드림하이 Dream High (Korean Drama)

Dream High (드림하이) is my current ♥FAVORITE♥ Korean drama!!! It’s so cool and addictive that Monday and Tuesday are NOW the 2 best days of my week!!! Hahaha I got hooked right from the very first episode. Even the songs are great man!

This drama follow the story of 6 talented youths aspire to become global superstars. But first they must pass the hurdles and hardships in life to achieve that. Personality, looks, talents, friendships and enemies will either make or break them. Their journey at Kirin High School of Arts start with the interesting auditions chaired by Jung Ha-Myung (Bae Yong-Jun). And with the support of the teachers that will mold and help them rise to their challenges of becoming superstars!

p/s: remember Bae Yong-Jun? He’s Mr. Winter Sonata.
He’s also the co-producers of Dream High.

Korean title: 드림하이
Korean romanization title: Deurim Hai
International/Literal title: Dream High
Running period in Korea: 3rd January 2011 to 28th February 2011
Running period on KBS World: 24th January 2011 to 15th March 2011
Total episodes: 16 + 1 Special
Runtime (Malaysia): Mon & Tues 9.03pm-10.13pm (70 mins) KBS World
Genre: School, family, romance

Synopsis (source from KBS):
Kirin arts High School is a prestigious school which trains students how to dance and sing. The director and 4 fellow teachers operate the school and they are strict teachers who never overlook students being neglecting and not practicing. These talented, strict teachers have produced majority of stars and now they are waiting for new students to cultivate. This year, a group of special kids enter into the school. Song Sam-Dong lives in the country side and dreams of becoming an owner of a stock farm. However, after he falls in love with Ko Hye-Mi at first sight, he follows her to Kirin Arts High School. There, he discovers his musical talent and strives to become a world-class singer. Jin-Kuk is a gifted dancer, but a troublesome kid. He has grown up rebelling against authority but the director sees the potential in him and encourages Jin-Kuk to enroll in the school. There, Jin-Kuk’s talent blossoms and he’s now eager to become a global star. Ko Hye-mi looks like a confident girl but she is hiding pain and sadness behind her proud smile as her family falls into debt. She is loved by both Jin-Kuk and Sam-dong. Students, with all different charms and personalities, meet at Kirin Arts High School, where they slowly pour their hearts out to each other, and become friends… or for some of them, lovers. Follow the lives of these students who struggle to become a world star at “Dream High”.

Cast:
Bae Su Ji as Ko Hye Mi
Taec Yeon as Jin Kuk
Kim Soo Hyun as Song Sam Dong
Eun Jung as Yun Back Hee
Wooyoung as Jason
IU as Kim Pil Suk

Bae Yong Jun as Jung Ha Myung
Uhm Ki Joon as Kang Oh Hyuk
Lee Byung Joon as Si Bum Soo
Lee Yoon Ji as Si Kyung Jin
Lee Youn Mi as Maeng Seung Hee
Ahn Sun Young as Kang Oh Sun
Ahn Seo Hyun as Ko Hye Sung
Lee Hye Sook as Song Nam Boon
Choi Il Hwa as Hyun Moo Jin
Ahn Kil Kang as Ma Doo Sik

Here’s my little sneak peak to you:

The story start with…

Hyemi (right), a talented classical music student and Backhee who follows her around and copies whatever she did (hairstyle, bag, etc). She’s also known as Hyemi’s tail.

Together they went auditioning at Kirin High School of Arts.

But…

Something happened during the audition.

Something broke… and with that come the greatest test of 2 friends!
You need to watch it to find out. Hehe

Then come this troubled youth…

Jin Kuk, a gifted dancer but is a loner and rebellious. He owns a motorcycle (girls will swoon at this) and helps Heymi every time she gets into trouble. He’s Hyemi’s savior.

Sam Dong, a country boy who falls in love with Hyemi and ‘sort-of’ follow her to Kirin High School of Arts. He’s Hyemi’s protector.

So yes… I bet you would know by now there’s a love triangle heating up.

Hyemi, Jinkuk and Samdong.

Performing for Jinkuk’s friend.
I love to see them together.

But I’m gunning for ♥Hyemi & Jinkuk♥.

I’ll stop the story telling here for I’m only interested in Hyemi, Jinkuk and Samdong. Hehe

Ahem… romantic.
I prefer the snow and umbrella scene. Can’t find any photos of that scene. 🙁

In terms of acting wise,

I love Suzy’s acting as Ko Hyemi. It was her first acting in a drama and she’s done really well. Love her strong-will personality.

And I like teacher Kang Oh Hyuk determination!

One more thing (in case you do not know), 5 out of the 6 main casts in this drama are singers in real life:
Bae Su Ji/Suzy (Hyemi) is from Miss A
Taec Yeon (Jinkuk) and Wooyoung (Jason) are from 2PM
Eun Jung (Backhee) is from T-Ara
IU

Some of Dream High casts (from left): Wooyoung, Ahn Seo Hyun, Bae Su Ji, Kim Soo Hyun, Taec Yeon and Eun Jung.

p/s: Great songs! Right now I’m addicted to the main OST named ‘Dream High’ (opening drama song)

A must-watch drama!

Photos from KBS.