There is still hope for dreamers even at the experience of failure in IDOL: The Coup.
Experiencing failure in some sort is inevitable in life. Fictional idol group Cotton Candy in IDOL: The Coup proves that one can rise up even with the experience of failure.
- Main Cast: Ahn Hee Yeon | Kwak Si Yang | Kim Min Kyu
- Supporting Cast: Chu So Jung | Ahn Sol Bin | Kim Ji won | Han So Eun | Jo Joon Young | Ahn Se Ha | Baro
- Streaming Site: iQiyi
- Thrill/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- Kdramas of Similar Vibe: The Greatest Love | Imitation | Dream High |
Marcie Line watched IDOL: The Coup on iQiyi
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | Finale + Review |
IDOL: The Coup Finale Key Moments
“Let’s make it so that when we think of today in the future, we’ll have no regrets.”
Bbiyong, who causes a scene while he is drunk, reaches social media. Ji-han worries about him as he reminisce his conversation with him when he was still a trainee. Bbiyong gets into a fight in a restaurant, and Ji-han attempts to go to him, but Troy stops him and handles the situation instead.
As the day of Cotton Candy’s performance in a music show arrives, Hyun-ji becomes missing. Her grandmother collapses and is in a coma. The remaining four members hesitate to perform without Hyun-ji, but as she hears her grandmother telling her to go, she comes back to Seoul with CEO Cha.
“I thought this was the only thing for me. But after letting it go, I see there’s so much more I can do.”
Arriving at the venue of the music show, Hyun-ji receives a call as her grandmother has woken up from a coma. Cotton Candy may have rehearsed for the show as four, but they perform together completely.
They go up against KillA, and they lose in winning number one. Even though they have not won number one, Cotton Candy still disbands. They still film a video together, wherein each member has acknowledged their individual activities.
IDOL: The Coup Quick Plot Recap
Labeled as failed idols, girl group Cotton Candy becomes at risk of disbandment as their contract renewal comes close. Leader Kim Jenna (Ahn Hee Yeon) rejects solo career opportunities and stays with her group until the end.
She proposes a deal to produce a song in the remaining three months of their contract to CEO Cha (Kwak Si Yang). Instead of disbanding earlier than the end of their contract, the group works hard to be number one on a music show and disband.
In the process, together with other members Elle (Chu So Jung), Hyun-ji (Ahn Sol Bin), Chae-ah (Kim Ji Won), and Stella (Han So Eun), they resolve their issues and unite to fight for their goal one last time.
IDOL: The Coup Series Peak Points
Character Growth Accompanied by Captivating Performances
As the series includes several fictional idol groups, there are various performances throughout the series. The performances range from fluffy sweet songs like the debut song of Cotton Candy to powerful girl group performances of KillA.
Characters from the series do not remain stagnant as to how they were introduced. For characters like Elle, she may have been convinced into pursuing her solo career at first. However, she comes to value her bond with Cotton Candy after dancing as a back-up dancer for KillA with Jenna. Chae-ah also becomes braver by the end through participating in Dan’s song after feeling inferior to Elle.
Other characters like Troy, Bbiyong, Ji-han, and Stella have also shown notable character growth as they face their issues head-on.
Eye-opening Reality to the Entertainment Industry
Various issues inside the idol industry have been included in the series. Like Cotton Candy, there are idol groups who work part-time in order to pay for their living expenses even though they are idols.
Moreover, the efforts exerted by idols who are called flops or failures are also shown, which can make viewers reflect on the toxic fan attitudes that exist online. Stella and Elle’s stories are also a possible reality for some who have undergone deals that have risqué requests.
Ji-han has also shown to the viewers how some idols lack creative freedom and are restricted in doing things close to one’s heart.
Inspiring Lessons about Failure
Cotton Candy has been called a failure several times, and their beginnings have been rocky. They may have wavered into giving up, but their spirit to reach number one can inspire viewers.
As they have realized what their real goal is, all the difficulties they have encountered have transformed them into working more determined. Throughout the process, they have also found supporters and allies who look up to their efforts.
Cotton Candy did not give up, and even though they did not reach number one, they still found meaning in everything they have done.
IDOL: The Coup Series Musings
Initially, I thought that the series’s tone would be serious all throughout. However, several light scenes were included as it progressed. Nonetheless, it also still maintained its inclusion of serious topics and issues.
The heavy crying scenes of Cotton Candy were given justice, and the cast has successfully drawn the difference of their characters. Kwak Si Yang’s transformation as a warm person has been amusing to watch as his character CEO Cha was cold at the beginning, somewhat similar to his role from Lovers of the Red Sky.
At the end of the series, CEO Cha turns out to be following Cotton Candy in their video channel. He was the one who commented about the speculation who the producer Cotton Candy was talking about, and he was also the only viewer of Chae-ah’s life. Despite his cold aura and strict business practices, he was a person who roots for Cotton Candy.
Cotton Candy’s goal may have been ironic as they wished to be number one but at the time intended to disband after it. However, their determination to achieve their goal has opened them to several good opportunities. Jenna, as a leader, may have had impractical and frustrating decisions, but her genuine leadership throughout is something to respect.
They have been through ups and downs, hearing hurtful words, but in the end, they have become a group loved by many. Reaching number one on a music show was their goal, yet they still somewhat felt success with the amount of support and appreciation people had given to them.
Embracing Failure and Rising Above
Cotton Candy did not win number one in the music show and still disbanded. Until the end, the series has shown a realistic experience for all people who have experienced failure, not only limited from the idol industry.
However, the words by the finale have taught viewers that losing and failing do not automatically dictate your future. In life, there are multiple pathways a person can take, and the sweetest success is realized from within, not from society’s standards.
Watch IDOL: The Coup on iQiyi.
Photos: JTBC
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