Dream to You Episode 3 Review: Solid Series That Might Become a Cult Favourite

After Dream to You‘s premiere week gave us a promising start, episode 3 completely proves it isn’t just a nostalgic romance story but has strong character layers that deserve a gradual reveal. The latest episode has all the core elements of humour, romance, emotional storyline and a great visual set-up.

Dream to You Episode 3 has a runtime of 70 minutes.

Dream to You Episode 3 Review

Emotional Core

Yes, Soo-bin’s past is revealed, and we can see how torturous and toxic his father is that he ends up beating his son till he bleeds. We can see that Soo-bin has really gone through so much abuse; however, since it is just the third episode, somehow the director made us hold on with the “forgiving” moment. Yes, somehow forgiving Soo-bin for hurting Yi-jae feels like a quick step, as he could’ve let her know about the abuse instead of running away.

Rather than making us instantly sympathise with him, the writing allows his past to explain why he did certain things without justifying it. Yi-jae’s brutally honest question perfectly proves why Soo-bin just isn’t yet forgivable. Her pointed remark that the worst way to be remembered isn’t as a villain but as “a pathetic loser” lands a blow. So she knows he ran away like a coward. Could he have fought back, or were there other heavy reasons that held him back? We’re yet to know.

Every Character Feels Purposeful

The other reason why this series feels like it’s going to be good is because of the supporting characters’ storyline. Yu-geon and Hana continue to emerge as one of the drama’s most intriguing pairings. While we see them as friends, we know that their professional work creates tension between them. Somehow their connection feels very La La Land-like.

Both of them are working hard, but Yu-geon just isn’t meeting up to the level. But does that make their chemistry fail? No. Something is still existing between them invisibly, and hopefully it comes out one day.

Hwang In-yeop and Hyeri Continue to Shine

Yes, Hwang In-yeop’s acting skill is prominent, especially when we see how burdened his character was in the past. He shows the emotional blow of Soo-bin, proving that his acting skills have a perfect range. Additionally, his playful smiles, teasing expressions, and confident charm add more character to Soo-bin, proving that the famous guy still holds complexities within him.

Hyeri is another charm of the series, as wherever she is in a scene, she carries herself with great poise. As Yi-jae, she not only delivers the goofiness and friendliness of the character, but also aces the emotional scenes and shows how even the happiest person still holds so much grief and sadness. She was once a girl in love but now is a woman fixing herself at the cost of love.

Cinematography Gives the Drama Its Own Identity

Dream to You is going to be one of K-dramas’ favourite visual feasts. K-dramas are mostly known for their vibrant colours, a town setup, cute romance, nostalgia, simple costumes that feel cosy and funny characters. All these traits best fit this drama.

Several scenes in Episode 3, particularly the rooftop conversations and the photoshoot collaboration, embrace the typical Kdrama trope and traits. Warm lighting, carefully framed angles, and lingering camera shots create an atmosphere that makes us want to experience the characters’ world. Honestly, I want to visit the rural part of South Korea just for those house setups, the porch and the amount of plants surrounding their houses. It is so beautiful.

Balancing Drama With Humour

A big kudos for adding humour because already Yi-jae and Soo-bin both have their individual share of trauma stories and also a compelling betrayal story between them. Amidst all this sad core, we have humour that lightens the mood here and there.

One of the funniest moments comes when Soo-bin unintentionally abandons his boss in the middle of the street without a phone. It’s an absurd situation, but it fits naturally within the character’s personality. Also, the end scene where Yi-jae enters whilst Soo-bin is taking a shower adds romance and gives the viewers exactly what they want.

Similarly, Yi-jae’s independent confrontation with the man who betrayed her is another highlight. Rather than waiting for the male lead to rescue her, she stands up for herself, delivering one of the episode’s most satisfying moments. This is a reminder that this isn’t a Prince Charming saving the Princess sort of story. This is about two individuals, their past and their confrontation.

Final Verdict

Dream to You has been giving out beautiful and confident episodes so far. The series ensures its characters have the necessary amount of backstories without justifying their poor choices. This helps the viewers to relate and realise that people do have trauma, but that doesn’t qualify them to make a mistake or hurt someone. Accountability has to be taken.

Combined with good cinematography, emotional acting, and a cast whose chemistry continues to improve with every episode, the series is slowly and steadily becoming an engaging one. If this continues, this series will definitely become one of the K-dramas to sit back and enjoy.

Dream to You is streaming on Viki.