The show ‘The Midnight Romance in Hagwon,’ created by Studio Dragon, tells the story of two teachers at an after-school cram institute. Seo Hyejin (played by Jung Ryeo Won) used to mentor Lee Joonho (played by Wi Ha Joon) during his high school years, helping him improve his grades significantly. Ten years later, they meet again as professionals and face new challenges together. Their relationship develops into a rocky but sweet love story.
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In an interview with Pinkvilla, Wi Ha Joon talked about how he landed this thorough romance project in a lead role. The actor clarified that he didn’t refer to any specific production this time. Instead, he trained himself to maximize his romantic feelings by watching more romance genre productions than usual. He chose a romantic film because he had only played dark and heavy roles, which made him opt for a bright and warm role. He further added that many fans were waiting to watch him in a romance drama.
The actor also talked about the characteristics he aspires to see in his partner, which are similar to Seo Hyejin, played by Jung Ryeo Won in the film. He believes that everyone will find Seo Hyejin attractive. She is determined and tries her best when it comes to work. But in the case of dating, she is clumsy, innocent, and cute, which he found attractive.
Wi Ha Joon highlights the appeal of ‘The Midnight Romance in Hagwon,’ noting that viewers can focus on the evolving emotions between Hyejin and Junho, who were once mentors and students but are now colleagues. The series features many scenes where they clash over their educational philosophies, making it engaging to see which perspective viewers align with. Additionally, it’s interesting to watch how Joonho, who starts as immature and selfish, grows and changes after reuniting with Hyejin.
Wi Ha Joon shared his thoughts on working with director Ahn Pan Seok once again. He noted that he still found the director incredibly talented and deserving of his fame. As the leading role, Wi Ha Joon spent more time with the director, allowing him to appreciate and learn from the director’s skills and attention to detail. The director’s frequent praise also boosted Wi Ha Joon’s confidence.
When asked about his school days and if he ever considered becoming a teacher at a hagwon, Wi Ha Joon described himself as a quiet but standout student. He balanced hard studying with performing on stage as part of a dance club, showcasing two very different sides of himself. He never thought of becoming an instructor because he lacked teaching skills.
