by Incisive, darkly comic, and unexpectedly profound, I Am A Running Mate transforms a simple student council election into a biting commentary on power, ambition, and political maneuvering.
Under the directorial debut of Han Jin-Won—co-writer of the Oscar-winning Parasite—this TVING original proves that the most cutting political satire can emerge from the most familiar settings.
Profile of I Am A Running Mate K-drama 2025
- Title: I Am A Running Mate (러닝메이트)
- Director: Han Jin-Won
- Writer: Han Jin-Won
- Network: TVING
- Episodes: 8
- Release Date: June 19, 2025
- Runtime: TBA
- Genre: Drama, Political Satire, Coming-of-Age, Dark Comedy
Plot: I Am A Running Mate
Model student No Se-Hun (Yoon Hyun-Soo) has always played by the rules, maintaining his perfect image through careful calculation and flawless execution. But when he decides to reinvent himself by running as a vice-presidential candidate in the student council election, what begins as a simple image makeover spirals into something far more complex and dangerous.
Over the course of one intense month, Se-Hun discovers that high school politics mirror the adult world in the most unsettling ways. Alliances shift, loyalties crumble, and moral lines blur as the election becomes a microcosm of power struggles that extend far beyond the school walls. As Se-Hun gradually moves from supporting player to the center of the political storm, he must confront uncomfortable truths about ambition, integrity, and the price of winning at any cost.
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Main Cast: I Am A Running Mate
- Yoon Hyun-Soo as No Se-Hun – A seemingly perfect student whose political awakening reveals hidden depths and darker impulses.
- Lee Jung-Sic as Kwak Sang-Hyun – A key player in the election whose motivations remain strategically unclear.
- Choi Woo-Sung as Yang Won-Dae – A student whose role in the political machinery proves more significant than expected.
- Hong Hwa-Yeon as Yoon Jung-Hee – A sharp observer of the unfolding drama with her own political instincts.
- Lee Bong-Joon as Park Ji-Hun – A supporting character whose loyalty becomes a crucial factor in the election’s outcome.
Why You Should Watch I Am A Running Mate
- Han Jin-Won’s directorial vision – The Parasite co-writer brings his signature class consciousness and social critique to teen drama.
- Political satire with bite – Uses high school setting to expose universal truths about power and corruption.
- Yoon Hyun-Soo’s compelling transformation – Watches an innocent candidate slowly consumed by political ambition.
- Smart, layered writing – Every character serves a purpose in the larger political allegory.
- Timely social commentary – Reflects contemporary concerns about democracy, manipulation, and moral compromise.
- Tight storytelling – Eight episodes allow for focused, intense character development without filler.
Who Should Watch I Am A Running Mate?
- Fans of Parasite and Han Jin-Won’s previous work
- Viewers who appreciate political satire and social commentary
- Anyone drawn to coming-of-age stories with darker undertones
- Those who enjoyed SKY Castle or The Glory for their class-conscious narratives
- Audiences seeking intelligent, thought-provoking content that challenges assumptions
Final Verdict
I Am A Running Mate succeeds brilliantly by taking its high school setting seriously while using it to illuminate larger societal issues. Han Jin-Won’s directorial debut demonstrates the same sharp eye for class dynamics and moral ambiguity that made Parasite a global phenomenon. This isn’t just a teen drama—it’s a sophisticated political thriller that happens to take place in a classroom.
In an era where the line between politics and performance grows increasingly blurred, I Am A Running Mate offers a mirror that reflects uncomfortable truths about how power operates at every level of society. Sometimes the most important lessons about democracy happen long before you’re old enough to vote.
