'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMF/8QAJBAAAQMDAQkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBAAFERIGBxQVITFBUWH/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACBP/EABkRAQEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECABFRwf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A2Y02IdpY99XAaCrcG4rhbJSSt1RSFpGSPQOeuPNRum+ZEG5zInJAvh3ltai+cnSojPb5SlVytXXPfhkASb//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Kdrama Top Management was released in 2018 and narrates the story of a struggling K-pop boy band, S.O.U.L., and their manager, Eun-sung (Seo Eun-soo), who used to be an ex-trainee and has the ability to see the future. The show highlights some of the real issues that the idol groups suffer from, such as plagiarism accusations, in a unique narrative that will keep you hooked to the screen.
Top Management stars Cha Eun-woo, who is also a member of the popular idol group Astro, and Ahn Hyeo-seop, who has gained popularity with his singing and has appeared in several popular Korean shows and films such as Kpop Demon Hunters.
Here’s a list of 10 Kdramas like Top Management that give the same idol group vibe with their unique storytelling.
Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
Top Management: 10 similar Kdramas with the same idol world vibes
10) Heartstrings
Just like Top Management, Heartstrings also introduces music amid a tale of achieving one’s dreams. The Korean series narrates the story of a gayageum player, Kyu-Won, and a guitarist named Shin. With different family backgrounds and different fields in music, these two often find themselves in arguments but gradually begin to fall for each other.
The series focuses on the hard work of the characters in the art university to achieve their dreams and also on how they navigate friendships and relationships.
9) Idol: The Coup
Another Kdrama like Top Management that revolves around the lives of idols is Idol: The Coup. As Top Management focuses on the boy band’s struggle of standing up to the accusations against them, Idol: The Coup follows a girl group called Cotton Candy, who are trying their best to stop their disbandment by making just one hit song.
Both dramas depict the sheer determination of the characters and how they want to make their idol groups successful, making them must-watch dramas, giving the idol world vibes.
8) Doona!
Starring Bae Suzy, Doona!, like Top Management, follows the story of a K-pop idol, Doo-na, who has now retired, and her love story with Yang Se-jong's Won-jun. It is one of those dramas that will give you the warm and fuzzy feeling of romance that Kdramas are known for.
Based on a webtoon, it has an intriguing character-driven story that is focused on the complexities of Suzy's character Doo-na. It is a popular drama due to the performances and a raw and compelling narrative, making it one of the must-watch Kdramas.
7) One Fine Week
Looking for Kdramas like Top Management that give a peek into the idol world? Watch One Fine Week. In this entertaining Kdrama, Ji-soo's Da-eun changes her life with K-pop idol Gim Byeol.
It focuses on Da-eun experiencing the dreamy K-pop world but also the hardships and struggles of the idol life, and she also gets to meet Jun-seop's Jeong-u. On the other hand, Byeol lives the complex life of Da-eun and works in the cafe as a part-time employee and gets closer to the owner, Geonil's Ji-han. While giving a glimpse of the idol world, the Kdrama also depicts a compelling and entertaining tale of the adventure of Da-eun and Byeol.
6) Imitation
If you loved Top Management, you won’t be disappointed with Imitation, as it also delves into fictionalized deep corners of the idol world. It narrates the story of Ma-ha from the girl group Tea Party, who begins a relationship with Kwon Ryok from the boy band Shax.
However, it isn’t a smooth-sailing relationship, just like every other idol relationship, as this secret might become the downfall of their careers as idols. It also brings a controversial side of the real world: that idols struggle with being in relationships, which sometimes hampers their careers, similar to Top Management using a real-life problem of plagiarism accusations against K-pop groups.
5) The Heavenly Idol
The Heavenly Idol is like a straight-out-of-popular-fan-fiction kind of story where a character finds himself in a K-pop idol’s body. Min-kyu’s Pontifex Rembrary’s fight with the devil takes him to a different world where he finds himself in Yeon-woo, a member of the boy band Wild Animal’s body.
Just like in Top Management, the boy band in The Heavenly Idol also struggles with trying to be successful in their field, but everything changes when Rembrary unintentionally takes Yeon-woo’s body and becomes a popular idol. The Kdrama is entertaining and enjoyable, and you should definitely check it out.
4) Entertainer
If you were impressed with Top Management, Entertainer should definitely be on your list. It follows the story of Suk-ho, who wants to build an entertainment company of his own with a popular idol group whose current contract with a different company is about to end but has to deal with several schemes and tricks by others who don't want to let him build a company of his own.
He then tries to create a new K-pop band by hiring Kang Min-hyuk's Ha-neul as the lead singer. It's a compelling watch with intriguing behind-the-scenes narratives of the music industry and the lives of idols.
3) Let Me Be Your Knight
This popular Kdrama narrates the story of a woman who gets mistaken for her twin sister and now has to live with a fictional boy band to treat their leader for sleepwalking. Just like Top Management, Let Me Be Your Knight also introduces a fictional boy band at the center of the story known as Luna.
The leader and lead vocalist of the band is played by Lee Jun-young, who has been seen in several popular Kdramas in 2025, from When Life Gives You Tangerines to Weak Hero Class 2.
2) You're Beautiful
This popular Kdrama starring Park Shin-hye tells the story of Shin-ye’s Mi-nyeo, who is asked to impersonate her twin brother Mi-nam as a member of the idol group A.N.JELL until he comes back from America after recovering from an injury.
You're Beautiful also depicts the idol life, where a woman comes to save a boy band, but in a different way than Eun-sung from Top Management. It's a must-watch drama due to the performances of the actors and also has two real-life idols in the cast, namely, CNBLUE’s Jung Yong-hwa and rock band F.T. Island’s Lee Hong-gi.
1) Dream High
When we mention Top Management and idol world vibes, Dream High is one of the unskippable shows in this category. It tells the story of Kirin High School students who are trying to conquer their dreams of becoming K-pop idols. The show stars numerous artists and members of idol groups under JYP Entertainment, such as Ok Taec-yeon and Jang Wooyoung from 2 PM, GOT7 member Jay B, and also popular actors such as Bae Suzy and IU, among others.
It is one of the most popular shows of the early 2010s and a great watch if you want to delve into the world of idol groups and ambitions of becoming a part of the world.
Trending
Keep reading Soap Central for more such stories.
Also Read: Head Over Heels: 10 similar shows that'll have you swooning in no time
Reply
