'Idol Eye' Choi Soo-young, "I was confident because the closest existence I observed was 'fans'" Q&A released to commemorate the ending

Choi Soo-young, who led the Genie TV original drama 〈Idol Eye〉, expressed her deep thoughts.

〈Idol Eye〉 concluded with a happy ending on the 27th. 〈Idol Eye〉 is a mystery courtroom romance where star lawyer Maeng Se-na (Choi Soo-young), who has a maximum level of fan devotion, takes on the case of her favorite idol, Doraik (Kim Jae-young), who is accused of murder. The fact that the representative K-idol Choi Soo-young transformed into a fan filled with devotion contributed to the early success of 〈Idol Eye〉 in the global market.

As she bids farewell to 〈Idol Eye〉, Choi Soo-young expressed her bittersweet feelings through a Q&A. She shared that thanks to the love from the viewers, she feels she can let go of the character well, saying, "I hope the love and trust that 〈Idol Eye〉 wanted to convey has provided a small comfort to the viewers. Like a fully bloomed weeping cherry tree, I hope you all walk on flower paths always." She left warm encouragement for the viewers. Below is the full Q&A with Choi Soo-young.

Q. 'Idol Eye' has come to an end. What are your thoughts on saying goodbye to 〈Idol Eye〉?

A. It feels like I've been with 〈Idol Eye〉 for almost a year, from filming to promotion to airing. I feel bittersweet, but thanks to the warm love from the viewers, I think I can let go of Sena well. Just like Sena's growth, I was able to grow in many ways as an actress, Choi Soo-young, and I believe it will be a work that will remain in memory for a long time.

Q. Maeng Se-na was cold and rational in front of cases, but her warm side that comforted Doraik's pain was also impressive. What was the charm of Maeng Se-na?

A. Although she may seem cold outside of her fandom, I think she is a character who faces people and work with her own clear standards and methods, and feels complete happiness and love when she is a fan, healing in that pure state. So while she is professional at work, she is overflowing with love when she thinks of someone she likes; I believe that gap is the biggest charm of Sena.

Q. You challenged a new genre of mystery courtroom romance. While working on 〈Idol Eye〉, was there a part you definitely wanted to show or a special goal?

A. I think this is the first time I've met a character with such a strong past narrative. I've played relatively bright roles in the past, but Sena was the most internally solid and centered character among those I've portrayed. So I wanted to show Sena's strong inner self, and I hoped she would keep the story centered as the events unfolded. At the same time, I thought that Sena should also grow in her own way. Since each episode has a structure where events continue, it was important to naturally connect the emotional lines like laying stepping stones in between. Especially since the melodramatic emotional line between Sena and Raik had to flow smoothly, we had many discussions on set. I believed everyone should be able to understand it. So there were many rehearsals, and it was a set where we shared ideas a lot. When working on a project, there are always regrets like 'I should have done it this way or that way,' so I tend to think, 'Let's just say it first.' Fortunately, the director entrusted a lot to the actors, so it was a very free set in that regard.

Q. You have been active as an artist receiving a lot of love from fans since your debut, but in this work, you were in the position of a fan who gives unconditional support and love. While playing Maeng Se-na, did you empathize with or feel something new about the love from fans?

A. I have always been in the position of standing on stage, and I have never been someone who fervently supports someone else, so it was new to have my role completely reversed. But at the same time, I was confident because the closest existence I observed was 'fans.' I knew well how fans look at someone, and how they express their affection.

Through this role, I was able to deeply feel the love of fans again. When I think of the warm words in fan letters, and feelings of care and concern, there are times when I feel that fans know me better than someone I've talked to for a long time. A fan is not just someone who sees the image a star wants to show, but someone who watches all of that person's actions for a long time, feeling their emotional state and inner growth. Those experiences and thoughts became a strong foundation for expressing Sena's emotional line, who initially doubts the character but gradually gains certainty.

Q. As an actress, you are constantly challenging yourself and expanding your acting world. As the new year begins, if you could share a bit about what kind of actress you want to become?

A. I always think about it, but I have a goal to become an actress with her own rhythm. Sena was a work where I challenged myself to build my own rhythm. In the past, I would first think about the tempo and acting that people would like, but this time, I was able to study the process of finding my own tempo according to the character of Sena, the intention of the work, and the director's opinions. I believe that if these attempts accumulate and expand, I will surely find my unique tempo someday.

Q. Lastly, a word for the viewers who loved 〈Idol Eye〉 and 'Maeng Se-na.'

A. It was a work that I was excited and happy to share the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 with the viewers. I think it is very attractive to be able to convey the stories I want to tell through a work. I hope the love and trust that 〈Idol Eye〉 wanted to convey has provided a small comfort to the viewers. Like a fully bloomed weeping cherry tree, I hope you all walk on flower paths always.