Dream High (2011)
A beloved Korean drama following six aspiring stars navigating love, rivalry, and ambition at a prestigious performing arts high school.
Dream High - Series Information
- Original Title: 드림하이
- First Air Year: 2011
- Last Air Year: 2012
- Created by: Park Jin-young, Park Hye-ryun et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (70 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 32
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- First Air Date: January 3, 2011 (Brazil - 14), January 3, 2011 (Mexico - B-15), January 3, 2011 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: KBS2
- Alternative Titles: มุ่งสู่ดาว ก้าวตามฝัน (TH), 夢想高飛 (TW), Dream High (US)
- Production Companies: KEYEAST, CJ Entertainment, JYP Entertainment
- Production Countries: South Korea
Dream High - Plot
Six dedicated students at Kirin Art High School work to achieve their dreams of becoming stars in the Korean music industry.
Dream High - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a feel for the music, drama, and heart of Dream High:
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Dream High - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Park Jin-young
- Park Hye-ryun
- Bae Yong-jun
- Lee Eung-bok
- Kim Seong-yoon
Main Cast
- Suzy
- IU
- Park Jin-young
- Kim Soo-hyun
- Jang Woo-young
- Ham Eun-jung
- Ok Taec-yeon
- Ahn Sun-Young
- An Seo-hyun
- Han Bo-reum
Writers
- Jang Eun Mi
- Park Hye-ryun
- Heo Sung-hye
Dream High - FAQs
Did Dream High launch the careers of its cast?
Dream High proved to be a career-defining moment for several of its stars. Suzy became a household name almost overnight, IU solidified her status as a top solo artist, and Kim Soo-hyun went on to become one of South Korea's highest-paid actors. The series essentially served as a launchpad for an entire generation of K-pop and K-drama talent.
Is Dream High worth watching for non-K-drama fans?
Absolutely. Even if you're new to Korean dramas, Dream High hooks you with its infectious energy, relatable underdog stories, and genuinely catchy music. The mix of friendship, rivalry, romance, and personal growth gives it a universal appeal that transcends the K-pop world and makes it easy to binge from start to finish.
Where can you stream Dream High online?
Dream High is available to stream on Rakuten Viki (with subscription or ads), OnDemandKorea, and Kocowa — including through the Kocowa Amazon Channel. These platforms offer both subtitled and dubbed options depending on your region, making it accessible to international audiences worldwide.
What role did real K-pop artists play in Dream High?
The casting was a major draw — Suzy (miss A), IU, Ok Taec-yeon and Jang Woo-young (2PM), and Ham Eun-jung (T-ara) all played students, while JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young appeared as a teacher. Their real-world idol status added an authentic layer of credibility to the performing arts storyline.
Who are the main characters in Dream High?
The central cast includes Ko Hye-mi (Suzy), a proud classical singer forced to reinvent herself; Song Sam-dong (Kim Soo-hyun), a country boy with raw musical talent; Kim Pil-sook (IU), a shy overweight girl with an extraordinary voice; Jin Guk (Ok Taec-yeon); Jason (Jang Woo-young); and Yoon Baek-hee (Ham Eun-jung), Hye-mi's fierce rival.
How was Dream High received by critics and audiences?
Dream High was warmly received both in South Korea and internationally. It drew strong ratings on KBS2 and earned praise for its feel-good storytelling, memorable soundtrack, and charismatic ensemble cast. The series helped cement the global wave of K-drama interest and remains one of the most fondly remembered idol-driven dramas of the early 2010s.
Is Dream High based on a true story or real school?
Dream High is a fictional story, though the concept of Kirin Art High School was inspired by real performing arts academies in South Korea. The series was co-created by Park Jin-young, the real founder of JYP Entertainment, lending the world of idol training an authentic behind-the-scenes feel without being a direct biographical account.
What shows are similar to Dream High?
If Dream High left you wanting more, try The Heirs (2013) for glamorous high school drama, Boys Over Flowers (2009) for classic K-drama romance, or School 2013 (2012) for a grittier take on student life. Doona! (2023) and Love Alarm (2019) are great modern picks for fans of youthful, music-tinged Korean storytelling.
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