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Dream High: Episode 9

Woot! It’s Dance-Off Time! It’s glitter and gold and rivalries galore, as we find out just how much the tables have turned in 200 days. Some people come back with moves, others come back with feelings, and some show up with remorse and a new attitude. Let the games begin.

SONG OF THE DAY

Panic – “기다리다” [ Download ]

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EPISODE 9 RECAP

We see that in the 200 days, Hye-mi has been spurred on to dig her heels in and really make an effort to catch up to Baek-hee. We see her and Sam-dong practicing for their latest midterm, which was what we witnessed at the end of the last episode. (And how cute is it to watch Sam-dong dance?)

Oh-hyuk gives the Misfits their midterm scores proudly, but their faces fall when they hear that they’re not high enough to get them out of the university prep class. Their spirits sag at the thought of spending their sophomore year in here too.

But Oh-hyuk has a plan. There’s a dance competition coming up, and if they can enter and win, they’ll earn enough points to get out of Misfitland. But! We love Misfitland!

They balk at being able to win a national dance competition, but Oh-hyuk tells them not to worry; they have a secret weapon. Cut to “Dance God” Yang Jin-man, doing a dance…that I can’t even…with an outfit…that’s just…pwahahaha. I love this guy.

Hye-mi loses a round of rock-paper-scissors (which she suggested, heh) and heads to the arena where she registers the Misfits for the competition. She runs into Baek-hee, who coolly acknowledges that she saw Hye-mi’s midterm dance and that she’s improved.

Now it’s Hye-mi’s turn to thank her frenemy, for being good motivation for her to succeed. She dangles the K pendant in Baek-hee’s face, saying that she was right; it really does have some luck.

Baek-hee confirms that she’s entering the competition too, (In truth, it’d be no fun without you, Baek-hee.) and wonders who will win. Hye-mi: “What does it matter who wins, as long as we try out best…is what I can’t bring myself to say.” HA! She even has the accompanying facial expressions to fake her out.

Hye-mi declares that she’ll win this competition and her way out of the university prep class, and Baek-hee just says we’ll wait and see. But as Hye-mi turns to walk away, she can’t help but get this last dig in: that she’s here to sign up Shi-hyuk (Jin-gook), and Hye-mi pauses at the mention of his name.

Pil-sook looks intently at the poster for the dance competition at school, and tries out a few dance poses, thinking that she’s alone. But Chipmunk walks up right behind her, and starts mimicking her moves. Oh my god, I love the idea that he might become HER secret admirer now. So. Good.

She gets into the dancing and twirls around, only to come face to face with Jason, and fall back in shock. He lurches forward to grab her and keep her from falling, leading to much awkwardness and avoidance of eye contact. It’s adorable.

He asks if she’s entering the competition, and he says he is too, since that’s what Principal Shi required of everyone in K, in order to make up for all their absences. She asks if he came here to say something to her, and he says no…but does she maybe have something to say to him? Eee! Are you fishing for her to re-ask you if you like her?

And by the way, I’m totally in the he-liked-her-before-she-was-skinny camp. Because he looked for her before he knew she looked like this. And because he has to, in order for me to keep rooting for them. Drama, please don’t change my mind about this. Don’t do it.

She says no, and then when Ria walks up, she excuses herself shyly and walks away. Jason can’t hide his disappointment at what she didn’t ask him. Ria wonders who that is, and he tells her it’s Pil-sook, the girl she said would never debut unless she lost 30kg. Ria just scoffs that looks aren’t enough for someone to debut, and Chipmunk counters, “Well, you can’t sing, but you debuted.” LOL.

On her way home with Sam-dong, Hye-mi gets a call that Jin-gook has returned home, and gets a request to bring home cake. Sam-dong volunteers to run and get one, and even write “Welcome home” on it, and sends Hye-mi home ahead of him.

At home, Jin-gook presents the family with gifts, and gets a squeal from Noona over a handbag, and a kiss on the cheek from Hye-mi’s little sister (which hilariously prompts a yelling session from a very jealous Noona). He waits for Hye-mi with a gift in his hand.

But when Hye-mi arrives in front of the house, she’s greeted by a group of fangirls (with posters that say: “Jin-gook Over Flowers.” Ha. They refuse to let her pass because they assume she’s just a crazy fangirl, and she’s quick to tell them that they’re the crazy ones, and besides, she’s not even his fan. They gang up on her and start with the hair pulling, until Sam-dong breaks it up to save her.

Jin-gook rushes out to ask if she’s okay, but Sam-dong blocks him from getting any closer to Hye-mi, and tells him it’s best if he leaves. Jin-gook watches sadly as Sam-dong takes her inside, and sees the welcome home cake splattered on the ground.

Hye-mi goes inside and sees the present from Jin-gook on her desk, and puts it away sadly.

Later Jin-gook returns to their old studio, and finds Sam-dong there, practicing till late. He asks if Hye-mi’s around, and thanks Sam-dong for saving her the other night. Sam-dong gets up in Jin-gook’s face, and says with dramatic tension, “I don’t think that’s something you should be thanking me for.” (As in: you are not her keeper, so don’t pretend I saved your girl.)

Oooooh. I miss the days when you were wearing each other’s underwear (I was really hoping there was a gift box for Sam-dong with a pair of boxer briefs.) but I do enjoy that there’s a new rivalry in town.

Sam-dong reminds him that he asked if he liked Hye-mi and he said he didn’t. Sam-dong: “If I ask you again now, will your answer be the same?” Jin-gook: “No.” Aw, yeah.

Sam-dong gives it to him straight: He likes Hye-mi, and he’s never going to give her up. Gah, I freaking love your bleeding heart high school boy adoration. It’s totally unrealistic, but that’s what high school love is like.

It’s time for Dance of the Year, as the contestants gather for team-picking and such. Presiding over the events is the judge, a cameo by Koo Jun-yup (DJ Koo of Clon). The team captains are picked at random, but of course Hye-mi and Baek-hee get chosen.

Hye-mi has first pick at her team, and both Sam-dong and Jin-gook stare nervously as she looks between them…and then picks Jason. Hahaha. Hey, first pick means you get first shot at the best dancer, and I love that Hye-mi’s like, screw boys, imma win.

Baek-hee picks Jin-gook, and Hye-mi chooses the rest of the Misfits to round out her foursome. Next comes the performance order and theme, which is strangely enough, an animal. Hye-mi’s team gets Bird, while Baek-hee’s team gets Snake. Even the kids note that it’s an interesting coincidence, as birds and snakes have very obvious connotations in folklore as signs of good and evil, respectively.

Easy-going Jason is happy to join the team, and even gets a welcome high-five from Sam-dong. Yay, I much prefer Chipmunk as a Misfit. Jin-gook looks on wistfully, but gets a stare-down from Sam-dong and Baek-hee wonders if she did the wrong thing, picking Jin-gook when he wanted to be on Hye-mi’s team. He says she did the right thing, and that they have to win.

The Misfits head to the studio to practice, and as they explain their studio space to Jason, he says that he knows—he’s been there before. Pil-sook turns around to ask when, and he sheepishly confesses to following her that day they went to the noraebang, because he was “bored.” Bored, my ass.

Sam-dong teases them for appearing to have a deeper history than they let on, but both PIl-sook and Jason deny it. They reach the studio, but find that the entrance has been blocked. They call Oh-hyuk with the news that the landlord sold the place. (I thought it was abandoned…so who was paying rent on it this whole time?)

Oh-hyuk is in the middle of making a payment to debt collector Man Doo-shik, who hears the news and offers up his nightclub (before hours) for the kids to practice in. He even offers it at no charge, prompting Oh-hyuk’s fluttering eyelashes of gratitude. Doo-shik jumps back, yelling at him not to make that face anymore. Why, are you afraid of being the Terius to his Candy again? Keh.

They get to practice, as Jin-man plays videos of birds for them to watch. Jason doubts Jin-man’s skills as a dancer and choreographer, prompting an almost-dance-off (which would have been awesome) but sadly, Jin-man backs down. Heh.

At practice, he tells them to think of the birds and move like them. Jason pecks like a chicken, Pil-sook flutters, Sam-dong clucks, and Hye-mi….isn’t even a bird, as she does a classical Korean folk dance. Ha. Jin-man bursts their bird-bubbles, and shows them how to flap their wings, as he choreographs their number, featuring a solo for Chipmunk. Can a chipmunk play a bird?

In the coming days, Sam-dong learns Jason’s moves, and Hye-mi catches him in the studio, practicing Jason’s solo. He asks if it’s so crazy that he could maybe learn it better than Jason and scoop the solo out from under him…and Hye-mi answers truthfully that it IS that crazy. Sam-dong knows it but he doesn’t care. He gets close to her, and says that he’s not going to give up…on anything. Rawr?

But of course, things are never that easy for the Misfits, as they run into another snag. The cops find issue with their presence in a nightclub, and they get hauled off to the police station for questioning. Doo-shik gets punished, while the kids get to leave with their teacher…and in walks Principal Shi. Uh-oh.

Principal Shi brings Oh-hyuk in to ask not about the practice space, but about the man he saw at the police station, remembering him as the talent agent who borrowed the school’s auditorium the day of the showcase. We don’t see how Oh-hyuk talks himself out of it, but he tells the kids that they’re okay to compete. They wonder where they’ll practice now…

They stand awkwardly in the middle of a jjimjilbang (24-hour sauna) as Jin-man wonders if this is really what it’s come down to. Oh-hyuk tells them that it’ll be fine, and they practice, with Sam-dong filling in for Jason’s solo.

Cue dance montage, as both teams practice. Aw, yeah!

We go straight into the competition, as Team Snake does indeed writhe around like a snake, dressed in all black, in case we forget who the bad guys are. Team Bird is dressed in all white, of course, and I’m lamenting the fact that we didn’t get to see Sam-dong during his makeup session where he got sprayed with all that manly glitter.

Backstage, Jin-man tells Jason that they changed a part of the routine, and tries to teach him the steps. Oh-hyuk steps in to say that since Sam-dong’s been to ALL the rehearsals, he should do the solo. Chipmunk and his giant ego argue that he doesn’t even need to learn new steps; he can just freestyle it.

Oh-hyuk asks Sam-dong if he can do it, and he hesitates, so Oh-hyuk tells him that the longer he thinks, the less courage he’ll have. He says he’s up to the challenge. Jin-man and Jason protest, but Hye-mi backs Sam-dong. Put to a democratic vote, Pil-sook is the final word. Chipmunk smiles, thinking he’s got it in the bag…as Pil-sook votes for Sam-dong. Burrrrrn.

In the audience, Jin-man complains to the other teachers about Oh-hyuk’s crazy stunt, and Kyung-jin marvels at Oh-hyuk’s dogged principles. She can see that he’s trying to teach Jason a lesson—that talent does not win over hard work.

Team Bird does their routine to a hip-hop version of Swan Lake, which is weird, but pretty to look at. Essentially, they aren’t better dancers than Team Snake, and Sam-dong does a good job, but in truth his dance skills aren’t the show-stopping kind.

Backstage, Chipmunk tells Pil-sook that if he’d done the solo, they would have gotten first place instead of third. Pil-sook thinks it’s fine if they managed to get out of the university prep class, but then can’t take his complacency anymore.

She tells him that he should have been angry that his solo was taken, but here he is, not a care in the world, and that he never should have abandoned his own showcase for hers. Pil-sook: “You have no desire, no dream, no goal.”

Jason gets defensive that she’s trying to lecture him, and Pil-sook adds the kicker: “It’s because I genuinely feel bad for you.” Ouch.

She apologizes for making him feel bad and starts to walk away. Jason: “I wasn’t going to say anything because I’m embarrassed and it hurts my ego, but…why aren’t you keeping your promise?” Eeee!

Pil-sook: Promise? Oh…the 200-day proposal. You know, it was really hard for me to lose weight. I couldn’t eat or drink what I wanted. I nearly died and came back to life. And then when I thought about it…about doing all that because of you…it felt like a waste. I wonder if I did all that for someone who has no dreams, no goals. So, I gave it up.

God, I love that she’s not just thoughtlessly in love with him anymore, and that maybe he’s why she started her diet, but not the entirety of HER dreams and goals. Yay for Pil-sook.

Chipmunk’s ego is bruised beyond…well, probably worse than he’s ever been bruised, considering he’s the golden boy who just coasts through life. So he lashes out at Pil-sook, who says that she’s saying all this because she’s his fan. He says she’s not a caring fan, but a fan who’s overstepping her bounds. He leaves her, clutching her last yogurt cap, the 200-day marker that she’s still holding onto.

Hye-mi smiles at her third-place trophy, and Baek-hee smugly puts her first-place one right next to it to gloat. But to her utter surprise, Hye-mi congratulates her on winning with genuine praise. Baek-hee literally does a double take, wondering what bizarro world she walked into, and explains that SHE won…while Hye-mi lost…

Hye-mi says she knows, but her goal today was to get out of the university prep class, which she did. She adds that someone once told her that not being able to congratulate a friend on her success is living in a hell of your own making. She says sincerely that she doesn’t want to live in that hell, and tells Baek-hee that she did a really good job. Baek-hee reels, somehow angrier that Hye-mi seems to be above the petty rivalry.

Outside, Sam-dong beams at Hye-mi, having overheard her quote his words to Baek-hee. He adds that he told her so, about not giving up, and getting to do the solo. She admits that he was right, and in his glee, he gives her a kiss on the cheek, and then runs for his life. Ha.

Jin-gook witnesses the kiss, and his face falls. Dude, you’re the one who went away and didn’t call. Don’t be mad at underwear boy for taking his chance. Gah, the sad puppy dog faces on either side of this triangle just kill me.

Kyung-jin finds Baek-hee stewing alone, wondering why she isn’t celebrating her victory with the others. Baek-hee: “I feel like I’ve been using all my strength to play tug-o’-war, only to find that my opponent has dropped the rope and left me.”

Both Baek-hee and Jin-gook spend their victory party brooding over Hye-mi, for very different reasons.

The next morning, the story finally breaks that Jin-gook is the illegitimate son of Chairman Hyun. What the…what was the press doing for the past 200 days? Anyway, everyone, including Hye-mi finds out.

Jin-gook braces himself, as Daddy calls and tells him how they’re going to handle it. The next thing you know, they’re giving a tv interview, and Dad is claiming that the stories are false: he adopted Shi-hyuk when he was ten. Oh, that’s just mean. The worst part is, Jin-gook totally lets himself get bamboozled by Daddy, because that’s how much he wants to be loved.

He says that even if the rumors were true, he would have continued to love and respect his father. Aw. It kills me that you love your fakey fakerson father so much. Out in the hall, he asks if this means he really doesn’t have a father anymore, and walks away. In the car, Dad finds a gift left behind by Jin-gook. That’s right; you’d better feel guilty.

Later Jin-gook comes to find Hye-mi to lean on. He tries to be cute with her, but she’s not having any of that, so he chooses a backhug instead. Melt. He even cries on her shoulder, literally, for good measure. She starts to thaw a little when she realizes that he’s crying, but he says he’s fine and walks off.

By the time she turns around to catch up to him, she finds him with Baek-hee, who’s come to check if he’s okay.

At school the kids lament that they can’t afford to go on the class trip to Japan, where group K will also be shooting their music video, at the same time of course. Japan? I was lucky if I got to go to a few local museums when I was in high school. Yeesh.

Oh-hyuk really wants to send them, but they refuse to let him spend more money on them. He goes to see Doo-shik anyway, who has a better idea than giving him another loan: if the kids will sing at his friend-of-friend’s wedding in Japan, he’ll pay for the expenses. Hm. Something tells me this isn’t going to be an ordinary wedding.

Pil-sook volunteers to find the song, and in the library, she sees Jason listening to a song, and then sneaks a listen once he leaves. It’s Panic’s “기다리다,” or “While Waiting,” posted up above. Another Boys Over Flowers reference?

The song plays as Chipmunk goes to his locker, at first ignoring his daily lollipop taped to the door. But in the end he can’t leave it there, and takes it with him. Aw.

Sam-dong and Hye-mi get ready for the big trip, and hurry Oh-hyuk along. He watches them with a thoughtful smile on his face, as we flashback to his meeting with Principal Shi. We find out that the principal couldn’t mess with Oh-hyuk because of his ironclad contract with President Jung, but threatened to expel the kids instead.

Oh-hyuk made a deal to keep them in school—he’d resign, as long as they got to stay. Principal Shi agreed to terms, and set the class trip as his final deadline.

Back in the present, Hye-mi and Sam-dong egg him on, and he smiles at them wistfully, putting on a brave face. Aw, teacher, don’t go!

 
COMMENTS

This drama continues to be insanely awesome, and I was ready to say that even before the dancetastic preview intercut with Jin-man’s “Too Legit 2 Quit.” I mean, what is there to even say about that, other than it makes me smile like an idiot?

The love triangles in this drama are so well-matched, that every five seconds I’m rooting for someone new, and basically I just end up in circles, except I’m happy about it the entire time. It’s more like a tilt-a-whirl than a triangle, and I’m throwing my hands up and going “wheeee!”

I was worried that I would end up hating the Pil-sook/Jason couple after she went on her boy-motivated diet, but now I find them much more interesting, because the 200 days created enough distance and misunderstanding for the tables to turn. Now Chipmunk’s the one who’s confused and orbiting her, so it makes them more evenly matched. And not because she’s pretty now, but because she’s discovered things about herself and her dream in the process.

I also like that they’re doing something with Jason’s character, and jolting him out of his golden-boy complacency. The idea that he’s resting on his laurels while everyone else fights tooth and nail is an interesting dynamic to bring up, and I hope Pil-sook’s words challenge him to find a dream.

But the best part of the reversal is Baek-hee’s feeling of being left behind by her rival. She’s someone who’s motivated by competition, and now that Hye-mi doesn’t want to play that game, she’s actually feeling adrift. It redefines the frenemy relationship, and makes their connection so interestingly layered—it’s love and hate, fuel and poison. I think theirs is the relationship to look out for.

Besides, how’s a girl to choose between these two?

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tnx for your recap.. again, your recap is absolutely awsome!

cant wait to watch it.. two tumbs up for your work..

(sorry for my bad grammar here)

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Now I'm just confused. If Jingook is gonna be the main lead, like what most of you are suggesting, then why did all the articles and conferences before DH started imply that Kim Soo Hyun was gonna play the role of the main character?

And I still CAN'T see anything that lovable about jingook. Sorry if I seem to be ranting, but I just see so many comments about how Jingook's perfect for Hyemi, and I'm like... WH-AT?? He's not cute, he's not chivalrous (except for at the beginning), he's not such a nice or morally upright person, and he doesn't seem to be madly in love the way most main leads become in the middle of a drama. Hate me if you want, but I totally wish the Show had recreated another version of Jingook, which has a more well-rounded appeal.

I guess it doesn't help that I find Taecyeon's acting lousy as well.

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Exactly how I feel, JG doesn't aww me and Taec to me , his acting is a little dull ,sometime I feel bored with JG because he didn't act that well.

SD in this ep? I was like Oh..oh...damnnnnnn...he slipped in and out between country boy and hawtttt sexy boy made me drool for more.... passionate SD.

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I feel you! I mean, I totally understand why some people ship JG and HM... but Taec's acting just is not able to convince me and is actually stopping me to like JG. Whenever he comes on screen, I sigh...

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I beg to differ here, I think Taec is actually acting rather well here. Versus oh I dunno...Suzy :P Kim Soo Hyun of course is doing the best job out of the three of them, but Taec does have the most emotionally complex role.

And whoever said moral uprightness was a factor in being the male lead or most suitable for the girl? That would eliminate 99.999% of all the obnoxious chaebol leads. He's obviously infatuated with Hye-mi already to a realistic degree. If you think he needs to give up all his inherited material possessions or die in a car accident so she can have his eyeballs to prove he is utterly besotted with her...well you're watching the wrong show here.

Not trying to jump on anyone here but because all the actors are so young and have questionable abilities (Baek-hee has about three expressions, max) I do think Taec is doing a good job so far and working the script as much as he can.

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really? I beg to differ. I really think suzy has doing a good job as a rookie actress. I can see her character has change. And eventhough she lack facial expression, i've never think she is acting fake. He cries alot and it feels sincere.
Unlike taecyoun, sometimes his facial expression looks fake. Especially when he tries to be funny. But it just me.

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I agree. Suzy WAS kinda bland at first, but now her acting is actually quite enjoyable, and I feel that she has managed to portray the different areas of her character quite well. Taecyeon, on the other hand, only has one expression for when he's not smiling, and right now, I feel that his character is more emo than 'emotionally complex'. Sorry to sound cold-hearted, but I can't feel the supposed 'pain' he's going through with his dad, cos Taecyeon just makes it seem like he's fine with everything his dad does. Even when he back hugs hyemi, I don't feel any romance or sizzle in the air cos of his emo expression.

And I wasn't really emphasizing on the moral uprightness part. What I'm trying to say is that I don't find any part of jingook appealing. Yes yes, I know not all love stories are like Stairway to Heaven, but still, all main leads in Korean dramas have something REALLY likeable about them. Some are arrogant but cute/childish (Secret Garden, My Girl), some appear mean but are madly in love (Goong, Mischievous Kiss) etc etc. I just think that by the 9th episode, Jingook should already be showing some qualities which can charm the audience and show them that he deserves the girl, rather than depend on the whole we-were-fated-to-be-together theory. That's why even if he ends up with hyemi, I won't acknowledge him as the main lead, ever (unless he changes in the next 7 episodes).

There doesn't seem to be ANY chemistry between taecyeon and suzy, and it's killing me that there seems to be so much between suzy and kim soo hyun instead. Please, Show, don't be predictable and go down the whole childhood sweethearts road.

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Well, I think Suzy's doing a pretty okay job with her role. There are times when I truly believe she is Hye Mi. But whenever I see Jin Guk I see Taecyeon trying to act. But that's just me.

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LOL looks like i'm in the minority here :)

Just to clarify, I guess one major factor why I think Taec is doing a good job here is because I was a HUGE fan of Cinderella's Sister (before it got too much for me to take) and Taec was definitely the weakest link there, apart from Seo Woo. Everytime he showed up, I either wanted to reach through the screen and wipe the perma-grin off his face or scream "Run Eun-jo run far far away into Ki-Hoon's arms!!".

Yep he brought out that sort of reaction in me before this. So when I saw Taec featuring prominently in DH's cast I actually had to suppress a groan. But surprise, surprise, I think he's rocking it here. You know what they say - a convert is the fiercest advocate...so GO GOOKIE!!

Suzy - I don't dislike her, I'm a HM fan but I think her acting could be much better. Still I'm feeling her alot more than Baek-hee who just leaves me cold.

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i'd pick samdong any day

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Thanks for the recaps. They are really adding a lot to my enjoyment of the show.

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i think hyemi will end up with.... samdong.
i base my assumption on many things, one of which is their respective theme songs.

samdong-hyemi: wg sun's 'maybe'. this song is about eventually realising that you like that certain someone. all positives.

jingguk-hyemi: jyp's 'if'. now this is a depressing song about missing someone you care about. there's a sense of uncertainty.

.... or maybe i'm just over-analysing things. lol.

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haha! i love your theory.

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Oh, is 'If' jingook and hyemi's theme song? I didn't know that!

And I love this theory as well. It just doesn't seem like any of them are actively pursuing each other, so how can a relationship form from that?

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I was always on SD-HM camp but i think i changed my mind after watching this episode : JG-HM way to go!!

I also believe that SD will become "K"..He's so talented!

As for the milky couple, i really like how tables turned around & how Pilsuk changed her attitude towards Jason even though she still (obviously) loves him..

I hope she said what she said to him in order to motivate him the same he did with her..
This couple is so cute to separated =(

Aaah, i also want techer Kang to end up with teacher Shi, his sister with the loan-shark/Good guy to-be =)

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Sammi couple all the way!!
I'm hoping that after witnessing the kiss between Jin Gook and Hye Mi Sam dong's attitude towards hye mi will change for the better. Hye mi can start chasing after Samdong. Call me cheesy but i think the lyrics to Maybe describe hye mi's feeling towards sam dong (hope there will be a Suzy's version). She will have to figure it out for herself and come to realise that it was Sam dong all along.
If Sam dong does not get the girl i'll be pretty upset.
I think and hope that Sam dong will be K. gifted musician with a disability which he must overcome. cliche but he is the most likely candidate imo.

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Thank you so much, girlfriday!

LOL...I love JYP, I look forward to seeing him on screen. I love his bromance with Ok-hyuk.

I love Pil-sook tells Jason that while his rejection might have been the catalyst for her transformation, it became about changing for herself and no longer about him. You go girl! I really hope he liked her before too! Go Milk couple!

I'm jealous - in grade school, I never went to a foreign country as part of a class trip! We went to different cities in my home-state.

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I love the song of the day! This drama is unbelievably beyond cool. Love, love, love!

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guys do u know how wil end up with hyemi ??
i hope it is sam dong he is soOo cute not to mention he's a real prince ^_^ FIGHTINING hyemi + sam dong

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Oh mY God! The shipping war is ON!! And it's CRAZY!!

I for one choose to pull a Switzerland here, given that my SamMi preference is minority :/

Anyway,super cool drama so far, might surpass SKK in my book,if they keep up with the awesomeness!:D

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I don't know if JG is the lead, but honestly aren't all Kdrama pairings like this? Or at least most? JG was the first one she met and they didn't like each other. Typical Kdrama pairing indicator #1. Misunderstandings, near misses in seeing each other. Typical Kdrama pairing indicator #2. SD declares war and says straight up he has interest in HM. Typical Kdrama pairing indicator #3. There might be a kiss in episode #10. Right on schedule. The guy usually steps up and declares his feelings in episode 10 or 12 depending on how many episodes there are. So many are like this. Destined to Love, Wonderful Life, Stars Falling from the Sky, etc. I'm gonna guess the climactic angst is when SD loses his hearing. HM goes to his side. JG backs down. SD sees that HM is holding onto him out of guilt and finally backs out because she sees how she feels about JG. I don't think he'll come away empty-handed. I think he'll end up as K...although I'm not sure what will happen with the current K group.

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We know what happens on rollercoasters before we line up for them, but we still enjoy the ride!!

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Very true... but I tend to root for the alternative pairing until the very end, just to end up being dissapointed that the writers go with that same storyline EVERYTIME... makes me love unconventional (at least for Kdramas) pairings even more!!!

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the second lead has to be Park Shi Ho for me to calmly root for the alternative pairing :P

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SD grabs the 2018 Grammy Award singing 'Maybe' then HM walks in singing the same song just like in his imagination in high school. We go OMG OMG garhhhhh ...credits roll ^^

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oh, how I wish!

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Lol everyone's so into the love triangles thing! haha. i see shippers justifying their OTPs here and there in the thread.

I'm more fixated on the fact that the hopelessly kind and passionate Teacher Oh Hyuk (cum unofficial semi-narrator) has been forced to resign. Darn you narrow minded school director. What will happen to the misfits after he resigns? Who will fend for them? Hell.... I think the director will still try to cockblock them even though they have earned enough points to go back to the main arts class.

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i really hope that something will happen in the japan trip that makes the president change his mind. i dont want oh hyuk to resign :((

yes, they still have yang jin man, and that kyung teacher that's slowly becoming good, but it's not the same :(

the director just doesn't like BYJ's character i think, so he wants to destroy whatever he was trying to keep -.- gah. id really love it if the misfits get asked a chance to debut while singing in that wedding reception or sthn.

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Great recap. I found myself agreeing and thinking, "I know, right!?" after reading your comments are parts of the show.

With the way this show gives the characters so many sides to them I don't know who will be bad or good or who will end up with who. Except maybe for the WooYoung-IU (Milk) couple. That couple doesn't seem to have anyone interfering in it. There is Ria but she doesn't seem to have a big role.

Something that sort of bothers me is that idol groups talk about how they become a family or closer together but that doesn't seem to be the case here with K. The minor characters that fill out the group seem to be close (the cake frosting covered faces) but it just seems weird that Jin-Gook, Baek Hee, and Jason haven't grown closer.

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actually, for me it's believable because some groups actually have members who leave the group sometime after the debut for personal reasons (irreconcilable differences?). the break-up isn't as famous as let's say TVXQ or Kara since those groups have been on the scene for quite some time already as opposed to the "newer groups". If I remember correctly, After School had a member who backed out of the group less than a year after their debut citing "health problems" as the cause. =) Super Junior's Heechul was really distant with the members when they first started. He only became closer after their second album, I think (and that was years from when they all started training and debuting).

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I agree that it seems weird at first, but then again it makes sense given this group's dynamics:

First, JG doesn't really know anyone, since he's moving up from the misfit class. He knows Baek Hee, but her attention is unwanted since he like JG. Awkward~

Jason, we've established, doesn't really care much about anyone except those he considers fun...so it makes sense that he wouldn't care about his group mates, who are less talented--especially Ria, who he seems to actively dislike.

And though BH is popular and likable amongst her peers--let's not forget her defining trait: ambition. Her focus is going to be on outshining the others, which isn't exactly ripe ground for bonding. Not to mention Ria's also a diva, so there's got to be some intergroup competition. The rest of the time, she'll be chasing after JG.

Add in the training, performances, school, etc....makes sense that they're not closer.

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I meant to say for JG: he likes HM, and he's angsting over her and his dad issues.

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hmm I would totally go for a Baek-hee vs. Ria catfight.

Ria in her RxJ commercial totally cracked me up, heh.

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drream high gets better and better every week... this is why i love kdrama's so much because even if it gets complicated, the more people wanted to watch it.. unlike others it gets worst than complicated until you can't swallow what's happening..

hye-mi, who will you pick sam dong or jin guk? either of the two will do..:) i love the chemistry between wooyoung and iu, they are really cute together:)

japan invasion next week.. can't wait:)

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OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE RECAP!! I am so totally addicted to this show. LOL

At first I was so worried about what was going to happen when Pilsook has made her transformation and after seeing this episode, I'm glad. I am looking forward to what's going to happen to them next. Jason better step up his game!! LOL

Now onto the main love triangle...I'm a hardcore SamMi shipper since the episode when he pulled her up on stage to sing with him in that silly ricebag costume. XD Maybe it's just me, but I DO want to see Jinguk kiss Hyemi because some of you guys are right. Samdong has Hyemi up this pedestal and though I don't want to see Samdong hurt (T_____T) I feel like this will give him a chance to mature more when it comes to his feelings for her and give her a chance to explore her feelings for him without him constantly showering her with his adoration. I have a feeling that the tables will turn in episode 10. =) Stay strong, fellow SamMi shippers!!

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tnx for ypur recaps
but why arent you cantinue paradise runch recaping?

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I'm rooting for Sam Dong! I hope he's K!

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my poor sam-dong. every kdrama cliche since the beginning of time is telling me you won't win the girl. The nice, sweet, always stick b your side second male lead never get the girl :( I will keep you warm if she don't.

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Some people seem to be embarrassed they remembered, danced, and owned Hammer pants. But I think it's totally freaking awesome that JYP revived the song, danced it, and did it in that ridiculous (-ly awesome!) pants in the year 2011!!!! Hahaha, it makes me smile from ear to ear and bob my head and go, "Yeaaa~!"

So, I've just dated myself....but I'm still not too old to be drooling over Taecyeon! Ha! His kiss scene preview...from all of those 2 seconds of it I could tell it was slow and HOT.

Now that I know Taecyeon gets his kiss scene (I'm sure he was praying to the drama writer heavens), I'm hoping for one - maybe a cute one - for the Milk couple. They are just SO cute and coming-of-age high school types!!>_< Sigh...how come MY high school days weren't flowery and dreamy??

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I LOLed at SD's fake innocent voice and face when he pulled the plug on the monitor and said, "I think it's broken."

Perfect comedic timing!

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Thanks for the recap, Javabeans!!
I <3 Pil-Sook and Jason~ they are the only reason I'm watching this drama ^^
I saw this adorable MV of PS and Jason on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG_HP-qFJT4

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SAMDONG's kiss was the sweetest thing ever!!!!!! :)
I love ur recaps, Girlfriday :) ur random fangirling and comments are hilarious! <3

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WHY IS THIS SHOW SO ADDICTING. D:

Thank you for the recap!

I'm more currently sided with JG-HM, but SD is absolutely adorable. SD better not die. The writers wouldn't do that would they? I think they guy that doesn't get HM will be K. I was a much bigger shipper of JG-HM prior to episode 7. Milky Couple is love as always. :(

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Why did that turn into a frown emoticon? Should be this: :)

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Oh dramabeans.
I don't need to wait for subs when I have you. <3

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"Besides, how’s a girl to choose between these two?"

Haha, SERIOUSLY. I thought we needed polygamy in Sungkyunkwan Scandal, but here it's even worse! Sam-dong is adorable, but minus the badass assurance of Crazy Horse, and plus potential impairment in the future. And then there is Jin-gook's poor, wounded, Daddy-less soul. Be still, my heart.

Also, go Hye-mi for being awesome. She gets better every episode.

Also also, I completely agree on the Pil-sook/Jason dynamic. They had great potential before, and it looks like they're also going to get a fleshed-out story to match the others. Pil-sook gets major cool points for finding her own confidence, and there's nothing better than seeing cute, over-confident, Chipmunk-y guys get shaken up a bit.

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I HATE THE STUPID PRINCIPAL! Sheesh Remeber anyone, in ep 2? When he came in suddenly with glasses and a scard around his neck, trying to be like Bae Young Joon? He was totally copying BYJ's style. I laughed so hard at that but now, no more chuckle-o-you-loser! I'm gonna give him my evil eye everytime he's on screen!

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When I saw him in Secret Garden, I could have totally sworn the dude got double eyelid plastic surgery. First male actor I've noticed who's done that!

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I love this show. Thanks for the recap!

Can someone explain the Terius and Candy thing because I don't get it.

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I will laugh if they sing Good Day at the wedding. Wasn't Pil-Sook carrying the score for one of her songs on Real IU? I thought I saw the album cover ^^

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BWAHAHA
Yang Jin-Man the Dance God LOL
Actually he is doing the dance that Signature did for their audition at Britains Got Talent :D And to the same music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-QSY7X-3wE&feature=fvsr

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yup. many sponsors are phone companies..which is why in dramas many of the phones are the same. im guessing that the phone they did for the cf with nichkhun is also a sponsor. and yes u arent allowed to advertise in a drama or variety if they arent the ones sponsering u..but since they are sponsering them..they want to advertise as well. hope that helped!! :]

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I'm a firm believer that Chipmunk like Pil-Sook before she got skinny, he just didn't know it yet. And I'm okay with that... it's not uncommon for a Kdrama man to take 8-10 episodes to realize how he feels about a girl. There's solid evidence to say that he liked her: Not only did he run to search for her first once he got back to school, but there was also the "Why do you keep making me worry about you" statement from the last episode. "If I'm not mistaken, isn't that Korean for "Why do you keep making me like you?" At least that's how I always hear it.

I definitely like Pil-sook's change inself image that matches her change in image. It's a nice way to treat the issue. But, come on Pil-sook. We know you don't NEED him anymore but he's right in front of you and he's ADORABLE. We wont lose any of our new-found respect for you if you grab on to him. Just sayin... we get it.

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Cute drama. Good thing Team Swan Lake can sing or act, because other than Wooyoung, they sure can't dance. Goodness, that was so bad it was funny.

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The use of slow motion that proves how bad the actual dance must have looked...

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Okay. First...

I love the way Samdong acted innocent when he pulled the plug out of the Tv

Second.. I love how he always makes Hye mi smile and happy. ( Which is exactly what she needs )

Third.. I love how he kissed hye mi on the CHEEK, ( It's cheeky and sweet, but not over the top )

I see sparks whenever they'r together, all i can think about is Samdong singing maybe with Hye mi. I love the song and the lyrics just captured the moment

I do think in the up-coming episodes, Samdong should man up abit like what he's trying to do now but more. Like; Make hye mi miss him and make her realize. If hye mi and JG kiss in the next episode, i want Samdong to learn something from that and acts different towards hye mi. Make her see that he is truly upset but he is going to let her think and choose because he loves her. I am dying to see more from these two. His smile, innocence, attractiveness and most importantly his personality grew on me.

If they don't end up together, i know for sure that i'll have a tear in my eye and be very upset :(

- Maybe i'm in love with you .. ;) SamMi please

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omg Samdong!!! is it me or did he just suddenly become hot in this episode. I've always thought he was adorable and huggable, but in this ep...gawd, he was making me think inappropriate...things *fans self*.

anyhow, i love the direction the drama is heading, esp the individual character developments. I am glad that there's actually conflict between Jason and Pilsook, and now it's Jason who will do the chasing:D

I still think JG &HM is the more compelling couple, but i want Samdong to get the girl. after seeing the level of determination and perseverance he has, i think he would actually have a chance of winning her heart. and i believe HM's feelings are beginning to sway too. oh and by the way, how adorable was that kiss???!!! *squeals*

thanks for the recap!

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I think pil sook is out of character. She was do meek before, but now, she's the one giving others lectures. If Jason liked her from before the transformation, he would've liked the meek pil sook, not this one right now.

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O.O i'd have some serious issues with Jason if he is like that... preferring a meek, "I'm all yours, master" Pilsook!!!!

Just be surprised about how well Pilsook is covering herself up with a tough front when giving Jason the rude awakening! there were times when she gave Jason "the talk" that she was obviously faltering a bit but she pulled through and did what she needed to do =x

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I think Pil Sook's character is not out of character if we consider by the fact, it has been 200 days along. Time can change people.

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Yep, I agree totally. And it's not like she's all bad ass now. Even she's giving him the lecture, she can't keep eye contact the whole time. She still has her mannerisms, (bowing even to Ria, who screwed her over) it's just that her cutesy gut-reaction things (like running around after karaoke) are toned down. Plus we've seen from the past that Pilsook may be shy, but underneath that she's very determined--her going to practice over karaoke with her crush, for example. And from her confession, we know she's not afraid to get out on a limb, especially for Jason.

So it all adds up.

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Saying the Jason-Pilsook storyline totally was powerful in this episode is still an understatement... Pilsook's statement to Jason shook me as she shook Jason. I mean... for how long can you turn a blind eye to and love a dreamless man who cruises through his days? You want a man who knows what his dreams are and takes realistic steps toward realizing it, and because of his understanding of the importance of dreams, you and he can support each others' pursuit for your dreams

(ok, it's late and i'm sleepy... hence all these "dreams" haha)

As for whether Jason liked Pilsook or not before she skinnied up... I'd say Yes!! I mean how is it NOT obvious the way he pouted when she left the karaoke room and smiled so adorably when he realized how hard it was for her to leave at the staircase... so what's with the whole "I like you but not as much as you like me" deal? This guy has a good heart, our Chipmunk, but in no way is he really mature (for which Pilsook shot him down this episode) so with all the attention he is used to getting how would he interpret these feelings he has for someone that's soooo low in the popularity chart... who he'd been nice to out of courtesy? basically you had a confused chipmunk who couldn't believe he'd actually like like someone like that... something that he'd NEVER imagine happen to him...

so now our yet-to-mature, confused chipmunk is in for a rude (but much needed) awakening~

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Loved this episode!

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OMG I'm a jin gook hyemi shipper but I'm pretty sure that hyemi will ends up with sam dong. It's so obvious...KSH is the lead actor after all, so yeah it's nearly impossible for jingook to win the girl. :( :( but if it's a TRUE STORY or a reality, then...it would be hyemi loves jingook and probably will think samdong annoying, because that's just how things go in life you know..:p and I hope jingook will made up his mind, oh oktaec I love you but you're seriously confusing hyemi. How could you backhug her and go with baekhee afterward?? :( but well I know it's hard for him to face this circumstances.

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it took me awhile, but i think i love this show now too:) i'm going back and watching all the episodes in more detail, and realize there were a lot of golden moments i'd missed!! haha

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you know WHAT? polygamy should be legal. >:O

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amen!~
but only for this drama. xD

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Then, Samdong would be able to go on borrowing Jingook's boxer briefs. Huzzah!

:)

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exactly!!! that'd make things so much easier.

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haha, did you see that pil-suk pulled out her own song booklet? I barely noticed, until someone told me.

& I can't wait for the next episode.eeep.

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Shushhhhhhhhh! Please don't mention President Jung aka BYJ or else he will come BACK.... NOoooooooooooooooo!

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YAY FOR THIS EP! I ABSOLUTELY DIG DANCE-OFFS. Since it's the original profession of the idols...hahahh :D

Great episode. I'm finally starting to love Hye-mi, but only when she's with Sam-dong. When I think about her situation, it's quite nice...she's living with and basically spending every part of her life with devoted boy Sam-dong. So lucky! I hope she can look around her instead of Jin-gook. Sam-dong's always with her...rehearsals...living...classmates...etc. Learn to appreciate!

I've been a Eunjung-Taecyeon (Okay...Baekhee-Jingook) fan since before the Dream High premiere. I'm actually starting to see their chemistry now though...by brooding over Hye-mi. Will Hye-mi be their start to their loveline? Oh, Drama, I really wish! It's nice how Jin-gook gets to brood along with Baekhee. I like the realistic style of relationship contrasting with Hye-mi's manhwa like thing with Sam-dong. Baekhee's crush on Jin-gook is pretty much really caring. Hopefully things turn round and Jingook can apprepriate what's around him as well :)

I love how Hye-mi and Baek-hee are on the verge of becoming frenemies again. Maybe more to the friend-side. For a drama with all like-able leads, all the leads have to be at least FRIENDS. Oh please.

The Milky couple's chemistry is finally getting to me. Everyone was like OMG THEY'RE SO CUTE...I thought yes, they were, but it wasn't really developing much until this point. I LOVE seeing Jason's change of expression finally during this episode. I mean, for the last 7 episodes he basically had a chipmunk stoned-face, and on occasions some smiles...but nothing we've never seen before. Last episode I saw how he was looking forward to see Pil-sook despite never expecting her change. Naw, that was cute.

THE Lovelines:
Hye-mi / Sam-dong --> unrealistic manga couple
Baek-hee / Jin-gook --> brooding couple
Jason / Pil-sook --> reversal of roles couple? haha weird naming. LOVEEEEEEEEEEE

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There is no loveline between Baek Hee/Jin Gook. How is brooding over someone else lead to a potential loveline?

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Totally agree at above. The thing is, Baek-hee changed cos of hye mi. She was nice before so even though i don't really like the way she has been acting lately, i hope she can bring the good side of her and get over the love/hate friendship with hye mi. Then lets see what can happen with jin gook :) But most of all my favourite couple is HYE MI / SAMDONG. I mean come on who wouldn't fall in love with a guy like him. He's too charming, he makes people happy and that's what's important. He looks out for her and cares so much if anything ever happens to her :') I LOVE YOU SAMDONG. Please make this a happy ending by them 2 being together in the end :'( I will drown in my own tears if that don't happen.

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Anyone wanna translate the song MAYBE sang by Samdong and hye mi please? I love that song to bits.

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http://www.wonderfulgeneration.net/2011/01/sunye-maybe-lyrics-englishromanization.html

It's the Sunye version, but the lyrics should be the same.

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Omg, the lyrics are so cool! I just realised that it might actually be describing suzy's attitude towards sam dong, like what others are saying :D I hope it is!

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Has Sam Dong (the actor) actually had proper training in dancing/ singing? the other male leadrs appear had professional training in both. However he is definitely the best in term of acting.

Where did wooyoung learn his english? It's different to some of the Korenglish we hear in other dramas.

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Nichkun coached Wooyung on his English.

"Sam Dong" spent a few months training at JYP for his singing and dancing.

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Yeah, Sam-dong trained with JYP's company for a few months before the drama began.

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does anyone know the name of the song the snake group danced to?

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it's Miss A Min's song. forgot the title, sorry.

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why everyone forget what HM did to BH , she was soo mean, well i doesnt help that im a T-ara fan. But what i like about DH is that we know why people are good or bad all the time the second lead is just a b*** 'cause yes without explanation, well im just gonna wait until is over to watch it all together. Finally thanks gf and jv for the recaps

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In all the promotional pictures HM & SAM are always together as are / BH & JG! which leads me to think and HOPE my pure & sweet SamDong will get his happy ending!!!;)

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