How Fictional K-pop Idols Are Bridging the Gap Between TV Drama and Pop Culture

“Hello, we’re Highboys!”

This vibrant introduction from the seven-member fictional boy group recently echoed on M COUNTDOWN, the popular Mnet music show. Not only did Highboys perform their hit song “When That Day Comes”, but they also handled backstage interviews just like any real idol group. The response online was nothing short of explosive. Their stage video garnered 1.8 million YouTube views in just three days, and the interview surpassed 400,000 views. What made this appearance even more unique? It was both their first and last real-world performance.

Highboys are not just another K-pop sensation. They’re a fictional group created for the recently concluded tvN drama “Once Upon a Small Town Resident.” The show centers on Eom Jae-il, played by Kang Yu-seok, who is revealed to have been an idol member named Eom Jae in his past. The story weaves together his double life as a former K-pop star and current medical resident, with “When That Day Comes” becoming a signature track within the series.

Adding a dose of realism, popular TOMORROW X TOGETHER members Soobin and Yeonjun stepped into the roles of DI and Topki. The creative team meticulously crafted immersive idol content for the show— fan chants, introduction videos, and behind-the-scenes material— sparking hot responses from viewers who commented, “How can this feel so real?”

The OST “When That Day Comes” quickly climbed music charts and topped YouTube’s trending videos, highlighting the intense fan engagement. Kang Yu-seok’s performance as Eom Jae-il blurred the boundaries between fiction and reality, boosting the drama’s popularity even further.

The phenomenon of fictional idols becoming real-world sensations is no longer new to K-drama fans. Groups born in scripts— from Highboys to “Eclipse” in tvN’s “Twinkling Watermelon” last year— increasingly debut on TV, then expand into digital singles and live performances. The cast of Eclipse included real idols such as N.Flying’s Lee Seung-hyub and OMEGA X’s Yang Hyuk, who lent their musical talents to the fictional band’s OSTs and performances, enhancing the group’s believability.

Immersive staging has driven fans to request actual concerts for Eclipse, and the drama’s lead, Byeon Woo-seok, saw his onscreen popularity transform into real-world fandom.

This trend expands further with Netflix’s series “Doona!”, where renowned actress Bae Suzy takes on the role of lead vocalist Lee Doona in the fictional group Dream Sweet, performing numerous OST stages under her character’s name instead of her own.

Even in currently airing SBS drama “Spring of Four Seasons,” the story centers around Saky, the leader of the nation’s hottest fictional K-pop band, The Crown. Their chart-climbing soundtracks, directly performed by actor Ha Yoon-joon, add to the immersive blend of drama and music.

As the borders between script and stage dissolve, these K-drama idol groups are revolutionizing how fiction and reality interact within K-pop, igniting fan communities and pushing the boundaries of entertainment.