The Midnight Studio (2025)
Starring: Joo Won, Kwon Nara
Platform: ENA / Netflix
Douban Rating: 8.3
Plot Summary:
Seo Ki-joo (Joo Won) is the 7th-generation owner of a strange photo studio that only opens at midnight. His clients? Ghosts with unfinished business who return for one last portrait before passing on. Though Ki-joo has inherited this supernatural ability and responsibility, he’s emotionally closed-off and haunted by his own family trauma.
Enter Han Bom (Kwon Nara), a tough and justice-driven lawyer whose life becomes entangled with Ki-joo’s after a near-death experience. When she discovers the studio’s secret, she becomes his reluctant assistant—helping ghosts find peace while slowly uncovering Ki-joo’s past.
Together, they offer closure to the dead… and maybe healing for themselves in the process.
Highlights:
- Joo Won gives a layered performance as a man burdened by duty and loneliness, quietly carrying centuries of inherited pain.
- Kwon Nara brings strength, sarcasm, and subtle vulnerability to her role, making her both compelling and relatable.
- Each episode introduces new ghost “clients” with touching stories—ranging from tragic to heartwarming.
- The cinematography is dark and dreamy, with glowing midnight tones and atmospheric lighting that enhances the supernatural mood.
What Could Be Better:
- The slow pacing and episodic format may not appeal to viewers who prefer fast plot progression or serialized twists.
- Some ghost-of-the-week arcs feel formulaic before the overarching plot deepens.
Verdict:
The Midnight Studio is a quiet, emotional, and hauntingly beautiful drama about letting go, remembering the forgotten, and finding connection in unlikely places. With just enough fantasy to feel magical and just enough pain to feel real, it’s a standout among 2025’s softer, more introspective series.
Perfect for fans of Hotel Del Luna, Move to Heaven, or anyone who believes every soul deserves a final snapshot.