The show that dragged its glass slippers through a painfully slow plot and a love story that forgot the love

TV Drama Name: Cinderella at 2AM

Where To Watch: Rakuten Viki ← *Click for direct link*

Average Rating: 7.6/10 (My Drama List)

My Rating: 4.5/10

One Sentence Description: Cinderella at 2am had all the right ingredients — MLI’s (male love interest’s) charm, a cute side couple, family drama potential — and still fumbled the bag with a flat, unbalanced love story and plot.

Trailer (Teaser):

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Disclaimer: This review is 100% my opinion — I’m not here to hate, just to share my thoughts! Also, SPOILERS AHEAD, so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched yet. Watch it, come back and let’s see if you agree. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and fun! 💕

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Content Warning: I hope you’ve already seen this show and know what the deal is, but just in case, I felt like I should add a quick warning. This show touches on themes of abuse and has some heavy emotional moments, including mentions of su*cide. Since this is a review, I do talk about these things (in relation to the show only), so please be aware and stay mindful before continuing. Stay safe ❤️

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*Just want the review (no description)? Click here!*

Description

Cinderella at 2AM is about a girl who breaks up with her boyfriend for money but can’t get over him enough to go through with it. And a super cute boyfriend who won’t let her go so easily.

The show kicks off with a girl who, without even blinking, agrees to break up with her boyfriend in exchange for some money from his wealthy, chairwoman-of-the-company mother. She promises to do it within two months — just enough time to “soften the blow” for her poor, unsuspecting boyfriend.

It quickly becomes evident that Yoon Seo believes she and Joo Won are fundamentally different people living completely separate lives. Things only become clearer when she discovers Joo Won is the chairperson’s son, emphasizing their major differences. Meanwhile, Joo Won’s brother, Si Won, navigates his own strained marriage, reduced to tracking his wife’s life through Instagram updates.

Back to the break-up mission — Yoon Seo decides the best way to end things is by making Joo Won hate her. That way, he’ll dump her and everyone walks away with their pride intact. Naturally, this brilliant plan crashes and burns because Joo Won is clearly utterly smitten with her. One drunken night with her friend, I-rae, leads to Yoon Seo calling Joo Won and blurting out a sloppy break-up. She wakes up with zero memory of it, and Joo Won, in true denial fashion, pretends it never happened. But once the call resurfaces and she hears it for herself, Yoon Seo decides to bring up their differences and finally ends things for real.

Months go by, and as promised by his mother, Joo Won transfers abroad, seemingly moving on with his life. However, one day, he reappears and catches Yoon Seo mid-fall. In a memorable scene reminiscent of Cinderella, he puts her shoe back on and declares he’s not giving up easily, gently asking her not to be too harsh. (Admittedly, it’s a charming scene).

The twist? Turns out Joo Won never actually transferred. Instead, he becomes the company’s director, stationing his office right beside Yoon Seo’s to keep her within constant sight. While he doubles down on his promise to win her back, Yoon Seo stands firm, refusing to relent.

*Bonus: If we didn’t already know how much Joo Won adored her, it hits even harder when we learn that — despite not liking movies — he went to the theater with her constantly. Meanwhile, the man loves opera, but the second Yoon Seo said she wasn’t a fan? He never brought it up again. Ever. If that’s not love…

We soon find out that Yoon Seo’s life hasn’t exactly been sunshine and rainbows. She was abused by her alcoholic father and ended up running away with her younger brother, Ji Suk, to start fresh.

As a gesture of repayment for past meals, Yoon Seo proposes they share 27 meals together — a bittersweet echo of their former routine. Just as their connection begins to rekindle, Ji Suk enters the picture under grim circumstances. Turns out, he stood by while his friends bullied a student. When Yoon Seo finds out, she tells the victim’s mom that she failed as a guardian. In a deeply emotional moment, she shares how painful it is knowing the abuse she endured and how no one helped her when she escaped. Yoon Seo expresses profound disappointment, noting that their shared traumatic past should have made Ji Suk even more resolute against bullying and standing idly by.

Finally deciding to end this lingering breakup, Yoon Seo and Joo Won spend a day together at an amusement park before parting ways for good. Soon after, Yoon Seo begins receiving messages that feel oddly ex-like. She assumes Joo Won might be sending them from a second phone, but upon discovering it isn’t him, the situation becomes awkward and embarrassing. The messages are eventually dismissed as spam.

Turning to Si Won, he discovers that his wife has returned to Korea and has been making changes to their home. Bold move. We learn that the pair are opposites and that they first met on a plane before their marriage. Although Si Won initially hopes she won’t stay long, it becomes clear that she is planning to move back in. Cue the chaos.

Back to Yoon Seo, who’s still getting messages from that mystery number. Instead of blocking it, she vents to the stranger about her breakup and tells him to knock it off. Turns out, it’s a painter who’s actually interested in her. Things between Joo Won and Yoon Seo get harder to keep under wraps after her phone auto-connects to his car and he accidentally calls her “honey” in front of their coworkers. The office gossip practically writes itself.

Following this slip-up, Yoon Seo decides to quit her job. In response, Joo Won finally prepares to go abroad. However, when his mother denies his request to leave, he turns up at Yoon Seo’s apartment, explaining he has nowhere else to go. The scene starts off sweet… until it quickly turns into secondhand embarrassment central when we realize their colleagues are also in her apartment — and they’ve heard everything. Awkward doesn’t even begin to cover it.

After a series of minor disasters, Yoon Seo somehow ends up on a blind date… that she didn’t even know she was on and, of course, Joo Won finds out. Frustrated, she decides to take a half day, accidentally calls the mysterious number from before, and the person overhears her heated argument with an angry driver (this detail will become important later). Overwhelmed, Yoon Seo turns off her phone and heads to the Han River for some classic K-drama reflection time.

Meanwhile, Si Won and Mi Jin’s strained marriage shows glimmers of hope. Flashbacks reveal Mi Jin genuinely liked him before their arranged marriage, adding warmth to their icy dynamic. Back at the office, chaos erupts and no one can get a hold of Yoon Seo. That’s when Joo Won takes charge and tries to fix the mess. The mess in question? An artist named Seong Min has gotten caught up in a scandal. And plot twist — he’s not just some random troubled artist. He’s also the guy who’s been texting Yoon Seo this entire time. Joo Won quickly puts two and two together… and jealousy enters stage left. He tries to rekindle things with Yoon Seo, but she holds her ground and walks away.

That night, Yoon Seo drowns her sorrows in alcohol, only to wake up mortified at Seong Min’s apartment (nothing happened and Joo Won was there too — but the awkwardness lingers). She awkwardly exits and heads to I-rae’s restaurant, where she opens up about how hard it’s been to let Joo Won go. Despite everything, she still has feelings for him — and they’re not going away anytime soon.

On a lighter note, Si Won and Mi Jin provide some comic relief when she catches him naked. Later, they have dinner with his mother, and Mi Jin, like a true MVP, helps improve Si Won’s relationship with her by giving him a thoughtful gift to present to his mother.

As for Seong Min, we finally get his backstory — and yeah, it’s heavy. Turns out he’s the son of a politician, and not a nice one. His father is abusive and controlling, the kind of man who sabotaged the career of someone who was just trying to support Seong Min’s artistic ambitions. Wracked with guilt, Seong Min had been planning to jump off a building — until Yoon Seo’s accidental call, where her fiery confrontation with the driver (remember that?) gave him a reason to pause.

Joo Won decides to switch up his game plan to win Yoon Seo back — this time by acting totally uninterested, like he’s genuinely moved on. And, surprisingly, it works. Yoon Seo starts to get visibly annoyed by his “I’m fine without you” energy. Her birthday rolls around, and although she expects him to do something, he doesn’t. Finally dropping the whole bad-boy act, he tries to reach out — but can’t get in touch.

Meanwhile, Yoon Seo faces heartbreak of her own when she learns that her neglectful mother, who had stood idly by as she endured abuse, has passed away. Overwhelmed, she drinks away her sorrows and confides in Seong Min about her painful childhood. Seong Min eventually contacts Joo Won, who takes Yoon Seo home. Yoon Seo shares the news of their mother’s passing with her brother, Ji Suk, who advises her not to attend the funeral. Despite his warning, Yoon Seo goes and is greeted by Joo Won, who has been waiting for her. Though she tries to push him away, she ultimately breaks down, sobbing in his arms. It’s heartbreaking… and healing.

Emboldened, Joo Won proposes, leaving the choice in her hands. His mother finds out (of course) and immediately arranges for him to be sent to Spain to sever their ties. In a split-second decision, Yoon Seo chases him to the airport, confessing she wants him. They embrace. They’re back.

Their relationship blossoms again, and we see Mi Jin and Si Won’s marriage blooming alongside it. Meanwhile, Yoon Seo struggles to accept Joo Won’s proposal — until a camping trip inspires her to slip on the ring, letting him discover her answer. Then a scandal erupts: Joo Won’s father has been having an affair. To control the narrative, his mother agrees to the marriage — but only if Yoon Seo goes public with her traumatic past, like a “true Cinderella.” It’s a cruel deal.

Joo Won is outraged by this proposition but eventually calms down after Yoon Seo empathizes with his mother’s struggles amidst the scandal. In an effort to reconcile, Si Won and Joo Won take their mother on a trip, during which she admits that Yoon Seo didn’t want Joo Won to be hurt by her past. This revelation sparks a change of heart in the chairwoman, who ultimately approves the marriage and vows to keep Yoon Seo’s past a secret.

Months pass as Joo Won and Yoon Seo prepare for their wedding. However, miscommunication arises when Joo Won focuses on the wedding preparations, while Yoon Seo prioritizes excelling at her new job for his sake. Meanwhile, Si Won and Mi Jin face their own conflict when Si Won forgets about their wedding anniversary. Both couples work through their struggles, and eventually, everything is resolved. Apologies are made. Love wins.

In the end, Joo Won and Yoon Seo finally tie the knot, bringing their love story to a satisfying and heartfelt conclusion.

The End.

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The Review

The Good

Moon Sang Min as Joo Won

Let’s just be honest — Moon Sang Min carried. His character was the only reason I powered through this show. Joo Won was so my type and I don’t care what anyone says!! He was adorable, loyal, and honestly had me questioning my own standards. The casting was chef’s kiss — he fit the role perfectly. Not to expose myself, but yes… my screen recordings folder got a little more full thanks to him. And between us? He definitely had me kicking my feet and giggling. (I’m cringing just typing that, but it’s the truth.)

Si Won & Mi Jin’s Side Romance

Si Won and Mi Jin’s relationship was the ultimate saving grace of this show. Their storyline was far more interesting than our main couple’s — and honestly, they stole the spotlight every time they were on screen. Si Won was hilarious, and every time they popped up on screen, it gave me one more reason to keep watching (aside from bae (I would say oppa but Idk if y’all would understand it as a joke or think I’m actually serious🥲) Joo Won, of course). Typically, side character arcs tend to drag and bore me, but this time I was all in. I was glad that they received the screen time they deserved, as their dynamic truly added depth and joy to the series.

The Bad

Boring Story & Endless Loops

This story was painfully slow and uneventful. Like… nothing happened for 10 episodes, and I really had to force myself to finish. How does a drama with fewer episodes than usual still manage to feel long and drawn out? From episode three until the very end, it offered little beyond a repetitive cycle: Joo Won trying to win her back while she kept pushing him away — and not in a cute, flirty way. Just… pushing. They even tried throwing in a “second love interest”, Seong Min, who wasn’t really a love interest (more on that later), and even then, I felt like she had more chemistry with Seong Min than with Joo Won and not just because of their shared trauma. Honestly, if this were real life, she probably would’ve ended up with the artist. Her feelings for Joo Won never seemed to match his, and it was hard to root for a love that felt so one-sided. A good antagonist or any conflict outside of their stale back-and-forth could’ve helped so much.

Her Unbalanced “Love”

Their love felt more like 20/80 than 50/50. Joo Won was out here acting like she was his one and only, and meanwhile, she was giving stone-cold vibes the entire time. I get that she was the one who broke things off, but still — where was the longing? The late-night breakdowns? The “almost called you but didn’t” scenes? Small moments — such as talking aloud to herself about missing him or expressing frustration about the breakup — could have made her love for Joo Won feel real. We needed something to show she was also hurting. Sure, she mentions her struggle when she gets mad at Seong Min and later to her friend, but it felt like it came out of nowhere. We never saw her struggle, so it didn’t hit. (See my “What I Would Do” section for more)

And don’t even get me started on the wedding. She seemed so disinterested — it was mind-blowing. Like, how are you putting zero effort into your own wedding? I get that she wanted to do a good job at her new workplace, but that had to be the time to go above and beyond? While planning your literal wedding?? She kept canceling on him during wedding preparations like it was nothing and genuinely thought that doing well at work would mean more to him than, you know, actually showing up and caring about their future together. Be so serious! He was rightfully upset, and I didn’t sympathize with her for even a second.

Underwhelming Acting Choices

No hate at all — acting is hard and I couldn’t do it — but I really wish we got a bit more variety in Yoon Seo’s facial expressions. Any time she was annoyed, uncomfortable, or reacting to something off, it was the same face. If you’ve seen the show, you know exactly which one I’m talking about. It felt a little over-dramatic and repetitive at times when something more subtle would’ve made moments more impactful and relatable. A few simpler expressions here and there could’ve helped make her performance feel more natural and grounded.

Lack of an Antagonist (and Wasted Trauma)

One of the biggest reasons this show dragged was because there was no real antagonist — or even a compelling obstacle. Joo Won’s mom was supposed to be the problem, but let’s be honest: she was more of a minor hurdle than a threat big enough to create tension and excitement. Nothing negative or antagonistic drove the story forward, leaving me bored and my mind elsewhere.

And let’s talk about the abuse storyline. It had so much potential to deepen the plot, and instead, it was just… there. Her traumatic past felt like a random detail thrown in for sympathy rather than a narrative device with real consequences. Had her trauma been explored more deeply — perhaps manifesting as fear of falling for someone abusive or struggles within her relationship — it could’ve added much-needed complexity. Her abusive father or neglectful mother could’ve resurfaced, stirring up unresolved pain. Instead, both of them conveniently die off-screen and the plotline fades out like it never mattered. So much wasted potential.

The “Other” Lover

This part made me roll my eyes. Rather than thinking, “Hmm, how can we challenge the main couple in an interesting way?” the writers just threw in a classic K-drama filler: random second love interest. But like… barely a love interest. He was clearly never going to be the one, and Yoon Seo made that obvious from the jump.

What’s worse is that they could’ve made him compelling — he had similar trauma and seemed to actually understand her. But nope, he shows up, simps a little, then fades into the background. K-dramas do this so often, but at least shows like Lovely Runner give the second lead a reason to exist (and actual jealousy that makes sense!). This guy was just a weak attempt at conflict that never even got off the ground.

Her Brother (Wasted Potential Part 2)

This one’s small but still annoying. None of the characters really had arcs, but her brother had such a clear opportunity for growth — and they didn’t bother. After standing by during the bullying incident, he could’ve redeemed himself. Maybe later scenes could have shown him befriending the bullied student or standing up against similar behavior, reflecting real growth. They tried giving him some development with the whole “not wanting to go to school” thing, but it didn’t land. If we’d seen Yoon Seo constantly pushing him about university, his secret would’ve meant more. Or imagine him bonding with Joo Won, who reassures him it’s okay to go a different path — that could’ve been such a sweet moment.

Also, why did he suddenly support their marriage? He never seemed to like Joo Won, then suddenly he’s like “I approve” and they are looking at houses together? When did that happen? A simple bonding scene between the two could’ve fixed that real fast.

Everyone Felt Like a Side Character

I don’t know how else to say it, but everyone in this show felt like they were in the background — even the leads. No one had real depth or growth. It was like they were all side characters in their own story, scared to take up space. While Si Won & Mi Jin were close, nobody truly stood out, and that made the entire show feel a little… empty.

The “Block” Button?

This one’s short but it was annoying. Why didn’t she block that number?? Before she even knew it was the artist texting her, she had zero reason to keep responding. Watching her grow increasingly annoyed by texts she could’ve stopped at any moment was beyond annoying. Like girl, just hit “block” and move on.

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What I Would Do

Bring Back the Abusive Father

Rather than killing off Yoon Seo’s father, he should’ve made a comeback and stirred the pot. His return would create tension and provide Joo Won the perfect opportunity to step in and protect her. For example, the father could come back demanding money or threatening her stability, giving Joo Won a chance to showcase his loyalty and understanding by dealing with him. To make things messier (in a good way), Yoon Seo’s mother could make an appearance — perhaps discovering their relationship and attempting to exploit Joo Won for money too. That could lead to a moment where Joo Won finally learns about what Yoon Seo went through, creating a more meaningful bond between them.

Then we’d get a good scene — Yoon Seo getting drunk with her friend and finally admitting she’s embarrassed by her past and scared to fully love someone because of all her baggage. She’d get emotional, maybe call Joo Won mid-spiral and confess how badly she wants to be with him but that her trauma’s holding her back. Maybe she asks him not to give up on her — and the next day she doesn’t even remember saying it. But he does. And it means everything. The parents could’ve been the antagonists this show desperately needed, and they could’ve ended up being the thing that brings the couple back together.

Joo Won Would’ve Had His Own Arranged Marriage (Spain Drama That Actually Hits)

When we found out that Si Won (the brother) ended up in an arranged marriage, I was convinced they’d mirror that storyline for Joo Won — but no. Nothing. So imagine if the reason Joo Won was sent to Spain was because his mother arranged a marriage for him there. Maybe he doesn’t know, but Yoon Seo finds out, panics, and we get that classic K-drama moment where she races to the airport to stop him. It would’ve added some tension and urgency — and shown that she really does want to be with him. If you’re going to bring up plot points like arranged marriages, use them! Don’t just drop them like side notes and move on.

Make Her Feelings Feel

If she genuinely loved Joo Won, then we should’ve seen it. There were so many ways to show her feelings without forcing the drama. Here’s what I would’ve done:

• Have her drunkenly call Joo Won, expressing her true emotions (not often but at least once!)
• Something bad happens? He’s the first person she wants to run to for comfort
• When her mom dies (or something equally heartbreaking), he’s the one she wants to call. (she’d say it in an inner monologue or to her friend)
• Remember that scene where he’s knocking at her door and the coworkers are there? After he leaves, we should’ve seen her admit that she would’ve let him in if they weren’t there.
• She starts listening to opera or watches performances to understand what he loves (another dropped thread — sigh). Maybe at the end they actually go to a show.
• And of course, everything else I’ve already mentioned in the other sections!

Basically, I would’ve made her love story felt. I wanted longing, hesitation, vulnerability, love despite fear — not whatever we got.

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Final Thoughts

All in all, Cinderella at 2am was more boring than not, and for a show that only had 10 episodes, that’s saying a lot. I can’t even say I was disappointed because I didn’t have any expectations going in — but still, what a shame. I’m honestly just grateful it was only 10 episodes, because there’s no way I would’ve made it through a longer series. To be honest, by the final few episodes, I was only half-watching, just trying to power through.

While Joo Won was perfection and Si Won and Mi Jin brought the humour and life this show desperately needed, it wasn’t enough to carry the weight of a flat plot and a one-sided romance. The story dragged, there were no real stakes, and the whole “other lover” subplot was as weak as the wedding buildup. For a show about love, there was surprisingly little to feel invested in. The only reason I’d ever come back to this show would be to remind myself of the kind of loyalty I’d want in a future husband (Joo Won really set the bar there).

From a frustratingly annoying breakup to a complete lack of meaningful obstacles or an antagonist, this drama struggled to stay interesting. I went in thinking that a shorter series meant tighter pacing and more exciting storytelling — but nope, this show proved me very wrong.

On the bright side, if nothing else, it did give me a solid checklist for what I want in a future husband (shoutout to Joo Won), and for that… I guess I owe it a little thanks. Not much. But a little.

So thanks, I guess?

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What were your thoughts on the drama? Did you find Joo Won as charming as I did or is that not your thing? Let me know!

I haven’t done a 9–10/10 show yet so next week, I’ll be sure to give you a review on a K-movie that I LOVED!

Can’t wait to see you then! 💕