To be honest, I was never very interested in Kdramas. My interest lay more in Kpop, and I was only a fan of SNSD and SHINee back then(my knowledge of Kpop was, sadly, limited). It was my mother who first introduced my to Dream High, what with her constant spazzing over the Milky Couple. Under constant pressure from her, I agreed to watch the show, and, within ten minutes, I was hooked. I loved how the show displayed all the pressure and competition of friendship, of school. Even though I didn't really like any of the main leads other than Soo Hyun (my bias was Wooyoung), but I didn't really really hate on them like some of the other main leads I'm seen from other Kdramas(Kim Hyun Joong from BOF, etc) Maybe it was just me, but I found Taecyeon and Suzy's roles overly dramatic and serious, without the really fun element that Wooyoung, IU and Soohyun had. Eunjung was really serious too, but I think that she acted it out really well, and it was really in her character to be that serious. The friendship between Suzy/Eunjung and Taecyeon/Soohyun was especially touching, with the support and help they gave each other despite the fact that they were rivals. As a student studying in Singapore, I understand how competitive school gets, to the point where there aren't really any true friends around you, so this story especially touched my heart in that sense. 

Having said all that, I didn't have any particular desire to watch Dream High 2. From my experience, all sequels just get worse and worse, with the one exception of Athena and Iris. I also felt that the director/writer/actors would be hard-pressed to match up to Dream High's amazing qualities. The original blended in a perfect mix of playful silliness and touching messages to the audience. Combined with the fact that the original cast would not be acting in it, I lost all interest in the show. I only noticed it because of the occasional message that would pop up on FB from Alkpop. The only reason I got started on DH2 was because I was really really bored, and really really had nothing else to do.

And I'm proud to say that, once again, I was hooked. This time, I was hooked by the first few minutes. I confess, I actually started off not at the beginning, but at the heartbreaking scene where Rian is comforted by JB after she is eliminated (remember the hug?) Rian was really beautiful, and her acting was really just the best I've seen from an idol actress. JB was a new face, but I thought he was really handsome, and I was surprised by the chemistry between the two actors. 

So, I decided to go back from the start, where, conveniently, they started with Rian! I managed to make it through the first eight episodes, all within the space of a night. And then I went back, and watched it all over again. 

Dream High 2 was, indeed, not as disappointing as I thought it would be. It was, in fact, a pleasure to watch. The characters were fantastic, the casting was great, the plot was hilarious. The only complaint I had was with the latest two episodes, where JB suddenly (and inexplicably) starts to like Haesung. 

Rian was my favourite right from the start, and still is. I loved her character, the way she appeared to be a mean , but was actually just an overly straightforward girl who didn't want to lose out. And honestly, who can blame her for that? Her character is the most realistic and the most touching, as she struggles to keep up with others more talented with her, and at the same time tries to handle her own horrendous relationship with JB. Jiyeon is just a fantastic actress, even better than Eunjung in my opinion. She managed to pull off the beautiful, bratty character who has a lot more depth than first seen perfectly. Her chemistry with JB is also just amazing. During their sweet scenes, I just have this stupid smile on my face throughout it all, while in their intense scenes, I'm just rooting for them to have some action. I desperately want to know what happened to them in the past, and I desperately want them to get together again. This is my favourite part of the story, especially since I actually find it hard to start shipping a particular couple. I can only list three couples that I really like in ALL of Kpop(Wootae, JB/Rian/, Nana/Siwoo) and it's the JB/Rian one I prefer. 

JB, as a new actor, is not as good as Jiyeon or Sora, but I suppose for a new guy he's passable. He's remarkably handsome (as of now, he's my second favourite guy in Kpop, right after Wooyoung), dances amazingly, can sing well and is a relatively good actor. He's especially in the scenes where he's acting cold, mean or arrogant, and he's really cute in the sweet scenes, be it with Jiyeon or Sora. It is only in passionate/moving scenes that his woodenness shows. However, since most of those scenes are with Jiyeon, they actually turn out pretty well, because Jiyeon pulls off those scenes well, and the chemistry between the two actors make him seem pretty good. 

Jinwoon is a surprisingly stable actor. His expressions/reactions are believable and I find him cute or amusing most of the time. The only downside is that I find his character REALLY boring. I don't like the way he suddenly shoots up as a superstar, which is odd as in DH, I rooted for the underdogs when they proved to be more talented. Although he's the main character, I view JB to be more of the main, and pay way more attention to JB. Still, the Jinwoon scenes are still pretty fun to watch. 

Sora...what do I say about her? I have never liked Sora. It's nothing personal. It's only because she was with Leeteuk in WGM, and I have never liked Leeteuk (I know my reasoning is weird, but still...) Her acting is pretty good though, and that is a redeeming quality...if not for the fact that I don't like Haesung's character either. This is a lose-lose situation. I find Haesung pathetic and unpitiable. When she claimed to be better than HershE, I thought that she would have some hidden talent, like singing, or dancing, or rapping...but then I heard her singing and it was monkeyballs awful. Her dancing? Let's just change the subject. And when she took the batteries out of the mic and made Rian get eliminated as well...I wanted to jump into the show and strangle Haesung. I also don't like her scenes with JB, since I'm a hardcore JB/Rian shipper. In short: I don't like her. I'm just hoping her character gets more likeable, cos at the moment she really turns me off.

As for the other minor characters, I really really like Seo Joon and Hyorin. The two of them are the epitome of friendship. They're easy going and friendly, and are very comfortable to watch. Their pairing, too, is really cute (LOL at the scene where Nana stole Siwoo's clothes) The rest of the cast is just...kinda unremarkable. Even JYP, which is sort of a letdown, since I really liked him in DH. 

JJ pairing is really fantastic, I don't know how many times I've said this, but I just have to say it again. The way they insert those scenes of how sweet they were last time makes me really want to know what happened, and the heartbreaking scenes where they argue and cry because of each other just makes me cry as well. It's obvious they still love each other even after everything (which reminds me...what really did happen to make them break up???), but for some reason, they refuse to acknowledge it. Rian's jealousy scenes are really tear-jerking, and even JB, who's usually quite wooden during these scenes, is able to look sufficiently sad. If they don't end up together, heads are going to roll. *glares*

Nana/Siwoo pairing is just adorable. The two of them add humour to the intense storyline, which I appreciate. They are like the Milky Couple of DH. And honestly they really need more screentime. As I watch the scenes with the JJ couple, I really just end up crying throughout the episode, and putting in more scenes of this couple would really make me feel much better. 

YooJin/Haesung. Sighs. Even though these two are the main characters, I find their pairing rather unremarkable. My friend termed it as 'the pairing between the dumb-dumb girl and the dumb-dumb guy'. Not exactly a fair representation, but still. Their pairing is really just crawling along, and they got interrupted even before they started (JB's sudden infatuation).  The only endearing thing about this couple is the way YooJin slowly starts to fall for her, as he realises that her idol-loving self is only one side of her, and that there is so much more to her than that. Haesung, on the other hand, seems awfully wooden and treats him only as a friend. YooJin tries so hard to help her, to make her feel more appreciated, and although his methods are not the best, but Haesung just rebuffs him and acts as if he never tried. And that makes me feel so sorry for YooJin that it really turns me off.

YooJin/Rian pairing: Freaking impossible, nuff said. YooJin, to his credit, is loyal and devoted to Haesung and unless the directors want to screw this whole show up, he'll remain that way. Rian, too, really really loves JB. Just look at the way she looks at him, the way she seems to mind him so much. I cannot believe that her feelings will change, not even in a million years.

Haesung/JB pairing. I can only sigh, even more deeply than ever. WTF???!!! Why are they together? I mean, yes, everyone loves it when the underdog girl gets the hot rich handsome guy. But this? I don't understand how JB suddenly fell for Haesung. WHY? Did the director cut out some important scene or something? Cos i really don't understand this part of the show. The only possible reason I can think of is that JB is still upset at Rian, and he's trying to make her jealous by being with Haesung. Okay, it doesn't seem very plausible (actually it's probably just wishful thinking, but still...) I just hope the director clears this up asap.

In short, I think I really really love the Dream High series. This show has made me a uber fan of Jiyeon, JB, heck, even T-ara. And guys? SUPPORT THE JJ COUPLE!!!