IDOL I (2025) Review – When Idol Worship Turns Into a Deadly Courtroom Battle | Now Streaming on Viu

What happens when a hardcore fangirl becomes the defense lawyer of the idol she worships, and that idol is accused of murder?

That’s the sharp, risky, and addictive premise behind IDOL I, the latest Korean legal thriller-meets-romance that’s now streaming on Viu.

Blending fandom culture, celebrity paranoia, legal mind games, and slow-burn tension, IDOL I isn’t here to romanticize idols—it’s here to expose the dark machinery behind fame.

🔥 IDOL I Plot: Fame, Obsession, and a Murder Charge

At the center of the story is Maeng Se-na, played with surprising intensity by Choi Soo-young.

By day, she’s a feared elite defense lawyer with 15 years of courtroom victories—so ruthless she’s nicknamed “The Villain’s Lawyer.”By night? She’s a devoted super-fan of Gold Boys, especially her bias, Do Ra-ik.

That fantasy shatters when Ra-ik—played by Kim Jae-young—is arrested for murder.

The twist?

Ra-ik hates obsessive fans.

And now, his biggest fan is his lawyer.

As Se-na digs deeper to prove his innocence, she uncovers secrets that force her to question:

• Was she loving a lie?

• Is the man she idolized capable of murder?

• And can truth survive when fame controls the narrative?

⚖️ A Legal Drama That Actually Feels Dangerous

Unlike fluffy idol romances, IDOL I plays in darker territory.

The courtroom scenes are tense, strategic, and morally gray. Every episode peels back layers of:

• Media manipulation

• Idol contracts and control

• Sasaeng culture

• The weaponization of public opinion

The show smartly avoids easy answers. Innocence isn’t guaranteed. Love isn’t safe. And fandom? It’s a double-edged sword.

🎭 Performances That Carry the Weight

⭐ Choi Soo-young as Maeng Se-na

This is one of Soo-young’s strongest dramatic performances to date. She balances confidence, obsession, guilt, and emotional collapse without overplaying any note. Her fangirl side never feels silly—it feels human.

⭐ Kim Jae-young as Do Ra-ik

Cold, guarded, and quietly furious, Kim Jae-young nails the exhaustion of an idol who’s never truly been free. His disdain for obsessive fans gives the drama its sharpest edge.

Their chemistry is not cute—it’s uncomfortable, volatile, and compelling, which makes it work.

🧩 Supporting Cast & Conflict

The drama deepens with:

• A ruthless prosecutor and former school rival

• A private investigator digging where others won’t

• Band members hiding dangerous secrets

• A mysterious death that fractures both law and fandom

Every character has an agenda—and none of them feel disposable.

📊 Ratings & Release Schedule

IDOL I premiered on ENA on December 22, 2025, airing every Monday & Tuesday at 10 PM KST, with strong early ratings growth.

📺 Streaming platforms:

• ENA (South Korea)

• Genie TV

• Viu (International)

With 12 episodes scheduled through January 27, 2026, the pacing stays tight and plot-driven—no filler fluff.

🧠 Why IDOL I Stands Out

✔ A rare drama that criticizes idol culture without demonizing fans

✔ Legal thriller elements that actually matter

✔ Romance built on tension, not fantasy

✔ A female lead who isn’t soft, submissive, or naïve

✔ Commentary on privacy, fame, and identity in the digital age

This isn’t a comfort drama. It’s a conversation starter.

⭐ Final Verdict: Worth Watching or Skip?

IDOL I is bold, messy, and unafraid to make viewers uncomfortable—and that’s exactly why it works.

If you enjoy:

• Dark K-dramas

• Legal thrillers

• Idol industry exposés

• Complicated female leads

👉 This one’s a must-watch.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)Smart, tense, and emotionally charge