Don't Dare to Dream

I am not a fan of love triangles or jealous, petty guys fighting over a woman. That being said, I enjoyed this show SO much. The title "Jealousy Incarnate" is absolutely accurate, this is a show that is centered on a love triangle between two best friends and an ordinary-yet-extraordinary woman. This show was somewhat of a train-wreck, but also really well done? Despite have 24 episodes, the pacing is good and I was never bored. While I disliked just how extreme the love triangle was, I was super entertained. Probably the only thing that was a major con for me was the side characters of the sister-in-laws and the niece and her guy friends. I would have cut almost all their scenes, and in fact by about episode 8 I was skipping all their parts all together. While each of the characters encountered "jealousy" in some way (very in keeping with the theme) I could have done without some of it especially from the side characters, as most of the show ended up being fighting.

Despite all that, I was hooked up to the last episode. The way the show dealt with some really serious issues like health, disease, prejudice, jealousy, and love was really well done. And while the constant jealousy could be seen as immaturity, I actually though the relationships were on the more mature side. I liked the FL so much, much more so than her role in It's Okay That's Love (which is the only other thing I have seen her in so far). This was also my first watch with Jo Jung-Suk, and I can see why he is so popular. The acting from all the leads was very natural and the chemistry between the leads was sizzling.

Overall was this a great show? I'm not sure, but I can absolutely say that it is massively entertaining!

Story is fine as it gives awareness towards Breast cancer. There is only romantic and jealousy scenes and those are too repeititive. Story should have been finished in 16 episodes but it was stretched till 24 eps. I enjoyed the beginning eps but after some I got bored.

It's Jung-suk Jo, oh no. This man is too hot for his own good.

This drama has 24 episodes instead of the regular 16/20. Depicts the ultimate love triangle, with difficulties and choices not everyone might find believable. Main leads have great chemistry and the passionate kisses would leave me with a pit in my stomach. The main leads character, Lee Hwa-shin, is incredibly charismatic, appealing and interesting and his struggles believable and relate-able. This drama will deliver plenty of angst, frustration and is a tearjerker at times.

Definitely one of my favorites. 8/10 from me.

Perpetuates harmful stereotypes and problematic character dynamics.

From the start, the drama sets a tone that objectifies and belittles its female characters. The female lead is reduced to a frustratingly one-dimensional character whose worth is consistently tied to her appearance and her relationships with men. Her career aspirations and personal growth take a backseat to the constant focus on her love life.

The male lead's behavior is outright toxic, embodying jealousy and possessiveness that are presented as romantic. His actions continuously invade the female lead's boundaries and independence, sending a disturbing message that controlling behavior is somehow acceptable in a romantic partner.

Beyond the problematic character dynamics, the humor often relies on demeaning stereotypes and offensive jokes. Female characters are repeatedly made the subject of ridicule, portraying them as objects of mockery for their appearance or perceived shortcomings.

The drama's blatant sexism is further magnified by its glaring lack of female empowerment or positive role models. It's deeply disappointing to see a drama that not only fails to challenge traditional gender roles but actively reinforces them with every episode.

In conclusion, Don't Dare to Dream is a glaring example of a Korean drama that perpetuates harmful and regressive notions about gender and relationships. Its portrayal of characters, the toxic male lead, and the overall sexist tone make it an extremely negative and disappointing watch, perpetuating harmful messages that are anything but entertaining or acceptable.

An entertaining series with a love triangle alongside a side story of one of them dealing with breast cancer. Two male friends both fall in love with the same woman who is a weather reporter, and she has to chose to be with the kind, thoughtful rich successful businessman or the Rude, arrogant, indifferent newsreader she has had a crush on for three years. I think they could have condensed it or shown more of the supporting casts back stories as even though they were often more interesting then the main story they were given little air time.