15 K-Dramas About Idols & The K-Pop Industry For Fans & Newbies

For many stans like myself, loving K-pop is pretty much a way of life.

I remember watching the music video of a Girls Generation song many years ago and I absolutely fell in love with the choreography and the visuals – they were so melodic and coordinated as well!

These are some of the best Korean dramas about idols and the K-pop industry that every stan needs to watch at least once.

Whether you’d like a realistic portrayal of the difficulties our biases face or you want something romantic, sweet and lighthearted that will sweep you off your feet, you’re going to enjoy them all!

1. Imitation

Lee Ma Ha, a member of the K-pop group Tea Party, used to impersonate the singer La Li Ma to support herself after her previous group, Omega III, disbanded due to a tragic incident.

She then crosses paths with Kwon Ryok from Shax, who initially dislikes her for impersonating Li Ma, but they secretly start a relationship.

Ma Ha’s friend, Lee Yu Jin from the group Sparkling, loves her and tries to outshine Shax in the industry to protect her from Ryok’s influence.

As far as we know, tension-filled relationships are the order of the day in the K-pop world, so you can be sure that you’re getting the low-down in the sweetest way.

2. Heavenly Idol

Pontifex Rembrary, a powerful character, finds himself in a different world while battling a devil.

Somehow, he ends up in the body of Woo Yeon Woo, a member of an unpopular idol group, and transforms their luck after a bad show.

Using his charm and special abilities, he gains fame but also confronts difficulties from his previous life, especially when the devil follows him into the new world.

3. One Fine Week

Da Eun, a college student unsure of her career, transforms into Byul, a lifelong singer.

Da Eun enjoys a luxurious life with celebrity Jung Woo, uncovering both its glamour and shadows.

Meanwhile, Byul rediscovers the beauty of everyday life as she works as a clumsy part-timer at a café with Ji Han and Ari.

4. Idol: The Coup

Cotton Candy, a struggling idol group, decides to try to save themselves from disbandment one last time.

They believe one big success can turn their fortunes around, but face many challenges, but what rings true at every point of their journey is their deep friendship.

5. Big Picture House

Big Picture House is a show about five aspiring idols who didn’t make it, living together and sharing their dreams and love stories.

You’ll learn that failure in one area doesn’t mean a failed life and that the time and effort spent on one dream can be redirected to achieve success in another way.

6. Part-Time Idol

The story is about a producer at an entertainment agency who makes famous idols but starts to doubt the star-making process.

He decides to take a break and comes back to form a mixed-gender idol group with overlooked trainees.

7. So I Married An Anti-Fan

Geun Young, a magazine reporter, loses her job after witnessing top star Hoo Joon’s violent behaviour and accidentally vomiting on him at a club’s opening night.

She believes Joon is responsible for her firing and protests in front of his management office, which leads to the media labelling her an anti-fan.

Both are offered a reality TV show where a celebrity lives with their anti-fan, and they both accept, hoping to improve their images, but while filming, they unexpectedly develop romantic feelings for each other.

8. Dream High

Dream High follows the journeys of six students at Kirin Art High School pursuing their dreams of becoming Korean music stars.

Go Hye Mi, initially a classical music major, enters the school to repay her father’s debt but must convince two other students, Song Sam Dong from the countryside and Jin Guk, whom she meets while avoiding a loan shark.

Her former sidekick, Yoon Baek Hee, becomes her school rival when she betrays her during an audition and if there’s any drama that shows exactly how isolating life can be as an idol, this is it.

9. You’re Beautiful

The management wanted to add a new lead vocalist to A.N.JELL because Tae Kyung’s voice was strained, but the new member, Mi Nam, had to fix an eye surgery issue in the U.S.

So, his agent suggested his twin sister, Mi Nyu, take his place to keep the group going.

Both grew up in an orphanage and Mi Nyu, set to become a nun, agreed to the charade to help her brother’s chance of fame and find their mother.

Also, you can watch this Kdrama on YouTube right now with complete English subtitles.

10. Top Management

Top Management is a web drama adapted from an online novel.

It follows the journey of a young manager at an entertainment agency who gains an advantage by foreseeing the future, which helps her thrive in the showbiz world.

While this doesn’t really deal with the idols themselves, it’s fantastic if you want to see how things go down in the K-pop industry.

11. Shut Up: Flower Boy Band

Byung Hee is the energetic leader and singer of the rock band Eye Candy, known for their rebellious style – Alongside him are Ji Hyuk, Hyun Soo, Ha Jin, Do Il, and Kyung Jong.

When their troubled school closes, they’re transferred to Jung Sang High but a clash with the school’s top band, Strawberry Fields, motivates Eye Candy to return and reclaim their dominance.

12. The Liar And His Lover

Kang Han Gyeol is a gifted but sad composer who hides his true identity.

One day, he meets Yoon So Rim, a brave high school student who has an amazing voice and her honesty and singing talent gradually brings Han Gyeol out of his shell.

13. Let Me Be Your Knight

Yoon Tae In, the leader of the idol group Luna, has a sleepwalking problem, and to secretly cure him, a fake doctor moves in with him.

On the other hand, Yoon Joo, a tour guide aspiring to buy her own house, gets caught up in an incident and starts living as a fake doctor with five Luna members: Yoon Tae In, Lee Shin, Kim Yoo Chan, Woo Ga On, and Seo Woo Yeon.

14. Be My Boyfriend

Lee Seung Min has a crush on the popular girl, Oh Ji Na, who is training to be an idol.

Surprisingly, Ji Na suggests they pretend to be a couple and now all Seung Min wants is to work hard at it so that their fake relationship becomes real.