While You Were Sleeping

Nam Hong-joo can see future events in her dreams, but those visions don't bend to her wishes. She lives quietly with her widowed mother, who runs a small restaurant, carrying the burden of knowing things she can't change. Across the street a rookie prosecutor, Jung Jae-chan, moves in with his younger brother, and a single unsettling dream links Hong-joo to a ruthless lawyer, Lee Yoo-beom, and a desperate rescue. As Jae-chan and Hong-joo begin to share visions, their lives intersect in ways that fold legal investigations into personal stakes. Their shared visions begin to influence real investigations, raising urgent moral questions too.

While You Were Sleeping premiered in 2017, created by Park Hye-ryun and Kang Sook and directed by Oh Choong-hwan. The series stars Suzy, Lee Jong-suk, Jung Hae-in, and Lee Sang-yeob, with production emphasizing striking visuals for the dream sequences.

The series and its leads received attention during Korean awards season, earning nominations at year-end and network ceremonies, with recognition for the leads' performances. Critics noted strong acting, chemistry, and production values in the dream sequences. Industry panels praised the cinematography, score, and several supporting performances during national award rounds.

It built a strong international fanbase, boosting the profiles of its cast and sparking online discussion about fate, accountability, and shared dreams. Memorable courtroom-mystery set pieces and character pairings produced a lively fandom and fanworks. The show's soundtrack and styled scenes inspired cover performances and social media trends across Asia.

Critics and viewers praised the show's romantic chemistry, procedural elements, and visual portrayal of prophetic dreams, reflected in a solid fan rating of 8.374/10 from audience votes. Major themes include fate versus choice, ethical duty, and how personal loss shapes action. Audience debates especially highlighted duty versus destiny and consequences.