Idol (2021)

Dreams are for real.

A line from Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" goes like, "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure." The future is indeed yours if you know how to appreciate and believe in thr beauty of your dreams. So it's important you're always led by your dreams. Also, your struggle is something that sharpens you into a fine person. There is scarcely any passion without struggle. "Idol: The Coup" is a story of big dreams and the struggle on the way.

IDOL: THE COUP (아이돌: 더 쿠데타) is the very last story of "Cotton Candy", a failed kpop group, idols of which are determined to prevent the disbandment of their group by any means despite the amount of misfortune befall on them. At the center is Kim Jenna, the leader of the group, who's desperate to grab even the smallest opportunity to save the group. With six months on their hand, the group goes against the newly appointed CEO of their company and prepares themselves to leave the industry with dignity and grace.

To a great deal, the drama portrays the real underlying issues in the Kpop industry as well as the companies and their policies for people under them. The harsh attitude of the public torwards the rookie as well as failed artists is also accurately showcased. The companies going after money over the talent of artists abd then ditching the idols once they loose their popularity is another major problem placed in the show.

Kim Je Na (Ahn Hee Yun) is the thread that holds all the members of Cotton Candy together. Aware or their devastated reality, she still wants to hold onto the group given their past involving their journey tilll their debut. Seo Ji Han (Kim Min Kyu) is the leader of the a rapidly rising boy group "Mars" who has this soft side to people with talent and immensely favors Jenna and her group. Cha Jae Hyuk (Kwak Shi Yang) is the newly appointed CEO of Starpeace Ent. the company that started with Cotton Candy and is on rise bcs of Mars. These 3 are the main characters and Min Kyu is in fact the least experienced among them. Kwak Shi Yang is undoubtedly a very good actor whereas Ahn Hee Yun has improved over years.

There are many characters given the drama is about the Kpop industry involving Kpop groups and companies. There are less familiar as actors casted for the young characters though you might know some of them if you thoroughly follow Kpop. Honestly, their acting wasn't much impressive rather some of them failed to deliver appropriate emotions and lacked coordination. But I guess overally they were able to perform as much it was demanded from them basing upon their skills. Some characters were likable where some made me hate them to a great deal.

Among some good actors casted in minor roles are Ahn Se Ha and Jung Woong In.

Plot development is quite fine with several peaks throughout. Misery just keep embracing the girls from Cotton Candy one after another; a little moment of joy is followed by series of tragedy. The events are mostly saddening so it can make you cry constantly if you're very sensitive. The progression is good and steady. The drama starts with a seemingly funny yet sob-story and ends with a goor impression.

Noh Jung Chan PD-nim has been there in the industry for over a decade but his previous dramas are pretty average. Given that fact, he seems to have improved here, providing the drama all his determination. The screenplay is pretty good, in fact amazing in few instances. I am also okay with the pacing the dramas was run with. The screen-editing, syncs, organization and coordination... all these were well handled.

Jung Yoon Jung jakka-nim is known for dramas like "Misaeng" and "The Bride of Habaek"; the former is a quality hit whereas the latter is a quality flop. I love this script,b despite few potholes (let's call it missed plots). The introduction, the development and the ending, everything is well presented. So happy she has incorporated most of the possible issues with the industries in a "slice of life" way for the idols' lives, portraying a real image and the dark and known, yet ignored scenarios associate to it.

The songs!? Oh my goodness! They're so dope TT. If you're into Kpop then you won't be able to help but love them so much. There is no OST in the drama, rather only one opening theme, which is also used as a bg plus theme in the drama. All other songs are in fact sung by many artists along with the imaginary idol groups: Mars & Cotton Candy, featured in the drama.

The makers have also added 2-3 mins interviews at the beginning of each episode, from several rookie artists and trainees as well as some failed artists. This segment is something that breaks your heart more than the drama bcs it's the real story.

Overally, "Idol: The Coup" is an above average drama with a decent plotline, par acting with several major issues to learn about and a good outcome. Judging from production value and every other aspects this is an uo to scratch piece and worth the one time watch, especially for the multistan Kpop fans. I would not say it's a much watch but I surely enjoyed it and recommend others as well.

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slice of life

in 2021 dramas were in a slump, and I was in a deeper slump, but this drama was really fun. it was emotinal, it was layered with great sismnace, women that depended on themselves, and best of all the non existent romance that was better than 90% of romance genres

my favorite part was shipping jena and jaehyuk, whether it sailed or sunk didn't matter cuz that chemistry was FIRE. jena looovved to get on jaehyuk's nerve, and he was so mushy and overreactive despite being "evil" and cold that it was all just too adorable
atleast now I have material for my article about ships ;)

I also really liked the music alot ;) I high key stan KillA the most xD and I wish they'd release all of the songs.

I do admit the trauma and the drama got to penthouse's ridiculous makjang level, like they should've stopped at ep6(?) when jena and hyunji had that greatly acted emotinal breakdown scene

everything after it (and before it) was like SSSAAADDD, oooh light of hope, nope SSSAAAADDDDD, well maybe hope BUT NO..
as a youth slice of life sismance drama about idols, this was great and fun and I NEED hani and shiyang to reunite!

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