Stream Classics to Latest K-Movies & Shows at OnDemandKorea

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Don't Dare to Dream" Episode 7

Episode 7 of "Don't Dare to Dream" is about doing wrong and the consequences of doing so. Will our characters right their wrongs? Pout about the outcomes? Ignore the advice of those closest to them? Ignore their own feelings? In this episode, it's a little bit of everything.

Advertisement

Let's start with an unusual character, Ppalgang. She is an important character in that she is the center around which many people rotate. But she isn't very developed yet save for the fact that she's self-centered and wounded by her family and devastated by her father's death. She's acting out while her two mothers and Hwa-sin try to win her back. The girl acts like she has no one, but she actually has a huge family, blood and love. Her two mothers use the wrong methods to grab her, and it'll be fun watching them learn to love her without trying to buy her love in return. The entire family is a bit stunted emotionally, but it makes for great story and good comedy. Chi-yeol may be the only person who is dead honest with Ppalgang and I hope others follow suit.

12

Joon-yeong turns out to be a rascal as he's "engaged " to another women. I'm guessing their families set them up, but that's something he should be forthcoming about if he wants to date Na-ri. Transparency in a relationship is good and this isn't a good start no matter how charming, forward, and handsome he may be.

Now for Hwa-sin, the star and light of this show. His complex mixture of pride, love, and sincerity is so fantastic. He's in love with Na-ri, but his pride and foolishness literally have him contradicting himself every other sentence he utters. It's endlessly entertaining for us, and really forces him to think about what he really wants. In terms of confidence, he will have to have some before he can really accept his feelings for Na-ri and accept that taking care of his health is important no matter how "unmanly" his cancer may be. It also has him digging himself a deep hole from which he can't escape because to save face he says silly things like, "Date my best friend. I don't like this woman at all". Liar.

34

One poignant point made about his character this episode is that he's suffering from survivor's guilt. His brother, who he wronged, is deceased and he feels guilty about going to get treatment for his cancer. Cho Jung-seok creates such a multi-layered person on screen that you can see the conflict of pride, guilt, and pain. It was probably the best moment in the episode.


This show continues to be quirky, fun, and tackle social issues in a way that highlights them without belittling them.

Written by: Lisa Espinosa AKA Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"Don't Dare to Dream" is directed by Park Shin-woo, written by Seo Sook-hyang, and features Cho Jung-seok, Kong Hyo-jin, Go Kyung-pyo, Lee Mi-sook, and Park Ji-young.

❎ Try Ad-free