The South Korean television series Idol I premiered its episodes 1 and 2 on ENA on December 22 and 23, 2025. The show airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 pm KST, with episodes 3 and 4 scheduled for December 29 and 30. Created by writer Kim Da-rin and director Lee Kwang-young, Idol I stars Kim Jae-young and Choi Soo-young in the lead roles.
The story follows Maeng Se-na, a brilliant lawyer known for taking on controversial cases. Despite her cold and unapproachable demeanor, she is a decade-long devoted fan of the idol group Gold Boys. When her favorite member, Do Ra-ik, is suddenly accused of murder, Se-na steps forward to defend him, determined to uncover the truth.
What to expect in the upcoming episode of Idol I:
In the next episode of Idol I, Maeng Se-na reassures Do Ra-ik that she will defend him as his attorney until the very end. Her friend Park Chung-jae is skeptical, questioning whether her motivation comes solely from her role as his lawyer.
As the investigation unfolds with new developments, Do Ra-ik struggles to cope with the mounting pressure while he attends his bandmate’s funeral. Se-na grows increasingly concerned, sensing that he is hiding something, and urges him to share the truth. Do Ra-ik questions whether she will truly believe him, and Se-na promises to stand by him no matter what.
Amid emotional turmoil, Do Ra-ik begins trying to recall the events of that fateful night. Viewers can expect the upcoming episode filled with emotional confrontations, new clues in the investigation and the deepening bond between the fangirl lawyer and her idol as they face the challenges ahead together.
Idol I episodes 1-2 recap: A shocking murder puts Do Ra-ik in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons
Lawyer Maeng Se-na is renowned for never losing a case. After winning yet another impossible case, she earns a partnership at her firm despite her young age.
Known for her aloof, no-nonsense demeanor, Se-na likes to keep her distance from colleagues. Behind this professional personality however she is secretly a devoted fan of Do Ra-ik, the main vocal and visual member of the idol group Gold Boys.
Do Ra-ik has just debuted as a solo artist and Se-na rushes home to stream his new album, engaging online with fellow fans. She has followed Do Ra-ik for over ten years, ever since a chance encounter in her school days when his music has pulled her back from attempting suicide. His songs has given her strength and motivation to live her life, shaping her into the person she has become.
Meanwhile, Do Ra-ik prepares for his first solo performance. Mobbed by fans, harassed by sasaengs and frustrated by being treated worse than a rookie performer by music shows, he lashes out at his manager.
Se-na first meets idol Do Ra-ik at the back stage of his first solo concert, where she mistakes a flustered and panicked Do Ra-ik running from fans, for a scalper. Shocked when she realizes it is her idol, she is pulled into hiding by him to avoid the crowd.
When Ra-ik leaves her asking her not to scream and give away his location to the fans, overwhelmed by the encounter, she remains frozen. While ecstatic she processes the reality of meeting the man behind her admiration, at backstage of the concert, the tensions within Gold Boys surface.
Do Ra-ik gets into an argument with a bandmate. It escalates into a fight, leaving another member injured and hospitalized. Despite the chaos internally, the concert is a success.
Later, Do Ra-ik admits to the leader of Gold Boys to want to continue with the band rather than pursue a solo career. He shares a night of drinking and conversation with leader Woo-sung.
The next morning comes with a shock for him as he discovers Woo-sung dead in his apartment, making him the prime suspect in the murder. As the investigators note that no one else has entered the apartment after the housekeeper left, the public quickly turns against him.
Shocked by the news, Se-na rushes to the police station and finds Do Ra-ik devastated. Despite her disbelief of meeting her idol like thos, she approaches him professionally.
She remembers her memories with Do Ra-ik, whose music has saved her life and inspired her to succeed. Now, she grapples with the complex reality before her. She contemplate about the real identity of the idol she idolise, the man she met angrily berating his fans and the accused murderer in the headlines.
When he gets his firm denial of murdering Woo-sung, convinced of his innocence, Se-na decides to take the case. She does so despite her firm’s warning her against it, a powerful prosecutor taking up the case against Do Ra-ik and his agency considering terminating his contract.
Se-na and her investigator, Park Chung-jae, track down the stalkers who have repeatedly broken into Do Ra-ik’s apartment. Initially denying involvement, they confess when threatened with charges and media exposure, revealing how they gained access, including the door lock password.
Armed with this evidence, Se-na challenges the prosecution in court, pointing out the possibility of other intruders and flaws in police interrogation. Do Ra-ik is released from custody, though the investigation continues.
With nowhere else to turn, Se-na escorts Do Ra-ik home. He is devastated by vandalized posters and grief of the death of Woo-sung. Unable to enter his apartment, he sits outside drinking alone. The next morning, to his surprise he wakes up at Se-na’s home. With this episodes 2 of Idol I ends.
Idol I is available for streaming on Netflix.
Edited by Adrija Chakraborty
