Hyeri Plays Ambitious Reporter Turned Aspiring Filmmaker in New Drama “Dream To You”

Lee Hyeri will portray Joo Yi-jae, a reporter who abandoned her dream of becoming a director, in the 12-episode romantic comedy “Dream To You,” premiering July 13, 2026, on ENA. The series reunites Hyeri with actor Hwang In-youp, who plays Woo Soo-bin, an internationally acclaimed film director returning to South Korea to reconnect with his former teenage sweetheart. The drama will air Monday and Tuesday nights at 10:00 PM KST through August 18, 2026.

A Second Chance at Shared Dreams

The narrative centers on two former collaborators whose paths diverged 15 years ago after sharing a passion for filmmaking. Woo Soo-bin achieved international acclaim with his debut feature film, which swept Awards at prestigious festivals, while Joo Yi-jae settled into a career as a reporter, losing sight of her original aspirations. When Soo-bin deliberately returns to South Korea to find Yi-jae, their reunion reignites dormant feelings and prompts Yi-jae to revisit an incomplete film project they started together during their youth.

ENA officially announced the premiere schedule in June 2026 to capitalize on the summer viewing season. The 12-episode format reflects the standard structure for modern Korean romantic comedies, allowing the creative team to develop a tight narrative arc that explores themes of second chances, personal growth, and balancing love with professional ambition. The story positions Hyeri’s character as someone grappling with unfulfilled potential, discovering that her past dreams may still be within reach.

Powerhouse Creative Team Behind the Production

Writer Jung Eun-bi brings substantial credentials to the project, having contributed to acclaimed productions including “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” and “Doom at Your Service,” establishing her reputation for blending emotional depth with romantic narratives. Director Yoo Sun-dong, who previously helmed “Unmasked” and “The Uncanny Counter,” brings experience handling character-driven storytelling with cinematic flair. This pairing suggests the drama will balance intimate, grounded workplace Romance with the production values expected from a high-profile network launch.

The series is co-produced by Content Planner and Big Ocean ENM, production houses that have collaborated on recent K-Dramas and bring established industry expertise to the project. Jung Eun-bi previously served as an assistant writer on “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” and “Mr. Sunshine,” providing her with foundational experience in crafting emotionally resonant storylines. Yoo Sun-dong’s recent work on intense, character-focused narratives demonstrates his capability to extract nuanced performances from his cast, positioning him to capture both the comedic and dramatic beats required for this romantic reunion story.

Strategic Streaming Distribution Across Multiple Regions

The drama will reach audiences through multiple streaming platforms, ensuring broad accessibility across Asia and globally. Genie TV serves as the primary domestic streaming partner in South Korea, while Rakuten Viki handles global distribution. Additional partnerships with Viu extend the series to select regions, including the Philippines, where ABS-CBN News confirmed the platform’s involvement in June 2026.

This multi-platform strategy reflects the industry’s emphasis on maximizing viewership across diverse markets and device preferences. The combination of broadcast television on ENA and simultaneous streaming availability positions “Dream To You” to capture both traditional television audiences and the growing demographic of viewers who prefer on-demand consumption. The regional partnerships demonstrate confidence in the series’ appeal to international audiences beyond Korea’s borders.

Cast Chemistry and Character Dynamics

Hwang In-youp’s casting as the accomplished film director Woo Soo-bin provides a compelling counterpoint to Hyeri’s portrayal of the stalled-career reporter Yi-jae. The supporting cast includes Baek Sung-chul as Sim Yoo-geon, Lee Yul-eum as Oh Ha-na, and Lee Sang-yeob as Seo In-uk, creating a broader ensemble that will develop secondary narratives around the central Romance. ENA released the first look and main teaser footage at the script reading session, showcasing the on-screen chemistry between the two leads as they prepared to film the series.

The script reading session functioned as both a production milestone and a strategic marketing moment, allowing the creative team to finalize the script while generating promotional content months ahead of the premiere. Early footage demonstrated palpable chemistry between Hwang In-youp and Lee Hyeri, suggesting their reunion narrative will carry authentic emotional weight. The supporting cast structure indicates the writers plan to explore how the main characters’ rekindled connection affects their broader social and professional circles.

Creative Evolution from Past Successes

Jung Eun-bi’s previous work on “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” (2016) and “Doom at Your Service” (2021) established her reputation for blending supernatural or fantastical elements with deeply emotional character arcs and romantic tension. Director Yoo Sun-dong’s 2025 series “Unmasked” demonstrated his capacity to handle intense, psychologically complex narratives with visual sophistication. The combination suggests “Dream To You” will feature a strong emotional core grounded in realistic workplace dynamics rather than the supernatural elements that defined Jung’s earlier hits.

This represents a notable creative shift toward grounded, contemporary storytelling for both collaborators. Rather than relying on Fantasy or Thriller elements, the drama will anchor its emotional resonance in the specific challenges of pursuing creative ambitions and rekindling past connections. The director’s experience with character-driven narratives combined with the writer’s proven ability to develop romantic tension positions the series to deliver both comedic moments and substantive dramatic weight.

Key Dates and Viewing Schedule

Viewers can mark their calendars for the July 13, 2026 premiere on ENA, with new episodes releasing every Monday and Tuesday at 10:00 PM KST. The finale is scheduled for August 18, 2026, completing the 12-episode arc across five weeks of programming. Simultaneous availability on Genie TV, Viki, and Viu ensures that international audiences can access episodes according to their regional platform partnerships.

“Dream To You” positions itself as a significant summer 2026 launch for ENA, combining established stars, a respected creative team, and a narrative centered on second chances and artistic fulfillment. The drama’s exploration of abandoned dreams and romantic reunion themes resonates with viewers seeking emotionally intelligent storytelling alongside romantic comedy elements. With its multi-platform distribution strategy and accomplished behind-the-scenes team, the series is positioned to generate substantial viewership across both broadcast and streaming audiences throughout its run.