Eye-opening but shot too dark to see
Is a teacher's purpose only for helping students pass exams? Not knowing what a hagwon is when I started this drama, I had homework to do. Why are school kids learning in an office building? isn't that setting usually for adult night classes? It took a few episodes just to get a sense of the role of hagwons, or private prep schools, within the public educational system. Teachers compete against each other for students while pandering to the parents, measuring success by how many get accepted to prestigious universities. It's a complex world of ultra-privilege & free market dynamics, intertwined with regular schooling like a cancer, choking out academic freedom & feuling incredible pressures for all involved.Speaking of night classes, this drama made me claustrophobic. Most of the scenes are visually dark: offices & rooms appear windowless, what windows were visible had their blinds drawn during the day, many outdoor scenes were nighttime, & classrooms & offices are so small all the occupants looked like they were virtually shoulder to shoulder. It made for a very oppressive setting. In fact, the overall look was so dark I actually had to adjust the brightness of my tv just to see what was going on (it's a cheap tv).
In spite of the show being uncomfortable to look at, the story itself was fascinating as it introduced an aspect of S Korean society I hadn't seen before, nor have I experienced anything close to that where I live. The story follows Seo Hye Jin (played by Jung Ryeo Won) a top performing teacher at a Daechi-dong academy. Her life is turned upside down when her former star student, Lee Jun Ho (played by Wi Ha Joon) quits a comfortable, nepotically achieved corporate job & is hired as a new teacher into her own team.
When you've been teaching for while, you discover it takes a student to challenge you to your roots. HyeJin unknowingly instilled in JunHo genuine wonder & curiosity in literature which was the spark to the improvement in his grades. But having been in the business for so long, HyeJin seems to have forgotten that focus, locked into her memorization techniques & dependency on her ability to predict exam questions that brought her to the top of her game. In stark contrast is JunHo's approach in encouraging exploration & appreciation. Catalyzing their explosive clash is a brilliant 10th grade student Lee Si Wu, who is in the top tier of smart: i.e. he actually knows what he doesn't know. Si Wu fully understands his perfect scores are like walking blindfolded on a tightrope, totally dependent on knowing which questions to study for, rather than being able to handle any question that could come his way. He knows how to memorize, but doesn't know how to read. JunHo wants to teach students to read, a skill for a lifetime, which would bring a seismic shift to the role of the academy as an economic machine, catering only to parents' wishes.
The influence of hagwons is so deep they affect real estate, & this is reflected in Jun Ho's pursuit of becoming successful enough to buy his own home. In spite of growing up privileged in Gangnam, he's determined to achieve his own living & stay in Gangnam. Stronger than his own economic ambition, however, is his pursuit of the true purpose of education & his own role as a teacher.
At the center of it all is JunHo & HyeJin's noona relationship, one in which HyeJin has a very hard time overcoming the teacher/student mindset. And, given her own hesitancy & inexperience, she's paradoxically mature & immature at the same time. JunHo challenges her on different levels &, in this respect, I felt this was one of the more realistically presented age gap romances I've seen. Things get ugly when ambitious executives at the school seek to use this relationship to destroy HyeJin's career. This somehow made me lose interest in the show in it's final episodes as it plunged downward into viscious office politicking.
The subject of hagwons has been eye-opening & for that reason I enjoyed the story which is the show's greatest strength, along with good performances from the cast. Unfortunately, the show was also visually suffocating with all the poorly lit interior & night time settings, & with a lower res tv I sometimes couldn't even see the actors' faces clearly. If you can get beyond that, this drama was well worth the watch for an honest examination of the purpose of education itself.
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Outstanding drama and actors, beautiful romantic situations
If someone would have told me I could become engrossed in a drama concerning Korean learning academies, I would have laughed off my fool head. Not only was I engrossed; I didn't want it to end. The LF and LM were a 100 on a scale of 10. The main support actors were a 95 on a scale of 10. My favorite episode (#8) was when the LF and her best friend were drinking and talking together privately in the Victorious Room at the academy where the FL taught. I will rewatch that episode numerous times because the course of the conversation was so naturally and well acted I forgot I was watching a drama. Episode 8 was pivotal to fully understand and identify with the FL.I became fascinated with the issues involving Korean learning academies and am now determined to delve into the why's, who's, and how's introduced in this drama.
I loved every moment of this drama!
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ROMANCE with proper STORY
Briefing :As for the current time most of romance drama are failing to deliver a proper story to back up the whole drama. Rom Com drama now a days instead of focusing on the strong story they are just going on with famous actors and intense scenes to catch the eye of audience. Which lets audience leave their seats or mind in middle of the drama. But this one right here has the capacity to hold someone by the belt and binge the whole drama in one go.
Spoilers Ahead :
This is a fantastic Romance drama focused on the story of two people and the rest are the supporting environment to provide a proper feel of the situation. Starting romance as a proper adult as it should be with having the old time memories as their support. On top of that a selecting suitable actors and actress who performs beyond the imagination builds a unbreakable story. The side roles or support role plays a vital role in making bridge between the main leads to audience without any intervention.
Pros :
1. This is sweet and suspenseful Romance drama with backing story.
2. Strong Bond and understanding between the main leads.
3. Instead of relationship the complications and hardship lies on profession.
Cons :
1. Loose Ends. ( There are a lot of loose ends for example no updates of family members of female lead and imaginative family no show of even parents.)
2. As i said in the starting this revolves are only two people without connecting with family as much. To be exact there is no involvement of family problems which tends to be the main climax of this type of dramas.
3. Speeding the drama after intervals, This drama with this story can easily take 4 more episodes to end the situation properly.
4. Happy but not a joyful ending. The satisfaction lacks in tail end of the story.
Summary:
This is great drama for me i enjoyed it to the fullest and yes i did hoped the if could have one or two more episodes to end the imagination properly. It kept me hooked to my seat during the entire show. A being working and getting tired all day in the night time it kept me smiling and happy for the entire journey.
Thank you 👍
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Promising but...
This drama started as really promising and interesting. Probably, a lot of international watchers that don't have this type of education cannot understand it, but my country (besides SK) has this type of academies to get better grades and prepare for the national university entrance exam. So, it hit really close to me and I could relate with a lot of things in the drama and it woke in me memories both bad and good. I felt some kind of comfort from this.Besides that, I don't know if I liked the drama. The plot was super basic and after episodes 8-10, you knew what is going to happen. Also, besides Jun Ho, Hye Jin and maybe Cheong Mi, every character was a bit single minded and a bit boring, not really realistic. However, the cast was great and Wi Ha Joon and Jung Ryeo Won had very good chemistry and their characters' relationship was so relatable and real.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is an excellent drama for viewers who want an insight into South Korea's highly competitive academy system. It is a niche drama, which South Koreans relate to more than I, a US citizen. The 'midnight romance ' was the catalyst for the gossip and ultimate conflict in the drama. While the leads did become a couple, the skinship was minimal. The romance was mainly shown through their thoughtfulness for each other as they collaborated in thought and protected each other as the scandal went out of control. What a competitive and backbiting group of academy instructors: all willing to pour gasoline on a romance scandal to gain students. A real bonus and departure from the typical drama formula, the couple stayed together from start to finish. Thank goodness there was no breakup for a stupid, nonsensical reason. They supported each other.
What was difficult........The director used dim to NO lighting in the evening 'midnight ' footage, which was a creative choice that sometimes made Hagwon a challenge to watch. Changing the TV picture settings did not help. There was one moment when my TV screen was completely black. I could hear voices; thankfully, the white subs were easy to read. Even the one and only intimate scene was shot with 'midnight ' lighting.....darn it!!! I was looking forward to SEEING that romantic moment.
The drama's high quality is further elevated by its seasoned cast of actors, a fact that is self-evident. Wi Ha Joon, in his first male lead role, delivers a performance that truly stands out.
What impressed me the most was the excellent and creative finale episode. IT WAS SO SATISFYING. The resolution of the drama was not only satisfying but also unexpected, surpassing my own imagination. In the end, the theme of inspiring the high school students to want to learn/think creatively versus teaching memorization to anticipated test questions was resolved; the sincere teaching of students how to think won the day. The money-motivated teachers were left without an academy to teach in.
The Midnight Romance concluded with a heartwarming classroom scene, featuring the younger ML in the role of a teacher, imparting wisdom to his romantic partner, Seo Hye Jin (played by Jung Ryeo Won), about the future of their relationship. The inclusion of a pair of rings in his lecture signified a promising and beautiful romantic future. The writing was truly clever.
I highly recommend the watch if you like introspective dramas. It made me think about the education of kids.
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really good first 12 episodes then kinda boring
the first half was amazing when there was actual romance and he was chasing her and there were so many cute moments. Even the students' life stories were interesting and the bits on understanding the education system were tolerable then. BUT later it became so focussed on the rivalry between the academies and work and power struggles that it lost me. in summary if you liked something in the rain and dramas like that you'll like this but be aware that towards the end there will be little to no romance, I had to play on 2x and skip through most of the last 4 episodes.Was this review helpful to you?
Slice-of-life series, with a sweet romance and a severe criticism of the Korean school system.
PLOT: FL, star teacher at a prestigious hagwon, finds one of his former students as a colleague.+ Quite harsh criticism of the Korean school system: competition, cramming, over-importance of grades and rankings, pressure from parents, number of hours of daily work, ... But here we discover the world of hagwons (academies). I know it's part of Korean culture, but which parents want to impose that on their children? I understand why more and more Korean families are emigrating, especially to escape such a "massacre" of their children... => Kudos fro the producer Ahn Pan Seok !
+ Great cast: Wi Ha Joon & Jung Ryeo Won form a harmonious, respectful, confident couple, with great chemistry.
+ romance 2 is very cute (with So Ju Yeon)
+ very realistic context and tone
+ Excellent OSTs
+ pretty and sweet ending
# pace which slows down in the 2nd half
=> a very good slice-of-life series, realistic, with a sweet romance and a severe criticism of the Korean school system.
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PLOT : La FL, prof vedette d'un hagwon de prestige, retrouve un de ses anciens élèves, comme collègue.
+ Critique assez sévère du système scolaire coréen : compétition, bachotage, sur-importance des notes et des classements, pression des parents, nombre d'heures de travail quotidien, ... Mais on découvre ici le monde des hagwons (académies de cours de soutien/perfectionnement). Je sais que cela fait partie de la culture coréenne, mais quels parents souhaitent imposer ça à ses enfants ? Je comprends pourquoi de plus en plus de familles coréennes émigrent, notamment pour échapper à un tel "massacre" de leurs enfants ... => Bravo au réalisateur Ahn Pan Seok !
+ Super cast : Wi Ha Joon & Jung Ryeo Won forment un couple harmonieux, respectueux, confiant, avec une belle alchimie.
+ la romance 2 est très cute ( avec So Ju Yeon)
+ contexte et ton très réalistes
+ Excellentes OST
+ jolie et douce ending
# rythme qui se ralentit dans la 2nde moitié
=> une très bonne série slice-of-life, réaliste, avec une sweet romance et une sévère critique du système scolaire coréen.
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Felt so attached with this drama and the characters that I wouldn't have minded if it had 50 eps
One of the best leads in kdrama world even when they argued both sides felt right because their argument felt so healthy as both state their own opinion. I have to say both leads are so compatible with each other.Lead couple was a green flag throughout the series their relationship was so healthy!!
-No misunderstandings
-No breakup even during the worst scenarios
-Being a strong support to each other
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A Quiet, Realistic Drama That Many Misjudge
This drama does not rely on unrealistic fantasy elements, chaebol male leads, or exaggerated emotional twists. Instead, it focuses on ordinary people, teachers navigating the harsh and competitive hagwon system in Korea. Their struggles feel grounded, believable, and painfully realistic. The series chooses authenticity over spectacle, and that choice will not appeal to everyone. And that’s okay.The romance is subtle and mature. It doesn’t develop through dramatic breakups or forced misunderstandings, but through shared values, mutual respect, and quiet support. The relationship doesn’t “fix” the system and that is precisely the point. Love here is not a magical solution. It simply helps the characters endure reality without losing themselves.
Many criticize the ending for not delivering a world-changing resolution or an emotional catharsis. But the characters were never meant to overthrow the system or achieve grand victories. What they gain instead is something quieter: integrity. They remain true to their principles, protect their humanity, and stay together without compromising who they are. For me, that is a meaningful and realistic happy ending.
This drama is not made for viewers seeking escapism or emotional rollercoasters. It’s not for everyone. But for those who appreciate quiet storytelling, social realism, and emotionally intelligent relationships, it offers something rare.
At first, I also thought it might be too slow. I skipped ahead a lot in the first few episodes. But once I stopped rushing through it and actually paid attention, it clicked. If you dropped this drama because you thought it was boring or because you were expecting a heavily romance-focused story, I urge you to consider rewatching it with a different mindset.
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great actors invested into a non potential story!!!!
this should be considered in my opinion like a documentary about the korean academy teaching system rather than the premise of being tagged a noona romance/older woman younger man?!?! or with a minor side story of slight romance!!!! so don't be deceived to expect a noona drama that ended up to be a misconception in this mainly korean educational content!!! I think the poster is giving the wrong idea about what we are watching as it is barely having some vibes of romance!!!I was interested to begin this story as it was "PROMISING" to have a noona drama my favorite genre and for the poster giving such vibes of a catching and firing chemistry between two top notch of first class korean actors!!!! but when diving in the drama for the first few aired episodes, I can consider that the perceived reality was so deceiving for such baseless story!!!! I didn't gave up to continue watching it though so many disappoitments but I am feeling nothing is changed in the way the script is written of only focusing on "the teaching korean system of academies"!!! so no wonder why the ratings are dropping a while ago!!!
I am not against to show is it what about the reality of korean education but I think it is tackled in a boring and lenghty way that made me losing interest in the story and asking myself what I am actually watching?! as it was totally different from what I was expecting to watch not only romance for sure, it is normal to have the focus on the academy settings but not to that lifeless extent shown, but even if there will romance I am feeling like the female lead is forced to show some interest in the male lead!!!
the director ahn pan seok of the story is known for his previous dramas of that "slow burning stories" style, though I am not a fan of that type of dramas that I watched some of it but I think every average drama he managed before was better than this current drama!!! I ended skipping a lot of scenes when it comes that the majority part of the drama till now is about that academy teaching only!!! there was complaints about the synopsis being boring but will we have that promising romance making some hopes to not give up?!?!
I think wi ha joon is doing a great performance and all his best to approach jung ryeo won but she instead always showing him a rude face and rejecting him for every suggestions he is proposing to her!!! though we witnessed some progress in their cooperation in the teaching activities but I felt there is a lack of chemistry in their acting!!! I think wi ha joon is a great actor paired with jung ryeo won but the way ryeo won is treating ha joon like she is forced to accept him to be her colleague or to exist in her life!! and like smiling to him against her will?!
I was expecting something different in their chemistry even if it will bloom in a later stage for the female to accept the male in her life and being him the first chasing her is not a bad idea but I am not feeling that amazing chemistry or an excitment even the preview of episode 6 is showing a great progress of ha joon to convey his sincere love and refusing that ryeo won will leave daechi chase academy for being employed at a new one!!!
I know there will be a lot people still pleased with the story and being excited to see the first move of wi ha joon to kindle this promising firing chemistry with jung ryeo won and not agreeing with my point of view about how I found the drama!!! but still I am curious how it will turn in the end though there is a baseless and boring story!!!
I was hoping to raise my ratings more than that but keeping the same situation of skipping a lot at every episodes was disappointing and it is unworthy to wait every week for a new episode!!! otherwise the music was the only thing making a great ambiance here!!! soothing the nerves and giving butterflies!!! I could be still didn't gave up the show for the sake of the great ost?!?!
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Romance in Afterschool Academy
After watching Episodes 1 & 2, I’m in!!!!Under the same director as 'Something in the Rain' and 'One Spring Night,' I believe in this one.
This tutor-student relationship, where in the past and now they are colleagues at an afterschool academy (called hagwon in South Korea), a young man falls in love and chases the woman, who is 6 years older than him, that he likes, is always worth watching. So far, both the female lead and the male lead have their own solid arguments. And the communication between them 🔥, especially when we can see the male lead's micro expressions as he talks to her at the cafe 🤭.
I also love the introduction, the OST, and the small details the director puts in each episode.
Let's see how the story will develop in the next episodes!!!
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A quality drama, don't give up♥
A quality drama, don't give up and watch until the end to understand its quality.Casting is also perfect, there is no doubt, Wi Ha Joon is perfect in the role he plays (I love his acting in both Little Women and The Worst of Evil) the casting and acting of everyone is perfect as if they were chosen with tweezers.. there were moments that made me seethe with rage and there were also those that made me cry with rage.
The drama is a sharp indictment and criticism against the education system in Korea, the pursuit of excellence by memorization and not by self-thinking or analyzing situations, at the same time I have a reservation that the drama is apparently boring, there is a lot of talk about grades/tests and the grading system of tests. Sometimes I found myself repeating episodes or dialogue (one must say witty) to understand things, which leads me to think that the drama mainly speaks to viewers from Korea, they can better understand the depth of the drama than a western audience, most of the filming was done almost in the dark (even the room of The principal of the college it's dark not to talk about intimate scenes and a kiss lol) which made it difficult to watch. There are a lot of silences but the silences are so necessary for the plot (really wonderful acting) I've already seen series that deal with the strict education in South Korea and the attitude of the parents to their children and teachers regarding achievements, but it was on the edge (from what I saw), this drama gave me a different perspective …
Of course, it has many important and universal topics related to education and interpersonal communication, (relationships between students/teachers/and parents and interpersonal relationships on a romantic background and pure and supportive love)
The soundtrack of the drama is great and pleasant throughout the drama
I rated the drama 9/10 for me it was another introduction to culture and it takes time to get used to its pace and plot...
And it may be true that she is not suitable for everyone, this is my personal opinion and I would recommend giving her a chance♥
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