Last year's drama "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" didn't receive much promotion before its premiere, but I eagerly anticipated it and enjoyed it from episode to episode. Director Ahn Pan-seok's detailed directing and realistic storytelling have already established his distinct style in "Something in the Rain" and "One Spring Night". The recent "The Art of Negotiation" a new genre, was met with mixed reviews due to director Ahn's insistence on his style, which felt out of place. There was criticism, particularly regarding Ahn's signature musical style, which didn't quite fit the drama. However, I'd personally argue that he's one of the two leading romantic dramas alongside director Yoon Seok-ho. The English title for this drama is "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" which is quite different(Korean title is simply 'Graduation'), but I found it refreshing. Thanks to this, I had to explain the meaning of "hakwon" (academy) to many students.
Director Ahn Pan-seok's directing style
Director Ahn Pan-seok is recognized as a director who best embodies the "life-like sensibility" of Korean drama. His directing is characterized by realistic, unadorned dialogue, slow-paced camerawork, and the beauty of space that maximizes the emotions between characters. These qualities are fully demonstrated in "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" Director Ahn focuses on following the characters' subtle emotional shifts rather than on rapid-fire plot development, leading the story in a way that leaves the viewer with room to reflect. Particularly noteworthy are his compositions, which emphasize the distance between characters and their gazes, and his delicate use of light and shadow to emphasize emotional arcs. Furthermore, Ahn's signature technique is his restrained use of soundtracks, employing dramatic silence and ambient sounds. This allows the inner lives of the characters to be deeply felt, drawing the viewer into the drama. He also demonstrates exceptional skill in eliciting natural performances from his actors, a direct reflection of the director's "observant perspective." "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" is considered one of the most consistently effective examples of this style. Director Ahn Pan-seok's memorable scenes in his dramas were all shot in long takes. In "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" the two leads' confrontation over professorial style was praised for its realistic emotional performance despite the extensive dialogue and long takes. I still occasionally watch the uncut behind-the-scenes footage (8mins+ long take) of that scene.
Another characteristic of Director Ahn Pan-seok's work is his repetitive use of supporting actors, perhaps to maintain a similar tone across his projects or to create his own unique Easter eggs. In particular, the same actor sometimes appears as the main character's parents in different dramas, yet seemingly in different roles. An actor who played a younger sibling in one drama ends up playing a coworker in the next. While I don't have a specific opinion on this, I do think it can be detrimental if overused. However, the most striking and rewarding aspect of the casting in "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" is the casting of Wi Ha-joon, who previously played Son Ye-jin's younger brother in "Something in the Rain" as the main character in "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon". Wi Ha-joon, who was practically a rookie in his previous work, had matured in other works like "Squid Game" and "The Worst Evil" before returning to the same director as him as the lead, which was a special element. Despite the relatively short filming period and the small, unassuming scale of the drama, after the final shoot, watching the making-of film, which showed Wi Ha-joon shedding tears, made me realize that director Ahn Pan-seok had cast him as more than just a cast. I believe it was a truly special moment for Wi Ha-joon. The performance of the other lead, Ryeo-won, was also impressive. I hadn't seen her in any of her other works since her previous role in "My Name is Kim Sam-soon," but her performance was surprisingly nuanced, leaving a lasting impression. I think she perfectly embodied the role of a cram school teacher, someone who could easily be found somewhere in Daechi-dong.
Narrative Structure Analysis of "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon"
The drama "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" breaks away from the typical romance or youth drama framework, focusing on the "flow of relationships." While the beginning is quite ordinary and calm, the underlying tension draws viewers in. This drama's plot appears fragmented and episode-driven, rather than having a clear introduction, development, turn, and conclusion. However, the overall theme remains consistent: growth and reflection. Each episode showcases minor changes in the main characters, the cracks in their relationships, and how they resolve or accept their emotions. The narrative is structured to follow this emotional flow. This structure encourages viewers to reflect on their own past and present, rather than focusing on intense dramatic transitions. As the drama progresses, the conflict between characters intensifies, leading to inner transformations in the protagonists. Ultimately, while no one is completely happy, the drama concludes with a show of growth. This narrative approach effectively reflects director Ahn Pan-seok's directing philosophy, emphasizing realistic emotions over a typical happy ending. Despite the overall plot being predictable and devoid of twists and turns, the drama remained captivating, a testament to the writer's nuanced writing and director Ahn Pan-seok's directing style. Director Ahn Pan-seok's dramas go beyond simple romance; they naturally incorporate smaller but realistic social issues. "One Spring Night" explores the social perception and prejudice against single fathers, while "Something in the Rain" addresses issues of workplace gender discrimination and dating violence. "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" effectively portrays the problem of private education and Korea's excessive educational fervor. This is one of the reasons I love director Ahn Pan-seok's dramas.
Why I Recommend "The Midnight Romance in Hagwon"
This drama centers on the "realistic story" favored by today's viewers. Instead of the typical romantic fantasy, it deeply explores the emotions and conflicts we experience in our daily lives, fostering a sense of empathy. Furthermore, expectations for director Ahn Pan-seok's reputation and directing style were built even before watching, and the production lives up to expectations with its high-quality directing. Indeed, its directing has improved from his previous works, and it deserves high praise. Furthermore, for viewers tired of sensational plots and melodramatic dramas, it demonstrates the beauty and nuance of Korean dramas. The actors' captivating performances are another reason to recommend this drama. The lead actors' performances are particularly impressive, and their every line is deeply emotional, making viewers feel as if they were inside the story. Beyond this, the sophisticated atmosphere created by the mise-en-scène, editing, and location selection, the cinematography richly imbued with a sense of time, space, and season, and the subtly penetrating soundtrack all contribute to an even more enjoyable viewing experience.
"The Midnight Romance in Hagwon" is not simply a melodrama; it embodies director Ahn Pan-seok's directing philosophy. The delicately orchestrated direction, realistic narrative structure, and emotionally resonant dialogue and acting combine to leave a lasting impression. If you haven't yet experienced this drama, I highly recommend giving it a watch. You might just discover a new depth of emotion.
