Armed with a genuine dream of performing on stage, Tea Party goals to be idols who are forever happy!
In the latest episode of Imitation, we get more details about Lee Ma Ha and Kwon Ryeok’s connection. To be managed by former SHAX manager, Lee Ma-ha, Ri-a, and Hyunji get an offer they cannot refuse, just when they were about to forget their idol dream.
abbyinhallyuland watches Imitation on iQiyi
Episode Recaps: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | Finale
Imitation Episode 2 Key Moments
Lucky Lee Ma-ha
Unable to reach her manager, Ma-ha finds her way out to where she can get transportation. Initially, Kwon Ryeok and Manager Dae-won mistook her for a wandering spirit until they recognize her and talk about her situation.
Offering her a ride back to town, she politely refuses aware of the restriction set by the industry. As she continues her walk, she felt Kwon Ryeok’s presence who also handed her his jacket. Reaching a spot where she can safely find transport, Kwon Ryeok and Manager Dae-won go their own way.
Luckily, Yoo-jin came to Ma-ha’s rescue. Defying his group’s rule, he sneaks out to look for Ma-ha when Ri-a called to tell him she’s not yet arrived after a movie shoot. Thanking Yu-jin for being the best soulmate she could ever have, she dozes off as he drives back to the city.
Unique Girlgroup Tea Party
Still sharing a place after their group’s disbandment, Ri-a, Hyun-ji, and Ma-ha engage in a heart-to-heart talk of giving up their idol dreams. Ma-ha begins to prepare to take her GED exam, but when she meets the girls at home, they found out about an audition they were all invited to.
Finding themselves at a cafe owned by the new entertainment company CEO, they meet Ji-hak – former SHAX manager. They get to the business with Ji-hak’s unique contract of idols who will get a monthly salary. Having the freedom to have their phones, date and go out; it was an offer relatively too good to be true for an idol.
With the offer in place, all the girls decide to extend their dream for another year. The same duration of Ji-hak’s contract which his limited money can support. Aiming for success, they rebranded themselves as Tea Party, a reference to how they sit together to have tea as friends.
Their guesting at a current affairs program created a buzz which helped land them a few small gigs. However, they don’t earn much from those appearances.
Idols On Air
While being busy with their lined-up schedules, the girls can’t escape the criticisms. Not having a song yet adds to their burden. So, when Ma-ha was invited to a prominent show sharing the screen with popular senior idols, she promised to do her best to represent her group.
Little did she know, that top idol La Lima whom she has been copying before will also be in the show as well as Kwon Ryeok. Against her will, La Lima asked her to dress up like her. Bumping on Kwon Ryeok, he mocks her choice of being a copycat.
The camera rolls for the show and Ma-ha was invited on the stage to serve her purpose of imitating La Lima. Just then, she moves to where La Lima and Kwon Ryeok were sitting. She motions her hand for an invitation to join her performance with the two top idols showing unfathomable expressions.
Imitation Episode 2 Musings
Changing my plan of piling episodes, I found myself hooked on Imitation primarily because of the underdog picture for Tea Party. At the same time, the other featured idols have inviting stories as well. Revealing the people and processes behind budding, striving and successful idols is an added bonus.
I chose not to read the webtoon because I honestly don’t have time right now. But I’m really enjoying the drama’s ability to keep me seated for its episode and make me yearn strongly for its next episode to come. That is without even something grand, phenomenal, or striking incorporated in the plot.
Sincerely written and pictured, no matter how small or big your idea about the K-Pop industry is, Imitation is something you can recommend to a K-Pop basher to make him understand the passion and pain of becoming an idol do not equate to the preconceived notions about K-Pop artists.
This episode also marked the prospective villains and love lines to look forward in the narrative. My arms are all ready for Yu-jin, aka Ma-ha’s soulmate and good friend. The introduction of Tea Party’s law-structured compensation and unconventional promotion added engrossing elements to the series.
Aiding an aspiring no-powerful background group, it is a soft nudge to raise awareness and solutions to gaps in the K-Pop industry that are often overlooked. It has also hinted at mental health battles of the artists as well as the acquisition of entertainment companies that failed to strengthen the foothold in the industry.
In the featured epilogues so far, we got glimpses of Ma-ha and Kwon Ryeok’s younger years. Eventually, Ma-ha and Kwon Ryeok’s past surely will connect to their present lives in the next episodes. Despite having the same dreaming starting points, they end up in different situations.
Who will take Ma-ha’s hand? The preview of the third episode suggests a looming scandal between our main leads. Will Kwon Ryeok find the missing smile in his eyes through Ma-ha?
Catch up on the latest episodes of Imitation on iQiyi!
Imitation Episode 2 Takeaway Quotes
“We’re only 22. In the K-Pop industry, we’re considered old, but not out in the rest of the world. We’re young enough to try whatever we want.” – Lee Ma-ha
“I went to sing at a wedding yesterday and ended up feeling sorry for myself. Reality hit me hard. As a kid my grandma would take me to sing for families, hosting parties and events. It struck me that nothing had changed for me. Is this what I get for working hard?” – Ri-a
“I grew up hearing I was pretty, so I thought I really was. But here, I’m just another above-average face. Living in a bubble as a queen must’ve been the peak of my life. I’m not as talented as you two are.” – Hyun-ji
Photos: Screencaps from iQiyi
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