Actor Lee Jung-sik Clarifies Political Interpretations of 'Running Mate'

The color scheme of red and blue in the drama 'Running Mate' has sparked discussions among some viewers about its resemblance to real-world politics. However, actor Lee Jung-sik has clarified that the series does not reflect current political situations.

On the 24th, an interview was conducted at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, with the cast of the TVING original series 'Running Mate,' including Hong Hwa-yeon, Yoon Hyun-soo, Choi Woo-sung, and Lee Jung-sik. 'Running Mate' is a high-teen political drama about No Se-hoon (played by Yoon Hyun-soo), who becomes the subject of ridicule after an unexpected incident and is nominated as a vice-presidential candidate in the student council election, navigating through various schemes to achieve victory.

Lee Jung-sik, who plays the role of Gwak Sang-hyun, a privileged student council president candidate, explained his reason for choosing the project: "I was excited when I first read the script, but meeting the director in person gave me even more confidence. The character was so well-developed that I was eager to see what kind of synergy would occur on set."

When asked about his preparation for the character, Lee Jung-sik responded, "Sang-hyun's keyword was 'narcissist.' I continuously studied how a narcissistic Sang-hyun maintains relationships with those around him and approached filming with this in mind. I believed that careful modulation would make Sang-hyun's character more multidimensional in the latter part of the series."

Lee Jung-sik also cautiously addressed the 'political interpretations' surrounding the series. He stated, "'Running Mate' is about students pursuing what they want and desire. While it might seem politically related, the filming took place in 2022. It absolutely does not reflect the current political climate."

Finally, Lee Jung-sik highlighted the appeal of 'Running Mate,' saying, "Through the eight episodes, viewers can explore human nature and follow the journey of high school students finding their identities, which offers many relatable aspects. The diverse emotions and relationships each character experiences are what make 'Running Mate' unique."

Reporter Se-yoon Jung, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr