This dynamic series blends student council election drama with a sharp political satire, inviting viewers into a world where youthful passion collides with image management and genuine emotion.
What Today’s Korean Youth Are Experiencing ?
At Yeongjin High School, model student No Se-hoon finds himself thrust into the limelight after a humiliating accident. Suddenly, he’s the prize in a fierce campaign war: Yang Won-dae rallies behind “A small change for a great school,” while Kwak Sang-hyun charms voters with “Only One, Only You.” This cutthroat tactics battlefield mirrors the real-life cynicism many young Koreans feel toward politics—where style often eclipses substance and authenticity can be the first casualty.

Why This Genre Never Existed Before
Directed by Han Jin-won (co-writer of Parasite), I Am a Running Mate isn’t content to tack politics onto the edge of its plot. Instead, it places the election at center stage, transforming crowded hallways into micro-parliaments and campaign posters into battlegrounds. Critics at TenAsia praised its “perfect balance between youthful exuberance and hard-hitting commentary,” noting that this youth-centered narrative elevates what could have been a standard school drama into something far more subversive and resonant.
A Release That Mirrors Korea
The timing couldn’t be more deliberate. Premiered on TVING on June 19—mere days after its South Korean debut—and available free on M6+ in France and on Viu, the series underscores a global appetite for youth empowerment stories. TVING’s all-at-once drop of all eight episodes encouraged marathon viewing, while an invitation to the 28th Busan International Film Festival’s On Screen section cemented its status as a cultural landmark. Whether you’re drawn to its razor-sharp satire or its heartfelt coming-of-age moments, this groundbreaking teen drama deserves every bit of attention.