Dream High (2011)
Grade:
B+
16
Episodes
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Hye-mi is an aspiring opera singer when she suddenly finds herself
auditioning for a performing arts school, all in an effort to pay off
her father's failed business debts. Her friend Yoon Baek-hee tries
out with her, but much to Hye-mi's chagrin, Baek-hee makes the cut
while she does not. Hye-mi is given special admittance if she can
find two more students in time: the rebellious, unfocused Jin-guk who
is a friend from the past, and the inexperienced country boy Song
Sam-dong. Their fate at the school is also tied to the low-ranking
teacher Kang Oh-sun – the same man who cheated with Hye-mi's mother
before her untimely death. Will Hye-mi be able to pay off her
father's debts and debut as a Korean pop star, working with people
she despises, in order to reach her dreams?
*This
was an interesting show – it had the potential to go quite dark,
yet about halfway through, the characters started to change for the
better. Not sure I liked the transition, or the reasons why the
characters decided to change. I would have liked more
romance and less teen angst overall, but there were some cute
moments. Fun music, good choreography. Also, Kim Soo-hyun (“My Love
from the Star”) is super cute and very expressive – I mostly
watched this to see him. Might watch again, but not an instant
favorite.*
