The Midnight Romance in Hagwon aired a brand-new episode 2 on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 9:20 p.m. KST on tvN. Viewers can also stream the episode on Viki. The episode focused on academy instructor Seo Hye-Jin (Jung Ryeo-Won) coming to terms with her former student Lee Joon-Ho (Wi Ha-Joon) returning to the same academy as an instructor. While she initially disagreed with having him in the academy, she realized his potential and accepted his admission as the academy’s brand-new instructor.
Meanwhile, in episode 2, Lee Joon-Ho came up with a plan to have both him and Hye-Jin as promotional stories, given how she helped him get into a prestigious university in the past. As the new instructor, he advised the director to have their story out there to lure more students to the academy. The series documents the gradual love story between the two.
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon episode 2: Jung Ryeo-Won approves of Wi Ha-Joon
The latest episode 2 of The Midnight Romance in Hagwon begins with a flashback to the time when Hye-Jin was a college junior and worked part-time as an instructor. It was back then that she trained Joon-Ho, who was still in high school. The scene cuts to the present when Hye-Jin is grappling with Joon-Ho potentially becoming an instructor in the same academy, Daechi Chase, as hers. She is against it, as she feels he is acting childishly and making a mistake.
The following day, she asks for Joon-Ho’s resume from fellow academy employee Jang So-Yeon. Hye-Jin then meets team leader Yoon Ji-Seok and asks him to reject Joon-Ho after the latter’s audition. She explains that her former student is making rash decisions, and Ji-Seok agrees to back her. Meanwhile, Joon-Ho officially resigns from his company and begins practicing for the Daechi Chase instructor auditions.
On the day of the auditions, Hye-Jin runs around nervously, looking into the waiting room to find Joon-Ho. The latter arrives just then and surprises Hye-Jin, following which she runs away embarrassed. For the auditions, each candidate has 10 minutes to run a class in front of the judges. Nam Cheong-Mi uniquely presents her lecture, impressing the judges. When it is Joon-Ho’s turn, Hye-Jin avoids eye contact. Joon-Ho pretends Hye-Jin to be a student and tells her off. He goes on to give his lecture, and his presentation resonates with the judges.
At the final meeting to decide the results, as discussed, both Hye-Jin and Ji-Seok opposed having Joon-Ho as an instructor. Hye-Jin expresses having to train him when she doesn’t have enough time on her hands. Director Kim Hyun-Tak notes that he would adjust Hye-Jin’s schedule accordingly, requesting that they give it another thought. Meanwhile, Joon-Ho confesses to his parents about leaving his job and applying for an instructor position at Daechi Chase. They aren’t impressed with their son’s sudden career change when he already had a high-paying job.
The following day, Hye-Jin tries to convince Joon-Ho again against the instructor position. When she expresses the challenges she faces, Joon-Ho asks her not to cross the line and go too far to convince him. Once again, embarrassed by her actions, she leaves. Meanwhile, Changyeong High School teacher Sang-Seob informs students that the final exam questions will be based purely on the textbook. He also announces taking an after-school class, directly challenging the academies.
Director Hyun-Tak informs Hye-Jin of Sang-Seob’s actions and decides on a game plan for a battle. At night, Joon-Ho and his father share drinks over dinner, and the latter expresses his concern about Joon-Ho’s instructor application. However, Joon-Ho remains determined to prove himself as a self-made man. On the other hand, Hye-Jin and Hyun-Tak reminisce about their struggling days over snacks at the academy. Hyun-Tak then asks Hye-Jin not to act as a mentor to Joon-Ho but to consider him a worthy applicant.
At night, Hye-Jin objectively judges Joon-Ho’s audition and decides to give him a chance the next day. In a conversation with Ji-Seok, Hye-Jin notes that Joon-Ho isn’t a kid anymore and that he can make his own decisions. She calls Joon-Ho over for drinks at night and warns him of the consequences of taking the job. Hye-Jin makes him understand how demanding and competitive an instructor’s job is. Joon-Ho then asks Hye-Jin to stop, and then he leaves.
The next day, both Nam Cheong-Mi and Joon-Ho are appointed as the new Korean language instructors. When they take their seats, director Hyun-Tak calls for Joon-Ho. He asks the former student-turned-instructor to represent the face of Daechi Chase, given his history with the academy. While Joon-Ho agrees, he convinces the director that the promotions would make a better impact if Hye-Jin joined him, as she is the reason behind Joon-Ho’s success. He notes that this way, they would attract more students.
To watch what happens next, don’t forget to tune in to The Midnight Romance in Hagwon Episodes 3 and 4 on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 9:20 p.m. KST on tvN and later on Viki.
