“Dream High, I’m dreaming. When times are tough, I close my eyes🎵”
This is a song that still makes you hum along the moment you hear the intro. That’s how iconic the drama *Dream High* was during its heyday, and now, since its broadcast in 2011, it has been reborn as a musical.
How will the masterpiece we all loved unfold on stage?
The Glorious Return of Nostalgic Youth Icons, Seven and Sunye
The artistry that once captivated previous stages has not faded. Even amidst intense choreography, the two steered the production steadily with unwavering pitch and solid acting. Their vocal prowess remained undiminished, making their hiatus seem irrelevant; in fact, it was deeply moving, as if we were hearing their voices from their prime once again.
This performance radiates an energy more akin to a K-pop concertthan a typical musical. Depending on the show, the stage is further enriched by the presence of nostalgic teen heartthrob Lee Ji-hoon, as well as Yookwon from Block B and Yeo-won from Pentagon. The choreography is far more passionate and exhilarating than in other musicals, and the moment when Sunyeperforms a surprise “Tell Me” dance routinein particular evokes deep memories and nostalgia.
The fact that there were a particularly large number of Japanese fans in the audience further underscored the global popularity of these stars.
Differences from the drama: Light filtering through the cracks
While the drama focused on the students’ perspectives, this musical delved deeper into the teachers’ viewpoints and the perspectives of Girin Arts High School alumniwho came to give special lectures.
The characters in the musical each suffer from the pain of being unable to fully realize their talents for their own reasons—whether they doubt their abilities, believe they aren’t special, or despair that the songs they’ve written remain unfinished. The musical depicts the journey of growth as these characters overcome all these limitations and return to the stage.
In particular, the heart-wrenching iconic lines leave a deep, lingering impression.
Thanks to this solid character development arc, the story unfolds seamlessly without any gaps. The message it conveys is profound; it warms a corner of your heart throughout the performance, and as you leave the theater, you find yourself cheering on that part of yourself that sometimes felt inadequate.
Overall Review
The mere fact that a long-forgotten youth drama is being brought back to life through grand musical numbers is a gift in itself. It brought back memories of a time when, due to the massive crowds, I could only listen to the music from outside the venue during a Seventeen concert, leaving me with a bittersweet sense of nostalgia.
I highly recommend this production to anyone who wants to enjoy both a heartwarming story and a refreshing, exhilarating stage performance.
*Dream High* is the perfect musical to visit with family, a partner, or friends to share memories and excitement.
How to preserve your memories: Girin Arts High School merchandise booth
If you want to hold onto the emotions of the performance for a long time, be sure to stop by the merchandise booth at the entrance to the auditorium.
Fans can also enjoy a variety of merchandise that perfectly captures the atmosphere of Girin Arts High School—the setting of the play—as well as photo cards of the actors who lit up the stage, offering fans yet another little delight.
Performance and Ticket Information
🗓️Performance Dates: August 8, 2026 – October 18, 2026
🏟️Venue: Gwanglim Art Center, BBCH Hall
🎟️Ticket Sales: Yes24 Ticket
💲Ticket Prices: VIP Seats 140,000 KRW / OP Seats 130,000 KRW / R Seats 110,000 KRW / S Seats 80,000 KRW / A Seats 50,000 KRW
