An Unusual Rise, Will ENA Hit the Jackpot Again? The early momentum of ENA channel's new Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Idol Eye' is extraordinary. After a smooth start with a first broadcast rating of 1.9%, it jumped to 2.3% in the second episode as word of mouth began to spread, drawing an upward curve. Getting such a fast reaction amidst the recent flood of genre and romance dramas proves that this drama has a definitive "punch." Using a double meaning in the title that combines 'Idol' and 'Dol-i' (a Korean slang for a crazy or eccentric person), it stimulates curiosity. Upon opening the lid, it truly stimulates viewers' dopamine with a strange mix of "bone-headedly" funny characters and a mysterious murder case. Attention is focused on whether this drama can become another filial son for ENA, following 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo'.
Unreachable Stars, What Does an 'Idol' Mean in Korea? The proportion that 'Idols' occupy in South Korean pop culture is truly immense. Beyond simply being singers who dance and sing, they are objects of envy and reasons for living for some. In particular, Korea's fandom culture is unique and powerful enough to be unprecedented globally. To fans, idols are absolute existences, and the relationship with them goes beyond simple star and fan, forming a deep emotional bond as if in a pseudo-romantic relationship. While some fans cheer from a distance, many send blind love, chasing every move of their singer. The drama uses this unique Korean idol culture and "Fan-ship" as an important engine for the story, drawing out both realism and empathy simultaneously.
Between Fandom and Madness, The Light and Shadow of Industrialized Fandom In Korea, most idols are in the form of 'groups' born within a thoroughly planned system. The modifier 'idol' is rarely attached to actors, but it naturally follows singers active in groups. A term that used to apply to solo singers in the past has now hardened like a proper noun referring to K-POP groups. Within this huge industry, fans organize to buy albums, stream music, vote, and make their singer number one. However, where the light is strong, the shadow is also deep. The problem of 'sasaeng fans' (obsessive fans) who invade privacy due to excessive love becomes a social issue. The drama lays the light and shadow of this idol industry in the background and illuminates the backside of the entertainment industry through the incidents occurring within it.
Move Over Growth Dramas! The Birth of a Mystery Comic Thriller There have been quite a few dramas featuring idols so far. However, most focused on the 'growth story' of trainees sweating blood and tears to succeed in debuting, or touching stories of 'failed idols' (Mang-dol) making a comeback. However, 'Idol Eye' blatantly twists this existing grammar. As felt from the title, this drama is not a brilliant success story of an idol. Rather, implying the double meaning of 'Idol' and 'Dol-i' (nutjob/weirdo), it is closer to a chaotic farce where unique characters who seem to have a screw loose get swept up in an extreme situation called a murder case. It gives a fresh shock to viewers as a mystery thriller disguised as a growth drama, and a complex genre mixed with comedy.
Main Vocal Living Up to His Name, The Fatal Charm of 'Doraik' The protagonist 'Doraik', played by actor Kim Jae-young, has an unusual name from the start. This name, which clearly seems derived from 'Dol-i' (Crazy/Nutjob), succinctly shows his character. He is a key member serving as the main vocal and center of the popular idol band 'Gold Boys'. However, unlike his charisma on stage, in daily life, he is a figure with unpredictability, narcissism, and a bit of madness(?). The character Doraik, who is not a perfectly packaged idol image but has human flaws and unique individuality, came to life vividly meeting Kim Jae-young's sly acting. His appearance of shamelessly breaking down with a handsome face is one of the biggest laughter points of this drama.
The Secret Private Life of a Lawyer with a 100% Win Rate, 'Successful Fan' Maeng Se-na 'Maeng Se-na', played by Choi Soo-young, is a cold-headed lawyer who looks like she wouldn't bleed a drop if pricked. She is an ace with a 100% winning rate who wins every case she takes, but she has a secret hobby she can never tell others. The fact is that she is a passionate 'geek' (fan) of Gold Boys, especially Doraik. She wears a sharp suit and roams the court during work hours, but after work, she carries a cannon camera (large telephoto lens), chases fan signing events, and shouts "Oppa!" Her double life elicits empathy from many idol fans. Choi Soo-young delightfully expressed the sorrow and joy of a professional woman who is 'Ilco' (cosplaying as a regular person/closeted fan) because of her social status and face.
My Bias Becomes a Suspect in a Locked-Room Murder Case The drama opens with a shocking incident from the beginning. Doraik, who was juggling solo and band activities, was realizing the decline in popularity as his new song's ranking plummeted. One day, while feeling a sense of crisis and aiming for a comeback, a fellow band member who came to his house to comfort him is found as a cold corpse the next day. The location happens to be Doraik's house, a perfect locked room with no signs of external intrusion. A desperate crisis strikes where Korea's top idol is suddenly driven as a murder suspect. Coincidentally, the law firm Maeng Se-na belongs to has a partnership with Gold Boys' agency, and thanks to this, the 'Successful Fan' Maeng Se-na faces her dream bias, Doraik, as a client.
Reason for Defense is 'Bad Acting'? Extraordinary Proof of Innocence A situation where all circumstantial evidence points to Doraik as the culprit. Even Maeng Se-na suspected him at first. However, after talking directly with Doraik, she becomes 100% convinced that he is not the culprit. The reason was none other than Doraik's disastrous 'acting skills'. Doraik, who created a dark history with his "foot acting" (terrible acting) when he appeared in a drama in the past. Maeng Se-na believes in his innocence with logic that only a fan would know: "That Oppa shows it all on his face when he lies. That expression of being wrongly accused cannot come out through acting." This scene, where she paradoxically becomes convinced of his innocence because his denial of murder was so pathetic and real, clearly shows the identity of the drama moving between thriller and comedy.
Comfort on a Day I Wanted to Die, The Reason He Became My Star Maeng Se-na, who takes on Doraik's defense in earnest. There was a special story beyond simple fandom for her risking danger to clear his name. During her school days, she met Doraik by chance at a moment when life was so hard she wanted to die. At that time, Doraik, who was a trainee or unknown, offered warm comfort to the crying Se-na and sang her a song, and that song became the strength for Se-na to live again. Since then, Se-na has become a true fan supporting him while watching Doraik's debut process. The narrative that they were salvation to each other, not just fandom as simple entertainment, adds heavy emotion to the drama and makes the relationship between the two even more special.
Kim Jae-young's Last Idol Role? Anticipating the Run of 12 Episodes Actor Kim Jae-young joked in an interview, "Since I'm turning 40 soon, I think this will be my last idol role." However, on screen, he still shows visuals and energy that suit the stage. Choi Soo-young, who has mainly shown deep acting in independent films or distinctive works, is also perfectly digesting the three-dimensional character moving between a professional woman and an enthusiastic fan in this work. A 'nutjob' idol accused of murder and a successful fan lawyer who must save him. The eccentric and fierce cooperation between the two has just begun. 'Idol Eye' is planned for a total of 12 episodes. Just as the ratings rise with each episode, the synergy of mystery, romance, and comedy to be unraveled in the future is even more anticipated.
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