GalaxyTL
High Dream Episode 15 has hit a remarkable 28% viewership rating! It seems poised to break the 30% mark—a rare feat. Fans are thrilled, proclaiming that if you can't beat them, recruit them. Jae Yi's appeal among teens is undeniable, and his character, the aloof genius with a sassy edge, is making waves. Anticipation for the upcoming special broadcast is high, with teasers promising a behind-the-scenes look, including outtakes and bloopers.
The excitement surrounding High Dream is everywhere, not only in the entertainment news.
“Kim Dong-hoo selected as the Brilliant School Uniform Model! Is he the youngest model ever?”
Even outside entertainment, Kim Dong-hoo-related stories are pouring in. While most people are thrilled by his success, there are, of course, those who aren't so pleased.
"...That little punk, Choi Seok-ho."
CyberQA's CEO, Kyung Min-soo, scowled at the current situation. Not only had this upstart dared to defy him, but after Kyung tried to cut him off, he went on to create a successful management company with his former employee, Kim Dong-hoo, rocketing to fame.
‘I went to great lengths to sever all his connections.’
Despite all that effort, Choi Seok-ho seemed to be strolling down a golden path under Kim Dong-hoo's soaring achievements.
"Dig up Kim Dong-hoo's past. There’s gotta be something."
Sometimes, the public took perverse pleasure in watching celebrities fall from grace. Kyung Min-soo was determined to find a flaw in Kim Dong-hoo's image.
But,
“There’s nothing, sir.”
“What? How is that possible?”
“Even if something might come up, his fan café manages to block it before it surfaces.”
“Then arrange a meeting with whoever runs that fan café.”
“There are rumors that Choi Seok-ho himself runs it.”
“What?”
Kyung Min-soo swallowed the curse that nearly escaped. He knew Choi Seok-ho personally managed Kim Dong-hoo’s schedule and ran his company.
But he was running the fan café, too?
This is why Kyung Min-soo had tried so hard to ruin Choi Seok-ho’s career—he knew exactly how competent he was.
Meanwhile, somewhere else, a 15-year-old boy named Na Kang-sik was diligently maintaining Kim Dong-hoo's fan café. Kang-sik, Dong-hoo’s classmate, was a tech prodigy and took care of the site as he worked on his own game in pursuit of his dreams.
And why?
‘Because Dong-hoo is my friend.’
In elementary school, Kang-sik had become an outcast after a series of humiliations. But then Kim Dong-hoo appeared,
this incredibly talented, popular boy, who never mocked him and always included him in everything. He even joined in on Kang-sik’s notebook games with enthusiasm.
Kang-sik still remembers the first time Dong-hoo played one of his games.
Thinking back on it now, it makes him smile. But if someone threatens Dong-hoo with baseless accusations?
‘Not happening.’
Kang-sik couldn’t stand the thought of anyone unjustly criticizing his friend.
Time flew, and finally, the day arrived for High Dream Episode 16.
The KBC studio was abuzz, everyone anxiously awaiting the episode's broadcast and the ratings it would bring.
A massive milestone loomed before them: a 30% viewership rating.
Even a momentary spike to 30% would be a huge win.
The episode unfolds, featuring a tender kiss between the two main characters, a snowy blessing falling from above as the OST fades out. Normally, the episode would end there.
But after the thank-you message, the screen goes black before cutting to a different scene entirely:
♪♩♪♩♬♩♪
A gentle piano melody fills the air as the camera shows Jae Yi performing, watched by the crowd. The door at the back of the auditorium quietly opens, and his mother enters, her face filled with a mix of regret and love.
She locks eyes with Jae Yi.
END.
As the final episode wrapped, Kim Cheol-do, the KBC director, waited for the ratings, nervously watching his phone. He knew the ratings wouldn’t be instantaneous, but he was on edge, wishing he could see into the future just this once.
Finally,
“The ratings are in!!!”
The junior writer rushed in, and Cheol-do barely managed to ask,
“What is it?!”
“Yes! The rating is…”
Hearing the answer, Cheol-do burst out laughing.
The next morning, the headlines were all over the place:
“High Dream hits 30.2%! A new era in teen drama!”
“Teen uniform craze—High Dream cast models become instant trendsetters!”
“Kim Dong-hoo sparks a Brilliant uniform boom: the new North Face?”
The day had finally arrived, and in the whirlwind of articles, Kim Dong-hoo was getting ready for his first day back at school in ages.
‘Feels like I just finished the High Dream shoot in this uniform.’
He put on his uniform and went out, giving a quick farewell to his mom. It was a peaceful, familiar routine that had returned since she’d come back, and even his dad seemed to be whistling every morning.
‘I wonder if I’ll get a younger sibling at this rate…’
Riding his bike, Dong-hoo enjoyed the anonymity, no one recognizing him until he reached the school gate.
But as he approached the entrance, his eyes landed on a banner draped above.
“Congratulations! High Dream viewership at 30.2%! A Proud Student of Sinbit Middle School—Kim Dong-hoo, you’re amazing!”
Ah.
Dong-hoo’s stomach sank.
‘Is this a public execution?’
The banner wasn’t a joke, after all.
Elsewhere,
“It’s finally done!”
The rough cut of the indie film Hero had been completed.