Overall Impression:

If you want to watch a K-drama on Netflix with a unique and solid plotline and great acting, look no further. Originally from the first episode, I thought this drama was just going to be nonstop catfights and petty beef for lighthearted entertainment. Happy to say I was wrong. This drama is so much more, and just got deeper and better after each episode.

The beginning of the drama gives us a peek into the lives of a group of Korean Instagram influencers called the Gabin Society. As the show progresses, we discover what truths lie behind the feeds of these gorgeous girls, showcasing a life filled with luxury, happiness and fine aesthetic pleasures, where they seemingly have it all. Our main protagonist, Seo Ari, finds herself becoming involved in this world of glitz and glamour after an encounter with an old friend (Minhye) who’s a part of this society. One thing leads to another, and Ari decides to join in on this web celeb lifestyle as she believes it’ll improve her current social and economic status, but later embroils herself in unwanted situations that threatens to wreck her stability and sanity.

Things I thought were done well/likes:
- Time Jumps. These were the main plot device. Scenes within each episodes jump back and forth from the time of a present-day livestreaming Ari, thought to be deceased by her circle, to the time the events she's narrating in the livestream take place. It usually starts with Ari suggesting something cryptic, but she leaves the viewers hanging by only stating the conclusion, giving us time to make our own predictions about what happened. The secrets aren’t exposed until they play out in the past timeline, and this does a great job at keeping curious viewers engaged.
- Eye-catching and Interesting Characters. Ari was calm, intelligent, strong with an emotionally mature way of thinking, and super cute, with her lil bob hair nicely framing her face, but also not the in-your-face type of cute, making her the perfect underdog influencer protagonist to support. And then there were also the Gabin Society girls, each with their own backstory that kept me interested in them, and their husbands, who also had their own idiosyncrasies. Only stereotypical character was Joonhyuk, but he is the handsome cutie of the cast and that more than compensates for his lack of personality…hehe
- Modern-Day Relevancy. The toxicity and performative nature of social media. Followers, likes, etc. as the main form of social currency. Transactional friendships formed on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation. The destructive power of potential gaslighting and deception by anonymous users like @_bbbfamous (oh the irony…). Though it’s obvious the vast majority of this story is a dramatized depiction, this drama still touches on things that are too real and relevant to the year 2023. I think this drama would be interesting to revisit a couple years down the line.

Things I thought could be improved/dislikes:
- The romance. Granted, this drama isn’t centered around romantic love. The relationship between Ari and Joonkyung isn’t at all the point. But it’s odd how their attraction to one another seemed to have developed out of nowhere. It would’ve been much better if the writers had just squeezed in a few emotional and intimate moments between the two to build the chemistry first, rather than make it seem like she reciprocated his affection only because he was always around to support and protect her. Makes me think the romance was added simply to force the plot in a specific direction, but I guess it worked so it’s fine.
- Ending. Justice was served! I just wish they made it more impactful somehow. There were so many opportunities to add in a pithy message that speaks to problems with the internet and its devastating effects today that would’ve resonated with people and be quoted again and again missed.

Overall an 8.5/10. Definitely recommend adding this drama to your watchlist! :)