Hyeri and Hwang In-youp Reunite for ENA First-Love Drama This July
Popular South Korean stars Hyeri and Hwang In-youp are officially teaming up to deliver a heart-fluttering, nostalgic first-love romance. The two will lead ENA's highly anticipated new Monday-Tuesday drama "Dream to You," which is set to premiere on July 13 at 10 p.m. KST.
On Tuesday, the network released a heartwarming batch of school uniform stills showcasing the leading pair as their bright, teenage characters. The images, beautifully framed around the actors' flawless couple visuals, perfectly set up the central premise of the series: two individuals who once shared an unforgettable dream meeting again after a 15-year separation.
"Dream to You" is a poignant romantic comedy that centers on Woo Su-bin (played by Hwang In-youp), a genius film director who has successfully achieved his ultimate dream and returns to his hometown, and Joo Yi-jae (played by Hyeri), a determined working reporter who has completely set her own teenage aspirations aside simply to make a living. Their sudden adult reunion unexpectedly picks up an unfinished film project and a long-dormant love story from 15 years prior.
The newly released production stills lean heavily into that sweet sense of youth nostalgia. In one image, Joo Yi-jae is seen completely focused on operating a camera while Woo Su-bin stays closely by her side, capturing the two as passionate teenagers chasing the exact same artistic goal. In another cut, Joo Yi-jae proudly holds a school award as a beaming Woo Su-bin hands her a celebratory bouquet of flowers. The affectionate shots heavily hint at a golden time when the two were each other's entire dream and first love. Online, Hyeri's natural ability to pull off the loose-fitting retro school uniform with a slim, sharp look drew significant attention and praise from fans.
Hwang In-youp portrays Woo Su-bin, a world-class director who willfully comes back home to find Joo Yi-jae—his unforgettable first love and the singular person tied to his genuine creative spark—in order to keep a profound promise made years ago. Woo Su-bin spent his youth trapped inside a rigid life mapped out entirely by his demanding parents, until he met the free-spirited Joo Yi-jae at the tail end of his teens, prompting him to break out of that suffocating world and build a self-made career on his own terms.
"It is a drama that deeply makes you ask whether the superficial success the world constantly talks about really brings true, internal happiness," Hwang shared in a statement. "Since it is a romantic comedy at its core, there are plenty of romantic and hilarious moments sprinkled throughout the show, so it is a project that audiences can sit back and enjoy with an easy, lighthearted heart."
Meanwhile, Hyeri takes on the role of Joo Yi-jae, an ambitious reporter packed with drive and professional skill, who is secretly shaken by profound regret over her past choices. Following a fearless teenage stretch fueled entirely by one big dream, she spent her twenties hitting harsh reality walls, ultimately finding herself living as an ordinary, exhausted adult plagued by a persistent sense of emptiness—until the sudden chance to dream again miraculously returns to her life.
"The unique way the story beautifully moves back and forth between the two characters' past and present was incredibly interesting to me," Hyeri noted regarding her decision to join the cast. "When I first read the early portions of the script, I became intensely curious about how their complicated story would unfold from there. It had also been quite a while since I last starred in a traditional romantic comedy, so I really wanted to take on the challenge."
"Dream to You" will make its official global premiere on July 13 at 10 p.m. KST, airing every Monday and Tuesday exclusively on ENA.
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