The cast of 'I Am A Running Mate', including director Han Jin-won, and young actors Yoon Hyun-soo, Lee Jung-sik, Choi Woo-sung, Hong Hwa-yeon, Lee Bong-joon, and Kim Ji-woo, revealed their most relatable and memorable best scenes.
The TVING original 'I Am A Running Mate' (screenplay and direction by Han Jin-won) was released in its entirety on the 19th of last month to a warm response. The painful awakening and growth found after a 'no right answer' competition left a heartwarming aftertaste amidst cheerful laughter. Most notably, Yoon Hyun-soo, Lee Jung-sik, Choi Woo-sung, Hong Hwa-yeon, Lee Bong-joon, and Kim Ji-woo received high praise for vividly portraying the growth of youth and friendship as well as the intense competition through the student council president election.
'I Am A Running Mate' is a work that has attracted intense attention as the first directorial work of Han Jin-won, who co-wrote the film 'Parasite' and won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Director Han Jin-won cited his favorite scene as "the scene where Byeong-jun leaves the sickly election battlefield, along with the remaining Won-dae and Yoo-gyeong in the seventh episode," explaining, "Actress Kim Tae-hee's solid acting, actor Choi Woo-sung's portrayal of a lonely power figure, and actress Kim Ji-woo's expressive acting without dialogue were perfect."
Yoon Hyun-soo, who deepened empathy by delicately unveiling the complex inner world of 'Noh Se-hun' after overcoming harsh growing pains, selected the "final explosive anger scene of episode 5" as a memorable scene, adding, "It was a moment of growth in my acting, expressing anger that I had never experienced before." Lee Jung-sik, who convincingly portrayed 'Gwak Sang-hyun', a character with two faces of reversals at Youngjin High School, mentioned the "scene where Sang-hyun breaks down in episode 8," explaining, "I became ambitious to capture the broken image of Sang-hyun, which I had never shown before. Since it was a scene that we carefully shot while maintaining our breath, it is my most cherished scene."
Choi Woo-sung, who perfectly embodied the contrasting appearances and inner nature of 'Yang Won-dae', the representative face of Youngjin High School and head of the choir, recalled, "I choose the scene where I say to Kyung-tae, 'You're like my shadow' at the recycling center in episode 5," adding, "The heightened emotions during the election period and the exhaustion of the students were conveyed through Kyung-tae, and Won-dae comforting Kyung-tae was heartwarming." Hong Hwa-yeon, who balanced the coldness and warmth of 'Yoon Jeong-hee', the top student, chose the "scene showcasing English skills in episode 1," saying, "It was a special scene as it created Jeong-hee's first impression with English lines that I prepared myself."
Lee Bong-joon, who amplified the charm of Youngjin High School's 'insider' Park Ji-hoon, stated, "The scene where Se-hun and Ji-hoon talk in the auditorium in episode 6 left a lasting impression," adding, "It felt even more special because it was the last moment before the cracks appeared in their friendship." Kim Ji-woo, who highlighted the intelligent and strategic aspects of vice president candidate 'Ha Yoo-gyeong', pointed out the "scene related to Yoo-gyeong's first anger regarding the conscience declaration," saying, "It was impressive to see Yoo-gyeong, who doesn't often get angry, express her feelings. The director filmed the scene in one take, wanting to avoid disrupting the actors' emotional lines, which allowed for deeper immersion."
The six students of Youngjin High School, who collided and wavered in their own ways, realized what truly matters. The intense performances of the youth actors, who maximized the immersion in the growing pains of young people making their own choices amidst the emotional turmoil, have garnered praise for 'I Am A Running Mate' more than ever.
[Photo] Provided by TVING.
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