After a two-year hiatus, actress Jeon Hye-Jin has made her much-anticipated return to television with the drama 'Riding Life'. This series has garnered significant attention as her comeback project, especially regarding her reasons for choosing this particular story and the context behind it.
Jeon Hye-Jin's Comeback: Overcoming Hardship and Embracing New Challenges ๐
In 2023, Jeon Hye-Jin faced the profound loss of her husband, the late actor Lee Sun-Kyun. Two years later, she chose 'Riding Life' as her return to acting. She expressed that her interest in education and the setting of Seoul's Daechi-dong, known for its intense academic environment, drew her to the project. Additionally, the esteemed reputation of the director motivated her to collaborate on this drama. Her return embodies the Korean proverb '๊ณ ์ง๊ฐ๋ (่ฆ็ก็ไพ)', meaning 'sweetness follows bitterness', signifying that enduring hardships leads to better times.
Plot and Main Characters of 'Riding Life' ๐ฌ
'Riding Life' centers on Lee Jung-Eun (played by Jeon Hye-Jin), a dedicated working mother preparing her daughter, Seo-Yoon (Kim Sa-Rang), for the so-called '7-year-old exam'—a term referring to entrance tests for prestigious English academies. Jung-Eun, a successful beauty marketer, entrusts her mother, Yoon Ji-Ah (Jo Min-Soo), with Seo-Yoon's academy commutes, leading to episodes that depict the realities of Daechi-dong's private education scene, as well as family conflicts and growth.
Daechi-dong: The Epicenter of South Korea's Education Fever ๐ซ
Located in Seoul's Gangnam district, Daechi-dong is renowned as South Korea's most famous educational hub. The area is densely packed with numerous prestigious academies and educational institutions, earning it the nickname 'Mecca of Education' among students and parents. Parents in Daechi-dong are particularly noted for their fervent dedication and investment in their children's education, a phenomenon that frequently becomes a topic of societal discussion. This intense focus on education has also been satirized in popular culture, reflecting the unique educational fervor of the area.
Anticipating the Drama's Conclusion ๐ฎ
Comprising eight episodes, 'Riding Life' is expected to portray the conflicts, reconciliations, and growth among the three generations of women. Jung-Eun and Ji-Ah, with their differing parenting styles, often clash but are anticipated to eventually understand and respect each other. Meanwhile, young Seo-Yoon, nurtured by her mother and grandmother's love, will come to appreciate the importance of family. These developments are poised to deliver warmth and empathy to the audience.
Jeon Hye-Jin's Transformative Performance and Building Anticipation ๐ญ
Known for portraying intense characters, Jeon Hye-Jin takes on a new challenge by embodying a realistic working mother in this series. As a mother of two in real life, she deeply resonated with her role, bringing authenticity to her performance. This transformation is generating excitement about the unique charm she will bring to the drama.
In Conclusion ๐
'Riding Life' delves into contemporary issues of childcare and family dynamics, offering viewers both relatability and humor. As Jeon Hye-Jin's comeback project, the drama is attracting significant attention, with many eager to see the messages and emotions it will convey. Her return embodies the essence of '๊ณ ์ง๊ฐ๋', and audiences are rallying in support of her new endeavor.
