Actor Kim Jaeyeong showcased deeply felt melodrama acting in "Idol I," coloring living rooms with rosy excitement.
In the Jini TV original drama "Idol I," Kim Jaeyeong, who plays the perfect idol "Doraik," revealed a warm humanity hidden behind a prickly charm and is making a big impact as a "romance cheat key." In particular, in episodes 5 and 6, Kim Jaeyeong drew praise from viewers for his passionate performance that instantly turned a mysterious atmosphere into a romantic one.
Doraik's change began with an unexpected accident. At the moment of the car collision, instinctively shielding Maeng Sena (Choi Sooyoung), he protected her and even in the hospital emergency room showed concern for Maeng Sena's safety before his own injuries, demonstrating the archetype of a "man who wants to protect." Also, when Doraik learned of Maeng Sena's painful past, his midnight piano performance and singing given solely for Maeng Sena were the highlight of this week's broadcast.
Kim Jaeyeong's resonant voice layered over the sweet melody comforted the wounded Maeng Sena and symbolically portrayed Doraik's heart beginning to open toward her. This process of sharing and healing each other's pain through music, combined with Kim Jaeyeong's calm yet deep acting, produced an all-time great scene and raised viewers' heart rates to a peak.
Kim Jaeyeong's "everyday intimate gentle acting" also shone. The scene where he carefully adjusted the fan position for the uncomfortable Maeng Sena due to her injury and, though clumsy, gently removed her bandage conveyed the warmth of everyday life and added sincerity. Especially in the "princess lift" scene where he lightly lifted Maeng Sena, Kim Jaeyeong's distinctive perfect physique and dependable charm exploded, eliciting exclamations from viewers.
Not only his visuals but also his subtle emotional acting stood out. Kim Jaeyeong conveyed the character's inner world perfectly with a single look without dialogue. The heavy touch that supports Maeng Sena in the cramped taxi and the deep gaze listening to Maeng Sena's painful past under the tickling tree proved a deep bond beyond simple affection. This was a decisive moment when Doraik shed the glamorous "idol" shell and, as a man, opened his heart to Maeng Sena.
But the sweet romantic current was brief, and a shocking twist unfolded near the end. While preparing kimbap carefully for Maeng Sena, Doraik discovered traces of Maeng Sena's "Doraik fangirl" in the attic. The ending, in which his warm gaze instantly turned cold and he expressed anger toward Maeng Sena, heightened the drama's tension to the maximum and exploded curiosity about future developments.
Thus, Kim Jaeyeong is playing the central role of the drama by moving across a wide spectrum from the charismatic star image to a man's sincere feelings for one person and even the cold-blooded appearance consumed by betrayal. As his acting strength deepens with each episode, viewers' expectations for "Idol I" are also heating up, drawing attention to what developments Kim Jaeyeong will bring for entertainment going forward.
Meanwhile, the Jini TV original drama "Idol I" is released on Jini TV every Monday and Tuesday at 10 p.m. and is broadcast through ENA. The OTT is available on Netflix.
[Photo] Jini TV
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