Exclusive: Korean stars Choi Soo-young, Kim Jae-young on fans, obsession and India
In exclusive conversations with India Today, leads Choi Soo-young and Kim Jae-young reflect on why the show has resonated deeply with Indian audiences. Both actors credit India's emotional storytelling sensibility for truly "understanding" IDOL I, calling the response heartfelt, thoughtful and deeply moving.
As Korean content continues to deepen its footprint in India, K-Drama IDOL I have emerged as one such unlikely favourite, striking a chord for its honest portrayal of idol culture, fandom, and the emotional toll of visibility. Already in Netflix Global top 10 in the Non-English category and Channel K, the series' growing Indian fanbase has responded not just to the romance, but to the series’ unsparing look at fandom, fame and the quiet damage caused by constant visibility.
At the heart of this resonance are its two leads: Choi Soo-young, who plays Sena, a poised lawyer living a secret life as a devoted fan, and Kim Jae-young, who portrays Do Raik, an idol slowly collapsing under the weight of being endlessly consumed. Speaking to India Today in exclusive conversations, both actors opened up about restraint, responsibility and why India’s response feels especially meaningful. They also mention that the show is not to belittle fans and they hope fans “don’t the upset” about it.
ON BOLLYWOOD AND INDIA
The impact of IDOL I in India has surprised both actors and moved them. “I sincerely thank everyone in India for the love you’ve shown IDOL I,” says Jae-young. “Indian cinema has always impressed me because emotions are expressed so openly through song and movement. When I watch Bollywood films, it feels like I’m watching a musical, and that emotional clarity really stays with you.”
He adds, “When I think of India, I imagine a country with a grand sense of scale, strong emotions, and incredible food. If I’m ever given the opportunity, I would truly love to visit.”
Soo-young points to how Indian fans engage deeply rather than fleetingly. “Sometimes I see videos where fans have beautifully edited our scenes and set them to Indian music. In those moments, I really feel how closely our emotions are being understood,” she says. “Among all the projects I’ve done, this is the first time I’ve received such a strong response from India, which makes it feel even more special.”
IDOL-FAN RELATIONSHIP: HOPE FANS DON’T GET UPSET
Do Raik may be a chart-topping idol, but Jae-young insists the role is rooted in loneliness rather than fame. “He’s someone who cherishes very small, ordinary happiness. And because I also live as a public figure, I understood that instinct very well, the need to hold on to tiny moments that feel real,” Jae-young said.
Soo-young’s Sena stands on the opposite end of the idol equation but with equal emotional weight. Having lived life on both sides of the idol ecosystem, Soo-young was particularly sensitive to how fandom was portrayed. “I knew there were parts of a fan’s emotional world that I could never fully understand,” she admits. “But because I’ve spent so many years encountering fans’ feelings up close, I strongly hoped that this drama would not hurt them.” For those unversed, a large section of fans did boycott the show over the portrayal of idol-fan relationship. However, international fans praised it for its honest portrayal, drawing inspiration from incidences with Jungkook of BTS and many more.
She adds, “Even if Raik doesn’t love Sena romantically, it was very important to me that his feelings toward fans as a whole are restored. I put a lot of thought into making sure the story didn’t dismiss or invalidate fandom.” That awareness deepened during filming. “I realised how much emotional labour fans do, reading between the lines of official statements, worrying, waiting, trying to feel sincerity even when warmth is lost in formal communication. That weight felt much heavier than I had ever imagined.”
ON-SCREEN CHEMISTRY
Reflecting on their on-screen bond, Kim Jae-young says Soo-young “did an excellent job portraying Maeng Sena and the idea of a ‘hidden fan,’” adding that her performance made his “heart flutter both while acting and while watching the broadcast.” He credits her easygoing nature and openness on set for making communication effortless, noting that filming felt enjoyable throughout and naturally translated into strong chemistry.
Soo-young echoes the sentiment, admitting she didn’t expect their connection to be as seamless at first. “As we moved from script readings into filming, our rhythm and emotional tempo aligned,” she says, adding that Jae-young’s innate warmth made Raik instantly lovable. From Sena’s point of view, “all she had to do was simply love him.”
ON THEIR PERFORMANCES
Some of IDOL I’s most devastating scenes unfold without dialogue. “When someone is truly shocked or deeply angry, they don’t explain themselves,” Jae-young says. “Those emotions appear first in the eyes. So, I didn’t try to ‘show’ anything, I focused on genuinely reaching that emotional state and letting it surface naturally.”
For Soo-young, restraint was equally important. “There’s something deeply human about loving something in secret, especially when your profession demands authority and seriousness."
Episode 6 became one of the show’s most debated moments, particularly Raik’s reaction to discovering Sena is a fan. “That scene was very difficult for me,” Jae-young admits. “At one point, I even thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be easier if she were a fan?’ But Raik wants to be liked for who he truly is not because of conditions, expectations, or professional reasons.”
He continues, “Because he carries trauma from sasaeng [obsessed fans in Korean who invade privacy] fans, his reaction is a mix of fear, confusion, and misunderstanding. It’s not rejection, it’s self-protection.”
Soo-young highlights the same episode for a different reason. “The billboard scene, where Sena comforts Raik anonymously, was inspired by real fan culture. It was comforting precisely because she’s a fan, and because she’s Sena. Emotionally, it was overwhelming, but it’s a moment I’m very proud of.”
OBSESSIVE FANS VS BEING A PART OF FANDOM
If IDOL I leaves viewers with one lasting idea, it’s that fandom, especially quiet fandom, can be deeply healthy. “I truly believe this is Sena’s greatest strength,” Soo-young says. “People who know clearly what they love, understand themselves better. Having something you can immerse yourself in gives you a way to keep going, even when life is difficult.”
That belief reshaped her perspective as an artist. “Watching Sena begin her mornings with fandom activities reminded me that a star can shape someone’s entire day for better or worse. Becoming an artist who takes responsibility for that impact may be the greatest way to give back.”
Why IDOL I found a home in India?
In refusing melodrama and choosing emotional honesty, IDOL I has tapped into something universal, a quiet understanding between those who are watched and those who watch. “Rather than performing emotions, I focused on believing the situation was real,” Jae-young says. And as Soo-young reflects, “Loving something deeply can be joy but it can also be survival.”
Idol I is currently streaming on Channel K, Netflix, and Viki in India.
As Korean content continues to deepen its footprint in India, K-Drama IDOL I have emerged as one such unlikely favourite, striking a chord for its honest portrayal of idol culture, fandom, and the emotional toll of visibility. Already in Netflix Global top 10 in the Non-English category and Channel K, the series' growing Indian fanbase has responded not just to the romance, but to the series’ unsparing look at fandom, fame and the quiet damage caused by constant visibility.
At the heart of this resonance are its two leads: Choi Soo-young, who plays Sena, a poised lawyer living a secret life as a devoted fan, and Kim Jae-young, who portrays Do Raik, an idol slowly collapsing under the weight of being endlessly consumed. Speaking to India Today in exclusive conversations, both actors opened up about restraint, responsibility and why India’s response feels especially meaningful. They also mention that the show is not to belittle fans and they hope fans “don’t the upset” about it.
ON BOLLYWOOD AND INDIA
The impact of IDOL I in India has surprised both actors and moved them. “I sincerely thank everyone in India for the love you’ve shown IDOL I,” says Jae-young. “Indian cinema has always impressed me because emotions are expressed so openly through song and movement. When I watch Bollywood films, it feels like I’m watching a musical, and that emotional clarity really stays with you.”
He adds, “When I think of India, I imagine a country with a grand sense of scale, strong emotions, and incredible food. If I’m ever given the opportunity, I would truly love to visit.”
Soo-young points to how Indian fans engage deeply rather than fleetingly. “Sometimes I see videos where fans have beautifully edited our scenes and set them to Indian music. In those moments, I really feel how closely our emotions are being understood,” she says. “Among all the projects I’ve done, this is the first time I’ve received such a strong response from India, which makes it feel even more special.”
IDOL-FAN RELATIONSHIP: HOPE FANS DON’T GET UPSET
Do Raik may be a chart-topping idol, but Jae-young insists the role is rooted in loneliness rather than fame. “He’s someone who cherishes very small, ordinary happiness. And because I also live as a public figure, I understood that instinct very well, the need to hold on to tiny moments that feel real,” Jae-young said.
Soo-young’s Sena stands on the opposite end of the idol equation but with equal emotional weight. Having lived life on both sides of the idol ecosystem, Soo-young was particularly sensitive to how fandom was portrayed. “I knew there were parts of a fan’s emotional world that I could never fully understand,” she admits. “But because I’ve spent so many years encountering fans’ feelings up close, I strongly hoped that this drama would not hurt them.” For those unversed, a large section of fans did boycott the show over the portrayal of idol-fan relationship. However, international fans praised it for its honest portrayal, drawing inspiration from incidences with Jungkook of BTS and many more.
She adds, “Even if Raik doesn’t love Sena romantically, it was very important to me that his feelings toward fans as a whole are restored. I put a lot of thought into making sure the story didn’t dismiss or invalidate fandom.” That awareness deepened during filming. “I realised how much emotional labour fans do, reading between the lines of official statements, worrying, waiting, trying to feel sincerity even when warmth is lost in formal communication. That weight felt much heavier than I had ever imagined.”
ON-SCREEN CHEMISTRY
Reflecting on their on-screen bond, Kim Jae-young says Soo-young “did an excellent job portraying Maeng Sena and the idea of a ‘hidden fan,’” adding that her performance made his “heart flutter both while acting and while watching the broadcast.” He credits her easygoing nature and openness on set for making communication effortless, noting that filming felt enjoyable throughout and naturally translated into strong chemistry.
Soo-young echoes the sentiment, admitting she didn’t expect their connection to be as seamless at first. “As we moved from script readings into filming, our rhythm and emotional tempo aligned,” she says, adding that Jae-young’s innate warmth made Raik instantly lovable. From Sena’s point of view, “all she had to do was simply love him.”
ON THEIR PERFORMANCES
Some of IDOL I’s most devastating scenes unfold without dialogue. “When someone is truly shocked or deeply angry, they don’t explain themselves,” Jae-young says. “Those emotions appear first in the eyes. So, I didn’t try to ‘show’ anything, I focused on genuinely reaching that emotional state and letting it surface naturally.”
For Soo-young, restraint was equally important. “There’s something deeply human about loving something in secret, especially when your profession demands authority and seriousness."
Episode 6 became one of the show’s most debated moments, particularly Raik’s reaction to discovering Sena is a fan. “That scene was very difficult for me,” Jae-young admits. “At one point, I even thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be easier if she were a fan?’ But Raik wants to be liked for who he truly is not because of conditions, expectations, or professional reasons.”
He continues, “Because he carries trauma from sasaeng [obsessed fans in Korean who invade privacy] fans, his reaction is a mix of fear, confusion, and misunderstanding. It’s not rejection, it’s self-protection.”
Soo-young highlights the same episode for a different reason. “The billboard scene, where Sena comforts Raik anonymously, was inspired by real fan culture. It was comforting precisely because she’s a fan, and because she’s Sena. Emotionally, it was overwhelming, but it’s a moment I’m very proud of.”
OBSESSIVE FANS VS BEING A PART OF FANDOM
If IDOL I leaves viewers with one lasting idea, it’s that fandom, especially quiet fandom, can be deeply healthy. “I truly believe this is Sena’s greatest strength,” Soo-young says. “People who know clearly what they love, understand themselves better. Having something you can immerse yourself in gives you a way to keep going, even when life is difficult.”
That belief reshaped her perspective as an artist. “Watching Sena begin her mornings with fandom activities reminded me that a star can shape someone’s entire day for better or worse. Becoming an artist who takes responsibility for that impact may be the greatest way to give back.”
Why IDOL I found a home in India?
In refusing melodrama and choosing emotional honesty, IDOL I has tapped into something universal, a quiet understanding between those who are watched and those who watch. “Rather than performing emotions, I focused on believing the situation was real,” Jae-young says. And as Soo-young reflects, “Loving something deeply can be joy but it can also be survival.”
Idol I is currently streaming on Channel K, Netflix, and Viki in India.