Part-Time Idol
The following is just a review and my own personal opinions. I study film and have been watching K-Dramas through their rise in International acclaim over the past decade. With that said, please enjoy
trigger warning: this piece briefly discusses suicide in the second paragraph
This next drama is a pretty niche pick, but I decided to share it because it was one of the ones I remember fondly from my youth. Part-Time Idol is a 2017 K-Drama directed by Nam Tae Jin and written by Kwak Kyung Yoon which follows a ragtag group of idols that had all been on the brink of being dropped by their agency. Hit producer, Jung Tae Kyung pulls himself out of retirement to create a group full of performers with “problems” and unite them in a co-ed group so they can all have their debut at last. This drama unites uplifting themes of self-acceptance and artistic passion with fun references to the 2017 K-pop scene. The series was produced in collaboration with YG Entertainment and features many of their stars, like Lee Su Hyun and Kwon Hyun Bin. While it’s ironic that it portrays their own management as corrupt and money-leeching—I think it does a great job of creating a sense of nostalgia for the company itself.
What makes this drama work so well is its cast of unique characters all with distinct struggles and motivations for the audience to empathize with. First, we have the produce Jung Tae Kyung who struggles to return to his career after he struggles with the guilt of one of his past trainees who had committed suicide. Because of that guilt, he leads his new group, Part-Time Idol, with a greater sense of empathy and compassion. Rather than degrading them for their flaws as most do, he helps them understand how to rework them into strengths. Kim Hee Jung struggles with managing her anger, which has gotten her kicked out of multiple trainee groups. Tae Kyung helps her use her anger and rework it into a skill for rapping. Then there’s Soo Ah, who is a talented singer but has crippling stage fright. Hee Jung and her other friends from the group help teach her to remember places of comfort to calm her nerves before going on stage. Lee Soo Hyun used to perform with her brother, but always was lost behind his spotlight and now can’t sing any high notes without him. The team works together to try and scare her to get her to hit the notes while also trying to help boost her self-confidence. Kwon Young Deuk has all the makings of a star personality, but no talent nor motivation to practice and improve his skills. They all push him to work harder and dedicate himself to his dreams. Lastly, there’s Kwon Hyun Bin who used to train with Tae Kyun before his retirement but never got to debut. Hyun Bin is first brought in as a dance coach but is eventually brought into the official team to have a second chance at his forgotten dream. With so many different personalities and stories, audiences are given multiple of entry to relate to characters and feel the full empathetic release of the climax when all their dreams are fulfilled. The various characters also help the show be more memorable and will prompt viewers to want to return to it more often.
Where this show struggles is its short format and lower production quality. The visuals are simply just common in those dramas from the earlier era of the K-Drama wave, but it shouldn’t be something that deters one from giving this drama a chance. It’s also a mini-series which can make it feel rushed and limit the expansion in the character development, but I appreciate that Kwak Kyung Yoon still makes sure each character receives a form of character development and that the story hits all of its narrative points that are essential for making a story work. While I wouldn’t describe Part-Time Idol as a great K-Drama or one of my favorites, it has a lot of worth in the insight it gives into understanding where the K-Drama wave started and also what the K-pop scene looked like in the late 2010s. I also recommend it because it’s fun and a quick watch for anyone to enjoy.
Plot: 3.5
Character: 4.5
Production Quality: 3
Drama/Comedy: 3.5
Memorability: 5
Final Rating: 3.9