Late Lee Sun-kyun’s Wife Jeon Hye-jin Returns to Drama as a Single Mother

Actress Jeon Hye-jin, who bid farewell to her husband Lee Sun-kyun last year, is finally making her return to acting with the upcoming drama Riding Life.

Genie TV and ENA announced on January 20 that Riding Life will premiere on March 3. The family drama revolves around a working mom who asks her single mother to handle her daughter’s daily “riding” to and from after-school classes. The show delves into themes of family dynamics and the pressures of education.

Jeon Hye-jin takes on the role of Lee Jung-eun, a devoted working mom and marketing professional in the beauty industry, who strives to balance her demanding career with her seven-year-old daughter’s education. The story unfolds as Jung-eun’s mother, Yoon Ji-ah, portrayed by Jo Min-soo, steps in to help. A former art therapist who raised Jung-eun as a single mother, Ji-ah soon finds herself navigating the competitive world of South Korea’s private education system in Daechi-dong, forcing her to reflect on her relationship with her daughter.

A Family Torn Between Work, Education, and Love

The show’s poster hints at the perspectives of the three generations of women in the family. Jeon Hye-jin is depicted as the frantic working mom, rushing from work to childcare, her employee badge still hanging from her neck. The tagline above her reads, “I’ll be there soon, just wait for me,” encapsulating the relentless demands on working mothers.

Meanwhile, Jo Min-soo’s character conveys frustration and discontent, with a caption reading, “Do moms really know everything?” hinting at the generational conflict between mother and daughter. On a lighter note, child actress Kim Sa-rang, playing Jung-eun’s daughter Hong Seo-yoon, charms with her line, “I’ll do everything Mom likes,” paired with an innocent smile that tugs at the heartstrings.

The production team promises a fresh take on the realities of early childhood education in Korea, paired with an emotional exploration of the relationships within the family.

A Highly Anticipated Return

This marks Jeon Hye-jin’s first TV drama since Not Others (ENA, 2023), and her first since the passing of her husband, Lee Sun-kyun (known for his role in Parasite), in December 2023. Lee tragically passed away amid an ongoing investigation into drug charges.

Jeon briefly appeared in the films Revolver and Cross last year, but Riding Life is her first small-screen project in nearly two years. The announcement has drawn significant attention, as viewers are eager to see her performance in a drama that resonates deeply with real-life struggles and emotions.