Quick Drama Facts
| Title | The Midnight Romance in Hagwon |
| Korean Title | 졸업 (Graduation) |
| Genre | Romance, Melodrama, Workplace |
| Episodes | 16 |
| Broadcast Network | tvN |
| Airing Period | May 11 – June 30, 2024 |
| Where to Watch | Viki, TVING, Viu (region-dependent) |
| Main Cast | Jung Ryeo-won, Wi Ha-joon |
| Director | Ahn Pan-seok |
| Writer | Park Kyung-hwa |
Plot Summary
Welcome to the late-night world of Daechi-dong’s most competitive cram school, where passion burns just as brightly as fluorescent lights. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon follows Seo Hye-jin, a top-tier Korean language instructor who’s built her life around helping others succeed. She’s confident, admired, and perfectly content staying in her structured academic world… until her former student walks back in.
Enter Lee Jun-ho — once a rebellious teenager, now a handsome and charismatic teacher who left a cushy corporate job to return to where it all began. His reason? A lingering affection for his former mentor that never quite faded.
As the two navigate professional rivalry, late-night lesson preps, and the unspoken rules of the hagwon world, emotions resurface. What begins as professional tension slowly unravels into a heartfelt story of reunion, growth, and love — set in a place where dreams are chased and hearts are tested.
Main Cast
Jung Ryeo-won as Seo Hye-jin: A sharp, passionate hagwon instructor who carries the weight of her choices with quiet grace.
Wi Ha-joon as Lee Jun-ho: A confident and earnest former student turned teacher who doesn’t shy away from expressing what he feels.
So Ju-yeon, Jang In-sub, and more round out the ensemble as colleagues, competitors, and confidants.
Reasons to Watch
- 1. A Noona Romance Done Right
The age-gap romance here is mature, respectful, and beautifully paced. This isn’t about taboo — it’s about timing, growth, and connection. And trust us, the chemistry is chef’s kiss.
- 2. Set in the Pressure-Cooker World of Hagwons
Explore the ultra-competitive Korean private education system through a lens that’s rarely explored with such nuance. It’s as much a workplace drama as it is a romance.
- 3. Slow-Burn That Actually Pays Off
If you love tension, glances, quiet moments that say everything — this drama is for you. The emotional buildup is subtle, grounded, and incredibly rewarding.
- 4. Director Ahn Pan-seok’s Signature Style
From Something in the Rain to One Spring Night, this director knows how to make everyday life feel cinematic and poetic — and he delivers again here.
- 5. A Soothing, Melodic OST
The soundtrack perfectly complements the nighttime mood of the drama. Expect soulful indie ballads that will linger long after the credits roll.
Trailer and More
Final Takeaway
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is not your average K-drama. It’s mature without being heavy, romantic without being flashy, and sincere in every way that counts. It’s a love story born from shared memories, mutual respect, and the quiet spaces between words. If you’re craving something emotionally rich, realistic, and beautifully filmed — this one’s a late-night gem worth staying up for
Image source Twitter