Dream High

Drama: Dream High/드림하이
Genre: School/Drama/Comedy/Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: KBS2
Broadcast Period: 2011-Jan-03 to 2011-Feb-28
Trailer 1. Trailer 2.
Dream High was a truly refreshing drama. It renews my Asian drama obsession, and made it's way into my favorite of all dramas. With it's talented and pleasing actors, and interesting story and music, this drama was completely satisfactory. I truly enjoyed watching it, and felt to no rush to finish it, except that I was driven to find out what happened next.
This drama follows the lives of 6 students of Kirin Art High School, a prestigious school for talented kids in the fields of singing and dancing.

Among these students is Go Hye Mi, who is main character. Go Hye Mi is a charismatic character with a little too much confidence, and a resistant pride. Though, she may seem like a perfectly 'detestable' character in the beginning she finds her way in your good graces.
Go Hye Mi is played by Suzy. Her real name is Bae Su Ji, and she's incredibly tall from my perspective. She's new to acting, Dream High being her first attempt (and success!) though she is a in a Kpop group called Miss A, in which I'm fond of all members. I really do enjoy some of their songs such as;
Bad Girl, Good Girl and Breathe which is in Step up.

A Korean drama is nothing without a mesmerizing male lead. This drama, not unlike other dramas, has two. Personally, I'm a Song Sam Dong fan.
Song Sam Dong is a country bumpkin with a hidden talent. He doesn't actually apply to the school but is a special recommendation. He doesn't want his mother to know of his singing ability, so convincing him to go to the school takes some effort. He is a loyal and compassionate character, and you find out something surprising about him later in the drama. Sam Song Dong is played by Kim Soo Hyun who also played in the drama Giant, in which he won the SBS Drama Award of New Star Award 2010. This movie is, basically, the beginning of his singing career.

The other male lead is Jin Gook/Hyun Shi Hyuk. He's seen as a bit of a bad boy, who rides a motorcycle and does breakdancing with friends. However, he's really a sweetheart, and actually Go Hye Mi's childhood friend. He's played by Taecyoen, whose full name is Ok Taec Yeon. He's an actor, singer, and model. This was not my first Taecyoen drama, he was in Cinderella's Sister (My all time favorite drama), and in both dramas he stars as one of the male leads. (I rooted for him in Cinderella's Sister, though I loved both leads.) He's the main rapper in the Kpop band 2PM. It's a 6 member boy band, now-you'll learn more later in the post. I'll be back is currently my favorite song of theirs, I believe.

The second most popular female lead is Yoon Baek Hee. She's Go Hye Mi's best friend, and has always been disregarded by her family and friends, and therefore is not very confident. Throughout her life she was inspired by Go Hye Mi and most people called her 'Go Hye Mi's follower'. However, after she auditions with Hye Mi for Kirin Art High School, tension and drama strikes leaving their friendship in pieces. Yoon Baek Hee is played by Ham Eun Jung, a singer and actress. She's not new to acting she played in various movies, and played in the considerably famous (also one of my first drama's) Coffee House. She won the SBS drama award of New Star award in 2010 for her work in Coffee House. In She's also a vocalist and rapper for the relatively new, yet popular K-pop group T-ara. The group's very first song was actually on the soundtrack for the K-drama Cinderella's Man. They've come out with many popular songs including on of their most famous, and my personal favorite, Bo Peep.

The third female lead is Kim Pil Suk, another lovable character. She comes to the audition, her face hidden. Though her voice is incredibly beautiful, she's overweight and aesthetically 'under-qualified'. She's really sweet and naive, and almost impossible to dislike. The actress who plays her is IU, though her real name is Lee Ji Eun. Dream High was her first acting job. She's a solo singer, with the name IU. She debuted in 2008. Her first popular song was Boo. which was on her first full-sized album. Another delightful song of hers is Marshmellow.

The final main character is Jason, who is an American exchange student (even though he is korean). He's seen as the most successful and progressive of all the students in Kirin High school for both singing and dancing, with overflowing talent and confidence. He's carefree and careless, but comes to have a full-fledged passion, as you come to find later in the drama. This is also the start of his acting career. He's the lead vocalist in the K-pop group 2PM, (note: the same group as Taecyeon-who plays Jin Gook). I told you I'd tell you more about 2PM later. Another song of theirs that is among my favorites is Again&Again.
Of course, being that this is a drama based around talented singers and dancers their are songs and interesting music scenes in the drama. Such scenes include This one. Which is the song Tell me your wish (Genie) performed by Iu, Suzy, Taekyeon, and Kim Soo Hyun. Also the theme song for the drama, Dream High
(Note:these are actual scenes of the movie, though they don't spoil much, you may not want to watch if you plan on watching the drama).

Grading: A-
Characters:10/10
Casting:10/10
Emotion:9/10
Music:10/10
Surprise Factor:8/10
Availability:10/10
Story-line:9/10
Humor:9/10
Recommendation:9.5/10