The Midnight Romance in Hagwon

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon
Promotional poster
Hangul
졸업
Hanja
卒業
Literal meaningGraduation
Revised RomanizationJor-eop
McCune–ReischauerJol'eob
Genre
Written byPark Kyung-hwa
Directed byAhn Pan-seok
Starring
Music byLee Nam-yeon
Opening theme"Don't Forget About Me"
by The Restless Age
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producers
  • Kim Ryoon-hee (CP)[1]
  • Choi Bo-ra[2]
Producers
  • Lee Jin-suk[2]
  • Lee Chang-ho[2]
  • Cho Youn-hee[1]
Cinematography
  • Yoon Seok-jo[2]
  • Choi Han-sol[2]
EditorHwang Geum-bong[2]
Running time70 minutes[3]
Production companies
Original release
NetworktvN
ReleaseMay 11 (2024-05-11) –
June 30, 2024 (2024-06-30)

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (Korean: 졸업) 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

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It tells the story of a secret and sweet real-life romance between Seo Hye-jin, a veteran cram school instructor, and Lee Jun-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.[4]

Cast and characters

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Main

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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

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People at Daechi Chase Academy

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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.
  • Lee Si-hoon as Lee Myeong-jun[7]
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.
  • Yuk Hyun-suk as Jang Il-do[7]
English Department 2 team leader of Daechi Chase Academy.
  • Lim Jin-hyo as Shin Dae-baek[7]
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

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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

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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

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  • Hwang Eun-hoo as Cha Seo-young[13]
Hye-jin's best friend and a lawyer.
  • Jeon Suk-chan as Geum Chun-il[13]
Owner of Night Flight bar.

People at Chanyoung High School in Daechi-dong

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A Korean Language Teacher at Chanyoung High School with 20-year experience.
  • Kim Na-yeon as Sung Ha-yool[14]
A student at Chanyoung High School who is timid and smart.
  • Jin Ga-eun as Lee Ye-eun[14]
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

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  • Cha Kang-yoon as Lee Si-woo[15]
A student at Heewon High School who rank first in the entire school.

Production

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Development

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Developed under the working title Graduation, The Midnight Romance in Hagwon was the 2024 romance melodrama series 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.[16][17][18] Park Kyung-hwa announced as the writer while Studio Dragon and JS Pictures managed the production of the series.[4]

Casting

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Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon were offered the lead roles for the series in July and October 2023, respectively.[16][19]

Jung and Wi were officially confirmed as the lead actors of the series.[20]

Filming

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Principal photography began in October 2023.[20]

Original soundtrack

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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.[21][22]

Album

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The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (Original Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
The Restless Age
ReleasedJune 30, 2024 (2024-06-30)
Length35:42
LabelStone Music
Singles from The Midnight Romance in Hagwon
  1. "Don't Forget About Me"
    Released: May 12, 2024
  2. "Catch Me"
    Released: May 12, 2024
  3. "Now and Then"
    Released: May 19, 2024
  4. "Together With You"
    Released: June 2, 2024
  5. "Simple Melody"
    Released: June 9, 2024

The Midnight Romance in Hagwon's soundtrack album was released on June 30, 2024; it contains all of the singles and background tracks from the series.[23]

Tracklist

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All tracks are written by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

No.TitleArtistLength
1."Catch Me"The Restless Age3:44
2."Don't Forget About Me"The Restless Age3:53
3."Now and Then"The Restless Age4:44
4."Together With You"The Restless Age3:53
5."Simple Melody"The Restless Age4:20
6."Old Memories" 1:50
7."A Raw Youth" 1:15
8."Hall of Fame" 1:00
9."Farewell to School" 1:42
10."Wounded but Okay" 2:17
11."Conversation" 2:57
12."They Found Out About Us" 1:01
13."Declare War" 3:59
14."Our Project" 1:40
15."Scheme" 1:47
Total length:35:42

Singles

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Singles included on the album were released from May 12, to June 9, 2024.[22][24][25][26]

Original soundtrack (Part 1–4)

Part 1

All tracks are written by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

Released on May 12, 2024
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Don't Forget About Me"The Restless Age3:54
2."Catch Me"The Restless Age3:45
Total length:7:39

Part 2

All tracks are written by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

Released on May 19, 2024
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Now and Then"The Restless Age4:44
Total length:4:44

Part 3

All tracks are written by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

Released on June 2, 2024
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Together With You"The Restless Age3:53
Total length:3:53

Part 4

All tracks are written by Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

Released on June 9, 2024
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Simple Melody"The Restless Age4:21
Total length:4:21

Release

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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.[4][27][28] Five months later, tvN confirmed that the release date would be on May 11, 2024.[29]

Viewership

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The Midnight Romance in Hagwon : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
12345678910111213141516
1118312696751061946127893010117419968541054802119887114561020
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[30]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[30]
Nationwide Seoul
1 May 11, 2024 5.169% (1st) 6.329% (1st)
2 May 12, 2024 5.150% (1st) 5.492% (1st)
3 May 18, 2024 3.010% (1st) 4.005% (1st)
4 May 19, 2024 4.805% (1st) 6.052% (1st)
5 May 25, 2024 4.231% (1st) 5.262% (1st)
6 May 26, 2024 4.897% (1st) 5.749% (1st)
7 June 1, 2024 4.117% (1st) 5.248% (1st)
8 June 2, 2024 4.322% (2nd) 5.434% (1st)
9 June 8, 2024 3.175% (1st) 3.676% (1st)
10 June 9, 2024 4.173% (2nd) 4.957% (2nd)
11 June 15, 2024 3.369% (1st) 4.309% (1st)
12 June 16, 2024 4.790% (1st) 5.950% (1st)
13 June 22, 2024 3.614% (1st) 4.553% (1st)
14 June 23, 2024 5.192% (1st) 6.306% (1st)
15 June 29, 2024 3.940% (1st) 4.476% (1st)
16 June 30, 2024 6.596% (1st) 7.442% (1st)
Average 4.409% 5.328%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers 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

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Listicles

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Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
NME 2024 The 10 best K-dramas of 2024 – so far Placed [31]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon". Studio Dragon. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f The Midnight Romance in Hagwon. Episode 1 (in Korean). May 11, 2024. tvN.
  3. ^ "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (2024)". CJ ENM. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Park, Seo-hyun (October 19, 2023). 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] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
  5. ^ a b Kim, Ji-woo (March 27, 2024). 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] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
  6. ^ a b Kim, Na-yool (April 25, 2024). '졸업' 소주연X신주협, 대치동 로맨스..동갑내기 케미 기대 ['Graduation' So Joo-yeon and Shin Joo-hyeop, Daechi-dong romance..xpect chemistry among same-age peers] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024 – via Naver.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i 대치체이스 학원 사람들 [People at Daechi Chase Academy]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Kang, Da-yoon (April 26, 2024). 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]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024 – via Naver.
  9. ^ 최선국어 사람들 [People at Choiseon Korean-language]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  10. ^ Hwang, So-young (April 25, 2024). 이규성 '졸업' 출연 확정 비밀 가득 조교로 변신 [Lee Kyu-sung confirmed to appear in 'Graduation', turns into assistant full of secrets] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024 – via Naver.
  11. ^ 준호의 주변 인물 [People around Jun-ho]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  12. ^ Ha, Kyung-heon (April 16, 2024). 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] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
  13. ^ a b 혀진의 주변 인물 [People around Hye-jin]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d 대치동 찬영고 사람들 [People at Chanyoung High School in Daechi-dong]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  15. ^ 대치동 희원고 사람들 [People at Heewon High School in Daechi-dong]. CJ ENM (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Yoo, Ji-hye (July 19, 2023). [단독] 정려원, 안판석 PD 신작 '졸업' 주인공 [[Exclusive] Jung Ryeo-won, Producer Ahn Pan-seok's new work 'Graduation'] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Jin, Hyang-hee (October 19, 2023). 정려원·위하준, 안판석 신작 '졸업'서 사제 로맨스 [Jung Ryeo-won, Wi Ha-jun, teacher-student romance in Ahn Pan-seok's new work 'Graduation'] (in Korean). Maeil Gyeongje. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Choi, Ji-yoon (October 19, 2023). 안판석표 멜로...정려원·위하준 '졸업' [Ahn Pan-seok's melodrama...Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon 'Graduation'] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Lee, Seung-hun (October 3, 2023). [단독]위하준, 대치동 학원 강사 로맨스 '졸업' 주인공 [[Exclusive] Wi Ha-joon, Daechi-dong academy instructor romance 'Graduation' protagonist] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
  20. ^ a b Oh, Myung-eon (October 19, 2023). 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'] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Hong, Se-young (May 8, 2024). 정려원♥위하준 로맨스, 대치동 돼지엄마들도 설레겠네 (졸업) [Jung Ryeo-won♥Wi Ha-joon romance, even pig mothers in Daechi-dong will be excited (Graduation)] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024 – via Naver.
  22. ^ a b Kim, Won-gyeom (May 10, 2024). 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] (in Korean). SPOTV News. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024 – via Naver.
  23. ^ Kim, Soo-jin (June 30, 2024). '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] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024 – via Naver.
  24. ^ Yoon, So-yoon (May 17, 2024). 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)] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024 – via Naver.
  25. ^ Hong, Eun-hye (May 31, 2024). '졸업' 정려원X위하준 설렘 품은 새 OST 'Together With You' 공개 ['Graduation' Jung Ryeo-wonXWi Ha-joon reveal exciting new OST 'Together With You'] (in Korean). ET News. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024 – via Naver.
  26. ^ Lee, Seol (June 7, 2024). '졸업' 잔잔하지만 깊은 로맨스...새 OST 'Simple Melody' 공개 ['Graduation' A calm but deep romance...New OST 'Simple Melody' released] (in Korean). Financial News. Retrieved July 1, 2024 – via Naver.
  27. ^ "K-Dramas To Watch In May 2024: From Frankly Speaking To Connection, New Shows On Netflix, Prime Video & More". Indiatimes. May 1, 2024. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  28. ^ "When Classroom Lights Dim, Hearts Light Up: 'The Midnight Romance in Hagwon'". Viuscene. September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  29. ^ Kang, Nae-ri (March 27, 2024). 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] (in Korean). YTN. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024 – via Naver.
  30. ^ a b Nielsen Korea ratings:
  31. ^ Ramli, Sofiana (June 27, 2024). "The 10 best K-dramas of 2024 – so far". NME. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
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