Not everyone's cup pf tea but a slow-paced well thought-out drama.
https://kdramadiary.com/kdrama-review/the-midnight-romance-in-hagwon-tvn/

i enjoyed this quiet drama - being about such a competitive arena, it surprisingly didn't have backstabbing like Sky Castle. yet it illustrated the competitive strategies and rumors (so easily prevalent in south korea's society) that affect hagwon businesses and faculty. it makes me wonder how terribly lacking the primary and secondary public school systems in japan and s. korea that make all these kids have to attend "cram schools"...

it has even translated across the ocean, i recall chatting with a hagwon teacher in Los Angeles - she felt badly for the korean youth who were forced to attend all summer long and on weekends, even over HERE in the US!!

I attended a "hagwon" in the States, the headmaster was quite an intimidating character, very much like the gray haired lady. I have to say that the exam taking skills they taught have been useful throughout my life. Although I don't remember the teachers being as caring or concerned about us as the FL is towards her students lol. But that US hagwon got me into a school that I otherwise would not have been able to get into on my own. I have friends that were able to get in with high scores just by studying on their own, they were the real smart ones lol.

More slice of life than romance, this drama beautifully balances ethical questions around teaching with moving portrayals of teachers, students and the people who love them. If you like slow paced dramas, in depth conversations and a cosy backdrop of city life, this might work for you. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't so much about perfection of the show but the sincerity and realness it brought to what it was trying to do. I have nothing but high praise for that.

I tried.
I didnt know or read anything about this drama before I started. But then there was the same actors. Then the red umbrella. I had to try, because Something in the Rain is still my "i need to cry" drama.

But it just wasnt it. I stopped on the 6th episode. I could not bother to come back. It feels like its a copy (Something in the Rain), of a copy (One Spring Night), of a copy. I just could not get any chemistry between the leads. You know when Jung Hae-in smiles that makes your heart smile too? It wasnt there. Wi Ha-joon is pretty good too, but it was not enough to make me stay.

I liked/loved it.
I rarely like dramas, but this is one of the ones that made me stay throughout its run. I love a good relatable drama, and this was relatable.The topics of education, these systems of capitalism/elitism (though I wish they had covered that more), and selling one's soul at work all hit close to home. Some episodes were more romance-focused; some were more office plotting and scheming focused. The ending was rushed, but overall, an enjoyable and touching watch.