The Midnight Romance In Hagwon is a unique experience as it’s filled with moments and conversations that are unique, at times realistic and have a natural vibe. It has a subtle, indie-like feel that I really dig. It has the distinct style of PD Ahn Pan Suk (who has directed shows like Something In The Rain, One Spring Night and Secret Love Affair), with the show soaked in muted colors and quiet, soothing air. It does have its flaws but the pluses outweigh the minus points.

ABOUT

The drama is set in the world of private coaching classes. Seo Hye Jin (Jung Ryeo Won) is a talented and dedicated academy instructor who tirelessly helps her troublemaker student Lee Jun Ho (Wi Ha Joon) to get admission into a prestigious university. He comes back after 10 years to work as a rookie instructor in the same coaching academy after quitting a good corporate job. She was his first love and in the present, both of them start to fall in love.

But the show is a lot more than the romance — it is an exploration of the Korean education system. Education can be wholesome with a goal to achieve/provide real and in-depth knowledge to the students. On the other hand, it can be given with the sole aim of getting highest grades in the competitive exam. Then there is the debate of school education versus coaching classes. The show touches upon these topics which don’t have easy answers. The drama also puts light on the pressure faced by teachers and students — due to parents and competition.

REVIEW

The drama has many feels attached to it — romance, drama, friendship, angst — and all these have shades that we don’t typically see in dramas. Same goes for the characters, dialogues and moments. The show focuses more on conversations than on plot events. It takes its time to capture the emotions and meaning of a particular scene. As a result, the drama is a slow paced ride, which works sometimes but also takes longer than necessary time on certain scenes and situations.

I really enjoyed the main love story between Hye Jin and Jun Ho. It’s subtly written. I love that when they reunite after many years, there are no grand gestures or music. Everything flows very naturally between the two. Her being his teacher in the past can seem icky but the show makes it clear that she falls for him romantically in the present, despite having affection for him in the past. Hye Jin is a complex character who is difficult to understand initially but gradually we see more layers to her. Jun Ho is idealistic and full of confidence, but is also immature. He is also impulsive but we see him grow over the course of the drama. Hye Jin also has lessons to learn along the way.

Jung Ryeo Won gives a fabulous performance and it’s the little nuances, the little touches that make it so splendid. Wi Ha Joon is impressive as well and both the leads have a charming chemistry.

I loved Nam Cheong Mi (So Ju Yeon brings heart and smarts to the part), who is a newbie in the academy. She is a very interesting character — straightforward, intelligent and compassionate. She is also witty. I loved her love story with Jun Ho’s best friend Choi Sung Gyu (Shin Joo Hyup), who is such a nerdy, cute character. I found them adorable! Bonus points to the show for starting their romance once the main couple gets together, so that we have another round of giddiness.

Kim Hyun Tak (Kim Jong Tae) is another amusing character who delivers some funny scenarios. Choi Hyung Sun, who is the director of another academy, is a fascinating character and Seo Jung Yeon is excellent in this role. I wish they didn’t make her a complete villain in the end and kept her grey.

I’m surprised at how much I liked the arc of Pyo Sang Sub, the school teacher. Kim Song-Il gives an impeccable performance. I really thought he is going to start teaching at Daechi Chase Academy along with Hye Jin and Joon Ho in the end. But this drama is always trying to be more realistic than giving an idealistic, satisfying conclusion.

I also loved the frank, natural portrayal of friendship between Hye Jin and her best friend So-Young, and her husband Geum Choon-Il. Their scenes are nothing short of a delight.

THE MINUS POINTS

The show takes a lot of time to establish its world in the initial episodes and the non-stop scenes involving academy, school, teachers and students make it a mostly boring and dull start. But once we are past that, The Midnight Romance In Hagwon starts to become interesting. I also think that the whole arc of scheming by the assistant director towards the end doesn’t align with the otherwise realistic, subdued approach of the drama. Also, the slow pace sometimes feels unnecessary. Another thing I did not like much was how the English teacher turns against Hye Jin, just because she didn’t reciprocate his feelings — I really wanted him to be a mature person. It felt kind of weird to see him change so much.

IN A NUTSHELL

Partly about love/ relationships and partly about education system, The Midnight Romance In Hagwon is a unique experience with its low-key vibe, realistic moments and amusing characters. I simply loved the directorial style of real time shots and unhurried pace.

MY RATING: 8.5 out of 10