From Nation’s Idol to Ultimate Fangirl: Choi Sooyoung’s Playful Transformation in Idol Eye

Girls’ Generation’s Choi Soo-young is set to charm viewers once again—this time as an 11-year-deep idol superfan in the upcoming Genie TV original drama Idol Eye.

At the production conference held on the 16th at The Saint in Sindorim, Seoul, Soo-young warmly thanked her fans, sharing, “The way you look at me with such passion is both heartwarming and deeply touching.” She went on to reflect on the unique bond between stars and fans, saying, “It’s a relationship built on complete trust. Fans are the ones who know you better than anyone else because they watch over you with unwavering, loving eyes.”

In Idol Eye, Soo-young plays Maeng Na, a high-powered, undefeated lawyer who never shies away from impossible cases. Her latest challenge? Proving the innocence of her own “favorite.” Behind her razor-sharp courtroom skills lies a surprising double life: she’s been a devoted fan of top idol group Goldboyz for 11 years.

Having spent years as a “nation’s idol” herself, Soo-young admitted it felt strange cheering from the audience instead of the stage—especially while working alongside Kim Jae-young, who plays her beloved idol Do Ra-ik. “I had to fight the urge to jump on stage and grab the mic,” she laughed. Fully immersed in fangirl mode, she even offered him playful advice like, “Smile brighter,” “Breathe more,” and “Love the mic,” before adding, “Honestly, he was already amazing.”

Her praise for Kim Jae Young didn’t stop there. With the keen eye of a true fan, Soo-young described him as sincere, pure, and emotionally honest—someone with a fragile, puppy-like charm that makes you want to protect him.

Kim Jae-young stars as Do Ra-ik, Goldboyz’s magnetic vocalist whose flawless idol image hides a darker inner world. When he suddenly becomes a murder suspect, his life spirals into chaos. Reflecting on the role, Kim joked, “If I were reborn, I’d want to try being an idol.” He shared his admiration for the profession—photoshoots, recording music, playing instruments, and feeding off the energy of a live crowd—citing bands like Day6, CNBLUE, and FT Island as references. With a grin, he added, “I’ve always been the center, so if I debut as an idol, I want to be the visual center,” drawing laughter from the room.

Written by Kim Da-rin and directed by Lee Kwang-young, Idol Eye is a mystery-laced courtroom romance that follows star lawyer Maeng Na as she defends her favorite idol, all while hiding her true feelings to uncover the truth. Blending suspense, romance, and humor, the drama promises heart-fluttering moments and warm laughs.

Director Lee summed it up best: “This story began with the question—can you truly love and support someone you’ve never really met? It’s a chance to reflect on what idols mean in fans’ lives and to connect with our most genuine emotions.”

Idol Eye premieres on ENA at 10 PM on the 22nd.