A new and intriguing high school drama, 'Running Mate,' has been released on the OTT platform TVING. What makes this series special amidst the recent flood of school-themed shows is its departure from familiar subjects like school violence or college entrance exam competition. Instead, it sets its stage in the unique arena of a student council election. 'Running Mate' uses the small society of a classroom to satirize the world of modern politics, presenting a microcosm that is both sharp and entertaining, offering viewers a fresh kind of fun.
The drama opens with a bizarre incident befalling the protagonist, Noh Se-hoon (played by Yoon Hyun-soo). A top student, his sole goal was to lead a quiet school life, remaining unnoticed by anyone. However, his plan is shattered one day when, wearing his father's trousers on a bus, he experiences an involuntary physical reaction.
This leads to a catastrophic misunderstanding where a female student accuses him of being a pervert. The scene is filmed and spreads online, and his dream of an invisible school life is destroyed. Overnight, he transforms into the school's most "famous" figure. His friends, rather than comforting him, find it all the more amusing to tease him.
This unwanted fame, however, brings an unexpected opportunity to Noh Se-hoon's doorstep. He receives offers to become a "running mate," or vice-presidential candidate, from two powerful and popular candidates for student council president. One is Gwak Sang-hyeon (played by Lee Jung-sik), the school's ultimate "insider" and most popular student. The other is Yang Won-dae (played by Choi Woo-sung), a model student he knows from the school choir.
The fact that Noh Se-hoon, previously ignored by everyone, suddenly becomes the top recruitment target for both candidates clearly illustrates that the essence of an election is a battle for name recognition. People tend to vote for candidates whose names are more familiar and accessible, rather than focusing on their policies or pledges. Both candidates intended to use the fame Se-hoon gained from the bus incident to gain an advantage in the election.
Initially, Noh Se-hoon leans towards Yang Won-dae's offer. However, he begins to doubt his sincerity upon discovering that Yang Won-dae had made the same offer to other top students. In contrast, Gwak Sang-hyeon's proposal is far sweeter and more alluring. Simply by associating with Gwak Sang-hyeon, a popular figure not just in school but across the local area, Se-hoon could capture the attention and admiration of his peers. His lavish home and connections promised a whole new world for Se-hoon. Ultimately, Noh Se-hoon decides to take Gwak Sang-hyeon's hand, becoming his running mate and stepping into the fierce political arena of the student council election.
The greatest charm of 'Running Mate' lies in its sophisticated satire of the adult political world, all set within a high school. The blue and red campaign outfits worn by the candidates are a blatant reference to specific political parties in South Korea.
This is further highlighted by the drama's tagline, "The stark red politicking of naive blue kids," effectively portraying the power struggles that unfold in a space that is supposed to be pure. The campaign trail, rife with image-making, one-upmanship, and negative attacks on rival candidates rather than policy debates, directly mirrors the raw reality of modern politics.
What draws even more attention to this work is that it is directed by Han Jin-won, the co-writer of the Academy Award-winning film 'Parasite.' His sharp perspective is woven throughout the drama, skillfully exploring weighty themes like class, power, and human desire under the guise of delightful comedy.
Adding to the dynamic is actress Hong Hwa-yeon, who has delivered impressive performances in several recent projects. Here, she plays the top student in the school who also has a quirky, somewhat ditzy charm, injecting vitality into the story. While posing a fundamental question—"Besides helping with college admissions, would high school students really want to be president that badly?"—the drama's fast-paced, compact 8-episode format allows viewers to enjoy it lightly. With filming wrapped in September 2023, 'Running Mate' is more than just a teen drama; it is a well-made production that successfully captures both the fun and meaning of a clever political satire.
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