If you can’t wait to see what’s next in Idol I, you’ll be pleased to know that Episode 5 and 6 are coming up soon. But since the K-drama doesn’t drop at the same time as other Netflix shows, be sure to make note of when to expect it so you don’t miss a thing.
While there are plenty of TV shows to enjoy in 2026, Idol I is the perfect watch if you love K-drama with a bit of edge. Although it’s a romcom, there are darker elements too – including a shocking murder.
The new series centers on Maeng Se-na, a ruthless criminal attorney by day and a K-pop fan by night. Her world is turned upside down when she’s forced to defend her favorite idol, Do Ra-ik of the Gold Boys group.
Along the way there are many twists and turns, sparking two major questions: who is really responsible for the murder, and is Ra-ik starting to fall for Se-na?
Idol I Episode 5 will release on Netflix on January 5, 2026, while Episode 6 drops on January 6. Although the show releases on these dates at 10pm KST in Korea, reports suggest that it lands on Netflix at approximately 10am ET / 7am PT.
Unlike Netflix original shows, the streaming service simply has the licensing rights to air Idol I internationally. As such, episodes follow the Korean broadcast schedule rather than Netflix’s usual global release pattern, meaning viewers should expect staggered drop times each week.
We’ve listed several other time zones below so you know roughly when to tune in:
- 12pm Brazil
- 3pm UK
- 4pm Central European Time
- 8:30pm India Standard Time
- 2am Australia (January 6 & 7)
- 4am New Zealand (January 6 & 7)
How many episodes are there?
Idol I has 12 episodes in total, with each one approximately an hour long. No titles have been released, but the descriptions for the first four episodes have been, which you can check out below:
- Episode 1
- “By day, Maeng Se-na is a top lawyer – but by night, she’s a secret K-pop mega fan. Do Ra-ik’s world unravels when he faces a deadly crisis.”
- Episode 2
- “Facing dividing loyalties and backlash from all corners, Se-na questions Ra-ik as he insists on his innocence while his fandom erupts.”
- Episode 3
- “Ra-ik falls into despair as detective Park Chung-jae investigates the case. Meanwhile, Se-na relies on her intuition rather than evidence.”
- Episode 4
- “Ra-ik begs Se-na to keep a figure from his past away from the case – but she soon notices a connection between the two.”
Full release schedule
As said, rather than Netflix’s usual all-at-once release schedule, Idol I is dropping two episodes per week across two nights. You can check out the full release schedule below:
- Episode 5 – January 5, 2026
- Episode 6 – January 6, 2026
- Episode 7 – January 12, 2026
- Episode 8 – January 13, 2026
- Episode 9 – January 19, 2026
- Episode 10 – January 20, 2026
- Episode 11 – January 26, 2026
- Episode 12 – January 27, 2026
Who’s in the cast?
Choi Soo-young plays the female lead Maeng Se-na in the Idol I cast, while Kim Jae-young plays male lead Do Ra-ik. Take a look at the rest of the cast below:
- Jung Jae-kwang as Kwak Byung-gyun, a cold-blooded prosecutor
- Kim Hyun-jin as Park Chung-jae, Se-na’s private investigator
- Choi Hee-jin as Hong Hye-joo, Ra-ik’s ex-lover
- Park Jeong-woo as Choi Jae-hee, the drummer of the Gold Boys
- Choi Geon as Lee Young-bin, the youngest Gold Boys member
- Ahn Woo-yeon as Kang Woo-seong, a Gold Boys member who dies mysteriously
Even though Choi, aka Sooyoung, is playing a high flying attorney in the new TV show, in real life she’s a singer, having joined the group Girls’ Generation in 2007.
Since then, she’s found success in acting, with notable roles in Dating Agency: Cyrano, My Spring Days, Squad 38, Run On, So I Married the Anti-Fan, If You Wish Upon Me, and Not Others.
As for Jae-young, he’s a model and actor, known for roles in 100 Days My Prince, The Judge from Hell, and Love in Contract.
In a press conference for the show, he said (via MK), “The story goes back ten years. I thought of band idols like CNBLUE, F.T. Island, and Day6 while acting…
“I’ll be forty next year. I don’t think I’ll be able to play an idol in dramas anymore. I really hope this project does well. Please support us.”
Episode 4 recap
Episode 4 confirms Ra-ik’s past relationship with Hye-joo, reveals new inconsistencies in witness accounts, and introduces another possible suspect, while Se-na uncovers evidence that weakens the prosecution’s case.
The episode opens by revisiting past dating rumours involving Ra-ik, which Se-na later discovers were true. Ra-ik and fellow idol Hye-joo were in a real relationship, something he previously denied publicly.
Although the discovery affects Se-na emotionally, she keeps her distance and continues treating Ra-ik strictly as a client. She also helps Ra-ik to prevent Hye-joo from further scrutiny.
When Ra-ik asks Hye-joo to stay away from the case to protect her, she reveals a critical detail: on the night Woo-seong was killed, she saw Jae-hee near the scene, despite reports claiming he was hospitalized. This raises further questions about Jae-hee’s alibi.
Meanwhile, prosecutor Byung-gyun learns that Hye-joo was seen arguing with Ra-ik on the night of the murder and begins to view her as a potential accomplice. But flashbacks show that the reason Ra-ik had gone to see Hye-joo was to end their relationship.
We also learn that his earlier conflict with his bandmate stemmed from Woo-seong secretly staying in contact with Hye-joo behind his back.
After all of this information comes to light, the episode delivers some more lighthearted scenes, with Se-na providing Ra-ik with all of the things he needs to maintain his health – information only a true Golden Boys fan should know.
What’s more, Se-na leaves a meal out for him when she goes to work, causing Ra-ik to crack a smile for the first time in a while, suggesting his feelings for her might be growing.
With a renewed focus, the pair head to Byung-gyun’s office and present new information that disproves his theory that Ra-ik was responsible. It’s not enough to get him off the hook, but it certainly shakes his confidence.
After leaving his office, Idol I Episode 4 ends with Se-na and Ra-ik’s car suddenly veering off the road. As is revealed in the Episode 5 preview, we know they’ll be fine – but a later scene suggests someone who holds a grudge against Ra-ik is responsible.
Going into Episode 5, the case is far from resolved. Jae-hee’s alibi, Hye-joo’s testimony, and the supposed sabotage point to someone actively manipulating events, raising the stakes for both Ra-ik’s defense and Se-na’s safety as the investigation continues.
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