Some K-dramas nail the warmth of first love and then can’t resist piling on the heartbreak. ENA’s new romantic comedy Dream to You, starring Hyeri and Hwang In Youp, is exactly that kind of show — the first two episodes are equal parts charming and frustrating, and here’s exactly why.
What Works
The premiere leans hard into a slice-of-life feel, following Joo Yi Jae and Woo Soo Bin as two ordinary teenagers in a quiet town outside Seoul. Their easygoing friendship-turned-romance carries real nostalgic charm, helped along by bright, sun-drenched visuals that capture the feeling of a lazy summer. Since the story is built around cinema itself, the show also plays with genre pastiche — glimpses of ’90s romance and zombie-action sequences — giving it a visual playfulness that extends into its supporting couple’s storyline too.
Dream To You Premiere
| Category | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Slice-of-life tone | Loved |
| Youthful romance | Loved |
| Cinematic visual style | Loved |
| Present-day class divide | Disliked |
| Melodrama overload | Disliked |
Where It Falls Short
The show’s tone shifts hard once it jumps to the present day: Soo Bin is now an internationally acclaimed director, while Yi Jae struggles to get by as a broadcaster. Their reunion after a decade apart leans into the tired “poor woman bends to rich, successful man” trope, which feels more frustrating than romantic. On top of that, the premiere piles on tragedy fast — abusive households, forced separation, exile, an accident, a death, and a lasting scar — leaving little room for the comedy or romance the genre promises.
Should You Watch It?
Despite the heavy start, the setup does leave room for a redemption arc: two people rebuilding trust after years of separation and misunderstanding. Actress <cite index=”45-1″>Hyeri rose to fame as the youngest member of Girl’s Day before becoming known as the “Nation’s Little Sister”</cite>, and her comedic timing paired with Hwang In Youp’s leading-man charm should carry the show even if the plotting needs to even out.
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