The production team of ‘Riding Life’ expressed their satisfaction with the casting of Jeon Hye-jin and Jo Min-soo.
The Genie TV original drama ‘Riding Life’ (directed by Kim Cheol-kyu, written by Seong Yoon-ah and Jo Won-dong, planned by KT Studio Genie, produced by Betty & Creators) will be released on March 3 (Monday). It depicts the life of a passionate working mom, Jung Eun (played by Jeon Hye-jin), who entrusts her mother, Jia (played by Jo Min-soo), with her daughter’s ‘7-year-old exam’ riding lessons, showcasing the struggles of three generations of women in the competitive educational environment of Daechi-dong. This drama marks Jeon Hye-jin's return to the small screen and shines a light on the current hot topic of early childhood education.
Director Kim Cheol-kyu, who won the Best Director Award in the TV category at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards for ‘Flower of Evil’ and was selected for the official competition at the 1st Cannes International Series Festival with ‘Mother’, is at the helm. The solid original work adds to the anticipation, as writers Seong Yoon-ah and Jo Won-dong adapted the original novel to enhance the drama's entertainment and emotional depth. The production team raised expectations by releasing interviews with Director Kim Cheol-kyu and writers Seong Yoon-ah and Jo Won-dong.
What attracted Director Kim Cheol-kyu to the script? He stated, “Seeing preschoolers solving TOEFL workbooks, reciting speeches from King George VI of England, and discussing Nietzsche’s philosophy in English with native speakers made me think a lot. The question of ‘How should we view this reality?’ is the starting point of the drama. ‘Riding Life’ is a record of the struggles of three generations of women who dive into Daechi-dong, enduring day by day, and through this arduous and noisy process, it tells a story of ‘recovery’ as they rediscover the love for each other that they had forgotten. It vividly portrays reality while maintaining a light tone, filled with warmth and simple humor that makes viewers smile,” he explained his decision to direct.
There is also great anticipation for the realistic mother-daughter chemistry between Jeon Hye-jin and Jo Min-soo. The writers expressed, “When we heard the casting news, we wanted to use the expression ‘I could hear the sound of bells in my head’ because it was so good. It felt like we had brought them in from Daechi-dong. I felt as if I had closely monitored them while writing ‘Riding Life’,” raising expectations for the actors’ performances that are integrated with their characters. Director Kim added, “Both actors often change the flow of the story with their strength at crucial moments or open up a frustrating situation with their flexibility, and I was often impressed by them,” sharing his thoughts on working with them.
The efforts of the director and writers to enhance realism are expected to increase immersion. Director Kim stated, “To maximize the sense of presence, we did not rely on sets for the main location, the academy area, but instead filmed most of it on location at actual academies in Daechi-dong and nearby places. We put in a lot of effort to enhance the realism and timeliness so that it feels like a story that is actually happening around us every day.” Writer Seong Yoon-ah conducted interviews with academy directors and parents, while Jo Won-dong based the script’s realistic portrayal on his own experiences with his children’s riding lessons and shared experiences with parents.
The writers highlighted the points that differentiate ‘Riding Life’ from other dramas about private education, stating, “‘Riding Life’ does not just show the private education scene but centers around the working mom who has to live through it. It focuses on the burdens that a 7-year-old child has to bear in Daechi-dong, the parents’ anxieties about their children’s education, and the tired hearts of grandparents who jump into riding lessons while watching their granddaughter and daughter. The story centers on the conflicts and growth journey of the three generations of women as they ride together,” promising a story filled with warm laughter and emotion.
Finally, regarding the viewing points, Director Kim emphasized, “’Riding Life’ depicts a theme that could easily become heavy and serious in a witty, lively, and cute manner.” He added, “The story of the three generations of women in the fiercely competitive private education scene of Daechi-dong, which is hard to believe even when seen with one’s own eyes, is presented in a balanced way without leaning towards one side. It’s a story that all generations can relate to and enjoy together,” encouraging viewers to watch.
With the interviews of the director and writers raising expectations for a well-made production, the Genie TV original drama ‘Riding Life’ will premiere on March 3 (Monday) at 10 PM on Genie TV, Genie TV Mobile, and ENA.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
