Korea TV Drama, Dream High

Korea TV Drama, Dream High

Dream High

‘Summer Time’ by American modern musical composer George Gershwin comes out of the speakers mixed with a strange song that Ko Hye-mi (played by Suzy) has never heard before. Even though she’s pretty much given up her dreams of becoming a famous vocalist, Hye-mi still thinks that only classical music can be considered ‘great music.’ She is desperately trying to enter a prestigious art high school (known for producing leading vocalists), but in order to pass the entrance exam she must name the title of the song being played together with Gershwin’s ‘Summer Time.’ No matter how hard she tries, she’s unable to name the other song, which turns out to be ‘Only Love’ by Sim Su-bong. She thinks, “How dare they ruin the high-quality, lofty work of George Gershwin with a mere Korean pop song!”

The drama ‘Dream High’ is a teen drama featuring young singers from some of Korea’s most popular idol groups—2PM, T-ara, and Miss A. By incorporating elements of Korean popular music (which, in the story, never fails in comparison to classical music), the drama does not depend solely on the already widespread popularity of its stars. It has received praise from viewers across the nation as being a drama that captivates its viewers emotionally and visually through the beauty of song.

Even those who initially thought that the drama would be the same old silly love story between adolescents soon became some of the drama’s biggest fans. These same naysayers quickly found themselves rooting for each of the drama’s characters as they underwent various trials and continued to fight to reach their dreams.

As the young stars of the drama re-sing the hit songs of the 80s and 90s, viewers will find themselves reliving their school days and identifying with each of the characters. The timeless music presented throughout ‘Dream High’ is indeed a song of hope for everyone with a dream of flying high.

About Dream High

Executive Producer : Kwak Gi-won
Directors : Yi Eung-bok, Kim Seong-yun
Screenplay : Park Hye-ryeon
Broadcast Dates : Jan 3 - Feb 28, 2011
Production Companies : KeyEast, JYPE and CJ Media
Cast : Suzy, Kim Soo-hyun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, IU

Synopsis

Kirin High School is one of the most prestigious art schools in the nation and has produced a number of famous stars. Unbefitting of its fame, the school has a class of students who have no chance of success. The class members include Jin-gook, the troublemaker; Hye-mi who was forced to enter the school due to her family’s financial troubles; Sam-dong, a country boy who doesn’t know anything about music; and Pil-suk, an obese girl with a gawky smile on her face. Overcoming the biases and prejudices of others, the students aspire to become superstars.

As the drama unfolds, Jin-gook debuts as a singer, Sam-dong’s talent as a composer blossoms, and Hye-mi finds her musical sensitivity. Pil-suk not only loses weight, but discovers her strong determination and musical individuality. But, despite their best efforts, a myriad of obstacles, challenges, and unexpected pitfalls await them.

Characters

Suzy as Ko Hye-mi

Cold on the outside but warm on the inside, Hye-mi is a girl who simply is not good at opening her heart up to others. Due to her father’s failed business and her family’s resulting financial trouble, she is forced to give up her dreams of becoming a world renowned classical vocalist. Her unrealized dreams cause her to shun every other type of music until she finds herself slowly succumbing to the charms of Korean pop music. With the help of her newfound friends (each of whom has his or her own difficulties) Hye-mi becomes a girl with a warm heart who can embrace the world and others with open arms.


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Kim Soo-hyun as Song Sam-dong

Song Sam-dong is a country boy who speaks in Korean dialect, but his passion to become a singer is greater than anyone else’s. He’s not the most talented singer, danger, or composer, but his pure heart, passion, and determination help him become one of the most excellent students in school. The feelings he has for Hye-mi, a girl he fell in love with at first sight, help him grow into a true musician who expresses himself artistically.




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Taecyeon as Jin-gook

Jin-gook, a gifted dancer and rival for Hye-mi’s heart, is one of the first students to become a superstar. Deep down he harbors resentment towards his father, who abandoned him as a child. Through Hye-mi’s constant support and consolation, in addition to his own boundless passion for music, he is finally able to rise above his hate to grow as an artist and forgive his father.




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IU as Kim Pil-suk

Pil-suk plays guitar and has one of the most beautiful voices in the world, but she is incredibly unattractive and overweight, making it difficult for her to catch the eye of the boy she loves (Jason). Pil-suk starts working out and losing weight only to impress Jason, but along the way she learns how to be more confident musically and as an individual, finally overcoming her inferiority complex.





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Wooyoung as Jason

Jason is a natural-born musician with the superior talent necessary to enter such a prestigious art school as Kirin High as a top student. He also has good looks and is a smooth talker—it’s no wonder he becomes a superstar along with Jin-gook! However, his somewhat arrogant attitude often makes others feel uncomfortable. Later, he develops feelings for Pil-suk.





[sources : visitkorea.org]