This story depicts only the tip of the iceberg that is the unknown world that hides behind the idols in K-pop. Not everything is perfect and easy, the road is long and filled with thorns and unfortunately no matter their dedication and hard work, only a part of them debut and are successful in such a vast and competitive world.

Imitation is that, is a cry out for those who want to follow their dreams, it is a wake up call for those who give them up and face desperate situations, it shows the line between die hard fans and sasaengs, it is insightful that besides trainees and idols, there are managers, producers, dancers, staff and good and bad CEOs and many more.

For those of us that are fans of K-pop or for those who have followed the webtoon as well, this will have it's pros and cons.

Of course it's not a perfect 12 episode drama, it has it's flaws like most tend to have. Nevertheless, the message is there.
From the very first episode the message was in all of them, unknowingly connected to two characters who were able to unite them all, because of their beautiful and yet sad story. Besides other characters, the love story arch that I was truly pulled into, it was the mystery behind Eun Jo and Annie. It wasn't hard to predict what they were, or what they had, but it was those missing puzzle pieces at the end that completed their bittersweet and tragic story, that undoubtedly emotionally wrecked us all.

"I want to become a star that sparkles in your heart forever." Annie
"The most beautiful star of tonight, is you." Eun Jo

The couple cellphones was a nice and unique touch from the beginning to the end, as a token of their everlasting love.

Chani is that idol/actor that can be considered a scene stealer even with few scenes and lines, it was his way of showing emotions and the pain and loss that his character carried that made it all surreal and meaningful in the end. His sudden disappearance and mystery around his character made it work here. It's impossible not to empathize with his and Annie's story. By far my favorite arch, it was a long lasting relationship, and a love that they kept in secret even within different paths because they shared a dream. Their dedication was admirable, unfortunately what happened to them created a rupture that not only affected those left behind but also everyone around them. In the end it was emotional but worth it to see how their love was celebrated and made it into an homage and inspiring song lyrics to all the trainees and youngers in a similar situation.

"I finally realized what those words mean
The meaning those stars tried to tell, that in the end we're one
They say that with their everlasting sparkle."

As for Ryok and Ma Ha being the leads, it was a 50-50 for me, same as the second lead couple. One minute the first two were playing either hard to get or feigning knowing one another, and sure it's because of being respectful because he debuted earlier and as a sunbae of a bigger group has responsibilities and commitments and sadly can't afford to have a private life. It's sick but a reality in this business, controlled by CEO, managers and of course the fans who want to "protect" their image....

However, it wasn't just that for me it was the quick set of changing feelings within the episodes, like it was rushed or impulsive or lacking a smoother transaction, from 8 to 80. Both from the main leads and for the second couple as well. I mean Yoo Jin having a crush on his friend Ma Ha for years, was evident from the very start. Nevertheless, it shows some rivalry between the male leads, and the fact that he always showed affection towards her and whenever he did contact her team members all he asked and cared about was Ma Ha, so in what way, or how and when did he start to develop feelings towards Hyun Ji?

Sure, she was obvious about her crush toward his oblivious self, but their interaction and first time discussion was also a time where he showed concern once again only towards Ma Ha.... so was it really that snapping moment of Hyun Ji enough for him to realize the hidden truth? If so it was fast, letting go of his crush and moving on to another.
But, then again it's life and there are fleeting moments and it was about time for him to realize who was beside him all along instead of having an unrequited love.

There was a couple who had few screen time but it was the all in all the best in timing and developing feelings, Lee Hyung and Ri Ah worked with common interests in regards of producing music, despite his obvious crush on her he was respectful and courteous enough to her to give her the space she required and needed not pushing his feeling on her but letting her take notice of her own in the end. Their interactions was always cute to see.

The BEST character development had to be La Ri Ma, at first it showed that she would be the typical famous spoiled star of the whole show but that couldn't be further from the truth. She was more than that, she was a sunbae that cared for her hoobaes, a star of a small company whose CEO unfortunately grew to be more greedy for her liking and she took it personal. Not for her, but for the sake of the dreams of those young trainee girls that were in a spot where she was once too before debuting and gaining fame. The way she stood her grounds, gave advice and spiked some characters so they could thrive and make their own decisions, it was admirable and that is one of the many reasons I stan her. She was without a doubt a QUEEN who wasn't afraid to speak her mind and change environments, even if it meant to give a step back and start anew she showed no fear but proved herself to be an inspiration towards the youthful and next generation of idol performers.

In more ways than one in 12 episodes it showed several problems that can occur within groups or inside companies.
Sparkling having trouble because of conflict between members, company schemes, terrible management or overworking idols, corrupted and greedy CEOs, small and bigger companies management differences, SHAX having secrets and obligated to keep their silence about Eun Jo disappearance, to losing a member of a group or having one resign, while facing anxiety and depression while keeping it in the dark, afraid of failure, everyone feeling the pressure before debuting and even after that with the whole weight control and the pressure of being successful and famous obviously takes a toll on anyone.

And yet they all share the same goal, to step on the same stage and perform.

"Don't you regret the choice you made back then?"
"I trusted you all so I knew SHAX will go on without me. I would've made the same choice."

Seeing the idols here grow up and become independent while learning to make their own rightful decisions and improve themselves as individuals and members of a group is the highlight of this whole storyline.

As for the group names from Omega3 to Tea Party, Sparkling and SHAX. I have to say the last one is my favorite in both name and concepts. Perhaps because I do enjoy darker concepts and styles in K-pop comebacks, so SHAX made that for me and lured me in. There were a few opportunities and songs here in these 12 episodes to fully get into the groups, but the show it's focused on the characters past and connection of those 3 years that passed and on how it affected and linked them all.

These last two episodes were the best in my opinion.
With the final secrets unveiled and the way they all worked hard and paid homage with such a meaningful stage.

Seeing the 3 managers from 3 different companies in the front row jumping and waving the lightsticks made me laugh. However its quite heartwarming to see a bond between idols and managers in this drama, that behind every idol there is a manager and how their work is just as hard and extenuating and of course a tough responsibility for another's live and time, it requires sacrifices and hardworking dedication. I am glad they were able to show it here in more ways than one and by many good and bad examples.

MML show made me reminiscent of concert shows before this situation we are currently living in. But it also made me hopeful, it will pass, and the joy of watching live concerts will return as well, within the right measures and safety protocols of course, because health is important and respect towards this current situation. Safe to say, they saved all the shows for last episode.
It makes me wonder how the idols felt while shooting this since it has been a while ever since shows have a physical audience.

"In that deep darkness.
Even when a strong wind blows
Even when gravity pulls you down
Please don't lose it. Your own style."

They saved the best for last, the FINAL stage. With a meaningful message they joined hands 3 different groups and a soloist to perform one song for two lost souls, for the brightest star in the sky, and for those voices that struggle to be heard and achieve their dreams, either being idols or pursuing other dreams it can be relatable and inspiring.

"We crossed the long universe. We crossed the long darkness.
The story colored behind this star. Those difficult days, those lonely days.
Became the most beautiful song in this world."

The drama could have had more depth and better production, that is for certain. But over all it was okay to follow.
For the OST is shows the variety of songs made for the story, and even better how the drama promoted better their fictional groups than some companies out there promoting in fact their real groups.

Although it seems like a light story, Imitantion is more than that. It acknowledges dark themes within the K-pop industry and how some should be a concern. Examples of what it should be improved or avoided, and how to draw the line between healthy bonds and toxic attitudes. It's all in between the lines, like a hidden message to take from such situations displayed.

"I finally realized what those words mean. The words I only whipsered to myself.
The reason why I exist among all those stars. That I cannot be compared.
That I cannot be replaced, that I have my own sparkle."

Although there is sadness and lessons to be learned, there is also a sense of accomplishment and gratefulness in the very end.
That is what Imitation is all about, to inspire Youth to follow their dreams and learn to trust in their selves and in each other.