Dream High

Dream High is a coming-of-age, musical drama series aired on KBS2 from 2011 to 2012. It is a delightfully entertaining and inspiring show that captivates the audience with its touching stories of dreams and love, and its enticing blend of music and dance.

The show features a remarkable cast of top-notch actors and artists, which includes Kim Soo-hyun, Bae Suzy, Hahm Eun-jung, IU, Ok Taec-yeon, Jang Wooyoung, Ahn Gil-kang, Lee Hye-sook, Choi Il-hwa, Um Ki-joon, Lee Yoon-ji, J.Y. Park, Lee Byung-joon, Lee Yoon-mi, and Bae Yong-joon. Each of them showcases their talents beautifully, be it in acting or musical renditions, making the show even more appealing.

Dream High follows the lives of six high school students at Kirin Art High School, a prestigious institution that nurtures budding actors, singers, and artists. As the students aspire to become superstars, they face the stark realities and struggles of stardom whilst learning about life, love, and friendship.

Kim Soo-hyun plays Song Sam-dong, an innocent country boy who harbors dreams of becoming a top singer-songwriter. He is caught in a love triangle with Go Hye-mi, a confident and haughty girl aspiring to be a world-class opera singer, and Jin-Guk, a talented dancer dreaming of being a successful idol. Go Hye-mi is beautifully portrayed by Bae Suzy, whereas Jin Guk is played by Ok Taec-yeon with absolute charisma.

In addition to the main characters, there is another key trio that bolster up the storyline. Yoon Baek-hee played by Hahm Eun-jung, is Hye-mi's best friend turned rival, who seeks fame after a long time of living in Hye-mi's shadow. The character of IU as Kim Pil-sook, a highly talented but insecure girl who lacks confidence due to her appearance, adds further depth to the plot. Lastly, there's Jason, played by Wooyoung, a bright and cheerful foreign student who is a phenomenal dancer and singer, completing the group of six.

Each character is meticulously crafted, and they all have their unique stories, dreams, and challenges to overcome. They gradually evolve and develop throughout the series. What makes Dream High even more stimulating are the numerous sub-plots woven together, converging seamlessly into the larger narrative.

The talents of these actors are not merely confined to dramatic scenes as they also captivate the audience with the musical elements in the series. With the real-life singing and dancing skills of the cast, the musical performances are genuinely thrilling, adding a refreshing dimension to the show. The soundtrack of Dream High is an impeccable blend of ballads and pop music that serve as the perfect backdrop to the plot and character arcs.

Dream High showcases a realistic depiction of the intense competition and harsh expectations in the music industry. That said, it also highlights the value of friendship, love, loyalty, and resilience among the characters as they navigate their challenging path towards achieving their dreams.

The powerful supporting cast, including Ahn Gil-kang, Lee Hye-sook, Choi Il-hwa, Um Ki-joon, Lee Yoon-ji, J.Y. Park, Lee Byung-joon, Lee Yoon-mi, and Bae Yong-joon, further adds to the depth and richness of the plot. These characters play pivotal roles, either as mentors guiding the youngsters to reach their full potential or as obstacles who make their journey more challenging.

Behind the apparent glamor of the music industry, the show delves deep into the personal lives and the hardships faced by the idols. It takes the viewers on an emotional journey, filled with laughter, tears, joy, and heartbreak, as the characters chase their dreams with undying passion and resilience.

In conclusion, Dream High is a brilliantly crafted, music-drama series that will keep you hooked with its engaging plot, dynamic characters, edgy performances, and enlivening music. It is truly a show that will resonate with the young and old alike, those who are chasing their dreams or simply enjoy an uplifting story. Dream High offers just the right mix of drama, music, friendship, and love that fans of Korean TV series would appreciate.