Run On (2020)

Run Away

Save yourself!
Run Away would be a better name since this drama seems to run away from every point it makes as soon as it touches it.
I really wanted to like this drama. I wanted to like the characters but I couldn't care less what happened to them after the first few episodes.

This drama seems to be written on the spot without an overall look. Every episode seems to run in an unexpected direction that doesn’t tie in with the previous or the next one in a meaningful way. After a certain point, it seems more like a never-ending advert than a drama.

What puzzled me the most was that the characters' personalities didn’t seem to match their actions a lot of the time. FL was extremely straightforward, brave and insightful, yet she couldn’t be honest with ML and would speak in riddles and makeup problems and misunderstandings. I honestly don't know how their relationship worked or why they fell in love. No, pity doesn't lead to love. Not healthy love, at least. Empathy and pity are very different.

A lot of the plot points seemed so useless. She invited him to stay over so he wouldn't be alone, yet didn’t make him company. They lived in completely different time zones. How can you fall in love with someone you hardly have contact with? They're also very different and don't have anything in common. "Opposites attract" only tends to work for batteries.
They seemed like friends most of the time. There was no spark, there was no relationship. They seemed like colleagues at times who were sharing the same space out of obligation.

The second leads' relationship also doesn't make any sense at all. The CEO isn't likeable. There's no reason for the constant breakups. It makes no sense how someone with a congenital heart disease drinks a whole bottle of whisky at least once a week.
At first I thought she would drive him away because of her disease, but in the end, she drove him away for no reason at all. If she had to be destroyed in her line of business, she would have already by being (falsely) outed as a lesbian.

Also, the art always pertains to the artist even after it's sold. A Renoir doesn’t stop being a Renoir just because he's dead or because it was sold.

What I hate the most is that the man who used his whole family for personal gain was forgiven in the end. Didn't they learn anything?

There's too much that doesn't make any sense at all. It's not even worth mentioning. With such a good cast I was expecting something better, something different. Maybe this drama just isn't for me.

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its a slow poison, so it will take its own sweet time to grow on you but then it gets addictive...

i watched this one simply because it was on netflix and had no expectations or anything... the first 2 episodes were very normal and the story also looked very ordinary... but what stood out was the characters... all of them are weird and crazy but the emotions they portray are as real as it gets... as the episodes passed the drama and its characters started to grown on me...

the makers show that they can deliver a beautiful drama with 16 episodes without toxic or unhealthy relationships and with no overdramatic scenes or twist and turns... i guess the only other drama i have seen that is similar in this aspect is the hospital playlist...

this drama deserves a special shoutout for the dialogue writers... its pure gold... it has really good sarcastic and comedy dialogues as well as deep and meaningful ones...

the acting and chemistry b/w all the actors fit really well with the ambiance of the drama... im siwan is perfect as Ki Seon Gyeom... the way he speaks, his body language and even his hand gestures contribute to the character... he literally creates an adoration and protectiveness inside the viewers for his character... i felt the same way mijoo felt protective over him as if he is a child that needs to be taken care of... shin se kyung's character mijoo is how a FL should be... having self respect is something most of the kdrama female leads lack and mijoo has the right amount... her self respect dont come off as being self-centered even for a minute... this is my first drama with both choi soo young and kang taeoh and i loved both of them... choi soo young's physical appearance is apt for danah who has a strong aura and is rich and powerful... she is the one that shows the least amount of emotions out of the 4 main characters and when she does at the end she made sure the audience cried with her... kang taeoh as yeong hwa is as cute as innocent as seon gyeom but is a little bit childish as well since he is the youngest among the 4... his reactions to some of the situations are hilarious... the rest of the supporting cast were also amazing... i wasnt even annoyed by the fathers who tried really had to be the ultimate kdrama villainous mothers but failed miserably because no one took them seriously... every single character had their own moments and they all shined in it...

it is the first work of the writer and i must say she did a better job than some of the famous and well-known writers in kdramaland... i will be looking forward to her next work... the director also did an amazing job... in short literally everyone did an amazing job...


its mostly a character-driven drama rather than story-driven.. if someone asks me whats the story of runon i don't know how to explain it even though i watched all the 16 episodes... all i can say is it's about some really interesting characters and their growth as individuals, as lovers, as friends etc...

overall its such a heart warming and heart touching drama with lots of positivity... it has high rewatch value...

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Wholesome but confusing

I had heard about this drama being really wholesome and healthy beforehand and that was indeed what I got. I really liked the eccentricity of the main leads — their dynamic was awkward but comfortable and it was really different from all the other dramas I'd seen. I especially really liked the main male lead and the way he handled family situations and conflict was just really unique.

If you're looking for a plot-driven drama though, this isn't it. It was very character-driven. I don't have a problem with that, but there were also a lot of side characters I just didn't really care about, including the second ship.

Overall, I just felt like aside I started clicking less and less with the characters; I do chalk this up to the writing style, as something about the way every character talked just was very confusing and obscure. They discussed things in metaphors and it all just kind of went way over my head. I wasn't sure what they were talking about and it made the drama kind of meh to me.

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Cute, but boring

There is no drama in this kdrama. Whatsoever. It’s very slice of life and more realistic than other kdramas and I see the appeal in that but it’s not for me. I wasn’t looking forward to the next episodes and I kind of kept it on as background noise.

The actors seem to be really good, my problem was with the characters. I find they’re very 2D, boring, expressionless characters. Shin Se Kyung has like no expression whatsoever when portraying her character (and I know she’s a good actress so that’s not a testament to her acting skills). She just talks with a straight face most of the time and smiles like occasionally. Same goes for Seon Gyeom, although I guess that’s the appeal in his character. The only character I really loved is Young Hwa. We also see a lot of character development for Dan Ah, which none of the other characters show.

I just find there’s not much to it, it’s very lighthearted, low key boring, realistic, and occasionally funny. I guess it’s a nice change from other dramas, but I wasn’t really into it

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Why do you run? For yourself.

I'm writing this as I come off the 16th episode, because I don't want to forget anything, but also might not do this drama justice having not digested everything.

The first episode of this drama was slow and hard to get through for me. I actually stopped halfway and came to the conclusion that this wasn't for me, and there was no way I'd like it. Well, I was wrong. Like many have said, this is a "slice-of-life" drama. It is meant to be slow, because it is meant to showcase the everyday lifestyle of characters, without "drama". It's most definitely not for everyone due to the nature of the pace, but if you're looking for something with more depth, less tropes, and something that makes you feel good, this is a wonderful drama.

Some thoughts:
1. I'm going to start with Ki Seon Gyeom (aka Shi Wan), and how perfectly he fit this role for me. My guy was so, for a lack of better word, strange, from the get-go, that I had no idea what the heck his character was supposed to be. From him though, I understood that you need to love yourself, and that just because someone comes from a different world than you, doesn't mean that they are that much different than you. You can never assume what a person is really like without getting to know them.
2. I love how healthy the relationship is between the ML/FL. Just two people coming together trying to understand each other, and help each other grow into being a better version of themselves. That's the best way I can put it.
3. The humour! I truly laughed out loud at a number of different scenes. The wit and fast paced talking really gets me.
4. The focus on the second lead, without it being a love triangle. I think this was the first time I've ever seen a drama's ending scene (multiple times) on a second lead couple. I was shocked. But thoroughly enjoyed how the spent the second half of the drama flushing out the SL's relationship.
5. I will admit, I continue to have a hard time understanding the relationship between the SL's, and what exactly happened there, but I don't think I'll put too much thought into it, and just let myself decide what the ending was supposed to be.
6. The details. There were so many, but two that I can remember, was at the end when Mi Joo mentioned that her and Seon Gyeom will never 100% understand everything about each other, but they'll do their best to align with each other, and then they cut to the scene of them running at the same pace. I thought that was nice. Also, episode 11 (end), after they watch the short movie (Sleepwalk), they have a really great conversation that touches on a lot. One of which was about things disappearing, wether due to AI, or people just forgetting about it slowly (they mention it was similar to the movie they just watched but I didn't see the correlation, someone enlighten me if I'm wrong). And then you cut to Seon Gyeom walking home, passing by an old video store with faded posters of My Sassy Girl and No. 3, old movies that were once popular, now likely slowly being forgotten as we move forward into the future.

What I ultimately took away, was that everyone going through life, is doing their best to keep going (ie: run on). They're taking things day by day the best way they can. Running, similar to life, sometimes gets real tough, and you'll feel like you'll want to stop, or that you can't make it. But there are always reasons to keep running, the most important one being for yourself. Maybe you'll need to adjust, perhaps take little steps at a time, but ultimately, you gotta keep moving forward. And don't forget that people are cheering for your success. There are people watching over you, and cheering you on even if you can't immediately see them. And, though it may seem sometimes that you're alone in the world, we forget to just look around us and see that we're already surrounded with love. Love comes in many forms, not just familial, but relationships, friendships, un-wanted acquaintance, that dude at the coffee shop. The people that we think who are so far from our reach/world who would never understand us, could very well be the one person who can. There's a lot more detail in these words from the drama, so I don't think I'll ever be able to do it justice. But, I do urge you to watch it if you're interested! I don't think you'll regret it.

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Relaxing drama about finding oneself

This is my first review, and despite having watched many way more thrilling dramas, this one hit very close to the heart. For me it was a very relaxing drama about an ordinary life and how to deal with relationships, hardships and most importantly how to love yourself. It does not have many annoying tropes (despite the drinking - seriously, why is everyone drinking in every other romance drama I watch), main leads are relatable and it was refreshing for me to see two independent leads who both are their own person and can stand on their own.

Is the story groundbreaking? No. Is the acting perfect? No. But the atmosphere it had makes it an ideal drama when you really can't deal with heavy topics, just want to watch some heartwarming moments without too many miscommunications and unwind after long day at work. For that it's absolutely perfect and for that it will probably always be one of my favorites.

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Ki Sun Gyeom is a professional sprinter who was forced to quit due to legal issues. He crosses paths with a film translator Mi Joo briefly works as his translator. Through time and communications, their mutual interest pushes them passed their boundaries

Run On is a drama that is not baiting for my attention as it has a very subdued vibe, but I enjoyed it very much. Not many external conflicts going on, it’s a character-driven show where the main and supporting characters’ plot are very much intertwined. I like Sun Gyeom's quirky and very kind-hearted personality, and I’m enjoying how he interacts with people around him. I appreciate how he’s very blunt to anyone. The romance is also toned-down but wholesome. Sun Gyeom and Mi Joo’s chemistry is a lot softer than most Kdramas, it feels very realistic and heartfelt. The secondary romance of Dan Ah and Young Hwa I wasn’t really paying attention for their plot but they have great emotional moments.

Another highlights for me is the playful, quiet, subdued humor in the show, it was pretty clever and sharp, those moments were few and precious. For example, when Seon Gyeom wakes up in the morning and he's getting ready for his morning run as it has been his routine for years. One morning, when he's getting ready, he stops halfway and realizes that he doesn't have a reason to run anymore, so he turns around, throws off his jacket, kicks off his shoes, and rolls back into bed. I found that’s absolutely hilarious! This is just a small no-dialogue moment but so memorable. Also, I am happy to see a positive representations of LGBTQ characters here, as they are seen as part of society. The only nitpick I want to mention is that there’s something missing throughout my watching experience… Although the character development of the main lead was great, it felt slightly boring. Overall, I am happy to have known these characters.

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This drama started really strong but around the middle slowed down a lot and even became rather boring. The final episode was excellent, though. I loved how they all connected, became friends, that at the end, it wasn't just the ship couples but one big interconnected group of friends who shared different interests, these two and them two, but everybody had everybody else's back. It felt very... rich.

I also really liked the introduction of a gay character and how one of the characters reacted to finding out that he had been said person's first, unrequited crush. That was so sweet and lovely.

And it featured one of my favorite tropes too: older woman/younger man which also covered cold woman/warm man. Thumbs up!

Overall, a really good, solid series, though a bit heavy-handed with the "you're your own first and foremost" message.

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Second Main Roles Kept It Interesting!

Tell me why Yeong-hwa & Dan Ah had a better more interesting story than the leads. Like seriously I was so invested in their relationship & how it will develop. After the leads got together nothing really came between them aside from like one episode where Gyeom dad confronted Mijoo & they broke up for a short time. The problems they faced didn't seem all that dramatic or crazy to overcome If I'm being honest. It wasn't a bad drama by any means but it also wasn't anything special, I certainly enjoyed it for what it was & like I said the supporting characters Yeong-hwa & Dan Ah were really great I found them more interesting for sure. Leads weren't bad just their love story kinda wrapped up after 9-10 episodes nothing else worth mentioning happened with them. I will recommed it just don't have super high hopes if you want to watch something casually that's lighthearted then watch this it is pretty slow at times.

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Run On or Running on to discover one's self

You "Run On". At first, it seems like it would be about the sport "running". Though running is the feature sport in this drama, that's not the main focus. I think that's where the beginning episodes either confuses viewers or doesn't grasp them enough to continue on. There's not much of a plot but instead this is more of an understanding of each main and secondary characters. I see Run On as running on from what people expects of you/wants you to be and understanding who you truly are. It takes for the main leads interactions with each other and the secondary leads interactions with each other for them to truly discover themselves. Even the support characters dealt with this familiarity of discovering their true selves which makes it great because the character connection is there for the main/secondary and the support.

If you love romance, not having second lead syndrome, love the main and secondary characters, & have a good bit of comedy then you should give this one a try. The romance is a nice steady pace and it's realistic in a way as well. The best part is no misunderstandings. Problems are always discuss quickly. Literally, each character has a different personality and I think that's what makes this drama great and different from other romance dramas. Because of this, I wanted to see all the main lead. and secondary lead characters.

OSTs are amazing and played very often. I enjoyed the placement of every osts in this drama. It matches perfectly well.

As much as a steady pace this drama showed, I still felt like the last week of airing episodes felt rushed. Too many things that were considered issues in this drama several episodes ago, were tried to be solved into the final episode. There so much content that I felt like it should've spread out to the episodes before or they could've expanded this drama to 18 or 20 episodes total. This was probably the only reason why I couldn't give it a solid 10.

But even it's not a 10 for me, it's still pretty close. Considering that I usually like watching dramas with a bit more action, this one was pretty good.

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