Vintage81

Idol I struck a nice balance between romance and murder mystery, with just enough lighthearted moments to keep it from getting too heavy. The FL's fangirl side added some humor early on, even if it became an issue later on in the story. Where the drama really stood out for me, though, was in its exploration of fandom and parasocial relationships.

Some of my favorite moments were early on, when we see the ML dealing with the more uncomfortable sides of fame and parasocial fan behavior, and later, when he talks about the two versions of himself: the idol persona versus who he really is. I also appreciated the way the drama showed more normal fandom behavior through the FL. The ticket-buying scene near the end was especially funny, but also totally accurate!

I’ve seen some criticism online about the romance, particularly concerns that it feeds parasocial fantasies since the idol ultimately ends up with a fan. I understand where that worry comes from, but at the same time, that outcome was inevitable from the start. The drama, however, made an effort to show that this wasn’t just an idol-fan fantasy. Their shared history and emotional connection added depth to their relationship. And while I don’t usually love the “we knew each other when we were younger” trope, in this case, it worked for me...I actually wish the show had spent more time exploring it.

Overall, I liked the main couple and found the ending mostly satisfying. My one lingering frustration is that the show never fully tied up the storyline surrounding her father’s retrial, which felt like a missed opportunity for closure. Still, Idol I offered a thoughtful take on fandom, identity, and romance, and it was a genuinely fun and enjoyable watch.