Actress Jeon Hye-jin returns with a new mother-daughter story titled 'Riding Life' following 'Nam Nam'.
On the afternoon of the 25th, an online press conference for the Genie TV original drama 'Riding Life' (written by Seong Yoon-ah and Jo Won-dong, directed by Kim Cheol-kyu) was held. Attendees included Jeon Hye-jin, Jo Min-soo, Jung Jin-young, Jeon Seok-ho, and Director Kim Cheol-kyu.
'Riding Life' depicts the life of three generations of women as Jung Eun, a passionate working mom, entrusts her daughter Ji-a to a riding academy just before her '7-year-old exam'. The term '7-year-old exam' has become a hot topic, highlighting the intense private education scene in Daechi-dong.
Director Kim Cheol-kyu, known for works like 'Summer Scent', 'More Beautiful Than Flowers', 'Hwang Jin Yi', 'Emergency Couple', 'On My Way to the Airport', 'Mother', 'Confession', 'Flower of Evil', and 'Celebrity', is at the helm.
Director Kim stated, "This is a story of a kindergarten student, her mother, and her grandmother, who are thrown into the heart of the private education scene symbolized by Daechi-dong. While there have been many dramas dealing with private education, the difference in this work is that the target of private education is a kindergarten student. You may have heard of the hugely controversial '7-year-old exam'. The video of Lee Soo-ji has also recorded an enormous number of views, and there is a lot of interest." He continued, "Before entering elementary school, kindergarten students discuss Nietzsche's philosophy in English with native instructors. It made me think a lot. How should we view this reality seems to be the starting point," adding, "Although it started that way, it is by no means a serious and heavy drama. It is a warm, light-hearted, and delightful drama."
Director Kim also mentioned, "The three women thrown into a fierce competitive environment support each other with affection, trust, and laughter, enduring each day, and confirming the love they momentarily forgot for each other. I hope viewers see it that way."
After her husband Lee Seon-kyun suddenly passed away in December 2023, Jeon Hye-jin temporarily halted her activities but returns to the small screen for the first time in two years with this project following 'Nam Nam'.
In the drama, Jeon Hye-jin plays Lee Jung-eun, a passionate working mom who wants to excel in both work and parenting. She unexpectedly experiences conflict with her daughter when she entrusts her daughter Seo-yoon's riding lessons to her mother Yoon Ji-a.
Jeon Hye-jin shared, "She is a woman who puts all her effort into raising her daughter but also has a career. She wants to do both well but struggles in a harsh reality." She added, "I have always been very interested in education. It can't be helped. Once you have the title of 'mother', especially in South Korea, you can't help but be drawn to it. Since this is a story set in the Daechi-dong academy area, it inevitably caught my attention. There are also stories of mothers that are pitiful and heartbreaking, which attracted me."
She mentioned that her synchronization with Lee Jung-eun is about 70%. Jeon Hye-jin said, "I work and have a child, so I think the synchronization is high," and added, "I wonder if I am as passionate as Jung-eun? I think a lot, and the point where I empathize with Jung-eun is the uncertainty of 'Is this right?'. I am struggling with it, but I don't think I can do as well as Jung-eun."
She continued, "Through Jung-eun, I want to support and encourage mothers like her. You are doing your best, and while the path may be a bit off, you might regret not doing something, but I hope you feel encouraged while watching."
The story contained in this work reflects the current state of the Daechi-dong academy scene. Jeon Hye-jin expressed disbelief at the script's content, saying, "Isn't it a bit exaggerated? Is this real? I thought the '7-year-old exam' was nonsense. While it is called the '7-year-old exam', there are friends who start from 5 years old, and some start at 3 or 4. Before entering the project, I mentioned this, and they told me to check out 'mom cafes'. After looking at YouTube and mom cafes, I found that they have their own league, and the content in the script is not that unusual," she explained. "There are concerning aspects, but on the other hand, I also understand. Ultimately, it leads to the issue of reaching the end station, which is medical school. Even though it is happening, I found it hard to understand, so I had to grasp the reality a bit."
Jo Min-soo plays Yoon Ji-a, a child art therapist who comforts children's psychology. She is a novice rider who jumps into the riding world at her daughter Jung-eun's request, but she teaches Seo-yoon in her own way, creating a new atmosphere among the mothers in Daechi-dong.
Jo Min-soo described Yoon Ji-a as "a child psychologist. Now I have to start another parenting journey while finally living my life." She added, "There are many cases of late-life parenting now. Socially, if couples don't work in both directions, it can't be sustained. I see older adults carrying kindergarten bags and going around with children. There is a saying, 'Never let your grandchildren take care of you; you won't have your own life.' But I took on this role. I have to stop my dreams for the future. Watch how I resolve this," she hinted.
What made Jo Min-soo decide to participate? She jokingly said, "Can I be honest? I haven't worked in a long time, and I need to make a living." She continued, "I really thought a lot about whether I could do it. (To Jung Jin-young) We're talking about ourselves. We said not to use the term 'grandma' or 'grandpa', but (they say it) and it makes me so angry. I said I'm not used to it," which drew laughter.
She added, "When I received the script, I felt a bit rejected because I hadn't experienced it. I wondered if I could do it. It's a tough role, but since it's a profession that expresses people, I wanted to express it. At first, I didn't feel it, but as I read it, I found Ji-a to be wonderful. She lives without being shabby, is moderately just, and seems to have a good perspective and knows how to love people. I had a desire to see it through to the end. I think it's a time when we need a drama that can be grounded."
Jung Jin-young plays Lee Young-wook, a professor of English at Korea University. He unexpectedly takes on the riding lessons of his top-performing grandson Min-ho in Daechi-dong and falls in love at first sight with Ji-a, whom he meets there. Jung Jin-young described his character, saying, "He is a person of my age. He is a grandfather. If Jo Min-soo is someone's grandmother," referring to Jo Min-soo as 'grandma', which made her react strongly.
Jung Jin-young also stated, "Society has become harsh. There are many bloody stories. This work deals with painful realities but is a beautiful story that follows emotions well, which is why I chose it. Also, isn't it a melodrama? It's a melodrama with a grandmother, so I decided to participate," firmly maintaining the term 'grandma'.
Jeon Seok-ho plays Hong Jae-man, Jung-eun's husband and Seo-yoon's father. He is a home shopping MD who is immature and lacks the ability to earn money, but family is his top priority in life.
Jeon Seok-ho explained, "I watch these people up close and wonder how they can endure well. I have never sat down; I am always on my feet." He added, "As you can see, there is no reason not to work with these people. I have to do it. I don't know what meaning this work will have over time, but even if I haven't experienced it, it is something that will happen. I chose it because I believe it will be a work that will be talked about even after time passes."
Jeon Seok-ho also mentioned, "I was closely attached to Jeon Hye-jin. If I fall away, I will be scolded," and added, "It was similar to my personality. I acted like a shadow. Naturally, my role among the mothers was established." Regarding Kim Sa-rang, who plays his daughter Hong Seo-yoon, he praised, "She is better than me. I learned from her. The speed of growth and learning that a child possesses is remarkable."
In response to Jeon Seok-ho's humble praise of the cast, Jo Min-soo humorously remarked, "(Hong Jae-man) has many sins. He talks as if he is doing well, but it's fortunate that he didn't get hit by his wife Jung-eun. I thought, 'So this is how he sees it' from Jae-man's perspective," indirectly criticizing the husband of a working mom, which drew laughter.
Jung Jin-young also commented, "This is a story of three generations of women. In a story centered on a mother-daughter duo, the man is either a fool or a bad guy. So I told Jeon Seok-ho, 'I am a fool; what about you?' It is clearly a story of women. The men beside them are not different beings; they are people who are struggling together with their wives. The stories of such humans are well captured."
Finally, Jeon Hye-jin expressed, "I think it's special that we can present it in March when the new school year begins. I hope it brings comfort, encouragement, and fun after work. I hope for a lot of support," encouraging viewers to watch.
'Riding Life' will premiere on March 3 at 10 PM.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
