Achieving Your Dreams while Benefitting Others

Love Next Door isn’t just a love story between the leads, but also a touching exploration of love and compassion for others. Lifelong friends finally find their way to each other after 30 years of missed opportunities. Choi Seung Hyo, the male lead, achieves great success as an award-winning architect, though it wasn’t his first dream. His passion for swimming was cut short due to an injury, but his resilience and determination led him to a different kind of fulfillment.

The female lead, Bae Seok Ryu, lived most of her life chasing her mother’s dreams, leading her to a personal and emotional breakdown despite achieving "success" in the States. Returning to Korea, she seeks to discover her own dreams and break away from her controlling mother. I loved how her childhood friend Seung Hyo supported and guided her toward her true passion—cooking.

However, I was upset when the writers introduced a stomach cancer storyline for Seok Ryu, which added tension to the rest of the drama. Though I was relieved there was no relapse, I found myself worried until the end. In the end, though, it became a meaningful reason for Seok Ryu to create healthy food for others who might face similar health challenges.

Ultimately, the dreams of both leads evolved into something bigger than themselves—doing good for others. Seung Hyo turned down big corporate projects to focus on architectural work that revitalized his older community, while Seok Ryu chose to cook healthy meals for everyone. The positive message that came through—that personal success is best when shared with and benefits others—is one that the world truly needs to hear.

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An Epic Historical drama that brought me to tears.

This drama was nothing fancy ...... I definitely got that the directors were proudly telling the story of the young Goryeo emperor of which they should be soooo proud. How many emperors do we see with empathy rather than dictatorship? Very few!! But the emp, Wang Sun cared about the people, cried real tears for the real folks............even though he was the illegitimate son of the emperor 95% of the time he won over even his toughest critics with his honesty and sincerity.

It was a long drama for Korean standards and I admit to taking a break around the 22nd episode. It is not a relaxing drama but one that depicts the challenges of the court and constant invasions from the Khitans. I can't imagine living during those warring times.......there was never a moment to let ones guard down.

In the final episodes I was moved to tears at the determination, wisdom, and patriotism of the Goryeo soldiers. I was shocked to have cried as they won the major and final battle. I shared in their happiness and relief.

This young emperor was made whole with the wisdom and loyalty of Kang ........their belief and loyalty with each other was moving. This epic historical tale was really about how together they overcame the aggressive Khitans.

Romance is a minor part of the story ..........I can't beleive I am going to say this since I am a romance lover........but it was not necessary to enjoy this historical journey of a truly admirable young man. I wish we had more honest leaders like him today.

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An impressive cast of today's talented STARS brought together thirteen years ago.

DREAM HIGH (2011)
I first watched Dream High in 2019 and loved it but had no knowledge of the cast members. I just rewatched it this month, May 2024 from a completely different perspective. I totally loved watching the young versions of these main actors / singers today. After 5 years of being a KDrama fan and having a much better understanding it is impressive that this talent was all in one drama.

I highly recommend watching this drama to get the sense of how far they have all come. It might be a “high school” drama, but it is more about developing dreams of singing and dancing while attending an arts academy. Being that it is full of idols including a young 17 year old Suzy, it is likely why it is filmed kiss light. There is romantic tension and maybe 2 or 3 kisses / pecks, but don’t let that deter you……… watch it for the talented cast, music, dancing and the youth reaching for their dreams.

I got curious about the timing and sequence of the actor's careers and so have made notes down below about their acting and singing history. Plus included a bit about the influence of JYP on the drama.

JYP / 2PM
It’s interesting to know that the boy band 2PM was created in 2008 by Park Jin Young, also known as JYP. Jin Young wrote Dream High to encourage youth to have dreams. Two of the main cast are 2PM members, Woo Young and Taec Yeon. During the drama there were several 2PM popular hits playing in the background. Jin Young also had the role of music / dance director in the drama.

Today my favorite 2PM member is actor Lee Jun ho. I recall him saying in interviews that he wasn’t popular in the early days but just one of the six 2PM members. In hindsight Jun ho would have been great as an actor, singer, and dancer in Dream High.

BAE SUZY
Birthday is October 10, 1994 and she is currently 29 years old.
She was 17 years old, the youngest cast member, when she filmed Dream High

Dream High was her first acting roll. Since the filming of Dream High, she has been in 14 dramas plus 5 movies. The Sound of a Flower (2015) was a lovely movie with beautiful singing. My favorite drama of hers is Start Up, which was released in 2020.

KIM SOO HYUN
Born: February 16, 1988, and he is currently 36 years old
At the time of filming he was 22-23 years old

His debut drama was in 2007 and since he has 22 dramas and movies to his credit. He has won many awards. His dramas are at the top of my favorites. Number one being his latest, Queen of Tears…it was outstanding. Next is “It’s Okay to not be Okay”, then “My Love from the Star” and then “Moon Embracing the Sun.” All of which I have watched several times each.

He was very busy after filming Dream High in 2011.
2012 - Moon Embracing the Sun
2013 - My Love from the Star - Suzy had a guest appearance
2015 - The Producers - IU was in the main cast
2017 was his mandatory military enlistment
2019 - Hotel Del Luna - a guest role where IU was a main cast member
2019 - Crash Landing on You – another guest role
2020 - It’s Okay to Not Be Okay – his comeback drama after his military service.
2021 - One Ordinary Day
2024 - Queen of Tears

It was a big deal that he sang the closing OST to Queen of Tears which was perfectly suited for his voice …….it was full of touching emotion and it was a lovely finale song. Obviously, he can sing, and I believe he is best suited for singing in a studio. His previous OSTs were in Love from the Star and Moon Embracing the Sun. Although it is a treat to hear him sing several songs in Dream High and a couple are duets with IU and one with Suzy.

Singing live is another challenge for Soo Hyun. In Dream High his 2PM cast mates, Taec Yeon and Woo Young have the breath and endurance to sing in tune while dancing. Being in the boy band they were trained for that. This was apparent in episode 17 which was the live concert………never the less it was a fun event to watch. So don't skip episode 17.


OK TAEC YEON
Born: December 27, 1988 and is today 35 years old
In 2011 he was 23 years old

His acting debut was in 2010 in “Cinderella’s Sister.” Dream High was his second drama, and he did a great job of acting, singing and dancing. His rapping and singing were excellent Plus, his dancing and athletic ability is impressive.

Taec Yeon has 19 dramas and movies to his credit since his acting debut in 2010.


HAM EUN JUNG
Born: December 12, 1988 and is today 35 years old.
She was 23 during the release of Dream High.

I don’t know this actress at all although she is quite a busy actress. Her acting debut was 2004 and she has 35 movies and Dramas to her credit. She did have a great voice in Dream High and played the antagonist friend well.


JANG WOO YOUNG
Born April 30, 1989 and is currently 35 years old
He was 23 at the time of filming Dream High.

Another member of the 2PM boy band formed in 2008, His singing and dancing was stellar in this drama. He is obviously a very talented member of 2PM.

I remember when I first watched it, I wanted to see what else he was acting in but to no avail. At the time (5 years ago) I didn’t realize he was primarily a singer dancer and not really an actor. He was terrific playing the playboy and IU’s love interest. A cute pairing. Woo Young has 2 dramas and one movie to his credit...... Dream high being his only main role.


IU
Born: May 16, 1993 and is currently 31 years old
She was 18 years old at the time of filming of Dream High……. the 2nd youngest main cast member.

IUs voice is angelic, and her sound was pure in Dream High, which was her drama debut. Her singing debut was in 2008. She has acted in 18 dramas and movies since 2010,

IU and Kim Soo Hyun have had main roles together in Dream High and The Producers as well as filmed as main or guests in Hotel del Luna, and Dream High Season 2

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This is an excellent drama for viewers who want an insight into South Korea's highly competitive academy system. It is a niche drama, which South Koreans relate to more than I, a US citizen.

The 'midnight romance ' was the catalyst for the gossip and ultimate conflict in the drama. While the leads did become a couple, the skinship was minimal. The romance was mainly shown through their thoughtfulness for each other as they collaborated in thought and protected each other as the scandal went out of control. What a competitive and backbiting group of academy instructors: all willing to pour gasoline on a romance scandal to gain students. A real bonus and departure from the typical drama formula, the couple stayed together from start to finish. Thank goodness there was no breakup for a stupid, nonsensical reason. They supported each other.

What was difficult........The director used dim to NO lighting in the evening 'midnight ' footage, which was a creative choice that sometimes made Hagwon a challenge to watch. Changing the TV picture settings did not help. There was one moment when my TV screen was completely black. I could hear voices; thankfully, the white subs were easy to read. Even the one and only intimate scene was shot with 'midnight ' lighting.....darn it!!! I was looking forward to SEEING that romantic moment.

The drama's high quality is further elevated by its seasoned cast of actors, a fact that is self-evident. Wi Ha Joon, in his first male lead role, delivers a performance that truly stands out.

What impressed me the most was the excellent and creative finale episode. IT WAS SO SATISFYING. The resolution of the drama was not only satisfying but also unexpected, surpassing my own imagination. In the end, the theme of inspiring the high school students to want to learn/think creatively versus teaching memorization to anticipated test questions was resolved; the sincere teaching of students how to think won the day. The money-motivated teachers were left without an academy to teach in.

The Midnight Romance concluded with a heartwarming classroom scene, featuring the younger ML in the role of a teacher, imparting wisdom to his romantic partner, Seo Hye Jin (played by Jung Ryeo Won), about the future of their relationship. The inclusion of a pair of rings in his lecture signified a promising and beautiful romantic future. The writing was truly clever.

I highly recommend the watch if you like introspective dramas. It made me think about the education of kids.

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