Imitation
Season 1
A K-pop trainee, determined to make it in the industry, does whatever it takes to rise to the top — even if it means having to mimic another artist.
12 Episodes
- Episode 1
E1Episode 1Three years before the main events of the story, idol trainee Lee Ma-ha's dream of debuting in a girl group is cut short when news of a fellow trainee Annie who had committed suicide breaks out and disturbs the K-pop industry. Elsewhere, the comeback of popular boy group Shax kicks off with a rough start as Kwon Ryok is forced to cover for a co-member Lee Eun-jo who suddenly goes missing. At the present time, Ma-ha struggles to support herself by impersonating the famous solo artist La Ri-ma while Shax has become the most popular group in the industry, with Ryok developing a successful acting career. - Episode 2
E2Episode 2After an eventful movie shoot, Ma-ha chooses to quit pursuing idol stardom and start a new life, a decision seconded by her teammates Yu Ri-ah and Shim Hyun-ji. In a press conference, reporter Byun Jung-hee causes a stir by questioning Shax about Eun-jo whose disappearance has already caused an emotional toll on Ryok. Meanwhile, Shax's ex-manager Ji Hak returns to the K-pop industry and decides to manage Ma-ha, Ri-ah and Hyun-ji. The trio changes their minds, resolves to accept Ji Hak's offer and adopts the group name "Tea Party." Ji Hak starts implementing his unorthodox way in managing an idol group. - Episode 3
E3Episode 3Controversy is stirred amongst Shax fans when Ma-ha is photographed returning Ryok's jacket to him after a television shoot. Ryok is forced to apologize to fans, who brazenly demand Shax avoid Ri-ma and Ma-ha at all costs. In a meeting with her CEO, Ri-ma threatens to end her contract if she does not get to record a duet with Ryok. Meanwhile, Tea Party work to find their perfect debut single as Ji Hak prepares for their first appearance on a music show. Elsewhere, Ma-ha's best friend Lee Yu-jin prepares a comeback with his own group, Sparkling, but he is troubled by Ma-ha's interactions with Ryok. - Episode 4
E4Episode 4Shax's CEO Park Jin-man forces the group to appear on a music show, despite their pledge to do otherwise for their juniors' sakes. The move leads junior artists, including Tea Party, to have shorter screentimes. Yu-jin confronts Ryok about the situation and is chastised for being rude to a senior in the industry. However, Tea Party earns a taste of popularity after skillfully performing their debut single a cappella when a technical glitch cuts out their music. Ma-ha fills in the vacated female lead role in a film Ryok is starring in and joins in a tour across major cities to promote the film's premiere. - Episode 5
E5Episode 5During the film promotion tour, Ma-ha and Ryok find themselves in a tight spot as Shax's sasaeng fans storm the halls of their accommodation. Ji Hak is confronted by Jung-hee who is investigating Eun-jo's disappearance and Ji Hak's connection to the late idol trainee Annie, whom she suspects to have been Eun-jo's girlfriend. Elsewhere, Yu-jin and Hyun-ji do a photoshoot together while Ri-ah rejects a request from Shax's Lee-hyun to collaborate on a song. While forced to read more film and TV drama scripts, Ryok recruits his bandmates Do-jin and Hyuk to help him understand his developing feelings towards Ma-ha. - Episode 6
E6Episode 6Ryok visits Ma-ha outside of her apartment, but is chased off by Hyun-ji and Ri-ah. Ma-ha is cast for a sitcom along with Ryok's co-members Do-jin and Hyuk. Ryok is forced to accept another role in an action film right after finishing a countryside shooting for a reality show. Ryok's co-members Do-jin and Hyuk help him sneak out to visit Ma-ha, but are caught by Shax's leader Jae-woo. Ma-ha, Hyun-ji, and Ri-ah visit the set of Ryok's new film where Yu-jin has a supporting role. Ma-ha unwittingly distracts Ryok with her arrival, causing him to crash his car in the midst of the shooting. - Episode 7
E7Episode 7Ryok does not sustain any serious injuries from the accident but his hospitalization allows him compensate on his lack of sleep due to his tight schedule. Shax's manager Dae-kwon apologizes to Ryok for making him overwork and promises that he will do anything he asks. Dae-kwon, Do-jin and Hyuk arrange a secret meeting at the hospital between Ryok and the unknowing Ma-ha who bursts into tears upon arrival. Ma-ha and Ryok confess their feelings for each other. Upon his recovery, Ryok receives a warm welcome from his co-members, while Lee-hyun opens up to Ryok about his feelings for Ri-ah. Later, Ryok takes Ma-ha on a nighttime date in a mountain. - Episode 8
E8Episode 8Unbeknownst to Ma-ha and Ryok, a paparazzo has taken photos of them and has decided to spy on the couple. After finding out that Ma-ha will be shooting kissing scenes for the sitcom, Ryok visits the set with a food truck but can barely contain his jealousy while watching Ma-ha's kissing scene. Later, the paparazzo reveals Ryok and Ma-ha's secret dating to CEO Park, who then convinces Tea Party's former boss to file a trumped-up breach of contract lawsuit against the trio. Ma-ha and Ryok learn that their secret relationship has been exposed. While Ji Hak and Tea Party brace themselves for the lawsuit, Ryok resorts to a difficult decision.
