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 murder.
Cast
Main
Park Gyu-young as Seo Ah-ri: a humble door-to-door make-up saleswoman who lives with her mother, who runs a dry-cleaning business. Ah-ri was once wealthy as her late father owned a factory; however, after his death and the company's bankruptcy, the family was left penniless. Her mother is obsessed with wealth and wants to return to her lavish lifestyle while Ah-ri's friend, Yoon Jeong-sun (Park Ye-ni), goes to great lengths to make her famous. One day, Ah-ri meets her childhood "friend" Oh Min-hye, who is an influencer and enjoys flaunting her riches. Min-hye invites Ah-ri, who she believes is still wealthy, to a celebrity party and introduces her to the Gabin Society influencer group.[2]
Kang Min-hyuk as Han Jun-kyung: a wealthy and well-sought-after bachelor, is immediately attracted to Ah-ri when he first sees her and takes every opportunity to be with her. He eventually forms a romantic relationship with Ah-ri and uses his social status to help her.[2]
Lee Chung-ah as Yoon Si-hyeon: She is the "big sister" of the Gabin Society and is not on any social media. She is kind-hearted and has a soft spot for Ah-ri. She is married to Tae-jeon, and was previously engaged to Jun-kyung.[5]
Lee Dong-gun as Jin Tae-jeon: Si-hyeon's husband who is the CEO of the biggest law firm Taegang, despises Jun-kyung and goes to great lengths to destroy Ah-ri while hiding a dark secret of his own.[6]
Jun Hyo-seong as Oh Min-hye: Ah-ri's high school classmate who is an influencer in social media. She is jealous of Ah-ri. She claims to come from a wealthy family but does not. She attaches significant importance to designer bags and runs her shopping mall. She is married to a man whom she constantly insults and berates; however, he enjoys the luxurious lifestyle that comes from being married to her. She also gets some followers and fame by depicting her relationship with her husband on social media as ideal and perfect. She and her husband run a Ponzi scheme to fund their lavish lifestyle.[2]
Supporting
Gabin Society: Gabin Society is a content house for influencers whose members derive their sense of self-importance from their hierarchy of followers on Instagram. These members desire the fame that comes with being the most followed on social media, but they do not take responsibility for how they achieve it. They are willing to go to great lengths to protect their reputation and status, even if it means sacrificing others. Vanity and jealousy have corrupted these influencers, and others are ready to bring them down.
Han Jae-in as Jin Chae-hee: she comes from a wealthy family. She relies on her family status to leverage her social media presence and to get collaborations with brands. She is the sister of Tae-jeon. She abusively uses drugs.[8]
Han Eu-ddeum as Angela: she marries a rich husband but does not allow her to spend his money lavishly. Therefore, she resorts to soliciting her body for the money.[10]
Kim Si-hyun as Ji-na: she sells knock-off copies of designer brands and claims them to be real to her followers. She also flaunts these fake brands to claim that she comes from old money.[11]
Jung Yoo-min as Han Yu-rang: she is Min-hye's lackey and married to plastic surgeon, Kim Min-chan, who engages in malpractice. Her relationship with her husband is very contested.[12]
Kim Noh-jin as Lee Eun-Chae/Lee Seon-Young: The masseur working within the same spa that is sponsored by the Gabin Society. She is later revealed to be the identity behind _bbbfamous, who in reality, is a poor girl flaunting as a rich girl who is a severe anti-fan and wrote malicious comments on many influencers including Ah-ri.
^ abcdefghMoon 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.
^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.
^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.
^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, the mother of a gold digger]. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Naver.
^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.
^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.
^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.
.png)
