From 1% to Record Highs: How This Underrated K-Drama Ended with a Major Ratings Plot Twist

K-Drama Riding Life (라이딩 인생) quietly emerged as one of the most surprising success stories on Korean television, closing out its run with a personal ratings record and heartfelt praise from viewers.

Aired on ENA and Genie TV, the drama wrapped on March 25 with a nationwide viewership rating of 3.3%, according to Nielsen Korea—its highest yet. Starting with just 1.2%, Riding Life steadily gained momentum over its 8-episode run, ultimately surpassing even Go Hyun-jung’s Namib (2.4%) to become the highest-rated series on the network.

The final episode focused on Jeong-eun (played by Jeon Hye-jin) as she confronts the harsh realities of Korea’s overheated education scene in Daechi-dong. After exposing a school admission scandal involving “supermom” Ho-kyung (Park Bo-kyung), Jeong-eun reclaims her daughter Seo-yoon’s rightful place in school. Though she quits her job to care for her daughter, she soon discovers that love alone can’t fix everything—especially when Seo-yoon struggles to adjust to the competitive A-class environment.

Other characters also experience turning points: Min-ho (Kwon Yul), exhausted by relentless academic pressure, collapses and confesses, “I don’t want to go to hagwon anymore.” Jia (Jo Min-soo) is injured in a car accident while trying to protect Seo-yoon, and Jeong-eun learns through her daughter’s diary that Jia had become her closest friend. The story closes with each character returning to their version of normal—yet changed—highlighting growth, healing, and mutual support.

Set in the high-stakes education mecca of Daechi-dong, Riding Life was praised for being a “live-action reflection” of the real struggles faced by Korean families. From ambitious moms fighting for elite school placements to overwhelmed children and even doting grandparents, the show wove a multi-generational narrative filled with empathy and realism. What began as a conflict over education evolved into a message about walking through life together.

Jeon Hye-jin’s performance as Jeong-eun struck a chord with viewers, capturing the silent battles of working moms—the guilt, the distance from children, the strain between career and caregiving. Her subtle yet powerful portrayal included moments like running while holding her child to make it to hagwon on time, or awkwardly asking strangers for hard-to-find English workbooks.

In her closing remarks, Jeon said, “To every parent out there living their own version of Riding Life, I send you all my heartfelt support. Being part of Jeong-eun’s journey helped me grow and feel so much happiness. Jeong-eun, you’re doing great—keep going.”

Riding Life marks Jeon Hye-jin’s first acting project since the passing of her late husband, actor Lee Sun-kyun, in 2023. Her return to the screen carried added emotional weight, as fans and industry peers alike watched with admiration as she delivered a deeply moving performance amid personal grief. Through her portrayal of Jeong-eun—a working mother navigating the pressures of family, career, and self-worth—Jeon channeled raw, authentic emotion that resonated with many viewers, making her comeback all the more powerful and meaningful.

Co-star Jo Min-soo added, “All of us are living our own riding life. In constantly chasing after something, we often forget what happiness truly is. I hope this drama gave viewers a moment to pause and reflect.”

Actor Jung Jin-young echoed the sentiment: “I truly hope we can create a society where our children can grow up healthy and strong,” while Jeon Seok-ho emphasized, “Riding Life reminds us that life is better when you don’t go it alone.”

Over just eight episodes, Riding Life explored real-world issues—from the struggles of finding reliable childcare and the pressure of entrance exams, to the emotional toll of juggling parenting across generations. It more than doubled its ratings in just two weeks and maintained high viewer engagement to the end—earning it the title of a “quiet but powerful hit.”