My Princess may be all about the OTP, but Dream High is all about the love triangle. Six episodes in, I not only haven’t and can’t pick a ship (well, I pick a ship at the end of this post, but may be subject to change), the drama is being stingy by keeping both boys on a level play field with respect to screen time and wonderful character development scenes with their leading lady. A great love triangle is that quintessential double-edged sword – you love it because it’s so juicy and thrilling, but you hate it because you are kept in a state of constant emotional limbo.
In any romantic plotline, the viewer is already curious as to how a couple gets together (the whys and hows), but when the drama throws in the giant if, it compounds the stake exponentially. Some of my favorite dramas, to this day I still have arguments with friends about who the leading lady loved, guy 1 or guy 2. DH can either have a Nobuta wo Produce ending, an Over the Rainbow ending, or it’s own twist on the “one girl, two guys, who’s gonna get her” age-old conundrum.
To help myself sort out the tangled mess, I hereby bring the first ever Jin Gook v. Sam Dong Love Tally (this is up to episode 6). I break down how they stack up against each other.
SD: Pulled then-a-stranger Hye Mi onstage to duet with him
JG: Rescued then-a-stranger Hye Mi from debt collecting thugs
SD: Took her to the outhouse and waited with her, listening to her sing
JG: Barreled into Hye Mi on the train and dipped her in a flourish
SD: Even though he was the one potted on the head, he put Hye Mi on his hospital bed when she slept, and he sat next to the bed and watched over her.
JG: Gave his shoes to Hye Mi, but she rather wear empty tissue boxes thank accept his help.
SD: Fell into mad adoration of her within a 24-hours span of meeting her
JG: Has adorable childhood story with her – whereby he was getting dropped off at the orphanage and met her, and she give him his fake birthday as Christmas eve, and sang a birthday song for him
SD: Chases after Hye Mi on a departing bus, and daydreams that he had the guts to kiss her.
JG: Gets beaten to a pulp by the debt collectors who are after Hye Mi because of her dad’s outstanding debts.
SD: Took a leap of faith based on her throwaway claim that she liked him, following her to Seoul and enrolled in Kirin High
JG: Gave her half of his earphones to tune out the naysayers around her
SD: Punched out Jin Gook for exposing to the class that Hye Mi had Baek Hee’s K pendant
JG: Put a helmet on her so she could cry without being seen
SD: Took a flower pot to the head to protect Hye Mi
JG: Got Hye Mi to give up her sudden dependency on the K-pendant
SD: Was made over by Hye Mi, and listened to her childlike insecure side show up when her father called her
JG: When he saw Hye Mi putting umbrellas to cover his motorcycle, he picked up and umbrella to shield her from the snow
SD: Painted over the evil Hye Mi mural, transforming it into the angel Hye Mi mural
JG: Wiped blood off her hands when she was at the hospital worried about Sam Dong
SD: Tried to protect Hye Mi against her daddy’s debt collectors
JG: Ran after Hye Mi and held her in the middle of the street against passing traffic
SD: Hye Mi hugged him for saving her life
JG: Hugged Hye Mi to comfort her
SD: Hye Mi smiles a lot when she is with Sam Dong
JG: Hye Mi cries a lot when she is around Jin Gook
SD: Dreams about singing a duet with Hye Mi
JG: Makes pact to debut onstage with Hye Mi
Both Jin Gook and Sam Dong are generally too awesome for words, and I love how much I adore Hye Mi and think she is good and good enough for both of them. Yay for a compelling love triangle – the first I’ve seen in a long time from any drama.
For those of you who have asked, I think DH reminds me a lot of What Happened in Bali, ONLY in the sense that there is one leading lady and two leading men, without an ability to suss out which of the two guys is the real lead. Yes, Kim Soo Hyun’s name comes right after Suzy, but that really doesn’t mean much since Taecyeon’s Jin Gook has got way more screen time at this point.
Furthermore, the subject of the drama being the pursuit of dreams as well as a coming of age story, Kim Soo Hyun could absolutely be the lead, and still not end up with Suzy. Like I said before, if he’s K, then he gets the fame, and likewise Jin Gook probably gets the girl. Or vice-versa. Which would make both guys have a equally riveting character arc, and make the equals and not necessarily lead one version lead one. Does that make sense? No use saying that Sam Dong’s gonna get the girl because pre-press reports make it appear that Kim Soo Hyun was the male lead.
I love how the misfits-become-stars storyline is actually well thought out and compelling, marrying the emotional (family torn apart, leaving home to pursue your dreams) with the realistic (jealousy, failing first in order to succeed later) elements of achieving a dream. Aside from Baek Hee, who I find a very hard to stomach character, I genuinely like and enjoy spending time watching all the other main characters. Eom Ki Joon is nailing it big time as Teacher Kang, whose confidence and experience grows from helping these kid.
It’s so rare for a drama to start off with four episodes of just okay, and then in two short episodes become mindbogglingly good. I’m dying for my next DH fix, which was curtailed this week with only one new episode of DH. However, today’s new episode convinced me that I need to raise my own stakes in this drama. I know I just wrote an entire post about loving both boys and being unable to choose, but I’ve decided after today’s episode 7 that I need to choose. I reserve the right to change my ship, even from episode-to-episode, but for now. I have decided to be on Team Sam Dong-Hye Mi (SamMi, as opposed to MiGook).
Why? Because I’m currently pissed at Jin Gook, and because Sam Dong was too adorable for words in this episode. I hereby present to you a picspam of SamMi cuteness in episode 7 of DH in honor of my picking my DH ship:
An arts and craft session turns into a prime opportunity to snuggle the girl of your dreams. Sadly Sam Dong has no clue what to do, except adorably cradle her and shush Jin Gook when he comes by.
At the fake show case, Sam Dong confesses that his mom was told that his relationship to Hye Mi was akin to Chun Hyung with Mong Ryong. LOL, boy has got some storytelling skills. Hye Mi agrees to pretend to his Chun Hyung for the day. Yay! They dress in contrasting black and white, and hold hands to go on stage and sing a duet. But not before Hye Mi tries to give him a high-five, which Sam Dong mistakens as an attempt to hit him and/or a call to salute. Poor simple little adorable boy.
Their entrance and outfits were understated and perfect – especially when contrasted with Baek Hee and Jin Gook’s tawdry little number at the real show case.
Yup, SamMi are my sweet cute darling (for now). Jin Gook has to do some serious groveling before I deem him worthy enough to get back into Hye Mi’s good graces.
So I suggest keeping expectations low for this drama, despite the fan love for the…
So this is the drama trolly producer Yu Zheng recently praised as better than Goblin…
So the most recent casting for this drama is now confirmed as the final selection…
So there is a popularity award in both the film and the television sections of…
I have such a soft spot for C-actress Yang Mi and it just makes me…
So Queen of Tears was filmed in 2023 and wrapped awhile ago so it's not…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
You know, I'm completely torn. I really am. I totally adore Sam-dong, and I think he definitely deserves the girl (what, like she's a prize or something) more than Jin-gook at this point, and I agree that Jin-gook really needs a good groveling session to get back anywhere near Hye-mi...but I also think that Hye-mi and Jin-gook just click better. *ducks flying anvils of anti-shipper fury* Yeah, I don't know what it is, but for me, despite my unabashed and undying love for Sam-dong (who is really too cute and of course Kim Soo-hyun is acting the pants off of him), it just seems to be that way.
But who am I kidding? My TRUE ship is definitely, definitely Pil-sook and Jason. Omo, they are too, too cute together, and I die every time they interact. Seriously.
Who am I kidding? MiGook have killer chemistry and an awesome childhood memory. I'm just pissed at JG right now for dressing like a tranny back-up dancer and wiggling on stage for Baek Hee.
TBH, I'm still torn between them. But have decided to stick with SD until JG grows some balls and fights for what he wants - his dream and Hye Mi. Cuz that is what SD is doing, and I adore the boy all the more for it.
But I think that Jin Gook does realize he must grow some balls as a result of his experience onstage. He even sets out to get on the right foot with Hye Mi when daddy's minions show up.
Also, in your Samdong/Jingook tally, you totally left out that Jingook gets beat to a pulp for Hyemi in his rescue attempt #2 for which he actually walks into the proverbial lion's den willingly despite knowing full well what's he has coming.
And for everyone who points to Samdong taking the flower pot on the head, I've no doubt that Jingook would have done the same thing had he discovered Hyemi first.
AND I also agree with estel that Hyemi and Jingook get each other. Really get each other. And I'll be sooooo pissed at the show if the show effs that up with some forced misunderstanding, forced rift, or forced no point of return.
Oops, you're right! I added that to the Tally!
I can't say I'm adverse to Jin-gook growing a pair and doing a little groveling to get back in Hye-mi's good graces. Maybe if we all throw our support behind Sam-dong, Jin-gook with get the message and get his act together. Heh heh. ^__^
MiGook does have a good chemistry but I've been shipping SamMi from the start. Omo! how cute is that boy, Sam Dong. I do love a bad guy, but in this case, I just feel like Sam dong deserves HyeMi more than anyone else eventhough both of them (jinGook and SamDong) has been upfront from the start about their feelings for HyeMi, Sam dong has always been pure of hearts towards her. I do have this feeling that Hyemi will end up with jin Gook at the end cos they reciprocate each other's attraction to each other to this point, but I did watch and love nobuta wo produce, and I LMAO when the OTP became the ultimate bromance and Nobuko ended up independent and more confident of herself, so i'm not really keeping my hopes up as to who's going to end up with whom but If I have to choose, it would definitely be SamDong the cutie.
I'm totes enjoying this triangle. Every time Sam Dong has a scene with Hye Mi, I'm giggling and thinking how cute Kim Soo Hyun is. I find myself rooting for the love-at-first-sight, country boy meets arrogant but good-hearted city gal. Their interactions are just too adorable for words.
But then Jin Guk comes in with his intense and decade long loyalty to this girl and I'm shipping them now. Them with their meaningful birthday songs and non-existent music players trying to fool everyone. Ugh.
It's come to the point where I want the couple that will have the least broken-hearted second lead. If that's not a backward way to ship a couple, I don't know what is. So in this scenario, I think Sam Dong is more ~sensitive and will have a harder time not being with Hye Mi than the tough and independent Jin Guk.
Unless next episode, Jin Guk is all angsty without Hye Mi....but the preview with Sam Dong is so sad already.
Never mind. Forget it. I love them both. There's a reason why 'Open Relationship' is an option on Facebook, and this is it.
I'm way too invested in this drama, leaving comments all over the place about this OTP debate. Gah!
Anyhow, I actually think Samdong, were he to lose out on Hyemi, has more wherewithal than Jingook. Though he grew up without a father, he at least had a very loving mother and a happy childhood. Jingook - no such thing. The first thing of joy and tenderness he ever experienced was with Hyemi. Though Jingook may be tough and independent, he's so much more fragile inside. He's much more likely in need of some good in his life, and he has not much good coming in the way of his father, Baekhee, and all the Kirin machinations. Hyemi, the Misfits, and his pursuit of his dream with integrity are all he has potentially going for him.
@anais
Totally Agree with You.
I love SB. HM and SB looks cute together. But my heart flutters watching JG and HM "moments". They feel each other pain. SB love for HM looks more of an innocent crush. But JG and HM to me feels like soul-mates. It was so painful watching BH and JG together in Ep.7 I want more of HM and JG.
SB is destined to be K and makes his Mama really proud.
Jason and Pil-sook. I'm simple that way. 8-)
That's cheating. I call cop-out, momosan! :-P
I adore the Milky Couple, too! But you have to have stakes in the JG-HM-SD shizzle.
I 'm with you momosan Jason and Pilsook all the way. I mean how cute were they post-noraebang?
If I have to have a stake in the triangle though, I am all about HyeMi and SamDong, although I will admit my Kim Soo Hyun bias is playing a major role in this shipping.
WOAH!..
There's MILKY coupe shipping here.
To be honest at first I am a JG/HM at first but after a few episodes I just can't help but be pulled to SD/HM ship.
I just can't resist how awesome SD is and his child like wonder and innocent love for HyeMi.
The preview for episode 8 solidify my ship for SD/HM.
SD's reaction to HyeMi is EPIC, i can still hear it. "STOP IT!"
Ohhh.. HyeMi don't ever break our poor boys heart or I will take revenge. hehe
I knew it was a cop out, but how cute are they? Lollipops on the locker and duets.
Oh okay....JG and HM because angst beats puppy no matter how cute the pup.
oh!!! i love that two as well!!! they are just too adorable to watch!!!
can't wait for their love story to blossom!
If there was an option for Jason and Pil-Sook, my vote is definitely going for these OTP.
Yes. YES YES YES! They are too cute together! And (thus far) are witchy-evil-girl-machinationless. Which I count as a refreshing change from all the rest.
LMAO!!! you did a LOVE TALLY!!! I tried to do one too but gave up in the end coz it just wasn't helping. i am still as torn as ever*sigh*. both SD and JG are equally as awesome and they both deserve the girl, it's too cruel to ask a girl to choose between them. gawd, they should just go down the Nobuta-route and spare us fans the heartaches.
But if i was to held at gun-point and choose one, i would go with Samdong&Hyemi, because i really think SD can bring out the best in HM. JG may understand her more, but i think the one who can make her truly happy is SD. and also because i just love the whole Country-Bumpkin-with -Heart-of-Gold + Arrogant-Bratty-Icy-Princess dynamic. ^^ I still haven't watch ep 7 yet, but after reading the spoilers (which i really shouldn't have), it looks like the show is steering towards this side as well...><
It's like the drama gods want to help me validate my ship.
This video of the gang during the prayer ceremony hint strongly at the coupling - insofar as HM-SD pray, then JG-BH pray. Again, not definitive, but some hints.
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/V_JEgdAXmmo/
But the cutest part of this video is when Suzy is asked which guy she prefers in real life - Soo Hyun or Taec. And Suzy actually picks! She picks Soo Hyun, which makes Taec all pretend upset. LOL, and Suzy is then told that no one actually picks, the actress is supposed to say something like both guys are great in different ways. Except Suzy's crush on Soo Hyun is so obvious (which you can also see when the cast was on Happy Together a few weeks ago).
Sigh, I'm happy with whatever ending, with whomever, as long as narrative-wise it makes sense.
hahaha..
I've watched it. ^^
Laughing so hard even though I didn't understand anything.
Suzy's cute in choosing Kim Soo Hyun, and look at his face when he was picked.
So proud of himself. hahaha
Taecyeon is soo dissapointed he walks out. wahahahah..
thanks ockoala for that vid!!!
really? in real life suzy have a crush on kim soo hyun? woah!!!
that is so cute!
its really hard to pick which ship to board but im you with regarding samdong and hye mi! i know ji-gook has his own brand of awesomeness but im gonna be biased (hehehehehe!) coz i love kim soo hyun and him playing samdong with such country boy adorableness makes me root for him!!!
i love how the story of DH shaping up, im excited for whats ahead whether jin gook will really turn over to the dark side of baek hee (whom i wanted to create a voodoo doll for, just in case that my hate level for her would go so beyond my limit!) or will he make some great testaments or gestures to redeem himself.
and its really such a bummer that we have to wait for another week to have our dose of DH and SamMi crack!
so see yah next week DH!
Go Team Sam Dong-Hye Mi !!!
I am annoyed at JG right now but I find the whole concept of SD/HM very much not my thing (he is so simple! and naive! and clueless! my idea of a nightmare boyfriend, however sweet he is) so I am shipping neither.
I do think narratively-wise the drama is leading to JG/HM. As of ep 6 I would have been ecstatic, as of ep 7, I don't care.
I agree JG's character is much more layered and I find his story much more compelling. SD is more like an adorable puppy dog (love him). And although you love your puppy you don't fall in love with it. I will be really angry if HM falls in love with a dog! Go MiGook!!
I sailed with the MiGook ship since episode 1, and that was just after reading the recap!
SAm DOng, has an issues about his brain conditions because of hye mi's rescue accident. Perhaps It will be arise an angst between Hyemi and Sam DOng, and I'm sure the writers will create this issues (and it will become more complicate, in love triangle plotline, LOL) . And maybe u will see that Sam Dong is not as simple as we thought (like Bo Kyung char in Harvest villa, some twist). He is not Naive at all, because he knows Hye Mi's character (and tries to understand Hye Mi) and not blind with Hyemi's Feeling towards Jin Gook. It's not a sign a naive boy at all. AS a country boyy, he is smart and sensitive enough. He is not as simple as we think.
you hit the nail right on its head. this was the imaginary list that i'd been mulling about since yesterday. since ep. 1 i'd been rooting for the JG-HM team (it's more intriguing and has many interesting angles) but after ep. 7, JG lost some points i think. he's really gonna have to do something drastically awesome to resume his former standing (and convince HM he's worth his weight in gold).
on the other hand, i'm really not all that glad to see SD being nudged out of the picture either. it's like kicking a helpless puppy. oh well. we'll see what happens next.
I'm Jin Gook x *whoever* all the way, hey the guy got me to watch this drama!
ockoala you also forgot about Jin-gook offering Hye-mi his shoes (ep1)!
despite Sam-dong's downright adorability, i still found myself leaning more towards Jin-gook but his softness towards Baek-hee was beginning to veer me towards the SamMi ship.
... and was it not Jingook who informed Samdong about the possible threat to Hyemi which lead to Samdong getting hit by the flower pot in her stead...
I added it! Thanks for reminding me. Hope everyone adds to the Tally if I missed anymore.