The Midnight Romance in Hagwon offers a delicate exploration of first love rekindled under the hush of a late-night academy. Ten years after helping Seo Hye-jin gain entry to a top university, former troublemaker Lee Jun-ho returns not as her student but as a fellow instructor, determined to win her heart amid the pressures of Daechi-dong’s cram school world. With stirring performances by Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon, atmospheric cinematography, and an evocative score, this 16-episode melodrama balances sweet secrecy with reflections on ambition and burnout.
Profile
Title: The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (졸업)
Genre: Romance, Melodrama
Release Date: May 11 – June 30, 2024
Number of Episodes: 16
Starring: Jung Ryeo-won, Wi Ha-joon, So Joo-yeon
Writer: Park Kyung-hwa
Director: Ahn Pan-seok
Original Network: tvN
Streaming Platforms: TVING (KR), Viki, Viu
Country: South Korea
Synopsis
Veteran Korean language instructor Seo Hye-jin has spent 14 years guiding students through the halls of Daechi-dong Academy, her life marked by order and restraint. When Lee Jun-ho—once her mischievous pupil—re-emerges as a new instructor, he carries a decade-long secret affection that leads them to clandestine midnight meetings under dimmed classroom lights. Their shared past and unspoken longings unfold against the backdrop of South Korea’s intense hagwon culture, blending longing and restraint in a story of love rediscovered.
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Character Dynamics and Performances
Seo Hye-jin (Jung Ryeo-won): A dedicated instructor whose poised exterior masks lingering regrets and a yearning for connection.
Lee Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon): Once the crème de la crème of mischief, now a devoted colleague determined to bridge the teacher-student divide.
Nam Cheong-mi (So Joo-yeon): Hye-jin’s warm-hearted co-teacher, offering both comic relief and emotional support.
Goo Do-won (Yang Jo-ah): A senior instructor whose gentle mentorship highlights the generational spectrum of hagwon life.
Is The Midnight Romance in Hagwon Worth Watching?
Pros:
Authentic Depiction: Captures the dedication and burnout of hagwon instructors with sincerity.
Compelling Chemistry: Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon deliver nuanced performances that anchor the romance.
Evocative Aesthetic: Soft lighting and intimate framing evoke the hush of after-hours classrooms.
Cons:
Measured Pacing: The deliberate tempo may feel slow to viewers craving high-octane drama.
Ethical Nuance: The teacher-student history can be uneasy for some audiences, despite Jun-ho’s role reversal.
Watch The Midnight Romance in Hagwon Trailer
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon Cast
Main
Jung Ryeo-won as Seo Hye-jin
Wi Ha-joon as Lee Jun-ho
So Joo-yeon as Nam Cheong-mi
Yang Jo-ah as Goo Do-won
Supporting
Kim Jong-tae as Academy Director
Kim Jung-young as Administrator
Lee Jun-seo as Student Representative
Final Thoughts
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon stands out as a quietly compelling addition to the romance melodrama genre. Its mature exploration of rekindled love, set against the unique backdrop of South Korea’s hagwon system, offers both emotional depth and cultural insight. While its measured pacing and nuanced ethical dynamics may not suit every viewer, those who appreciate character-driven storytelling and atmospheric cinematography will find its secret midnight rendezvous impossible to forget.
