TVING’s “Running Mate” Previews High School Election Turns into a High-Stakes Political Showdown – kdramadiary
TVING is set to stir up school politics with its upcoming youth drama Running Mate, premiering June 19!
This high-teen political series dives deep into the drama, rivalry, and emotional whirlwind of a student body election that feels more intense than the college entrance exam.
Running Mate follows the story of Noh Se-hoon (Yoon Hyun Soo), a quiet, often overlooked student who suddenly finds himself thrust into the spotlight after a humiliating incident. Instead of hiding, he makes an unexpected move: running as vice president alongside hotshot candidate Kwak Sang-hyun. As the campaign heats up, alliances shift, tensions rise, and the entire school becomes a political battleground.
Far from being a classic hero story, Running Mate focuses on Se-hoon’s realistic and relatable journey—from invisibility to influence—capturing the raw emotions and subtle triumphs of everyday youth. With a vibrant cast including Lee Jung Sik, Choi Woo Sung, Hong Hwa Yeon, Lee Bong Joon, and Kim Ji Woo, the drama weaves in themes of friendship, ambition, self-discovery, and the bitter-sweetness of growing up.
Adding to the excitement is director Han Jin-won, the co-writer of the Oscar-winning Parasite, who brings his sharp storytelling and emotional insight to the small screen. “This is a special story experienced by the most ordinary of us,” Han says—an invitation for viewers to revisit their own youth and root for the underdogs.
Highlighting relatable characters and sharp social commentary, Running Mate is more than a school drama—it’s a coming-of-age political rollercoaster where every vote, every choice, and every friendship counts. Don’t miss it—only on TVING this June 19.
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