The Entertainers

Synopsis

Year Aired: 2016

Number of Episodes: 18

Average Runtime per Episode: 60–65 minutes

In the cutthroat world of K-pop, success is fleeting and betrayal is par for the course. Shin Suk-ho (Ji Sung), a ruthless yet brilliant manager who once built the country’s top boy group, sees his career implode overnight when his own agency frames him for embezzlement and abandons him. Broke, blacklisted, and reduced to scraping by with odd jobs, Suk-ho stumbles across a street busker with raw talent: Jo Ha-neul (Kang Min-hyuk), a former idol trainee who was falsely accused of sexual assault years ago, which forced him and his ragtag band “Ddanddara Band” to live in the shadows. Seeing one last shot at redemption—and revenge—Suk-ho takes on the impossible task of turning the disgraced Ha-neul and his misfit bandmates into legitimate stars. With the industry stacked against them, no money, and old enemies circling, Suk-ho must rebuild trust, unearth the truth behind Ha-neul’s ruined past, and prove that real music can still triumph over manufactured fame. What begins as a desperate partnership evolves into a heartfelt journey of second chances, brotherhood, and the fight to reclaim dignity in a world that discards its broken idols.

Major Characters

• Shin Suk-ho (Ji Sung) A sharp-tongued, once-elite manager of Mango Entertainment who loses everything after being betrayed by his own company. Cynical but deeply passionate about real talent, he’s determined to stage the greatest comeback the industry has ever seen.

• Jo Ha-neul (Kang Min-hyuk – CNBLUE) A kind-hearted, immensely talented vocalist and guitarist wrongfully accused of assault as a trainee. After years in hiding, he performs on the streets with his band while caring for his orphaned younger brother.

• Jung Geu-rin (Hyeri – Girl’s Day) Ha-neul’s fiercely loyal childhood friend and pseudo-manager. Street-smart, outspoken, and protective, she becomes the emotional backbone of the new agency despite having zero industry experience.

• Lee Joon-suk (L.Joe – formerly of TEEN TOP) The mischievous maknae keyboardist of Ddanddara Band. Orphaned young, he masks pain with humor and sees Ha-neul as his real family.

• Kim Noh-eul (Gong Myung) The quiet, brooding bassist of the band with a mysterious past. Reserved but fiercely talented, he slowly opens up under Suk-ho’s guidance.

• Seo Min-ki (Jinwoon – 2AM) The drummer and oldest member of Ddanddara Band. Level-headed and responsible, he often acts as the reluctant voice of reason among the chaotic group.

• Yoon So-hee (Chae Jung-an) Suk-ho’s ex-girlfriend and the cold, calculating CEO of rival agency KTOP. Once his closest ally, she now stands as his greatest obstacle.

• Kang Min-ki (Jeon No-min) The corrupt president of Mango Entertainment and the architect of Suk-ho’s downfall. Ruthless and image-obsessed, he represents everything wrong with the idol industry.