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This review may contain spoilers
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.
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.
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