With the development of the various love lines in its ninth episode, 'Dream High 2' is making couple shipping more difficult for viewers. As the chemistry between the four main leads begins to sizzle, the writers are flirting with the alternative pairings of JB-Hyesung (Kang Sora) and Rian (T-ara's Jiyeon)-Yoojin (2AM's Jinwoon), while still hinting at the primary relationships, Hyesung-Yoojin and JB-Rian.

Upon Rian's fainting during the performance, Yoojin rushes up to piggyback her to the hospital, in which JB follows closely behind worriedly as he offers his car. Rian and Yoojin become closer friends and each other's support systems, as Yoojin watches over Rian and teases her about her sleeping habits. With Yoojin's anxious expressions and frantic calls for the nurses, the two take a more definitive step into the friendship field, allowing viewers to speculate the possibility of a Yoojin-Rian relationship.

On the other end of the spectrum, the relationship between Hyesung and JB has been stepping it up as their 'lunch date' allowed viewers a peek at the true emotions of JB. As Hyesung returns to school, JB greets her enthusiastically with a 'cover dance', much like he had done in the beginning of the series, only this time with genuine kindness, rather than a condescending view. In addition, after JB helps Hyesung transform into a princess with makeup and new clothes, she tells JB, "You don't need to worry that I'll misunderstand about what happened between us at the church. I won't take what you said to me to heart", to which JB replies hesitantly, "I'm not worried about that", opening up the possibility that JB has yet to have the confidence to express his feelings for her.

However, the writers also still suggest the undercurrent of the main relationships. Yoojin's indignant jealousy as he suspects that Hyesung was out having fun with JB and his support for her before the performance, in addition to JB's tulips for Rian and her cares for his shoes suggests the love lines won't be resolved quite so easily.

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Comments:

[Note: This post reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of allkpop.]

I might have to eat my words on the chemistry between Hyesung and JB with the recent love developments. What made the love lines sweeter and more adorable were their tentative steps into the 'love' territory. The church scene in the previous episode had screamed 'awkward', not only because of the head-scratching fact of why one would abruptly drink a random teapot (and how one could get drunk in a matter of a few seconds), but JB's leap into a love confession. With the tentative steps back into the 'friendship territory', it's enjoyable to see JB's grappling with his own growing love and emotions for Hyesung with his own attachment for Rian.

In addition, the teasing banter between Yoojin and Rian allows not only the viewers to see the more vulnerable aspect of Rian's character, but again helps balance the JB-Hyesung development. The little criticism in the Yoojin-Rian loveline is how much Rian is dependent upon Yoojin, in which Yoojin always seems to be saving Rian, the damsel in distress. While Hyesung had previously provided support for JB with a Rubik's cube and JB is now encouraging Hyesung to reach for her dreams, it would be an interesting development for Rian to help Yoojin define his path to the 'super idol' dream.

While the two alternate pairings are heightening the interest, I do hope that the writers integrate the main relationships, JB-Rian and Yoojin-Hyesung. Not only to satisfy my selfish desire to cheer for the pink blossoming relationship between Yoojin and Hyesung (loved his confident statement that Hyesung had a diehard crush for him), but to keep the viewers on their toes. In addition, Rian's act of throwing JB's shoes at him does not mean the conclusion of the JB-Rian loveline, but rather the beginning as Rian is detaching herself from pining over the past. Whether it means that she'll attempt to forget about him or her renewed love for JB in the future, viewers will just have to wait.

What couple will you be shipping?