Pop Corner: IDOL I Ending Explained: Did Maeng Se-na and Do Ra-ik End Up Together?

K-Drama
IDOL I Episode 12

IDOL I concludes with Gold Boys making a comeback, holding a thank-you concert for fans who supported them through everything, including Maeng Se-na.

IDOL I wraps up on January 27 with 12 episodes. After a year, Gold Boys made a successful comeback, selling out their world tour and holding a thank-you concert for the fans who supported them through their hardest times—including Maeng Se-na, who has been with them since their very first stage.

Disclaimer: This article includes spoilers for the series. Continue reading at your own discretion.

Also Read: Pop Corner: IDOL I Episode 11 Recap: Recordings to the Truth

Did Maeng Se-na Finally File for a Retrial in Her Father’s Case in IDOL I Episode 12?

One year later, Gold Boys leave Goldi Entertainment but make a strong comeback, selling out their world tour. Maeng Se-na continues to support them as a fan, while Chung-jae moves out and opens his own investigation office. Se-na admits that she finds comfort in him—not just as a friend, but as family—crediting his support for helping her get through her hardest days.

Meanwhile, Se-na finally gathers the courage to take a decisive step for her father. With case records and witness contacts from her boss, who once handled the case, she files an appeal in court. Standing firm, she seeks a retrial to prove her father’s innocence after 15 years. 

Was Maeng Se-na’s Fangirl Friend Closer Than She Ever Realized?

Se-na admits to her assistant during Woo-seong’s case—who is also a Gold Boys fan—that she is a fan too. She explains that she never meant to hide it, but believed it was unprofessional for a lawyer to fangirl over her client, so she kept it secret.

However, her assistant already knew. Every time Do Ra-ik posted on social media, Se-na’s notifications went off, and Ra-ik’s signature purple color filled her office. Se-na then says she was simply grateful to support Ra-ik from afar. Because of that support, Gold Boys found their way back together. As she puts it, “For fans, if our favorite is happy, that’s enough. We just want them to be happy, wherever they are.”

Soon enough, Maeng Se-na buys two Gold Boys concert tickets—one for herself and one for her fangirl friend, who turns out to be her law firm assistant. She then thanks her assistant for helping solve Woo-seong’s password and uncover the recording that ultimately revealed the truth behind the case.

Recommended Read: Pop Corner: Can This Love Be Translated? Ending Explained: Everything That Happened

Are Do Ra-ik’s Fans Supportive of His Relationship With Maeng Se-na?

After Maeng Se-na successfully filed her father’s retrial, Do Ra-ik surprises her with flowers in front of reporters. His fans now respect his privacy, including his relationship with Se-na, even calling her his lifesaver. promises to stay by her side, make her happier than anyone, and apologizes for not being there during her hardest moments.

Ra-ik recalls how Se-na encouraged him to return to performing when he feared facing his fans again. She told him, “I like that you worry about your fans, and I like the Ra-ik on stage too, because up there, you look truly free.” With her encouragement, he regained his courage to sing on stage again and thanked her for inspiring him.

Se-na also expresses gratitude, saying, “Seeing you sing with your whole heart helped me keep going. Sometimes a single line from a song can comfort you more than anything else. That’s why I’m so glad you’re singing again.”

In the following days, when Ra-ik offers her limited edition Japan merchandise and a concert ticket, Se-na refuses, wanting to earn them on her own. Soon, she gets her own ticket and merchandise, delighted to achieve it herself.

How Does IDOL I Conclude?

Do Ra-ik meets CEO Geum, who tells him he looks free performing on tour, reminding him of how he was when they first met. Geum admits he felt guilty seeing Ra-ik hold in his pain and force a smile.

Do Ra-ik then thanks Geum for acknowledging him when he was a nobody, but Geum reveals it was actually Ra-ik’s mother who first recognized his talent. She saw him singing, said he was going to become a real singer, and asked Geum to train him. Geum encourages Ra-ik to meet her, so Ra-ik has Chung-jae deliver a concert invitation to his mother.

IDOL I concludes with Gold Boys holding an open-air concert as a thank-you to fans who supported them through their hardest times—including Maeng Se-na, who has been with them since their very first stage. 

IDOL I  Review

This korean drama isn’t just a romance drama—IDOL I explores the perspectives of idols and fans while keeping viewers guessing about the mystery of Woo-seong’s death. It shows the struggles of fame: obsessive fans and how quickly the public can turn against someone over a single rumor. The series gives us a glimpse into what our favorite idols might really be feeling, making it more than an ordinary drama.

The ending is really meaningful. Gold Boys perform again, freer and more confident—just as Woo-seong wanted before his death. Maeng Se-na, who has supported them since their very first stage, is there too, showing the lasting bond between idols and their fans.

The most important lesson it leaves is that real love means hoping for someone’s happiness and supporting them, even from afar—the beauty of fangirling.

You Might Also Like: Pop Corner: No Tail to Tell Episode 4 Recap: Eun-ho Became Human

All episodes of IDOL I are available to watch on Netflix and Viu.


Source: Studio Genie, ASTORY

Post Your Reaction

Discover more from Pop Journal

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading