While You Were Sleeping

While You Were Sleeping is a 2017 fantasy romance K-drama that intertwines the lives of three individuals with the unique ability to foresee future events through their dreams. Nam Hong Ju (played by Bae Suzy) is a young woman haunted by dreams of tragic events. Jung Jae Chan (played by Lee Jong Suk), a rookie prosecutor, begins to have similar premonitions after a chance encounter with Hong Ju. Together with police officer Han Woo Tak (played by Jung Hae In), they work to change the course of fate and prevent impending disasters. The series follows these three as they form an unlikely alliance, using their shared visions to intervene in crimes and avert tragedies. Each character is confronted with the challenge of changing events that seem inevitable, all while facing personal struggles and romantic tension. The compelling chemistry between Hong Ju and Jae Chan adds a romantic layer to the suspenseful narrative, with their growing bond driving much of the emotional tension in the story. As the drama unfolds, the characters are drawn into a larger conspiracy involving prosecutor Lee Yu Beom (played by Lee Sang Yeob), a man from Jae Chan’s past, whose actions directly affect their futures. The show blends courtroom drama, fantasy, and romance, creating a gripping storyline that keeps viewers on edge as the characters race against time to alter the grim futures they foresee. With stellar performances by Bae Suzy and Lee Jong Suk, While You Were Sleeping captivates audiences with its blend of supernatural elements, heartfelt romance, and intense legal drama. The series explores themes of fate, justice, and the consequences of our actions, making it a must-watch for fans of fantasy-romance and legal dramas alike.

Details

🙂 Native Title: 당신이 잠든 사이에 (Dangshini Jamdeun Saie)
🌎 Also Known As: When You Were Sleeping
🎭 Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Thriller, Legal, Drama
🏷 Tags: Foreseeing the Future, Dream Interpretation, Prosecutor, Police Officer, Romance, Fate
✍ Screenwriters: Park Hye Ryun
🎬 Directors: Oh Choong Hwan, Park Soo Jin
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 32 (short 30-minute episodes)
🗓️ Aired: September 27, 2017 – November 16, 2017
📅 Airing Days: Wednesday, Thursday
📺 Original Network: SBS
⏰ Duration: 30 minutes per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ (suitable for teens 15 and older)

Best Scenes

Jae Chan’s First Dream of Hong Ju’s Death: One of the most intense moments early in the series, when Jung Jae Chan (Lee Jong Suk) dreams of Nam Hong Ju (Bae Suzy) being killed and rushes to prevent it, setting the tone for the entire drama.
Hong Ju’s Premonition of Her Mother’s Accident: A heart-wrenching scene where Hong Ju sees her mother’s tragic accident in a dream, leaving viewers on edge as she tries to prevent it.
Jae Chan’s Confession to Hong Ju: A memorable romantic moment when Jae Chan confesses his feelings to Hong Ju, blending romance into the suspenseful storyline.
Han Woo Tak’s Vision of Jae Chan’s Case: The scene where Woo Tak (Jung Hae In) has a crucial dream that changes the outcome of one of Jae Chan’s legal cases, showing the power of their combined visions.
Final Confrontation with Lee Yu Beom: The climactic courtroom battle where Jae Chan takes down the corrupt lawyer Lee Yu Beom (Lee Sang Yeob), bringing all their efforts to fruition.

Filming Locations

Seoul City Hall Plaza: A prominent location where several outdoor scenes were filmed, providing a vibrant urban backdrop for some of the character interactions.
Gyeonggi Province: Many dream sequences and chase scenes were shot in the scenic areas of Gyeonggi Province, offering a contrast to the fast-paced city scenes.
Seoul Forest: The romantic walking scenes between Jae Chan and Hong Ju take place in Seoul Forest, adding to the beauty of their budding romance.
Yeouido Park: The iconic park in Seoul serves as a setting for various key scenes, including Jae Chan’s reflections on the dreams and their consequences.
Incheon’s Port Area: Some action and dream sequences involving police chases were filmed in this industrial area, giving the drama a gritty, real-world feel.

Visual Design and Costumes

Dream vs. Reality Visuals: The show uses a different color palette for dream sequences, with cooler, muted tones to differentiate them from reality, heightening the suspense.
Prosecutorial Attire: Jae Chan’s formal prosecutor outfits reflect his serious and duty-bound character, while contrasting with his more relaxed clothing in his personal life.
Hong Ju’s Cozy Wardrobe: Hong Ju’s outfits emphasize comfort and simplicity, symbolizing her down-to-earth personality amidst the supernatural chaos in her life.
Lighting Choices: Darker lighting is used during moments of suspense and tension, while softer lighting during romantic scenes adds warmth and intimacy.
Courtroom Design: The drama’s courtroom settings are meticulously designed to reflect the gravity of the legal cases, enhancing the tension in the plot.

Themes and Messages

Fate vs. Free Will: The central theme of the series is whether the characters can change the fate they foresee in their dreams, raising questions about destiny and personal choice.
Justice and Morality: Jae Chan’s role as a prosecutor and the ethical dilemmas he faces emphasize the show’s focus on justice and the difficult decisions involved in upholding the law.
Love and Sacrifice: The budding romance between Jae Chan and Hong Ju is underpinned by their willingness to sacrifice for each other, highlighting love’s role in the face of adversity.
Courage in the Face of Danger: The characters frequently confront dangerous situations revealed in their dreams, showing the courage needed to protect others and change the future.
Friendship and Trust: The bond between Jae Chan, Hong Ju, and Woo Tak showcases the power of trust and friendship, as they work together to change outcomes and protect each other.

Interesting Facts

Screenwriter Collaboration: Park Hye Ryun, the screenwriter, previously worked with Lee Jong Suk on I Hear Your Voice and Pinocchio, making While You Were Sleeping their third collaboration.
Bae Suzy’s Singing: Bae Suzy, in addition to playing the lead role, contributed to the drama’s OST with the song “I Love You Boy,” adding a personal touch to the soundtrack.
Pre-Produced Drama: Like many high-quality K-dramas, While You Were Sleeping was entirely pre-produced before its airing, ensuring top-notch production quality.
Award-Winning: The drama received multiple accolades, including the Best Drama Award at the 2017 SBS Drama Awards, with Lee Jong Suk and Bae Suzy earning praise for their performances.
Realistic Dream Portrayal: The production team worked closely with visual effects experts to create dream sequences that felt immersive and believable, drawing viewers into the characters’ premonitions.

Awards

2018 Seoul International Drama Awards: Top Excellence Award for Hallyu Dramas.
Korea First Brand Awards: Best Drama Category.
2018 Baeksang Arts Awards: Popularity Award – Actress (Bae Suzy).
2017 SBS Drama Awards:
- Female Top Excellence in Acting (Bae Suzy).
- Male Top Excellence in Acting (Lee Jong Suk).
- Male Excellence Award (Lee Sang Yeob).
- Best Couple Award (Bae Suzy & Lee Jong Suk).

Real-Life Loves on Set

There were no confirmed reports of a real-life romance between the main cast members of While You Were Sleeping. Although the on-screen chemistry between Bae Suzy and Lee Jong Suk, who played the lead roles, led to fan speculations about a possible off-screen relationship, both actors maintained a professional relationship throughout the filming.

Rumors did circulate, especially after fans noticed their close interactions during promotional events, but neither of the actors publicly confirmed any romantic involvement. Both Suzy and Lee Jong Suk have kept their personal lives private, and any speculation about a real-life romance has remained just that—speculation. Their strong performances as Nam Hong Ju and Jung Jae Chan, however, were widely praised for bringing the romance and emotional depth to the series