Unique story, great acting, poor execution.
Starting off with the good points, I enjoyed learning more on the educational system in Korea. That aspect felt very unique. The acting was also superb. However, there's only so much that the actors can do. While the story was interesting, it was dragged unnecessarily and just when things started to get interesting in the last two episodes, the story quickly ended.Additionally, based on the promotion of this drama, I expected it to be more heavily centred around their romantic relationship, however I didn't find it to be the central part of the show.
Overall, the show dragged and the pacing was strange. While I appreciate the idea behind it, I think it was not executed to its full potential.
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Pointless Idealism, beware you will be dissappointed
I consider myself a very broad-minded individual who watches all sorts of dramas and honestly, the subject matter is important to me but they failed to deliver it compellingly. I'm not even complaining about the romance but about the lack of coherence and the presentation of the story itself. The real issue isn't just the plot but the pacing, tone, coherence, and expression of ideas throughout the drama. The script starts with a strong foundation of idealism, but those core themes are abandoned by the end. It's a classic case of bad writing where the initial promises aren't fulfilled. It's too preachy and idealistic while lacking that "realness" quality. You can tell what they were trying to say but they failed to convince the audience with their story-telling and execution it in a memorable way. Surely there is more to a hagowan teacher's life?I hated the preachy tone of this drama and the impractical idealism (country, education system issues vs personal idealism). Can one teacher change a whole socially entrenched system? I get the issues of Korean education but I was excited about a story of that one teacher that actually cares about the kids, but it was not. the drama is written in a weird, cliche way. The portrayal of the characters doesn't tell their stories well at all.
From the outset, this was not a story about the struggles of the FL to reach her dream but a critique of the education system, teaching, and how teachers see themselves with all the pressures that the hagwon industry brings. That's why we have the struggles and the politics, the competition etc.
After acting like a virtuous sacrificial lamb who was ready for a crusade fighting for the academy & the students and profession she loved. Even going to the extent of being so condescending and preaching to the “white-haired witch”, talking about ethics etc.
After creating a strong female character like the "white-haired witch", the writer wants me to believe that she was slapped out of existence when she was a good strategist and businesswoman throughout the drama. Questionable ethic yes, but very focused.Many things sub-plots are left hanging with no explanations or closure at the end. I found it hard to believe that the "white-haired witch" who was a strategist who planned her moves would get into a catfight as her ultimate end. That was so out of character with all the expectations built up by the writer from the beginning. I thought there would be some great mind games and a reveal at the end that would justify all the politics, fighting, and competition. In the end there was nothing.
I would have applauded the writer if the story was all about the FL's struggle to reach her dream from the 1st episode but it's not it's about a system she was trying to protect. Therefore the whole build-up of the drama from episodes 1 - 16 is totally out of sync with that ending.
You are made to believe that there is more but there really isn't anything, just a disappointment.
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comfort drama material
things that i loved about this series...- the main characters (not only them as a realistic couple but also them as an individuals)
- chemistry was chemistryng
- the acting (i've followed leads' works for years and i'm so happy that they got cast together)
- the setting (as a casual contemporary cdrama viewer, i don't mind when drama focuses more on occupation than romance)
- the cinematography and editing (ahn pan seok has magical hands)
- proposal scene (most of the "noona" genre dramas have open endings or leads barely make up so this was refreshing)
thing i didn't like that much
- just a little bit too much focus on some of the side characters (some of their scenes could've been cut)
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school/academies dramas were forced
im gonna say that i wanted to watch it because of wihajoon, of course he delivered and seo hyejin also played really good. i think that the cast and acting is the best thing about this show.however, i do understand why the rating is higher than mine rating.
the chemistry, the tension, the couples - sooo good. main female lead was acting her age, shes grown woman and her behavior was appropriate for her age (some kdramas cant relate;()
anyway, what i didnt like was all the school/academy drama.
like when the teacher from public school was on screen, what was that? his bad character was so forced, maybe the writing was just bad
also, all the drama between academies, like chill, it was just boring and like what would grown people act that way about their students and academies?
why it was such a big deal that two teachers are dating? why there is this big drama about it?
so everything was nice if we are not looking about all the problems in school/academy/teacher.
i get it that we need 'bad' characters, like the teacher at first, or we need bad things and some drama, but ngl it was so forced and unreal.
i hope wi hajoon and seo heyjin will be cast in other romance kdrama;)
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An Office Romance Wrecks Havoc on the Fragile Career of An Elite Educator
Interesting insight into the elite education field for high schoolers in Korea. Though the FL was very good at what she did her approach, at times, could be off putting. The ML being brought onboard predictably stirred things up and inevitably led to the FL being humbled a bit but it was growth her character needed .Though the show did a good job at capturing the atmosphere of the elite Korean education system the story wasn’t deeply engaging. There wasn’t anything compelling about the FL standing outside a door waiting for the ML to finish his teacher’s entry exam, watching him do a mock lecture or watching administrators and teachers try and outwit each other to become the next *star* educator at the school. It’s difficult to make a series centered around the classroom interesting, which is why this show struggled to capture this viewer.
The romance wasn’t enough to make up for what was missing in the main story. The leads chemistry wasn’t great, just passable. Their love story was okay. It was a little icky that the ML had a thing for the FL back in high school when she was his teacher. She gave in to his advances almost immediately. It would’ve been more realistic had she resisted his romantic overtures given their past teacher/student relationship, not to mention the risk to her career, for which she’d worked very hard to find extraordinary success.
Overall, this was okay. After I finished the last episode I realized there was nothing memorable about this show. Is it worth watching? Depends on the viewer, but honestly not to me. Is it worth a rewatch? Absolutely not.
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A slowwwwwww burn
So this drama requires one big thing from its audience: patience.It starts out slow; a lot of the early episodes are focused on establishing setting — the competitiveness of and within academies, how it clashes with public schools, etc. We see our main female lead, a star academy teacher, get caught up right in the middle of it, and its only after all of this do we get a little glimpse of an interaction between her and the male lead. It looks like a lot of people had already dropped the drama by then, and those people missed out — the chemistry between them is FANTASTIC.
But I don't blame them. The unfortunate truth is that the academy setting and plot just...isn't that interesting, despite how well-written it is. We've seen similar themes in other dramas — pressure on students, overbearing parenting, backstabbing coworkers — and honestly, those dramas were right to do it with more flair and flamboyance. While I appreciate how down-to-earth and realistic the conversations and lessons are (There are some that are truly heartwarming, like seeing a teacher rediscover her passion), there's really only one A-plot, and it really does start to drag. There's only one thing going on; we're spending too much time on it when I'd rather be with the main leads, or even getting more depth for our second leads, who end up really underdeveloped.
The melodrama-style editing doesn't help the slowness; while the melo vibes of the show really work towards the drama's favor when we're just spending time with our leads and watching fall in love and be in love, it also means we linger on the other academy-centric moments, and I find myself zoning out when an academy lecture scene about the history of Korea (or something) goes on for ten minutes, or even if the antagonists are having some really long, drawn-out conversation.
By the end, it feels like the main plot is a little underwhelming for how much time we spent on it, and I wish we'd spent more time just seeing our main leads happy or even just doing something different, something that's not lecturing or eating dinner (lol).
Honestly though, the main leads are absolutely golden. The chemistry is amazing, I love love love the communication and the tension between them, and their little flashbacks were so cute. It's crazy that they're the the main leads and it still feels like they didn't get enough screentime together. We just needed this drama to be a little more romance and a little less everything else.
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Mismatched writer and director makes for a mediocre melodrama.
Beautifully directed in Ahn Pan Seok's signature style, but unfortunately the writing isn't on par with the production. While APS often chooses dramas with a strong thematic narrative over detailed characters or complex plots, MRIH didn't developed any of those elemnts. Newbie KDrama writers usually work for years as uncredited assistants before they shop their own scripts and this one probably should have stayed an assistant a while longer.Something in the Rain and One Spring Night (APS's previous works) are middle-class societal issues slice of life with melodrama romances. They primarily tackle how parental abuse primes women to accept abuse in the workplace and their romantic relationships, which creates a cycle. The FL is saved by the love of the ML, but he's an unsuitable partner and they have to conquer trials, tribulations and villains to be together.
Classic melodrama, close curtain.
MRIH doesn't deviate much from that formula - embattled hagwon tutor FL trapped in a career-life crisis until first student (and of course, first love) ML shows up to free her - but puts more focus on issues in lieu of romance. Which is perfectly fine, if the writer does a good job at meaningfully addressing those issues.
So what critique does MRIH offer?
That education should focus on students... without any realistic means to do that.
That authority in education is the enemy... without any exploration of how or why.
That teachers should be good teachers... which just circles on back to the first point.
It leaves a lot to be desired in depth and subtlety, especially compared to similar dramas that tackle education issues. The plot that attempts to reinforce those themes is equally lacking - it's mostly petty office politics blown exponentially out of proportion with some makjang circumstances and farcical villains to match.
The lack of a strong narrative would be understandable if the relationships and personal struggles of the cast took a central role instead, but every side character speaks with one expository voice - the writer's. And the writer is only concerned with one thing - hammering their message home over and over and over.
There's really nothing else to distinguish MRIH except the romance, which isn't particularly compelling unless you're into the student/teacher taboo. ML is a manic pixie dream boy - impulsive, devoted and with minimal development outside of facilitating FL's journey to personal fulfillment. FL suffers from Mature Female Lead Syndrome - so well rounded there's no edge to her personality. Together, they're unmemorable except for the florid bodice ripper romantic interludes that occur with regrettable regularity.
UPDATE: Having now finished the drama, I stand by all the assesments in this review.
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A cry from the heart about the current state of arts education in Korea
Ahn Pan Soek always chooses to highlight a social issue in his dramas and essentially this drama explores the current state of arts education in Korea with a romance blended in. If you hope it’s the other way around you will not only be disappointed, but probably miss the point entirely. Having said that, the romance that does unfold is beautifully written, directed and acted. And the lesson in arts education is a rallying cry to bring it back to life and reveal it’s passionate, emotional heart.He likes to find writers who can reveal both the underbelly and the heart and here he has collaborated with yet another subtle and mature writer, Park Kyung Hwa. She only has one other credit to her name which is delighting in the rating of 7.1 on the MDL richter scale. Obviously not earth shaking. Unfortunately there are no reviews, so I have no idea why it was rated so low. But here she is ably proving herself to be a typical Ahn Pan Seok collaborator with a nuanced and obviously well-informed script. She manages to highlight the different responses made by each character in pressure situations and handles the character development well, giving the viewer enough verbal information to follow along with the complex internal emotional landscapes that she is playing with. The emotional games that get played out in the final two episodes are especially good.
The pacing is very even and focuses on slow studies of people’s reactions. The life lessons learned here are not on a romcom level, they are difficult questions around the intersection between ethics and ambition, and, compassion and competition, requiring some thought and sensitivity to follow and appreciate. It really takes off about two thirds of the way through, at a point where often a drama flags.
The characters are closer to realistic so have good and bad about them, but are not exaggerated. For some they might be too ordinary, but I think that the actors do a good job at showing the hidden undercurrents and the depth is there if you look for it. At the start the FL makes some quite unprofessional moves and the ML bludgeons his naive way ahead. But this slice of life story leads you through the realistic steps that will change both their minds and their attitudes. At times there’s a moral superiority at work which might be a little difficult to swallow. But this is dramaland after all and the antagonists are kept within the bounds of credibility.
As with other Ahn Pan Seok dramas, the love story at the heart is sensitively portrayed. High five to Jung Rye Won and Wi Ha Joon who have great, believable chemistry. The uncertainty and awkwardness of the beginnings of intimacy are beautifully brought out. And the bedroom scene is such a joy. Full of warmth and naturalness. Ahh Pan Seok and his crew obviously manage to create an environment on set that allows the actors to feel comfortable and easy, so that their laughter and intimacy seem more real.
The supporting cast is a panel of very familiar faces if you are an Ahn Pan Seok stan. All of them are good and there are no two-dimensional cardboard cut-outs. As for Seo Jung Yeon’s hair, it is a sculpture in itself. It’s got enough product in it to hold up the Sydney Harbour Bridge and she wears it with impressive style. Who needs Medusa when you’ve got her death-stare boring into you from across the desk.
Overall the drama is a damning indictment of the Korean arts education system and the forces that keep it on the straight and narrow, where free thinking and self-learning is sacrificed to conformity and examination grades. In terms of thinking it creates more of the same, rather than individuals who can think outside the box and move in unique directions.
The majority of my working life was spent in “western” universities and I watched them change in order to accommodate the rote learning styles of the many countries whose students provide the financial survival of western education, once political policies turned them into businesses. Much has been lost in the process.
A PhD was once an entirely original piece of research in a field not previously studied. It required breaking new ground in an area carved out by the scholar. Now it has often become being included in someone else’s research programme to write papers and includes taught courses. Many students flounder if they are not told exactly what to do and how to do it.
Gone is the education in imaginative and original thinking and the confidence to explore academic freedom. This was the actual purpose of an arts education. But the drama reveals how that is undermined, such that the student never gains this skill, but only learns to parrot what is thought by someone else. At one point the character Lee Jun Ho (Wi Ha Joon), in his battle to teach differently, says “The smart ones… understand it will become an asset of their lifetime.” The whole essence of this thinking is carefully revealed in Episode 12 and it is explicitly delineated in step by step terms like a cry from the heart.
I won’t elaborate on, imo, how self defeating it is to push children in this way to rote learn so that they can get into a university (Seoul National) which is currently (June 2024) ranked at 62 on the THE scale of global universities, 14th in Asia, with an arts and humanities ranking of 176-200. (https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/seoul-national-university) That’s indicative of a good university, but nothing exceptional. Children who get into the top university in the world - Oxford University - do not study in this way or for such punishing and unsustainable hours. Go figure…
Where Ahn Pan Seok and I completely part company is the music. My musical taste is pretty eclectic and I’m willing to embrace almost anything if it’s good. But banal and bland, predictable and pedestrian - nah. It’s not even as though you can just ignore it as background noise, tbh it’s often so cheerfully twee it attracts the ear. How he can be so subtle in his directing, yet have such naff taste in music is beyond me to understand. I’ve never watched a drama of his where the repetitive songs have not annoyed the hell out of me in every episode. Look, I’m sure there are people out there who love them, but I’m simply not one of them.
What I do like about his approach to music though is that he doesn’t always use it. His directing and the quality of the acting allows him to sometimes let emotional scenes play out without having to manipulate the viewers’ responses. They are good enough to stand on their own and silence is the thing that adds poignancy. Then immediately afterwards he’ll use something with brass and percussion at max reverb that wouldn’t sound out of place in a Marvel movie. What can I say…
As I have experience in the field and care very much about education I was probably able to read the message more thoroughly than most and as a result I really enjoyed this drama.
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Vibey
The plot had a few predictable cliches, but I enjoyed the overall experience. The filmography was absolutely gorgeous!! Also really liked the emphasis on literature and its importance, esp. in the context of rote learning for exams. I wish this point was explored more than the whole "academy's downfall because 2 instructors are dating" plot of the last 3 episodes. That part felt too cliche and the downfall of the 'villains' felt very cartoonish, tbh. But overall, despite these flaws, I enjoyed the show and the VIBESSSS were immaculate, esp in the first few eps :)Was this review helpful to you?
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disgusting story, miscasted lead
1. Problematic Teacher-Student DynamicThe show’s central premise is not only morally unacceptable but also poorly executed. The teacher-student relationship crosses a clear ethical line as the characters are shown being physically intimate on multiple occasions, making their actions both inappropriate and deeply concerning. This goes beyond mere suggestion or ambiguity and sets a harmful example, normalizing exploitative dynamics rather than addressing the serious consequences such relationships would have in real life. The significant age gap only adds to the discomfort, and such portrayals risk being a bad influence on viewers.
2. Unrealistic Character Development
The script’s portrayal of the teacher is inconsistent. Initially, she is shown as an overworked professional with 15-hour workdays and no time to spare. However, as soon as the student enters the picture, she miraculously finds time to constantly hang out with him. Even without romantic tones, this behavior is unprofessional and unrealistic for someone in her position.
The female lead is framed as educated, kind, and composed, yet her actions contradict this characterization. Instead of maintaining boundaries, she spends time with a rude, unskilled student who has no manners and no teaching experience. She even shares her resources and guidance with him, despite the fact that they are supposed to be competitors. These decisions make her seem inconsistent and poorly written.
3. The Male Lead is miscasted
The male lead is a glaring weak point in this drama. His character is rude, arrogant, and lacks both the skills and qualities needed for his role. It’s hard to believe that someone with minimal effort and training could perform as a teacher. Furthermore, his constant stalking and pestering of the female lead are framed as endearing but come off as creepy and inappropriate.
The casting choice for the male lead is also questionable. His demeanor and appearance might suit a gym teacher, but he doesn’t convincingly embody a Korean literature teacher, which undermines the credibility of the story. His portrayal exaggerates the character’s rudeness and makes him even more off-putting.
When the inevitable scandal breaks out, his true colors are revealed. Rather than taking responsibility or attempting to protect the woman he claims to love, he refuses to quit his job or even deny the allegations. Instead, he selfishly allows the female lead to face the brunt of the fallout on her own, exposing his arrogant and self-serving nature. It’s hard to root for a character so blatantly egotistical and manipulative.
Final Thoughts
"The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" had an opportunity to explore complex themes, but instead, it promotes an unrealistic and problematic narrative. With inconsistent characters, a morally questionable premise, and poor casting, this drama falls flat and leaves a bad aftertaste. Unless you’re curious about how not to handle sensitive topics, this show is skippable.
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Captivating premiere, Realistic education plot. Plus, heartwarming romance!!
The midnight romance in hagwon is captivating, the school and academy setting made it more interesting. And that's not all, the argument of seo hye jin and the school teacher on the multiple choice question made it more realistic.There are many teachers out there who simply can't accept they made a mistake, especially when that mistake is being pointed out by an academy teacher or a student. When students tells some teachers about a question having more than an answer in the options given, they'll refute them by saying "I've already told you this is the only answer for the question". And they'd be more infuriated should the student mention that his/her academy instructor proved her right.
Humans learn from their mistakes, but some believe their mistakes should be covered just because they feel their pride would be hurt. And that's exactly what this teacher tried to do.
And honestly, school teachers and academy instructors perform the same duties but in different manners, I guess. school teachers teaches according to the national curriculum while academy teachers teaches a bit beyond curriculums. But all in all, both of them teach and impact knowledge, isn't it?
This drama is indeed very promising, with excellently executed plots. I'm excited to see more captivating episodes to come!!!
The romance between the two leads is both heartwarming and believable. The chemistry between the actors is undeniable, and their interactions are both funny and touching.
The writing is sharp and witty, with a good balance of humor and pathos. The dialogue is natural and believable, and the characters' emotions are conveyed with authenticity.
The acting is superb, with all three leads delivering nuanced and emotionally resonant performances. The actors bring the characters to life and make them feel like real people.
Finally, it picked up when it reached episode 12. What can I say? I've got to say I love how mature the relationship of both leads are. They understands each other. Although I think the story could have been summarized with 12 episodes, rather than the 16. Besides that, it's still a good watch. It's a mature drama I'd recommend.
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Love, lies and spies in the Hagwon world
Who would have thought a rumor in hagwon is more deadly than a rumor in the kpop scene?Hagwon or private academy is ubiquitous in South Korea, indicating how competitive and intense the education system is there. Can I also just say how crazy this whole cram school thing is? Students attend hagwons on both weekdays and weekends. Don't they get burnout and mentally exhausted from studying 24/7? 😵
In addition, these academies are only for the rich and upper class because they cost a fortune. This is also why hagwon is a lucrative industry but a sink or swim work environment. A good track record and reputation can help you earn enough money to buy an apartment in Gangnam as Jun Ho once aspired in the beginning of the story. The show did an excellent job of conveying all this Hagwon information without making it feel like we are watching a documentary from Discovery Channel or National Geographic.
Naturally, a romance between a hagwon teacher and a former student is a ticking time bomb. After 10 years, well-known Hagwon instructor Seo Hye Jin (Jung Ryeo Won) crosses path with her former student Lee Jun Ho (Wi Ha Joon). They eventually became colleagues and worked together to attract more students in the academy only for the opposite to happen. Unfortunately, no amount of explanation could clear the air about their relationship especially in the cruel industry of hagwon where both your students and colleagues can turn their back on you in the blink of an eye.
Hye Jin is an intense and emotionally complex character. From the very first episode, we are immediately introduced to her brazen attitude while confronting a high school teacher over a question in a Korean exam. This scene was purposely drawn out to catch the viewers off guard and to emphasize Hye Jin's biting personality. The absurdity of this scene is definitely a make or break for viewers if they have enough curiosity to finish the show. Honestly, it's hard to hate her when she does her job so well. She oftentimes goes overboard because she wants to hold onto her job and reputation. Everyone is watching her every move and waiting for her downfall so Hye Jin unconsciously reinforces her power and influence in the academy. This is her way to survive in the highly competitive world of Hagwon.
Meanwhile, Jun Ho's confidence and refreshing candour definitely complements Hye Jin's fierce and intimidating nature—a match made in heaven indeed. There are hardly skinships here but Jun Ho oozes sexiness all throughout the show. He is young but he is a man enough for knowing what he wants and how to take care of his woman. On top of that, he's a man of his words. Can I just say how hot and charming Jun Ho is when he is making a point in arguments? That hella sexy brain of yours Jun Ho is such a turn on 🥵
The conflict does not feel contrived as the characters' actions are driven by desires and greed which makes them relatable. Everyone has a trick up their sleeves so you never know if the character is a friend or foe.
This kdrama is divided into four acts and sure enough the last act is powerful because the emotional buildup finally pays off and the climax was truly gripping and exciting. I totally get it if viewers drop this midway during which Si Woo's character was introduced. Whenever I think of dropping the show, I instantly miss Jun Ho's frankness and sense of responsibility and I keep running back for more of course.
The finale left so many questions unanswered. However, I think this is more realistic because there is no such thing as a clean break. In real life, people don't grovel to ask for your forgiveness once they realize they have wronged you because this bruises their ego. However, I still can't help but feel that the ending feels rushed. It was aiming for an open-ended ending, one that will still keep you wondering what happened to the characters long after you have finished watching.
Overall, the Midnight Romance in Hagwon stands out with its slow-paced but well-written narrative, fleshed out characters and subtle, nuanced acting from the entire cast. It exposes harsh reality of cram schools disguised as romance. This is not a thrilling, forbidden love story instead it centers on flawed, compelling characters standing up for what they believe in just to protect their dreams and build their reputation in the messy world of hagwon.
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