Lovely Runner

Be prepared for onslaught of dopamine hits

As complex as time traveling stories can be, at the heart of it, Lovely Runner is a simple love story about two people whose journey to happiness together will fill romance lovers like me with deep satisfaction and delight. And as light as that story is, there is nothing shallow about the impact this drama had on me that I can only call it a phenomenon. Even for a seasoned drama watcher like me, it far exceeded my expectations of what a drama in the romantic comedy genre could deliver. There is just something about it that gets me right in the heart. So if your experience is anything like mine, be prepared for an onslaught of dopamine hits to the senses that will stay with you well beyond the initial watch.

At the start, we are introduced to a wheelchair bound Sol (Kim Hye Yoon) in the present time who has committed to living well despite her circumstances, thanks to words of encouragement from Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok), the lead singer of the popular band Eclipse. Though Sol is a loyal and dedicated fan, she is metaphorically light years away from Sun Jae, or so it seems.

Sun Jae has that aura of a superstar, but also sorrow and regret in the way he carries himself that is a mystery as to why at this point. Soon, we learn he has died from an apparent suicide, devastating Sol. This touch of melancholy was so strong that it took me some time to settle into the lightness of the story as Sol travels back in time and we reset to Sol and Sun Jae in high school, 15 years in the past. Sol realizes she can walk again and learns Sun Jae is actually her next door neighbor. Equipped with the wisdom of the future, she sets out to save him from his untimely death.

Sol has the cutest, most relatable reactions to seeing her high school friends again, and in particular, the guy she had a crush on, which is just hilarious. I think I would have had the same reaction seeing my old crushes again haha. It's also at this point that we truly get to know Sun Jae. No longer the elusive celebrity from the future, Sun Jae is an ordinary 19 year old athlete. Sol's sudden appearance and interest in his life has him completely flustered. And as you're thinking as a viewer how he must be processing all this when they're virtually strangers, you learn that he knew her before she did, and in fact, has the biggest, most adorable secret crush on her.

It is at this stage of the drama that I turned from merely watching to completely in love with the drama. The incredible chemistry of Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok is evident from the get-go. As Sol and Sun Jae, they filled me with laughter and happiness at each interaction. The scenes are gorgeously shot, capturing the youthful charm of the two leads. The framing of each pivotal moment is like a work of art that's unforgettable, turning the romance spectacular. The music further strengthens these scenes and all this makes for a lethal combination that triggers a flurry of emotions from me and had me grinning like a fool.

Sol tends to get herself into very awkward situations with Sun Jae that had me feeling second hand embarrassment, only to quickly turn into giggles over Sun Jae's reactions. It's like she's got him wrapped around her little fingers, no matter which timeline they're in. As the story progresses, we see that their lives are even more intertwined than we ever expected, and in some ways, tragic. As a result, there is a layer of sadness present throughout the drama that gives it depth in that respect.

I have to say the pacing of the story is great. The plot is segmented into four main timelines as Sol time travels back and forth. And this has the added benefit of giving us progression in the leads' relationship throughout the drama without the expense of turning the story dull in the later episodes, as it often happens with dramas of this format. The romance delivers early on to your satisfaction. But there is also plenty left to keep you happy. A highlight for me is the part in which Sol travels back to the present, now able to walk and has the funniest encounters with the celebrity Sun Jae. You can turn Sun Jae into the most popular star on the planet, but you can never take the dorkiness out of him. Furthermore, I love seeing how steadfast his love is for Sol, which is perfectly captured in the song Sonaki (Sudden Shower) that pulls at my heartstrings every time I listen to it. Sun Jae is one of the best male lead characters I have ever seen. You think you have found the best version of him, only for him to endear you with an even better version in each progressive timeline. There were so, so many wonderful moments to look back on, but those flying kisses he gave Sol will forever be ingrained in my mind xD.

I'll acknowledge at this juncture that if you're watching for the time traveling concept, you may be disappointed because that is simply the mechanism used to propel the main plot, which is this deep focus on the love story of Sol and Sun Jae from teenagers to adults. I honestly didn't think much in length on whether it all made sense. All I wanted was for the two of them to have a happy ending and I was willing to accept anything that can make that happen. And to that end, it delivered enough for me to be satisfied with the resolution of the time travel aspect.

Kim Hye Yoon is naturally charming as Sol. She is like a little ball of sunshine. Her character can be frustrating at times but I never disliked her and I think that's all thanks to how Kim Hye Yoon portrayed Sol. Whether she's being cute or crying her eyes out, Kim Hye Yoon does it so well that it just elevates the scene. As for Byeon Woo Seok, thanks to him as Sun Jae, the heroine's reality in time traveling turned into a dream for all the viewers. Tall, handsome, and a wonderful actor with an incredible voice, it's remarkable how long it has taken him to get to this point in his career. He deserves all the recognition and popularity that has followed him since the debut of the drama. I see him as an underdog who was given a once in a life time opportunity with this project and he superbly exceeded all expectations with his impressive performance as Sun Jae. The OST, which he extensively participated in, is outstanding as well; sweet, touching and soothing, just like him.

In my opinion, this drama epitomizes all the wonderful idiosyncratic things that make kdramas special in ways that has captured the hearts of many romance lovers like me. It has been a lengthy period of time since I've come across a kdrama with this much rewatch value. The entire drama is filled with so many heart tugging scenes with such moving soundtrack that they have me in a tight grip and I can't let go. The characters of Sol and Sun Jae will remain in my heart as fond memories for years to come.

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SUN JAE RAISING OUR STANDARDS ONCE AGAIN!

A truly beautiful story where love is timeless. No matter how much both try to forget each other through time travel or to save one another, they will end up falling in love because that's what their fate or destiny is. Byeon woo seok, I dont know where he has been all this time, but he is such an outstanding actor. It was really a comfort drama which made me go through an literal emotional rollercoaster every monday and tuesday. Indeed it was a bit frustating and exhausting to see them time traveling several times and thereafter situations getting complicated, but that's what made the last episode more satisfying and thrilling. As much as it made me cry, it also made me laugh hilariously because of their comedy. A true love story indeed!

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My New Favorite Romance Drama

This drama has to be one of the best kdramas ever. Originally, didn’t have any expectations for this, as I only started watching after seeing Byeon Wooseok was starring in it because I really enjoyed him in the movie 20th Century Girl. I also saw teaser videos online so I was intrigued. Right off the bat, I was hooked within the first episode and immediately fell in love with Kim Hyeyoon. Each episode kept getting better and better and I was always extremely excited whenever an episode aired. This drama has literally everything including romance, comedy, angst, melodramatic, and a bit of thriller. The story between Sunjae and Sol was also so precious and I loved each of their character dynamics. Kim Hyeyoons acting was phenomenal and was the perfect fit for Sol. This drama really made my Mondays and Tuesdays less gloomy and was so worth the watch. I hope to see more of the leading actors works soon!

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THE BEST DRAMA OF 2024! THE BEST KDRAMA AFTER A LONG TIME

THE BEAUTIFUL OST IS A CHERRY ON THE TOP FOR THIS WONDERFUL DRAMA!
I can't comprehend that this beautiful drama has come to an end! This drama right here specifically sun jae and Im Sol made me believe in love again! The episodes leave you giggling and kicking your feet!
And I'm a person who has watched over 150+ dramas and I'm sorry but I watch all of them in 1.5x speed with another task like using phone or doing work etc. But this is the first drama in over 2 yrs where I have waited every week dropped all my tasks to watch the episodes and I'm watching other ongoing dramas but this is the only one which I'm watching in normal speed!

SUN JAE IS THE BEST MALE CHARACTER EVER WRITTEN IN THE HISTORY OF KDRAMAS!
My man is the definition of perfection and pureness(like oxygen😂) He will always be dear to my heart! BWS's acting is the reason Sunjae is loved all over the world! I'm so happy he is finally getting recognized! He deserves everything!

IM SOL IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST FEMALE CHARACTER EVER WRITTEN!
She is the bravest and the strongest person ever! Whoever hated her should go to hell!
She is the epitome of determination! She tried to save him every damn time even if her heart was torn apart! KHW was always one of my fav. actors but after this she is my only fav. actor! HATS OFF TO HER ACTING!

TAESUNG IS MY FAV SECOND LEAD! HE TRULY WON MY HEART!
BEST KDRAMA OF 2024!
10/10! I'll def rewatch from next week! Because I know I'll miss them a lot!

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Lovely Runner takes all the tropes and runs across the finish line for a spectacular finish

Lovely Runner was marketed as your run of the mill drama about a kpop idol and a fan falling in love after she traveled in time to save him. But what should've been an average romance drama became a worldwide phenomenon, thanks to three things: the actors, the writer and director, and the story being told.

Kim Hye Yoon as Im Sol and Byeon Woo Seok as Ryu Sun Jae are standouts, both portraying their characters perfectly. They are their characters, Kim Hye Yoon was able to showcase several versions of Sol across time, each one different enough to be distinct but still recognizable as the same character. High school Sol, college Sol, and adult Sol are all different, even though they are all the same person. The writer apparently wrote this role with her in mind and it was the right choice, as KHY displays a wide range of emotions wonderfully. Byeon Woo Seok was a standout, his first leading role and he became a fan favorite, with everyone wanting their own Sunjae. A role that no one wanted to take on, but BWS made it his own. He played pop idol, high school athlete and college student, and made him every girl's dream. I couldn't even imagine some big names in this role, BWS is the perfect Sunjae.

The story is pretty simple (for a drama). A girl loves a kpop idol and when he suddenly dies she is able to time travel using his watch back to high school, when they were neighbors and she never knew, giving her an opportunity to save him. Using her knowledge of the future, and of her bias, Sol attempts to save his life and is given 3 chances to do so. At the same time she is given a chance to save herself from an accident that paralyzed her in high school, giving her another opportunity at living her dreams.

Watching Sol travel in time to save Sunjae over and over was full of angst, but at the same time the writer soothes the angst with heartwarming moments between Sol and Sunjae. The benefits of the time travel allow us to see three versions of their romance, high school, college, and adult. Writer Lee Si-Eun doesn't let up on the romance either, giving us multiple, multiple scenes of romantic moments - every romance kdrama fans' dream. So many dramas fall into the trap of getting characters together only to break them up for a nonsensical reason until they get back together at the very end. This cycle is overdone and not really fun to watch. We're here for the romance, so give it to us!

In the end this drama is perfect not because the story has no flaws, any story does. It's perfect because it does what it sets out to do, it gives us a romantic comedy that delivers on the romance and the comedy. So many dramas fall into a slump at the end, losing the momentum from the first half, but Lovely Runner never lets off the gas. Just when you think it's going to linger too long or introduce a new character to throw a wrench into things it doesn't.

Now who is this drama not for? People who need their time travel rules to be explained and function perfectly, who need the killer's drive and motivation to be explained, and those who want realism. This is not a sci-fi or crime drama, it's not realistic, so if you go in wanting these things you may be disappointed.

If you like romance, comedy, star-crossed lovers with some fantasy thrown in, this is for you. The last hour of this drama is mostly fluff and romance, a dream for any romance fan. Writer Lee Si-Eun avoided all the common pitfalls of kdrama writing and instead of sputtering out at the end, Lovely Runner goes out with a bang. It takes all the tropes and runs across the finish line for a spectacular finish. There's a reason this drama went from unknown to number one across the world so quickly, why Netflix is trying to capitalize on its success, and why people can't stop talking about it. This is the romance story we want more of, an organic (and orgasmic 😉) success that has become the best drama of 2024, and one that will be remembered for a long time.

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don’t think it needed 16 episodes but it's definitely worth your time

really enjoyed this drama, but i don’t think it needed 16 episodes, it could’ve ended just fine at 12, since some parts felt a bit repetitive. I loved the destiny theme, every time they met again it gave me such a warm feeling. The way Sungjae looks at Sol is so sweet and comforting! I did feel a bit sorry for Tae Sung, but it was nice how Sol cared for him too. And the final plot twist, where the story turns into a movie script, was just amazing, i loved it so much.

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pt//br ୨୧

Eu realmente gostei muito desse drama, mas não acho que precisava de 16 episódios, poderia ter terminado tranquilamente com 12, já que algumas partes pareceram um pouco repetitivas. Ainda assim, eu amei o tema sobre destino, cada vez que eles se reencontravam era reconfortante. O jeito que o Sungjae olha para a Sol é encantador! Eu fiquei com um pouco de pena do Tae Sung, mas foi bonito ver como a Sol cuidou dele também. E o plot final, que a história se transforma em um roteiro de filme, foi simplesmente incrível, eu amei demais.

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A lovely drama that keeps me hooked all the time!!

Actually at 1st I didn’t plan to watch this drama. Personally I don’t like drama with characters portraying idol. However, this drama is exceptionally beautiful n really out of my expectations. My sister who watched it 1st but later is me who fall harder. Everything about this drama the characters, storyline & OST is soooo GOOD. You will not get bored in each episode. There were no evil characters. Every character shine their own way. There were no other characters cuter than our SJ. His unconditional love to IS (Same goes to IS). SJ was so lovely n cute in all the scenes n exceptionally handsome on the last episode makes my heart fluttering nonstop. 🥰🥰🥰
One of the BEST DRAMA EVER!! 👍👍👍👍👍

p/s: Thanks to my little sister who unintentionally bring me to this lovely drama.

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Lovely Runner: A Sprint That Stumbled at the Finish Line

Story: 7.5/10
Lovely Runner embarks on an emotional voyage, intertwining themes of love, regret, and second chances. The narrative follows Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon), a devoted fan of the illustrious singer-actor Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok). Trapped in a wheelchair due to a childhood accident, Sol's life takes an unexpected turn when she is transported back to 2008, finding herself as a high school student alongside a younger Sun-jae. Armed with the knowledge of future tragedies, Sol endeavours to alter their intertwined destinies. The series adeptly balances the complexities of time travel with heartfelt character development, though the latter episodes introduce convoluted subplots that slightly hinder the story's momentum.

Acting/Cast: 10/10
The cast delivers stellar performances that breathe life into the narrative. Kim Hye-yoon embodies Im Sol with a blend of vulnerability and determination, capturing the essence of a woman yearning to rewrite her fate. Byeon Woo-seok portrays Ryu Sun-jae with depth, seamlessly transitioning between the charm of a rising star and the turmoil of personal struggles. Their on-screen chemistry anchors the series, making their journey compelling. Their kiss scenes were phenomenal too. Supporting actors, including Song Geon-hee as Kim Tae-seong and Lee Seung-hyub as Baek In-hyuk, enrich the storyline with nuanced portrayals, adding layers to the central plot, although don't have much of their own stories, rather just being background characters to the main leads.

Music: 10/10
The original soundtrack (OST) of Lovely Runner is a standout element, enhancing the emotional resonance of the series.

These were my favourites:
"Sudden Shower" by ECLIPSE: An evocative piece with heartwarming lyrics (if you understand Korean) that mirrors the protagonists' unforeseen challenges.
"Run Run" by ECLIPSE: An energetic track encapsulating the relentless pursuit of dreams.
"Spring Snow" by 10cm: A romantic, soft ballad that reminds you of falling snow.

Rewatch Value: 6.0/10
The series' intricate plot and profound character arcs make it suitable for multiple viewings. Viewers may find new insights and appreciate subtle nuances upon revisiting the episodes. However, the pacing issues in the latter part may deter some from a full rewatch, (I got a little bored and it felt draggy towards the end).

Final Thoughts
Lovely Runner presents a poignant tale that melds the allure of time travel with the raw emotions of love and loss. While the narrative occasionally stumbles with pacing, the exceptional performances and a mesmerizing soundtrack ensure it remains a memorable addition to the K-drama landscape.

While Lovely Runner starts with a gripping premise and maintains a strong emotional pull for most of its run, the final few episodes falter. As the story approaches its climax, the pacing slows considerably, with prolonged scenes and unnecessary subplots that feel repetitive. The tension that once kept viewers on the edge of their seats dissipates, replaced by overly drawn-out conflicts and melodramatic resolutions that could have been handled more succinctly.

Key moments that should have packed an emotional punch are stretched thin, losing their impact. Instead of building on the earlier momentum, the series meanders, leaving viewers impatient for closure. This shift in tone and pacing not only undermines the narrative’s initial strengths but also risks disengaging the audience during what should be its most memorable moments.

Despite the stellar acting and soundtrack that continue to shine throughout, the draggy conclusion leaves Lovely Runner crossing the finish line with less enthusiasm than it began. A tighter edit and more focused storytelling in the later episodes could have elevated the drama to greater heights.

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

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THE BEST DRAMA AND MAKE YOU FAIL TO MOVE ON THIS YEAR ESPECIALLY FOR THE DIMPLE COUPLE❤️

I rarely give a 10/10 rating for a drama the tallest 9.5/10, but Lovely Runner deserves a 10/10 rating because this drama is really good in terms of the actors' acting, the storyline, especially the OST especially (Sudden Shower, Run run, gift, spring now, may I love you, I think I did, and a day ).

every time I listen to it again it makes me remember this drama so it makes me sad for those who started watching it for fun on Viu when it was still eps 2 and until the end, I like it That's the original drama that made Failed to move on , where is my drama list no longer available to be able to move on from those that at the beginning were Monday and Tuesday, I just used it like a normal day, but since this drama aired, I like Mondays and Tuesdays.

But after this drama ended, it became sad and felt really empty😭 and this game will last for weeks🥲

Thank you lovely runner for the special Monday and Tuesday🥰❤️❤️

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