The premiere of "My Troublesome Star" hurtles us back to the captivating year of 1999, where the globe was enthralled by the magnetic charm of Im Se-ra, the epitome of celebrity adoration. Her presence was ubiquitous, casting a spell that made her seem invincible and beyond reproach.
Meanwhile, in the precincts of a police station, Dokgo Cheol, a fledgling detective with ambitions of making his mark, found himself confronted with an unusual case. A visitor named Eun-dong stepped forward, alleging fraud, with Im Se-ra fingered as the perpetrator, supported by a seal of approval that only complicated matters further.
Dokgo Cheol was tasked with apprehending Se-ra, a mission easier conceived than executed. Armed with her contact information, he managed to get through, only to discover that Se-ra was but an alias. The scam, it seemed, had roots in her father's perpetual penchant for trouble.
On the set of a commercial shoot, Se-ra's manager, Du-won, found himself in a tight spot. Hui-yeong, cast as the supporting actress, arrived on the scene, to Se-ra's evident disdain. She harbored a deep animosity towards Hui-yeong, perceiving her as a formidable rival. In a dramatic display, Se-ra even knelt and begged for assistance, creating a sensation in front of everyone.
Eventually, Se-ra relented, but her manipulative nature and hidden agendas were all too evident. For the moment, however, they pressed on with the commercial shoot, leaving Hui-yeong seething with resentment as Se-ra hogged the spotlight.
Later that evening, Du-won's phone rang, summoning Se-ra to a seedy bar. Unbeknownst to many, Du-won was actually her brother, who orchestrated an "investment opportunity" for her. This so-called opportunity was straight out of a sleazy Hollywood script, as Se-ra was coerced into performing sexual favors to secure collaboration with Director Choi.
Se-ra storms off, yet fate eventually intertwines as she relents to the persistent phone calls from Dokgo Cheol. He has been steadfastly trying to reach her, as her statement was crucial in unraveling the fraud case. Tears stream down her face as she picks up, prompting Dokgo Cheol to adopt a straightforward tone. Se-ra unloads her heartache about the missed opportunity with Director Choi, while Dokgo Cheol listens intently, his gentle demeanor slowly winning her over to come down to the station.
Her arrival causes a stir throughout the precinct, capturing the attention of every male officer, Dokgo Cheol included. They all find themselves peering through the glass, captivated by her presence in a plush room adorned with tea, biscuits, and a festive Christmas tree in the corner.
During the interview, Se-ra confesses that her father's deceptive behavior is not a one-time occurrence. He has used her seal many times to start businesses, only to lose money through illegal gambling and real estate scams. Despite her inability to reach him, Se-ra is determined to see him behind bars for his actions.
Afterward, all the officers eagerly seek her autograph, except for Dokgo Cheol, who holds back. Se-ra's career skyrockets, culminating in her winning the Best Actress award, despite her parting ways with Director Choi. On stage, she lies, crediting her family, including her father, for their support. She dedicates the award to "Mr. 0728," unaware that this code name belongs to Dokgo Cheol.
However, Hui-yeong's jealousy over her co-star's success turns toxic. She wishes harm upon Se-ra, and fate seems to align as a white truck collides with her car, sending her to the hospital in critical condition.
We then leap forward to 2025. Im Se-ra awakens from her coma to find herself decades older. Dokgo Cheol is also present, and their paths cross in the hallway. Still delusional, Se-ra believes she is a renowned star and tries to escape, shouting for Du-won.
Unaware of the technological advancements, Se-ra mistakes Dokgo Cheol's attempts to retrieve his sunglasses as perverted behavior, calling him names in confusion.
Now, Se-ra is merely her stage persona, while at the hospital, they possess her true identity – Bong Cheong-ja. She is escorted back to the nurses, who are astounded to discover that she has lost every vestige of her memories. Upon catching a fleeting glimpse of her own reflection in a mirror and stumbling upon Korean news, Cheong-ja finds herself fainting once more. It transpires that Cheong-ja was entangled in a catastrophic car accident the preceding night, sustaining brain damage that triggered retrograde amnesia. In simpler terms, her memory has regressed, rewinding back to a joyous epoch 25 years ago, a time she cherishes deeply.
So, why does no one seem to recognize her? What untold circumstances have led to this predicament? Rest assured, as the season unfolds, we shall unravel these mysteries. But for the meantime, Cheong-ja remains in a state of disorientation, wandering aimlessly outdoors until she nearly collides with an oncoming vehicle. At the eleventh hour, Bokgeo Cheol intervenes, heroically saving her and bearing witness to her lamentations over her plight.
In the epilogue, the scene shifts to the police station, where Se-ra identifies Bokgeo Cheol as "Mr. 0728." They exchange brief banter about her injuries, and he lends a helping hand in bandaging her wounds.
