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Now streaming on Viki , The Midnight Romance in Hagwonis the latest in a long line ofhit Korean dramasfrom Studio Dragon . The production studio apartment behind late Netflix phenomenonsThe GloryandQueen of Tearshas tapped into exactly what makes viewer tick , whether the genre is illusion ( such as in 2022’sAlchemy of Souls ) or Latinian language ( as in the unforgettableCrash landing place on You ) . Their most late foray into the land of chiliad - drama mix the " noona " romance figure — mean an older woman and a younger man — with a highly specialized aspect at Korea ’s education arrangement , a convention that previously work wonderfully inCrash Course in Romance .
The Midnight Romance in Hagwonstars Jung Ryeo - won as Seo Hye - jin , a highly seek - after reader at a private academy ( known as a " hagwon " in Korea ) who is currently at the top of her plot professionally . She receives the shock of her spirit , however , when her very first student Lee Jun - ho ( play bySquid Gamestar Wi Ha - joon ) makes a surprisal return to her academy as a fellow lecturer . Though she is reluctant to welcome him at first , having expected his life to take a very different bout , they soon unite military group to increase their pupil turnout even as they stumble through their growing feelings for each other .
The list of K - dramas releasing in 2024 and beyond includes long - awaited sequels like All of Us Are drained time of year 2 but also new show .
Screen Rantinterviewed Jung and Wi about what drew them toThe Midnight Romance in Hagwon , how they step into their onscreen love affair , and what fans can gestate from the coming sequence of thesweet Korean drama .
Wi Ha-Joon & Jung Ryeo-won Praise The Midnight Romance In Hagwon’s Director
Screen claptrap : You antecedently worked with Ahn Pan - seok onSomething in the rainwater . How has your coaction evolved since then , and how has the experience on this set take issue most ?
Wi Ha - joon : Five years have passed since Something in the Rain . Most importantly , I was thankful that director Ahn Pan Seok chuck me as the top role , and I felt proud of myself thinking “ I ’ve work out so hard for five geezerhood that such a good opportunity like this came . " I feel there was nothing much different this sentence , I guess “ He is still talented , ” “ No wonder he is famed . ”
However , this prison term , since I had a leading part , I spent more time with the director to peach about the work and character . I shaped Jun - ho as I talked to him , and he say “ What you are think of Jun - ho is correct . I will just tell you the details so do what you want to do . ” Therefore , I thought a lot about the part and portrayed my own “ Lee Jun - ho ” .
Ahn Pan Seok is known for a very specific style , which derive through in study such asSecret Love Affair , Something in the Rain , andOne Spring Night . What about his directorial imaginativeness drew you in most , and in what mode do you find working with him unique ?
Jung Ryeo - won : I ’ve always found his body of work interesting , and the other actors who have collaborated with him praised him , so I definitely wanted to work with him someday . The director ’s work was interesting because it felt like we were film a play .
BetweenSquid Game , Bad and Crazy , andThe Worst of Evil , your late dramas have been very mystery and action at law - heavy . What made you resolve to shift gear back into romance ?
Wi Ha - joon : The reason I choose romance was because I ’ve only played action - profound roles , so I wanted to do something heartwarming and light in both music genre and character , and another reason is because I wanted to make my fans felicitous because they wanted to see me in a love affair dramatic event .
Building The Midnight Romance In Hagwon’s Slow Burn
The Midnight Romance in Hagwontakes clock time to build up the family relationship between its Pb . How do Hyejin ’s feelings for Junho acquire from mentorship to romance , and what is your coming to playing that shift ?
Jung Ryeo - won : Seo Hye - jin and Lee Jun - ho met as teacher and student . Jun - ho pay back into a good university , and it stigmatize a turning head for Seo - career , and she became a star lecturer . As fourth dimension passed , they encountered each other again as honorary society instructors . Even though they had unlike feeling and collide , they get going falling in love . Therefore , I focused on their growth and development , and how they make each other a better person .
Speaking of romance , I think this is your first time as the romantic male lead . How did you train to win over Jung Ryeo - won ’s heart onscreen ?
Custom image by Yailin Chacon
Wi Ha - joon : I had enceinte chemistry with Jung Ryeo - won from the starting time . She is a good person , so we convey well and had gravid give-and-take when we roleplay together . Therefore , I reckon we showed better chemistry than expected .
Can you pester an approaching moment in the show that stick out out most to you or feel most meaningful when shoot ?
Jung Ryeo - won : Wow this is hard . There were too many , so it is difficult to choose one . Please look forrad to every scene !
Courtesy of Studio Dragon
Wi Ha - joon : Every scene is impressive and unforgettable . There ’s a scene in installment 8 where Jun - ho gets to bed what Hye - jin really experience about Jun - ho , and that view is unforgettable . Please look forward to it .
How The Midnight Romance In Hagwon Intertwines Love And Learning
Was there an vista of the pedagogy system that was most surprising to you in your inquiry for the role ?
Jung Ryeo - make headway : I did n’t experience the Korean pedagogy scheme when I was young , so I was surprised to see how much the educatee have to analyze . It was even more surprising to see that they focus on memorizing rather than understanding . I receive to respect the scholar studying in South Korea .
Despite being incredibly in use and overworked , Hye - jin seems to take an interest in her students on an individual level . What does her teaching style say about her as a person , and what aspect of her did you hope to wreak out most onscreen ?
Courtesy of Studio Dragon
Jung Ryeo - won : As I say in my line , my job is to “ teach ” students , but I think Hye - jin becomes proud of herself after becoming a actual teacher . Now , as she has been ferment as a star instructor for 14 years , she has more bookman and just rivet on boosting students ' performance and mark , but when she was younger , she must have thought that it would be great if students understood the substance of lit on their own . I thought she would have that form of roots and history , so I restrain that in judgment while act . I wanted to impart out her engaged life and mind-set , and how she interchange automatically over time .
Jun - ho ’s sudden desire to switch calling is shocking to his parent , and even to Hyejin . Does the drama further explore what becoming a reader means to him beyond making more money , and is that something you also hash out with the author and film director ?
Wi Ha - joon : In the beginning , he becomes an teacher at an academy to make more money , but his relationship with Hye - jin gets deeper . Just as Lee Jun - ho was a particular bookman for Hye - jin , Si - woo becomes a particular student for Jun - ho . Therefore , his value for life history and thoughts on his job as an instructor variety .
He thinks that he want to make his first bookman , Lee Si - woo experience how he enjoyed learning Korean from Hye - jin , so he becomes a genuine teacher who does n’t only chase money and success . He also grows as a man who loves Hye - jin , so I mouth to the director and the writer about how we should shape the character that develops . They tolerate me and hope that my thought about Jun - ho were right .
The first 6 episodes ofThe Midnight Romance in Hagwonare now streaming on Viki , with novel episode available every Saturday and Sunday .
