It cured my depression.
This is the first and probably the only review I'll ever give on MDL cause I'm not good with words, but I had to for lovely runner.I've been in this slump, where I start a series to destress but idk why I don't end up finishing it, and this has been going on repeat for quite sometime. But lovely runner was different. This series is just love and butterflies. I don't have the words to explain it but all I can say is that this series has cured my depression, for real. That's all..............
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Excellent watch and rewatch!
A string of negative reviews prompt me to add my 2 cents here.If you are going to write a negative reviews please first make sure that you have your eyes wide open about what genre you think this drama is under. If you huffing and puffing about a time travel story line that doesn't make sense, or a thriller that didn't take off then you should add a disclaimer that you have watched this drama with a different/ wrong expectation. Fangirlverdict might have save you a lot of time if you have read her non spoiler review first: https://thefangirlverdict.com/2024/06/09/review-lovely-runner/
This drama is wonderful and will stay as a favourite for a very long time.
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Love that Defies Time
For some crazy reason, I didn’t watch this show until now despite many claiming that it has been the best drama of 2024. But, um, they’re totally right.“Lovely Runner” SHINES in a year of duds. It is a masterpiece of writing and acting. It masterfully blends comedy, romance, suspense, and sci-fi (time travel) in a completely satisfying mix that will make you binge. I watched the whole thing in three days. I couldn’t stop myself.
And don’t get me started on these leads. Acting? Brilliant. Chemistry? Amazing. Depth? Fully fleshed out. Their story of young love deepening into a beautiful self-sacrificing unconditional love is one of the best romantic developments I’ve seen in any drama, this year or otherwise. Plus, their kiss scenes and overall comfortableness with their skinship is so perfect. Swoon-worthy the max.
It also has one of the most satisfying endings ever. I went from bawling my eyes out in episode 13-14 to grinning like a little kid all throughout episode 16. All their pain and fighting to be together through two (almost three) timelines is repaid with joy and a bright future.
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Fantastic Drama
After a long time, one kdrama without boring episodes. Engaging chemistry between the leads. Started watching this drama mainly for the male lead, totally in love with the series. Can not wait for the upcoming episodes. This one will definitely be one of the best kdrama of all the time. Addicted to this drama.After a long time, one kdrama without boring episodes. Engaging chemistry between the leads. Started watching this drama mainly for the male lead, totally in love with the series. Can not wait for the upcoming episodes. This one will definitely be one of the best kdrama of all the time. Addicted to this drama.
Personal Rating:
Story: 10
Acting & Cast: 10
Music: 10
Cinematography: 10
Overall: 100/100
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A story that's full of heart
As I’m typing this, the soundbar in front of me is playing out the song list by Eclipse, the fictional band fronting the OST of this amazing drama series. Before I say anything else, let me say that Lovely Runner has probably one of the best OST compilations for a drama series in a long while. It’s just delightful to me that fans are gifted with 5 original songs specially written for a fictional band to be savored long after the drama’s ending. It underlines just how every detail making up this show is taken care of by its producers.Another remarkable aspect of this drama is the very palpable chemistry among the entire cast and not just the main characters. They each delivered a stellar and very believable performance collectively. Byeon Wooseok is a revelation to me in this, having watched his previous works this one stuck out to me as very, very well pulled-off comparatively. In fact, BWS truly WAS Ryu Seonjae with every delivery be it in words, postures, facial expressions, both macro and micro. I felt his angst, I relished his jubilance. Kim Hyeyoon was also remarkable as always, though I preferred her portrayal of the adult version of Im Sol for some reason. Maybe it’s because I felt that her youthful aegyo from her school days were a little bit overdone at times. I’m very much willing to overlook those instances though, as I felt that her bubbly character complemented Seonjae’s more reticent, boyish charms very well.
Another aspect of the show I truly treasured was Seonjae’s “bromance” with other characters, especially Baek Inhyuk and the occasionally reluctant Kim Taesong. I’ll never forget that drunken scene with the acorns and in the noraebang. In fact, I love the way this show treats all the friendship, sisterhood, bromance, family values and even the way our band members Eclipse regard their fans.
Okay now moving to the story; I do understand how it’s not a cup of tea for everyone. I also feel that maybe time travel as a storytelling device in presenting the plotline can be an overwhelming concept for some. Many have mentioned how it seemed repetitive, with Im Sol traveling back and forth through time as though in a pointless loop. Well, this is exactly the essence of FATE; fate has a way of reasserting itself back into the original path despite numerous interventions. Im Sol had only 3 chances to do that as per given by the watch, and she even (seemingly) failed all three. So how DOES one change fate? That was what Im Sol had to figure out. It’s just so poetic to me how it was Kim Taesong who saved the day for them and changed the course of their ill-fated relationship. And I love how Kim Taeseong’s dad put it in the end, “Maybe (bad guy) Kim Youngsoo had to die so that another innocent life can live”
Despite several minor inconsistencies, plot holes, and plot conveniences, I truly enjoyed watching Lovely Runner for the feelings it evoked within me. It made me laugh in unabashed hysterics, it made me cry inconsolable tears, and it also inspired me to love the people closest to me that much harder. That’s why at least for this drama series, I’m willing to overlook technical accuracies and savor all the ways it made me feel watching it instead.
I’ll truly miss this one. It’s been a while since a drama series affected me this much. The last one was Six Flying Dragons, I’ll have you know.
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One of my favorite romcom
It's not a perfect drama, but I really love it. It's a drama where I can feel the passion & affection from the casts, directors, writer, and staffs... so it feels even more precious.1. Story - Overall decent, but it had weak moments due to being a 16 episode series.
The first 8 episodes are the best imo. I don't really like the development in ep 9-14, but I love the last 2 episodes. Ep 16 especially is one of the best ending that I've seen... this review is heavily biased due to the ending.
I only dislike Geum x Hyunjoo storyline and the unnecessarily long killer plot.
However, I love that we got ML pov, it makes me feel like reading a novel and feels very appropriate to the source. It also gives more weight to the previous scenes.
I'm also glad all version of Seonjae got saved. I always feel bittersweet when I remember the original Seonjae, so I'm glad that he also got his happy ending.
2. Casts are really good. I really love the 4 leads especially. I like BWS and KHY in this drama, I'm so impressed that they gives off different feeling in each age. They have one of the best chemistry too imo.
Because they were played by KHY and BWS, I really fell in love with Sol and Seonjae... and I can't help but root for their happiness. They did such an amazing job that I really can't imagine anyone else playing these roles.
3. Dialogue - The lines are so pretty, it's a shame that some of the meaning got lost in translation. This is one of the story where I feel like it's worth to buy the script book.
4. Directing - I think it's a blessing that the director got replaced. This director knows how to tell a story. Though this also resulted in some jarring scenes here and there as they use some of the older footage. Given the budget and time constraint, I feel like the director did his best. I love all the parallel scenes!
5. No PPL makes it more immersive.
Can you imagine the white candy got switch to Kopiko?? I'd die laughing.
6. OST - best drama OSTs for me. All the OST lyrics basically narrating the stories, I love it.
7. Ending - best ending for me. I love ep 16 so much! It's the perfect ending for a romcom drama. With the amount of bad ending that I've watched in recent years, I'm so thankful to the writer.
This drama took 3 years to produce and went through rough time due to director change, reshoot, barely any promo and everyone think it will flop... but I'm glad that the result has been amazing. Thank you for making me so happy for the past 8 weeks. It's been a while since I've been so invested into a kdrama from beginning until the end, so I feel a bit empty now that it's completed.
Solseon, please live happily from now on.
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This k-drama is a masterpiece
All I can say is that I am madly in love with this k-drama.The cast, music, and story helped make this k-drama unique and unrepeatable.
Personally, it's been a long time since I've been so engrossed in a drama, looking forward to the release of a new episode, or wacky theories. Thank you Lovely Runner for being the best drama of 2024!
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Best drama of the Year 2024
I started watching dramas in 2020,but this is the first time I'm writing review for the drama and this is my first time watching drama while airing.Where should I start with? Lovely Runner is the best romantic, interesting drama ever made according to me.May be it looks I'm hyping it,but no if you already watched it, you'll resonate with me more.From Start to end of the drama there is no boring scenes and each scene make sense in the end. From their cute and realistic acting of the lead actors and the story will make you laugh,smile,cry all at the same time.
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My happy pill drama
One of my favorite drama this days I can say that they brings joy everytime I see them. They really stand up in the romcom genre, every episode you will definitely laugh, you will actually burst in laughter in their comedic scenes. Ive seen Kim Hye Yoon (Im Sol) in here cute and funny roles she is really that funny with her expressions but I was shocked to see Byeo Woo Seok (Sun Jae) in his first lead role and his quite good in his role, he really makes me love in his comedic gestures.They look good together and they are really good fit for their roles. All the cast are good and funny especially his friend In Hyuk 😆. The entire cast are all silly they never makes as laugh.
They're story has lots of of challenges, they did everything to change it to have their desired happy ending, no matter in what timeline they faced as long as they changed their fate. Memories will change but whats inside you heart will help them remember their love.
I cried because they have found their real happiness they longed. Its the the cutest proposal that I've seen. And the scene that Sun Jae is thanking Sols's grandma I really felt the genuine happiness their.
I also love their songs it makes me LSS especially the song SUDDEN SHOWER which sun jae sings.
I really recommend this drama if you yoy want a feel good drama.
I love BYEO WOO SEOK Iwill support his upcoming projects.
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MasTerPieCe of 2024 ✨✨
The story is similar to other time travel dramas but script writing and casts omg they are perfect ,not a single episode is boring it's full of emotions, comedy and plots. The chemistry between male and female lead is so wholesome.. I'm fully statisfy that i started to watch this drama from beginning. Love it guys go for it without any doubtWas this review helpful to you?
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I loved the story, and it had great lead actors and supporting actors.
IT’S MY FIRST TIME WRITING A REVIEWI started watching this drama the day its first episode was released. I have been a big fan of Kim Hye Yoon aka Im Sol since her first drama as the lead in Extraordinary You. So I gave this drama a shot and it didn't let me down at all. She is a great actor, and her chemistry with Byeon Woo Seok aka Ryu Seon Jae was amazing out of the world. Byeon Woo Seok is also a great actor. I first noticed him in the movie 20th Century Girl, and I also saw his other works like Strong Girl Nam-soon and Soulmate. Both his acting and his handsome face left a deep impression on me.
Byeon Woo Seok as Ryu Seon Jae and Kim Hye Yoon as Im Sol was a great decision. They both look so great together that I can’t explain it in words and they did their part so well. Our Ryu Seon Jae being a loser in love with our lovely Im Sol was so damn cute and funny. Im Sol’s awkward laugh in episode 2 reminded me of Eun Dan-oh's character in Extraordinary You but man Byeon Woo Seok loves to play the character who dies or has a sad ending in dramas and movies.
The time traveling makes this romance drama more interesting even though many nowadays youth or romance dramas do have the concept of time traveling very often still this drama feels so fresh and makes me feel nostalgic. This drama has the charm to make you emotionally invested.
The kiss scenes were so good I was blushing the whole time in episode 8 and their all kiss scenes in the drama were good. They both together make me giddy in the cherry blossom scene even behind the scenes were making me giddy.
The poor Ryu Seon Jae died three times and I felt so sad for him and Im Sol. Ryu Seon Jae's POV of episode 2 was so beautiful.
The fictional band/group Eclipse was so handsome and so cool and the OSTs of this drama were so great like Sonaki (Sudden Shower), Spring Snow and Run Run etc. Ryu Seon Jae as an idol and a swimmer too good.
Song Geon Hee as Kim Tae Sung was good, he was a good second male lead but a great friend of Im Sol and I felt a little bit of second male lead syndrome for him. Lee Seung Hyub as Baek In Hyuk Ryu Seon Jae's best friend, Song Ji Ho as Im Geum Im Sol's brother and Seo Hye Won as Lee Hyun Joo Im Sol's best friend were funny and fun to watch.
This drama contains very funny scenes like Ryu Seon Jae mistaking Im Sol's nephew as her son, the whole of episode 11 was hilarious it was full of funny moments and the next episode 12 was funny too when Im Sol got to know about her brother and her best friend dating and cute Seon Jae fanning her face to calm her down.
The ending feels so surreal. At least Byeon Woo Seok's one character gets a happy ending. I am so happy for him.
I still can’t believe this drama ended yesterday now my Mondays and Tuesdays will feel so boring.
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Its not that deep but its gonna sink in your mind quickly
Although thriller aspect to it and not so happy begginig this drama is full of fluffyness and awkward missunderstandings you are gonna love.Time travel, love angst and lots of laught combined with trully sorrowfull moments make watching this drama a full rollercoaster of emotions.
Nowadays it seems every movie and every series tries to be serious and touch on difficult topics. But in this difficult times something that will make you forget the darkness of reality may have even more value. Lovely Runner shows us that in every tragedy there is a possibility for a happy ending and reminds us that life has to be balanced as "for every precious thing you gain you have to lose something else". But sometimes this exchange is trully worth it.
Some say that 9.2 rating is exaggerated, but to me this drama has proven its worth. It may not be anything new or thought provoking, but it made me feel things i havent for years. And those is what matters the most to me.
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