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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Don't Dare to Dream" Episode 11

Hwa-sin wants to act on his feelings, but his conscience and his friendship with Jeong-won prevents him. His desire to be honest with his friends causes plenty of problems. Mix that together with the two moms vying for Ppalgang's attention, awkward love trios sprinkled throughout, and broadcast station politics and we have one exciting episode.

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It is less than ten minutes into this episode when Hwa-sin calls up Jeong-won to confess how he feels about Na-ri. Hwa-sin wants nothing to come between him, but more than anything, that angers Jeong-won, probably because he loves his friend and he loves his woman. Oh the internal struggle! The same thing is true for Hwa-sin who can't bring himself to go against his friend (yet) because of friendship and loyalty. All of the pent up anger results in verbal sparring and a pretty intense mud battle that is nothing short of awesome. More than the romance, I'm invested in this friendship. Na-ri hasn't truly convinced me that she fits with either man, but both men are undeniably friends.

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Cho Jung-seok is the king of layered acting. Every emotion is visible on his face, which is exactly what Hwa-sin needs. Jealousy, love, and friendship skitter across his features as he struggles to deal with the tempest within. Although Na-ri doesn't have the same emotional struggle, Kong Hyo-jin is adorably winning as the woman who just wants to do right by Hwa-sin.

Then there is Ppalgang's family who is now together and working through their many, many issues. These guys are just a riot because there are real issues floating about, and they are addressed in surprisingly touching manners, but then humor peeks through. I do believe that levity will continue to brings the two moms, Ppalgang, Hwa-sin, and the entire apartment building together. Then they will be blood and bond family.

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The tone of this drama is still very odd. I'm not quite sure what to make of Na-ri's behavior, like Hwa-sin. I find more substance in friendship and family than in romance in "Don't Dare to Dream", which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The focus on the humor and the fighting rather than the romance gives the drama an unusual tone. But I would like for a true romance to bloom soon rather than have all of this back and forth. Maybe we'll get some inklings in episode 12.

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.

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