tvN’s weekend drama “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” (written by Park KyungHwa, directed by Ahn PanSeok), which concluded on June 30th, beautifully depicted the midnight romance and growth between star instructor Seo HyeJin (played by Jung RyeoWon) and the audacious new instructor, Lee JunHo (played by Wi HaJun).
Wi HaJun, who portrayed the character of Lee JunHo, showcased a wide range of emotions with meticulous detail. When asked about the synchronicity between himself and his character, he responded, “I’d say about 80%. JunHo’s bold and straightforward nature aligns with my own. Reading the script, I initially thought JunHo’s actions were immature and reckless, but I realized I shared those traits. Just like JunHo matured, so did I. The remaining 20% difference is due to our different backgrounds. Our honesty in love is also strikingly similar. Age doesn’t matter as long as the person isn’t too young.”
During the casting phase, the mere mention of Jung RyeoWon’s name heightened Wi HaJun’s anticipation for the project. He shared, “Hearing her name, I contemplated her acting style and our potential chemistry. Having worked with senior actors over ten years my senior, I felt no burden regarding the age gap. I thought, ‘Jung RyeoWon sunbaenim is incredibly realistic in her acting. This project will be phenomenal,’ and I was excited.”
He added, “Jung RyeoWon approached me first. I’m usually not very affectionate and take time to open up. I prefer to focus on my tasks on set. However, she made everyone feel comfortable, which naturally eased me as well. Over time, I realized she was not just a great senior but also a genuinely good person. Eventually, I found myself teasing and joking with her, which made me feel even more at ease.”
Wi HaJun also discussed the challenges of performing romantic and intimate scenes. He confessed, “I felt awkward while filming skinship scenes due to my lack of experience, leading to some nervousness. Jung RyeoWon and I fumbled through those scenes together with some laughs. She said my strengths shone through in romance scenes and encouraged me to take on more. She praised my expressive eyes and emotional sensitivity, which boosted my confidence.”
Fans eagerly awaited Wi HaJun’s romantic acting. Reflecting on memorable fan reactions, he said, “A fan asked, ‘Oppa, were you always this good at romance?’ and even joked about being jealous. Many directors, writers, and fellow actors commented on my fresh portrayal.”
The drama “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” also broadened Wi HaJun’s fan base. He noted, “Previously, my fans were mainly in their teens and twenties, but this project introduced me to an older audience. It was gratifying to connect with them. Even café owners recognized me and offered complimentary services. Surprisingly, many men also shared their enjoyment of the show and supported me when we met. It was all very new and refreshing.”
As Wi HaJun continues to evolve both as an actor and a person, fans can look forward to more captivating performances and heartfelt stories. Stay tuned for his future endeavors that are sure to leave a lasting impression.