1Idol I Part 3 Release Date & Time, Cast, and Recap

If you're eagerly waiting for the next episodes of Idol I, you're in luck! The upcoming episodes 5 and 6 are just around the corner. Since the show doesn't follow Netflix’s usual binge-release pattern, it's essential to know exactly when to tune in so you won't miss a thing.

While many new TV shows are debuting in 2026, Idol I stands out for fans of edgy K-dramas. Though primarily a rom-com, it incorporates darker elements, including a shocking murder mystery.

Overview of the Series

Idol I revolves around Maeng Se-na, a formidable criminal lawyer by day and an ardent K-pop fan by night. Her world turns upside down when she is compelled to defend her favorite idol, Do Ra-ik of the Gold Boys group. Throughout the series, twists abound, raising two major questions:

Who is truly responsible for the murder?
Is Ra-ik developing feelings for Se-na?

Release Date & Time of Part 3

Episode 5 premieres on January 5, 2026,
Episode 6 follows on January 6.

The episodes are officially released at 10 PM KST in Korea. However, Netflix typically makes them available worldwide around 10 AM ET / 7 AM PT. Since the streaming rights are licensed rather than exclusive, release times across regions vary.

Here are estimated viewing times in other regions:

12 PM Brazil
4 PM Central European Time
8:30 PM India Standard Time
2 AM Australia (January 6 & 7)
4 AM New Zealand (January 6 & 7)

Total Number of Episodes

Idol I has 12 episodes in total, each approximately an hour long. Although episode titles haven't been unveiled, summaries for the first four episodes are available:

"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 when he faces a deadly crisis."
"Facing dividing loyalties and backlash from all corners, Se-na questions Ra-ik as he insists on his innocence while his fandom erupts."
"Ra-ik falls into despair as detective Park Chung-jae investigates the case. Meanwhile, Se-na relies on her intuition rather than evidence."
"Ra-ik begs Se-na to keep a figure from his past away from the case – but she soon notices a connection between the two."

Full Release Schedule

Unlike many shows that drop entire seasons at once, Idol I releases episodes weekly, two at a time, over several weeks:

| Episode | Release Date | | -------- | -------------- | | 5 | January 5, 2026 | | 6 | January 6, 2026 | | 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 Breakdown

Main Cast

Choi Soo-young as Maeng Se-na, the talented lawyer and K-pop fan.
Kim Jae-young as Do Ra-ik, the idol and central figure of the story.

Supporting Characters

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-lover.
Park Jeong-woo as Choi Jae-hee, the drummer of Gold Boys.
Choi Geon as Lee Young-bin, the youngest member.
Ahn Woo-yeon as Kang Woo-seong, a Gold Boys member who dies mysteriously.

About the Cast

Choi Soo-young is not only an actress but also a singer, a member of the iconic girl group Girls’ Generation since 2007. She has starred in multiple dramas, including Dating Agency: Cyrano, My Spring Days, and Run On.
Kim Jae-young is both a model and actor known for roles in 100 Days My Prince, The Judge from Hell, and Love in Contract. In a recent interview, he mentioned his admiration for idols and hopes the project succeeds.

Episode 4 Recap

Episode 4 dives deep into Ra-ik’s past, revealing his previous relationship with Hye-joo and uncovering inconsistencies that suggest new suspects. Se-na uncovers evidence that challenges the prosecution’s case.

The episode opens with rumors about Ra-ik’s relationship with Hye-joo, which are confirmed as true—something Ra-ik had previously denied. Though affected emotionally, Se-na remains professional, distancing herself from personal feelings.

A key revelation occurs when Hye-joo claims to have seen Jae-hee near the murder scene, despite reports that he was hospitalized. This raises suspicions about his alibi and involvement.

Prosecutor Byung-gyun grows more suspicious of Hye-joo, especially after learning she argued with Ra-ik the night of the murder. Flashbacks suggest Ra-ik was trying to end their relationship, and conflicts within the band come to light, including Woo-seong’s secret contact with Hye-joo.

Amidst the tension, Se-na shows a caring side—feeding Ra-ik and providing health tips only true fans would know. This hints at growing feelings between them. The episode ends with a car accident involving Se-na and Ra-ik, hinting that someone with a grudge might be targeting him.

The investigation is far from over as new clues and suspects emerge, setting the stage for more intense revelations in subsequent episodes.