Celebrity (South Korean TV series)

Celebrity
Promotional poster
Hangul
셀러브리티
RRSelleobeuriti
MRSellŏbŭrit'i
GenreThriller[1]
Written byKim Yi-young[2]
Directed byKim Cheol-kyu[2]
Starring
Music by
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
  • So Jae-hyun (CP)
  • Shin Ye-jin
Producers
  • Kim Young-kyu
  • Lee Ki-hyuk[3]
  • Park Jin-hyung
  • Son Ki-won
Running time37–53 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseJune 30, 2023 (2023-06-30)

Celebrity (Korean: 셀러브리티) is a 2023 South Korean thriller television series written by Kim Yi-young and directed by Kim Cheol-kyu, and starring Park Gyu-young, Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Chung-ah, Lee Dong-gun and Jun Hyo-seong. The series depicts the desires and mysteries surrounding people who become social media influencers, living as so-called celebrities, and the people who envy them. It was released on Netflix, on June 30, 2023.[2][4]

Synopsis

Seo Ah-ri (Park Gyu-young) finds herself thrown into a life of fame, wealth, and desire as she explores the world of social media influencers. However, Ah-ri mentions how these influencers buy "followers", which tricks laypersons into believing that they are celebrities. As her reputation begins to tarnish during her rise and eventual fall, Ah-ri exposes the scandalous lives of the influencers, involving scams, harassment, drugs, and eventually death.

Plot

Seo A-ri works as a door-to-door cosmetics salesperson after her family’s wealth disappears following her father’s death and the collapse of their business. She unexpectedly reunites with former high school acquaintance Oh Min-hye, now a successful social media influencer, who invites her to an exclusive gathering of online celebrities known as the “Gabin Society.” Unaware that A-ri is no longer wealthy, Min-hye introduces her to the group, whose members publicly present themselves as close friends while privately competing for status and influence.

Although initially uncomfortable with their superficial behavior, A-ri attracts attention for her honesty, particularly from PR executive Ju Seung-hyeok, political heiress Yoon Si-hyeon, and cosmetics company CEO Han Jun-kyung. Encouraged to pursue social media fame, A-ri begins building her own online presence while openly challenging the culture of the Gabin Society.

An anonymous Instagram account known as “_bbbfamous” secretly provides A-ri with information about the private lives and vulnerabilities of Gabin Society members. Rather than publicly exposing these secrets, A-ri uses the information strategically to navigate the influencer hierarchy and gain popularity. Her rapid rise eventually rivals established celebrities, fueling jealousy and hostility within the group.

Tensions escalate during a nightclub gathering arranged by members of the Gabin Society in an attempt to reconcile with A-ri. Hoping to reduce the growing conflict, she attends but becomes unknowingly caught in a drug-fueled party. When a nightclub employee dies from an overdose, lawyer Jin Tae-jeon secretly covers up the incident. Although unaware of the drug use, A-ri becomes indirectly implicated and is pressured to remain silent.

As A-ri’s influence grows and she begins developing her own brand with Jun-kyung, Min-hye and others begin searching for information to discredit her. The anonymous account “_bbbfamous,” which had initially aided A-ri’s rise, begins supplying Min-hye with information and fueling an online hate campaign against her. Public backlash intensifies as the nightclub incident becomes known, while Jin Tae-jeon takes extreme measures to suppress the scandal.

Following escalating harassment, business failure, and the suicide of a close associate, A-ri appears to take her own life. In reality, she goes into hiding in order to investigate the identity of “_bbbfamous,” whom she suspects of manipulating events within the influencer world.

Months later, a mysterious livestream using A-ri’s likeness begins exposing corruption and hidden crimes among influencers, causing panic within the Gabin Society. The broadcast is eventually traced to A-ri’s friend Yoon Jeong-sun and an IT specialist using deepfake technology in hopes of drawing A-ri out. It is then revealed that Lee Eun-chae, a massage therapist who had access to Gabin Society members, operated the “_bbbfamous” account. Obsessed with the influencer world yet resentful of its arrogance, she secretly recorded conversations and gathered secrets, first helping A-ri rise before later orchestrating her downfall.

In the aftermath, the corruption surrounding the Gabin Society is exposed and several powerful figures face public disgrace. Although encouraged to return to social media fame, A-ri ultimately declines, concluding that the world of online celebrity is unpredictable and toxic.

Cast

Main

  • Park Gyu-young as Seo Ah-ri, a door-to-door cosmetics salesperson after her father's death and the bankruptcy of the family business. She later enters the world of social media influencers and becomes involved with the Gabin Society.[2]
  • Kang Min-hyuk as Han Jun-kyung: A wealthy chaebol heir who becomes interested in Ah-ri and later develops a romantic relationship with her.[2]
  • Lee Chung-ah as Yoon Si-hyeon: A prominent member of the Gabin Society who avoids social media. She is Tae-jeon's wife and Jun-kyung's former fiancée.[5]
  • Lee Dong-gun as Jin Tae-jeon: Si-hyeon's husband and the CEO of the law firm Taegang, who works to protect his power and conceal his secrets.[6]
  • Jun Hyo-seong as Oh Min-hye: Ah-ri's former classmate and a social media influencer who is a member of Gabin Society.[2]

Supporting

Gabin Society

  • Han Jae-in as Jin Chae-hee: A wealthy influencer who relies on her family status to maintain her social media presence and secure brand collaborations. She is Tae-jeon's younger sister.[7]
  • Han Eu-ddeum as Angela: An influencer who maintains a luxurious public image despite financial limitations within her marriage.[8]
  • Kim Si-hyun as Ji-na: An influencer who promotes counterfeit luxury goods while presenting them as authentic on social media.[9]
  • Jung Yoo-min as Han Yu-rang: A member of the Gabin Society and a close associate of Min-hye. She is married to plastic surgeon Kim Min-chan.[10]

Recurring

  • Kim Noh-jin as Lee Eun-chae / Lee Seon-young: A masseuse working at a spa frequented by members of the Gabin Society. She is later revealed to be the anonymous account "_bbbfamous", which secretly gathers and spreads information about influencers, including Ah-ri.
  • Park Ye-ni as Yoon Jeong-sun, a close friend of Seo Ah-ri[11]
  • Jeong Yu-mi as Hwang Yu-ri, a famous influencer and owner of Bestaroom, a shop that commands major influence across the Dongdaemun[12]
  • Han Eun-jung as Wang Ro-la, a former member of Gabin Society and a disgraced influencer[13]
  • Jung Wook-jin as Kwon Myeong-ho, Min-hye’s submissive husband. [14]
  • Nam Gi-ae as Lee Hyeon-ok, a mother of Seo Ah-ri and Seo Du-Seong[11]
  • Lee Jung-jun as Seo Du-seong, a IT specialist and younger brother of Seo Ah-ri
  • Seo Hyun-woo as Detective Jang Hyun-soo
  • Um Hyo-sup as Park Gyeong-bae, a former employee of Ah-ri's father and an associate to Seo family.
  • Choi Young-woo as Hwang Yong-tae, an owner of Aragon Club and local gangster works for Jin[15]

Special appearances

Production

Casting

In May 2022, Celebrity confirmed production with ensemble casting of Park Gyu-young, Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Chung-ah, Lee Dong-gun and Jun Hyo-seong.[2]

Filming

Filming began in December 2021.[19]

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Korea Drama Awards 2023 Hot Star Award Jung Yoo-min Won [20]

References

  1. ^ Lee Si-jin (February 10, 2023). "Studio Dragon poised to become global production house with sequels, new projects". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Moon Ji-yeon (May 26, 2022). [공식] '셀러브리티' 박규영·강민혁·이청아 캐스팅..넷플릭스 확정 [[Official] 'Celebrity' Park Gyu-young, Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Chung-ah Casting... Netflix Confirmed]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022 – via Naver.
  3. ^ "Celebrity". Studio Dragon. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  4. ^ Park Soo-in (May 31, 2023). '셀러브리티' 6월30일 공개 확정, 박규영 폭로할 SNS 인플루언서 실체 ['Celebrity' confirmed to be released on June 30, Park Kyu-young's social media influencer reality]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Naver.
  5. ^ Lee Nam-kyung (May 26, 2022). 이청아 캐스팅, '셀러브리티' 출연확정...박규영과 호흡(공식) [Lee Chung-ah's casting confirmed for 'Celebrity'... Breathing with Park Gyu-young (Official)]. Maeil Broadcasting Network (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Park Seo-hyun (May 27, 2022). 이동건, 넷플릭스 시리즈 '셀러브리티' 캐스팅 확정(공식) [Lee Dong-gun confirmed for casting in Netflix series 'Celebrity' (Official)]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  7. ^ Yoo Jung-min (July 3, 2023). 한재인, '셀러브리티' 통해 배우 데뷔...모태 금수저 진채희役 [Han Jae-in makes acting debut in 'Celebrity' as Jin Chae-hee]. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Naver.
  8. ^ 신, 지원. '셀러브리티' 한으뜸, 인플루언서 안젤라 役 활약에 '기대 UP'. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  9. ^ '셀러브리티' 김시현, 싱크로율 100%. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  10. ^ 정, 현태. '셀러브리티' 정유민, 인플루언서 모임 가빈회 멤버..매력 폭발. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  11. ^ a b 유, 정민. 박예니 "'셀러브리티' 늘 웃으며 촬영, 즐겁게 봐주셨으면" [일문일답]. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Kim Chae-yeon (June 22, 2023). 아는 사람은 보인다! '셀러브리티' 아이키·이사배·차현승 등 특별출연 라인업 공개 ['Celebrity' Aiki, Lee Issa-Bae, Cha Hyun-Seung, etc. revealed for special appearance line-up]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023 – via Naver.
  13. ^ 류, 예지. 한다감, 알고보면 질투와 허영심이 가득한 스타('셀러브리티'). Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  14. ^ 정욱진, 넷플릭스 '셀러브리티' 합류...비밀을 가진 전효성 남편 역. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  15. ^ '셀러브리티' 클럽 사장 최영우, 씬 스틸러 넘어 씬 강탈러로 '주목'. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  16. ^ "'셀러브리티' 진소연, 연기력으로 시청자 호평". News Sunday. October 10, 2023.
  17. ^ Kang Nae-ri (July 1, 2022). [단독] '옷소매' 이준호, 넷플릭스 '셀러브리티' 특별 출연...김철규 감독과 의리 [[Exclusive] 'Clothes Sleeve' Junho Lee, special appearance on Netflix's 'Celebrity'... Director Kim Cheol-gyu and Loyalty]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2022 – via Naver.
  18. ^ a b c d "이준호, 직접 전화해 떼 쓰다시피 섭외" '셀러브리티' 특별출연 비하인드. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  19. ^ Hwa Jeong (December 22, 2021). 이청아·박규영·전효성, 넷플릭스 '셀러브리티' 촬영 시작 [종합] [[Exclusive] Lee Cheong-ah, Park Gyu-young, and Jeon Hyosung, start filming for Netflix's 'Celebrity' [General]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  20. ^ Kim, Yang-soo (October 14, 2023). [종합] '코리아드라마어워즈' 이성민 대상...오정세x김선아 최우수상 [[Overall] 'Korea Drama Awards' Lee Sung-min Grand Prize...Oh Jung-se x Kim Sun-ah Best Actress]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
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