I Am A Running Mate – K-drama Episode 2 Recap & Review

The Review Geek

23-06-2025

Bow Out Before the Applause Fades
Episode 2 of I Am Running Mate starts 26 days before the student council elections. Se-hoon, along with Jeong-hui, is now Sang-hyeon's vice president.
Joon-Gyu, the teacher in charge of the elections, calls them for a meeting at the office. Since Sang-hyeon has a complete team with two running mates, he becomes candidate one. Won-dae has only one running mate, Yu-Gyeong, so Joon-Gyu gives him one week to find the boys' representative.
Se-hoon has not talked to Dae-won since he decided to change camps and has ignored his calls. Therefore, Se-hoon has a panic attack when they meet at the election office.
After school, Sang-hyeon and his friend Mi-na take Se-hoon out to have fun. Se-hoon decides to take Won-dae's call when he keeps calling while at the restaurant. He lies that he has always been close to Sang-hyeon, so he decided to become his running mate when asked.
After the meal, Sang-hyeon gifts Se-hoon with his smartwatch, which makes Se-hoon feel valued, believing that Sang-hyeon is a good person.
The following day at school, Yu-gyeong confronts Se-hoon about recommending her to Won-dae and then quitting on them. Se-hoon still chooses not to explain himself to her and insists he did not betray them.
Regarding the school choir, Se-hoon says that he will not quit since the choir and the elections are two different things. After Se-hoon leaves, Yu-gyeon notices that Ji-hun is popular among the students, so she asks him whether he wants to run for the school council.
At the end of the school day, Sang-hyeon suggests that Se-hoon have a face-to-face conversation to clear up any misunderstandings. Se-hoon listens in on a conversation between Won-dae and Yu-hyeon and realises that they are not bummed that he changed his mind.
Instead, Yu-Gyeon thinks his leaving was a good idea, and they already have other candidates to consider. After hearing this, Se-hoon decides not to talk to Won-dae.
Later, Se-hoon and Jeong-hui meet at Sang-hyeon's family restaurant to discuss campaign strategies. Sang-hyeon is impressed by their suggestions but worries that Se-hoon might share pledges similar to what he discussed with Won-dae.
Se-hoon assures them that his plans are different and even shares the screenshots of the messages exchanged between him and Won-dae as proof.
Twenty-four days to the election, a conflict arises between Gyeong-tae and Se-hoon. A demeaning picture of Yu-gyeong that Gyeong-tae had drawn in one of their choir lessons is found inside the music files.
Se-hoon had accidentally forgotten to remove the picture, and Gyeong-tae had written his name on the back of the photo. Luckily, Gyeong-tae does not get disciplinary action but a warning and apologises to Yu-Gyeong.
Gyeong-tae confronts Se-hoon for ratting him out and betraying Won-dae. Se-hoon gets a new nickname from the students: 'the rat', while Gyeong-tae becomes 'the pervert.'
During the elections for the choir captain, Won-dae suggests that Se-hoon should be the next captain. The reason why Won-dae suggests Se-hoon is that he arrives early at the choir to tidy up. He also says that the choir and the student council are different, so he does not hold a grudge even if they are rivals in the school elections.
The teacher invites Se-hoon to speak since no one else stands up to be his opponent. Won-dae tells Se-hoon that he has forgiven him when he goes up to give a speech, and the students find Won-dae favourable for suggesting a rival.
Se-hoon starts his speech by saying that he was ashamed that a simple reason like tidying up the choir room could get him to become a captain. He thinks it is unfair to other members with more serious roles, such as those who organise the music sheets, distribute snacks, those in charge of group messages, edit videos, and play the piano.
Se-hoon says that Won-dae's words are disappointing. Se-hoon adds that he is tone-deaf and unsuitable to become choir captain and nominates Yu Ui-jun, saying that he is loyal, a good singer, and has a passion for music.
Before his speech, Se-hoon received a message from Ji-hun telling him he had decided to join Won-dae as his running mate. At the end of the episode, Se-hoon writes a withdrawal application from the choir.
In his letter, he says that he is happy for the applause he got for his efforts, but he no longer wants to be applauded for mere efforts. He chooses to bow out before the applause fades.
The Episode Review
It is getting messy, and we are here for it. Won-dae and Yu-gyeong know exactly what they are doing by asking Ji-hun to join them. It is too early to tell if this will cause a rift between the friends, but time will tell. The thing about politics is that it is a dirty game.
To win, one must compromise a lot. We are just beginning, so the gloves are not yet out.
Won-dae tried to use Se-hoon during the choir elections to create a favourable image of himself. Se-hoon clocked it and handled it diplomatically, like a pro. We also have to take a moment and discuss Gyeong-tae's actions.
What he did to Yu-gyeong was wrong, and he should have received a severe punishment. It is annoying when such incidents are not handled with the severity they deserve. Yu-gyeong deserved better.