‘Riding Life’ Jeon Hye-jin finally smiled in joy at her daughter‘s English speech contest grand prize win.

In episode 4 of the Genie TV original drama ‘Riding Life’ (directed by Kim Chul-gyu/written by Sung Yoon-ah and Jo Won-dong/planned by KT Studio Genie/produced by Betty & Creators), which was released on the 11th, Jeong-eun (played by Jeon Hye-jin) was depicted as she felt like giving up and getting tired in the midst of the ongoing competition in Daechi-dong, ‘More mountains than mountains’, but smiled because of her daughter Seo-yoon (played by Kim Sa-rang). Jeong-eun’s roller coaster-like days, where she cries and laughs while going back and forth between work and childcare, drew explosive sympathy from mothers.

‘Riding Life’, which became a hot topic as a ‘Daechi-dong real-life’ drama, has been on the rise in viewer ratings through word of mouth. According to Nielsen Korea, a viewership ratings research company, the broadcast that day recorded 2.4% nationwide, breaking its own highest viewership rating. This figure is twice as high as the 1.2% in the first episode, and has achieved the feat of recording an upward trend without a single drop since its first broadcast. It is receiving favorable reviews for its realistic, relatable storyline that is both entertaining and touching, so attention is focused on its future moves.

The broadcast that day began with Jung-eun being frustrated at not being selected in the lottery for a prestigious private elementary school. Jung-eun was suspicious of the suspicious result. She thought she was hallucinating because she was so desperate, but it turned out that Ho-kyung (Park Bo-kyung), the ‘Daechi-dong Super Mom’, had conspired with the parent representative to switch the lottery balls.



Jung-eun took the next step without knowing this. The decision to move to Gangnam‘s ’Chopum-a‘ (an apartment with an elementary school) with a good school district. This was also a competition. There was already a line of mothers who had put their hopes on the line for the real estate agent. Jeong-eun couldn’t help but worry about the money involved in buying the house, but she rekindled her resolve with her husband Jae-man (played by Jeon Seok-ho).

The day of Seo-yoon‘s English speech contest, where Jeong-eun would risk her life, had also arrived. On the way there, she suddenly had to go on a business trip, and even that fell through, but Jeong-eun arrived at the speech contest venue just in time and brushed off her worries. Seo-yoon smiled brightly at Jeong-eun’s appearance and began the speech she had secretly prepared with Ji-ah (played by Jo Min-soo). The topic was ‘My Best Friend’, and she introduced her grandmother Ji-ah, who had become her new friend after her mom and dad. Seo-yoon called Ji-ah by the nickname ‘Genie’ and announced, “I‘m happy every day these days because I’m with Genie”, receiving applause and cheers.

Jeong-eun was frustrated by Seo-yoon‘s speech, which changed from the genealogy she had saved to a free topic, saying, “I’m ruined. I won‘t win an award like this”. Ji-ah bickered with Jeong-eun, who was impatient, saying, “Is winning an award that important? Seo-yoon should just enjoy talking about what she wants to say”. However, the outcome of the awards ceremony was different from Jeong-eun’s expectations. Seo-yoon won the grand prize. Jeong-eun, who was at a loss, said to Ji-ah, “Thank you, Mom,” and was delighted as if she had won an award, and Ji-ah pouted, saying, “You were angry earlier!” but smiled at Jeong-eun‘s happy appearance.

The ending was decorated with Jeong-eun finally adding a win (?) in the fierce competition in Daechi-dong. The result was even more meaningful and touching because she changed the topic to a story that Seo-yoon likes in Ji-ah’s way. On the other hand, Ho-kyung left the competition hall with a hardened face when his son Min-ho (played by Kwon Yul) lost the grand prize. Min-ho, who prepared a difficult speech for King George VI of England, delivered it without fail, even though he had made mistakes during practice. He looked at his mother‘s expression and said, “I’m sorry. Minho‘s tearful appearance, saying, ”I’ll do better next time,“ aroused sympathy.

The appearance of Jeong-eun, who is being controlled and jealous by the mothers, led by an angry Ho-kyung, foreshadows a full-scale war of the Daechi moms. The complicated relationships here also heightened the interest. The fact that Ji-ah was Ho-kyung‘s teacher in the past and her exciting relationship with Young-wook (played by Jung Jin-young), who is also Ho-kyung’s father-in-law, created a thrilling tension about how this will affect the life of the three generations of mothers and daughters in Daechi-dong, making viewers curious about the future story.

Genie TV original drama ‘Riding Life’ is released every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM on Channel ENA, and is exclusively released as a free VOD on KT Genie TV immediately after the original broadcast. OTT can be viewed on Tving.

Reporter Choi Yoon-na, Donga.com yyynnn@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.