The next part of the popular K-drama Idol I is about to drop. Episode 5 arrives on Netflix on Monday, January 5, 2026, with Episode 6 following on Tuesday, January 6. The show, which puts a famous K-pop idol at the center of a murder investigation, has climbed into Netflix’s global Top 10. Fans are waiting to see what happens next after a dramatic car crash in the last episode.
What Happened in the First Four Episodes?
The show follows Maeng Se-na, a brilliant but cold criminal defense lawyer. By night, she is a secret mega-fan of the K-pop idol Do Ra-ik, a member of the band Gold Boys. Her two worlds collide when Ra-ik is arrested for the murder of his bandmate, Kang Woo-seong. Se-na volunteers to defend her favorite idol in court.
The story shows Ra-ik’s difficult life as a star, dealing with obsessive “sasaeng” fans who stalk him and break into his home. It also explores the pressure from his agency to keep a perfect image at all costs. While trying to prove his innocence, Se-na discovered that Ra-ik had a secret past relationship with another idol, Hong Hye-joo. A key piece of information came out in Episode 4: a witness claimed to see another band member, drummer Choi Jae-hee, near the scene of the crime on the night of the murder, even though his official alibi was that he was in the hospital.
At the end of Episode 4, after making progress in the case, Se-na and Ra-ik’s car was forced off the road. The episode ended with the crash.
Episode 5 and 6 Release Schedule for Global Viewers
Unlike many Netflix Originals, Idol I follows the Korean broadcast schedule. New episodes air first on Korean TV, then arrive on Netflix for international viewers a short time later. The release happens weekly, with two new episodes every week.
For Episode 5 on January 5, 2026, and Episode 6 on January 6, the expected release time on Netflix is 10:00 AM Eastern Time (ET). This translates to different times around the world:
- United States: 7:00 AM PT / 10:00 AM ET
- United Kingdom: 3:00 PM GMT
- Europe: 4:00 PM CET
- India: 8:30 PM IST
- Australia: 2:00 AM AEST (on January 6 and 7)
- South Korea: 10:00 PM KST (on local TV)
The Cast Behind the Characters
The drama stars Choi Soo-young as lawyer Maeng Se-na. In real life, Soo-young is also a K-pop idol, known as a member of the legendary girl group Girls’ Generation. She brings a unique understanding to a story about fandom. The idol Do Ra-ik is played by actor Kim Jae-young.
In a press conference, Kim Jae-young talked about preparing for the role of an idol. “I thought of band idols like CNBLUE, F.T. Island, and Day6 while acting,” he said. He also mentioned, “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”.
The supporting cast includes Jung Jae-kwang as prosecutor Kwak Byung-gyun, Kim Hyun-jin as private investigator Park Chung-jae, and Choi Hee-jin as Ra-ik’s ex-lover, Hong Hye-joo. The other members of the fictional band Gold Boys are played by Park Jeong-woo, Choi Geon, and Ahn Woo-yeon.
How the Show Mirrors Real K-Pop Struggles
While the murder mystery drives the plot, many viewers have connected with the show’s realistic look at the dark side of fame. The drama shows the intense pressure idols face. In the first episode, Ra-ik is grabbed by a fan, harassed by constant calls after his phone number is leaked, and finally has obsessive fans break into his apartment.
When he complains to his agency CEO about these stalkers, he is told that idols must accept a loss of privacy and maintain a flawless image at all times.
These scenes reflect real issues reported in the K-pop industry, where intense fan culture can cross serious boundaries. The show also touches on how agencies sometimes fail to protect their artists to avoid scandal.
Global Popularity and Fan Reaction
Since its premiere on December 22, 2025, Idol I has found a wide audience. It quickly entered the Netflix global Top 10 list for TV shows, reaching the number 5 spot worldwide. The show ranked number one in countries like Indonesia and Thailand and made the top five in many others across Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
On fan review sites, the drama has received positive scores, showing strong audience approval for its mix of mystery, romance, and social commentary. The unique premise of a fan defending her idol in a murder case has created a lot of discussion online.
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What to Expect Next in the Story
After the car crash cliffhanger, the upcoming episodes will deal with the aftermath. The preview suggests Se-na and Ra-ik survive the incident, but it raises the possibility that someone with a grudge against Ra-ik is trying to sabotage the case. The new information about drummer Jae-hee’s whereabouts on the night of the murder is likely to become a major focus.
Viewers can expect more development in the complex relationship between Se-na and Ra-ik. The professional line between lawyer and client has already started to blur, with moments showing a growing personal connection. The series has a total of 12 episodes, releasing two per week until the finale on January 27, 2026.
