The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (2025)
Starring: Jung Ryeo-won, Wi Ha-jun
Platform: tvN / Netflix
Douban Rating: 8.3
Plot Summary:
Seo Hye-jin (Jung Ryeo-won) is a respected Korean language instructor at a top hagwon in Daechi-dong, Seoul’s most competitive education district. She’s confident, dedicated, and fiercely protective of her students—but behind her polished image lies the regret of a love she once abandoned for her career.
Enter Lee Joon-ho (Wi Ha-jun), a former student of hers who suddenly reappears as a new teacher at the same academy—now charming, capable, and carrying unresolved feelings from a decade ago. Their reunion stirs up complicated emotions, as old memories clash with current responsibilities.
As professional and personal boundaries begin to blur, Hye-jin must face her past decisions and consider whether love—like knowledge—deserves a second chance to be taught and learned.
Highlights:
- Jung Ryeo-won masterfully portrays emotional maturity and vulnerability, anchoring the series with quiet intensity.
- Wi Ha-jun offers a grounded yet romantic performance, making Joon-ho both believable and swoon-worthy.
- The nighttime setting of cram school culture—fluorescent lights, empty corridors, hushed classrooms—adds a poetic backdrop to the story.
- A refreshing, realistic romance that respects the emotional intelligence of its characters and audience.
What Could Be Better:
- The slow pacing and subtle storytelling may not appeal to viewers looking for dramatic twists or fast-moving plots.
- Some side characters remain underused, despite potential for deeper subplots.
Verdict:
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is a beautifully crafted drama about rekindled love, unspoken regret, and the enduring influence of a good teacher—or student. With its quiet emotional power and intimate performances, it’s one of 2025’s most quietly compelling love stories.
Highly recommended for fans of My Liberation Notes, Call It Love, or One Spring Night, this is a drama that lingers like a soft echo in the heart.