Korean drama The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (2024) paints a vivid picture of life within academies, or hagwon, in South Korea. This show not only delves into the dynamics between academy teachers but also emphasizes the significant role parents play in their children’s lives, making the plot more realistic. Through various characters and their interactions, the drama effectively highlights the lengths to which parents go to ensure their children’s success.
Willing to Spend a Lot for Their Child’s Education
Cha Kang Yoon and Wi Ha Joon in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (x.com/tvn_drama)
One of the prominent themes in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is the extent to which parents invest in their children’s education. As depicted in the drama, when children reach school age, parents become actively involved in their learning journey. They often go to great lengths, sometimes even living frugally, to afford the best educational opportunities for their children.
These parents are shown scouting for top-notch schools, even if they are located far from home, to secure the best learning environment. This dedication doesn’t stop at schools; parents also seek out the finest academies. They attend various trial classes by the best academy teachers to compare teaching styles and find the most suitable learning environment for their children. This proactive approach underscores the significant role parents play in supporting their children’s academic success.
Success in Education Reflects Parental Achievement
Cha Kang Yoon in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (x.com/cjndrama)
In The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, a child’s success in education is often seen as a reflection of the parents’ success in raising them. This is vividly illustrated through the character of Sung Ha Yul’s mother, played by Kim Sun Hwa. She is portrayed as being highly ambitious for her child’s educational success, even going to the extent of making Sung Ha Yul take multiple trial classes despite already having a competent teacher, Seo Hye Jin (Jung Ryeo Won).
This ambition is not unique to one character; Lee Joon Ho’s parents also embody this trait. According to Kim Hyo Im (Gil Hae Yeon), Oh Jung Hwa (Yoon Bok In) is deemed a successful mother because her children, including Lee Joon Ho (Wi Ha Joon), have gained entry into prestigious universities and secured jobs at major companies. This narrative thread effectively illustrates how deeply intertwined a child’s educational achievements are with parental pride and societal expectations.
Supporting Career Choices Beyond Education
Wi Ha Joon in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (x.com/tvn_drama)
Parental involvement in The Midnight Romance in Hagwon extends beyond academic achievements to include career guidance and support. This aspect is clearly shown through the character of Lee Joon Ho. His father, Lee Taek Yeol (Oh Man Seok), encourages him to move to a different company to advance his career. When an opportunity arises in a company with an overseas division, Lee Taek Yeol suggests it to Joon Ho, believing it would be beneficial for his career growth.
However, Joon Ho decides to leave the corporate world and pursue a teaching career at Daechi Chase academy. Although his parents initially struggle to understand his decision, they gradually come to respect his choice. The drama underscores the pressure parents face due to societal standards while also highlighting the importance of being flexible and supportive of their children’s aspirations.
Are you curious about how the characters’ stories in this drama will end? Come on, hurry up and watch The Midnight Romance in Hagwon!
