Director Bong Joon-ho praised the young people in 'I Am A Running Mate.'
On the 19th, the entire series of the TVING original 'I Am A Running Mate' (written by Han Jin-won, Hong Ji-soo, Oh Do-keun, directed by Han Jin-won) was released. 'I Am A Running Mate' left a touching aftertaste amid cheerful laughter, marking a painful awakening and growth that came after a competition without answers. Furthermore, the performances of rookie actors such as Yoon Hyun-soo, Lee Jeong-sik, Choi Woo-seong, Hong Hwa-yeon, Lee Bong-jun, and Kim Ji-woo received praise as they dynamically unraveled the changes of the children, who began to transform solely because they ran for student council president.
'I Am A Running Mate' received significant attention as it is the directorial debut of Han Jin-won, co-writer of Bong Joon-ho's film 'Parasite,' who won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The drama vividly captures the growing pains of youth as they search for their identity through an intense student council election filled with boiling desires. Director Han Jin-won praised the production, saying, "The fresh personalities and solid fundamentals of the new actors, as well as their tikka-taka, and the various details and emotional changes that matched the character's personality, were remarkable, and the actors performed beyond expectations."
In particular, Director Bong Joon-ho's message is eye-catching. He noted, "It is a character drama about high school students who are extremely clever yet unexpectedly pure and lovely. Even in the midst of politics and elections, they remain youthful and fresh. I applaud Director Han Jin-won for intertwining their ensemble and completing this unique high teen political drama."
Amid this, the cheerful behind-the-scenes moments of 'I Am A Running Mate' capture attention. In the student council election battle where truth and lies entwined, the six students from Youngjin High School fiercely engaged. Yoon Hyun-soo captures the rollercoaster-like upheaval of No Se-hun, while Lee Jeong-sik and Choi Woo-seong engage in a back-and-forth showdown as student council candidates 'Gwak Sang-hyun' and 'Yang Won-dae,' respectively. Hong Hwa-yeon, playing 'Yoon Jeong-hee,' and Kim Ji-woo, in the role of 'Ha Yoo-kyung,' act as cheat keys for both camps, while Lee Bong-jun as 'Park Ji-hoon' enhances the atmosphere. The synergy of these rookie actors amplified empathy and immersion in the election war, where one must go mad to win, and winning is the real deal.
Even after the camera turned off, the bright smiles of the actors, overflowing with 'real friends' chemistry, give a glimpse into the secret of their teamwork. While seriously discussing during breaks, their playful poses towards the camera add delightful laughter. As Director Han Jin-won expressed, "When all the stories end, I hope each favorite character remains in the hearts of viewers," the actors are receiving praise for evoking empathy through their respective growth.
[Photo] Provided by TVING.
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