This review may contain spoilers
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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Dropped after 3 episodes — Beautiful FL, but the incest story is disgusting
I started Love the Way You Are (2022) for the stunning female lead — she’s elegant, confident, and a genuine pleasure to watch on screen. But after just 3 episodes, I had to drop it. The step-sibling incest romance plot made me increasingly uncomfortable and frustrated.🌟 What I Liked:
The Female Lead (FL)
She’s absolutely beautiful, carries herself with grace, but the plot makes her a bit strange to agree on her brother tricks. Anyway she has screen presence and charisma.
The Visual Quality
The cinematography, color palette, and overall production are top-tier. Everything looks amazing… until the writing takes over.
🚫 What Made Me Drop It:
1. Romanticizing a Step-Sibling Dynamic
While they’re not biologically related, the male lead is her legal stepbrother. That should be a firm boundary. Their dynamic feels clingy, emotionally intrusive, and completely inappropriate.
→ Watching him pine for her with clear romantic intent was disturbing.
→ It’s not sweet. It’s obsessive. And the show shamelessly tries to frame it as “destined love.”
This is step-sibling romance disguised as wholesome affection — and it doesn’t sit right.
2. Unfairly Villainizing the Boyfriend
I genuinely don’t understand why the show paints her boyfriend as the bad guy.
He forgot her allergy once — not great, but hardly evil.
He encouraged her to quit a low-paying, degrading job and even offered her a position in his own company.
He wanted her to pursue dance or hobbies she enjoys, while he took care of the rest.
That’s not controlling. That’s supportive. It’s the dream for many working women stuck in toxic workplaces.
And let’s be honest — she didn’t even have a meaningful career to protect. Her pride was louder than her reality.
3. Toxic Double Standards
If a female lead offered to help her struggling boyfriend out of a bad job and support his dreams, it would be framed as empowering.
But here, because it’s a man with resources, he’s suddenly labeled “manipulative”?
This hypocrisy ruins what could’ve been a balanced relationship.
4. The Clingy Brother Is Just Unsettling
He constantly crosses boundaries and inserts himself into her emotional space.
His behavior feels less like love and more like unhealthy attachment — like a boy who never grew out of his childhood crush.
Romanticizing this incest is tone-deaf at best.
5. Normalizing Unethical Romance
It’s alarming how casually the drama tries to push step-sibling incest romance as a heartwarming love story.
There’s a difference between exploring taboos and normalizing uncomfortable dynamics without real reflection. This crosses that line.
🤦♀️ Overall Impression
This drama had potential — strong lead actress, great visuals, and promising setup — but the writing completely derails it by:
Forcing a romance that feels ethically questionable.
Ruining a mature male character to boost the brother’s image.
Mistaking obsession and emotional clinginess for love.
❌ Final Verdict:
1/10 — Only watch if you enjoy forced, uncomfortable romance and don’t mind watching a show casually erase moral boundaries for the sake of “drama.”
I came for a confident, beautiful female lead.
I left because the story around her made everything feel gross.
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