Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
Ten years after graduation, Lee Jun Ho quits his job to join the academy where the instructor he once had a crush on works. In tvN’s The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, Wi Ha Jun brings to life Jun Ho, a once lackadaisical high school student who undergoes a dramatic transformation from a low achiever to top of his class under the guidance of Korean language instructor Seo Hye Jin (Jung Ryeo Won). This article highlights adult actors who have exceptionally pulled off the high school look, tugging at the heartstrings.
Byeon Woo Seok (Lovely Runner)
Lovely Runner follows the story of Lim Sol (Kim Hye Yoon), who travels back in time to save her favorite singer who gave her a reason to live. Byeon Woo Seok captivated not just Lim Sol but audiences worldwide with his role as Ryu Seon Jae. Despite his intimidatingly handsome appearance, he skillfully portrayed the innocent and naive teenager Seon Jae, conveying the despair of a crushed dream of becoming a swimmer and the pure affection toward his love interest. His character’s self-composed song “Sudden Shower” has gained popularity beyond the drama, charting domestically and internationally. Byeon Woo Seok had previously effortlessly portrayed teenage boys in films like Soulmate and 20th Century Girl.
Yim Si Wan (Boyhood)
Set in 1989, Boyhood tells the story of a nondescript teenager Byung Tae, who is mistakenly believed to be the legendary fighter Baek Ho overnight. Yim Si Wan, playing Byung Tae, whose only dream is to avoid getting beaten up, unleashed a comic charm unseen in his previous roles. He prepared for his character by taking dialect lessons three months in advance and learning popular dances from the 1980s, the era in which the drama is set. His portrayal of Byung Tae, who is outwardly misunderstood yet inwardly terrified, and yearning to be popular among his peers, was quintessentially that of an ordinary teenager. Boyhood garnered positive responses largely due to Yim Si Wan’s unreservedly comic performance.
Kim Tae Ri (Twenty-Five Twenty-One)
Twenty-Five Twenty-One depicts the wanderings, growth, and romances of youths stripped of their dreams during the late ’90s IMF financial crisis. Kim Tae Ri played the role of Na Hee Do, a fencer. Hee Do is an eccentric yet candid character who transfers schools just to be with her idol, the Olympic medalist Ko Yu Rim (Bona). Kim Tae Ri vividly portrayed the friendship between Na Hee Do and Ko Yu Rim and the heart-fluttering romance with Baek Yi Jin (Nam Joo Hyuk), driving the drama’s popularity. Remarkably, she was the only cast member in her thirties to flawlessly portray a high school student, passionately pursuing her dreams while deeply engrossed in the comic book “Full House.”
Roh Yoon Seo (Crash Course in Romance)
Crash Course in Romance depicts the romance between Nam Haeng Sun (Jeon Do Yeon), a side dish shop owner, and Choi Chi Yeol (Jung Kyung Ho), a popular math academy instructor. Roh Yoon Seo played Nam Hae Yi, a model student who gets good scores on her own, all the while taking care of those around her. Living with her aunt Haeng Sun and her uncle Nam Jae Woo (Oh Eui Sik), who has Asperger’s syndrome, Hae Yi tries not to cause unnecessary worry and embodies the mature high school student. Roh Yoon Seo not only captured Hae Yi’s profound nature but also realistically portrayed the love triangle, asserting her presence among a cast of stellar actors. Ironically, after previous roles in Our Blues and 20th Century Girl where she wore school uniforms, her pure and youthful appearance once again suited the teenage role perfectly.
Moon Ga Young (True Beauty)
True Beauty is about Lim Ju Kyung, who feels inferior about her appearance, and Lee Su Ho (Cha Eun Woo), who harbors his own secret pain, as they grow closer by sharing their secrets. Moon Ga Young played Ju Kyung, who, due to her timid nature and unattractive appearance, was bullied at school. After transferring schools due to family circumstances, Ju Kyung masters makeup skills, erasing her past and reinventing herself as a ‘goddess’ at her new school. Moon Ga Young charmingly depicted Ju Kyung overcoming her insecurities and maturing, earning widespread love. Second male lead Hwang In Yeop, despite being in his 30s, also rocked the school uniform, eliciting reactions that he “looks just like a real teenager.”
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
Amazing talent!