Kim Soo-hyun: Suzy in the spring, Eunjung in the summer, IU in the fall and Taecyeon in the winter

From left, Ok Taecyeon, Ham Eunjung, Jang Wooyoung, Bae Suzy and Kim Soo-hyun pose at a photocall of a press conference for KBS TV series "Dream High" held at the show's set in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea on January 25, 2011. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

There was controversy over Suzy's acting skills. And the show received harsh criticism for lacking believability. Yet there are now viewers who have admitted they find themselves unable to flip to a different channel. The show has even topped ratings amongst Monday and Tuesday prime time dramas. That is the peculiar turn that KBS' "Dream High" has taken. But its cast is no less ordinary. At a press conference held at the show's set in Goyang City of Gyeonggi Province on Tuesday, Ok Taecyeon (playing Jin-guk) surprised the media by saying, "'Dream High' is not a drama that is betting on seeing success from its actors' acting skills" and Kim Soo-hyun wittily answered, "I like Suzy in the spring, Eun-jung in the summer, IU in the fall... and Taecyeon in the winter" to a reporter's question. Below are excerpts from the press conference attended by Kim, Bae Suzy (Ko Hye-mi), Ok Taecyeon, Ham Eun-jung (Yoon Baek-hee) and Jang Woo-young (Jason).

10: "Dream High" has finally ranked first amongst Monday and Tuesday prime time dramas in terms of rating. How does it feel?
Ok Taecyeon: I actually didn't have high expectations in the beginning. "Dream High" isn't a show that is betting on seeing success from its actors' acting skills because a lot of us have no experience acting so I'm guessing our viewers are being generous.
Ham Eunjung: I wasn't sure how the show would be received because it's a new style of drama so I'm surprised that more people than I expected are interested.
Kim Soo-hyun: I don't think neither the crew nor staff are satisfied with the ratings yet. I'm hoping they'll continue to rise. And I'll show viewers how passionate I am to see that happen.

10: A lot of people have been concerned with your acting skills since most of you are actually idol singers. Suzy, there was controversy over your acting in particular. How do you feel about it?
Bae: There can be controversy because it’s my first time acting. But it’s more important that I improve so I’m not going to pay too much attention to it and just work hard.

10: You all play characters that are aspiring celebrities. Who do you think would be the most successful if they all actually debuted?
Bae: Baek-hee. I think she’ll succeed because she’s so determined.
Kim: I say Yoon Baek-hee too.
Ham: Well I’ve gotten two votes so I’ll have to show somebody else kindness. (laugh) I’ll cast my vote to Sam-dong. He started learning late but he’ll catch up if he works hard and plus, he’s genius.
Ok: I pick Sam-dong as well. My senior singer Lee Seung-chul said an artist has to be born with talent and Sam-dong is extremely talented musically.
Jang: I’ll vote for Pil-sook then. (all laugh) Pil-sook works hard so I’ll root for her till the end. Man, what am I saying…

From left, Bae Suzy and Kim Soo-hyun act out a scene in KBS TV series "Dream High" held at the show's set in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea on January 25, 2011. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

10: There are a lot of performances in the drama compared to in other dramas so those of you who are originally singers must be particularly more determined when shooting those scenes. Have you ever felt there’s a rivalry going on between you guys?
Kim: I think we get a bit competitive because we’re all going for our dreams, not because they’re originally singers.
Ham: At first I felt at loss standing on stage alone, without the members of my group T-ara. And I wish I could have invested more time in preparing my performances but I’m happy I get to show a lot of new sides to me.
Ok: I too prepare new things for my role as Jin-gook, not 2PM member Taecyeon, when I appear on the screen alone. But honestly, I do think I do get a bit competitive.

10: On the other hand, Kim, you’re playing the role of a singer for the first time after only having been an actor. Is there anything you paid particular attention to in preparing for it?
Kim: I became acquainted with JYP Entertainment while working on “Dream High” and learned a lot from the teachers and their students at the rehearsing studio. That’s what I came to show in the drama and I’m very happy because we’re getting good ratings. I think the energy we give off from singing, dancing and acting all at the same time fills up the screen. Watching my fellow actors pull off all of it so well makes them look very dignified. (laugh)

10: Well you sing amazingly in the drama. What songs do you usually sing when you go to a karaoke bar?
Kim: I personally like ballads but I also sing rock or R&B songs.

10: You’re taking on the lead role for the first time in a drama after having played the younger versions of male actors in SBS’ “Giant” and “Will it Snow for Christmas?” How does it feel?
Kim: I’m taking on a big challenge with “Dream High.” I need to dance and sing but also do well with the acting. I was also interested with how entirely different Song Sam-dong is to characters I’ve played in the past. I think I’ll gain a lot from this drama if I do a perfect job with this drama. I can’t help but give my everything to this show.

From left, Jang Wooyoung and Kim Soo-hyun take part in the filming for KBS TV series "Dream High" held at the show's set in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea on January 25, 2011. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

10: The main romantic relationship in this drama is the love triangle between Sam-dong, Hye-mi and Jin-gook. Suzy, who are you hoping Hye-mi will become a couple with?
Bae: She’s been friends with Jin-gook since she was young and he’s seen her bad side so there’s sort of a painful love there. Sam-dong is…
Ham: Just a friend?
Kim: [whispers in Suzy’s ear]
Bae: Ah! I’m hoping she’ll become a girl that Jin-gook wants to hold in his arms and to Sam-dong, a girl that he can’t have. (laugh)

10: Who is closest to your ideal woman amongst the actresses here, excluding Ok?
Kim: Can’t I have them all? (laugh) Hm, I like Suzy in the spring, Eun-jung in the summer, IU in the fall... and Taecyeon in the winter. (laugh)

10: Jason and Pil-sook are garnering much attention for their possible romantic relationship as well. How do you think their relationship will pan out?
Jang: I’m very grateful viewers see us in a positive light. IU actually helps me a lot. I’m hoping we’ll become a cute and loveable couple.

10: The show is already half-way into its run. Which scene have you been most satisfied with?
Jang: Of course its when my character is at the karaoke bar with Pil-sook. (laugh)
Ok: When Hye-mi and Jin-gook are out in the snow together. I think that scene came out pretty.
Ham: The scene where I fight with Hye-mi I the bathroom and go up to a rooftop to throw a flowerpot onto Hye-mi’s head are the most memorable scenes for me. It’s really fun clashing with her character.
Kim: My favorite scene is when the freshmen travel to perform [Girls’ Generations’] “Gee” on the streets. We had to learn the choreography in a rush but it was meaningful because it was a scene where we sing for someone whole-heartedly. It really felt like we had become one.

10: On the other hand, which scene do you wish you did a better job of?
Ok: I think I should've relayed my emotions better when my character talks to his dad in the seventh episode.
Ham: It's similar for me as well -- I think I should have been more firm with showing how my character Baek-hee becomes a weak-minded child in front of her mother. I'm supposed to have shown how different she is from when she's with her friends but I failed to do that properly.
Jang: I lacked confidence in the scene where I asked Pil-sook if she had decided to quit school. Confidence is the biggest appeal about my character Jason but I'm still nervous about acting for the first time.
Kim: All of them actually. I wish we had more time to film and it’s not easy to take care of our health properly either. I still sound nasal... everybody let’s pluck up! (laugh)

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Reporter : Lee Ga-on
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@