After three years since its filming, the teen political drama 'Running Mate' has finally been unveiled, capturing viewers' attention with its unique storyline. Actor Choi Woo-sung suggests viewers ponder 'Who is the worst villain?' to enhance their viewing experience.
On the 24th, the cast of the TVING original series 'Running Mate,' including Hong Hwa-yeon, Yoon Hyun-soo, Choi Woo-sung, and Lee Jung-sik, were interviewed at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.
Released on the 19th, 'Running Mate' follows the story of No Se-hoon (played by Yoon Hyun-soo), who becomes the subject of ridicule after an unfortunate incident. He is nominated as a vice-presidential candidate in the student council election, navigating through various schemes to achieve victory in this high-teen political drama.
The four actors expressed their joy upon the release of the series. Choi Woo-sung, who plays the passionate character and presidential candidate Yang Won-dae, shared, "It's been almost two years since we finished filming. I was worried it might never see the light of day, but I'm thrilled and happy it's finally out."
Yoon Hyun-soo, who plays the outsider and vice-presidential candidate No Se-hoon, said, "Everyone I worked with was my true 'Running Mate.' I poured my passion into every moment, and I'm happy to share that with the audience."
Hong Hwa-yeon, who portrays the top student and rational character Yoon Jung-hee, expressed, "I'm excited and thrilled that the long-awaited project is finally out. Unlike my previous roles in 'Treasure Island' and 'Your Taste,' where I played adult characters, I'm delighted to show a more diverse side by playing a student."
To immerse themselves in their characters, the actors put in individual efforts. Lee Jung-sik, who plays the narcissistic and privileged presidential candidate Kwak Sang-hyun, said, "I continuously studied how Sang-hyun maintains relationships with those around him. I believed that managing the pace well would make Sang-hyun's character more three-dimensional in the latter part of the series."
Hong Hwa-yeon explained, "To better portray the model student Jung-hee, I cut my long hair into a bob and added freckles and glasses for detail." She added, "I wanted to remain a lovable character despite appearing socially awkward, so I paid close attention to every line and action."
Choi Woo-sung focused on the keyword 'student ambition' to express Yang Won-dae's leadership. He said, "I approached it by thinking about what a student's ambition, rather than an adult's greed, would be." To contrast with Kwak Sang-hyun, he dyed his hair. Choi explained, "I thought Won-dae had a warm tone, while Sang-hyun had a cool tone. I dyed my hair a brownish color to create a contrast when the two characters appeared on screen together."
Playing high school students was a special experience for the actors. Lee Jung-sik expressed excitement throughout the interview, saying, "It felt like going back to those days, and I enjoyed filming." Having been the student council president and vice-president during his school days, Lee reminisced, "I really liked my friends back then and had a strong desire to achieve something."
When asked about memorable episodes during filming, Hong Hwa-yeon recalled the first shoot. She said, "We filmed at Daesung Academy early in the morning, and I focused on capturing Jung-hee's first appearance amidst a time-pressured atmosphere. I particularly remember writing my English lines and getting them approved by the director."
Yoon Hyun-soo shared, "The scene where Se-hoon roars in the latter part of the series is most memorable. I've never expressed emotions so intensely in my life, and I remember working hard to portray that moment."
Regarding some viewers' interpretations that the red and blue color scheme in the series resembles real-life political parties, the actors drew a clear line. Lee Jung-sik emphasized, "'Running Mate' is about students pursuing what they want and desire. While it might seem politically related, the filming took place in 2022. It does not reflect the current political situation."
Finally, Choi Woo-sung invited viewers to ponder, "In the series, all characters pursue their interests to win the election, causing harm to others. Watching this, if you think about 'Who is the worst villain?' it will make the series more intriguing."
Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia Reporter yoon@tenasia.co.kr