The Midnight Romance in Hagwon early review: Will Wi Ha Joon, Jung Ryeo Won’s new tvN romance win over viewers?

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After feuding with the front man in Squid Game (2021), leading a drug cartel in The Worst of Evil (2023), and what not, Wi Ha Joon’s diverse but underrated talents have finally caught on with the men of romance. Has achieved the top position as head. Drama. Opening its chapter of melodrama on Saturday, May 11, The Midnight Romance in Hagwon premiered on tvN, home of recent hit releases including Queen of Tears and Lovely Runner.

Jang Ryeo Won and Wi Ha Joon at a press conference for their show The Midnight Romance in Haegwon before the tvN premiere on May 11.(tvN)
Jang Ryeo Won and Wi Ha Joon at a press conference for their show The Midnight Romance in Haegwon before the tvN premiere on May 11.(tvN)

The latest weekend drama is directed by Ahn Pan Seok, widely celebrated for his previous works such as Something in the Rain and the award-winning shows Secret Affair and Behind the White Tower. Jung Ryeo Won (Walk of Love) shares the screen with Wi Ha Joon in this tvN romance melodrama as their lives get entangled upon reunion after a decade long hiatus.

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He is joined by Soo Jo Yeon, Kim Jong Tae, Kim Jung Young, Seo Jeong Yeon, Shin Joo Hyup, Yoon Bok In, Oh Man Seok and others in important supporting roles.

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon K-Drama Plot

Years later, the stable life of Seo Hye Jin, an experienced cram school instructor, takes a shocking turn upon the return of her former student. Although a decade earlier, she had helped troublemaker Lee Joon Ho get into a prestigious university, she quietly admired him from a distance. Eventually quitting her big job, she also decides to become a teacher, which gives her the chance to be close to Hye Jin again.

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K-drama fans were quick to join the bandwagon of the new premiere and share their opinions about the show. Since the brand new tvN series is billed as a “melodrama,” viewers hoping to tune in should be aware that it may not be to everyone’s taste. According to the collective judgment of fans who have watched Episode 1 so far, the series starts off at a slow pace, based on natural interactions and dynamics.

It creates a strong sense of nostalgia with its easy plot progression in the season premiere. Some special moments took fans back in time to the screenings of K-dramas of the late 2010s, including Sky Castle and Something in the Rain.

The slow-burn romance makes room for a natural relationship between the lead pair, whose chemistry instantly tugs at one’s heartstrings. Plus, considering that The Midnight Romance is Wi Ha Joon stepping into a lead male role for the first time, it’s quite likely that his undeniable charm will have you hooked in no time.

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon Reviews: How Did Audiences React to Wi Ha Joon and Jung Ryeo Won’s Romance Drama Premiere?

Fans couldn’t get enough of the show’s heart-warming nostalgia. They also draw cozy parallels with the show’s director (Ahn Pan Seok)’s previous project, Something in the Rain.

As the series is also in some ways expanding its exploration of the South Korean education industry, K-drama fans couldn’t help but recall their nostalgia for the sensational 2018 hit series Sky Castle, which actively took a bold stance. Adopted that approach as well.

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  • “Introducing #TheMidnightRomanceInHagwon is giving me so much nostalgia 🥹😭 The song is my vibe ❤️”
  • “They give me butterfly and this is just the teaser of ep 2. The song and cinematography remind me of something in the rainy season. Please give me more.”
  • “15 minutes into #TheMidnightRomanceinHagwon and I’ve already seen half the sitters and OSN supporting cast. 😭It feels like watching a seasonal series with different main characters.”
  • “#TheAtypicalFamily and #TheMidnightRomanceInHagwon are both weird. But in a good way 🔥”

Reactions to The Midnight Romance in Hagwon’s Plot and Characters

Thoughts on Wi Ha Joon’s K-drama comeback with his first lead role:

  • “Wii Ha Joon is starring in a lead role for the first time and in nothing but a romantic comedy? It’s like a dream come true.”
  • “The main male era of Y Hajun has finally arrived, everyone is happy”
  • “How rewarding it feels to see Wi Hajun as the lead in a romance drama, like I’ve waited for this day since 2019, and it’s here.”

Fans’ verdict on Jung Ryeo Won’s character Seo Hye Jin:

  • “5 minutes in and I love how Hyejin is such an outspoken woman #TheMidnightRomanceInHagwon”
  • “Another strong FL👏I love when FLs are strong, independent, and kind….we all needed a teacher like her🥺”
  • “I’m already in love with her, I really love seeing such strong women 🫶🏻”
  • Another commentator noted how Ryo Won’s portrayal of the teacher was spot on: “She really left all her tiredness and frustration out the door and put on her best smile before entering the classroom to teach. It’s really not easy to do 🥺🥺”
  • “My favorite scenes of #JungRyeoWon are his eloquent characters engaged in conflict. She delivers her lines very well and wins convincingly.

In addition to Jung Ryeo Won winning over viewers from the beginning, many people also felt attracted to So Joo Yeon’s Nam Cheong Mi, who is described as another new instructor with a courageous personality. The first episode also gave a glimpse of her character’s potential friendship with Wi Ha Joon’s Lee Joon Ho, and viewers are already counting on their dynamic to deliver healthy interactions throughout the series.

  • “I already love Chungmi so much, she’s so hilarious and charming… look at the actress you are.”
  • “Cheongmi is definitely a confident character! The fact that she didn’t feel small because she didn’t graduate from SKY (the 3rd most prestigious university in South Korea) is yes girl! Let your talent speak!”

Audience thoughts on the storyline so far:

  • “#TheMidnightRomanceInHagwon has begun. Going to temporary schools, pressure due to education system, restarting career and then it is the beginning of romance. I am locked inside. Always loved #JungRyeoWon and now #WiHaJoon takes on his first lead role 🤌🏽”
  • “Ep 1 gives a solid and interesting start to Junho and Hyejin’s story, while introducing various problems related to academics like school vs. academy and student-parent-teacher dynamics. love it <3"
  • “One episode is over and yes, I am liking it. It was a slow start but I enjoyed the episode overall. I’m guessing the main theme of the show will be about the tension between the school teachers and private tutors and about JH and his parents and life choices.
  • “30 minutes in and I’m sold👏👏👏👏#TheMidnightRomanceInHagwon”

How people reacted to Wi Ha Joon and Jung Ryeo Won’s chemistry:

The lead pair of the drama won a warm place in the hearts of many with their natural acting, which immediately made room for their sizzling on-screen chemistry, which was nothing short of sizzling.

  • “Please call me teacher, I think it would make me feel better”. I love how confident and flirty he is with her.”
  • “I already love the way they interact. They feel so comfortable and natural with each other. I love it! “My pride.”
  • “A rainy umbrella scene at the end of the episode where he charmingly and playfully asks her to call the instructor, already loving their chemistry #TheMidnightRomanceInHagwon #TheMidnightRomanceInHagwonEp1”
  • “Ladies and gentlemen, we are on a journey with #TheMidnightRomanceinHagwon episode one and my heart is so eager.”
  • “Their chemistry seems so good and natural…excited for their love story❤️”
  • “It’s only been a minute since I watched and I’m already blushing 😭 #TheMidnightRomanceInHagwon”

The slow progression of the plot may not be everyone’s cup of tea

  • “What is this. 25 minutes passed and nothing much happened. When will this momentum pick up #TheMidnightRomanceInHagwon”
  • “It’s quite slow and a little boring #GraduationEp1 until you get to the end of it, so stop by. It’s going to be an epic ride.

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon Episode 2 will air on Sunday, May 12 at 9:20 pm KST on tvN and TVwing. International viewers can rely on the streaming platform Viki/Vu in selected regions to watch this ongoing series.

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