Idol I

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~

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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.

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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.

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Is this Drama Taking on a Toxic Oppressive Industry?

I just finished Idol I. It was not what I expected. In the end it was a murder mystery with romance on the side. The storyline was interesting enough and the characters likable enough to keep me viewing each week. No big statement on how toxic the Kpop industry is. Just a likable Kdrama--no fuss--no muss--just regular Kdrama stuff. I left my initial impressions below.

I've only watched the first two episodes. I'm wondering if this drama is less about the murder-mystery who-dun-it aspect, and more about shedding light on the toxic music/idol industry. Our ML is an anxious/ paranoid idol who doesn't seem very happy doing what he is doing. He appears trapped in a system that continues to oppress him whether it's the perfectionist expectations of the music label and his fans, his fellow group members who seem to despise him for succeeding out on his own, or the fans who stalk him making him paranoid and his life miserable. None of this surprises me about our ML.

I've watched too many You Tube videos of former idols who are now away from industry and speak about:
1. Excessive control by the music label
2. The pressure to always be perfect
3. Live secret personal lives to keep up an illusion for their fans
4. Physical and emotional abuse
5. Sexual harassment and abuse - this came from former female idols about unwanted attention from groping CEO's of labels.
6. Toxic fans, unrealistic fan expectations, stalking, online harassment

I'm a Kpop fan, but only listen to the music. I really don't follow the idols mainly due to the scary fans. I also have a hard time with what the music labels make these idols do all for the purposes of making money, especially all the pretense...all for money.

Is this drama taking on the toxicity of the Kpop industry? I think there is more here than at first glance? It's worth sticking with the drama to see.

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Great story , amazing acting..

The script of "Idol I" is so impressive, so detailed and well-written, that it really scares you. The truths that are captured in a series of twelve episodes shock you deeply.. It perfectly describes the sick relationship between artist and fan, and Kim Jae-young's amazing performance as Do Ra Ik, a famous singer whose health has been shaken by all this pressure he receives from people who call their obsessions "fan clubs" so inevitably touches you..

I always liked this actor because he "plays" a lot with his eyes. His style is so sad like a lost puppy that you want to hug and protect him... Actress Choi Soo Young as Maeng Se Na, as a lawyer and fanatical fan of Do Ra Ik, gives an acting recital, as the ideal person who can manage and protect a quirky and sensitive personality like Do Ra Ik, as she gives him calm, love and "space" without pressuring him, so that he can breathe off stage.. Their chemistry is a given, as are the moments of tension and interaction between them..The rest of the cast gave their best and passed successfully.. The OST are impressive, the direction is perfectly ..

This story teaches many lessons..Artists are people like all of us, with weaknesses and flaws..What they do is their job and we love them for it, but there has to be a limit and red lines...They don't owe us anything for enduring the abuse of some who, calling themselves "fans", make them suffer...

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Balancing romance, idol life and mystery - a masterpiece

Trying to make my review short, I'll include my main thoughts.

IDOL I is a very good drama consisting of mostly romance but also plenty of scenes with mystery. The acting was phenomenal in many cases and even though it had a pretty slow start it finished on top without any episode being boring or skip-worthy. My favorite thing about this drama is definitely the different perspective of idol life, how difficult and painful it can be to always have so many watching and judging you. Recommended to all k-pop fans and anybody who needs a great k-drama to watch!
Best episodes: 4 & 7

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i had high hopes for this kdrama

Like most people I saw those very relatable tiktok videos of this drama, had very high hopes of it being heavily crime and law related drama, how laws CAN protect the artist and agencies' can be very intolerable.
But what did we get? Agencies pushing their artists to attend their schedules although mental heath is all over the place, a person is grieving their friend's death, threatening while reminding them that they are in fact in debt still that needs to be paid and so on, so that is a check, we got it in this drama which was very mindful.
Then we got sasaengs, deathly obsessive people, so check.
Then we didn't get a lot of romance which honestly was a good choice by the makers, but we did in fact get the "fans" being very obsessive over their idols and dating.
Crime plot was a bit meh, but it wasn't too bad of an idea, just a bit shabby.
Lastly, the leads are actually good actors and in my opinion had more chemistry behind the scenes:)

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complete 10/10

this k drama blew me away. the characters’ chemistry, the storyline, the acting. it was all fantastic honestly… the main characters chemistry was so enchanting… you could FEEL the heartbreak and love and sacrifice that the main characters felt. you want justice for everyone who’s been wronged and the storyline has such a great pace. they don’t fall in love too early, then you’re left with 6 episodes of tying up the story. there were so many plot twists to keep you guessing. and then you finish it all up with a nice bow. no loose ends that I can think of. my first 10/10 and I’ll stick by that.

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not your typical romcom

i refused to watch this for a while. then I was bored and thought oh well just 5 minutes.
i got hooked from the first minute on. it was not your typical cheesy romcom. this was so much better. the pain and suffering that was portrayed by the ml was so feasible! you could feel it with your heart and soul. he was so good in his acting that it was almost physical pain whenever he cried. the fl is my favorite korean actress. she is so beautiful and i absolutely loved how she portrayed a strong woman that is vulnerable at the same time. the talent of this actress is endless and only comparable with chinese actress Bai Lu. the dramas these two could bring on the table if there would be a collaboration…!
i liked that the prosecutor came around. i would not have pegged the killer. my money was on someone else. it really kept me on my seat to find out who it really was. glad they got what they deserved. but I didn’t like that person from the first minute they appeared on screen lol. I’m trying not to reveal and spoil it lol
i would have loved a second couple but it really wasn’t necessary since it would have overcrowded the storyline.
I’m a bit lost right now because this was so good it felt like I was in the middle of it. thanks to the acting and directing.
this really had everything. love, crime, murder, suspense, trauma and laughter. some of the ost was a bit annoying but most of it was really good. i also was wondering if the mother sold the ticket or not 🤣
i loved how her boss supported her like a father. more than that in most cases. dramas and life taught us a lot about that 🥹
this was an easy 10/10 for me and will always have a special place in my heart. if I could give more for the acting skills of both leads I would. the chemistry between the leads and the entire team was just amazing and brilliant.

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A Murder Mystery That Leads to Healing: The Quiet Strength of Idol I

IDOL I is not your typical idol drama neither is it a murder mystery, which is what I thought and why it took me a while to start it. The murder investigation is really only the backdrop for the story. The real story is about emotional healing, the concept of justice, and the complicated relationships that shape people’s lives. Kim Jae-young is Do Ra-ik who is called La-Ik (which I loved, because it phonetically its LIKE!) – but I digress… I like that the drama connects the characters’ pasts (as do all K-Drama!) but it helps to explain Se-na’s fascination with the case is not random. She is naturally drawn to questions of justice and her emotional investment runs deeper. Ra-ik once helped her during her lowest point in her life. Now he finds himself in a situation that mirrors her past: being accused of a crime, much like her own father once was. Defending Ra-ik allows Se-na to come full circle. In helping him fight she is not only protecting someone she cares about but also confronting the trauma that shaped her own life.
Ra-ik’s lacks sincere love, his talent as a singer became something others relied on or exploited, leaving him feeling valued more for what he could provide than for who he was. He quietly longs for genuine affection and sincerity (which is why later on, finding out she was a fan, was such a blow to him). He, through Se-na’s determination to help him and her unwavering belief in his innocence, finally encounters someone whose care for him is real and sincere. This is what I enjoyed, that we can understand how they got there and why they are together –
then what takes the romance up a notch --the chemistry between Ra-Ik and Se Na. The show does not appear to be about romance and does not rely heavily on physical romance, but we are never left in doubt that these two are connected to each other on some indescribable level.
They are careful to show that Se-na’s admiration for Ra-ik did not begin because he was a celebrity. Her feelings originate from the person he was before fame. Because of this, her identity as a “fan” never feels superficial. Instead, the story gradually allows her to recognize that what she feels for him is not fandom but genuine love.Their relationship is handled with maturity throughout the story. Ra-ik never manipulates Se-na’s feelings, and he treats her with respect and professionalism while sorting through his own emotions. Once he understands what he feels, he is honest with her. This sincerity strengthens the emotional core of the drama.
Ra-ik must come to terms with the complicated motivations of people around him—including his own mother and the individuals who shaped his career. Even his relationships with his bandmates reflect this theme: everyone makes mistakes, but what matters most is how those mistakes are acknowledged and addressed.
Se-na’s relationship with her investigator is convoluted too. Their bond resembles family, and at times the emotional closeness between them could be mistaken for romantic feelings. However, the drama resolves this naturally and maturely, reinforcing the idea that not all deep connections need to become romance.
There is also meaningful development to the prosecutor. Throughout the series he struggles under the influence of a controlling parent, and part of his journey involves breaking away from that pressure and choosing to follow his own sense of justice. When Se-na gives the prosecutor the information revealing the real culprit but leaves the final decision in his hands. Rather than forcing the outcome herself, she allows him the opportunity to choose what is right, showing faith in him and the system.
These are all things I like - there is not much to worry about not liking because the good stuff overshadows. Also, a shout out for
Kim Won Hae - He was Se-Na's dad's friend who saved her as a kid and this role reminded me of While you Were Sleeping , how he took care of the kids in that and that is one of my favourite dramas ever so this connection make me link WYWS to IDOL I and may have also added to my enjoyment.
I like the length and the music adds dimension. Just as the characters believe that music can heal people, the drama itself becomes a story about healing, forgiveness, and the possibility of finding love and justice at the same time.
For me, Idol I is a 9.5 out of 10. If you appreciate stories that focus more on emotional growth and meaningful relationships rather than fast-paced plot twists, Idol I could be a rewarding experience.

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