If you were already a K-drama fan in the early 2010s, then for sure you've come across the hit teen drama, Dream High. Premiering in 2011, the series revolved around a group of talented students at the fictional performance academy, Kirin Art School: a classically trained former rich girl, a small town musical genius, a bad boy with a hidden passion for dance, and more.
It's been nine years since the drama gave us a glimpse of how our fave idols train to become the superstars they are today. But apart from this, it's been amazing to see how far the Dream High actors themselves have gone in their careers—most of them are even the biggest Hallyu stars today! So, let's take a look at what the lead actors have been up to since Dream High went off air.
Suzy (Go Hye Mi)
At the time Suzy filmed Dream High, she was fresh off her debut in the JYP Entertainment girl group Miss A. She's since gone to do solo work in both her singing and acting careers and left JYP in 2019 to sign with Management Soop, an acting agency. She's now known as one of the rising actresses in Hallyu after starring in Uncontrollably Fond (2016) with Kim Woo Bin and Vagabond (2019) alongside Lee Seung Gi. She's currently filming her newest drama, Start Up, which co-stars Nam Joo Hyuk.
Kim Soo Hyun (Song Sam Dong)
Dream High was only a prelude to how successful Kim Soo Hyun would become in real life. After the series, Soo Hyun carefully selected the next dramas he'd star in—even if it meant only doing one every few years. This proved to be a power move for his career because his four succeeding dramas—Moon Embracing The Sun (2012), My Love From The Star (2013), The Producers (2015), and the ongoing drama It's Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)—are all top-rating and well-received. To add to this, Soo Hyun is also a four-time Baeksang awardee and reportedly the highest-paid Korean actor for 2020.
Ok Taecyeon (Jin Guk)
2011 wasn't only a huge year for Ok Taecyeon because of Dream High, but it also marked the year his group, 2PM, rose to international fame. In the same year, they made their Japanese debut and released their second studio album Hands Up. The succeeding years were successful for the group, but Taecyeon also explored a solo music career as well. As for his acting career, he continued starring in dramas until this year. His most recent drama, The Game: Towards Zero, recently wrapped up in March.
Ham Eun Jung (Yoon Baek Hee)
Post-Dream High, Ham Eun Jung continued her acting career and starred in the sageuk dramas, The King Of Legend (2011) and Insu, The Queen Mother (2012). In 2015, she was cast in the Thai rom-com film Micro Love as the lead star. But music has always been a part of her, that's why also released her mini-album in the same year, called I'm Good, under the stage name ELSIE. She's since been back acting in dramas with the most recent one being 2018's Lovely Horribly.
IU (Kim Pil Sook)
IU has only grown to be one of the top entertainers in Korea today. Post-Dream High, IU starred in several well-received dramas, The Producers (2015) alongside Kim Soo Hyun, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), and Hotel Del Luna (2019). She's also achieved success in her music career with her fourth studio album, Palette (2017), and her ninth EP, Love Poem. IU is currently filming her first feature film, Dream, co-starring Park Seo Joon.
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