Lovely Runner

Love the actors and the songs

I absolutely love time-travel K-dramas, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoy the show "Lovely Runner," despite its mixed reviews. It has become my new guilty pleasure, and I often rewatch the episodes whenever I have free time. The music is perfect and even on my Spotify favorites list. I hope it gets released on Netflix USA with English dubbing so that more people in the U.S. can appreciate it. The actors are incredibly talented, and I completely understand why the writer thought Kim Hye Yoon was the best choice for Sol's role. I also appreciate the actors who rejected the male role because Byeon Woo Seok is the perfect fit for the role of Ryu Seon Jae. I can't imagine any other actors playing Sol and Ryu Seon Jae that would make me want to rewatch the show. While I understand that some people may not like it due to the repetitive storyline, I personally don't mind it because the actors bring a different vibe to each episode. It's hard for me to feel the same way about any new K-drama after watching "Lovely Runner," but I guess I can always rewatch the series.

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I Feel unsatisfied

The storyline started off great for the first 5 episodes. I was thinking "Wow this is great, I am invested in this" Then for some reason, it took a nose dive and I ended up fast-forwarding from episodes 8- 16.
Reasons:

1) I saw and felt ML love and obsession for FL. He was too into her if you ask me. Every time he saw her name, saw her, she called him or she seemed to be in trouble he would drop everything and go with her or stalk her.
Kind of weird how a cute/attractive teenager and adult never likes or has a crush on another woman in all that time.
Anyway, I felt his love for the FL. He portrayed the love, obsession, and angst very well.

2) The FL lead did not portray the love nor I don't think she said it ( as far as I can recall from all the fast-forwarding I did) that she loved the ML. She said she liked him a lot during the college time frame I believe and he said " I love you" but I never heard her say she loved him.
She treated him as if she was still just a fan, just like him as a fan, and wanted to, of course, save him from being killed. The FL portrayed the crying emotions, worry, teenage crush on that 2nd ML, and anxiousness to find the killer very well. But, to my eye and feeling she did not seem to portray the love it seems they were trying to portray she should feel even in the present time frame.
She did not show angst/yearning for ML when they could not be together or were apart. It was like they have cutesy moments, she gets distracted with a shiny ball/interest, and then she puts him out of her mind. It is the ML who is constantly making an effort to contact her to stay in her orbit.

3) Also why does she still seem like she has only the thoughts/experiences of a teenager when she went back in time as a late 20's/30 year old. I know she was in a wheelchair for a while etc.. but her hearing/seeing and experience of human experiences should not still be of a teenager. Romantic relationships yes, she did not have those experiences in the present time. I don't know. It frustrated me how they wrote the FL lead lines and how she acted it out. Did she put her " savior" ML on a pedestal as an adult when she was a fan and did not have romantic fantasies about him? I know she was in a wheelchair and did not think it was possible to date anyone, but most female fans still have romantic notions about male celebrities. That is where her " liking' him should have a head start in the feelings moving on to love when she goes back in time with all her memories and feelings intact.

4) Also are they trying to say that teenage FL and adult FL switch places in the same time frame when the adult version goes back to being a teenager? Like the same day? That is why she dated and still has a soft spot for 2ML? They could have kept that just as friendship and developed her feelings for ML even more. It just made it weird/icky that she kept hanging around ML, while dating 2ML and ML did not mind ( actually sought her out ) doing activities together knowing she was dating 2ML.

Anyway, it was okay, I don't get the hype. I am waiting for the ML to have a costar who complements him well as his partner and gives their all. Strong Girl Book Soon (or whatever it is called) and this one, did not have a good FL chemistry and or storyline.

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In the track of my heart, you are the only runner.

Lovely Runner it's undoubtedly one of the best dramas of 2024.

It has all the elements that make a drama a mega hit: comedy, romance, time travel, well written characters (both leads and supporting ones) and an engaging plot line that never bores you. Starring Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok, adapted from the web novel The Best of Tomorrow by screenwriter Lee Shi Eun and directed by Yoon Jong Ho and Kim Tae Yub, the Lovely Runner team achieved a perfect execution in front and behind the scenes.

I think the true star of this drama it's the writing and on this I can't commend Lee Si Eun enough. I had already seen her potential in dramas like True Beauty but here she really manages to shine through a well crafted, smart and cohesive story with no loose ends. I'm incredibly impressed by her talent.

The writing was perfectly complemented by the directors's outstanding work in leading a film crew that was on every detail of each part of the story, in each timeline, never missing a beat. Always delivering their A+++ game. But there was also great work done from the directors part in helping the actors get the comedic timing exactly right, the more emotional scenes to deliver and the team work among cast and crew to be flawless.

This might be a big hit now, but it's actually a sleeper hit because the lack of promotion this drama had was embarrassing to watch and if it wasn't for the devoted fans, studio executives would have never realized they had a gem in their hands. So, Lovely Runner it's not only a great drama with a super fandom that really fought for this story, it's also becoming yet another prime example in the list of films and tv that achieved all of it by themselves because artists delivered nothing short of excellence.

On this point I can't ignore the incredible performances given by the entire cast. Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok are definitely the standouts, they stole the show, this is their story and the actors chemistry it's electrifying. But the way supportive actors would show up in a scene and push the story forward in a coherent way and even make it better, it's wild to me. The chemistry this cast had it's a rare feat for an ensamble cast and how they managed to transition seamlessly through different phases of their characters's lives and relationships when events, in each timeline, were changing because of the things our leads did they still remain truthful. So, not only the leads are well developed in this drama but also every single character that shows up, no matter how small the role is.

The best example of this it's actor Heo Hyeong-Gyu who has been working for sixteen years, playing very minor characters, finally having a breakthrough in the industry because of his role in this drama. And while his presence was prominent and important to the story, he barely had lines. So his entire performance is mainly based on micro-expressions or physical stunts.

I also fully expect the actors like Song Geon-Hee, Lee Seung-Hyub, Song Ji-Ho or Seo Hye-won to receive a lot of what korean entertainment industry calls "love calls" aka commercials, dramas and films, among other things.

Experiencing watching Lovely Runner alongside the fandom, waiting every week for a new episode, it's a big part of what made this drama so good. Healthy and good loving fun people, clowning, poking fun at our faves and crying at heartbreak. It's been a long time since I have been able to engage in this way with other fans and I am thankful for them, the cast and crew for all these amazing weeks of fun.

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A little stretched but ADORED

Starting of, the casting was perfect. the chemistry and skills of both Wooseok and Hyeyoon was top teir not to mention all the other actors, the production team rly nailed it on the spot. (BTS are adorable 🤭)

Overall I personally adored the storyline, the dive into it was smooth and had my heart running at a million miles for the both leads, but they still as always were able to keep it light and comedical at the same time to keep it from being a total emotional mess. (I did cry a bit still though 🧍‍♀️🙈

Many say that they went back and forth a little too much, But I personally think it's what kept the tension going and had you high on your toes – was quite exciting as you had no clue what to expect 🧐 but I do see how the repetitiveness could bore some people.

The music too.. LOVE LOVE LOVE the osts, really match the vibe, not to mention they just had to turn them on at the most emotional of times 😔💓💓


SO all in all I have no complaints, truly an amazing cast and the execution of all the story and how it flows I think was perfect. It made sense – you get to see amazing and adorable scenes from both the leads and support characters too, which I also think had such incredible chemistry. Truly no misses.

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Finally found my "the one" in dramas

To explain the title, my favorite dramas, besides this now, are probably SWDBS and AOS. But with SWDBS I purely liked the romance and nothing else (the serial kidnapper side plot is ok when watching just once). And with AOS the plot, the visual effects, the characters, everything was topnotch and it really is my favorite drama, but for me the romance was a little lacking (which is alright since it's more of a fantasy than a romance drama). But Lovely Runner managed to weave everything together and create an amazing masterpiece.

There's the right amount of everything: action, mystery, angst, comedy, romance, and of course Sunjae's loserism. For me with most kdramas, after episode 13/14 we kind of hit a slump and everything becomes predictable and boring, but I didn't feel that with Lovely Runner. Yes, I could easily guess what would probably happen, but it's the way they present the story. Most ppl are here for the ride than the destination, and if that's you then you'll most likely love this drama.

A 10/10 from me, and if you like romcoms, time travel, mystery side plot, and a lovely romance then this drama's for you.

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Romance and comedy

Lately, the recent wave of Kdramas left me feeling a bit underwhelmed, but this particular drama managed to capture my attention in a way that others haven't. It truly hit the mark for me. I found myself drawn into the storyline, enjoying every moment of the captivating romance unfolding between the main leads. The chemistry between the male lead (ML) and female lead (FL) was simply enchanting, tugging at my heartstrings and leaving me eagerly anticipating their every interaction. Even the second male lead (2ML) added an extra layer of charm to the drama.

What stood out the most for me was the perfect balance struck between humor and romance. While some recent releases may have veered too far into melodrama or relied on tired clichés, this series managed to keep things fresh and engaging. The genuine moments of laughter and heartfelt connection between the characters brought a sense of authenticity to the story, making it easy for viewers to get invested in their journey.

The dynamic between the ML and FL was a true highlight of the series. Their on-screen chemistry was palpable, radiating a genuine warmth and affection that made their relationship feel incredibly relatable and endearing. From their sweetest moments to their playful banter, every scene they shared was filled with undeniable passion and emotion. It was impossible not to root for them ❤️

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Unexpected!!!!

Although it is a lot different from the webtoon , But I really love it . My god I have to say Byun woo seok got finally a normal role and he is really cool and handsome . I have always loved Kim hye yoon , I love her acting so much . The story line was really good and ending was wow . I did not expect the ending , it's a time travel drama no deaths , no sudden surprises , until the last minute of the drama I was expecting something but no it was so natural that I couldn't believe it , But of course I am happy that they both end up together and specially remember everything they have done to each other . It's a worth watch drama please watch it
Enjoy!!

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PERFECT EXAMPLE OF ROMCOM!

Lovely Runner is definitely going to become a classic drama in the years to come - it is reminiscent of classic early 2010 romcom tropes executed flawlessly alongside more modern themes which have gained popularity in recent years like time travel and idol romances.

I will go through each of my ratings in this review to explain why I have rated them as such.

Story -
The story rating has been split into 5 stars for characters and 4.5 stars for the actual plot. I do still believe on the whole it is a perfect example of a romcom but there is one episode which was a bit jarring as an ONGOING viewer (was resolved very quickly) but it doesn't harm the plot in the grand scheme of things.

The plot of this drama is not a brand new concept or full of jaw dropping plot twists and turns (for the most part), it is easy to follow and understand and to some may seem as very simple and overrated as a result. The reason why the story of Lovely Runner is so engaging and has captured such a large audience is due to how they take this run-of-the-mill romcom storyline and implement it in a near perfect manner. The story is less so about creating a more unique piece of art but more so about understanding their audience and creating a more enjoyable experience for them. Many dramas try to tackle multiple genres and fail as they try to keep all of the genres in the forefront and end up confusing the watcher more than anything. Lovely Runner is definitely at its' core a ROMCOM so if you are looking for a Sci-Fi/Murder Mystery drama, although this drama contains elements of it - this is NOT the prime example you are looking for. The drama has been crafted in a way where it superbly balances the emotional depth of the connection between the main leads with the comedic antics in which they fall into - in this way, viewers have rarely felt either was excessive or taking away from the plot.

There have been some issues viewers have had with the plot such as repetition, Sols' depression and the accident plotline.
Each of these issues are integral to the plot and once understood make more sense - repetition is going to happen in any sort of time travel plot because time travel is the repetition of past events; Sol is time travelling on her OWN to prevent her loved ones death and she does everything in her power to prevent it even when she has limited resources as a student whilst also juggling her own impending accident that she has to prevent which completely contextualizes her disarray of emotions; the accident that Sol suffers is something which begins her journey as a fan of Sunjae and holds value as something that connects both of them across timelines.

This drama does fall under the time-travel genre, however, it doesn't focus predominantly on the different mechanics that come with time-travelling - it is more so focused on fate and destiny between lovers. What I really enjoy about this drama is that it is able to take the time-travel genre and deliver such a light hearted simpler approach to a usually heavy topic. That being said, it is definitely not catered towards people who like to focus on the specific details of time travel - I do not think there are any plot holes personally but there are a lot of points which are left more ambiguous than some would like, but I do think this fits the story much better.

The characters in this drama, in particular the main leads of Sunjae and Sol, are incredibly likable and the audience truly fall in love with them as the episodes progress. There is NO frustrating love triangle, it is very much evident from the beginning that the main leads priority has always and only will be each other. While there are other interests which present themselves in the show, they are mainly comedic relief and are supportive and even encouraging of the romance between the leads and just as likable for the most part. Sunjae is one of the funniest male leads in K-drama history - he is a true LOSER in love which gives you so much second-hand embarrassment but he is also so sincere that it melts your heart. Sol is so smart and focuses so intently on fixing the future and how much she selflessly cares for her friends and family makes her so adored by the audience. Taesung and Inhyuk bring so much comedic value with their characters but also are shown as very good friends to these main leads but also follow their own unique paths which are independent to the leads and don't exist solely for the couple.

This drama is also based upon a web novel “The Best of Tomorrow” (내일의 으뜸) by Kim Bbang (김빵) and I have not read the source material personally so this rating for the story and characters is purely based on the drama as a standalone. I have been told that the drama is very different from the source material so I am not sure how the original readers view this adaptation but as a standalone, it is very entertaining.

Acting/Cast -
There is not a lot to say for the acting and casting because it was PERFECT! The character of Sunjae had taken a long time to be properly casted and I am glad it had taken such a time because Byeon Wooseok was made for this role and I hope he wins many awards for his performance because it took the world by storm. His embodiment of the first-love nervousness and adoration tugged at your heartstrings and you couldn't help but wish the best for him. Kim Hyeyoon also gave so much dimension to Sols' role, her expressions with only her eyes were so powerful that could bring every viewer to tears and I couldn't imagine her as anyone else. Same goes for all other characters, the acting was impeccable and never a dull moment, they all took the script and brought so much life to the characters.

Music -
As this drama is centralized around an idol star, music is a very important aspect of this show and even drives several plot points. The lyricism in songs often depicts the journeys of the characters (Sudden Shower), and the songs are so catchy that the fans of this show probably know the lyrics just as well as the fans of the fiction boygroup in the show. The OST is very well produced and all the ECLIPSE songs are actually sung by the male lead himself, Byeon Wooseok! Not only is his singing wonderful but the songs are really good and I think everyone would find a song they love in this soundtrack. A fan favourite song is definitely the 10cm - Spring Snow which I honestly believe will be one of the future hallmarks of romantic soundtracks because it genuinely sounds like falling in love.

Rewatch Value -
As with most time-travel genre dramas, the rewatch value on this drama is very high as it can lead you to notice new details about characters that you were not initially aware of especially from RSJ. But in addition to this, due to the characters likability and the beautiful cinematography, so many fans couldn't help but rewatch even as the show was airing. I do think it is a show which really does make you fall in love with characters and fall in love with LOVE, because it was truly an adorable emotional rollercoaster that you wish you could go on again and you probably WILL!

All in all, I would 100% recommend this drama to every romcom lover out there, I guarantee that you will fall in love with the characters from day one. If you are not a romcom lover, I wouldn't recommend this drama as it is definitely tailormade for romcom fans but don't be shy to give it a try because it is truly a perfect romcom drama.

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Enjoy the romance

I just finished this kdrama and I think it will be one of those where I will ignore what I didn't like so much just because what I did like had more weight.
I decided to watch it when all the episodes were available and I think it was a good decision, I would have despaired of having to wait every week for a new episode, although I will admit I was a victim of spoilers.

Knowing all that, I think it was quite worth it, and in contrast to other opinions I consider it does deserve the hype. I clarify I'm not saying it was perfect because I agree that several things could have been better executed. However, knowing that I don’t dislike clichés and usually enjoys the usual structure of romance kdramas, this series was quite to my liking. Maybe it's because I have a weakness for these kinds of plots, it already happened to me with Twinkling Watermelon and A Time Called You.

Now, what things didn't I like so much?
Initially I feel it was hard to believe that the adult ImSol was in her teenage body as she was still behaving and making decisions like a teenager would from my perspective and that made me exasperated at times by her actions or attitude. I understand that she thought what she was doing was the best thing to do, but sometimes it was just like "was this necessary?"
Another thing was that the villain somehow ended up being just a flat character and they don't end up explaining in a more reasonable way why he had tangled himself into all their time lines so insistently. Yeah, he was a psychopath or something, but that's just so meh. Still without mentioning a word, he kept getting on my nerves, I just would have wished for a little more of background.
The same thing happens to me with InHyuk and TaeSung, I was delighted every time their characters came out on screen and I would have liked them to be included more, as in the end we are given to understand that specially TaeSung ended up being very relevant.
And about the grandmother, was she some kind of deity?
There were also moments when the transitions between times were so confusing, I didn't know if what I was seeing had happened before or after, then I could understand but I don't understand why it was so confusing.

Something I would have wished, this time very personal, is that when they met again in the final timeline they would have done it like the first time, with the rain and repeating the umbrella scene, it would have added many more points. However, that's not something so relevant lol.

Buuuut, like I said before, there were more things that I really liked so I was purposely ignoring all of the things I said before.
All of the romantic scenes had me giggling and kicking my feet, the chemistry was on point, I should say. The male lead made me smile a lot, he was just too cute, sorry, I’m just too biased by WooSeok, he played that character really well. And speaking about acting, I think everyone did a good job.

I laughed a lot with the funny scenes and I was moved on many occasions, both sad and happy, so I must say that I enjoyed every chapter. Regarding the ost, I declare myself a total fan, the songs are all very good, they accompany the scenes well and I liked the ost so much that I will keep listening to it. “Sudden Shower" is just beautiful.

I liked the ending of the story because I did wish he would get his memory back, it would have hurt me that all those nice moments and the time they spent together went away.

I probably missed things, but the truth is that I would recommend it if you are the type of person who enjoys kdramas and doesn't dislike teen romances and time travel.

I will give it a high score because I certainly enjoyed it from beginning to end.

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I would jump through time and space for you.

Mmm, This drama gets so much love on socials, The amount of edits i have seen and saved is crazy. First of all the casting was perfect, I think that's why this drama got famous and it skyrocketed all around the world. I felt like the writer was experimenting in the later half of the drama .

The first two episodes were good, like, the FL giving second-hand embarrassment, but turns out the ML likes her before she was a fan was good. Sunjae being an absolute loser in love was cute.

They gave a good second lead that wouldn't steal the whole show, but added some good jealousy and love triangle to the story. I didn't get second lead syndrome that much, but I did think Taesung was cute with Im sol.

Im sol was not appreciated enough for the whole show , cause she would sacrifice everything for the idol she loves, She has went through so much trauma, just to keep him safe. Her love is very pure. Especially when she went back in time to never meet Sunjae and try to make her fate forget about Sunjae entirely by not meeting in the rain and everything.

The reason why the story went downhill and felt confusing was because of the thriller part of it, I still have so many questions, What motive did the villian have to chase Sunjae and Im sol many times?, How does Sunjae remember everything from the past?, Why couldn't Sunjae use his watch to time travel?, How did Sunjae become an idol even after he didn't meet Im sol ?, He only tried singing to win a phone for Im sol, then after Im sol went back to change her fate, Sunjae didn't want to enter that competition in the first place but only did for Im sol, but without meeting Im sol, How did he become an idol?. There are many holes in this drama that made it slightly mid tier. And you're telling me we spent the whole show waiting to see the villian's motive only to see him getting hit my truck???.

Yes I do think it's overrated just a little bit, since there are many hidden jems which is better than this, But at the end of the day , this is such a comfort show, The romance is cute, light hearted and binge worthy. I would recommend to the peeps who love a cute romcom with a hint of thriller and mystery.

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