“Even if the whole world turns its back, a lawyer must stand by their client. That’s what a lawyer is,” says Maeng Se-na, refusing to drop Ra-ik’s case.
In IDOL I episode 5, which aired on January 5, despite suspicions raised by Chung-jae and orders from her own boss to drop the case, Se-na firmly chooses to believe in Ra-ik, reminding others how powerful belief can be for someone who has no one else on their side.
Disclaimer: This article includes spoilers for the series. Continue reading at your own discretion.
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IDOL I Episode 5 Recap: Maeng Se-na and Do Ra-ik Get Into a Car Accident
Maeng Se-na and Do Ra-ik get into a car accident after she loses control of vehicle. Se-na suffers a minor arm fracture and a leg injury, so Ra-ik decides to take care of her while she recovers. While looking for food, he notices the products he endorses. Soon after, he hears noise from the bathroom and realizes Se-na is struggling to shower because of her injured arm.
To help, Ra-ik turns on the fan to dry her hair. When he asks why she didn’t skip showering, Se-na insists she needs to or she will “smell.” This reminds Ra-ik of Prosecutor Byeong-kyun calling her “stinky Se-na.” Se-na admits that hearing it repeatedly made her doubt herself, even though she knows it isn’t true. Annoyed, Ra-ik mocks the prosecutor, saying his name rhymes with germs. The comment makes Se-na smile, and Ra-ik finds himself admiring it.
Later, they eat dinner together. Ra-ik mentions the products he endorses, but Se-na says she never noticed them. This leads Ra-ik to compare himself to a product people should never open. He believes people only like his public image and would leave if they saw the real him. Se-na says many people love him, but he despises that love because he hates himself and feels undeserving.
Ra-ik admits, “I’ve never been loved. People love Do Ra-ik of Gold Boys, not me.” He says he doesn’t know how to give or receive love and only knows how to complain. He adds that Woo-seong is the only one who understands him and that he feels relieved Se-na doesn’t like him—because she won’t end up disappointed.
Was the Car Crash Intentional or an Accident?
Chung-jae has Se-na’s car inspected and discovers the accident was intentional. Someone tried to puncture the tire but failed to finish the job, which caused it to burst while she was driving. The next day, he tells Se-na his findings and suggests Do Ra-ik could be involved since he went downstairs first. However, Se-na immediately dismisses the idea, saying Ra-ik would never risk his own life.
She reminds Chung-jae of his past, especially the time she defended him for pickpocketing after he begged her to believe he was innocent. Se-na tells him, “You know better than anyone how powerful it is when someone believes you.” Because of that, she chooses to trust her client and believe in Do Ra-ik, at least for now.
Soon after, Chung-jae and Se-na identify who tampered with the tire and confront them with Ra-ik. The culprits turn out to be two obsessive fans of Ra-ik. They admit they acted because they believe Se-na is helping Woo-seong’s murderer walk free. Despite this, Ra-ik decides to let them go, warning them never to endanger or interfere with others again.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor interrogates Jae-hee about his alibi. Although Jae-hee insists he stayed in the hospital, CCTV footage proves otherwise. Even so, he becomes agitated and claims Ra-ik had a motive to kill Woo-seong, insisting he has proof.
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Maeng Se-na was Told to Drop Do Ra-ik’s Case in IDOL I Episode 5
The prosecution requests a face-to-face interrogation, so Se-na’s lawsuit boss orders Maeng Se-na to drop Do Ra-ik’s case, saying that what Jae-hee stated in his witness interview makes the case nearly unwinnable.
Despite this, Se-na refuses. She recalls her boss’s words: “Even if the whole world turns its back, a lawyer must stand by their client. That’s what a lawyer is.” She explains that those words pushed her to become a lawyer so she could be the one person willing to listen when no one else would. Because of that, she chooses to continue defending Ra-ik.
Later, Se-na and Ra-ik visit Young-bin to ask about what Jae-hee said in his witness interview. At first, Young-bin claims he knows nothing. However, after some persuasion, he admits that they were indeed at the hospital that night. He also reveals that after their fight at Ra-ik’s concert, Jae-hee received harsh comments, including being told to quit and that he was nothing without Ra-ik. Hurt and upset by those words, Jae-hee later disappears from his hospital bed.
As the episode goes on, it becomes clear that the tension between Jae-hee and Ra-ik has been building for a long time. Jae-hee feels left behind in the shadows while Ra-ik stays in the spotlight. Ra-ik, believing harshness leads to success, discourages others and speaks hurtfully, which only deepens the rift between them and the people around him.
The Tickling Tree in IDOL I Episode 5
Ra-ik admits he has many enemies because of his behavior and starts wondering who might hold a grudge against him. He then asks Se-na how she can trust and believe in him. Se-na replies that she trusts herself for choosing to believe in him. She brings Ra-ik to her family’s tickling tree, a tree that reacts when someone lies beneath it. When Se-na says she doesn’t want to believe in Ra-ik, the leaves sway. When she says she believes in him, the tree stays still. Although Ra-ik calls it impossible, Se-na says it doesn’t matter because she believes in it.
She then shares a childhood memory about the tree. When she was young, she used to glue and bandage its shedding bark, but her parents told her that a tree must shed its bark to grow. After shedding everything, the tree revealed its pale inner layer and eventually began to bloom.
Se-na reflects that humans grow differently. Instead of shedding, they build thicker bark to protect themselves from getting hurt. Because the tickle tree stands completely exposed, she feels she can trust it. She admits she isn’t brave enough to peel off her own bark yet, which is why she keeps asking the tree what she truly wants—whether she can trust herself and whether she will ever bloom.
Later, Ra-ik silently asks the tree if he truly didn’t harm Woo-seong. When the tree doesn’t move, he feels relieved. However, Hye-joo suddenly arrives at Se-na’s house and asks Ra-ik to leave after seeing them together. Ra-ik refuses, saying Se-na’s house is where he belongs, as he holds onto Se-na’s hand.
IDOL I Episode 5 Review
So far, this episode has been my favorite episode of IDOL I, giving both Maeng Se-na and Do Ra-ik profound emotional arcs while deepening their connection. The episode carefully builds their bond through trust, connection, and meaningful moments, with the “tickle tree” scene standing out as its emotional heart.
Se-na’s metaphor about bark and growth perfectly mirrors both her and Ra-ik’s inner struggles. When Ra-ik silently asks the tree if he’s truly innocent and finds comfort in its stillness, it reveals his deep need for reassurance, showing just how much he doubts himself.
The way IDOL I episode 5 ends hits even harder with Hye-joo’s sudden visit, yet Ra-ik chooses to stay, declaring, “Se-na’s house is where I belong.” This moment symbolizes his first real choice to exist as himself—not just as an idol or a product, but as Do Ra-ik, simply and authentically.
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Catch Maeng Se-Na as she works to prove her idol Do Ra-Ik’s innocence in IDOL I, airing every Monday and Tuesday on Netflix and Rakuten Viki.
Source: Studio Genie, ASTORY
