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K-Pop,Mental health and Forbidden Love: Why 'Imitation' is a conversation SK is not ready to have
My Deep Dive into the K-Pop world,Forbidden Love, and a Mole!
Confession time: I'm totally that watcher who gets hooked on a "trope of the week/month" or an actor I can't get enough of. Right now, I'm fully immersed in my idol drama era, and my current obsession is Lee Jun Young. Honestly, I'm this close to starting a fan club for the mole under his right eye (not in a creepy way, I swear!)
After finishing "Let Me Be Your Knight," which gave me all the musical vibes and stunning visuals but left me hanging in the romance department, I heard through the grapevine (aka timed comments) that LJY was in "Imitation." So, with zero expectations, I dove in headfirst like my life depended on it.
A Whirlwind Tour Through the K-Pop Universe
Initially, if you're born before 1990 and not part of the K-pop faithful, you might feel a little lost. Who's who? Which band belongs to which agency? Managers, CEOs, a fleet of blacked-out vans, and screaming sasaengs (who are pretty much tiny, possessive demons, believe me) it can be a lot.
But by Episode 3, you're completely in the groove. You'll figure out the senior groups, the hungry trainees vying for the spotlight, the fierce girl groups, and the solo artists. This whole complex machine is run by different agencies, big or small, all dependent on investors, their artists' star power, and how much Dispatch (South Korea's most "trusted" gossip source) can dig up.
It's worth to mention that the main cast and supporting characters are either former idols or current ones..which made the show artistically and visual pleasing
The Merry-Go-Round of Idol Life
Once you get a handle on this K-pop merry-go-round, the stories start to unfold. Each group has a main character whose journey is highlighted, supported by side characters who sprinkle in their own drama. The writers somehow manage to tie it all together beautifully in the end. I won't go into every character's detailed story, that would be like watching a 64-episode Chinese historical drama. But I have to mention the main lead Kwan Ryok (Lee Jun Young) who from Episode 4 to 8 had me roaring with laughter at 1 AM. I actually had to pause and texted my drama pen-pal because I was considering a loan for Botox to fix my laugh lines!Watch him try to date in a world where dating can land you in jail.
And how can I forget the fans' favorite curveball, La Li Ma (Park Ji Yeon),our 2FL, who went from 'evil mastermind' to 'adorable angel' faster than you can say 'encore!' Her entrances were always an announcement,she is unadulterated diva, but the kind where you nod along and think, 'Finally, an idol who proves you can have killer style and a functioning brain cell!"
After the initial formation and all the laughs, the drama gets serious. It dives deep into the struggles these young men and women face to make it onto those dazzling stages. We see the ugly underbelly of the K-pop industry: the sacrifices, the hidden truths, and especially the forbidden love. This theme pops up constantly. Idols can't date, and if they do, they risk losing everything, sometimes even their lives. The show tackles mental health issues, with one character's story marking a crucial turning point for a conversation that's desperately needed, but the industry is too busy counting money to listen. Ultimately, "Imitation" shows artists fighting to take control of their lives from greedy CEOs and managers. Sure, there might be a few good eggs, but they often have less power.
Romance, Reality, and Revelations
What "Let Me Be Your Knight" didn't give me in the romance department,This one delivered like a Temu order! We get multiple cute couples, and the more the system tries to keep them apart, the harder Cupid seems to strike. The lengths they go to for a secret date should honestly be turned into a game called "Catch Me If You Can."
While "LMBYK" focused mainly on one band and their music, Imitation opens the curtains, to show the entire industry and the people running the show. This means less focus on the "art" and more on the "drama," though I still have their performances on loop in the background.
Watching this drama felt like walking into your favorite restaurant, expecting a familiar meal, but then being handed a new menu written in French. Thankfully, it is so good that you shamelessly pulled out Google Translate! At certain point someone started chopping onions and we all had some water work..And you could feel the pain and sympathy from the cruel injustice of innocent young people who want nothing but to live their dreams. This drama makes you question the insanity of this industry.
It makes you wonder if buying that expensive concert ticket (equivalent to a semester's tuition!) to see shirtless men break-dancing and sweating it out on stage isn't just feeding the lions so they can devour the sheep. It brings to mind all the "fallen soldiers" of this madness, driven to the brink by an emotionless machine that dances to the tune of stock markets and a fandom that offers no breathing room.
Is "Imitation" Your Next Binge?
If you're a fan of dramas that tackle tough, unspoken topics, if you're intrigued by the K-pop industry, if you're an ATeeZ fan (all the members were in the cast!), or especially if you're a fan of Lee Jun Young (wink wink!), then "Imitation" is an absolute must-watch.
Side note : This drama has one of the most beautiful endings I've ever seen. And I've watched hundreds of dramas. It's like being at a Michael Jackson concert where he sings "We Are The World" with every artist you know. Pure magic.
My fans know that no idol review is complete without a Playlist and this time I came bearing gifts(full video of all the performances) 🤗
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=huk9SC1WPFM
Confession time: I'm totally that watcher who gets hooked on a "trope of the week/month" or an actor I can't get enough of. Right now, I'm fully immersed in my idol drama era, and my current obsession is Lee Jun Young. Honestly, I'm this close to starting a fan club for the mole under his right eye (not in a creepy way, I swear!)
After finishing "Let Me Be Your Knight," which gave me all the musical vibes and stunning visuals but left me hanging in the romance department, I heard through the grapevine (aka timed comments) that LJY was in "Imitation." So, with zero expectations, I dove in headfirst like my life depended on it.
A Whirlwind Tour Through the K-Pop Universe
Initially, if you're born before 1990 and not part of the K-pop faithful, you might feel a little lost. Who's who? Which band belongs to which agency? Managers, CEOs, a fleet of blacked-out vans, and screaming sasaengs (who are pretty much tiny, possessive demons, believe me) it can be a lot.
But by Episode 3, you're completely in the groove. You'll figure out the senior groups, the hungry trainees vying for the spotlight, the fierce girl groups, and the solo artists. This whole complex machine is run by different agencies, big or small, all dependent on investors, their artists' star power, and how much Dispatch (South Korea's most "trusted" gossip source) can dig up.
It's worth to mention that the main cast and supporting characters are either former idols or current ones..which made the show artistically and visual pleasing
The Merry-Go-Round of Idol Life
Once you get a handle on this K-pop merry-go-round, the stories start to unfold. Each group has a main character whose journey is highlighted, supported by side characters who sprinkle in their own drama. The writers somehow manage to tie it all together beautifully in the end. I won't go into every character's detailed story, that would be like watching a 64-episode Chinese historical drama. But I have to mention the main lead Kwan Ryok (Lee Jun Young) who from Episode 4 to 8 had me roaring with laughter at 1 AM. I actually had to pause and texted my drama pen-pal because I was considering a loan for Botox to fix my laugh lines!Watch him try to date in a world where dating can land you in jail.
And how can I forget the fans' favorite curveball, La Li Ma (Park Ji Yeon),our 2FL, who went from 'evil mastermind' to 'adorable angel' faster than you can say 'encore!' Her entrances were always an announcement,she is unadulterated diva, but the kind where you nod along and think, 'Finally, an idol who proves you can have killer style and a functioning brain cell!"
After the initial formation and all the laughs, the drama gets serious. It dives deep into the struggles these young men and women face to make it onto those dazzling stages. We see the ugly underbelly of the K-pop industry: the sacrifices, the hidden truths, and especially the forbidden love. This theme pops up constantly. Idols can't date, and if they do, they risk losing everything, sometimes even their lives. The show tackles mental health issues, with one character's story marking a crucial turning point for a conversation that's desperately needed, but the industry is too busy counting money to listen. Ultimately, "Imitation" shows artists fighting to take control of their lives from greedy CEOs and managers. Sure, there might be a few good eggs, but they often have less power.
Romance, Reality, and Revelations
What "Let Me Be Your Knight" didn't give me in the romance department,This one delivered like a Temu order! We get multiple cute couples, and the more the system tries to keep them apart, the harder Cupid seems to strike. The lengths they go to for a secret date should honestly be turned into a game called "Catch Me If You Can."
While "LMBYK" focused mainly on one band and their music, Imitation opens the curtains, to show the entire industry and the people running the show. This means less focus on the "art" and more on the "drama," though I still have their performances on loop in the background.
Watching this drama felt like walking into your favorite restaurant, expecting a familiar meal, but then being handed a new menu written in French. Thankfully, it is so good that you shamelessly pulled out Google Translate! At certain point someone started chopping onions and we all had some water work..And you could feel the pain and sympathy from the cruel injustice of innocent young people who want nothing but to live their dreams. This drama makes you question the insanity of this industry.
It makes you wonder if buying that expensive concert ticket (equivalent to a semester's tuition!) to see shirtless men break-dancing and sweating it out on stage isn't just feeding the lions so they can devour the sheep. It brings to mind all the "fallen soldiers" of this madness, driven to the brink by an emotionless machine that dances to the tune of stock markets and a fandom that offers no breathing room.
Is "Imitation" Your Next Binge?
If you're a fan of dramas that tackle tough, unspoken topics, if you're intrigued by the K-pop industry, if you're an ATeeZ fan (all the members were in the cast!), or especially if you're a fan of Lee Jun Young (wink wink!), then "Imitation" is an absolute must-watch.
Side note : This drama has one of the most beautiful endings I've ever seen. And I've watched hundreds of dramas. It's like being at a Michael Jackson concert where he sings "We Are The World" with every artist you know. Pure magic.
My fans know that no idol review is complete without a Playlist and this time I came bearing gifts(full video of all the performances) 🤗
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=huk9SC1WPFM
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