'Riding Life' ended with Jeon Hye-jin finding her own happiness rather than living a life chasing others.
In the final episode of the Genie TV original drama 'Riding Life' (written by Seong Yoon-ah and Jo Won-dong, directed by Kim Cheol-kyu), the three generations of women—Jeong-eun (played by Jeon Hye-jin), Jia (played by Jo Min-soo), and Seo-yoon (played by Kim Sa-rang)—came to understand each other and found greater happiness together. Jeong-eun, who had been fiercely competing in Daechi-dong, began to listen to what Seo-yoon truly wanted and started living a life that matched her child's pace. The final episode of 'Riding Life' achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 3.3%, setting a new record for itself and ending on a high note. (According to Nielsen Korea)
'Riding Life', which gained attention as a 'real-life version of Daechi-dong', captivated viewers with its blend of fun, emotion, and timely messages. The stories of realistic characters, such as a mother-daughter duo riding in Daechi-dong, busy working moms juggling work and childcare, and grandparents diving into twilight parenting, resonated deeply and garnered a passionate response. The final episode, which wrapped up the conflicts that began with riding, made viewers reflect on what we might be missing in the midst of our busy and competitive lives.
The final episode began with Jeong-eun raising the issue of admission fraud at a prestigious elementary school against the super mom Ho-kyung (played by Park Bo-kyung) and reclaiming Seo-yoon's place. Jeong-eun decided to quit her job to focus on childcare for Seo-yoon, who was about to enter elementary school. However, Seo-yoon struggled to adapt to Class A, and Jeong-eun, unaware of Seo-yoon's feelings, wanted her to keep up with the other kids. Min-ho (played by Kwon Yul), who was stressed by Ho-kyung's excessive educational zeal, eventually collapsed in front of her. Jia, who rushed over after receiving a call from Seo-yoon, calmed Min-ho, who was hyperventilating. Min-ho tearfully said, "I don't want to go to the academy," breaking the hearts of viewers.
Jia was shocked when she had a traffic accident while trying to save Seo-yoon. In the hospital, Jeong-eun belatedly understood Jia's feelings and shed tears. She discovered through Seo-yoon's diary that Jia had become Seo-yoon's closest friend, filling the void left by her absence. Jia reached out, saying, "I wanted to do this for you. There were so many things I couldn't do for you when you were little. I'm sorry for being late. My daughter has grown up to become a mom." Jeong-eun replied, "Now that I've raised Seo-yoon, I understand. I'm sorry for not knowing your heart until now. Thank you for raising me."
The conflict between Jeong-eun and Jia stemmed from the fact that they were so close and thought they knew each other well that they didn't ask if everything was 'okay'. Jia asked the question she couldn't ask when Jeong-eun was little, "Is my daughter Jeong-eun (okay)?" and they reconciled naturally. Jeong-eun realized that she too had not paid attention to her daughter Seo-yoon's feelings and promised, "From now on, I will listen to Seo-yoon. I will make sure to ask her what she wants to do first."
Afterward, Jeong-eun returned to work, living diligently as a capable marketer and Seo-yoon's mother. It was revealed that Tae-rin's mom (played by Choi Yoon-so) was the TR representative Jeong-eun had been searching for, and they successfully completed a project together. Jia returned as a child art therapist and helped take care of Seo-yoon while supporting working mom Jeong-eun. Young-wook (played by Jung Jin-young), who returned from the U.S., visited Jia, and she accepted his feelings while showing him a ring. Min-ho, no longer biting his nails due to academic stress, was excited about the thought of going out with Ho-kyung. Jeong-eun was surrounded by Jia, Seo-yoon, and her husband Jae-man (played by Jeon Seok-ho). Although they continued their unchanged daily lives, the ending of the family, now happier, brought smiles to viewers.
'Riding Life' was a drama that highlighted the intense private education scene for young children, to the extent that terms like '7-year-old exam' and 'academy riding' emerged. It tackled heavy themes in a light and cheerful manner, leaving viewers with food for thought alongside dramatic enjoyment, making it a significant work. Director Kim Cheol-kyu's sharp yet warm portrayal shone through. The drama was filmed in actual Daechi-dong academy areas, enhancing its realism, and viewers immersed themselves in the story with empathy and surprise.
The performances of the actors, which added realism to the characters, maximized the drama's immersion. Jeon Hye-jin made a successful return to drama through 'Riding Life', portraying Jeong-eun's growth as a mother and leading the story steadily. Her natural acting completed the working mom character grounded in reality, evoking empathy and support from viewers. Jo Min-soo depicted the warm adult Jia with deep acting skills. She also added variety to the drama by handling a romance with Jung Jin-young. Jung Jin-young beautifully portrayed a romanticist in his twilight years, while Jeon Seok-ho added humor as the lovable husband. Park Bo-kyung showcased her presence as the super mom Ho-kyung, and the flawless performances of the child actors Kim Sa-rang, Lee Min-ho, and Ahn Tae-rin contributed to the driving force of 'Riding Life'.
The Genie TV original drama 'Riding Life' depicts the passionate life of working mom Jeong-eun, who entrusts her daughter’s '7-year-old exam' to her mother Jia, showcasing the heartwarming life of three generations of women in Daechi-dong. It is exclusively available for free VOD on KT Genie TV and can be watched on the OTT platform Tving.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
