Korean Netizens React To The First Episode Of HBO’s “The Idol”

Korean netizens reacted to the first episode of HBO‘s The Idol.

The drama, which features BLACKPINK‘s Jennie, tells the story of a struggling pop artist (Lily-Rose Depp) and her relationship with a self-proclaimed guru, played by The Weeknd.

The Weeknd (left) and Lily-Rose Depp (right) | HBO

As fans waited with bated breath, the series’ first episode delivered on its promise of controversial moments.

In the episode, Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp, who is struggling with her mother’s death, is filming a music video for her upcoming comeback.

| HBO

During the video shoot, the singer suggests she wants to be topless for the video but is unable to due to her contract. Her manager then steps in and locks the intimacy coordinator in a bathroom and pays a staff member to lock the doors.

Soon after, Jocelyn is once again rocked by the news that an NSFW photo of her was leaked online. To get away, the singer heads to a club where she meets club owner and cult leader Tedros (The Weeknd), who she hooks up with. She then goes home, where she is shown masturbating while choking herself.

| HBO

The episode then ends with an uncomfortable scene depicting Tedros choking Jocelyn with a belt after she asks him for advice on her singing.

| HBO

Korean netizens were understandably shocked by the episode, with many stating they were disturbed by the episode.

• “This series is seriously hopeless from start to end.”
• “Jennie is appearing in this type of drama?
• “What is this?”
• “This is disgusting… I can’t even follow the plot, and this feels like a deranged loser’s fantasy. The main character is portrayed as mentally ill and overtly sexualized. Is this a world of psychos?”
• “Yuck.”
• “How can they make a drama like this? The story is disgusting.”
• “Aside from the NSFW scenes, I just don’t get the story… I am normal, right?”
• “Makes me want to hurl.”
• “I hate this.”
• “This is a mess, LOL. I am surprised something like this can even come out.”
• “I mean, what kind of story is this? I am genuinely disgusted.”

What are your thoughts?