While preparing gimbap for Maeng Se-na, Do Ra-ik discovers a box full of her hidden merchandise, and seeks for an explanation.
In IDOL I episode 6, which aired on January 6, Do Ra-ik overhears Maeng Se-na reflecting on her father, saying that trusting someone when no one else did shaped her into the lawyer she is today. To comfort her, he plays and sings, explaining that music doesn’t lie and can move people. Se-na then asks how he would feel if someone he trusted lied, not knowing he would later find her hidden merchandise.
Disclaimer: This article includes spoilers for the series. Continue reading at your own discretion.
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IDOL I Episode 6 Recap: Ra-ik Faces His Past with Hye-joo
Hye-joo confronts Ra-ik privately about why he has been staying at Se-na’s house. She insists that he needs her help, but Ra-ik firmly tells her that he doesn’t need her and reminds her that they’ve been apart for a long time. Hye-joo argues that they never truly broke up and explains that, back then, she was too scared and thought letting him go was the only way for him to be happy.
However, she now claims that he needs her. Ra-ik rejects this, saying that when she left him before, she told him he had ruined her life. He insists he cannot make the same mistake again and says he doesn’t need her help or care, firmly telling her to leave him alone.
When Hye-joo brings up Se-na, Ra-ik admits that Se-na is the only person he can truly trust right now. He shares that after their breakup, he struggled deeply, going through treatment and taking medication, but nothing seemed to help him heal. Even after losing Woo-seong and facing immense hardship, Ra-ik says he has managed to keep standing—thanks to Se-na.
As Hye-joo goes home, she reflects on their past breakup, remembering how she blamed Ra-ik after the dating rumors and how she ended up going to clubs and meeting other men. She recalls telling him that he had ruined her life, how he abandoned and ignored her, and how she felt completely alone, as if he acted like she didn’t exist. She even remembers saying that he meant nothing to her.
Do Ra-ik and Jae-hee’s face-to-face interrogation
Jae-hee accuses Ra-ik of constantly losing his temper around Woo-seong, saying their fights often turned physical and even claiming that Ra-ik once threatened to kill him. He also alleges that Ra-ik planned to leave Gold Boys due to contract issues with Goldi Entertainment. According to him, Woo-seong knew Ra-ik had been talking to another agency, tried to stop him, and was killed as a result.
However, Ra-ik denies knowing anything about this. He later learns that his mother secretly signed him to another agency and took the payment herself—but Se-na later finds out that Woo-seong was actually the one who contacted the agency.
Instead of believing Ra-ik, his mother tells him to turn himself in, leaving him completely crushed. Seeing his pain, Se-na takes Ra-ik to see fan-made ads honoring both him and Woo-seong, reminding him that there are still people who believe in him.
Meanwhile, Gold Boys’ manager confronts Jae-hee and makes it clear that Ra-ik never signed with another company. However, Jae-hee refuses to back down and insists on going to the press with his claims. Shortly after, Young-bin arrives with his luggage and announces he is leaving and will not renew his contract. Feeling guilty toward Ra-ik, he reminds Jae-hee how close Ra-ik and Woo-seong were and firmly states that Ra-ik would never do something like that before walking away.
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Maeng Se-na Remembers Her Last Moment with Her Father
Do Ra-ik meets CEO Geum to ask for help clearing up the issue that he was negotiating with another agency. The CEO promises to help, saying he will tell the truth—that Ra-ik was actually discussing a contract renewal with Gold Boys—and even agrees to testify in court if needed.
At the same time, Se-na meets her boss, the lawyer who once defended her father and inspired her to become a lawyer. He points out the similarities between Ra-ik’s case and her father’s, who was also falsely accused of murder.
Se-na recalls the last time she saw her father, when he asked if she would believe him if he said he was innocent—and how she couldn’t bring herself to answer. She remembers that her boss was the only one who stayed by her father when everyone else turned away.
Her boss explains that he stood by her father because he truly believed in him. He then tells her that Do Ra-ik is the same kind of person—someone worth trusting and standing beside until the end. He believes that this is exactly why she continues to defend Ra-ik. Unbeknownst to her, Ra-ik overhears the entire conversation.
Do Ra-ik sees Maeng Se-na’s merchandise in IDOL I Episode 6
That night, Ra-ik talks with Se-na about her interests and hobbies. When she claims she doesn’t listen to music—though it’s clear she listens to his—he takes her to a piano and explains why music matters: “It doesn’t lie… so it reaches the deepest part of someone’s heart.” He says everyone needs a song to return to when hard memories resurface.
Se-na, however, says that unlike music, people lie all the time and asks how Ra-ik would feel if someone he trusted told him a huge lie. Ra-ik admits he doesn’t expect much from anyone, so it wouldn’t hurt him much. To comfort her and help her remember her father, he plays and sings the same song he sang to young Se-na when she once thought of ending her life.
The next day, Ra-ik goes grocery shopping to make Se-na gimbap. While looking for rice, he explores the attic and discovers her achievements, books, photobooks, and a box full of merchandise that she had hidden while he stayed at her house.
The episode ends when Se-na returns and finds the merchandise scattered across the floor, while Do Ra-ik seeks an explanation from her..
IDOL I Episode 6 Review
Ra-ik comforting Se-na and even thinking of cooking gimbap for her in IDOL I episode 6 really shows that he truly cares and highlights how their connection is growing closer. However, discovering her hidden merchandise may shake his trust, especially since he considers her the only person he can rely on, which could cause them to grow apart.
Meanwhile, CEO Geum remains suspicious—his true motives are unclear, making it hard to believe he’ll fully support Ra-ik.
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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
