Lovely Runner

Overall boring and frustrating

The plot seemed very interesting to me.

But I didn't like the execution, Im Sol seems super desperate to me, a lot of things have happened to her in life but she is still very immature, literally their lives are at stake and she is not able to take things seriously.

It is super frustrating to see that the other male protagonist was only a decoration throughout the entire series.

It was not well explained how time travel works, and it is good that it is not explained in depth, but how is it possible that the two of them and the grandmother have memories but the other characters do not? If the murderer also had memories of him it could have been much more interesting.

Apart from the fact that the killer looks super out of nowhere. They don't tell you anything about his motives or his story.

The story of the brother and the best friend is not funny, it is super frustrating, no one behaves that way and if they do it would be super cringey

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Lovely Runner Aka The Loveliest Drama

This drama is honestly so good. I was there since day 1, when tvn posted their first promotion on their instagram page. I was really conflicted into watching it because byeon wooseok was there as the maincast and he always dies (back in 2022 i saw a youtube short where he said that he likes taking roles where he dies because its realistic or smth and i was not into kdrama durng that time but i was sure if i ever were to get hooked into the kdrama world i would skip his series purely to save my heart from crying) fast forward to 2024 where i finally started watching kdramas, i could not hold myself to wait for this series to end and then binge watch ( i watched ep 1 the day after it got premiered :'D). I would eagerly wait for mondays and tuesdays. and no amount of words can express how thrilled i was to watch this series. This plot is too intense tho, like at end of each ep something bad has to happen which can bring a lot of frustration. This series is something that you would enjoy waiting every week for the eps to upload but definitely not binge watch worthy. Thankfully i did not binge watch as i initially planned of otherwise i would've gone insane. Regardless of the complex plot, i still love this show with my whole heart. The ost and the acting was soo goood. Hye yoon potrayed imsol's character so well like she's soo adorbb. Sun jay being the biggest loser was such a nice highlight. Taesung being the best 2nd lead of kdrama history was an absolute refreshing take. Every week i would laugh and cry for this drama. Lovely Runner is the loveliest drama.

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i would die for this kind of love story ?

rewatch value 100%

all the characters are well written and quirky in their own typical kdrama way i literally GUFFAWED at each episode and cried hard and loved deeply

soundtrack is BOMB ASF where is the petition for eclipse to be a real kband 🫵🏼

im sol x ryu sunjae is the new romeo & juliet the it couple who would die for each other i stan hard and the actors deserved all the awards praise and recognition from it 💕

i also love men who were written by women and i love wooseok’s portrayal of sunjae. he has his moments of insecurity but he shows sunjae’s bright and dedicated personality very well!! and hyeyoon perfectly encapsulates the essence of sunshine and loyalty through sol 💝

i already can’t wait to watch it and experience it again ☺️

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the best thing of 2024

I usually don’t post reviews, but wanted to do it this time because this is indeed the best drama of 2024. Every single song was amazing. The leads did a fantastic job in terms of acting. I am not a fan of time travel plot, BWS was the reason why I gave it a shot. I am so glad that I watched it. I don’t even know how many times I rewatched it. If you like time travel and youth drama , you will definitely enjoy it. There are some negative reviews, but don’t listen to them. Either it is not their genre or they are not okay with this being the most popular drama of 2024. This drama will make you emotional for sure. All I can say is it is worth the hype and definitely one of the best shows of all time ❤️

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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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soo good

i have no absolute idea how am i gonna live my Mondays and Tuesdays without lovely runner.
it's probably one of the best dramas that i watched in general.
i loved the acting,the cast,the whole plot,music and the whole drama in general.every time that i think about lovely runner i just wanna smile.
the relationship they had is just unreal ,he fell in love with in every timeline its just so sweet. i am sooo glad that ml was this actor he fited the image so good and just like that ge definitely became one of my favourite actors I have zero idea how did i never really noticed.Anyways i just loved the chemistry between them and everything else truly good drama worth every second loved it

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Lovely Runner Review - ZyKuu

"A relationship that defies time" - Masterpiece. Story is excellent and there is a unique display in regards to the concept of time travelling. Whether it was a heartwarming or saddening moment, I shed a couple tears as this series drew out a variety of emotions from within. Im Sol and Sun-jae perfectly played their roles, I loved the relationship and chemistry both leads had. The supporting cast was phenomenal especially Tae-sung and In-hyuk. The soundtrack is incredible. The romance and comedy in this series was nothing short of perfection. Not only did this work of art entertain me, but it gave me hope, and I am genuinely sad that it is over :(

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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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Definitely overhyped but romance absolutely good and enjoyable

Starting with the basics: This drama SHOULD have been wrapped up in 12 episodes. While it doesn’t necessarily become boring afterward, the pacing and plot could have concluded right then and there. Personally, I got fed up after the 10th episode, watching the main leads—the FL constantly running away from the ML to save his life, only to return, and then repeat the cycle over and over again. If she truly wanted to save his life and spare us from watching her cry in nearly every episode, she should have just moved to a different city or country.
Also, what was the killer's/kidnapper's motive? Like, hello? I get that not every killer in movies, series etc. has to have a clear motive, but in such a highly-rated drama, there should at least be a hint as to why he would chase the same girl in every alternate timeline. It doesn't make any sense to me.

The romance was really good—full of fluffiness and steamy kisses. I loved seeing the golden retriever-like ML chasing after the FL and being all lovey-dovey with her. However, the comedy? Not for me. I don't want to compare but there was nothing to laugh about, unlike in Strong Girl Bong Soon, where I laughed in every episode(maybe my type of humour has changed idk)


Another point: Acting
I started watching LR because of Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, both of whom I really like from their previous dramas. But this? A disaster—mainly because of Hye Yoon. I might not have noticed her "overdramatic" expressions in Extraordinary You (which I highly recommend watching), but in this drama, her acting was insufferable. Her expressions and performances were excessively exaggerated and theatrical. Not to mention the second main couple—her sister-in-law and brother (forgot their names). Byeon Woo Seok was... okay? Nothing more, nothing less.

The OST was pretty, but not as memorable as, for example, Goblin or Descendants of the Sun (at least for me).
Overall I wanted to rate this drama 8,5 but giving a second thought it is 7,5.I HIGHLY recommend this drama if you're looking for a good,fluffy romance, especially if you love the "ML chasing after FL" trope.

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