So far... [may add more to what I watched when I remember anything else]
The Art Of Sarah (2026) - Sarah Kim and her many identities in this 8 episode drama of a con artist who swindles many people to make her name for herself in luxury brand bags, eventually creating Boudoir which is on the peak of success. I started watching for Shin Hye Sun and the minor role of Kim Jae-won but then was caught in the visuals of Lee Jun Hyuk who was looking remarkably handsome in his suits as a detective. I just find it unbelievable how people can scam others like this so dramatically. That is some skill.
Idol I (2026) - SNSD's Choi Sooyoung is Maeng Se-na, a top lawyer who has a reputation for representing 'bad' people and letting them get away. She is a workaholic, punctual and keeps her emotions in check when being professional. She also is a huge fan of Gold Boys a pop rock band, especially the lead vocalist Do Ra-ik (Kim Jaeyoung). The fangirling is kept quiet at work and she will let it all out when she goes home in time for any live stream concerts. Se-na is what every fan is when it comes to spending money on albums, merchandise and dealing with concert ticket nerves as you stand in front of your screen, praying you will get a good seat but then end up waiting through congestion and then by the time you access the website, it's all gone.
I am very much what Se-na is when it comes to fangirling privately and don't show or tell anyone about it since it's a little too much of a niche for the occasional person from East and West I encounter so I would rather gatekeep wholeheartedly. The only difference I would say between her and myself is that I do not have an established career. On the other hand she did work hard and hustled to no end to get to where she is now after losing both parents so she deserves the title of a decent fangirl, even willing to support from a distance and never following what the obsessive fangirls/Sasaeng would do.
Her life changes when Do Ra-ik is arrested as a suspect for murdering his bandmate Kang Woo-seong who was found dead the following day after he visited La-Ik the night before. Nobody wishes to represent Ra-ik and Se-na puts her fangirl side away to become his lawyer in order to see if her idol really was capable of such a crime, even putting her merchandise, plushies and albums in her attic.
What made me enjoy this was the interaction between Sena and Ra-ik and both the insecurities and walls they had to put on. She maintained her fangirling and professionalism. Ra-ik was burnt out and dealing with Sasaeng who broke into his apartment, losing his cool and cussing them out (with good reason) that it was recorded then leaked onto the internet. Everyone didn't believe in him, accused him of being the culprit. Se-na didn't agree with the injustice and stood her ground, stayed by his side so they could work on this case.
If you are not a fan of anything or passionate about anything, Idol I will not be relatable to you at all. The drama does make you question how far would you let your fangirl/fanboying go. Can you be professional or know when to maintain distance? I also liked how this drama gave insight to what Gold Boys were experiencing. The drama that went behind the scenes within the band. The conflicts, the medical issues, the company secrets, the history of the main characters and their past...there's quite a fair bit to sit through.
Of course the OST is definitely packed with great music. Even the main opening theme sung by LUCY is catchy. Kim Jaeyoung's version in the drama is also fun. Hearing the song, I found myself waving my arms (still need to learn the fan chants).
Side note - Choi Sooyoung's short hair is so nice and I'm always happy to see female protagonists with a bob and not always with long hair. I know people like to run their fingers through long hair but bobs are still just as stylish.
Class of Lies / Mr Temporary (2019) - Attorney Gi Mu Hyeok is asked to defend student Kim Han Su who has been accused of murdering school peer Jeong Su Ah. However during the trial, things go rather awry when Mu Hyuk presents evidence regarding the victim and after a false confession the suspect attempts to commit suicide. Mu Hyeok is known to be an attorney who tends to lobby and use illegal methods to get what he wants to achieve a victory but this all goes wrong. Many events happen to Mu Hyuk who eventually is disbarred and is forced out of the law firm he works for.
Two months later we see Mu Hyeok going undercover as a temp teacher to investigate the ins and outs of Cheon Myung High School and finds out how corrupt the school system is through the students and teachers. The evident hierarchy between rich and poorer students is demonstrated in the series and aside from a select few teachers, Mu Hyeok sees how speaking up about issues will get you into trouble. Bullying amongst teachers, entitled parents and students is everywhere which makes my blood boil as I watch. Teaming up with another teacher Han So Hyun and prosecutor Cha Hyun Jung who trained together in the past, Mu Hyeok digs deeper into the Jeong Su Ah murder and how her life was before her passing.
I'm seemingly working backwards with Lee Jun Young's filmography. He wasn't the main character but he just crept in over time, whilst other characters like Ye Ri and Gi Hoon get pushed back when you see more of Yu Beom Jin whose perfect, well-spoken, knowledgeable demeanour seems to unfold as we go further along. I felt the last episode was rushed and would have liked more reaction to what had happened to Beom Jin but the final scenes fast forwarded to normality.
I found Gi Mu Hyeok an interesting character who was certainly skilled in his job, despite his methods , but somehow learnt a serious lesson and got humbled when Lee Do Jin ended his career like that at the beginning of the drama. He of course wanted to win but he was determined to prove Han Su's innocence and seek justice for Su Ah and anyone else who suffered in the school or the Cheon Myung Foundation.
The other students were played by idols who surprised me and I thought they did a good job with their characters. Seeing the adults and students who did plenty of wrongs and getting Karma on their backside is of course satisfying. Class of Lies is a school drama I did enjoy and you may notice I never really watch anything based in schools since I do not want to be reminded of those years but if the premise is interesting I might watch (look at me flail over Weak Hero).