“I realized what an artist needs isn’t producing but close, personal care. Direct care is what makes a successful artist.” – Kim Dal (The Heavenly Idol)
Being an idol, especially a K-Pop idol, is not for the weak. This fact has been proven time and again, both in reality and in fiction world. The recent Netflix worldwide hit movie ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ is one such example. While it sheds light on certain aspects of idol life from a more fantasy-esque angle, it’s not entirely a bluff, much like other similar works. If you enjoyed the plot and premise of the movie or are simply looking for a humor-filled, lighthearted watch, the Studio Dragon 2023 K-drama ‘The Heavenly Idol’ will be right up your alley, offering similar vibes with a comparatively longer runtime.
A holy Pontifex named Rembrary from the Other World, while battling ‘The Evil One,’ suddenly switches souls with a washed-up K-Pop idol, Woo Yeon Woo (both played by Kim Min Gue, also known as Kim Min Kyu). Known in his world for his divine powers of healing and purification, Rembrary is abruptly thrown into showbiz, right in the middle of a live performance. Stripped of his powers, which relied on people’s belief in him, and unable to fully comprehend his new situation, he must sing and dance in revealing clothing. Determined to return to his world, Rembrary vows to find a way to reverse the switch.
Series: Heavenly Idol
Where to watch: TVING, Rakuten Viki, Prime Video
Cast: Kim Min Gue, Go Bo Gyeol, Lee Jang Woo
Written by: Lee Chun Geum
Directed by: Bak So Yeon
The Plot
Based on a webnovel of the same name by Mythology Jin (Shin Hwa-jin), ‘The Heavenly Idol’ follows Rembrary. While vanquishing ‘The Evil One,’ he unexpectedly, through a twist of fate and the intervention of an unknown force, ends up switching souls with a not-so-well-known K-Pop idol, Woo Yeon Woo, from a group called Wild Animals on Earth.
Faced with this entirely new world and the even more unfamiliar concept of idol life, Rembrary adopts Woo Yeon Woo’s identity for the time being. After much effort, he makes contact with the real Woo Yeon Woo in the other world, who seems unwilling to return to his life on Earth and strikes a deal. The deal, a holy vow, requires Rembrary to help Wild Animals gain recognition, while Woo Yeon Woo from the Other World returns to his life on Earth. Rembrary then works toward fulfilling his end of the bargain, facing the many hurdles that come with being an idol.
The immense pressure of reaching and maintaining the top, the struggles of a not-so-well-known group competing against their long-established predecessors, the internal strife that may exist among group members, and the high-stakes goals that put tremendous pressure on the artists’ well-being are just a few of the problems highlighted in this series. The situational humor, the oddball effects caused by Rembrary, and the character dynamics among the members create a lighthearted comedy.
The Characters
Rembrary (played by Kim Min Gue)
The holy Pontifex of the Other World worships the deity Redrin. He is said to wield immense divine powers, which are fueled by the faith of the people in him. When adopting the identity of Woo Yeon Woo, Rembrary is often seen despising revealing clothing and is a skilled singer. His holy aura and singing voice are said to have healing properties, making his and Wild Animals’ popularity go off the charts.
Woo Yeon Woo (played by Kim Min Gue)
Rapper and sub-vocalist of Wild Animals who wanted to become an actor. After swapping souls with Rembrary, he is unwilling to let go of Rembrary’s body and is shown to be haphazard and irresponsible while pretending to be the holy Pontifex in the Other World.
Kim Dal (Played by Go Bo Gyeol)
Kim Dal previously worked as an artist manager for a girl group. After a mishap leads to one of the group’s members taking her own life, she loses herself and her sense of purpose, blaming herself for not being able to save the girl. Living day by day, not moving forward and giving up, she meets Woo Yeon Woo, whose healing smile and encouraging words shine like a light in a dark tunnel, leading her to become Yeon Woo’s fangirl.
Learning about Wild Animals’ struggling career and having previous experience in the entertainment industry, Kim Dal applies for the position of road manager for Wild Animals to help them rise to fame.
Shin Jo Woon (Played by Lee Jang Woo)
Lee Jang Woo plays Shin Jo Woon, vice chairman of RU E&M, who is possessed by the King of Darkness from another world. As the King of Darkness, he wields black magic capable of manipulating minds. After being defeated by Rembrary, he is transported to Earth, seeking to confront Rembrary once again. His obsessive attachment to Redrin and his inability to let go even after betrayal make him a complex villain.
Why Should You Watch ‘The Heavenly Idol’?
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- No Brainer Plot: The straightforward and simple plot makes for a light watch, not requiring much attention to predict what comes next.
- Lots of Comedy: The silliness brought by the soul swap between Rembrary and Woo Yeon Woo gives rise to many comedic moments.
- Fantasy: The elements of fantasy add a spin of mystery and intrigue to the plot. The metaphorical parallels between reality and fantasy add depth to the story and its characters
- Real Life Parallels: The way the idol-fan relationship is portrayed in the series draws parallels with real-life instances, making viewers—especially K-Pop fans—feel seen and heard
- Actors and Characters: The way the actors, especially Kim Min Gue and Go Bo Gyeol, portray their characters captivates the viewers. Small details, like expressions and body language, are masterfully executed to differentiate the characters and showcase the actors’ skills
- Character Dynamics: The series features an assortment of supporting characters, each with a unique identity and role in the plot. The dynamics between the main and supporting characters are vibrant and enjoyable.
- Serene Visuals and OSTs: It’s no surprise, given the cast and the production house, that the cinematography and visuals are top-notch. From styling to hair, makeup, and even scene settings, the series is a visual treat. The music is also worth looking forward to, both the OSTs and performance pieces by Wild Animals and Evil Boys are artfully prepared
In conclusion, this 12-episode series is good for those who want a buffer to binge-watch without putting much effort into decoding the plot devices. The series starts off on a mysterious note, evolves into a fun romantic comedy, and ends on a bittersweet note. The over-the-top plot plays into the fantasy narrative. While the problems regarding idol life and power struggles are key plot points, the acting and situational humor of the script level the field. It’s a lighthearted, sometimes silly, and definitely giggle-inducing fantasy rom-com, sure to leave viewers satisfied.
If you, the reader, are still in the blues about not having more fantasy-esque K-Pop idols to root for, do give Rembrary of Wild Animals and Evil Boys a chance in ‘The Heavenly Idol’.
Written by: N.V.S. Akanksha
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