School Elections, Petty Drama, and Unexpected Feels
It isn’t your average K-Drama and that’s exactly what makes it entertaining. It brings a fresh concept to the table by centering around a high school student council election, which, while sounding mundane on paper, is elevated by strong performances and surprisingly grounded humor. It's not packed with sweeping romance arcs or revenge showdowns, and that’s part of the charm.
The acting deserves special mention. Every main actor, plays their role very well. The humor is another win here: light, smart, and rarely cringe. Even the cringey bits are handled with a wink that says, “Yeah, we know.” It’s self-aware in the best way.
That said, the plot itself, the actual school election, felt like the weakest part. It was a bit too much for something as small-scale as a student presidency. Betrayals, lies, wild accusations, and political scheming that made it feel like a miniature version of Scandal or House of Cards… for teens. Dramatic? Definitely. Necessary? Definitely not.
The real heart of the show is the bromance. Yes the bromance, it plays out like the three male leads are all vying for Se Hun in their own way. From one angle, it genuinely feels like a tug-of-war over a quiet, unremarkable kid who somehow becomes everyone’s emotional center. Two of them want are only interested in him for their selfish needs, while the third, arguably the most compelling, ends up genuinely caring for him. Whether out of pity, admiration, or something else, there’s a surprising emotional depth there that I didn’t expect going in.
Se Hun himself is an interesting choice for a main character. He’s not particularly charismatic or standout in the traditional K-drama sense, but that’s part of the point. He’s normal. A bit too kind, too quiet, too passive at times, which was annoying at times, but maybe that’s what makes him an interesting character.
Overall, I Am a Running Mate is not groundbreaking, but it is refreshing. If you go in for the plot, you might be disappointed. But if you’re here for bromance, subtle humor, and watching teens go too far over a school election, then give it a try.
The acting deserves special mention. Every main actor, plays their role very well. The humor is another win here: light, smart, and rarely cringe. Even the cringey bits are handled with a wink that says, “Yeah, we know.” It’s self-aware in the best way.
That said, the plot itself, the actual school election, felt like the weakest part. It was a bit too much for something as small-scale as a student presidency. Betrayals, lies, wild accusations, and political scheming that made it feel like a miniature version of Scandal or House of Cards… for teens. Dramatic? Definitely. Necessary? Definitely not.
The real heart of the show is the bromance. Yes the bromance, it plays out like the three male leads are all vying for Se Hun in their own way. From one angle, it genuinely feels like a tug-of-war over a quiet, unremarkable kid who somehow becomes everyone’s emotional center. Two of them want are only interested in him for their selfish needs, while the third, arguably the most compelling, ends up genuinely caring for him. Whether out of pity, admiration, or something else, there’s a surprising emotional depth there that I didn’t expect going in.
Se Hun himself is an interesting choice for a main character. He’s not particularly charismatic or standout in the traditional K-drama sense, but that’s part of the point. He’s normal. A bit too kind, too quiet, too passive at times, which was annoying at times, but maybe that’s what makes him an interesting character.
Overall, I Am a Running Mate is not groundbreaking, but it is refreshing. If you go in for the plot, you might be disappointed. But if you’re here for bromance, subtle humor, and watching teens go too far over a school election, then give it a try.
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