves a man over 15 yrs then when he confessed she acts with this stupid way and being cold like this
So I think this wasn't love this was obsession
With an idol

The character development was ok for most of the heroines
For the first time, I see the second ML in the love triangle marginalised which it doesn't hurt me much
But it doesn't please me too
Because I saw the love triangle in this drama wasn't necessary at all
The writer could make the ML jealous just from their relationship without hurting the 2nd ML
I loved the 2nd ML a lot his character was so Manish and cute
Over all this drama was just one time watch for me

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Good cinematography, average acting and poor script and character development.

Harmless fangirling isn’t the issue. My problem is the sharp contrast between Sena’s profile and how she’s written. We’re told she’s a seasoned, high-profile lawyer who is mature, composed, rational; yet her motivations feel rooted in a very weak unsupported backstory. The riverbank encounter during her bullying phase is presented as the emotional anchor for her lifelong devotion, but it’s underdeveloped and feels like a one-off trope. The “I was bullied and saved by an angel” setup has been heavily overused in K-dramas, and here it doesn’t carry enough psychological weight to justify her extreme denial years later.
If that memory truly shaped her, we should see how time, growth, and experience refined it. Instead, her arc feels stuck at that teenage emotional imprint, which clashes with who she is supposed to be now — an accomplished adult who handles high-profile cases calmly, impassioned and objectively. That contrast could have been powerful if explored properly, but it isn’t.
The drama had strong tools to critique fan culture and unrealistic expectations placed on celebrities. It could have done that without reducing the female lead to a near-caricature of blind devotion. It would have been more compelling if Sena started off indifferent, or even critical of celebrity worship, and then gradually went through a nuanced journey of empathy and self-realization. Instead, her growth centers on realizing something that feels developmentally obvious for someone of her age and profession.
For me, the writing and character development just don’t hold up.

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great premise, could’ve stayed tighter

I have mixed feelings about Idol I, but there are parts I genuinely appreciated.

What the drama did really well was the idol life realism. The way it showed the pressure, perfection standards, and lack of humanity idols are often afforded felt painfully accurate. This is such an important topic, and I honestly wish it were addressed more openly like this. K-netizens truly need to chill, and this drama does a good job reminding us that idols are human beings first, not machines or public property. That part alone made it worth watching for me.

That said… the plot got messy and kind of dull.

It started off strong. The early episodes had twists, suspense, and that “just one more episode” energy. But around episodes 7 to 8, it really lost momentum. I actually stopped watching for a bit and almost forgot it was still airing, which says a lot. I’m used to mid-drama slumps, but this one felt especially avoidable. It could have stayed much tighter and more hyped.

Things picked back up around episodes 10 and 11, which helped, but episode 12 felt like an afterthought. It was clearly there to give viewers a happy ending. I didn’t hate that, I actually liked the ending itself, I just wish we had more time living in that resolution instead of still tying up loose ends so late.

Overall, this drama had a great premise and an important message, but the execution didn’t fully live up to its potential. Worth watching for the idol commentary and Kim Jae-young, but manage your expectations on the storytelling side.

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Like any other justice and idol drama

The first episode let you see a tiny bit of the dangers of the so called Saseng Culture in Asia.
That moment looked promising to me.
But deeper into the serie it became like any other modern drama about idols and (in)justice.
I really hoped they would focus on the Saseng to be honest.
This drama also showed how Korean dramas became so westernised. It disappointed me.
The classic childhood trauma drama and high school trauma drama were not forgotten to put in this drama as well.😪

Beside this, the actors were good. And did a good job to make this drama watchable.

But if you skip I Dol I you won’t miss out tbh.

The actor Kim Jae-young who played Do-Ra Ik did a good job. I don’t think at all that he is to old to play an idol, he mentioned it in a previous interview.
The music in this drama is good.
Other roles might be more suiting to him.

Actress Soo-Young did a good job as well.
But her character was off.
She supposed to be a great winning lawyer, but acts like a 16yo fangirl in private life felt really off.

To summarise my opinion:
-first episode looked promising
-the drama is just like any other idol and justice drama we’ve watched before
-it’s a westernised drama
-actors were good and did a good job
-poor writing
- good music
- you won’t miss out if you don’t watch this drama 👍🏼

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Not Flashy, But It Stays With You

Idol I became my first drama review of 2026, and it honestly felt like a thoughtful way to start the year. This drama doesn’t rely on glamour or exaggerated moments. Instead, it quietly tells a story about identity, pressure, and the emotional cost of being an idol in a harsh industry.
Kim Jae-young as Do Ra-ik delivers a calm yet emotionally layered performance as an idol caught in a complicated situation. His character feels restrained on the surface but deeply conflicted inside. Choi Soo-young plays Maeng Se-na, a smart and composed lawyer whose hidden fangirl side adds warmth and depth to her role. Their dynamic feels natural and grounded.
The supporting cast also strengthens the story. Jung Jae-kwang as prosecutor Kwak Byung-gyun brings tension and seriousness, while Kim Hyun-jin as Park Chung-jae adds quiet support and loyalty. Members of the idol group, including Park Jeong-woo (Choi Jae-hee), Choi Geon (Lee Young-bin), and Ahn Woo-yeon (Kang Woo-seong), help portray the reality behind idol friendships and struggles.
The pacing is slow but intentional, allowing emotions to settle rather than rush. The drama feels reflective and personal, focusing more on inner conflicts than dramatic twists. Overall, Idol l is an underrated, character-driven drama that stays with you. Starting 2026 with this as my first review felt meaningful and quietly impactful.

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good potential but lukewarm execution

started out strong given this was one of like 2 shows I kept up with. it's supposed to be a thriller but I'm not thrilled.
I love the actor as well as the actress but as the show progressed the fl just gave me no energy I don't know what was off about her but it is telling if the only memorable thing about her is her suits. and the way she is supposed to be like a super lawyer was lowkey laughable and with zero show like they would give her a stack of papers and have her stay up at night kinda like giving a toddler an empty coffee mug and a tie and telling him you're a businessman. ml did well I mean kinda. I am slightly biased cause i liked him prior to the show.

The story feels like something you'd read in a very frustrating but very well drawn manhwa. it carried a fanfic style with the pivot from investigation and mystery to romance and even at that it didn't carry the tension of a romance fanfic. like the visuals were the only saving grace.
unrealistic and VERY slow progress like some episodes felt literally useless and could be summed up in like a sentence.
The romance felt forced by proximity more than anything and the chemistry was there just again meh.
sure, it gave awareness and realism with the whole toxic obsessive fans, but it threw the realism out of the window with everything else.

The second ml was oddly placed like he was just there to pull evidence out of his ass whenever convenient. and the way they handled the mother was very meh. The prosecutor's change of heart was so stupid i actually laughed like what?

The last episode was very very cringe like the unnatural dialogue and behavior and that's coming from an actual kpop fan.
I mean from the beginning they kept circling around themselves under the guise of tension but the ending 'reveal' felt underwhelming and like a last-minute decision of a very long and boring brainstorming session.
needless to say the whole 2nd fl plot was ass yet it was included for like the whole show while the dad's retrial was cast aside until last episode and was addressed for like 10 minutes. it was like they forgot about it and then were like shit we have to fix it.

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In my opinion, this was an excellent drama. I got completely hooked and never once felt like it was dragging. A huge plus for me was that it portrayed the real problems Asian idols face — the ones that are often kept silent. Staying quiet about your struggles, being forced to smile when fans cross boundaries because otherwise a scandal breaks out. While watching, I didn’t feel like anything was particularly forced, although after cooling down and thinking about it a few hours later, a few issues did come to mind.

I’ll start with the murder case. Personally, I was deeply invested in it and watched each episode with genuine curiosity. I think it was mainly this storyline and everything connected to it that made me like the series so much. I’ll admit — I correctly guessed who the culprit was, although I was convinced that this person wasn’t acting alone, so that part surprised me. I also have to confess that at the very beginning I had Kang U Seong written down as a suspect (laughing through tears). And I’m still not over the fact that he died, because the flashbacks made him one of my favorite characters, and I wanted him to have a happy ending. However, I do have to nitpick something here. I’m not knowledgeable about law, yet even I was struck by this detail — though only after thinking about it later. How on earth did Se Na, supposedly one of the best lawyers, not check the evidence found at the crime scene from the very beginning and show it to Ra Ik? This is a crime drama. I understand that it would have solved the case immediately, but it just makes no sense. The iCloud issue is less glaring, though I still feel that the prosecution should have accessed it early in the investigation. So, in summary, there were at least two noticeable plot conveniences that could affect the overall perception of the drama — personally, they didn’t bother me too much, but I tend to overlook such things.

Now onto the main couple — Maeng Se Na and Do Ra Ik. For most of the time, I genuinely enjoyed watching their relationship. Almost every time (with a small exception when he found out she had been his fan), they stood firmly by each other’s side and were a huge support during difficult moments, protecting one another. It was also clear that they became better — and happier — people because of each other. He learned to show his true emotions, his real self, and that he too deserved love. She learned to slow down, to enjoy her life, and to stop running from her past. I also loved them individually as characters. They were different yet similar, and they complemented each other well. However, toward the end I had one reservation. With Ra Ik, we clearly saw that he fell in love with the real her. But with Se Na, I have mixed feelings. I think the core issue was that she was still his obsessive fan even when they were already in a relationship. Instead of supporting him more as a partner, it still felt like she was supporting him as a fan (his merch, the concert ticket). On one hand, it was funny; on the other, slightly uncomfortable, and those final scenes somewhat disturbed my perception of their relationship (though I’ll pretend that didn’t happen :D).

I’m also glad that in the end the boys reunited as a group, reconciled, and created an album with their late friend — that really moved me. I’m also grateful that none of them turned out to be guilty, because for a moment I was worried about Lee Yeong Bin — he was a bit too calm :D. I did miss further development of Do Ra Ik’s storyline with his mother, especially an apology from her. Although, judging by her behavior, I had the impression that she didn’t fully understand her mistakes, so maybe that’s why we didn’t get one.

Returning to the legal side of things, I’m glad it was shown that Se Na started fighting to restore her father’s name after he had been “wrongfully” convicted. It would have been even better if we had seen her actually win the case. I hope Kwak Jong Cheol rotted in prison :D. As for Kwak Byeong Gyun, I’m glad he cut ties with his father and started fighting for the truth. Despite his mistakes as a child, you could see from the beginning that there was goodness in him, worn down by his father’s manipulation, which made me feel a bit of sympathy for him. Though I did hope he would wise up sooner and work with Se Na to find the murderer. Cheon Gwang Su was also a truly wonderful character — like a second father to Se Na — and it was heartwarming to watch how he supported her in everything.

Lastly, I’ll briefly mention Hong Hye Ju, because I simply couldn’t stand her. She hurt Do Ra Ik, constantly shifted all the blame for her behavior onto him — even when she cheated on him. And later she had the audacity to come back and hide behind the excuse of love. Even at the very end, after everything, she tried again, as if she were the only one who had suffered in that situation. A toxic creature. I had to get that off my chest — because I also became his fan :D

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