Lovely Runner (2024)

The K-drama of the Year! 10+++

What makes this rom-com THE BEST of its genre. This rom-com is a MUST watch. I think it's as good as Crash Landing on You. Queen of Tears is also good, but it has too much vengeful conflicts and repetitions. This is a true nostalgic rom-com ... This couple is natural - doesn't feel like acting as shown in the QofTears' couple.

1) The main leads have chemistry. The way they look at each other ... the way they enhance each others' appealing qualities. Everything just works for them. Regardless of budget, famous actors, plot, etc ... if the actors don't have chemistry, the drama fails. This couple - not the most handsome and beautiful - has the best chemistry and charms. And they bring out the best in each other. The director gives enough time for the couple to develop chemistry.

2) The plot - ok typical time travel plot - but it's so nostalgic and the filming of the past looks so retro and pretty. The director knows how to make the audience feel nostalgic. The filming of the rainbow scene, for example. So beautiful and cute to watch! And the use of colors in the retro scenes - so perfect ... her yellow umbrella and his blue umbrella - so beautiful and symbolic.

3) The humor - classic irony and just typical humor that makes you laugh - it's old but whatever works! The humor just has its classic charms. I couldn't help but laughed out loud A LOT throughout the 16 episodes... Humor doesn't have to be sophisticated, it just has to fit the situation.

4) The suspense - you really root for the couple because they are so believable. The key is the director and chemistry make you care for them. This is what makes a good crime drama ... not showing everything ... physical abuse and violence are so trendy right now because it's easy! In a rom-com, it would be too much to mix in physical violence. I think this was executed perfectly by the director.

5) The poetic justice - the resolution at the end just ties everything up nicely. He got what he would have given his victims. This is the perfect ending that cinched the deal.


After all the disappointments in K drama this year, this drama is a redemption ... It makes me want to watch K drama again. It has all the classic elements: the humor, the time travel, the suspense, the chemistry, the good actors, the good plot, etc.. what it doesn't have is the abusive relationships and predictable stories that started creeping up everywhere starting last year (after the glory)!

I didn't know both lead actors when I first saw episode 1. Not knowing what to expect, I was very patient to watch ep 1. I think the lead actress makes this story so interesting! The way she acts is so perfect for this role. She makes it funny without being too overacting. This story was written for her.

The main leads have chemistry.
The story has logic and every time she travels, it changes accordingly.

Highly recommend this drama. If you haven't seen her in Extraordinary You (2019), she acted similarly and made that story interesting too. But the plot was too repetitive!

Wow ... such an amazing ending to the story. I really love how grandma says it: "Where do you think memories of what I see, listen, and feel in my life go? ... They are all smeared into my soul."

Episode 1:
The reality version 0 - she is crippled. He met her in high school and feel for her but she didn't even know about him. They "met" later through a radio talk show. He impressed her with his sincerity and encouragement. She became his fan. She went to his concert ...
The person to watch is the grandma: actually, in the first ep, the grandma already hinted at the ending when she puts the red dot makeup on Sol. Korean brides wear these on their faces.

Episode 2:
He was killed by the crazy taxi driver ... she became heart-broken and time-traveled to the past by using his watch. It's a crazy and funny ride until the end from here on.

.... fixing the past to get a better future ....

Episode 15:
New Reality: You kind of know where the ending is heading ... He didn't get killed but the taxi driver did.

Episode 16:
This is the first time I can see that a rom-com made it entertaining until the end. It's so funny!
Grandma threw away the watch. So it hinted that she time-traveled. Also, when she came back to hold SJ's hand after the birthday party, he cried as if he remembers her suddenly. So she did something ... I think that would be an interesting story to see how she was able to change the past!

Poetic Justice: the bad ends up in the scenario for his victims!

Why this rom-com is SO WORTH watching? and re-watching?
I haven't seen a rom-com where the entire 16 episodes were worth watching ... even to the last few scenes! So entertaining and funny! The FL actress is so versatile. You can see her eyes can be shy, gentle, and funny ... but when she glares, she can also be a toughie!
The combination of the leads actor and actress is a winner. I think I read somewhere that she brings out the charming quality in him. This is totally right ... the contrast in height, size, and personalities adds charm to his personality.

Will there be a sequel??
I think the ending is open so there is a chance.
A few things to note:
The ending is filmed in a dreamy sequence with soft focus filter and the wedding has no one attending ... the whole thing looks like a dream ... so is it real?
Sol also said that "let's be with each other even in our dreams" ...

Read More

loving this drama but SML

older FL version goes into past and destroyed Younger FL's first Love
Your FL doesn't love ML or even notice him, Her first Love was always SML which was forced to breakup by older FL
which i find disturbing
adding SML even after they grown up, is dragging a love triangle which doesn't even have any hope for SML
Younger FL feelings were dismissed and neglected by her older self and forced her love on younger version

I have no problem with ML and Fl being together , i got this is light hearted but Love triangle make no sense
there is no need after she broke up with him peacefully
why dragging SML ? because there is no other story then love and a kidnapper is promoted to killer

reduced my ratings from 9.5 to 6.5 after watching ep 12 and 13
this was a good drama and it should have ended withing 10 to max 12 episodes, but for more money they will drama four Hour they don't even have any story for that, they don't even have 2nd lead couple neither they want to give screen time to her brother and besties love story,
ML and FL are good to look at but they are being forced together that is showing on there face
all chemistry vanishes after they finally had a proper kiss, that all there love was One kiss and after that there chemistry just leave the planet..
and drama try to become some confusing time traveling epic but its just a mess, when writers don't have any story they are just filling 4 hour to get some commercials
it stared very well then like every other Kdrama it went downhill from mid of the show....
common thing between most of Kdramas

Read More

Watch this after the drama is finished! if not, the waiting for episodes is hell.

I was a manhwa fan. At first, I was worried how the drama would turn out as the adaption drama story line and manhwa/novel story line are tend to be different. I’m not worried about the actors’ acting tho. They have already proved their acting with their previous works.
But when it aired, I love it! The drama gave more solid reason for Sol being a fan of Seon Jae and tried fo save him.
But I didn’t expect that in drama story line, Seon Jae fall Sol first. It seems that drama and manhwa/novel have only core similarity like time slip and FL tries to save ML.
The chemistry between leads are so superb that I fall in love with this cp.
I give this 10 out of 10.
As I said, because the drama is so good, you should wait for all episodes. I’m here regretting that I watched it as soon as they aired as the waiting for next episode is hell. :’)

Read More

An Intriguing Plot Line and Acting

At first the drama started really smoothly and each episode unfolds everything so well. First of all the story line and the plot twists is so good that you never get bored. I'm watching it from the very first episode of its airing and I'm currently watching while its still being aired. It pains me to wait every week to see the next episodes of the drama but I love this drama like no other so I can wait. The 'Lovely Runner' has become my most favourite drama so far replacing 'Goblin'.

Next let's talk about the theme of love in this drama. It's a modern drama with a 'Classic Love'. We have seen in the classic love stories by Shakespeare 'Romeo and Juliet' where they love each other so much so that one's life is empty or incomplete without the other just like how Im Sol's life is without Ryu Sun Jae and Sun Jae without Sol. I will include this drama 'Lovely Runner' among the classic love stories. Also how they are able to sacrifice themselves for the person they love. Sun Jae saves Sol and Sol travels back in time to save Sun Jae. Sun Jae doesn't care if he loses his life to save Sol and Sol doesn't want a life without Sun Jae so she doesn't care if she loses his affection for her. This kind of love is the most Selfless and Pure love like that of classic love stories. This is what attracts the viewers most.

Then the most talked about thing in this drama is the acting of the main leads. The role Im Sol played by Kim Hye Yoon and Ryu Sun Jae acted by Byeon Woo Soek portrays all the emotions of the characters so well that it is praiseworthy. I have seen the drama ' Extraordinary You' it is also a really good drama worth watching. In 'Lovely Runner' I like the chemistry of the main leads (Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Soek) on and off screen. Their height difference is soooo cute and good together. I would really love to watch more of their drama together. One more thing I would like to mention is the pain of the female lead character, each and every painful side of the story of her is very well acted by Kim Hye Yoon's crying scenes which hits the sad side of the story perfectly.

After that let's discuss about the supernaturality in the drama. The 'willing suspension of disbelief' is well maintained. The theme of time travel and where ever Sol tries to talk about future the time stops. The medium through which she time travels is also make good reasoning in the frame of the supernaturality. The time Sol travel back to past and in the present is interesting , sometimes its funny and sometimes its sad. The supernaturality is well represented.

Next is the symbolism. The childish and full of bright personality Sol's colour is yellow which carries the meaning of happiness and enthusiasm with it , also yellow colour depicts the cheerful and energetic nature of Im Sol. Holding the yellow umbrella Im Sol comes running towards Ryu Sun Jae and at that time he falls for her. He says that he used to hate rain but he doesn't anymore because with rain the image of Sol holding a yellow umbrella will come to his mind whenever he sees rain again. His clouded life which is full of problems will still be full of happiness if Sol is in his life. And Ryu Sun Jae is represented by blue. Blue is a colour which symbolises stability, serenity, intelligence and loyalty. We can understand how much clam is Ryu Sun Jae but his life becomes chaotic and full of fun aspects with Sol in it. Then again it is admiring how much loyal Sun Jae is to Sol that he can not even watch Sol's mother scolding her and he is willing to to go any length for her just as Sol is willing to do anything for him. Moreover yellow gives a warm feeling and blue gives a cold vibe which is like Summer and Winter, contradictory but inseparable and irreplaceable to each other. When Sol was in wheel chair Sun Jae's umbrella is of black colour which tells us that his blue has turned to black with grieving and regretting that he could not protect Sol from that accident. And in later episode we see Sol's scarf is more of a white or cream colour now than the first episode where it was yellow conveying that her life has turned to something colourless white with her loss of hope and happiness of a life where there is no Sun Jae with her.


The concept of life and fate and its chances to change. There are things that you can not change even when you travel back in time and things that you can change it depends on the choices one makes. And if you change you have to pay a price just like Sol pays the price which is her and Sun Jae's love and affection to save Sun Jae. Whether it's a happy ending or a sad ending it's yet to reveal. But now it's a happy ending for Sol as she was able to save Sun Jae and it's a sad ending for Sun Jae as he lost the love of his life.


The villain is also a classic one because he seems scary and gives a strong impression. The actor portrays the character very well which that of a bad psycho personality.

This drama is a slice of life with School Drama, Campus Drama and obviously More than that. Beautiful cinematography and the ost Sudden Shower, Spring Snow, Run Run and Like A Dream and many others suits the drama very much. I like all of the drama but some of the scenes that I would like to specially mention is the scene where Sol comes running towards Sun Jae and the accident scene and the college trip and where they both enjoy cherry blossoms and make wish further more the sea beach scenes and amusement park all of them.

The cast and the crew did a very good job making 'Lovely Runner'. The directors and other crew members did a commendable job.
I would recommend this drama. It's totally worth the watch. 'Lovely Runner' "hwaiting".

Read More

“Run into your Unknown”

Yes, this is the best kdrama you will ever watch.

I don’t even know where to begin because this show has literally EVERYTHING! You want romance? They got it. Comedy? They got it. Drama? You best believe they got it. Fantasy, Mystery, and Thriller? Of course!


I’m writing this week before the show ends, hoping I can take my time to review everything I love about this show and why I think the show is a must-watch! The first thing that I should mention is that there is a familiarity when it comes to Lovely Runner from your favorite kdramas, such as Twinkling Watermelon, Strong Woman Do Bong Song, 20th Century Girl, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, and My Lovely Stranger. Yet, besides all of that, this show is very different. It’s nothing like the shows I mentioned. I don’t want to give much away since this is a spoiler-free review, but it’s safe to say there’s a lot of familiarity with the show, BUT there is also a lot of originality. The Twist and Turns… When I say this show is unpredictable, I genuinely mean it. When I tell you I did not expect a reveal so soon at the end of the 2nd episode, I knew that this show would continue blowing my expectations; I was not wrong. Every week, this show continued to surprise us in the best way possible. For a Romantic Comedy with Fantasy and thriller, the show thrives in everything! I have watched many dramas, and what feels like forever, it truly feels like you’re watching true love. What Imsol and Sunjae have feels and looks natural. When I watch each episode, I feel like I’m watching these two people fall in love repeatedly. It makes me all giddy inside as the two try desperately to hold on to each other. 

Speaking of Imsol and Sunjae, let's speak about the beautiful actors who portray them. Kim Hye-Yoon, THE WOMAN YOU ARE! I've actually been following this show since it was announced because of Hye-Yoon. I'm a big fan of her and happy to see her get the recognition she deserves since I believe she is one of the best actors I have ever seen (watch her in Sky Castle; there's no better example). Hye-Yoon always gives it her all and works endlessly to provide us with the best results. I mean, the fact I could tell which Imsol she was playing, I think, says it all. This girl has RANGE. Hye-Yoon plays Imsol with so much love, as someone once commented, "The person who loved Seonjae more than anyone else and understood Imsol more than anyone else was Kim Hye-yoon." Not to mention, this show would not have existed without her. She is the reason why we have this fantastic show to watch. For apparent reasons, I think a lot of the spotlight is more on Byeon Woo-Seok. Still, I hope Hye-Yoon doesn't get forgotten when this is all done and shines as much as him because she deserves it. 

Now Woo-Seok, I've been a fan of him since 20th Century Girl. I'd seen his work before the movie, and he always stood out to me with his acting; maybe his height helped a little, too. I genuinely appreciate Wook-Seok for bringing to life a character that feels fresh and exciting to watch. When I say, his portrayal of Sunjae being the GREENEST FLAG THERE IS, I'm not kidding. He indeed wears his heart on his sleeves, and with his facile expression, he is easy to read. Something to mention is that these two actors have to play teenagers, young adults, and adults, which is already impressive. The two perfectly play the awkward years and the maturing times. The two both play their character with love and innocence with a little of a rough side. 

As I currently listen to the music on repeat, yes, on repeat, because the soundtrack is that good. It evokes emotions that remind me of everything I love about this show. The young love that lasts through the years, the heartbreak, the joy, and the anticipation. It's hard to put everything I feel through words as I try to write, but I want to mention that I love every song dearly, and they share a core memory. A memory I hope to not forget.

So, in conclusion… yes, I highly recommend this show!!! Now go watch!!!

Read More

a drama i can't ever be able to get off

almost every drama i've watched when i start watching if i think 'oh its good.' but that one disappoint me at a point. but lovely runner is that type of drama i've never disappointed of! most osts are my favourite till now. the cinematography, the cast, the story.. I've never felt a bit boring for a single second! i've never skipped any scene. I took at least 100 minutes for watching an one hour episode.. I've never felt like this while ending a drama. i never thought I'd like it this much! i started watching it without any expectations.. and its my favourite drama now. before this drama i saw Byeon Wooseok in STRONG GIRL NAMSOON but to be honest i didn’t like him. and i didn’t also liked Kim Hyeyoon this much! so i wasn’t a bit interested in this. i started it out of monotony! but after this drama i like them than anyone else. they are my obsession now..

i don't know how to express my thoughts now. i have so many words to say but it feels like i've lost all my words. beat me but LOVELY RUNNER is the best drama this year.

Read More

if you don't want some draggy confusing drama plot with cliché leads, don't watch

the ost and acting for this drama is actually a banger. all of these actors really doing great with their characters. but im so sad the plot didn't doing great

i think there's just too much unnecessary plot. there's a lot of plot hole where watchers didn't get much proper explanation of the story. like when im sol jumping from one to another timeline, there must be some explanation where im sol got every memories from each timeline. when im sol time traveling for the last time, why suddenly im sol traveling using sunjae's watch instead of the one in her hand, and why she can traveling in traveling time mode(?) when she's not even ended her time travel era first before traveling again??? and it seems like there's no end to her last traveling era? is she living in the past?? and by calculation im sol's soul's age must be around 47 years old by the time she met sunjae again?? isn't it weird?? idk there's just too much weird things and didn't make sense even if you called this fantasy genre.

and there's scenes where it repeated heavily, draggy, and the female lead character getting more annoying as the time goes by (no hate to kim hyeyoon. ik she's just doing amazing acting, im criticizing the writer).

maybe if the writer cut some unnecessary plot and make this drama into 10 or 12 episodes only, the drama would be less draggy and less depressing.

overall i just want to take back all the time I've spent watching this drama... im here just for byeon wooseok ??

Read More

A drag to watch

As you can tell by the number of episodes watched(13/16 at time of writing), I'm having a hard time finishing this show, with about 3~ hours worth of content that I still need to get through to mark it off my list.

The same occurred for me with the shows 'Destined with You' and 'What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, and it's not because I don't like romantic drama series or that those two shows are bad by any means, it's just that all these shows have one thing in common, and that's that their stories are non-existent or shallow.

What baffles me is that this show seems to be highly favored on MDL and I still have to find what is so great about it. The majority of people seem to adore the couple, which isn't strange, but aside from that... if you take away that couple and replace them by literally anybody else, what does this show have to offer? It's a highly forgettable show that has the couple carrying it's entire existence, which is telling as a great show overall doesn't need actors carrying it, as great storytelling and great acting ride the boat together down the stream.

The story is shallow and while it starts off interesting, it becomes more and more frustrating to watch..... At the start she has a disability, after 3 episodes it seems that never occurred or existed, they never talk about it again. There is no backstory on the serial killer, nor is there any information on previous killings, nor is there any reasoning given up till episode 13 on WHY exactly he's so hard focusing on this couple, transcending time and space seemingly to get to them at all costs. The serial killer is 1-dimensional, there is nothing else to the character besides being a serial killer.

Personally I think you can remove the serial killer and the time travel and the series would be better for it, as you would have removed two of the weakest elements of the show.

If I had to give an apt description of this show I would say it's similar to eating a single bland cracker, while it may quench hunger for a moment, it leaves a lot to be desired.

If we're going to compare this to other shows with time travel and/or romance elements my personal opinion is as followed:

Time travel romance better done in:
Mr. Queen
Twinkling Watermelon
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
My Perfect Stranger
Chicago Typewriter (Not exactly time travel but timeskips)

Mystery/Crime better done in:
My Perfect Stranger
(Don't recall other shows at the moment, would have to scour through my list of watched shows for that)

Romance/Chemistry better done in:
Gyeongseong Creature
My Dearest
Our Blues (Multiple couples but I'd say this couple the most - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_xuO7s06Tc)
Chicago Typewriter
Tell Me That You Love Me

Read More

Honest Review: Not Perfect, yet one of the best of 2024!

There have been moments in my 18 years of drama-addicted life, where I have been obsessed with a drama - its plot, actors, characters, scenes - to the point that made people question my sanity. But never have I come across a drama, that too airing, that has impacted me so much from Day 1 like Lovely Runner! I hardly have time to sleep/eat managing my work-personal life, but for this show - I decided to throw it all away to engage in MDL theories, comment and even create a Insta page dedicated to this show!

Now that you have got an understanding of obsession, and I know this is going in the HALL OF FAME as one of the best K-dramas I have seen till date BUT it is IMPERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL. Hence, please read my un-biased review of this drama:

❤️ Ep 1-10 - Literal Perfection
Heart Fluttering Romance ✔ | Well-Timed Comedy ✔ | right amount of fantasy, suspense & angst ✔ | Music that heals ✔
Basically these episodes had sugar and spice - think of everything that you like in a drama, irrespective of genre, and Lovely Runner has it. The hype it initially created deserved every bit of recognition - and everyone in the cast and crew gave it their heart, which made the final presentation something to look forward to even on dreaded Mondays!

❤️ Byeon Woo Seok & Kim Hye Soon
I cannot even begin to describe the love & pride I feel for these two. Those who are acquainted with their journey would understand how long it has taken for them to be recognized as main leads in this industry. They literally breathed life into their characters - making the chemistry palpable that I won't be surprised if they share they are dating IRL. I think when we say that you cannot imagine anyone else doing these roles OR their character names is recalled more than their real names - it is a testimony of a job fabulously done. They were both amaJING and unbelieBUBBLE and I cannot wait to see them in new projects. Literally the example of #onwards-and-upwards - I am rooting for their success & happiness, and grateful that they took this project and gifted me with such a beautiful experience & memory.

❤️ Music:
I really love how they used the plot story and band - Eclipse and released the OST. Really love these kind of witty nuggets - am such a sucker for it. Thinking from a business perspective - this opens so many doors for BWS who has sung these tracks - to host concerts or sing in his fan meetings. I guess the sharp minds of the industry and agency must have already thought of it.

But I feel the main track - Sudden Shower (Sonaki/소나기) is so damn beautiful and I loved how catalytic it was in the plot.
Other favorites: Spring Snow by 10cm, Like a Dream by Minnie. Already a part of my playlist, and I know it will stay for long.

Now, onto what could have been better? Ep 11 and onwards
Please note that I write this with the mindset of "WABI-SABI" i.e. Beauty in Imperfection. The drama is still is great, but it is not without flaws:

✘ Character Development:
Harsh but true - the leads were uni-dimensional, having only one goal throughout FL wants to save ML, ML is all about puppy love for FL. Not bad per se, but by stretching this overkilled what was initially cute, heart warming, toe curling into fillers. Even the support characters (brother/best friend, In Hyuk, Tae Seong, FL & ML's parents) & villain were not judiciously used to their potential. They were enjoyable whenever onscreen, but the same kind of comedy due to repeating timelines killed the initial excitement thereby not leaving with the greatest impression.

Had this been a 10-12 episode drama format, it would have more impactful, as the repeats/fillers would have not been there. I quote this from a fellow MDL user, Kate's review: it did seem like that they ran out of what to create, in the second half and therefore repurposed many of the epic scenes in new timeline packaging. (Read her review here: https://mydramalist.com/profile/Shini/review/363193)

❤️Overall
In the end - the anticipation and fun that we had as we watched while it aired might not be felt by those who binge it. Hence I am fearful the high ratings we see now, might dwindle. But honestly, this has been a very refreshing, feel good, guilty pleasure drama (thirst trap - included: BWS shirtless scenes, them veiny forearms & hands, long fingers, ability to catch a woman by her waist - OOOHLALALA!) but mainly a show that has after a long time: made me smile in a way that split my face in half or snort like a goofy person at the antics the drama characters played. And what else do you want from a drama : Other than the fact that it makes you feel happy from the bottom of your heart! Lovely Runner did that and more and hence recommend it to be watched at least once ❤️

Read More