Box Office Success Comedy-Drama, Dream Starring IU and Park Seo Joon

Haven’t you watched it yet, and are you still deciding? If yes, then you are on the right page, where we will share all the details so you can determine whether it is worth the watch.

Dream, directed by one of the legendary comedy drama directors, Lee Byeong Heon, is a Korean comedy-drama sports film starring Lee Ji Eun, aka IU, Park Seo Joon, and a whole bunch of talent-packed group of actors. The film was released on April 26, 2023, and immediately garnered much praise for all the aspects you can think of.

The comedy-drama happens to be the third sport’s related film in Korea for the year but different from all other films with a promising performance. And guess what? It stood on the expectations and assumptions by delivering the expectations to the audience.

The star-studded film is based on a real-life story of the 2012 World Homeless World Cup, which makes this comedy-drama relatable and a reminiscence of the time and the memory, making this film different. Apart from this, since the film came from a renowned director with one of the highest-grossing comedy dramas of the time under his name, “Extreme Job,” the film must be different.

The plot of the new comedy-drama film revolves around a hot-tempered soccer player on disciplinary probation named Hong Dae, and the role is played by Park Seo Joon, who has to coach a group of homeless men who have never played soccer before. This group of men will compete in the Homeless World Cup and thus needs training to win the Cup, where groups worldwide will participate. 

On this coaching conquest, Hong Dae crosses paths with Lee So Min, who IU is playing. She is a producing director and is there to document the team's journey in the Cup. Though she is perfect at her work, she has no interest in doing it. The director has shown this plot in the format of comedy-drama without losing the sensitivity that it covers.

Now, this film must be a must-watch at least once before you select to watch another new K-Drama because the film has a heartwarming plot and a nostalgic feel. Secondly, the comedy-drama covers some significant issues like homelessness and teamwork. Thirdly to witness the duo of Park Seo Joon and IU on the same screen together for the first time in a film. And believe it or not but the pair cannot be missed; take the hints.

 Even though the film has some significant issues addressed and is a movie on an actual event but still has been made on a light note as a comedy-drama which could have been a risk, but it set a standard. In the trailer itself, one can witness that all the actors have great comic timing. With good punchlines, dramedy, conflict, and acting, the film is the one which can give a good time if watched. 

It is not just us who is saying that the film is a must-watch; the performance since its release has also proved it successful. The comedy-drama topped the South Korean box office in 50 days, getting the title under its name to be the first one to do so. 

Dream broke the record and surpassed the audience count of The Super Mario Bros Movie, which was released on the same day as Dream. With witty banter and iconic and impactful lines, which the director is known for, which always leaves the audience with a laughing fit, is all the more reason it has been doing so well at the box office and why you must watch it once. 

Apart from this, the individual stories that the comedy-drama delivers of each player in the team and the effort they put into the match, even when they lack skills, are heart-touching and spread positive energy not only to Hong Dae and So Min but also to the audience. 

Besides having so many goods, the film's downside is that the comedy-drama, like other sports films, has delved into the characters' stories dramatically, making it somehow similar to the other movies in the genre. But yet again the pros have more weightage than the cons, so you can easily understand yourself about the film.

The different aspects and expectations are understandable as they come from a renowned and successful director. Lee Byeong Heon shared his experience and difficulties in making the comedy-drama Dream, which is based on an old story and had a sensitive issue like homelessness that cannot be covered in any way but must be dealt with carefully.

In the words of Lee, “ I felt it was like a mission for me to resolve bias against (homeless people) and also felt like homework to find the middle point to not to depict the part comically.” But then, after watching the film, anyone can say that he has done a fantastic job like always, and has made all the actors Heo Joon Seok, Kim Jong Soo, Yang Hyun Min, Jung Seung Kil, Lee Hae Woon, and Hang Wan Pyo play the role according to his focus and what he wanted to deliver. 

The comedy-drama Dream is not just a film about sports but has so many aspects to it that has brought up lightly so that it is not too heavy on the audience but at the same time ends with some impact and a smile on its viewer’s face. So, suppose you still haven’t watched the film or are still deciding what comedy-drama you can watch. In that case, I hope now you have an answer and an option to consider and will be able to make up your mind to give this comedy-drama film a shot and have a good time with your family, friends, loved ones, or alone.