JYP is just too much.

and i can't get enough, LOL.

How I'd die to be there!

Dream High was such a pleasant surprise because it kept you interesting for each episode until it's end. Sad to see it end, but I guess any longer would have it's charm slowly get worn out.

DH's style is very different from many K-dramas, yet for some reason, it did better in keeping you hooked for every episode in comparison to even big budget dramas (*cough*Athena*cough*). Surprise, surprise?

Totally agree with you. Dream High was a great surprise and a gem. Not many dramas nowadays focuses on many of the actors' growth. I loved the character transformations that resulted by the end of the series.

I would totally watch this concert just because of the Jin Man, JinGook and Jason dance number. MC Hammer ftw!

Thanks so much for this! Now im twice as excited. :D

I can’t help but think that had Suzy and Taecyeon been better actors, Dream High would have been a better drama..... exactly my thought .... Dream High for me actually belongs to SamDong ... As a whole cause i didn't expect anything form this drama .. so it hit me to my heart ... not bad at all

i like this drama how it evolved and how things turn out to be .... it like you know what will happen but not quite what you expect and that the charm of it , i may be not be totally inlove with it but liking it better than the others ....

I haven't seen the whole concert thingy yet, but didn't fail to watch the JYP & Co. dance number :D I do remember those high tops, Hammer pants and sky-high bangs (I guess I should be glad I only had one of the three).

If there's going to be a Season 2, I'd like for it to center on a new generation (although the teachers are more than welcome to stay on), with maybe just occasional references to the original kids. You're right about the drama ending just as it should, with lots of flexibility between the debut and the epilogue for fans to use their imaginations :)

Love your recaps! Will check out this series based on your reviews. I really loved "The woman who still wants to marry". Started watching that series because of your great comments!

This is going to sound odd but I loved the way the series' characters ended up...

and I'm loving even more that PIlsook became fat. It's weird but somehow, I related to her more because she just did whatever made her feel happy lol.

I guess that was the biggest "lesson" of this drama.

Imagine if there were more episodes added, then we might of seen Samdong return to Korea in episode 17 and reunite with HyeMi.

thank u sooooooooooo much Javabeans!!

Didn't originally intend to watch this drama at all - but after reading the second recap (go gf!) was pulled into the glorious story and.... well.... the joy of watching glorious "noona-slayer" Kim Soo-hyun.

You did mention he was legal, right?

Thank you soooo much for the recaps and for being my constant K-drama inspiration - looking forward to the next one!

The ending to Dream High reminded me of the ending to Hana Yori Dango Season 1. Where Makino and Domyoji had to be seperated, and Domyoji gave Makino the pendant. Dang it. Dream High reminds me of Hana Yori Dango more then the Korean Boys Over Flowers.

I cried for at least fifteen minutes after the finale. I was happy that Sam-dong got his fame (hence, tears) but I was also fairly heartbroken at the thought of his loneliness (hence more tears), and that was the biggest issue I had with the finale. Still, it's a just a small qualm, since it was very realistic and I do appreciate that.

Man, how much do I love that this is the first drama in ages where the phrase "Noble Idiot" hasn't been uttered not even once (from what I can remember)? This is real-life drama at its finest, at least as far as the ending message goes, maybe specific situations aside. I loved how Pil-sook didn't stay super skinny, it just made me love her (and the writers) even more.

I know I said I was all for Baek-hee being K, but how it turned out makes much more sense, however bittersweet it may be. You'd probably think Baek-hee would be a lot happier as K though, wouldn't you?

aww little hye sung is too cute :D

Agree, agree, and agree.

Especially with this:
"Sam-dong’s journey has taken him to the highest heights, replete with the greatest loneliness, because he’d had the greatest dreams. The drama may have finished with each person in a successful position, but it almost seems to say that success is just the (happy) byproduct of living a life in pursuit of those dreams, that lifeblood of souls. More than achievement of romantic love, or even the expression of friendship, that’s a message I can get behind."

So good! I love those three sentences. :)
Thanks so much JB and GF! It's been an incredible journey and I'm glad I could have shared it with everyone.

Here's my playlist for the Special Concert that I posted before:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A151B9CB34AC7DF2

My favorite performances were definitely "Somebody's Dream", "Dreaming", "Someday", and "Goose's Dream".
The "Dream High" performance (which I was looking forward to so much... :/) was kind of disappointing...though KSH was real good as always in it. :D

Thanks for the good times everybody!

Yay! Usually the final episodes have your opinion and girlfriday´s opinion. So in My Princess and yesterday, I was wondering what were your final toughts, and here they are! Not that i dont like girlfriday´s opinions, because I do, but i like yours too.

Ok, I agree. Hahaha. I dont have much to say. I agree with you. For me, Suzy did a good job in episode 16 when she is saying goodbye to Sam-dong. Kim Soo Hyun would had completely overshadowed her (sorry if it has bad grammar), but she managed to be in the same level. Hm, I cant complain much. I love her non expression face and character.

yay! I'm surprised you recapped a special - don't think that has happened before on this blog, has it?
I think Suzy got by with her own charms - she might just have "it"; that's why she was (arguably) the most visible out of Miss A, even though the other 3 members are fierce and charismatic. But yeah, I can see how it could have been at another level with an actress like Park Bo Kyung. I still love her interpretation of Hyemi, however, and am only bothered by Taec's overcalculated acting. Sigh. He's like...Song Seung Hun in the making, from the good looks to the stiff acting...

I'm happy with the ending. It's Dream High, after all, not Love High (OH THAT DREADFUL MV FROM GROUP K!). It reminds me of a jdorama, "Buzzer Beat", where the main couple also parted to support each other's dream, but at the end, the girl ditched her dream to come back, and they kissed passionately. I was happy for them, and happy as a viewer, but then was left with disappointment. The whole point of the series was about this couple who respected and supported each other's seemingly impossible dream, and that was why they fell in love. Now she just ditched her dream like that and came back? o_O Only after a year? If Samdong won 10 Grammies and came back after, say, 10 years, and found Hyemi, who was well-established not unlike Gummy or Lee Sooyoung, and then proposed dating, I wouldn't have a problem with that. heck, even Jang Dong Gun took 8 years to be able to get married to Go So Young. Celebs just have to live differently...
It was also appropriate that they chose their dreams - they were so young then. If 8 years later, they dated someone else, I wouldn't be surprised. Just the fact that they still think about each other in 2018 is comforting enough for a Sammi shipper like me ^^

I don't think they were separated in the end maybe by distance but not the hearts hehe. It's more of an open ending.. It's up to our imagination how we want the story to continue. Sure I would have liked to see more of SD&HM together but in the end we know that HM also share SD's feelings and I'm happy with that. Not to mention the sweet kiss :).

This was a fun drama and I will mis loads about it. The couples, the bromances, the frenemies, the teachers, the cuteness, the funny, OH-EM-GEE, I'll miss everything about it. GAH! But I don't think I want a season 2, but I wouldn't mind a sort of special episode where we at least get to see Hye-mi and Sam-dong getting together again (not that they were ever apart in heart/thought), but I wouldn't mind them at least seeing each other again in person. Oh man, there's too much I want to know about the characters like the "WHAT NOW" question. I mean, I want to see a reunion up in here. X'D

Anyways, thank you jb and fri for the awesomeness. Thank you Beanie family for the awesome/entertaining comments. Thank You Dream High for showing us what it means to pursue your dreams.

Ahh, I just finished watching the special. O will so miss this drama! I did like that I got to see all the actors singing together! Suzy's inappropriately timed laughing was so cute! And the special even had a Milky Couple moment!

Btw, I also laughed me head off a the matching suits of the deadly funny JYP+WooYoung+Taecyeon trio! Too! Funny!

Now, can I have a K pendant too?

Where was the "Tell Me" reference? I completely missed that!

Yessssss! I was waiting for another post so I could spazz again. heheh.

Loved this drama. So much. Just started rewatching it :)

Love you Suzy!!!! You're the BEst

suzy, suzy,suzy,suzy,suzy,suzy,suzy.
i'm in love wif you!!!

i'm kinda disappointed that they cut Soohyun & Suzy's "Maybe". totally waiting for that. they cut a LOT of performances and talking to fit in 1 hour time.

i want K pendant too. it's so nice for them to give it to the students as an encouragement to do better. Dream High is just awesome. i'm so gonna miss all them.

Thank u,Dream High!

I really didn't want this show to end ( which is why I'm watching the KBS World re-broadcast, lol). This special had a lot of great moments, but I was really touched when Suzy started to cry. Even though she wasn't the greatest actress you could tell she but her heart into this show. Also when Seohyun (Hyesung) came out to sing I thought she was the cutest ever. Round that out with a Too Legit dance trio and how could anyone be disappointed?

Frankly I have a thing against boy/girl bands..I think it just covers up lack of real talent to keep turning out endless bands of this kind that Korea does or worse kills off possibly real talent from individual talents by forcing them to fit into a band. I also dislike that dance and looks have to matter more than being a real singer...what they where teaching was how to be an entertainer..not a singer..to an entertainer these days it seems real singing talent takes a long distant third to looks and stage dancing..and lets face it a lot of idol pop 'singers' can not even sing that well.
But for all that I enjoyed the drama and it really got my respect when they added in the sexual abuse storey line..so thumbs up!

Thanks for recapping this special, totally unexpected! I really love to hear yours on the finale, and here you are. Thanks again.

Love the ending sequence so much but it left me with sadness, when HM said his path is lonely it was so sad and it sounded like she was not with him then (otherwise why lonely?). But it was a beautiful ending nonetheless.

'there were too many scenes where I saw what I ought to be feeling rather than felt those emotions from the acting outright'

When I watch first and read your (and GF's) recaps later, I find that the awkward scenes now make sense. But when I read your recaps first and watch afterwards, I anticipate the scenes, expect the emotions, and nothing.

Example: I shed a tear from reading your recap of when HM found out about SD hearing loss. But felt awkward when I watched the very scene I had cried about. You and GF really should write some novels or collab on a script. Shoot I'll even make do with short stories. You ladies are Good Job!

IAWTC...'had Suzy and Taecyeon been better actors, Dream High would have been a better drama'. Overall, good drama, nice pace and adorable cast. Nothing to watch now that this and My Princess are over. Will wait for your recaps before I invest time in the new dramas - nothing looks all that promising. Thank you JB and GF!

I see a lot of comment that they watch the show because of KSH, and criticize Suzy and Taec. I agree that the show would be better if Suzy and Taec were better . However I don't agree that the criticism normally emphasize on the role of Samdong and kind of de-value the role of JG and , maybe HM. Dream High can't be this good without the idols, even though they are lack of many things, they are still very enthusiastic and good in acting as art students/singers. The dance and performance in this show is excellent and that's the unique thing that makes it stand out. Suzy and Taec are good enough for that purpose.

"But where it succeeded was in melding commerce and art, making the most of what it was and keeping the energy pumping and the jokes free-flying, while never losing sight of the emotion and warmth at the center."

It's genius, how they bring it all together despite their flaws. It is so heartwarming to see a drama like that. It might make it to my top ten after I rewatch but I doubt so. I'll just keep it in another box of my heart.

I was preoccupied all day if there would ever be a post about the DH special and dang, I couldn't be happier that this is here! Thank you JB!

I really loved Jingook`s character in the show but to learn that he is a funnyguy behind the scenes, aww.. I fell all over again.

I haven't really watched the special but I hope it would be subbed too..all of it/no cuts. And how much do I want to watch the dancing trio? Little Hyesung singing? The Milky couple? And Hyemi tearing up getting a recognition like that.. Couldn't even put my feelings into words.

And oh JB, before reading your take on it, I had wanted more from the finale. I mean, like a bunch others DH fans, I wanted to see SD and HM get together
to have a confirmation that they were indeed together because HM`s dedication "to someone who had to walk a lonely road" kept bugging me (so SD was lonely? does that mean they weren't together?) But now I realized that I wouldn't want the ending any other way. Twas just perfect. And realistic. They were kids in 2011 so they still need to grow and be better individuals, meet other people, go to places, challenge themselves even further.. AND even after all those years apart, they still wanted to be with each other/always thinking about each/continued to serve as inspiration to each of them --now thats a LOVE I can actually believe in.

Also, I was so moved when HyeMi laughed-cried because in a way, its like the Show was her Kirin High, taught her to be better. Instead of losing heart because of the criticisms, she worked hard to redeem herself (much like how the Misfits proved themselves and became Dream High!). But personally, I don't really mind Hyemi`s not so spot on acting because I adore her in all her Hyemi-botness.

Thanks heaps JB and GF for your thoughts and great writing skills.

PS.
Can't believe I don't find myself switching channels whenever a music video of a Kpop act is played on MTV/Ch V. I actually watch those now! Hahaha. Which is unthinkable for me to do pre-DH days. Though can't say I'm a Kpop convert now, maybe after DH2? Heh.

Loved every second!

I totally agree that the acting (especially from taec) sometimes cringe the heck out of me, but the lame acting was rescued by the GENIUS writing.. gosh.. I really like if they made a novel or comic based on this drama. It would be killer.
besides the writing, the heart of this drama is the MUSIC. you can't deny the pure love of music that pours in to the OST's. JYP...I feel your passion..
*bow down to the greatness of the vinyl wearing super producer hit maker God*

all and all, this drama is a gem! i would recommend this to every teen or young adult who (still) has dreams.

ps : does anyone think that KSH is a good singer? That kid has some enviable talent..

during the live concert performance, Jason and IU stand-out in terms of voice. the others seems to mess up. Though i understand the case of Kim Soo hyun since he only trained 3 months before the start of the drama to learn to sing. He really is one amazing actor. I hope in his next KDrama, he will truly be the lead actor.

Thanks again JB and GF for the wonderful recaps.

wow! i didnt expect dat there will be a summary of the Concert~ awesome~ manz.. i really like the way you wrote it~ and i cldnt agree more.. as much to my craziness of wanting the episode to be more~ and hoping for more WooU couple screen time~ i guess.. dis is the best~ the storyline mite be abit off if they continue further..

I am so happy u summarised dis... and nw.. i will be able to download the concert and watch it~

Thanks for the summary~ c",)

I totally loved the drama and am gonna miss it superly !
If Suzy or Taec had been better at acting, i'm sure it would've become an even better drama. IU and Wooyoung did pretty well. Eunjung did awesome ^^
I wish they didn't cut out performances.. I wanna see them all T_T

Other than that, I sorta feel Eunjung didn't get the spotlight she deserves tho.. She didn't even get a solo to sing for the OST even though she's a great singer.. I know this is basically a JYP drama, but it would have been nice for her to have gotten at a song or at least in a song with someone.

OMG!!! I teared up watching JYP's "Too Legit to Quit" number. Couldn't help but feel proud for his success despite harsh criticisms. He reminded me a lot of an article on Hwang Jung Min winning awards and showing those who looked down on him for his looks.

Anyone here knows who wrote this drama?

Awesome. I miss it so much already! <3

Just wanna say that Kim Soo Hyun's song Dreaming won Cyworld Song Of The Month for February 2011!!! that is an outstanding achievement!! Kim Soo Hyun please debut as K!!! =)

Hi JB! Thanks for your awesome comments-was a lil' disappointed when I found out that you didn't cover the last episode alongwith GF. I love GF's wittiness yo but somehow, I really don't feel complete without hearing your take on it since its so well thought out and i love the way you highlight the subtle nuances shared in a drama..
I agree about the acting part and I'm really glad that the drama still managed to hook me despite that-all thanks to KSH n the writers at first but then later on,the others grew on me too coz of the amazing character development! I love love the way you have described the ending coz that's how I felt too but really didn't have the eloquence to put it through...
I started on K-dramas quite accidentally but it was your blog that truly hooked me onto them since I came to appreciate and understand so much more besides just watching a pretty drama.
Thanks for the wonderful job that you guys are doing! You all in some way have added something to my life and boy,am I so glad that google found me this website =) <3<3

For me, the only way DH could have ended in a better way was if a flight ticket to Korea would have been shown when they showed the K pendant right before we discovered K = Sam Dong. I was longing for a SamMi reunion, that kiss in 2011 isn't enough, I wanted an ending like manga's Card Captor Sakura or, at least, a hint it was going in that direction ;_; But I like they didn't give up their dreams, even if that meant they weren't physically together.

Aside of that, I was pretty surprised I enjoyed DH that much. I was curious about it because I liked the cast, but I think I didn't start watching it until ep.13 or so was broadcasted. But yeah, JYP and, specially, Kim Soo Hyun stole the show for me. I'm really looking forward to the later's next project (please let it be a lead role!).

And +1 to those wanting the K pendant. I'm sure I'll buy it when I find it, it's a nice reminder to pursue our dreams and so :)

Thank you for the series recap and the ripped songs!