“Dream High” (2011) depicted the lives and training environment of young people aspiring to become K-pop idols.
When it aired, the drama quickly became a nationwide sensation in Korea and gradually gained popularity across many Asian countries. It served as a launchpad for its main cast—Kim Soo Hyun, IU, Suzy, Taecyeon, Wooyoung and Eunjung, helping them rise to A-list stardom.
After 14 years, these stars have all experienced dynamic career journeys.
Kim Soo Hyun Becomes the “King of Commercials”
Song Sam Dong was Kim Soo Hyun’s first leading role. At that time, the 1988-born actor was still relatively unknown.
Following his role as a “country boy” in “Dream High”, Kim Soo Hyun’s career skyrocketed. He continued landing lead roles in hit dramas such as “Moon Embracing the Sun” and “My Love from the Star”.
The success of these dramas propelled him to A-list status, making him the highest-paid actor in Korea.
He secured dozens of advertising contracts each year, becoming the face of various brands and products, from restaurants and beverages to cosmetics, electronics and motorcycles.
His influence extended beyond Korea, reaching other Asian countries, particularly China.
However, in early 2025, Kim Soo Hyun was suddenly at the center of controversy when he was accused of having had a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor. This scandal, revealed through evidence provided by Kim Sae Ron’s family, shattered his once-flawless image.
Several major brands suspended their contracts with him, and his upcoming drama “Knock-Off” faced potential setbacks. Although his agency denied the rumors, Korean media confirmed that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron had indeed dated for six years.
This incident has put Kim Soo Hyun’s career at risk of experiencing its biggest crisis yet.
Suzy – The Nation’s First Love
When Suzy took on the female lead role in “Dream High”, she was not yet 17 years old. At the time, she had just debuted as a member of Miss A and was considered one of the most prominent rookie idols.
After the drama’s success, the 90s-born beauty starred in numerous television and film projects, earning the title of “Nation’s First Love”. She participated in productions such as “Uncontrollably Fond”, “While You Were Sleeping”, “Vagabond” and “Start-Up”.
Her performance in “Anna” (2022) dispelled doubts about her acting skills, with critics and viewers alike praising her exceptional portrayal of the role.
In 2024, Suzy continued to captivate viewers with “Doona!”, a sweet romance drama that showcased her ability to convey deep emotions through subtle expressions and gestures.
At 30 years old, Suzy remains an A-list star in the Korean entertainment industry, boasting immense wealth and success across acting, singing and modeling.
IU Becomes a Multi-Talented Artist
By the time she starred in “Dream High”, IU was already one of Korea’s top idol singers. With her hit song “Good Day”, she had earned the title of “Nation’s Little Sister”.
Over the past 14 years, the 1993-born singer has been dubbed the “Digital Queen”, consistently topping charts with every album release.
Beyond music, IU has also made significant strides in acting. Her projects have received critical acclaim and widespread audience attention.
After the success of “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo” (2016) and “Hotel Del Luna” (2019), she further showcased her acting prowess in “When Life Gives You Tangerines”, co-starring Park Bo Gum. Released in early 2025, the drama has received praise from critics for the explosive chemistry between the leads and IU’s deeply emotional performance.
Currently, IU continues to maintain her status as an all-around artist, with a new album slated for release in the summer of 2025, heightening fans’ anticipation.
Taecyeon Maintains His Appeal
Like IU, Taecyeon was already a top K-pop idol when he starred in “Dream High”. As a member of 2PM, he stood out with his striking visuals, muscular physique and masculine charm.
Following the drama’s success, Taecyeon continued impressing viewers with roles in “Who Are You?”, “Wonderful Days” and “Save Me”. In 2018, the 1988-born singer left JYP Entertainment and joined 51K Entertainment to focus more on acting.
His work “Blind” did not achieve high ratings, but his transformation into the passionate and justice-driven detective Ryu Sung Joon was widely praised.
Despite his busy acting career, he remains one of the few Korean stars who have successfully maintained their musical influence.
Eunjung’s Perseverance After Scandal
When Eunjung starred in “Dream High”, she was a member of T-ara. However, in 2012, internal conflicts within T-ara erupted when member Hwa Young accused the group of bullying her. The scandal severely damaged T-ara’s reputation, leaving Eunjung and her bandmates struggling to recover.
Five years later, the group was finally cleared of the allegations, but their careers never fully bounced back, and the controversy continued to haunt them.
Despite the backlash, Eunjung remained dedicated to acting. To date, she has appeared in over 30 projects. One of her projects, “Love Twist”, consistently maintained high viewership ratings.
Additionally, she has actively pursued music, trying to establish herself across different markets, including China, Korea and Vietnam. However, she has yet to reclaim the prominence she once had.