THE BEST OF 2024....
The drama is spectacular for real that I cried so hard so many times because of sadness as well as joy.I can't accept the fact it ended my Mondays and Tuesdays won't be joyful anymore 😭
The drama is full of emotions have all sort of things that a Rom Com should have.
The Writer portrayed every single thing so amazingly.
The cast choice was also very amazing.
Woo Seok Oppa did great job as well as Hye Yoon Unnie.
I am glad all other actors rejected character of Sunjae because this character was only meant to be for Woo Seok Oppa.
I am glad it delayed 3 years atleast we got amazing cast.
The best of line of Drama will be the quote which will stay in my heart forever.
Grandma: "Although the mind forgets the memories but the heart would never, all the precious time and moments you spend is smeared in ones soul"
The drama was wholesome and my heart felt it for real.
Although I don't Rewatch the Dramas But I'll probably be rewatching this drama😭💞.
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This review may contain spoilers
Rom-com is for sure rom-coming!
I need to start saying that I loved this drama but it wasn’t 10/10 for me as it was for some people. Fortunately the issues that I had didn’t make me hate the drama but I still need to talk more about them here. First, I don’t know if this is a unpopular opinion or not but Sol’s best friend relationship with Sol’s brother was SO ANNOYING. The relationship was annoying and the characters were also annoying. I usually love second couples in rom-com but I seriously disliked them here.Second, I felt like the villain had too much importance in the story but we practically don’t know that much about him, which was a bit disappointing and made the character lack personality. I get it that this is mainly a rom-com but he was too superficial. This lack of personality and involvement made me start to think that he was dragging the story down and being a totally uninteresting character. The writer tried to create a scary environment for him which was working in the beginning but then becomes boring later on. And I also felt that 16 episodes were a bit too much. The writer wasn’t developing the main characters that much, the side characters, not even the bad guy, so it was really needed to have 16 episodes? I think 12 episodes would’ve been better and would make the story less draggy.
But being honest with yall, as I said in the beginning, even with these issues that I pointed out I still enjoyed this drama SO SO much! I think the main reason for that is that Lovely Runner have everything that I like in a romcom and everything that makes a rom-com good for me. We have a super chemistry between the main leads, we have cute and funny scenes, we have ML being the cutest puppy handsome guy (personally I just love when a Ml is over heels for the FL, like a completely loser) and amazing OSTS (I will listen to them A LOT). Also the story wasn’t perfect but I think it’s exciting enough until a certain point. A positive point for me as well was that the SML doesn't interfere too much with the main couple, which is great.
Lovely Runner was a drama that I found myself eagerly awaiting new episodes every week and I became obsessed with the main couple. If you like the biggest romcom clichés with a cute couple and plot that intrigues you enough (with you ignore some main issues), I think the chances of you finding this drama at least enjoyable are high.
PS: I am completely in love with Wooseok, gosh this man is everything!!!!
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A DRAMA THAT TRULY STAYED WITH ME
This drama meant so much to me .It took me on full rollercoaster of emotions-from sadness to happiness and back again- and somehow made my everyday life feel brighter .I seriously loved every single character and how their presence changed each other's lives, and it reminded me trying , no matter the outcome , is always worth it.
From family to friendships , and the amazing chemistry between the leads, every part felt real and touching. I mean the crazy friends to their parents everybody had a role which they portrayed so well that made me feel like I was part of that whole scene not just watching them from far. Loved the cast and the persona they carried throughout , loved the songs ,wished the drama be longer as getting over it was not easy but rewatching always gave me comfort .
Actually some dramas are just tea, some are a sip, but this one felt like a cup of life for me.And none of this is exaggerated ,these are my honest emotions I wanted to share as reviews are not about overhyping or putting someone down ; they are about sharing how a story makes you feel, and this drama gave me so much. I am glad this drama exists.
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Lovely Runner: A Love Story That Transcends Time and Every Other Romance Kdrama For Me
I felt compelled to write this review not just as a longtime Kdrama fan, but as someone who has witnessed truly beautiful storytelling be unfairly dismissed by critics and haters alike. The criticism Lovely Runner has received from some people is baffling, especially when it comes from those who genuinely believed When the Phone Rings was a quality drama 🙃Lovely Runner is a romcom masterpiece and one of the best Romance Kdramas ever made. Sun Jae and Sol weren’t just characters. They felt like soulmates etched into the fabric of time itself, and their story swept me away in a way few dramas ever have. Of course, it’s undeniable that Byeon Woo Seok is magnetic and gorgeous, and Kim Hye Yoon grows more luminous and beautiful with every scene. But beyond their visuals, they fully embodied their characters with such sincerity and emotional truth that it felt like watching real people fall in love in real time. Their chemistry was extraordinary. Moreover, I was genuinely amazed by how brilliantly this drama was written too. Time travel is notoriously difficult to execute without causing confusion, but this story handled it with impressive clarity and consistency. Every plot twist, every shift in the timeline and every change in the character's personality was carefully and meticulously constructed, allowing viewers to stay grounded and engaged even as the back and forth across timelines became more complex. The pacing never faltered, and the finale beautifully tied every thread together with emotional and narrative satisfaction that felt both earned and complete. My appreciation for how the writer and director crafted the story interweaving events and planting clues across timelines with *perfect* timing only deepens with each rewatch. It’s a remarkably intelligent show. This becomes more apparent the more you rewatch it.
Of course, it wasn’t without flaws. The grandmother’s role as the keeper of the timelines could have used more depth, the serial killer subplot lacked context and backstory, and some scenes between Hyun Ju and Im Geum felt overly exaggerated. These moments were noticeable, yes but fleeting. They were minor distractions compared to the emotional weight and strength of the core love story, which remained powerful and unshaken throughout. And honestly, I wouldn’t even call them flaws, per se because hey, perhaps this was simply the writer’s intention. I was just genuinely curious to know more about these two aspects of the drama and I never got the answers or even the slightest explanation, and that’s why I docked 0.5 from my score. I had a sneaking suspicion that Sol's grandmother was a diety of some sort or a metaphor for fate as Sol and Taesung often mentioned about "Celestial Granny" so I wanted something more from the narrative.
What truly sets Lovely Runner apart is how it portrays love, not as fleeting passion or obsessive longing, but as something enduring, selfless, and deeply sacrificial. Even in Kdrama, where romance is often heightened and idealized, it is rare to see love explored with such quiet authenticity and emotional maturity. This drama didn’t just show love, it understood it. At first, I was deeply moved by Sun Jae’s unwavering devotion, how he fell deeply in love with Sol from the moment he first saw her as a 19-year-old swimmer with a promising future on that fateful rainy day. He remained quietly in the background, silently caring for her and protecting her because she wasn’t even aware he existed. He even silently accepted her misplaced blame for saving her life in the original timeline, carrying that guilt without protest for fifteen long years. That kind of love, so patient, so unassuming, broke my heart. Even more so when he willingly chose the path of his own death, fully aware it was inevitable if he stayed by Sol’s side. But as the story progressed, it was Sol’s love that began to shine just as brightly. Her journey went from devoted fan, to supportive friend, to a lover willing to surrender not just the man she loves, but every memory and lifetime they shared, in order to save him no matter what it took. They stood as equals in longing, in courage, in sacrifice, and in love. This consistent emotional reciprocity is rare.
The OST was a masterpiece in its own right. Each track felt like an extension of the characters’ emotions, elevating them in every scene.
In a sea of dramas that conflate love with desire or possession, Lovely Runner stood like a lighthouse. It reminded me that true love is about choosing someone again and again, through time, through pain. It was the kind of love that bends fate, not for its own happiness, but simply to protect the other. That kind of love, the kind that saves rather than consumes, is what makes Lovely Runner unforgettable, illuminating and beautiful. That is why this drama means so much to me. Alongside When Life Gives You Tangerines, it is one of the only love stories I have encountered that captures that love should be unselfish, patient, enduring, and kind. And when fate finally bent to Sun Jae and Sol’s love after all their heartbreak, suffering and loss, it didn’t just feel like a win for them. It felt like a win for everyone who still believes that pure, selfless love exists in a world that often forgets it does. Lovely Runner is not just my number one Kdrama in the romance genre. It has become my gold standard.
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This review may contain spoilers
Time traveling to save the on you Love
Hey everyone, last time on the K-drama study, I talked about the show Pyramid Game One. I loved watching it. Today, I'll be talking about a show I discovered on Mydramalist after looking for a new show during March. Lovely Runner is the show I'll be talking about, and I've been excited to share my thoughts on it. Now, let's jump into the show and see what I thought.Lovely Runner started airing on April 8th, the same day the eclipse happened. From the first episode, I was hooked, falling in love with our female lead, Im Sol. We see Im Sol in a wheelchair during the first episode, which made me feel bad for her as she was trying to get a job but was turned down for being in a chair. The first time I saw Sung Jae, I became interested in where his character would be going. The final scene in the first episode, where Sung Jae put the umbrella over Im Sol, got me excited for the next episode. Yes, Sung Jae dies in the first episode, which upsets Im Sol, so she runs out of the house in her wheelchair. At one point, she drops the watch and has to go into the water to get it, which starts the time travel. When Im Sol wakes up, she is back in high school. I found the high school section of the show to be one of my favorites, as it had funny and emotional moments. Sol's friend was another excellent character in the show. I want to stress how much the show pulled my heart from the romance between the leads to the side characters that fit wonderfully into the show. One thing that I wasn't a fan of was the police side story. It started well but then fell flat. Aside from that, this show was excellent, making me tear up a few times. I want to mention that when the show brings in the comedy, it knows it's silly. Sol and Sung Jae are excellent characters who blend perfectly forever. I will say the last few episodes felt like they lost the special atmosphere that the show's first half delivered. The ending of the two lovers getting married is a little typical, but I found it satisfying.
I have to talk about the OSTs which hit each time they were released. The fictional band delivered the first batch of OSTs with the song Sudden Shower, which has been on repeat since I first heard it. N. Flying drops a track called Star that brings in the rock vibe. Yoo Hwe Sung from N.flying released a solo track that hit me with feelings and emotion. Umji from Viviz had a sweet track for the show that kept popping up on my playlist a lot. Doko was the artist who closed out the OSTs, making me miss the show. These OSTs hit all my feels as I kept listening to them on repeat, and I've been playing them even though the show is over.
Overall, I'll give Lovely Runner an A for being a fantastic show that kept me interested until the end. I've been missing the show like crazy since it ended, but I've been watching clips of it on YouTube. Sol and Sung Jae are excellent characters; I'll miss them like crazy. I hope you all enjoyed reading my thoughts on the show. I'll drop another Drama review whenever I find my next show. I hope you all are doing great, and I highly recommend you watch Lovely Runner. You won't be disappointed.
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This review may contain spoilers
Overall good but it has its shortcomings
I will say that I enjoyed this drama. I thought the cast was great and so was the chemistry. FL and ML had great chemistry, along with the FL family and ML friends and dad.It has many funny moments too and I also liked the crime drama aspect of it. Even all the cringy moments, the puppy love stuff was good. The music was great too.
What I didn't like and what I think many people got tired of was the constant pushing the ML away. It got repetitive and tiresome and eventually made the drama seem like it dragged on too long . The last 4 episodes were of here pushing him away, trying for him not to remember, etc. I understand that she was trying to keep him safe but the way the went on about it was too much and I was already ready for it stop.
Again, I liked it and would recommend it to people. However, I will say that there could be stuff that they might not like but then again, since this drama is well loved, they might love it 100%.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Masterpiece of Romance and Fantasy
I started watching this drama because the premise seemed intriguing. Written by the same screenwriter behind "True Beauty" and starring Kim Hye Yoon, whose talent I appreciated in "Extraordinary You," I didn't have high expectations; I anticipated something similar to those other dramas. However, now that I've finished it, I can confidently say that it not only met but far exceeded my expectations in every category, surpassing even my wildest imagination.Story
What truly distinguishes this drama from other romcom, time-slip, and fantasy series is how the story unfolds over its 16 episodes. By weaving together multiple timelines, the narrative offers characters various meet-cutes, challenging situations, delightful montages, and enlightening moments, keeping viewers engaged and intrigued throughout. Unlike other romcoms that introduce a random killer midway, "Lovely Runner’s" entire storyline revolves around the villain's actions affecting the main characters, seamlessly integrating with the plot. Additionally, the writer ensures a balanced mix of elements in each episode, preventing viewers from enduring lengthy stretches of heavy plot centered solely on the killer. The pacing was executed perfectly, ensuring viewers neither felt rushed nor bored. Every scene was given just the right amount of time, culminating in a fully satisfying happy ending in the final two episodes.
Characters
All the characters were well-crafted, with even the majority of the supporting cast being three-dimensional. Unlike many other romcoms, where the comedic burden often falls solely on the actress and a few sidekicks, this drama distributes the humor evenly. Both the male and female leads, as well as the supporting characters, share an equal amount of comedic scenes.
Ryu Seon Jae: Who can resist falling in love with this character? He loves the main lead unconditionally and is willing to sacrifice his life for her time and again. Loyal, brave, and innocent (as his father says, "pure as oxygen"), he embodies all these qualities beautifully.
Im Sol: It's impossible not to cheer for our heroine as she bulldozes through every obstacle to rescue her love. She is loud, sweet, and a force to be reckoned with. Most importantly, she is strong; despite has lived with a disability, she faced a killer without fear, confronting the villain head-on to protect what she loves.
Kim Tae Sung: A second male lead who is not annoying or clingy, but a reliable friend to our main leads. It would be even nicer to know a little bit of his backstory.
Baek In Hyuk: A fantastic sidekick, always ready to deliver the best funny moments.
Acting
Byeon Woo Seok: To be honest, I've only seen him in "Record of Youth," but I fast-forwarded through 70% of that drama. Now, I question why I wasn't aware of this great actor earlier. His performance in this drama was exceptional. He effortlessly transforms from a 19-year-old high schooler to a 34-year-old idol. His expressions were so precise that you could feel the joy, sadness, longing, and countless moments of embarrassment. Additionally, his portrayal of an idol was incredibly believable, and he sang the drama's OSTs beautifully.
Kim Hye Yoon: It's difficult to distinguish Kim Hye Yoon from her character Im Sol because her performance was so convincing. What I love most about Kim Hye Yoon is her natural, sincere, and unpretentious demeanor. When she acts cute, it never comes off as annoying due to her genuine charm. When she portrays sadness, you can't help but want to cry along with her, and since she cried quite often in this drama, it was hard not to reach for the tissue box. When she passionately sings as a kpop fan, she perfectly embodies the fervor of someone you'd find at a concert.
Final thoughts
This exceptional drama sets a new benchmark for all romcoms, time-slip stories, and fantasy genres. The "Lovely Runner" team's outstanding efforts—from the director, screenwriter, and casting director to the editor, sound crew, and actors—deserve high praise. They have truly outdone themselves.
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is lovely runner worth to watch??
Well, definitely it's good.. the cast is amazing.. the story was good if we see overall.. but the only thing i m confused about it.. if sol have power to stop the time by talking about future things , then why did not she try to stop time, when she gets attacked by the villain, and when sunjae got stabbed by villain. she can run away from there so easily or can save sunjae by her power. but the writer actually waste her power..there is something new we got to see.. overall its good .. but if this things writer actually forgets about her power.
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Feeling Nostalgic?
This drama embodies everything I love about K-dramas. The characters and storyline are captivating, and the main leads delivered outstanding performances. The male lead convincingly portrayed his deep, unwavering love for Im Sol, making his emotions feel real and heartfelt. The second lead was charming and had just enough screen time to avoid the dreaded 'second lead syndrome' (where the second lead seems more deserving of the female lead than the first).However, I was frustrated with the writers at times. Our female lead had some frustrating dialogue, which I attribute more to the script than to her acting. Despite this, would I watch it again? Absolutely.
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LOVE
I really loved this K-drama. The story felt very beautiful and memorable. The acting was really good, and you can genuinely feel the love between the main characters, which made their romance very believable.I have to say the secondary romance was a bit boring, but it was balanced out by the main couple, which carried the story. There are both happy and sad moments, but the ending didn’t disappoint and it managed to keep me hooked until the very last episode.
I enjoyed every single episode.
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Entertaining but flawed story with missed opportunities for character development
I can understand why this drama was popular — it’s both hilarious and heartwarming, with likable leads and a great ending.But it’s not perfect. If there’s a weakness in the story, it’s the way the female lead’s character is written.
Kim Hye Yoon has a lot of emotional range to cover as Im Sol, the female lead, and gives a mostly convincing performance. She can switch from a sweet smile to sobbing in an instant. Sol is perky and determined, but acts like a teenager, not like a woman in her 30s (having a crush can do that, I suppose).
Her obsession with protecting Sun Jae and thinking she can “rewind” all the bad situations in life can be grating (not to mention unhealthy). I would have preferred to see her living a full and happy life with her disability. Plus, It can be hard to sympathize with her as a main character because it often seems like she’s just making things more difficult for herself with impulsive or illogical decisions, and it’s frustrating watching her torture herself (and break the heart of the man who loves her) trying to control the future.
Byeon Woo Seok has a lot of charm as Ryu Sun Jae, the male lead, and has great comedic timing. He delivers a convincing performance showing the two sides of his character (sweet, slightly awkward student vs. more confident, polished performer who still has a goofy side). The fact that he did his own singing for the role is impressive.
However, the leads’ relationship never really develops, and seems more based on infatuation and destiny than any kind of meaningful connection. The actors’ good looks and cute dynamic do a lot to gloss over the show’s missed opportunities for more character development.
But the way the show gradually reveals what the leads remember about each other is compelling, while the multiple timelines make for a plot that’s fast-paced and keeps you guessing.
There are also some standout supporting characters — the second male lead is a scene-stealer with his shameless flirting and dimpled smile, and the FL’s grandma is great (the touching scene between her and Sun Jae in the last episode might be my favorite moment in the whole drama).
While the series has its flaws, it’s still an engaging watch. Viewers should be aware that the story touches on some darker topics (depression, suicide, kidnapping), but overall this drama lands firmly in the rom-com genre. It doesn’t always strike the right tonal balance, and the time travel elements can be confusing and leave some unanswered questions, but the cast and the against-all-odds love story manage to hold things together.
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romcom time travel highschool drama
Sung-jae, a star who sadly ends his life, and Im Sol ,a fan , who goes back to save him.Im sol time travels and tries her best to save his life . After watching ep 1 I really enjoyed it . It was really great . Highly recommended ongoing drama especially for Kpop fans . They should watch it .
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