Dream High (2011)

I really enjoyed this drama. The acting is really well done and the story is engaging. I like the story of Jason/Wooyoung and Pil Sook/IU's friendship/romance the best. They were just totally priceless and over-the-top in a great way!!! I know i should be gushing over Kim Soo Hyun and although I do think he did a great job...he wasn't my favorite. I can't explain it, but I thought his character was missing something. The story is funny and touching and the music was excellant. I probably won't rewatch it, but it is a KD that is rewatchable. Overall I would say it is a KD you should put on your list to watch.

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I never thought I'd finish this after my initial impression when I first watched its 2 episodes a few months back. I tried watching this after Heartstrings and I can't help but compare the characters so I ended up dropping Dream High because of my partiality with its cast. My boyfriend, was the one who pushed me to watch this series. I decided to finish this a month ago.

Having KPop artists as cast was a turn off. It was one of the reasons why I dropped the drama the first time. I know you think it's a lame reason considering most singers and group band members are transitioning to acting and I've probably seen them in one drama or so. I even watched Heartstrings. So what's wrong with Dream High's cast? Well, it wasn't really their fault, I just got tired of watching pathetic acting skills and Dream High's main casts are all newbies in the drama scene. My prejudices got the better of me so it took me 6 months to finally pick this up and continue where I left off. I'm glad I did. I'm not sorry I did not watch it sooner (I would have ended up giving it a low rating), it was worth the wait.

I thought this drama is gonna bore me to death but after watching 4 episodes straight, I found myself clicking the next episode right after the other, oblivious of the time and totally immersed with the story.

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when i heard about this drama...it looked promising.
and after i finished watching it, i had alot of mixed feelings.

initially the story was engaging and it made you want to keep watching. the cast was awesome and the songs were great.
but the end left me dissappointed...i felt it could have ended better and differently.
But the story on the overall is very entertaining and excellently depicted day to day values, conscience conflicts and most of all change.
Change in heart. Change in human bonds and relationships. Change in attitudes. And in expectations from oneself.:)

despite my qualms regarding the ending, i still think its a must watch. :)

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NOTE: I made this review a few months ago (2011) and tried to put it on DC's review page for Dream High but for some weird and unknown reason, it doesn't show up.

I am making this review after watching Dream High for the 4th time...oh no wait, was it the 5th time? I lost count already!

Anyways, this is for you people who haven't watched this series yet and are looking all over DC for a highly recommendable drama. Ok, first off: I am not a fan whatsoever of 2pm, Miss A nor have I ever heard IU sing before I watched this and Eun Jung is the only person in this cast whom I have previously seen in Coffee House (and that old DBSK mini-drama of which the title escapes my mind at the moment) but then again, I'm not into T-ara.

I've heard about Dream High before but have never really gained interest in watching it because, like some of the dramacrazy people here, I thought this was another high school drama with a superficial plot that would throw in every little cliche writers could think of and end in a very predictable way. But I am glad to say, I stand corrected.

As it turned out, there ARE cliches in the story but they become surprisingly pleasant twists that will keep you anticipating what'll happen next. For one, I learned not so long ago not to back up any male or female leads in a love triangle too much--that way you won't get too disappointed when the story doesn't end your way. This twist really made me love this series all the more and it's what making me watch it over and over again!

What to expect here--since this is an arts school, expect singing, dancing, tidbits of music lessons, tidbits of idol life and the music industry. Well, of course there's a love triangle! It wouldn't be as exciting if it was all work and career.

About the characters--mainly a lively young cast. I sincerely thought they acted rather impressively for their parts.
Suzy is a find. At her age, she's a clay you can mold. Thanks to Taec-yeon and Soo Hyun's coaching.
Taec-yeon shows maturity in acting through his character Jin Gook and in taking care of both Suzy and Soo Hyun (oh yes, I watched BTS footages). Very admirable. I also like the fact that he acts naturally/comfortably.
Soo Hyun is young and multi-talented. Not an idol but he's got the chops and acts amazingly! Left-handed people really ARE into arts! Really is a vision of many things to come. I have a feeling he's going to become EPIC.
IU blew me away. Idol stars are almost all in here but the one that really sucked me into watching was IU singing Someday at the auditions in Episode 1. As far as all the female vocals are concerned in this series, IU owned it and stole Suzy's thunder (and no, not that Thunder).
Eun Jung probably had the most difficult part out of the bunch as the character Baek Hee. Love her, hate her, pity her, then love her agan.
Wooyoung had it cool, so no prob there.

Ki Joon, Yoon Ji and JYP play awesome teachers in support of their students.

Sorry for those who could not appreciate. But for a music lover like me this series earns a 10 out of 10. Can't wait for Season 2! ^_^

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An impressive cast of today's talented STARS brought together thirteen years ago.

DREAM HIGH (2011)
I first watched Dream High in 2019 and loved it but had no knowledge of the cast members. I just rewatched it this month, May 2024 from a completely different perspective. I totally loved watching the young versions of these main actors / singers today. After 5 years of being a KDrama fan and having a much better understanding it is impressive that this talent was all in one drama.

I highly recommend watching this drama to get the sense of how far they have all come. It might be a “high school” drama, but it is more about developing dreams of singing and dancing while attending an arts academy. Being that it is full of idols including a young 17 year old Suzy, it is likely why it is filmed kiss light. There is romantic tension and maybe 2 or 3 kisses / pecks, but don’t let that deter you……… watch it for the talented cast, music, dancing and the youth reaching for their dreams.

I got curious about the timing and sequence of the actor's careers and so have made notes down below about their acting and singing history. Plus included a bit about the influence of JYP on the drama.

JYP / 2PM
It’s interesting to know that the boy band 2PM was created in 2008 by Park Jin Young, also known as JYP. Jin Young wrote Dream High to encourage youth to have dreams. Two of the main cast are 2PM members, Woo Young and Taec Yeon. During the drama there were several 2PM popular hits playing in the background. Jin Young also had the role of music / dance director in the drama.

Today my favorite 2PM member is actor Lee Jun ho. I recall him saying in interviews that he wasn’t popular in the early days but just one of the six 2PM members. In hindsight Jun ho would have been great as an actor, singer, and dancer in Dream High.

BAE SUZY
Birthday is October 10, 1994 and she is currently 29 years old.
She was 17 years old, the youngest cast member, when she filmed Dream High

Dream High was her first acting roll. Since the filming of Dream High, she has been in 14 dramas plus 5 movies. The Sound of a Flower (2015) was a lovely movie with beautiful singing. My favorite drama of hers is Start Up, which was released in 2020.

KIM SOO HYUN
Born: February 16, 1988, and he is currently 36 years old
At the time of filming he was 22-23 years old

His debut drama was in 2007 and since he has 22 dramas and movies to his credit. He has won many awards. His dramas are at the top of my favorites. Number one being his latest, Queen of Tears…it was outstanding. Next is “It’s Okay to not be Okay”, then “My Love from the Star” and then “Moon Embracing the Sun.” All of which I have watched several times each.

He was very busy after filming Dream High in 2011.
2012 - Moon Embracing the Sun
2013 - My Love from the Star - Suzy had a guest appearance
2015 - The Producers - IU was in the main cast
2017 was his mandatory military enlistment
2019 - Hotel Del Luna - a guest role where IU was a main cast member
2019 - Crash Landing on You – another guest role
2020 - It’s Okay to Not Be Okay – his comeback drama after his military service.
2021 - One Ordinary Day
2024 - Queen of Tears

It was a big deal that he sang the closing OST to Queen of Tears which was perfectly suited for his voice …….it was full of touching emotion and it was a lovely finale song. Obviously, he can sing, and I believe he is best suited for singing in a studio. His previous OSTs were in Love from the Star and Moon Embracing the Sun. Although it is a treat to hear him sing several songs in Dream High and a couple are duets with IU and one with Suzy.

Singing live is another challenge for Soo Hyun. In Dream High his 2PM cast mates, Taec Yeon and Woo Young have the breath and endurance to sing in tune while dancing. Being in the boy band they were trained for that. This was apparent in episode 17 which was the live concert………never the less it was a fun event to watch. So don't skip episode 17.


OK TAEC YEON
Born: December 27, 1988 and is today 35 years old
In 2011 he was 23 years old

His acting debut was in 2010 in “Cinderella’s Sister.” Dream High was his second drama, and he did a great job of acting, singing and dancing. His rapping and singing were excellent Plus, his dancing and athletic ability is impressive.

Taec Yeon has 19 dramas and movies to his credit since his acting debut in 2010.


HAM EUN JUNG
Born: December 12, 1988 and is today 35 years old.
She was 23 during the release of Dream High.

I don’t know this actress at all although she is quite a busy actress. Her acting debut was 2004 and she has 35 movies and Dramas to her credit. She did have a great voice in Dream High and played the antagonist friend well.


JANG WOO YOUNG
Born April 30, 1989 and is currently 35 years old
He was 23 at the time of filming Dream High.

Another member of the 2PM boy band formed in 2008, His singing and dancing was stellar in this drama. He is obviously a very talented member of 2PM.

I remember when I first watched it, I wanted to see what else he was acting in but to no avail. At the time (5 years ago) I didn’t realize he was primarily a singer dancer and not really an actor. He was terrific playing the playboy and IU’s love interest. A cute pairing. Woo Young has 2 dramas and one movie to his credit...... Dream high being his only main role.


IU
Born: May 16, 1993 and is currently 31 years old
She was 18 years old at the time of filming of Dream High……. the 2nd youngest main cast member.

IUs voice is angelic, and her sound was pure in Dream High, which was her drama debut. Her singing debut was in 2008. She has acted in 18 dramas and movies since 2010,

IU and Kim Soo Hyun have had main roles together in Dream High and The Producers as well as filmed as main or guests in Hotel del Luna, and Dream High Season 2

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A blast

This was so much fun. The directing, editing, and writing were so snappy and crisp, the plot moved forward at a fast pace, and it totally lacked all the filler and repetition that bogs down almost all kdramas. I was hesitant to even watch it because I have no interest whatsoever in all this singing and dancing and kpop. But for me to fall in love with a show with a premise and subject that i have no interest in means that it did everything really well. And the cast was fantastic. I’ve seen lots of comments that Bae Suzy and IU can’t act, but they were great in this. So was everyone else. Lots of charisma and star power was on display. And out of the 3 shows written by Park Hye Ryun that I’ve finished (I dropped While You Were Sleeping), I think this one had the tightest and least problematic script.

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Dream High is an entertaining watch for sure...

Story- The writing was very solid with twists thrown that took what could have been just another romantic comedy and made it an addicting and unpredictable watch. It's only downfall would be the ending. The ending kind of seemed random and I didnt understand why certain people couldn't be together.

Acting/Cast- Everyone played thier parts well and were believable. However, I did not like 3 of the main 6 characters. To me the characters Hye Mi, Jin Gook, and Sam Dong were highly unlikable to the point I wished the writers didnt focus on them too much. My favorite characters were actually the adults and of course Pil Sook & Jason couple.

Music- Awesome and went on my ipod straight away. The music really added to the excitement of the show.

Rewatch- I'd watch this every year cause it was funny and i worship pilsook/jason couple.

Overall Dream High's plus's would be its solid writing and its OST which make it a drama that is highly recommendable.

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It's a good drama and I enjoyed it. It is really an inspiring one and their words can really inspire many people. I also love their songs especially Dreaming by Song sam Dong.
He is my favorite. At first it was because he is really cute, like a kitten. I like the way he is back then more, the bumpkin? yes, I like that way more. He is cute and innocent. When he was suffering, I was mad. I keep on praying that i hope that he won't change into something else. Gladly, he went back to himself although he is indeed much mature compare back then. As he sang The dreaming, i cried hardly, it was only that time that I cried so much. I think because of his condition and maybe because the lyrics suit me as well. I could really relate in that song.
Then he became the K. I feel proud of him. He deserve it ^^
Also, I always notice in drama that the main character will end up marrying someone who he/she already met in their childhood life. but separated due to some reasons.
But this one proves me wrong. I guess that's not true story to all.

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