The Midnight Romance in Hagwon explained

Image Upright:1.15
Native Name:
Hangul:졸업
Hanja:卒業
Rr:Jor-eop
Mr:Jol'eob
Lk:Graduation
Director:Ahn Pan-seok
Music:Lee Nam-yeon[1]
Country:South Korea
Language:Korean
Num Episodes:16
Executive Producer:Kim Ryoon-hee [2]
Producer:Cho Youn-hee
Network:tvN

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is a 2024 South Korean television series written by Park Kyung-hwa, directed by Ahn Pan-seok, and starring Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon. It aired on tvN from May 11, to June 30, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea, and on Viki and Viu in selected regions.

Synopsis

It tells the story of a secret and sweet real-life romance between Seo Hye-jin, a veteran cram school instructor, and Lee Joon-ho, a quirky student who returns after a decade to stir her heart. The secret midnight romance that begins when the lights go out in Daechi-dong Academy, and the colorful stories of the academy instructors we didn't know about.[3]

Cast and characters

Main

A star tutor with 14 years of experience. She is a quiet competitor with a solid inner game who never gives up.

A new lecturer who returns after 10 years and stirs up Seo Hye-jin's daily life and heart.

Supporting

People at Daechi Chase Academy

A new instructor in the Korean Language Department of Daechi Chase Academy and has bold personality.

Director of Daechi Chase Academy.

Deputy Director of Daechi Chase Academy.

Counseling Manager of Daechi Chase Academy.

English Department 1 team leader of Daechi Chase Academy who is fairly popular and has an unrequited love for Hye-jin.

Korean Language Department 2 team leader of Daechi Chase Academy. He was the highest ranking Korean-language until Hye-jin came.

Social Studies team leader of Daechi Chase Academy.

Korean Language Instructor of Daechi Chase Academy and Hye-jin's team member for three years. She graduated from the Department of Korean-language Education at a top-ranked women's university.

English Department 2 team leader of Daechi Chase Academy.

The new instructor at English Department of Daechi Chase Academy who gets along well with people.

Administrative and Support Department head of Daechi Chase Academy.

People at Daechi Choisun Academy

Director and Instructor of Daechi Choisun Academy and known as White-haired Witch. She has the largest number of students at Heewon High School in Daechi-dong for 20 years.

Hyung-sun's assistant who is shrouded in mystery.

People around Jun-ho

Jun-ho's best friend and worldly cynical graduate student. He gave up getting a job and went to graduate school.

Jun-ho's mother who was once known as the "pig mom".

Jun-ho's father who is a former executive at a large securities company but now a current executive at a small to medium-sized company.

People around Hye-jin

Hye-jin's best friend and a lawyer.

Owner of Night Flight bar.

People at Chanyoung High School in Daechi-dong

A Korean Language Teacher at Chanyoung High School with 20-year experience.

A student at Chanyoung High School who is timid and smart.

A student at Chanyoung High School who is cheerful and simple.

A student at Chanyoung High School who is the class president.

People at Heewon High School in Daechi-dong

A student at Heewon High School who rank first in the entire school.

Production

Development

Developed under the working title Graduation is the new work of director Ahn Pan-seok, who directed Something in the Rain (2018) and One Spring Night (2019), and attracted the attention of broadcasters since the beginning of production. Park Kyung-hwa announced as the writer while Studio Dragon and JS Pictures managed the production of the series.

Casting

Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon were offered the lead roles for the series in July and October 2023, respectively.[15] [16]

Jung and Wi were officially confirmed as the lead actors of the series.[17]

Filming

Principal photography began in October 2023.

Original soundtrack

The soundtrack of the series, led by music director Lee Nam-yeon and featuring an American band The Restless Age was revealed on May 10, 2024.[18]

Album

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (Original Soundtrack)
Type:soundtrack
Artist:The Restless Age
Label:Stone Music

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon soundtrack album was released on June 30, 2024; it contains all of the singles and background tracks from the series.[19]

Tracklist

Singles

Singles included on the album were released from May 12, to June 9, 2024.[20] [21] [22]

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Release

In October 2023, the series was scheduled to be released on tvN in 2024 and is also available for streaming on TVING, Viki, and Viu.[23] [24] Five months later, tvN confirmed that the release date will be on May 11, 2024.[25]

Viewership

! scope="col" rowspan="2"
Original broadcast dateAverage audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[26]
NationwideSeoul
1May 11, 20245.169% 6.329%
2May 12, 20245.150% 5.492%
3May 18, 2024 4.005%
4May 19, 20244.805% 6.052%
5May 25, 20244.231% 5.262%
6May 26, 20244.897% 5.749%
7June 1, 20244.117% 5.248%
8June 2, 20244.322% 5.434%
9June 8, 20243.175%
10June 9, 20244.173% 4.957%
11June 15, 20243.369% 4.309%
12June 16, 20244.790% 5.950%
13June 22, 20243.614% 4.553%
14June 23, 20245.192% 6.306%
15June 29, 20243.940% 4.476%
16June 30, 2024
Average
  • In the table above, the represent the lowest ratings and the represent the highest ratings.
  • This drama aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).

Accolades

Listicles

Publisher! scope="col"
YearListiclePlacement
NME2024The 10 best K-dramas of 2024 – so farPlaced[27]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hong. Se-young. May 8, 2024. ko: 정려원♥위하준 로맨스, 대치동 돼지엄마들도 설레겠네 (졸업). Jung Ryeo-won♥Wi Ha-joon romance, even pig mothers in Daechi-dong will be excited (Graduation). https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/382/0001124631. May 9, 2024. Sports Dong-a. ko. Naver. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511132749/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/382/0001124631. live.
  2. Web site: The Midnight Romance in Hagwon. Studio Dragon. May 8, 2024. May 8, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240508140416/https://www.studiodragon.net/en/works/portfolio/the-midnight-romance-in-hagwon/. live.
  3. Web site: ko:위하준X정려원 '졸업', 이토록 설레는 사제커플..2024년 공개. Wi Ha-joon X Jung Ryeo-won's 'Graduation', such an exciting teacher-student couple..To be released in 2024. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003659293. Naver. Herald Pop. ko. Park. Seo-hyun. October 19, 2023. March 27, 2024. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130511/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/112/0003659293. live.
  4. Web site: ko:김지원♥김수현 가고 정려원·위하준 온다...'졸업' 스캔들 주인공. Kim Ji-won♥Kim Soo-hyun goes and Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon come...'Graduation' scandal protagonist. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003816930. Naver. My Daily. ko. Kim. Ji-woo. March 27, 2024. March 27, 2024. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130532/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/117/0003816930. live.
  5. Web site: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/112/0003693730. Kim. Na-yool. April 25, 2024. Herald Pop. ko. ko:'졸업' 소주연X신주협, 대치동 로맨스..동갑내기 케미 기대. 'Graduation' So Joo-yeon and Shin Joo-hyeop, Daechi-dong romance..xpect chemistry among same-age peers. April 25, 2024. Naver. April 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240425191558/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/112/0003693730. live.
  6. Web site: https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3303. CJ ENM. ko. ko:대치체이스 학원 사람들. People at Daechi Chase Academy. April 25, 2024. April 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240425191602/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3303. live.
  7. Web site: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/117/0003826821. Kang. Da-yoon. April 26, 2024. My Daily. ko. ko:장소연, '졸업' 출연 확정...정려원·위하준과 호흡 [공식]. Jang So-yeon confirmed to appear in 'Graduation'...Working with Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon [Official]. April 26, 2024. Naver. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130519/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/117/0003826821. live.
  8. Web site: https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3308. CJ ENM. ko. ko:최선국어 사람들. People at Choiseon Korean-language. April 26, 2024. April 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113748/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3308. live.
  9. Web site: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/437/0000390074. Hwang. So-young. April 25, 2024. JTBC News. ko. ko:이규성 '졸업' 출연 확정 비밀 가득 조교로 변신. Lee Kyu-sung confirmed to appear in 'Graduation', turns into assistant full of secrets. April 25, 2024. Naver. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130538/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/437/0000390074. live.
  10. Web site: https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3304. CJ ENM. ko. ko:준호의 주변 인물. People around Jun-ho. April 26, 2024. April 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113757/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3304. live.
  11. Web site: ko:오만석 열일 행보, '원더풀 월드' '눈물의 여왕' 이어 '졸업' 위하준 아버지 役. Oh Man-seok's ten-day performance, following 'Wonderful World', 'Queen of Tears', and now 'Graduation', playing as Wi Ha-jun father's role. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000955902. Naver. Sports Kyunghyang. ko. Ha. Kyung-heon. April 16, 2024. April 16, 2024. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130508/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000955902. live.
  12. Web site: https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3305. CJ ENM. ko. ko:혀진의 주변 인물. People around Hye-jin. April 26, 2024. April 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113751/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3305. live.
  13. Web site: https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3306. CJ ENM. ko. ko:대치동 찬영고 사람들. People at Chanyoung High School in Daechi-dong. April 26, 2024. April 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113753/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3306. live.
  14. Web site: https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3307. CJ ENM. ko. ko:대치동 희원고 사람들. People at Heewon High School in Daechi-dong. April 26, 2024. April 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113800/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3307. live.
  15. Web site: ko:[단독] 정려원, 안판석 PD 신작 '졸업' 주인공. [Exclusive] Jung Ryeo-won, Producer Ahn Pan-seok's new work 'Graduation'. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0001064401. Naver. Sports Dong-a. ko. Yoo. Ji-hye. July 19, 2023. March 27, 2024. July 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230719064517/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0001064401. live.
  16. Web site: ko:[단독]위하준, 대치동 학원 강사 로맨스 '졸업' 주인공. [Exclusive] Wi Ha-joon, Daechi-dong academy instructor romance 'Graduation' protagonist. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003185200. Naver. Star News. ko. Lee. Seung-hun. October 3, 2023. March 27, 2024. October 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231010011644/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003185200. live.
  17. Web site: ko:안판석 PD 신작 멜로 '졸업'에 정려원·위하준 출연. Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon appear in PD Ahn Pan-seok's new melodrama 'Graduation'. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0014272621. Naver. Yonhap News Agency. ko. Oh. Myung-eon. October 19, 2023. March 27, 2024. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511131224/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/001/0014272621. live.
  18. Web site: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/477/0000489558. Kim. Won-gyeom. May 10, 2024. SPOTV News. ko. ko:안판석 신작 '졸업', OST도 남다른 스케일...美밴드 '더 레스트리스 에이지'가 전곡 불러. Ahn Pan-seok's new work 'Graduation', the OST is also of a unique scale...American band 'The Restless Age' sings all songs. July 1, 2024. Naver. July 1, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240701064228/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/477/0000489558. live.
  19. Web site: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003246219. Kim. Soo-jin. June 30, 2024. Star News. ko. ko:'졸업' 종영 앞두고 OST 합본 음원 30일 발매..美밴드 The Restless Age 전곡 가창. Ahead of the end of 'Graduation', the OST song will be released on the 30th..All songs of American band The Restless Age will be sung. July 1, 2024. Naver. July 1, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240701064226/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003246219. live.
  20. Web site: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/144/0000962254. Yoon. So-yoon. May 17, 2024. Sports Kyunghyang. ko. ko:정려원♥위하준, 현실 로맨스에 달달함 더할 'Now and Then' 발매 (졸업). Jung Ryeo-won♥Wi Ha-joon releases 'Now and Then' to add sweetness to real-life romance (Graduation). July 1, 2024. Naver. May 17, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240517035928/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/144/0000962254. live.
  21. Web site: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/030/0003210920. Hong. Eun-hye. May 31, 2024. ET News. ko. ko:'졸업' 정려원X위하준 설렘 품은 새 OST 'Together With You' 공개. 'Graduation' Jung Ryeo-wonXWi Ha-joon reveal exciting new OST 'Together With You'. July 1, 2024. Naver. July 1, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240701064227/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/030/0003210920. live.
  22. Web site: https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/014/0005196364. Lee. Seol. June 7, 2024. Financial News. ko. ko:'졸업' 잔잔하지만 깊은 로맨스...새 OST 'Simple Melody' 공개. 'Graduation' A calm but deep romance...New OST 'Simple Melody' released. July 1, 2024. Naver.
  23. Web site: K-Dramas To Watch In May 2024: From Frankly Speaking To Connection, New Shows On Netflix, Prime Video & More. May 1, 2024. Indiatimes. May 9, 2024. May 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240506135735/https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/binge/k-dramas-to-watch-may-2024-frankly-speaking-connection-new-shows-netflix-prime-video-viki-633440.html. live.
  24. Web site: 7 Drama Korea Terbaru Mei 2024 di Viu. 7 Latest Korean Dramas May 2024 on Viu. Ayu. Salpi. May 5, 2024. Viu. May 12, 2024. May 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240512071949/https://www.viu.com/ott/id/articles/drama-korea-terbaru-mei-2024-di-viu/. live.
  25. Web site: ko:안판석 감독 표 로맨스 온다...정려원·위하준 '졸업', 5월 11일 첫 방송. Director Ahn Pan-seok's romance is coming...Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon's 'Graduation' premieres on May 11th. https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0002015612. Naver. YTN. ko. Kang. Nae-ri. March 27, 2024. March 27, 2024. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511131315/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/052/0002015612. live.
  26. Nielsen Korea ratings:
    • Web site: Ep. 1. May 11, 2024. Nielsen Korea. May 12, 2024. May 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240511235656/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240511. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 2. May 12, 2024. Nielsen Korea. May 12, 2024. May 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240512231914/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240512. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 3. May 18, 2024. Nielsen Korea. May 18, 2024. May 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240519003118/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240518. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 4. May 19, 2024. Nielsen Korea. May 20, 2024. May 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240519231339/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240519. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 5. May 25, 2024. Nielsen Korea. May 26, 2024. May 25, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240525231718/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240525. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 6. May 26, 2024. Nielsen Korea. May 26, 2024. May 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240526222756/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240526. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 7. June 1, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 1, 2024. June 2, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240602003657/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240601. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 8. June 2, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 2, 2024. June 2, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240602231458/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240602. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 9. June 8, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 9, 2024. June 9, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240609001031/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240608. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 10. June 9, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 10, 2024. June 10, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240610002641/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240609. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 11. June 15, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 15, 2024. June 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240615232051/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240615. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 12. June 16, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 16, 2024. June 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240616224643/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240616. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 13. June 22, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 22, 2024. June 22, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240622231825/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240622. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 14. June 23, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 23, 2024. June 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240623223753/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240623. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 15. June 29, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 29, 2024. June 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240630010208/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240629. live.
    • Web site: Ep. 16. June 30, 2024. Nielsen Korea. June 30, 2024. June 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240630223324/https://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00&begin_date=20240630. live.
  27. Ramli. Sofiana. June 27, 2024. The 10 best K-dramas of 2024 – so far. NME. July 4, 2024. July 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240712045003/https://www.nme.com/features/tv-features/best-k-drama-2024-so-far-3769098. live.

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