The ongoing tvN K-drama The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, starring Wi Ha-Joon and Jung Ryeo-Won, has received much praise from the audience, especially for the intense chemistry between the leading pair.
Helmed by Ahn Pan-Seok, the series centers around the secret love story between an academy tutor, Seo Hye-Jin, and her former student, Lee Joon-Ho. Their story begins when Joon-Ho returns to the academy as a new lecturer. New episodes of the Korean drama air on tvN every Saturday and Sunday. Viewers can also stream it on Viu and Viki in selected regions.
Apart from The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, some other K-dramas also depict mature romances that have a secret love story. The list includes Jung Hae-In’s One Spring Night and Something in the Rain, Forecasting Love and Weather, Romance is a Bonus Book, and more.
One Spring Night
One Spring Night is a gripping romance K-drama that debuted on MBC on May 22, 2019. Ahn Pan-Seok, the director of The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, has also directed this MBC series. It stars Jung Hae-In and Han Ji-Min as the central couple, Yoo Ji-Ho and Lee Jeong-In.
One Spring Night revolves around the secret romantic relationship blooming between librarian Lee Jeong-In and pharmacist Yoo Ji-Ho, who is also a single father. The series is directed in a way to portray the passionate love between the two characters. Viewers can watch the series on Netflix.
Something in the Rain
Something in the Rain, starring Jung Hae-In and Son Ye-Jin, is another romantic K-drama similar to The Midnight Romance in Hagwon. Director Ahn Pan-Seok has also helmed this series, which premiered on March 30, 2018, on JTBC. Son Ye-Jin plays the female lead, Yoon Jin-Ah, while Jung Hae-In portrays Seo Joon-Hee.
Something in the Rain chronicles the secret love story between a woman in her mid-thirties, Yoon Jin-Ah, and her best friend’s younger 29-year-old brother, Seo Joon-Hee. Their heartwarming romance begins when Joon-Hee returns from abroad and reconnects with Jin-Ah. Interested viewers can watch the K-drama on Viki, Viu, and Netflix.
Forecasting Love and Weather
Forecasting Love and Weather is a popular rom-com Korean drama series that aired on February 12, 2022, on JTBC. Seon Yeong wrote the series, while Cha Young-Hoon directed it. The story revolves around a younger man falling in love with an older woman while working together, which is similar to The Midnight Romance in Hagwon.
Forecasting Love and Weather stars Song Kang and Park Min-Young as the central pair, Lee Shi-woo and Jin Ha-Kyung. It depicts the secret romance between a veteran general forecaster, Jin Ha-Hyung, at the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) and a new charge of Special Reporting at the KMA, Lee Shi-Woo. The K-drama is currently streaming on Netflix.
Romance is a Bonus Book
Romance is a Bonus Book is another popular romantic comedy K-drama about the passionate love story between an older woman and a younger man. The series, which debuted on tvN on January 26, 2019, stars actor Lee Jong-Suk as Cha Eun-Ho and Lee Na-Young as Kang Dan-I.
Romance is a Bonus Book shows the love story between a 37-year-old divorcee woman, Kang Dan-I, who is a former advertising copywriter, and a 32-year-old writer, Cha Eun-Ho. Directed by Lee Jeong-Hyo, viewers can stream the Korean drama on Netflix.
Secret Love Affair
Another K-drama that shares similarities with The Midnight Romance in Hagwon is Secret Love Affair. It premiered on March 17, 2024, on JTBC. The series is also directed by Ahn Pan-Seok. The K-drama stars Yoo Ah-in and Kim Hee-Ae as the leading pair, Lee Sun-Jae and Oh Hye-Won, respectively.
Secret Love Affair centers around the forbidden romance between a 40-year-old woman, Oh Hye-Won, who is career-driven and works as the director of planning at an art foundation, and a 20-year-old talented pianist, Lee Sun-Jae. Audiences can watch the K-drama on Prime Video in selected regions.
Some other K-dramas that are similar to The Midnight Romance in Hagwon include Melamcholia, I Hear Your Voice, My Name is Kim Sam Soon, and more.
