Dream High is a 2011 K-Drama based around the lives of a group of students at a performing arts school. It's basically a musically themed melodrama about some young people.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The story centers on the prestigious Kirin Arts Academy; a school devoted entirely to taking young talented performers and turning them into future star musicians, dancers, singers, etc. It's not easy getting into this school, but if you do, you'll be trained night and day to realize your potential.
Enter our young aspiring artists. They come from differing backgrounds with varying experience and talents. They all try out to be accepted by the school; some make the cut and some don't for various reasons. One girl that fails to get accepted is given a chance to earn a special exception if she can bring in a couple of other students one of the teachers wants to train. Everybody soon converges together, and the story quickly focuses on the 6 young primary characters; 3 girls and 3 boys, some of which have made the cut, and some of which are trying to get in through the back door.
The characters are forced to get to know each other, and have to work together to accomplish their goals (or work against each other as is sometimes the case). Some grow in life over time as individuals, others fall prey to the emotional pitfalls of success and failure. Along the way, some friendships are born and others are crushed, romantic interests are explored, and so forth. This is all very typical stuff for this type of genre, and, it's done competently enough to be a solid melodrama all on its own. All this is set against the backdrop of their individual talents & the arts school though, and, that is where the show really shines.
Prior to watching this show, I already was aware that the 6 lead characters were actually fairly accomplished young musicians, dancers, and/or singers, in real life. There's a number of musical set pieces and performances throughout the show, and the 6 leads had no problem delivering the goods in that aspect when called upon. Actually, I was much more concerned if these people could really act, than I was worried they'd be able to pull off the musical numbers. Amazingly, they're all more than acceptable actors and actresses in their specific roles, and some of them gave quite good performances in regards. Overall: Fantastic Job Everyone!
I wouldn't actually classify this show as a musical; there are only but a few song & dance numbers (if that many) that spontaneously break out. Almost all of the musical performances are done within the context of story (i.e. during practice, stage events, try-outs, scheduled performances, etc). There's also only a handful of instances of one of the cast members singing to another one, but that's about it. The way the musical performances are incorporated makes for real nice blend to the overall story. Neither part of these differing show aspects interferes with, or outweighs, the other; this is an important part in making this show work successfully as a whole, and, it was all handled with a good deal of aplomb throughout.
There's a number of other secondary characters and story lines during this show's 16 episode run. Other artists come and go as guest stars, the school and teachers are focused on some, people's lives and families are looked at, etc. It's mostly all serviceably to effectively accomplished.
What could be improved here?...not much (if anything). Asking to tone down the melodrama a bit is just not going to happen with these KTV shows, so deal with it. I suppose the production company could spring for some space heaters for everybody on the set of a winter time KTV show in order to keep their young stars from freezing to death.
Bottom Line: This show is definitely geared towards a younger audience than I, but that didn't stop me from liking it anyway, and, I liked it a lot actually. It's enjoyable, and, it is quite good overall. The cast and crew of Dream High II has certainly got their work cut out for them if they want to be on par with this show.
8 out of 10 stars!...Well Recommended!
