Imma start off with this, I think this drama is very much geared towards kpop fans, which isn't necessarily a bad thing given that the entire drama is about the kpop industry. But if you are a seasoned drama watcher I wouldn't highly recommend this one.

I watched this at a time where I was just getting into dramas and found it pretty entertaining, but I don't think I would like it as much now.

I think that it does do something to address the toxicitiy and sometimes the barbarities of the kpop industry but doesn't make it the center focus.
This would also be fine if the main romance was more interesting and less for a lack of better words... bland?
Like I get it you're 2 kpop idols who like each other but can't really be together because of the industry and you like this other guy whos better. (Love ya Yunho) It might just be that love traingles aren't for me, but this one wasn't greatly executed plot wise.

I feel like they did try to address the problems in the industry but did it in a way that was very tone deaf and attempted to shove a romance in there.

Im gonna address the other big thing in here... using Ateez and SF9 for what I believe is mostly publicity. Here I am mainly just talking about San, Seonghwa, and Hwiyoung. Because Jongho and Yunho did have major parts. I think they kinda shoved the 3 of them in there just to get fans to watch it. This is by no means saying they are bad actors but they showed up occasionally not doing much for the plot. Obviously this isn't the first time cameo's have happened but they legitimatley had almost nothing to do with the story and felt like they were there for the soul purpose of the Ateez and SF9 brand to get people to watch.

I also completely lost why the drama was called Imitation after a while. Like I understand that Maha wants to be like another idol she looks up to. But all the sudden it kinda just gets lost in the plot and it became really confusing? The idea of wanting to be like her comes back at random points and is supposidly forgotten again. Idk its very strange

Finally, I found the pacing strange. The beginning was dramatic and then by episode 2 it got really slow. And then all the sudden mid show it hits the ground running with plot and drama, and at the end it slows down. Like its werid because I remember thinking about dropping the show and then all the sudden its interesting. But that only lasts so long and gets boring.

I think if you're a fan of kpop its an ok watch and I think it still has the capability to be enjoyed.
Stan Ateez and SF9
This show made me a Jongho bias