Take it or leave it
This is what I would refer to as a “chewing gum” show. At first it’s tasty and delightful, then it gets boring; loses its flavor. But suddenly a bubble is blown, so it’s somehow interesting again. Then, just as quickly, the bubble goes “pop”. And ultimately you end up spitting it out.Basically, it was sort of fun while it lasted.
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1Walk a Mile in My Shoes
It is a truth universally acknowledged amongst drama viewers(at least from what I`ve seen) that mundane depictions of real life work struggles are a boring watch. I did not expect much. But `Midnight Romance in Hagwon` was a lovely surprise.Before starting all my reviews, I make it a point to thank everyone involved with making a drama happen. From directors, writers, cast, staff, words of thanks go out to you for your hard work.
I will say this outright - I am a fan of Ahn Pan Seok, the director of this drama. He directed some of my favorite dramas of all time(Secret Love Affair, One Spring Night) and his lens once again did wonders on this project. Firstly, I like watching his dramas in the wintertime, as they often feel like a cushy blanket enveloping you, comforting and warm. Add to that a scolding cup of hot chocolate and that is - to me - the perfect way to describe most, if not all, of his projects. This time around though, terrific actors Jung Ryeo Won and Wi Ha Joon join this combo, and well...I cannot escape my bias.
I really liked this drama. It isn`t perfect, but then again, if you`re going into a Ahn Pan Seok project expecting your usual fare of dramatics...you`re going into it with a wrong mindset.
Here`s the thing. I totally understand when people say they find this flavor of dramas boring. I GET IT. The way these dramas are shot is very rudimentary, the conversations can be meandering and most of the time, they are. There`s not one specific character that you don`t feel conflicted over. The soundtracks are so repetitive and they are always of the same genre. See, I do get it. And yet...all of these things somehow work for me. Thing is, you truly do rarely see slice of life dramas that ACTUALLY feel like real life. And that`s usually their charm. I call it LIFE - KDRAMA EDITION. But when it comes to this drama, and dramas by the same director...we as viewers are aware it is a drama, but at the same time, it does feel like we are observing real people living their lives. We are afforded a glimpse into their day to day as we get passing shots of people going to a station, sleeping etc. and it still feels purposeful, important to the narrative itself. Even though, in truth, I don`t know that those shots would do anything for a casual viewer. It`s the definition of director`s indulgence. And I truly respect it. These days it`s very rare to look at a drama and be able to figure out a specific style. And he almost always manages to involve talented actors who get to, in turn, practice and flex their acting chops with roles that are too seldom found. The acting here is no exception. It is natural, effortless and engaging. I`ve seen many complaints from people saying Wi Ha Joon and Jung Ryeo Won have no chemistry but I vehemently disagree. I do think the romance could have been more pronounced(it is one of my critiques) but as for the chemistry itself, it was absolutely present. But besides them, I find other characters(such as the director, White Haired Witch, as well as other teachers in DC academy) just as fascinating. They all do have layers and issues ascribed to them and not one of them is entirely terrible. It is a workplace drama through and through, so be aware of this fact. I personally found it relatable as someone who worked in educational spaces, but for those who don`t care much about this flavor of workplace romance, I would stay away. This is where things get spotty. And that is due to the writing.
Speaking of, though I`ve just praised the writing for great characterization, the actual conflict of the story in the last few episodes does land a bit...flat. It is quite realistic in its portrayal of educational systems in Korea, from what I`ve seen, but in terms of actually serving the purpose a conflict should serve, it is rather..meh. Wish I could have picked a better word for it but it is the definition of `meh`. Especially since another conflict with far more weight, is present and could have been deepened for better effect, but that would be going into spoilers. I do wonder if the conflict I mention was meant to be the main one, but halfway through script revisions it was scrapped or minimized. Regardless, due to this, the writing does range from great to somewhat confusing. And the soundtrack... I know some find it annoying, downright torturous, that this is one of the main signs you are watching a Ahn Pan Seok`s drama, but...I`m sorry, I do love it. They are always cozy, indie reminiscent soundtracks that carry a feeling of passing sweetness and add to the actual mood of the drama. And because we are often relegated to a few tracks, they are used with a purpose too.
Perhaps this review was all over the place, yet I do feel compelled to go easier on dramas I think deserve a higher rating, and this is one of them. Truth be told, I understand why people are hesitant/unaware/not keen on this drama. But, as one of the seven people who really seem to like it, if what I wrote so far piques your interest or you are a fan of dramas such as `One Spring Night` and `Something in the Rain`, this is a good contender for those melancholic winter days full of unspoken nostalgia.
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Either its your cup of tea or its not.
This was my cup of tea, the romance is refreshing, just two people who loved each other a lot while facing the ordeals and stigmas of society and real life.Yet this may not be your cup of tea and you prefer something more dreamy and that's fine, it's your choice after all.
In conclusion, a realistic romance that touches your heart more than many others and honestly in a completely different way from others, and for me was definitely worth watching, because if it's your cup of tea, you'll love it.
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People who are into slow paced romance will definitely love the drama. ❤️
A slow - paced , meaningful , realistic and picture perfect drama series . The chemistry between the main lead's is just chef's kiss the way the emotion's are potrayed are purely raw and near to real life a love story between teacher and student a sacred love who will not love it i absolutely do and the education system and the level of competition to thrive in the social circle and stand above is shown very nicely and fantastically overally 100 % needed drama in today's mordern society .Only i felt bad about was the ending , it was lil fast and not much clear.
Still AN MUST WATCH SERIES ........
I RECOMMEND ...... !!!!
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Midnight Romance is Romancing!
Ok! Initially I came to watch this for the romace but the way they did it felt too artificial. (granted this is a drama but you get the point) 🐣The somewhat rushed of a switch that happened when the FL started to like him with no prior delving into the process of her starting to see him as someone that she might want to have a romantic relationship with, bypassing her set image of him being just an (special) ex-student is one of the flaws.
She feels obligated to "look out for" And we actually never see that change of view till later on. From the get go I didn't like her way of keeping him within waters that she knows is safe. We could encounter this during the literal first plot point of the drama~ her making and trying to persuade him not to take on the academy job and she goes through drastic measures to achieve it. She does apologize later on and "give the diploma" To him But still, it feels too late for that change to happen.
The other character that got me into watching this drama was the tale of The education system related story. To see the FL navigate it with the ML but I was appalled to see that those themes completely get thrown to the back burner when the romace started. Don't get me wrong I love romace but in a mature themed(romance) drama like this it is hard to pull it off by doing just that without it feeling bland. All is not lost though as by the ending EPs that part is brought back however this time more as a plot mechanism than anything else.
Now for the good.
Though the romance felt rushed the chemistry of the main leads was there! I Couldnt stop smiling in eposodes where they might do something as simple as taking a late night stroll. The characters (leads) were not overly exaggerated.The drama doesn't directly slap you in the face with the age gap or keep reminding you of it. Instead it shows the difference through how the characters think and act. there were times where the ML and FL Disagree. The dialogues tell those differences in how each take the argument.
Not to mention the fact that the ML is actually not shown as someone who is just completely free spirited but to some extent riddled with similar ideas and thoughts similar to the FL.What makes him "young" Isn't his age but the ambition that is of a bloomed flower in spring while it contrasts to her more restricted rusted courage to do the same.
Some other charms
~ The lead couple relationship built on mutual trust and never letting go of it.
~They handle misunderstandings and disagreements by communication without frustrating each other and the viewer of seeing it happen again and again.
~ The side characters are not annoying and doesn't feel too animated.
~ The usual family opposing stuff is non existent though they do show some what of a disagreement but is respectful to the FL.
~ As with other dramas from this director, this drama is also visually calming and pretty. + good Ost
~adorable side couple though they don't get much screen time.
~Filled with characters that tell you how strong Loyalty and morale can be.
All in all I love them ok! 😭😭😭❤
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A masterpiece ✨
Finished watching today, this drama is one of those dramas that grow into you with time and that will leave you reflecting a lot, it’s so realistic that it feels like you are living with them and witnessing their day to day life, the human stories inside and outside the academy feel so heartwarming and relatable and the actors and especially the main leads did an excellent job in their roles, their romance felt mature and realistic and still manage to give you butterflies even for the old audiences past 30 like me, i enjoyed watching it a lot and it’s going to be a drama that is among the classics of the kdrama land ✨Was this review helpful to you?
A well-paced and interesting inside look at Korean afterschool academies
I started “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” with no expectations at all and avoided it when it was first aired since I am not too big of a fan of noona romance. But I’m glad I watched it due to a Bingo challenge, as I ended up enjoying it quite a bit.Having the word ‘romance’ in its title probably has set up some expectations for romance-lovers to then feel a little disappointed. Although the romance is cute and sweet for an episode or so, the majority of the time, the drama focuses on the inner workings and politics within the afterschool academies/tutoring centers. If you are not interested in this subject, it’s best to not watch this drama, otherwise, you would be bored.
Luckily, I was quite interested in learning about the academies. It’s having a different look into Korea’s education system, and a different point-of-view from another Korean drama, “Sky Castle” which I thoroughly enjoyed as well. “Sky Castle” focuses on rich families getting their kids into prestigious academies and colleges. “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” focuses on the teachers and the rivalries between teachers and academies, with a much smaller emphasis on students and families. I have a feeling this drama might be more popular domestically than internationally. I also think the Korean audience understands and appreciates Korean literature and poems.
The first episode sucked me right in with an interesting conflict that shows up in the second half of the drama again and brings great tension between the characters. I like the progression and evolution of the relationship between Seo Hye Jin (FL) and Lee Jun Ho (ML). I also like how their romance evolves as well from sweet and cute to supportive and mature. The leads have great chemistry and I never felt weird watching this noona romance. Their interaction is natural, explosive when needed, and awkwardly cute as well.
Maybe because I did not binge this in one go, I find the drama well-paced with enough twists and turns to keep me interested and engaged throughout. I was rooting for Lee Jun Ho’s success with his daring and innovative ways of teaching. I was rooting and praying hard that the nerdy school teacher will remain true to his teaching ideals and not turn to the ‘dark side’. I was frustrated (but not surprised) of the downfall and am angry with the leads for how things turned out.
My favorite part is seeing three different teachers’ love for their students, wanting success for them yet going about teaching in very different ways and different ideals. My favorite scenes are the big blowups. The nerdy school teacher with FL in episode 1, the big argument of the main leads in ep 11, and finally as all three of them sit down and chat emotionally and passionately. I see where each of them is coming from, and agree with them all to a certain extent. Depending on whether you are a teacher, a student or a parent, you agree with each of them to a different degree.
I also really like the acting of the cast, both the main leads, the supporting cast and especially the veterans. I’m pleasantly surprised by So Ju Yeon’s portrayal of the confident teacher, Nam Cheong Mi. I’ve seen her in roles as high school students, and am glad to see her act as a confident and sassy 30-year old teacher.
I really don’t have any major criticisms of this drama and am quite surprised it has a rating of 7.7, which is quite low for Korean dramas. I just found the songs to be overly played, as much as I like them (the opening theme has a Beatle’s vibe to it). Other reasons for the low rating: 1) maybe the focus of the academies is too much/boring and not a popular topic, 2) maybe the romance is somewhat slow burn and not rewarding enough thus, not disappointing many, 3) maybe the downfall is too predictable, as we all know it’s going to happen sooner or later.
No matter the reason, I personally enjoy “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon”. I’ll recommend this drama if you are interested in learning more about the academies/tutoring centers, or a romance that’s a little different and evolves and matures as the series goes.
Completed: 1/19/2025 - Review #534
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All Mood. No Momentum.
I had such high hopes for this drama. I really enjoyed One Spring Night and Something in the Rain, but this one just didn’t compare for me. The leads had great chemistry at the beginning, but then the dynamic got strange. Even though there was only a five-year age gap, Hye-Jin often treated Jun-Ho like a child, which became frustrating.I did appreciate that they didn’t break up... largely because Jun-Ho fought so hard for the relationship. However, the pacing was a major issue. I usually enjoy laid-back dramas, but this felt excessively slow. There were far too many long shots of scenery or characters just thinking or waiting. Those moments can be effective, but not when they last several minutes and are repeated multiple times every episode.
The conflict also felt weak and poorly developed - especially the sudden hostility toward Hye-Jin, which seemed to come out of nowhere and never truly resolved. Many of the characters lacked clear motivation, making it hard to understand why they behaved the way they did. Overall, the drama had potential, but it fell short for me.
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Mature, realistic romance and character arcs within a compelling slice of life setting
Mellow, mature romance with true character arcs and growth built up in the middle of very realistic feeling characters and settings. I will definitely be rewatching parts again.Jung Ryeo Won is always amazing and brings a touch of realism to anything she takes on, but Wi Ha Joon was delightful as well in his slightly out of the ordinary role turn and they had really nice chemistry together. People looking for a focus on romance will be disappointed, which I assume is the reason for the lower rating and some of the complaints I've seen, but the story was about their lives and the Hagwon activities/ work politics with the romance as part of it, and it worked great for me. The director likes repeating his supporting cast across shows and I'm not complaining because they're all very talented and it's fun to see them play alternate nice and petty across his shows. The secondary cast all got lovely interiority, which is not always the case for dramas.
The character dynamics, including extremely well written out secondary characters, and artistic shot decisions were lovely and triumphed over the overused soundtrack, which was mostly very annoying and the director needs to get over his obsession with irritating english songs played every climactic moment. However, by the end I could ignore it as the story overcame it. I was sad to see it end.
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Repetitive music and contrived drama
Every single drama I've seen that's been directed by this man has garbage contrived drama at the end. Is it that hard to write something that's not so contrived? Maybe it's just a cultural difference, but I just couldn't be bothered to care about the drama. The subject itself is very culturally Korean so I took that into account, but this was just annoying.This director also needs to listen to a lot more music. The repetitive songs got on my nerves here like in all his other kdramas. Just change it up man. Or just don't use music at all. I'd rather have silence over the same song in every scene.
On the flip side, I did like the romance until the nonsense drama started. I thought they were cute together and had chemistry. Sadly, there just wasn't enough of that to improve this drama for me. Disappointing.
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Hypnotic in a positve way
I would have never thought this drama would be so enaging.I started watchin it with in mind the reviews calling it slow, at times boring, to centered on school issues rather than love despite of the title.
In a way all these reviews were right except for considering it boring.
Every single dialogue is so interisting no matter what the topic is. I found myself completely absorbed in every single scene.
And the love story permeates the whole drama.
It's a love story between adults, so don't expect lovey dovey scenes, rainbows and butterlies, but love and warmth is still there and it made my heart beat a little faster.
The other positive thing is that the characters are quite realistic. You won't find prince charming solving all the problems or the perfect FL that succedes in everything she does. Here we have "real" people with all their flaws and weaknesses.
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This review may contain spoilers
'Twas pleasant, thought-provoking, and well-made, though it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
One thing that stood out about this drama is how realistic it feels—the pauses in conversations, the awkward silences, the transitions from day to night...the interactions between the characters mimic real life, unlike most dramas with carefully choreographed scripts.'Tis a slow-burn drama set against the backdrop of ultra-competitive educational institutions in S.Korea. The "romance" in the title doesn't only refer to the romance between a man and a woman, but also to the wider concept of passion in the characters' lives. Their passion for teaching, literature, the education system...it's beautiful to watch.
It was refreshing to see the main leads not breaking up for the sake of protecting the other. Finally, a drama that does not have the breakup arc three-quarters through the drama! Love to see it. ❤️ Beyond its content, the drama also delivers aesthetically. From walking in the rain to hugging under the snowfall, every scene looks like a work of art.
This drama is catered to a more mature audience, and moves away from typical kdrama arcs and tropes. I enjoyed watching it slowly, one episode a day, taking my time to appreciate every episode before moving on to the next.
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