Power Plays and High School Drama: A Review of I Am A Running Mate

Hello readers, welcome back! In today’s article, we’re diving into one of the best and most recently aired Korean dramas: I Am a Running Mate.

What you will See in this article:

• Introduction
• Plot Summary
• Cast
• Theme And Message
• Overall Enjoyment & Recommendation (Conclusion)

So let’s start

Introduction

I Am a Running Mate (Also Known As: Reoningmeiteu, Running Mate) is a newly released Korean drama that premiered on June 19, 2025. This drama is short and crisp, with only 8 episodes, each running approximately 40 minutes.

It blends youth, comedy, politics, and drama genres seamlessly. If you’re into any of these, this should be your next watch—you won’t regret it.

You can stream this drama on Dailymotion, Click the link to watch

The story follows a student who crosses all boundaries of privacy just to win a school election. At first glance, it feels like a typical school drama—until it isn’t

My First Impression

I was about to start lunch and thought, “Why not watch something while eating?” I browsed through several dramas, anime, and movies—and stumbled upon this one.

Initially, I just wanted to watch one episode. But before I knew it, I had binged the entire series. Luckily, all episodes were already released, so no painful weekly waiting.

The first two episodes felt average, but once I crossed them, I understood why I had to recommend this.

Plot Summary

I AM A Running Mate revolves around a school presidential election. Yang Won Dae is a student running for school president. He invites No Se Hun to join his campaign as a running mate and promises to make him the vice president if they win.

One day, on his way to school, No Se Hun gets into an incident that earns him the unfortunate nickname “Erector”.

That evening, while hanging out with a friend, No Se Hun meets Kwak Sang Hyeon, another candidate. He treats them to dinner. Later, No Se Hun discovers from a top-performing classmate that Yang Won Dae had already approached others before him, making him feel like a second choice.

This realization makes him switch sides—he decides to support Kwak Sang Hyeon, who also promises him the vice presidency. Along with Yun Jeong Hui, the team heads to the election commission, where tensions rise after running into Yang Won Dae.

As days pass, Kwak Sang Hyeon gifts No Se Hun lavish items and invites him to parties. Kwak is cool, rich, and charismatic, while No Se Hun is an average guy with excellent grades.

But if you think this is just a simple school election—you’re in for a wild ride.

Also read: Manga vs Anime: The Ultimate Showdown of Japanese Storytelling

Pacing

For an 8-episode drama, the pacing is well-balanced. The first two episodes serve as an intro with subtle mind games. Then, the real twists kick in—and the final episode? Absolutely mind-blowing.

It’s super engaging. Just like me, many of you will start watching out of curiosity and finish all episodes before you even realize it.

Main Characters & Cast

01. Yoon Hyun Soo as No Se Hun

A loner with excellent grades. Becomes crucial for both candidates. A total game-changer by the end.

02. Lee Jung Sic As Kwak Sang Hyeon

A rich, famous, and cool guy with many hidden layers. One of the main presidential candidates.

03. Choi Woo Sung as Yang Won Dae

Decent guy with a solid reputation and connections. Not flashy, but very strategic.

04. Hong Hwa Yeon as Yun Jeong Hui

Top student and a key member of Kwak Sang Hyeon’s team. Very sharp and insightful.

05. Lee Bong Joon as Park Ji Hun

Childhood friend of No Se Hun. Popular, chill, and well-connected in school. Also a candidate for Vice President (VP).

06. Kim Ji Woo as Ha Yu Gyeong

Crush of many students. Famous and charming, serves as the “face” of Yang Won Dae’s team.

Also Read: schedule of Summer anime 2025 season

Theme & message

The drama explores themes like:

• School Life
• Youth Politics
• Betrayal And Manipulation
• the thirst for power

Main Message:

Never blindly trust someone who seems overly nice—they might not have your best interests at heart. The show also hints that those with angelic faces can hide devilish intentions.

It left me thinking: if a school election can get this intense, what must happen in real national politics? That was the most striking part for me—how a simple school setting portrayed such psychological warfare.

Conclusion (Overall Enjoyment & Recommendation)

I’d rate I AM A Running Mate drama 9/10.

Every actor nailed their roles. The theme felt fresh and intense. What I loved most was how the story unfolded—slow at first, and then boom! Each episode brought unexpected plot twists that kept me hooked.

If you’re in your 20s to 40s, you’ll connect the most with this drama. Younger or older audiences might enjoy it, but perhaps not as deeply.

If you love dramas that include:

• School settings
• Youth themes
• Strategic mind games
• Light political elements

Then I AM A Running Mate is a must-watch.
Trust me—you won’t regret it. It leaves a lasting impression and is short and complete, so no weekly wait!