Hey, everyone! How are you all doing? Today, I’m diving into a review of the drama The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, available on Viki, which stands as one of the most sophisticated and layered romances of 2024!
This drama aired on tvN from May 11 to June 30, 2024, every weekend, and was made available for streaming on Viki, TVING, and Viu. The script, crafted by Park Kyung-hwa and directed by Ahn Pan-seok, features Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon in a narrative that delves into adult relationships with impressive depth. Spanning 16 episodes, each about 60 minutes long, this series is set in South Korea’s top-tier private education district, exploring themes of love, career, and self-discovery through the prism of a past teacher-student relationship.
A teacher is taken aback when a former student returns, aiming to win her over. The series traces the hidden and tender romance between seasoned academy instructor Seo Hye-jin and her charming student Lee Joon-ho, who reappears after a decade and rekindles her emotions. What begins as a professional reunion unfolds into a multifaceted journey through forbidden feelings, career goals, and the bravery to embrace love despite societal norms.
The most competitive educational hub
Seo Hye-jin has been a Korean language instructor at a private institute in Gangnam’s Daechi neighborhood for 14 years, an area renowned for its fierce educational competition. Lately, Seo Hye-jin has been reflecting on her future beyond teaching and her past aspirations. It’s at this moment that her former student, Lee Joon-ho, re-emerges after a decade.
During her time teaching him, Seo Hye-jin put in maximum effort, which resulted in his admission to a prestigious university, boosting her reputation as an instructor. He secretly harbored feelings for her back then and has admired her from a distance ever since. Driven by love, he forsakes his job at a leading company to become a Korean language instructor, aiming to be close to Hye-jin once more.
Seo Hye-jin: The Seasoned Educator
Jung Ryeo-won delivers an outstanding performance as Seo Hye-jin, the veteran hagwon teacher at a crossroads both in her career and personal life. Her character is intricately layered, depicting a woman who has devoted her life to teaching but is now questioning her next steps. Jung Ryeo-won captures the nuanced internal conflict of Hye-jin as she faces the return of her past student and the unexpected emotions that come to the surface.
Hye-jin’s portrayal is particularly engrossing as it realistically depicts a woman in her forties confronting long-suppressed emotions while preserving her professional standing. Her transformation from a cautious teacher to someone willing to risk everything for love is portrayed with exceptional subtlety.
Lee Joon-ho: The Tenacious Admirer
Wi Ha-joon shines as Lee Joon-ho, the former student returning with a determined mission to win his teacher’s heart. This character might have easily appeared one-dimensional, but Wi Ha-joon instills depth and earnestness into Joon-ho’s quest for love. The actor adeptly balances the character’s resolve with vulnerability, rendering his romantic pursuit authentic rather than obsessive.
Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon create an adult, genuine atmosphere of a gentle yet intricate love story between a graduate and his former tutor. However, they are more than just a couple. Now both teachers, they inspire one another to teach with creative didactic methods.
The Education Sector: Intense Competition
The series excels in depicting South Korea’s rigorous private education scene. Set in Daechi, known as the epicenter of the nation’s hagwon culture, the drama delves into the high-pressure environment where educators and students alike vie for excellence. This setting is more than a mere backdrop; it is crucial in understanding the characters’ motivations and the stakes of their relationship.
The competitive nature of the hagwon environment adds tension to the romance, as both characters must navigate their feelings while maintaining their professional integrity in a setting where scandal could end careers.
Popularity on Viki
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon resonated with viewers who value mature, realistic depictions of adult relationships. Directed by Ahn Pan-seok, known for his nuanced approach to romance dramas like “Something in the Rain” and “One Spring Night,” the series offers the kind of slow-burn, emotionally rich storytelling that his audience expects. Although the teacher-student angle initially sparked debate, the series addressed it with care and maturity, focusing on the adult lives of the characters rather than their past dynamic. Its success on Viki demonstrated that there is an audience for thoughtful, character-driven romances that prioritize emotional sincerity over flashy narratives.
For those who enjoy mature romance dramas with deep characters and genuine relationship dynamics, The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is an excellent choice to binge on Viki. This drama will pull you into Hye-jin and Joon-ho’s journey as they balance love, career, and societal pressures.
A sensitive exploration of adult romance that tackles intricate themes with care, presenting authentic characters and emotional richness in South Korea’s competitive educational landscape.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Platform: Viki (also aired on tvN, available on TVING and Viu)
- Rating: 7.3/10 (IMDb)
- Genre: Romance, Melodrama, Workplace Drama
- Protagonists: Jung Ryeo-won (Seo Hye-jin), Wi Ha-joon (Lee Joon-ho)
- Antagonists: Societal expectations, workplace politics, competitive education system