This drama really came out of nowhere for me. There's been little marketing for it, and to be honest, I clicked on it by mistake. But WOW, what a show. I thought I knew what this drama would be about but I was so wrong. It completely went above my expectations. I expected caricature characters, an obvious love triangle and an annoying main character. I guess the cover kinda gave me teen idol drama writing like heirs, cinderella and four knights kind of vibes. I was so wrong.

Acting/Cast:
I'll start with our characters, and specifically Kim Jenna, our protagonist. I refrain from calling her the female lead because that would mean she needs a male lead to complete the drama but not Kim Jenna. She's a force all on her own. She is the leader of the failed group Cotton Candy. And this is truly her characterization. She is, in the truest form, a leader. She is the glue that holds the team together. Without her, the group would be nothing a long time ago. All the members care for her mainly because they can see, through her endless actions, that she cares for them as well. Even Hyunji, who comes off as the brat (love her though) treats Jenna like her big sister and will do anything for her. Jenna is a no nonsense girl who will fight, bite, claw her way through anyone and anything to make sure Cotton Candy is successful. She is also the only person who is unwilling to give up on Cotton Candy. Even other members have their moments. But not Jenna. Never Jenna. She knows what each and everyone had to do to get to where they were and she is unwilling to let things end badly for them. Hani has a fantastic crying face. She portrays Jenna well.

If Jenna is the glue of Cotton Candy, then Stella, the Visual of the group, is her rock. She is the emotional support for Jenna and has very similar views to Jenna. But unlike Jenna, she is quite weak hearted as we see with her mental health issues. She is not one for confrontation but she makes sure Jenna is never alone, and is in some way, Jenna's big sister.

Hyunji. Oh my fiesty, lacking-a-filter Hyunji. The Maknae of the group. She is very hateful at the beginning because of her troublemaking character but also becomes my favorite, again because of her character. She will insult everyone and anybody. She will insult the CEO, her members, her manager, her fans, inanimate objects. Basically anything that crosses her eyes. But this is why we love her. She is honest to a fault and she sometimes says what I wish I could say to some characters. Bbyong, I'm looking at you, you piece of trash. She is the baby of the group and often times, other members try to restrain her character.

Elle, the Main vocalist. She is the reason I love this drama. I love stories where the conflict is justifiable, and we see that in Elle. She has spent sooo long wishing to succeed that she is desperate. So desperate, and I feel that desperation. She loves her members without a doubt but wishes to succeed even more. I also like that she isnt perfect. She is very selfish. She left KillA when they were unsuccessful for a long time and then moved to Cotton Candy. Very selfish of her. But yet I ask myself, as an indecisive person, would I make a different choice if I were her? She cant know the future. We only say she is selfish because we see KillA succeed at the end. But what if they hadn't? She couldn't afford such an unclear future. I really feel for her but I know she will find her way back to the group.

ChaeA, the sub vocalist and sub dancer. Usually when you have an ensemble cast, there's always that one you dont quite know so well or relate to. But not in this drama. We all know of a ChaeA in every kpop group. That one member who is just average at everything. Not really excelling in one thing but good enough to complete the formation the company is looking for. This is ChaeA. She's not the prettiest, not the best dancer, doesn't have the most sparkling personality or voice. And ChaeA knows it. And she works hard to make sure she does not fall behind. I love her for that.

The brilliance of the writers of this drama is that they are able to give everyone their moment. Troy is another character I enjoy often. If you introduce a character halfway through a drama, viewers might not relate well with the character. But not Troy. I can feel the friendship he had with Cotton Candy through his emotions. He hates them but also cares for them. I also love his relationship with Elle. When he watches Jenna and Elle perform as backup dancers, you can see the anguish in his eyes. I love him.

Ceo Ma and the Manager were two characters I also love. Ceo Ma had a real dilemma a lot of company Ceo face, which is, what do you do with a group that's bombing. His idea of keeping Jenna also makes sense, if you look at the trend with in real-life groups that are like Cotton Candy. They will usually keep one or a few and make them solo, or turn them into actors or variety stars while the rest are just left to rot. Which Jenna picks up on when she calls him out. Nevertheless, Ceo Ma also has a strong bond with the girls as they are his first group and that makes them special to him. He is unable to treat them too badly.

The Manager is also very lovely. His bond with Hyunji was enviable and perhaps his passing served as the turning point in her behavior.

Ceo Cha is nice. I saw his change coming because Jenna can be pretty inspiring.

Mars member Ji Han is the least interesting character for me, oddly enough. By the comments section, he is well liked and yes, dont get me wrong, he is likeable but not interesting. Amongst the slew of complex characters, he is a little bland. And that's ok. This drama needs that. His character serves almost as a stress relief for us the viewers and for Jenna as well.

All the other characters add something to the drama as well and dont come off as caricatures. even Bbyong and his over inflated ego makes sense. Director Yoon is also hilarious comic relief though I sense Cotton Candy really is stressing him out. His dynamic with Hyunji is hilarious to watch.

Story: One of the most realistic conflict and conflict resolution I've seen in a drama so far. The writer knows what she's doing.

Music: Some of the best music I've heard in 2021. Every song is a hit. Every song sets the tone of the drama properly. All very catchy. I have a few in my Spotify playlist already.

Rewatch Value: 10. I've already rewatched several episodes multiple times. Its quite addicting.

Overall a fantastic drama so far. So underrated though. JTBC should've marketed it more.