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Idol I Part 4 Release Date & Recap

January 7, 2026

When Are Episodes 7 & 8 Coming Out?

Following the exciting cliffhanger at the end of Episode 6, fans are eagerly awaiting the next installments of Idol I. Netflix will release Episode 7 and 8 soon, so mark your calendars!

  • Episode 7 drops on January 12, 2026 at 10 PM KST (Korea), with a worldwide release at 10 AM ET / 7 AM PT.
  • Episode 8 will be available on January 13, 2026 in Korea, with the same international release time.

Since Idol I follows the Korean network schedule rather than Netflix's usual binge model, expect staggered release times across different regions. Here are some approximate times:

| Region | Release Time | |---------|--------------| | Brazil | 12 PM | | Central Europe | 4 PM | | India Standard Time | 8:30 PM | | Australia | 2 AM (next day) | | New Zealand | 4 AM (next day) |

Total Number of Episodes

Idol I consists of 12 episodes, each approximately an hour long. While titles haven't been officially announced, summaries for episodes 1–6 are available:

  • Episode 1: Maeng Se-na is a top lawyer by day and a secret K-pop fan by night—her world turns upside down when she defends idol Do Ra-ik in a murder case.
  • Episode 2: Loyalties are tested as Se-na questions Ra-ik while his fans rally behind him.
  • Episode 3: Despair grows as detective Park Chung-jae investigates; Se-na begins relying on intuition.
  • Episode 4: Ra-ik urges Se-na to keep a secret from his past; she discovers a hidden connection.
  • Episode 5: Feelings deepen; Se-na is injured, and crucial information about the case emerges.
  • Episode 6: A breakthrough reveals motives linked to the music industry; Ra-ik uncovers unsettling truths about Se-na.

Full Release Schedule

Unlike typical Netflix drops, Idol I releases episodes twice a week. The upcoming schedule is:

| Episode | Release Date | |---------|--------------| | 7 | January 12, 2026 | | 8 | January 13, 2026 | | 9 | January 19, 2026 | | 10 | January 20, 2026 | | 11 | January 26, 2026 | | 12 | January 27, 2026 |

Cast Overview

  • Choi Soo-young as Maeng Se-na: A talented attorney with a secret passion for K-pop.
  • Kim Jae-young as Do Ra-ik: A charismatic idol and central figure in the murder case.

Supporting Cast

  • Jung Jae-kwang as Kwak Byung-gyun: The stern prosecutor
  • Kim Hyun-jin as Park Chung-jae: Se-na’s private investigator
  • Choi Hee-jin as Hong Hye-joo: Ra-ik’s ex-love
  • Park Jeong-woo as Choi Jae-hee: Gold Boys' drummer
  • Choi Geon as Lee Young-bin: The youngest Gold Boys member
  • Ahn Woo-yeon as Kang Woo-seong: A member who dies mysteriously

About the Cast

  • Choi Soo-young (Sooyoung): A member of Girls’ Generation, she transitioned from music to acting in numerous hit dramas like Dating Agency: Cyrano and Run On.
  • Kim Jae-young: A model and actor recognized for roles in 100 Days My Prince and Love in Contract. He shared hopes for this project during a press conference, expressing support for a long career playing idol roles.

What Happened in Episodes 5 & 6?

Episodes 5 and 6 delve into intense developments:

  • Sabotage and Suspicion: Se-na’s car crash was orchestrated by Ra-ik’s stalkers. Jae-hee becomes a suspect, claiming to have evidence implicating Ra-ik.
  • Uncovering Secrets: Evidence leads to a secret contract involving Ra-ik’s mother, which he successfully disputes with help from Se-na.
  • Past and Present Tensions: Ra-ik reveals disputes with Jae-hee rooted in fan favoritism and professional tensions. Se-na shares her tragic past of her father’s wrongful imprisonment.
  • Romantic Tension & Revelations: Ra-ik’s growing feelings for Se-na intensify, highlighted by his discovery of her Gold Boys fandom merch, which leaves him emotionally torn.

Key Plot Twists

  • Jae-hee’s evidence does not exonerate him; he is still a suspect and departs in episode 6.
  • Ra-ik’s mother, Mi-gyeong, claims ignorance of the secret deal—a crucial point in his legal battle.
  • The investigation into Woo-seong’s involvement points to internal conflicts within the music industry.

Will There Be Romance?

Romantic feelings are subtly developing between Ra-ik and Se-na but not openly acknowledged. The series ends episode 6 with Ra-ik overwhelmed after discovering her fannery merchandise, with tears in his eyes as she returns home unaware of his emotional turmoil.

Final Notes

Fans are eagerly awaiting the next episodes to see how these dramas unfold. Keep an eye on Netflix for the upcoming releases and enjoy the suspense and romance of Idol I.