The Midnight Romance in Hagwon

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.{{cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003659293 |last=Park |first=Seo-hyun |date=October 19, 2023 |publisher=Herald Pop |language=ko |script-title=ko:위하준X정려원 '졸업', 이토록 설레는 사제커플..2024년 공개 |trans-title=Wi Ha-joon X Jung Ryeo-won's 'Graduation', such an exciting teacher-student couple..To be released in 2024 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130511/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/112/0003659293 |url-status=live}}

• Jung Ryeo-won as Seo Hye-jin{{cite web |script-title=ko:김지원♥김수현 가고 정려원·위하준 온다...'졸업' 스캔들 주인공 |trans-title=Kim Ji-won♥Kim Soo-hyun goes and Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon come...'Graduation' scandal protagonist |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=117&aid=0003816930 |via=Naver |publisher=My Daily |language=ko |last=Kim |first=Ji-woo |date=March 27, 2024 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130532/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/117/0003816930 |url-status=live}}

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

• Wi Ha-joon as Lee Jun-ho

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

• So Joo-yeon as Nam Cheong-mi{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/112/0003693730 |last=Kim |first=Na-yool |date=April 25, 2024 |publisher=Herald Pop |language=ko |script-title=ko:'졸업' 소주연X신주협, 대치동 로맨스..동갑내기 케미 기대 |trans-title='Graduation' So Joo-yeon and Shin Joo-hyeop, Daechi-dong romance..xpect chemistry among same-age peers |access-date=April 25, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425191558/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/112/0003693730 |url-status=live}}

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

• {{ill|Kim Jong-tae|ko|김종태 (1975년)}} as Kim Hyun-tak{{cite web |url=https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3303 |website=CJ ENM |language=ko |script-title=ko:대치체이스 학원 사람들 |trans-title=People at Daechi Chase Academy |access-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425191602/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3303 |url-status=live}}

: Director of Daechi Chase Academy.

• Kim Jung-young as Woo Seung-hui

: Deputy Director of Daechi Chase Academy.

• Gil Hae-yeon as Kim Hyo-im

: Counseling Manager of Daechi Chase Academy.

• Jang In-sub as Yoon Ji-seok

: 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

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

• {{ill|Yang Jo-a|ko|양조아}} as Min Hee-joo

: Social Studies team leader of Daechi Chase Academy.

• {{ill|Ahn Hyun-ho|ko|안현호 (배우)}} as Kim Chae-yoon

: 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

: English Department 2 team leader of Daechi Chase Academy.

• Lim Jin-hyo as Shin Dae-baek

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

• Jang So-yeon as Choi Ji-eun{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/117/0003826821 |last=Kang |first=Da-yoon |date=April 26, 2024 |publisher=My Daily |language=ko |script-title=ko:장소연, '졸업' 출연 확정...정려원·위하준과 호흡 [공식] |trans-title=Jang So-yeon confirmed to appear in 'Graduation'...Working with Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon [Official] |access-date=April 26, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130519/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/117/0003826821 |url-status=live}}

: Administrative and Support Department head of Daechi Chase Academy.

• Seo Jeong-yeon as Choi Hyung-sun{{cite web |url=https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3308 |website=CJ ENM |language=ko |script-title=ko:최선국어 사람들 |trans-title=People at Choiseon Korean-language |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113748/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3308 |url-status=live}}

: 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.

• Lee Kyu-sung as Park Ki-sung{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/437/0000390074 |last=Hwang |first=So-young |date=April 25, 2024 |publisher=JTBC |language=ko |script-title=ko:이규성 '졸업' 출연 확정 비밀 가득 조교로 변신 |trans-title=Lee Kyu-sung confirmed to appear in 'Graduation', turns into assistant full of secrets |access-date=April 25, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130538/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/437/0000390074 |url-status=live}}

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

• {{ill|Shin Joo-hyup|ko|신주협}} as Choi Seung-gyu

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

• Yoon Bok-in as Oh Jeong-hwa{{cite web |url=https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3304 |website=CJ ENM |language=ko |script-title=ko:준호의 주변 인물 |trans-title=People around Jun-ho |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113757/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3304 |url-status=live}}

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

• {{ill|Oh Man-seok (actor, born 1965)|lt=Oh Man-seok|ko|오만석 (1965년)}} as Lee Taek-yeol{{Cite web |script-title=ko:오만석 열일 행보, '원더풀 월드' '눈물의 여왕' 이어 '졸업' 위하준 아버지 役 |trans-title=Oh Man-seok's ten-day performance, following 'Wonderful World', 'Queen of Tears', and now 'Graduation', playing as Wi Ha-jun father's role |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000955902 |via=Naver |publisher=Sports Kyunghyang |language=ko |last=Ha |first=Kyung-heon |date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130508/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=144&aid=0000955902 |url-status=live}}

: 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.

• Hwang Eun-hoo as Cha Seo-young{{cite web |url=https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3305 |website=CJ ENM |language=ko |script-title=ko:혀진의 주변 인물 |trans-title=People around Hye-jin |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113751/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3305 |url-status=live}}

: Hye-jin's best friend and a lawyer.

• Jeon Suk-chan as Geum Chun-il

: Owner of Night Flight bar.

• {{ill|Kim Song-il (actor)|lt=Kim Song-il|ko|김송일}} as Pyo Sang-sub{{cite web |url=https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3306 |website=CJ ENM |language=ko |script-title=ko:대치동 찬영고 사람들 |trans-title=People at Chanyoung High School in Daechi-dong |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113753/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3306 |url-status=live}}

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

• Kim Na-yeon as Sung Ha-yool

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

• Jin Ga-eun as Lee Ye-eun

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

• {{Ill|Park Min-su (actor)|lt=Park Min-su|ko|박민수 (배우)}} as Lee Jung-soo

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

• Cha Kang-yoon as Lee Si-woo{{cite web |url=https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3307 |website=CJ ENM |language=ko |script-title=ko:대치동 희원고 사람들 |trans-title=People at Heewon High School in Daechi-dong |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426113800/https://tvn.cjenm.com/ko/The-MidnightRomance/character/?17293=pgmPrsnGropSeq%3D3307 |url-status=live}}

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

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.{{cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=009&aid=0005201476 |last=Jin |first=Hyang-hee |date=October 19, 2023 |publisher=Maeil Gyeongje |language=ko |script-title=ko:정려원·위하준, 안판석 신작 '졸업'서 사제 로맨스 |trans-title=Jung Ryeo-won, Wi Ha-jun, teacher-student romance in Ahn Pan-seok's new work 'Graduation' |access-date=March 27, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130550/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/009/0005201476 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=003&aid=0012155577 |last=Choi |first=Ji-yoon |date=October 19, 2023 |publisher=Newsis |language=ko |script-title=ko:안판석표 멜로...정려원·위하준 '졸업' |trans-title=Ahn Pan-seok's melodrama...Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon 'Graduation' |access-date=March 27, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511130530/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/003/0012155577 |url-status=live}} Park Kyung-hwa announced as the writer while Studio Dragon and JS Pictures managed the production of the series.

Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon were offered the lead roles for the series in July and October 2023, respectively.{{cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0001064401 |last=Yoo |first=Ji-hye |date=July 19, 2023 |publisher=Sports Dong-a |language=ko |script-title=ko:[단독] 정려원, 안판석 PD 신작 '졸업' 주인공 |trans-title=[Exclusive] Jung Ryeo-won, Producer Ahn Pan-seok's new work 'Graduation' |access-date=March 27, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719064517/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=382&aid=0001064401 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003185200 |last=Lee |first=Seung-hun |date=October 3, 2023 |publisher=Star News |language=ko |script-title=ko:[단독]위하준, 대치동 학원 강사 로맨스 '졸업' 주인공 |trans-title=[Exclusive] Wi Ha-joon, Daechi-dong academy instructor romance 'Graduation' protagonist |access-date=March 27, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010011644/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003185200 |url-status=live}}

Jung and Wi were officially confirmed as the lead actors of the series.{{cite web |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=001&aid=0014272621 |last=Oh |first=Myung-eon |date=October 19, 2023 |publisher=Yonhap News Agency |language=ko |script-title=ko:안판석 PD 신작 멜로 '졸업'에 정려원·위하준 출연 |trans-title=Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon appear in PD Ahn Pan-seok's new melodrama 'Graduation' |access-date=March 27, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511131224/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/001/0014272621 |url-status=live}}

Principal photography began in October 2023.

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.{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/382/0001124631 |last=Hong |first=Se-young |date=May 8, 2024 |publisher=Sports Dong-a |language=ko |script-title=ko: 정려원♥위하준 로맨스, 대치동 돼지엄마들도 설레겠네 (졸업) |trans-title=Jung Ryeo-won♥Wi Ha-joon romance, even pig mothers in Daechi-dong will be excited (Graduation) |access-date=May 9, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511132749/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/382/0001124631 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/477/0000489558 |last=Kim |first=Won-gyeom |date=May 10, 2024 |publisher=SPOTV News |language=ko |script-title=ko:안판석 신작 '졸업', OST도 남다른 스케일...美밴드 '더 레스트리스 에이지'가 전곡 불러 |trans-title=Ahn Pan-seok's new work 'Graduation', the OST is also of a unique scale...American band 'The Restless Age' sings all songs |access-date=July 1, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=July 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701064228/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/477/0000489558 |url-status=live}}

{{Infobox album

| name = The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (Original Soundtrack)

| type = soundtrack

| artist = The Restless Age

| released = {{Start date|2024|06|30}}

| length = {{Duration|35:42}}

| label = Stone Music

| misc = {{Singles

| type = soundtrack

| single1 = Don't Forget About Me

| single1date = May 12, 2024

| single2 = Catch Me

| single2date = May 12, 2024

| single3 = Now and Then

| single3date = May 19, 2024

| single4 = Together With You

| single4date = June 2, 2024

| single5 = Simple Melody

| single5date = 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.{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003246219 |last=Kim |first=Soo-jin |date=June 30, 2024 |publisher=Star News |language=ko |script-title=ko:'졸업' 종영 앞두고 OST 합본 음원 30일 발매..美밴드 The Restless Age 전곡 가창 |trans-title=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 |access-date=July 1, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=July 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701064226/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003246219 |url-status=live}}

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Artist

| all_writing = Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

| title1 = Catch Me

| extra1 = The Restless Age

| length1 = 3:44

| title2 = Don't Forget About Me

| extra2 = The Restless Age

| length2 = 3:53

| title3 = Now and Then

| extra3 = The Restless Age

| length3 = 4:44

| title4 = Together With You

| extra4 = The Restless Age

| length4 = 3:53

| title5 = Simple Melody

| extra5 = The Restless Age

| length5 = 4:20

| title6 = Old Memories

| length6 = 1:50

| title7 = A Raw Youth

| length7 = 1:15

| title8 = Hall of Fame

| length8 = 1:00

| title9 = Farewell to School

| length9 = 1:42

| title10 = Wounded but Okay

| length10 = 2:17

| title11 = Conversation

| length11 = 2:57

| title12 = They Found Out About Us

| length12 = 1:01

| title13 = Declare War

| length13 = 3:59

| title14 = Our Project

| length14 = 1:40

| title15 = Scheme

| length15 = 1:47

| total_length = 35:42

}}

Singles included on the album were released from May 12, to June 9, 2024.{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/144/0000962254 |last=Yoon |first=So-yoon |date=May 17, 2024 |publisher=Sports Kyunghyang |language=ko |script-title=ko:정려원♥위하준, 현실 로맨스에 달달함 더할 'Now and Then' 발매 (졸업) |trans-title=Jung Ryeo-won♥Wi Ha-joon releases 'Now and Then' to add sweetness to real-life romance (Graduation) |access-date=July 1, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517035928/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/144/0000962254 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/030/0003210920 |last=Hong |first=Eun-hye |date=May 31, 2024 |publisher=ET News |language=ko |script-title=ko:'졸업' 정려원X위하준 설렘 품은 새 OST 'Together With You' 공개 |trans-title='Graduation' Jung Ryeo-wonXWi Ha-joon reveal exciting new OST 'Together With You' |access-date=July 1, 2024 |via=Naver |archive-date=July 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701064227/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/030/0003210920 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/014/0005196364 |last=Lee |first=Seol |date=June 7, 2024 |publisher=Financial News |language=ko |script-title=ko:'졸업' 잔잔하지만 깊은 로맨스...새 OST 'Simple Melody' 공개 |trans-title='Graduation' A calm but deep romance...New OST 'Simple Melody' released |access-date=July 1, 2024 |via=Naver}}

{{Hidden begin|titlebgcolor=#CCC|title=Original soundtrack (Part 1–4)}}

Part 1

{{Track listing

| headline = Released on May 12, 2024

| extra_column = Artist

| all_writing = Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

| title1 = Don't Forget About Me

| extra1 = The Restless Age

| length1 = 3:54

| title2 = Catch Me

| extra2 = The Restless Age

| length2 = 3:45

| total_length = 7:39

}}

Part 2

{{Track listing

| headline = Released on May 19, 2024

| extra_column = Artist

| all_writing = Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

| title1 = Now and Then

| extra1 = The Restless Age

| length1 = 4:44

| total_length = 4:44

}}

Part 3

{{Track listing

| headline = Released on June 2, 2024

| extra_column = Artist

| all_writing = Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

| title1 = Together With You

| extra1 = The Restless Age

| length1 = 3:53

| total_length = 3:53

}}

Part 4

{{Track listing

| headline = Released on June 9, 2024

| extra_column = Artist

| all_writing = Will Bryant, Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, and Lee Nam-yeon.

| title1 = Simple Melody

| extra1 = The Restless Age

| length1 = 4:21

| total_length = 4:21

}}

{{Hidden end}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/binge/k-dramas-to-watch-may-2024-frankly-speaking-connection-new-shows-netflix-prime-video-viki-633440.html |title=K-Dramas To Watch In May 2024: From Frankly Speaking To Connection, New Shows On Netflix, Prime Video & More |date=May 1, 2024 |website=Indiatimes |access-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.viu.com/ott/viuscene/when-classroom-lights-dim-hearts-light-up-the-midnight-romance-in-hagwon/ |title=When Classroom Lights Dim, Hearts Light Up: 'The Midnight Romance in Hagwon' |date=September 2, 2024 |website=Viuscene |access-date=September 13, 2024}} Five months later, tvN confirmed that the release date would be on May 11, 2024.{{Cite web |script-title=ko:안판석 감독 표 로맨스 온다...정려원·위하준 '졸업', 5월 11일 첫 방송 |trans-title=Director Ahn Pan-seok's romance is coming...Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon's 'Graduation' premieres on May 11th |url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=052&aid=0002015612 |via=Naver |publisher=YTN |language=ko |last=Kang |first=Nae-ri |date=March 27, 2024 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511131315/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/052/0002015612 |url-status=live}}

{{Television ratings graph

| title = The Midnight Romance in Hagwon

| refs = Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.

| average = y

| width = 400

| height = 250

| country = South Korea

|-

| 1.183

| 1.269

| 0.675

| 1.061

| 0.946

| 1.278

| 0.930

| 1.011

| 0.741

| 0.996

| 0.854

| 1.054

| 0.802

| 1.198

| 0.871

| 1.456

| 1.020

}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}} {{in lang|ko}}
• {{Production website|https://www.studiodragon.net/en/works/portfolio/the-midnight-romance-in-hagwon/|at=Studio Dragon|link=yes|lang=en|lang2=ko}}
• {{IMDb title}}
• {{HanCinema drama}}

{{Ahn Pan-seok}}

{{Works by Studio Dragon}}

{{TvN (South Korean TV channel) television dramas (2020–present)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Midnight Romance in Hagwon, The}}

Category:2020s romance television series

Category:2024 South Korean television series debuts

Category:2024 South Korean television series endings

Category:Korean-language television shows

Category:South Korean melodrama television series

Category:South Korean romance television series

Category:Television series about educators

Category:Television series by JS Pictures

Category:Television series by Studio Dragon

Category:TvN (South Korean TV channel) television dramas