Lovely Runner (2024)

Love transcending time and timeslips

✅️ Nostalgic kdrama feels
✅️ Leads bursting with chemistry
✅️ Lots of gushing, blushing romance
✅️ Unexpected plottwists
✅️ Lovely OSTs
✅️ Beautifully shot scenes
✅️ LOL comedic moments

If you thought you are in for the usual fluff, then you're mistaken.

For all the cute previews and fluff fanservice, you find someone stick a hand in your chest and squeezed your heart. First was Im Sol after she lost mobility. The helplessness and lost of hope. Then theres ML and his depression. Lots of teary heart wrenching moments. You will ache for them.

Then my greatest surprise was the curveball at the last 5mins of ep2. Didnt see that coming. That was d ML point of view I didnt know I needed but was so glad director/writer gave us this. Then theres the onpoint acting. Always a fan of Kim Hye Yoon. We wouldnt be this hook without the good acting and the leads' chemistry.

In an afterthought, I just realised its like reading a novel with an epic love story. Theres the sweet romance build up that makes yoi giddy and reminds you of first love. But then theres the grittier bits, heavy emotion from darned fate and stakes against the CP. You watch your leads struggle but ultimately their hearts lead to each other. You feel healed in the knowledge that there's this kind of love.

Ps: Have bumped up the ratings. Its hard for a drama to hold my interest and make me a fan of their love. Even rarer that it has such a high rewatch value

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Though I did not like how the story leads to, it was overall lovely and funny!

Lovely Runner delivers a true rom-com moments and up-beat-ness which I enjoyed for the most part. The characters are likeable, very bubbly with laugh-out-loud jokes a lot of times, especially the ones involving the friends and families. It was interesting and great to see the story through different timelines without it being confusing – which is essential for a time travel drama. I loved that the couple is cute and trusting of each other. Their romantic scenes were wonderful and were shot beautifully.

Well, at some point I started losing interest. I was expecting they eventually would address Sun-Jae & Im Sol's insecurities that we saw in the beginning, but they focus on the murderer involvement. This part of the story was so uninteresting. Every time the episode is about to end, this mysterious guy appear and whatever he does gives no tension. The accident and incidents happening were repetitive so they did not make me care or anxious anymore. Overall, still a fun watch, though, it gave me motivation to look forward to Mondays!

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I just can’t anymore with same old cliches

After being disappointed by Queen of tears i started watching lovely runner based on the ongoing hype around it and I got fooled yet again.
As much as i wanted to like it but the more episodes i watched the more I couldn’t take it.

About the characters what put me off most was that FL lead was overly obsessed with ML even if she wanted to prevent his death still she was acting too entitled like getting into his room without permission and showing up at his gym at night. Like how was she trying to protect him didn’t make sense. If she was providing him emotional support by having conversations with him it would’ve made much more sense. Also she completely forgot that she was disable and never thought about how she can prevent that from happening is weird to me.

Again with those same cliches like being her saviour and all. I really want to watch something fresh. I don’t understand how people gave it a 10 rating. Please don’t misguide others like this .

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The defniton of mood swings

I started watching this on Sunday and I was hesitant to watch it due to the drama around but hey yoon is my favourite actress so why not, i really enjoyed it and that's the suppressing considering i don't really like unexpected twists in dramas it was very emotional ( i didn't cry though ) i enjoyed this drama however there are a few things that could've been different.
1. The chemistry I didn't think their chemistry was bad or awkward it just didn't feel natural, especially in the last few episodes

2. i felt like they could've gone in more depth like what does the grandma know? Why does she change time or world or whatever? which world or time is the real one? It feels like it needed more than 16 episodes and there were A LOT of things that were left unexplained

3. i understand why the fl was frustrated but why did she have to lie and pretend like she didn't like him or shout at him because he got her a gift... like girl be happy after changing time and dimensions about 100000 times you would think would realise there's no reason for her to lie or pretend to be okay.. or act like she hates him right? but no

but yeh watch it i haven't watched a drama without dropping it for months so it must've been good

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almost but not quite perfect

From the promotional materials alone this series is anticipated to be nostalgic and heartwarming. I still don’t know how emotionally driven this will be, but the content of this story tells me it will be.

What I can say now is I am optimistic though, and that’s got to do with the attitudes of the main characters, specifically Im Sol. Played by Kim Hye-Woon, at first I thought she was too moody, but quickly her views on life are changes and she’s quite likeable. her character is optimistic and loving, with a new perspective on life because of a touching message she heard from a newly debuted idol, Sun-Jae. This drama is refreshing for me right now and is perfect for the spring and summer combined.

Sun Jae’s character is complicated. I wonder if this series will portray his character of being an idol well, it’s tricky. I have seen dramas that fall right down with this, but they had idols in the cast that made it clear it was pretty much just a cash grab. Here, I was surprised to see that the cast has few idols. I loved to see the idols it did have as Cameo’s, it fit the time so well and the SNSD song Genie was wonderful to here.

This drama has a very triggering main theme, I pray it pays respects to the theme instead of using it simply as a plot device. Mental Health is much more than a plot device and is very layered in terms of a persons complexity, emotional, situation, relationships, etc. The situations are kind of stupid, but for now it’s all in good fun, it’s fiction so it’s not going to be 100% believable. I just hope it doesn’t get to the point where too much or too little happens that I end up not caring. So far this drama is full of fun and it’s a lot more cheerful than I thought. That’s a very good thing though! I love the bright scenes and youthful atmosphere.

The first episode thought is actually pretty smart in a simple way. With how Im Sol believed she’s dreaming instead of living, it makes her actions make more sense. She’s not crazy or in love, she’s a fan who is dreaming.

In short, the visuals are very good. Byeon Woo Seok has the type of face that makes me wonder how he hasn’t stood out to me before. I hope he thrives with his career as well as all who are in this. particularly with him, he’s very good looking- he’s talented, and this role could be a pivoting point in his career. Hye Woon has already shown her career to be successful with her roles, and she’s very sweet and I love her dimples. The two of them are adorable with the visuals and height difference, so I’ll see if they have chemistry beyond that. They are fun together and a few episodes in and I’m buying into this drama.


The story is a lot more layered than I initially thought it would be. That’s all I can say without spoiling, but trust me and watch this drama. It really is the best I’ve seen all year and is right next to Queen of Tears for me and is reaching to be much better.

Everything in this drama is done so well and is thoughtful for the most part.. up until the last two episodes. It was then that I realized that the potential this drama had to exceed everything else was actually wasted. I'll explain a bit, but I know most people see this drama has no flaws, but it really does. The problem for me mainly resides in Sunjae's character not being consistent. I didn't get how he still became famous even when he was going to college to pursue a different path. The whole idea of time travel wasn't consistent because of this. I didn't get it because Sunjae's character once had such a passion for swimming and athletics, and even was going to become a physical education teacher. I wonder what happened and why he would want to become an actor? Even if he injured his shoulder so much, it would've been more consistent if he continued that path without any obstructions and if he wasn't going to become an idol then we'd see him teach what he actually was passionate for.

It really didn't make sense how he was an idol to begin with, but they showed some of that with his songwriting and passion for Im Sol. Soon he became a shell of a character, because even without Im Sol you would think his passion was swimming. It was what was shown and built up at the beginning. It was written off but could've came full circle if he became a teacher and taught kids to swim. He even could have met Im Sol again if she was taking her brothers kid to swim lessons and met Sunjae. I really don't get why in every timeline he had to be famous. That is what lost it for me. It was like the drama was so focused on creating this fantasy, when it was doing really well and building Sunjae to be a real and fully developed person when he was initially just was saw as a famous person. Unfortunately in the end he didn't have much growth himself and that was put all to Im Sol, which is fine... it just could've really stood out as its own individual thing if it had rounded both of the main leads.

So that tells me this drama wasn't as smart as I thought, because in the end it was pushing too much into the romance. I get it, that is what the drama wanted. To be 'perfect' it has to do more. The drama has to be nuanced and go deeper than the surface. I give the drama credit, it is fun and definitely going to be known for a long time. It was huge, but I think it could've been better. Ok it could've been a whole lot better. It really wasn't the best drama this year at all, it was ONE of the best but not THE best. So I take back what I initially said.

I wouldn't watch this drama again because of the wasted potential and that frustrates me ok. Sunjae deserved some development. They took the cheap way out with all of it, the memory erasure and the sudden remembering. It was a waste of the two last episodes honestly and I had to skim through it because I knew what was going to happen. I am just so frustrated because this drama is really good, but it could be so much better and didn't have to make decisions of constantly rewinding time and changing things just to end up in the same place? Like being rich and famous is cool, but it was wishy washy in the end because I saw what could've been done and what just wasn't done. Fanservice is the only word I can use to describe the last two episodes. Still it is so good and I'm glad it is this popular, but I'm not going to paint it out to be something it isn't.

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Overall a good drama, I can’t watch it again tho my patience could never.

I want to love this so bad. Spoilers ahead. I was waiting for a different result with the many chances the main character was given to change things. However, with the exception of the first back in time, it was a repeat of almost the same thing every time after. It’s not that I didn’t like it, but it was hard watching Im Sol keep making the same mistakes trying to push Sun Jae away just to get the same result . It got tiring after the second time, buy the third time it was just annoying that she could treat him so bad. Sun Jae kept choosing her and again and again. Im Sol kept breaking his heart, acting as though she didn’t care. I was hoping at some point she would just say something! I was screaming at the tv if she would just communicate what she was doing or trying to do especially the last time around. I understand that she was trying to protect him, but she left him in the dark which could’ve saved them both some heartache. She missed the fate part of it & he would keep choosing her. I’d hoped for more romance between the two verses the bits and pieces throughout the episodes only when she let down her guard. Overall it was a good watch, I rooted for them and it paid off with happy ending. The two had great chemistry, there was plenty of humor, but I probably would not watch again, the storyline was frustrating until the last episode when it all worked out.

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A Drama that Heals Our Sorrows

It gave me such an indescribable feeling when the more I rewatch this drama, the more I think Lovely Runner is a perfectly written and directed drama from start to end.

Then it hit me that I’m not gonna heal from this withdrawal syndrome any soon. It will be hard to find a drama that’s as amazing as this.

For 13 years as a Kdrama fan, I used to feel like this with some dramas I watched before, but I’ll admit that this one is quite different. I can’t describe it. I feel like there’s a hole in my chest after it ended.

What makes Lovely Runner loveable:

1. The simplicity (brings us back to older Kdramas that we genuinely enjoy without much heavy stuff).
3. Fast-paced storylines that keep us engaged.
4. Unpredictable (most viewers’ theories were proved wrong by the next episode).
5. Easy-to-understand storylines (IDK why some have problems regarding this aspect).
6. Almost flawless (most so-called “plot holes” are debunked when we focus from the start or rewatch).
7. The beauty of every details, plot twists, parallels in every timeline (KUDOS TO THE DIRECTOR).
8. The satisfying romance (the BEST, so far)
9. No wasting time with the villain & second male lead’s backstory;
10. Hence, not draggy (like most dramas after early half).
11. The balance and right timing when it comes to comedy & dark aspects.
12. The perfect OST & Eclipse songs (top ranked on music charts).
13. Iconic scenes (umbrella, nostril, lamppost, Sunny).
14. The chemistry between all characters.
15. The BEST we could ask for.

I’d love to describe more but I don’t think using words is enough to talk Lovely Runner. But one thing that I could use to describe this drama from my perspective is that Lovely Runner is “the kind of drama that heal our sorrows”. :) <3

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This drama has been smeared into my soul and will be ingrained in my memory forever.

Favorite line: "Memories don't disappear...They're smeared to my soul."

[LONG Review ahead]

PERSONAL: I've been a Kdrama fan for so long. We didn't have Netflix back then so we bought DVDs and downloaded free videos online - more or less 15 years already. Being a Kdrama and even Jdrama for so long, everything becomes predictable, you often see troupes being used here and there, and predicting it is also fun but at some point you get tired - I have become JADED. Not that I don't watch dramas anymore, it's more of a pastime rather than devoting myself to it - like in the early years of my Kdrama watching.

This drama RENEWED my love for Kdramas. I became more engaged and immersed in the fandom in and out of the drama. There are so many things I haven't done before that I did for this drama, like creating my X account. I'm not fond of social media websites so it was a whole new experience for me. Waiting weekly was TORTURE but CELEBRATING new episodes, previews, and unaired scenes with fellow SUBEOMS* (official fandom name for LR created by Knetz ) was SO MUCH FUN. It created a fan community I never thought I would find. You won't be able to create a community like that if the production, writing, story, and acting are not good.

*Quoting it from our un/official president Byeon Woo Seok in his You Quiz interview: ("Subeom! it's from our name, 'Sol' & 'Seon' from seonjae so it's solseonsubeom (*korean idiom means lead by example /to set an example*). It feels SO nice when the actors themselves are BIG FANS of their work, like Byeon Woo Seok for Lovely Runner and his character."

ACTING: Im Sol and Ryu Seon Jae were MEANT TO BE FOR Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok AND FOR THEM ONLY only. After all the trouble this production faced in the beginning - casting problems, lack of promotion, and the K-entertainment industry sleeping on them, I'm so glad it went to the right hands. I can't imagine other actors other than them in these roles. Reading/watching their interviews, this role was LIFE-CHANGING for them. It was for ME TOO.

Our dear SOL was the best character for me. While viewers often questioned her actions, in the end, she changed everyone around her INTO THEIR BETTER/ BEST SELVES. The character Sol having to experience the death of a loved one several times can be mentally and emotionally exhausting for KIM HYE YOON, but she portrayed these emotions so beautifully and also heart-wrenchingly well. You can cry, but not every performance REACHES THE AUDIENCE the way hers did.

There were a lot of Subeom shippers because of their INSANE chemistry on and off screen, but whether or not they'll be together, I'll be supporting them in future projects. My only wish now is for them to reunite in another great drama/project. I look forward to seeing them GROW AS ACTORS and AS A PERSON/INDIVIDUALS. (❁´◡`❁)

Special mention to Kim Tae Sung (Song Geon Hee) for being the best second lead /friend to Sol and Baek In Hyuk (Lee Seung Hyup) for being the best middleman for Seon Jae - in all of Kdramaland.

STORY: You NEED TO REWATCH episodes whenever new episodes come in because new information/context would change your perspective. There may be times when you feel that nothing is happening or that it's too sad but EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON, so you'll later see in the next few episodes why it happened. Of course, some side character stories were not as necessary but it adds to the fun of a romcom. I've never felt SO INVESTED in a story that I so badly needed them to be happy in the end.

I also want to thank the DIRECTORS for being so detailed. You can feel how they took special care in the behind-the-scenes. Dir. Yoon was in charge of the crying scenes of Sol and Dir. Kim Tae Yub (dubbed as Mommy figure for cast) for the happy scenes. So glad they made reshoots as well because they made it more visually appealing.

And to our QUEEN LEE SHI EUN (writer). You dropped this 👑 (Crown). You elevated the webtoon Tomorrow's Best and made it your own. You even thought of the music (Younha's Umbrella) and best actress for the role (Kim Hye Yoon) while writing this masterpiece. The parallels in the show are god-tier! I'm glad to somehow hear you speaking through Sol in Ep 13.

Talk about going up and beyond.

OST: You FEEL EMOTIONS even better because BWS himself sang the main OST of this drama and even charted in the top 5 in Korea while it was airing. "Sonaki (Sudden Shower)" is now the first love/ rain theme. I love every other Eclipse release with a special liking for "You and I". The drama also started with NOSTALGIC songs I knew before the drama - "Umbrella" by Younha and "Loveholic" by Loveholic. "I Think I Did" by Kim Hyung Jung (the original singer) was especially nostalgic and like a PUNCH IN THE FEELS in Ep 2. "Like a Dream" by Minnie was the KISSING ANTHEM. >3<

They also PERFECTLY-TIMED RELEASES the OSTs. People have been waiting for the release of "Spring Snow" by 10 cm ever since it was heard and they released it in Ep 11 where the memorable petal-catching scene was aired. "Monologue" was an underrated OST for me. I believe it's a theme for Sol and her life realizations. Being the only one who's capable of time skips - unable to share her thoughts with others freely, there are a lot of times she reflects on herself/journey thus I thought the title Monologue fits perfectly (hope there was a female version though). "Gift" was like a promise of a happy ending despite what had happened in Ep 13. "Please Don't Leave Anywhere" was released last which I thought was for Subeoms who are afraid to part with the joy of Lovely Runner / Carry Seon Jae and Run has brought to their Mondays/Tuesdays and lives including mine [already miss you (┬┬﹏┬┬) ].

I already ordered the OST Album. ^_^ (Update 060524: “Lovely Runner OST” breaks the record for highest pre-ordered Korean OST album in history.)

PRODUCTION/ VISUAL FX: Living in the 2008s as a high school student, I love that they also BROUGHT BACK fashion, hair trends, and technology during those times. It's nostalgic to see 2G phones being used and how people were not as reliant on phones compared to now. Everything was simpler back then but I'm not complaining about the present tech now. There were a lot of memorable items in this drama that they made a Pop-up Store to exhibit and/or sell them. Starting from the umbrella and watch, there are so many more that I would want for myself, I just don't have the money. One thing's for sure is that I'm going to get the Director's cut BLU-RAY whether it has English Subtitles or not. I want to learn more from the production and behind-the-scenes. The best motivation to learn the Korean language haha. I'm not usually the type to buy merch, but I want to SUPPORT and CHEER FOR THEM until the end!

I'm so happy to be alive and be a witness to all the miracles this drama has brought me and my fellow Subeoms over the past 8 weeks!╰(*°▽°*)╯

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Handsdown one of the best drama in 2024

I am proud to say I am one of the few people that started the drama way before the craze and hype, all because I was excited since last year when Wooseok and Hyeyoon were announced as the cast. Frankly, I don't particularly care about drama theme when my fav actors or actresses star in it and in this case, it was Hyeyoon.

I started it out not expecting any great or perfect drama, I simply expect a usual romcom. Man was I wrong, episode 2 was absolutely magical and I knew right away I had to promote tf out of this drama to every single of my mutuals.

I just finished watching finale and my thoughts are jumbled up lol I'll comeback when I have sorted out my thoughts and feelings and will write a proper review.

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THE MOST PERFECT DRAMA OF THE CENTURY

Sunjae. Sol. Two perfect characters and what a beautiful journey they took us on. Hooked right from the moment we realised Sunjae fell for her. Not a moment in this drama felt like a drag. They never wasted time on useless narratives (IM Geum is an exception). My heart is so full. Thank you for creating this beautiful masterpiece. We enjoyed this drama together, as a whole. Perfect acting, soundtrack, storylines, even the villain was perfect. The parallels were so beautifully crafted. The story never felt confusing even with 4 time slips. How will I deal with my Mon, Tue now? 😭😭😭

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Perfect Romantic Comedy with All the Right Elements

As someone already mentioned here, it's literally one of the rare gems of K-dramas. The series has everything that's necessary for romcoms and K-series in general:

✓ Great from start to finish
✓ Green flag main characters
✓ Interesting plotline
✓ Happy ending
✓ Suitable cast for the characters
✓ Focus on main characters with minimal focus on side characters
✓ Beautiful OSTs (Sonagi and Spring Snow!!!)
✓ Green flag second male lead
✓ Many more things I probably forgot to mention

It had many emotional scenes, but overall it wasn't depressing at all, so it's perfect if you want to watch something to feel entertained and feel like you're a teenager again, kicking your feet, lying in bed giggling, and blushing out of adoration for the characters.

literally 10 out of 10

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