My Troublesome Star

“My Troublesome Star” (Korean: 금쪽같은 내 스타) is a 12-episode romantic comedy-drama that premiered on ENA on August 18, 2025. Developed by KT Studio Genie, the series is written by Park Ji-ha and directed by Choi Young-hun, produced by Jumbo Film and Studio Bom.

Plot Synopsis

At the height of her fame in 1999, superstar Im Se-ra vanishes after a mysterious accident. Twenty-five years later, she wakes up with no memory of the missing decades – now living as the ordinary, 50-something Bong Cheong-ja in a cramped goshiwon room. Determined to reclaim her crown, she plunges into a totally changed industry. Crossed paths with her are Dokgo Cheol, a once-ace detective demoted to traffic duty who goes undercover as a manager, and Go Hui-yeong, a former supporting actress who rose to global stardom during Se-ra’s disappearance – and isn’t eager to see the past return.

Cast & Characters

Main Cast

• Uhm Jung-hwa as Im Se-ra / Bong Cheong-ja – a legendary actress who reawakens in a stranger’s older body and fights for a comeback.
• Song Seung-heon as Dokgo Cheol – ex-violent crimes hotshot turned traffic cop; his undercover “manager” gig collides with Cheong-ja’s improbable return.
• Lee El as Go Hui-yeong – once overshadowed by Se-ra, now a guarded global star threatened by rumors of Se-ra’s reappearance.
• Oh Dae-hwan as Kang Du-won – powerful entertainment CEO who used to be Se-ra’s frazzled road manager.
• Jang Da-ah as young Im Se-ra (1999) – the incandescent “it-girl” before everything vanished.

Supporting Cast

• Supporting worlds include Cheong-ja’s family and the goshiwon residents who become her new, chaotic safety net.

Reception

Early ratings

Episode 1 opened to 1.3% nationwide (AGB/Nielsen Korea), rising to ~1.9% for Episode 2 – solid for a cable launch in a competitive slot.

Critical & Fan Chatter

Camp and Pathos Acclaim

Review sites noted a fizzy mix of camp and pathos led by Uhm Jung-hwa, with praise for the high-concept hook and the veteran leads’ chemistry.

High Expectations from Press

Korean press coverage from the production showcase pushed confident expectations, even inviting comparisons to prior ENA hits; headlines amplified the series’ “tear-and-laughter” comeback premise.

Breezy Crowd-Pleaser Status

As of its premiere week, consensus frames “My Troublesome Star” as a breezy, sentimental crowd-pleaser with room to deepen its mystery and industry satire as more episodes air.

Fun Facts & Production Notes

Reunion of stars

Uhm Jung-hwa and Song Seung-heon headline together again after roughly a decade, a selling point highlighted in Korean entertainment press.

Dual-era casting

The show toggles between 1999 and the present, with Jang Da-ah portraying Se-ra in her peak-era flashbacks.

Creative power

Director Choi Young-hun (also romanized as Choi Hyeong-hun) steers the project. Writer Park Ji-ha previously worked on identity-twist rom-coms – DNA that’s evident here.

Final Word

Blending amnesia mystery with “showbiz comeback” comedy, “My Troublesome Star” turns a time-capsule premise into a warm, lightly satirical look at aging, image, and the resilience it takes to start over – twenty-five years late and one lifetime wiser. If you like second-chance romances with backstage bite, put this one on your weekly rota.

Where to Watch

Broadcast Schedule

• Airing on Mondays and Tuesdays on ENA at 22:00 KST.

Streaming Access

• South Korea: Genie TV, TVING.
• Japan: U-Next.
• Thailand: Viki.

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