I have no clear idea why but I really enjoyed ep4 of Midnight romance at Hagwon. There was some compelling storytelling here, caught in the midst of the esoteric world of tutoring. Motivations remain mysterious (Does he really want to do this job for the money? Will the student really switch because he wants to or is he still a spy? Is the other rookie going to be friend or foe? is the devoted loyalist really devoted or will he turn?). More importantly, the dialogues feel intelligent and intentional. 

I don’t want to oversell this show, because I’m not confident enough about the director, and have no idea about the scriptwriter, but I’m certainly here to stay for a few more eps. 

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    4th ep – last scene.. made it seem like ML did not join the business for money.. but more like he was at a point in career where he wasn’t enjoying it and then saw his teacher, old flame ignited coupled with the realization how a good teacher can turn a bad student into actually loving a subject…

    mix match.. and he decided to pursue this line of profession

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      Yup exactly what I was getting at – the earlier eps didn’t show this aspect, so it made his motivations seem different from what was suggested originally.

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    I find the subject matter interesting but am not emotionally invested which is a relief. I like the main and some of the actors but I wish the director would stop scoring his dramas with English cover songs which have been provoking a modified Pavlovian response in me as I desperately want them to stop and never come back.But alas.
    I have to say I’m confused as to what experience apart from being an office worker did Junho bring to the job. I know he scored highly in the hagwon’s requisite recruitment tests and hd was on their wall of fame but what does he know about being a teacher? I can clearly see why the other teachers are pissed off. He benefitted from a form of nepotism and that is problematic.

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      I’m actually okay with this music, reminds me of 70s folk rock. In any case, it’s much better than the Rachel Yamagata score from the previous dramas. Also, I recognise it’s a sort of style of his that the director wants to maintain through his dramas, so that’s okay.

      Re Juno’s experience – the advertisement never really asked for experience, I think? they were looking for a new teacher, who had potential, and he fit the bill. That makes sense to me. Personally, as someone who’s changed several careers (not just jobs), I appreciate workplaces and mentors that are willing to spot potential notwithstanding your lack of experience.

      As for nepotism, oh absolutely, there was nepotism in that he was familiar to the folks hiring him, and they knew he had been a good student, etc. But that happens everywhere, surely. I maintain that, with very few exceptions, inherent merit counts for very little in the real world – that’s a hard truth. And the drama is showing these things in little ways – I’m quite enjoying it for all that.

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      I’m thankful for Viki having the 🎶🎶 subs so I can mute that song and try to avoid looking at its tortured English lyrics 🤦🏼‍♀️ It droned on for 4 minutes in ep 3 while,they texted back and forth. Painful.

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    I could not get through episode 1. But please do carry on overselling the show and telling us what you think: I still want all the gossips!

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      haha I’ll be as diligent as a good student, but don’t blame me if I drop sooner than later pfft

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        lol, I’ve dropped already so I’m not going to blame you! I’m not the right target audience but I still want the drama to receive all the love it deserves. I want to see more Wi Ha-joon in romantic settings (and frankly he’s paired with an amazing co-star for the purpose)

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      I watched the first two … let’s see how it goes further. Yes please, interested in all the gossip. 😉

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    Somehow I enjoyed last week better. But I’m here for JRW and not the story, so I’ll stick with this; hoping it won’t disappoint me much.

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      Oh I’m definitely here for JRW – she was the main draw for me too. I’m also curious to see how WHJ does in a romcom (not confident about this). Let’s see how it goes!

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    I was at risk of frostbite from the coldness of the educational system in Ep. 4. The Gray Witch’s speech about how a wrong answer could doom you to a lower social status and a less attractive blind date was chilling. But then the OTP’s special lecture showed that maybe it was possible to prepare for the tests and appreciate the literature at the same time, and that offered just enough warmth and hope for humanity to reel me back in.

    3
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      but it is so true, isn’t it? a few marks here and there can make or break the options available to you and the choices you can finally make. I appreciated the harsh reality that the drama is showing us, and honestly, the solo teaching class was pretty idealistic, but yes, also gives one hope.

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        I guess I’m just saddened by the immense pressure on the students in a fear-based system that —perhaps truthfully, to your point — tells them it’s dog eat dog and if they don’t win the school “war” they’ll be losers for the rest of their lives. But is that the whole truth? Maybe it is — if the only life worth living is one with an acceptably elite diploma, career and in-laws. Certainly that’s the only lesson the parents expect the academies to impart to their offspring. My sympathies to everyone being ground up in the machine.

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    Still in the ship though with this PD, I don’t usually last long so here’s to hoping the JRW and WHJ will carry me till the end xD

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      PD twins we are haha. Been burned so many times, I’m not at all confident. Hoping for the best along with you!

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