‘Dream To You’ Faces Viewership Challenges with New Series Low
ENA’s Monday-Tuesday drama ‘Dream To You’ is currently facing a challenging run, as its latest episode recorded an unfortunate new series low in viewership. Despite boasting a star-studded cast including Hwang In Youp, Hyeri, and Lee Sang Yeob, the romantic comedy seems to be struggling to consistently capture audiences, raising questions about whether the series can recover its stride.
According to Nielsen Korea on July 28, episode 5 of ‘Dream To You,’ which aired the previous day, posted a nationwide viewership rating of 2.1% among paid households. This figure marks a significant 0.6 percentage point drop from episode 4’s 2.7% and sets a new series low. The drama had a somewhat fluctuating start, premiering with 2.7%, then seeing a slight upward trend to 2.8% for episode 2 and 2.9% for episode 3. However, ratings dipped back to 2.7% in episode 4 before the latest decline to 2.1% in episode 5, marking a consistent hover in the 2% range that the latest fall has only exacerbated.
The Enchanting Premise of ‘Dream To You’
‘Dream To You’ draws viewers into the compelling story of Woo Soo Bin, a genius film director who returns home after successfully achieving his dream, and Joo Yi Jae, a struggling reporter who has long abandoned hers. This romantic comedy explores their reunion, navigating their rekindled connection alongside the richly intertwined stories of a colorful supporting cast, promising a blend of heartwarming romance and dramatic character journeys.
Meet the Star-Studded Cast
The drama boasts an impressive lineup of talent, bringing depth to its intricate narrative. Hwang In Youp takes on the role of Woo Soo Bin, a gifted director who spent his teenage years under parental expectations before passionately pursuing filmmaking in his twenties. After an acclaimed debut and international recognition, he returns to Korea, driven by a desire to reunite with his first love, Joo Yi Jae, the very person who ignited his dream of making movies.
Hyeri shines as Joo Yi Jae, a hardworking reporter whose youthful ambition was crushed by reality. Once fearless in chasing her dreams, she has settled into adulthood with a lingering sense of emptiness. Her forgotten aspirations begin to resurface when her first love, Soo Bin, unexpectedly reappears in her life.
Baek Sung Chul portrays Shim Yoo Gun, a struggling actor with the ambitious dream of becoming “Korea’s Takeshi Kaneshiro.” Despite his father’s ultimatum to give up acting and inherit the family seafood restaurant by the age of 30, Yoo Gun’s belief in perseverance remains unwavering. His life takes an intriguing turn after a part-time delivery job on a film set catches the attention of a top star.
Lee Yeol Eum plays the top actress Oh Hana, whose chance encounter with Shim Yoo Gun leads to an unexpected and complex relationship.
Meanwhile, Lee Sang Yeob steps into the role of Seo In Wook, the astute head of a film production company and a close friend and mentor to Woo Soo Bin. Originally drawn to filmmaking through his deep love of cinema, Seo In Wook eventually forms a family-like bond with Soo Bin despite their contrasting personalities. When Soo Bin returns to Korea in search of his first love, Seo In Wook follows him and unexpectedly becomes entangled in a new romance of his own.
Episode 5: Devastating Truths and Emotional Explosions
The latest installment of ‘Dream To You’ delivered some of the drama’s most powerful emotional twists and profound character developments. Episode 5, in particular, unveiled a devastating revelation as Woo Soo Bin finally learned the shocking truth behind Joo Yi Jae’s catastrophic car accident from 15 years ago.
Although Joo Yi Jae had previously initiated a kiss with Soo Bin, she later insisted it was merely a moment of confusion brought on by their collaborative work and firmly told him to forget it ever happened. While her rejection clearly pained him, Soo Bin’s concern for her never wavered, even going so far as to ask his younger brother to ensure she got home safely late at night.
The episode also delved deeper into Soo Bin’s deeply troubled family life. His abusive father, Woo Chul Gyu, continued to terrorize both Soo Bin and his mother. A chance encounter at the hospital triggered Soo Bin’s childhood trauma, and it was Joo Yi Jae who offered profound comfort during his painful moment. After witnessing his father assault his mother once again, Soo Bin finally exploded with years of pent-up anger and frustration.
It was during this intense confrontation that Woo Chul Gyu delivered a crushing revelation that will undoubtedly reshape the series. “You have a talent for ruining people’s lives. You’ll run away again like the coward you are,” he sneered, before dropping the bombshell truth: Joo Yi Jae had nearly died while desperately searching for Soo Bin after he ran away 15 years earlier. The shocking truth was that Joo Yi Jae had been involved in a catastrophic traffic accident while looking for him, falling into a coma and suffering severe injuries that left the large scar still visible on her leg. This monumental secret is poised to fundamentally alter the dynamic between Soo Bin and Yi Jae.
Blossoming Romances and Entangled Fates
Beyond the central pair, other intriguing romances are also beginning to flourish and entangle the characters further. Oh Hana and Shim Yoo Gun grew closer after Yoo Gun comforted the top actress following a drunken stranger’s hurtful remarks. Riding on the back of his motorcycle, Oh Hana finally broke down in tears, allowing herself to be vulnerable. She also encouraged Yoo Gun after he confessed his father’s ultimatum of giving him only 10 years to succeed before returning to his hometown. In a heartfelt confession, Oh Hana admitted she wanted to escape the “fake world” created by her mother, poignantly comparing her dream to the iconic ending of ‘The Truman Show,’ where the protagonist finally steps outside the fabricated set.
Another captivating romance is developing between Seo In Wook and Choi Sa Rang. After calling the number Choi Sa Rang had left on his shirt, the two spent a night together. However, her subsequent blocking of his number didn’t deter Seo In Wook, who tracked her down at the broadcasting station and even decided to appear on the dating reality show ‘Love Chain,’ where she works as a writer. Their burgeoning push-and-pull relationship is shaping up to become another key, dynamic storyline in the series, promising more twists and turns.
