Why Midnight Romance in Hagwon Continues to Captivate Me Despite K-Netizen Backlash
It’s been a while since I wrote my last K-Drama review, but that doesn’t mean I’m not watching anymore. I started the year with “Welcome to Waikiki,” “Death’s Game,” “Maestra,” and “Shop for Killers.” I even exposed myself to the romance genre with “Mr. Queen,” “Work Later, Drink Now,” and “She Was Pretty.” The latest on my list is the controversial “Midnight Romance in Hagwon.”
I’ve been a Jung Ryeo Won fan since 2005 when she played the antagonist in “My Lovely Sam Soon.” I mention this because it might make this Op-Ed seem a bit biased.
To give you an idea, “Midnight Romance in Hagwon” has received backlash because the main characters are perceived to have lowered the morale of teachers and the story is seen as distorting the Korean public education system.
For Koreans, education influences a person’s social and economic image. It uplifts a person through self-fulfillment and social advancement. No wonder professionals disagree with the drama’s concept.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching K-Dramas, particularly the slice-of-life genre, it’s that they magnify the imperfection of being human. Some people say it’s a slow burn — I 100% agree.
If you’ve watched “Diary of a Prosecutor” and other Jung Ryeo Won works like “Witch at Court” and “May it Please the Court,” you’ll see that her roles depict a woman who stands by her values. However, being human, she has vulnerabilities and makes mistakes.
I understood vulnerabilities and mistakes completely after watching “My Mister” and “Misaeng: Incomplete Life.” “My Mister” scratches the wounds you thought had completely healed, reminding you that you’re human and can be a loser at any point in your life. Meanwhile, “Misaeng: Incomplete Life” tells you that even if you don’t want to compete, you’ll be pushed to survive and keep fighting.
For me, the slice-of-life genre aims to disturb one’s perspective, not to attack a system, institution, or profession. It’s more about self-reflection, recalibrating your decisions in life, and deciding where to go next. It doesn’t hide the fact that some people can’t maintain their morale, but it doesn’t mean they represent the whole.
The slice-of-life genre is a battle within. As viewers, we’re reminded that at some point in our lives, we will meet someone fighting the same battle. All we can do is understand and help them if we can.
Yes, I’m tired of reading news about K-Drama backlash. Let the creatives do their job and allow yourself to enjoy their art. Sure, they have moral obligations to produce appropriate content. But let us also remember that these are fictions. Documentaries can break and disturb you more than these fictions.
Why watch this series?
The series kicks off by introducing a diverse cast of characters and the intricate ways they’re connected within the academy.
Right from the start, you can feel the intense competition and pressure as students strive to get into top universities or ace the KSAT exam.
Initially, there’s a noticeable distance between the characters, but as the story unfolds, these gaps close, blossoming into deep friendships and heartfelt romances.
Unlike many shows that make you wait for romantic developments, this series delivers early on, satisfying your craving for love scenes from the get-go.
In the second half, the focus shifts to the business side of the academy. We witness instructors being lured away by rival academies and heated debates over teaching methods, offering a fascinating look at strategic and logical thinking within the academic world.
Though the academy specializes in Korean literature, which might not immediately appeal to everyone, the series does an excellent job of drawing you in. The diverse viewpoints and innovative teaching methods can spark a newfound interest in classic literature, even for those who weren’t initially fans.
It certainly worked for me.
If my literature professors had taught like this, I probably would have read a lot more since high school.
The Last Episode
As a fan of Jung Ryeo Won, I’m familiar with her signature style and how she delivers her lines. While watching this series, I noticed a different side of Ryeo Won. However, the last episode reminded me of her previous roles as a prosecutor. She has this unique way of delivering silly thoughts and smoothly mocking someone to bring down their confidence.
Episode 16 was hilariously satisfying — not in a bad way. It was the moment when the villains lost it all, and they really did, thanks to Ryeo Won’s scathing criticism that triggered their downfall.
The final scene was neither cringeworthy nor overly artistic. It was well-thought-out and the perfect way to wrap up the series, bringing everything to a satisfying conclusion. Ryeo Won truly has a knack for choosing great scripts.
This series is perfect for those who appreciate slow-burn romance and life genres, without the overly fantasized elements often found in romantic stories.
If you want a more fast-paced rom-com, check out Choi Si-Won KDrama to Watch if You Love Rom-Com. What’s interesting about Si-won’s series is how, even as a second male lead, he offers a new perspective on true love.
Rating: 8/10
