In the gripping episodes 7 and 8 of Idol I, viewers witness the dramatic repercussions of Ra-ik’s discovery regarding Se-na’s allegiance to the Gold Boys fandom. As the murder case of Woo-seong unfolds, new developments keep fans on the edge of their seats. If you’re eager to learn what happens next, here’s everything you need to know about the release of Episodes 9 and 10 on Netflix.
Come January 2026, K-drama enthusiasts will have plenty of content to choose from, but Idol I stands out as a top pick, blending romantic comedy with a thrilling murder mystery. Centered around Maeng Se-na, a savvy criminal attorney by day and a passionate K-pop devotee by night, the series showcases her unique journey.
When tragedy strikes her favorite band, and member Do Ra-ik finds himself accused of murder, Se-na’s role as his defender complicates their intricate relationship with each new twist in the case.
Although Idol I is originally aired on the Korean network ENA, Netflix holds its international distribution rights, which influences its release schedule. Below, you’ll find an update on the next episodes and a recap of Part 4.
Episode Release Schedule
Episode 9 of Idol I will premiere on Netflix on January 19, 2026, with Episode 10 following on January 20. Each episode is set to release at 10 PM KST in Korea, which translates to approximately 10 AM ET / 7 AM PT for viewers in North America.
The show adheres to a distinct release pattern that aligns with Korean broadcasting rather than Netflix’s typical global rollout, so anticipate staggered episode drops weekly.
Expected Release Times in Various Time Zones
- 12 PM Brazil
- 3 PM UK
- 4 PM Central European Time
- 8:30 PM India Standard Time
- 2 AM Australia (January 20 & 21)
- 4 AM New Zealand (January 20 & 21)
Total Number of Episodes
In total, Idol I consists of 12 episodes, each approximately one hour long. While episode titles are yet to be disclosed, synopses for the first eight episodes are available, as summarized 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 under a deadly crisis.”
- Episode 2: “Se-na grapples with divided loyalties as Ra-ik insists on his innocence amidst a growing tumult in his fanbase.”
- Episode 3: “Detective Park Chung-jae’s investigation takes a toll on Ra-ik, while Se-na relies on her instincts over solid evidence.”
- Episode 4: “Ra-ik pleads with Se-na to keep a figure from his past away from the case, but she uncovers a connection.”
- Episode 5: “Ra-ik cares for Se-na post-injury, leading to unexpected emotions as she uncovers vital details about the incident.”
- Episode 6: “Se-na uncovers motives tied to the music industry, while Ra-ik learns unsettling news about her.”
- Episode 7: “Ra-ik pulls away from Se-na, who receives shocking news about one of the Gold Boys.”
- Episode 8: “Se-na discovers new evidence and a suspect that could clear Ra-ik, but the investigation takes a dark turn.”
Complete Release Timeline
In contrast to Netflix’s conventional all-at-once release strategy, Idol I is unveiling two episodes weekly across two nights:
- Episode 9 – January 19, 2026
- Episode 10 – January 20, 2026
- Episode 11 – January 26, 2026
- Episode 12 – January 27, 2026
Cast Overview
Leading the cast is Choi Soo-young as Maeng Se-na, with Kim Jae-young portraying Do Ra-ik.
- Jung Jae-kwang as Kwak Byung-gyun, a stern prosecutor
- Kim Hyun-jin as Park Chung-jae, Se-na’s dedicated investigator
- Choi Hee-jin as Hong Hye-joo, the ex-girlfriend of Ra-ik
- Park Jeong-woo as Choi Jae-hee, a drummer in the Gold Boys
- Choi Geon as Lee Young-bin, the youngest member of Gold Boys
- Ahn Woo-yeon as Kang Woo-seong, a Gold Boys member who encounters tragedy
Soo-young, who portrays a high-profile attorney, is also known as a member of the popular girl group Girls’ Generation since 2007.
Meanwhile, Kim Jae-young is recognized for his roles in various dramas, including 100 Days My Prince and The Judge from Hell. During a recent press conference, he shared insights on the show, citing inspiration from well-known idol groups like CNBLUE and F. T.Island, and expressed excitement for the project’s success.
Recap of Episodes 7 & 8
Episodic transitions in Idol I see dramatic shifts as Se-na’s secret fandom momentarily creates distance between her and Ra-ik, jeopardizing her legal representation. As their bond rekindles, the alarming news of Jae-hee’s apparent suicide raises concerns, hinting at a deeper conspiracy and leading to CEO Geum’s pivotal involvement.
In Episode 7, Ra-ik confronts Se-na post-discovery of her fandom. Reacting to her confession, he feels betrayed, claiming that, for the first time, he yearned for someone to see him for who he truly is and not just a K-pop idol. Their conversation escalates, leaving Se-na at a loss for words as Ra-ik, hurt, decides to sever ties.
Left alone, Se-na battles with her feelings, contemplating discarding her Gold Boys memorabilia—a symbol of her past happiness. Meanwhile, shocking developments emerge as Jae-hee disappears and Ra-ik is summoned for questioning, putting him under direct scrutiny by prosecutor Byung-gyun, who implies his involvement in the case.
During Ra-ik’s interrogation, Se-na attempts to defend him, but he dismisses her, refusing to accept her arguments about the lack of evidence supporting the charges against him. This leads to a painful end of their professional relationship. Byung-gyun digs deeper, taunting Se-na by drawing parallels with her father’s wrongful conviction, amplifying the stakes of the case.
Later on, Se-na confronts Hye-joo, Ra-ik’s ex, arranging for an experienced legal team to assist him, while she also makes the emotional choice to relinquish her fan items. Meanwhile, Jae-hee reaches out to CEO Geum, questioning discrepancies and revealing a key point about Woo-seong, which leads to a face-to-face meeting.
The tension escalates in Episode 8 when Jae-hee is reported alive but critically injured. Detective Nam-sik questions Se-na regarding the last interactions with Jae-hee, revealing a voicemail hinting at complications during the murder night, further fuelling suspicion.
As both Ra-ik and Se-na process the situation, their emotional bond reestablishes as they stay together to unravel the mystery surrounding Jae-hee. Their journey allows them to access pivotal moments of their past interactions, highlighting deep-seated connections formed during formative years.
As secrets begin to surface, it appears the investigation is gravitating towards CEO Geum, who embodies questionable motives regarding his involvement with both parties. The final moments of the episode conclude with a tantalizing cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager for more revelations in the anticipated upcoming episodes.
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