Despite not being a fan of classic Korean drama storylines, especially after the disappointing experience with "Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale," I decided to give "Cinderella After Midnight" a chance. I was curious to see how they would present this classic tale and whether they would add a new and innovative twist or stick to the traditional formula.
The story revolves around a hardworking young woman dedicated to caring for her younger brother. She falls in love with a younger coworker on her team. She is unaware of the surprise that awaits her when she agrees to a romantic relationship with him. The man she loves is none other than the heir to a major corporation, who has hidden his true identity to live a normal life away from the spotlight. By chance, the heroine discovers his true identity and that he is the company owner's son and the brother of her manager.
What really impressed me was when the prince's mother offered the heroine a large sum of money to end her relationship with her son. I was surprised by Ha Yoon Seo's immediate acceptance of this offer; it was an unexpected development that added depth to the characters and the dramatic conflict. Instead of being a traditional love story, the story transformed into a social drama that addresses sensitive issues such as class differences and family control.
I admired the character of the heroine, Ha Yoon Seo. She showed great strength and courage when she accepted the monetary offer, even though this decision was not easy for her. Given her difficult family circumstances and her responsibility towards her younger brother, it made sense for her to accept the offer.
I also liked the character of her kind and caring brother, who does everything he can to not disappoint his sister who sacrificed so much for him.
What I admired most about the relationship between the main character and his brother was how different it was from other dramas where wealthy families often have siblings who compete for money, status, and companies. In this series, it felt like there was a deep affection from the older brother towards his younger sibling, and he didn't want him to suffer as he did. All of this was presented in a comedic way. I really liked the older brother of the main character. Their sibling relationship was inspiring, especially because it challenged the stereotype of siblings competing for inheritance and wealth.
I also liked the development of the relationship between him and the wife his mother chose for him.
The only thing that bothered me a little was the appearance of the main character. His face looked too young compared to his role in the series. This is just a personal opinion, but it would have been better to choose an older actor to portray this character.
As for my rating for this drama, it would be a 7 out of 10.