The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (2024) is a drama that sheds light on the pressures and expectations within South Korean society, especially focusing on the relationships between parents and their children in the educational setting of a hagwon, or private academy. The series vividly portrays various parenting styles and the impact these have on their children’s lives. Let’s dive into ten parental interruptions depicted in the drama that illustrate the complexities of these relationships.
The Search for the Best Academy
In The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, parents often worry about their children’s academic performance. They go to great lengths to find the best academy to support their child’s education. This intense concern stems from the belief that a top-tier hagwon will pave the way for academic success and a prestigious university admission. This aspect of the drama highlights the immense pressure placed on children to perform well academically from a young age.
Rumor-Induced Transfers
When baseless rumors affect the reputation of an academy class, some parents in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon react by transferring their children to different schools, even if the child is comfortable and thriving. This interruption demonstrates how parents’ anxieties about their child’s future can lead to abrupt and disruptive decisions, sometimes disregarding the child’s own preferences and comfort.
Emotional Overprotection
The drama also showcases how parents view their children’s mentality as fragile. For instance, Ha Yul’s mother (played by Kim Sun Hwa) is quick to intervene and seek solutions whenever a problem arises. This overprotectiveness can sometimes prevent children from developing resilience and problem-solving skills, as they are not given the opportunity to navigate challenges on their own.
Early Academic Pressure
Another significant theme in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is the strong encouragement from parents for their children to study diligently from an early age. The aim is to achieve academic success and secure a spot in one of South Korea’s top universities. This intense focus on academic achievement can lead to immense stress for children, affecting their mental health and well-being.
Pushing for Specific Majors
Parents in the drama often push their children to pursue majors like exact sciences and economics, believing these fields offer better job prospects and higher salaries. This pressure can lead to children pursuing careers that may not align with their interests or passions, potentially leading to dissatisfaction and burnout later in life.
Avoiding Social Studies
Conversely, parents discourage their children from studying social sciences, fearing it will be harder to find high-paying jobs. This mindset reflects a broader societal preference for STEM fields over humanities, perpetuating a narrow definition of success.
University Prestige
The drama highlights how parents believe that graduating from a prestigious university increases their child’s chances of working at leading companies. This belief drives parents to prioritize their child’s acceptance into well-known universities, often at the cost of the child’s personal interests and happiness.
Measuring Success by Children’s Achievements
Success for many parents in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is measured by their child’s achievements. They take great pride in their child’s academic and career successes, viewing it as a reflection of their parenting skills. This can create a high-pressure environment for the child, who may feel obligated to meet their parents’ expectations.
Job Market Interventions
Parents in the drama are also depicted as actively involved in their child’s career decisions. When they feel their child’s career is stagnant, they seek information about other companies and suggest job interviews, sometimes overstepping boundaries and undermining their child’s autonomy.
Protective of Dating Choices
Lastly, the drama shows how parents can be overly protective of their child’s romantic relationships. They scrutinize their child’s partner’s background, ensuring it aligns with their expectations and standards. This protective stance can strain the parent-child relationship and impact the child’s romantic choices.
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon illustrates the myriad ways parental expectations and interventions shape the lives of their children. While these actions are often well-intentioned, they can lead to significant stress and pressure. The drama invites viewers to reflect on the balance between guiding and controlling, encouraging a more empathetic and understanding approach to parenting. Don’t forget to catch the last episode to see how these intricate relationships unfold!
