Do idol fans really want romance with their favorite stars? This long standing question has once again taken center stage as Idol I reaches its finale, leaving viewers divided over its direction.
Idol I follows Choi Soo Young as Maeng Se Na, an 11 year longtime fan who becomes a successful lawyer, and Kim Jae Young as Do Ra Ik, an idol who becomes involved in a serious legal case. From the start, the drama drew attention for mixing fan culture with a legal storyline.
In terms of ratings, the series began at 1.9 percent nationwide (Nielsen Korea, paid platforms). Interest grew as the story progressed, reaching its personal best of 3.5 percent in episode 5, the midpoint of the drama.
However, ratings later showed small ups and downs, dropping to 2.6 percent by episode 10, reflecting mixed viewer reactions.
Many viewers pointed to the drama’s blended genre as the reason for the split response. The story moved between legal suspense and emotional development, leading audiences to fall into two clear groups.
Some viewers wanted the focus to remain on finding the real culprit through the legal plot, while others expected romantic development between the leads.
While the romance elements helped boost attention around the midpoint, they also became controversial as the story grew more serious. Some fans felt uncomfortable with how fan emotions were portrayed once romance entered the picture, especially since the drama was initially praised for realistically showing fan psychology.
Despite the debate, Idol I also highlighted the strengths of its cast. Kim Jae Young was praised for portraying an idol who feels human and flawed, while Choi Soo Young received positive feedback for her clear delivery and steady performance in her first lawyer role, drawing on her own long history with fans.
As Idol I wraps up, the drama leaves behind familiar questions about idol themed stories, audience expectations, and how far romance should go when fan culture is at the center.
Whether viewers focused on ratings, genre balance, or performance, the series has clearly sparked conversation until the very end.
Source: [1]
