Lovely Runner

The Hilarious, Angsty, Romantic and yet Non-Toxic Drama of this Decade

This drama is no short of getting 10s in every aspect!
Firstly, a huge round of applause and immense appreciation for Kim Bbang, author of the book Tomorrow’s Best. Thank you writer-nim for bringing this beautiful novel into existence because who knows if there would be a loose adaption of this book if you hadn’t written this.
Secondly, the director, scriptwriter, actors, and team, take a bow for stringing together an amazing and enchanting yet detailed narrative that blended romcom, angst, and thriller so beautifully that it managed to always keep the audience on the edge in every episode.
Things that I loved the most in this show [because I don’t have any dislikes for LR!]:
- RSJ was just a boy next door who IS ignored in her original timeline, which made this show instantly different from others. For once I was glad here the guy wasn’t the school/college hunk whom every girl fawned over. It was a coincidence how many of us subeoms never noticed BWS playing insignificant characters[I didn’t notice him until 20th Century Girl!]
- The show proves that audience are craving for non-toxic, positive male leads who don’t just shout and act like they don’t care but then suddenly there’s a change in their character midway. I love the Green Forest RSJ and wish to see more MLs like him. BWS is effortlessly funny and pulls every version of SJ from a school going kid, to a college-goer, to an idol and an actor flawlessly
- KHY did a wonderful job of portraying a fan girl and a lover. I was skeptical about how they would portray IS once she fell in love with SJ, but the transition was beautiful. I loved how KHY brought out the side a fangirl has, the madness, the need to keep up with their idol’s life, and then the devastation of seeing their idol pass away prematurely. Her powerful acting made the transition easy, and when IS lost SJ as her lover, the emotions were completely different.
- The lewserism that SJ oozed is such a treat. It’s not cringey or overdone but done in the right amount. Oh, he is MinMin’s descendant I tell you lol.
- The supporting actors were equally good, especially Baek Inhyuk. I am glad they managed to squeeze in his backstory. Actually, despite less screen time, almost all characters have a good backstory [IDC about taxi driver]
- Special thanks to Gonghee, he is one of the BEST SMLs there is. He wasn’t clingy or even someone who wanted to create misunderstanding. He was there as a supportive friend to the FL even when she was time traveling.
- This show has little to zero misunderstandings and I loved it. I am so glad that there were no severe arguments or fallouts. This show managed to squeeze as many tropes in romcom as can be and still managed to balance them out to not overwhelm the audience.
- The parallels that were shown were so beautifully and seamlessly blended, different yet the same but never boring.
I am so so glad to be a part of this drama while it was on-air. While I am sad, I am also happy that it just pulled off so well. I will miss the madness and obsession I had with this show. Never have I ever been this unhinged over a drama. The theories, the comments, and everything, I will miss this! This show is even more special because of its organic success! The way fate aligned the stars to make this happen is sometimes astonishing. From it being shelved for 3 years because actors rejected the script, BWS taking it up, to no PPL because no one had hope for this drama, not even TvN, and YET this drama emerges victorious, delivering top-notch content from excellent acting to direction to cinematography. Everyone associated with the drama deserves the praise and fame they are getting. Thank you, LR for giving me a wonderful 2 months. Thank you for keeping me hopeful when my life had suddenly gone haywire. I am going to rewatch this show again.

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pretty good

A cute Korean drama that blends romance and time travel. Kim Hye-Yoon absolutely steals the show as Im Sol. Her performance is captivating, and she effortlessly switches between comedy and drama. Her portrayal of Im Sol's emotional journey is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, making her a standout in the series.

The series also explores themes of love, loss, and, the power of second chances.

The chemistry between Kim Hye-Yoon and Byeon Woo-Seok is pretty good and I think that the pair add a lot to the show.

The show starts off strong, but it loses steam as it goes on. Some of the supporting characters feel underutilized, and their storylines don't contribute much to the overall plot. They just feel a bit pointless at times. I really enjoy good side characters, and I am not sure there is a single notable one in the entire show.

Despite these shortcomings, the show does remain an enjoyable watch. I think Kim Hye-Yoon is amazing here! Her performance is what really makes this show stand out.

However, it's important to note that the series is not without its flaws. The time-travel mechanics, while intriguing, can sometimes feel inconsistent and unexplained. The resolution of some plot points may feel rushed or unsatisfying.

All around, I think it is a solid show, offering a blend of romance, comedy, and a touch of fantasy.

**Pros:**
* Kim Hye-Yoon is amazing!
* Cute romance
* Interesting time-travel twist

**Cons:**
* Drags on a bit
* Time-travel stuff can be confusing
* Some side characters are weak

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Overall a good drama, I can’t watch it again tho my patience could never.

I want to love this so bad. Spoilers ahead. I was waiting for a different result with the many chances the main character was given to change things. However, with the exception of the first back in time, it was a repeat of almost the same thing every time after. It’s not that I didn’t like it, but it was hard watching Im Sol keep making the same mistakes trying to push Sun Jae away just to get the same result . It got tiring after the second time, buy the third time it was just annoying that she could treat him so bad. Sun Jae kept choosing her and again and again. Im Sol kept breaking his heart, acting as though she didn’t care. I was hoping at some point she would just say something! I was screaming at the tv if she would just communicate what she was doing or trying to do especially the last time around. I understand that she was trying to protect him, but she left him in the dark which could’ve saved them both some heartache. She missed the fate part of it & he would keep choosing her. I’d hoped for more romance between the two verses the bits and pieces throughout the episodes only when she let down her guard. Overall it was a good watch, I rooted for them and it paid off with happy ending. The two had great chemistry, there was plenty of humor, but I probably would not watch again, the storyline was frustrating until the last episode when it all worked out.

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TOP NOTCH CHEMISTRY

Okay, let’s get one thing straight—this romance? INSANE. Like, Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok ATE. Their chemistry?? Off. The. Charts. I was screaming at my screen every time they even LOOKED at each other. I swear, they could be standing five feet apart, and I’d still feel the tension.

Tbh, I almost didn’t watch this because of Kim Hye-yoon (nothing against her, just wasn’t drawn in, watched Extraordinary You because of Rowoon too), but THANK GOD I did. Because this was romance gold. The way their moments felt so raw, so natural, so everything?? Nothing less the peak.

Now, onto the crime plot... meh. Most of the time, crime/mystery subplots in romance K-dramas don’t do it for me, and this one was no exception. But I will admit, the stalker gave me chills. Like, when he appeared infront of Sol or when he kidnapped Im Sol? Instant shivers. Creepy dude aside, though, the crime aspect wasn’t the selling point.

Now, here’s where my rant kicks in—FOUR TIMELINES. I love a good time-travel twist, but did we really need FOUR?! At some point, it started feeling repetitive. And don’t even get me started on the "power of love" suddenly making Sun-jae remember everything—like huh??? That was kinda weird, ngl. But whatever, I was too busy swooning over their romance to care.

Up until Episode 10 or 12? PEAK. Literally flawless. But after Ep 13... yeah, I checked out. Not even gonna lie, I don’t even remember what happened in Ep 14 or 15. Did they get together? Probably. Did I care? Not really, because the high point had already passed for me. I might have to rewatch those episodes just to fill in the gaps.

Now, let’s talk about the Twinkling Watermelon comparisons. I keep seeing people compare Lovely Runner to Twinkling Watermelon, and honestly, it makes NO sense. These two shows are completely different in their execution. Lovely Runner is a pure romance (and it ATE—like 12/10, no, 20/10 romance, not saying that TW was any less than this, I was OBSESSED w TW couples and still am), while Twinkling Watermelon is much more layered, focusing on three different families and developing each of them deeply. TW isn't just about romance—it’s about family dynamics, growth, and multiple perspectives. You can’t just throw them into the same box because they both have time travel. They’re not the same, period.

Final thoughts: Even with the timeline chaos, this drama DELIVERED on romance. Every single scene between Im Sol and Sunjae? Perfection. If you’re watching for romance, you’ll be FED.

Would I rewatch it? Maybe just the first 12 episodes and the last one. Would I recommend it? 100%. Just be prepared for some timeline exhaustion.

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Packed with heart and pretty faces, but weighed down by logic gaps and narrative loops.

I write really long reviews but here's a summary. Keep in mind this is just my opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone ❤️
This one's a bit long- so if you like slightly detailed reviews, you're gonna (hopefully) love this.

❗SPOILERS AHEAD❗

The Good

The Casting Was a Gift
Let’s be real: watching Byeon Woo Seok and Song Geon Hee for 16 episodes was a blessing. The entire cast was easy on the eyes, but these two definitely carried a chunk of the show's watchability on their ridiculously attractive backs.

That Soundtrack Slapped
Honestly, the music was the MVP. The song Sun Jae wrote for her? Instant classic. The rest of the OST was just as strong — emotional, memorable, and the kind you keep on your playlist long after the drama ends.

Sun Jae’s Over-the-Top Love
Some people thought his love was too much — and yeah, the air-kissing scene was… a choice — but overall, I found it sweet. There’s something adorable about someone being head-over-heels, timeline-spanning in love. I just wish it had felt more earned. With a bit more depth to their story, this could’ve hit me even harder.

The Bad

Im Sol’s Lack of a Plan
Im Sol’s entire approach to time travel is… questionable, to say the least. After Sun Jae dies, instead of focusing on stopping the serial killer or figuring out how to protect him, her first instinct is to ghost him. Really? You’ve got a chance to save him, and you choose to avoid him like he's the one toxic ex you can’t escape? She spends her time reacting emotionally, but there's little thought behind her actions. She’s supposed to be a grown woman with life experience, yet she acts like a teenager with no game plan. Avoiding Sun Jae just wasn’t the move here.

Im Sol’s Lack of Survival Skills
Then there’s the sheer recklessness of her actions. She decides to lure the serial killer by herself, walking down a creepy alley with zero backup plan. Was she expecting him to follow her into a trap? If he had, no one would have known where she was. She’s a 30-something-year-old woman, but here she is, making choices that scream “I never learned basic survival skills.” This is especially frustrating because her lack of caution directly contributes to Sun Jae’s death. The serial killer was around, and she had no plan—just bad decisions all around.

The Villain That Wasn’t
Young Soo, the villain, is a major letdown. There’s no backstory, no motive, and he has no real purpose other than to create unnecessary drama. He’s obsessed with Im Sol for reasons unknown, and we never get any answers. For a character who’s supposed to be a threat, he’s more of a plot device. His death is anticlimactic—taken out by a random truck. What was the point of all the buildup? His character never really adds anything substantial to the story, and his unsatisfying end just leaves more questions than answers.

A Love Story That Did the Most
Sun Jae and Im Sol’s love story was sweet... if you only focus on the small moments. But zoom out, and it quickly becomes way too much. Im Sol’s side of things felt like an unhealthy obsession with Sun Jae. She’s so caught up in him that she neglects her family, especially her grandma, who has dementia. Hello? You had a chance to reconnect, and instead, you’re running around saving the guy? It made her love feel a bit too consuming, like everyone else existed just as a backdrop to Sun Jae. On Sun Jae’s side? The whole “obsessed after one rainy day” thing was hard to believe. A yellow umbrella and some candy, and suddenly he’s writing songs and tracking her down? Cute, but totally insane. And the weird part? He’s been obsessed the whole time, but in the beginning, he acts like she’s the annoying one. The disconnect here was maddening and made it hard to buy into his whole “I’ve always loved you” act.

The Friend & Brother Duo No One Asked For
Let’s talk about Hyun Joo and Im Geum. Their relationship was a mess. Hyun Joo’s undying love for Im Geum felt utterly undeserved. The guy made so many poor decisions, like blowing all their money on some random friend’s company and giving away lottery numbers. And yet, we’re supposed to root for them? Why? She had three kids with this guy, but I wouldn’t have blamed her if she’d packed up and left after the first dumb investment. Im Geum was a walking disaster. From his absurd crying over an ex at a camp retreat to his general lack of maturity, he was nothing but a giant, unnecessary subplot. Purposefully dumb characters like him are a pain to watch, and this pair’s scenes were the hardest to sit through.

Grandma Knows Everything?
Okay, can we talk about Grandma for a second? How did she know everything about the past without the watch? How was she time traveling? She was like the show’s magical plot hole, and the writers never bothered to explain any of it. It was beyond frustrating, especially when even Sun Jae couldn’t figure things out until the very end. She was a walking mystery that the show never even tried to solve, leaving me scratching my head over how she could be so all-knowing without any actual explanation.

The Drama Refused to End
By episode 12, I was done. I swear, this drama just kept going in circles. Sol avoids him, Sun Jae chases her, they get cute, and then… rinse and repeat. It felt like we were watching the same cycle over and over, and I honestly started zoning out by the end. The drama dragged, and by the time we got to the last episodes, I was begging for it to just end. We were running a marathon, not watching a K-drama. The fluff piled on, and the episodes started to feel like filler. At a certain point, you have to ask, “Is this a K-drama, or are we just going through the motions?”

The Ending
Let’s break the ending down into two parts.
First, the time travel—suddenly, it’s all perfectly controlled. Im Sol just so happens to travel to the exact moment when Sun Jae falls for her? Convenient, but totally unrealistic. It felt like lazy storytelling, making everything fit neatly into the plot when we’d spent the whole drama dealing with time travel randomness.
And then there’s the paralyzed body mystery. In the final life, where she prevents Sun Jae from falling for her, how was she able to avoid the accident she was supposed to have? The taxi driver randomly decides to become a silent stalker instead of finishing the job? The logic didn’t add up.
Lastly, Sun Jae’s suicide. Was it on purpose or just a random accident? We’re never really told. His depression seemed to only exist in one timeline, but did Young Soo push him? It’s another thread left dangling, with no closure.

Final Thoughts:
Lovely Runner had all the ingredients to be great—a unique premise, a gorgeous cast, strong performances, and an OST worthy of repeat listens. But somewhere along the way, it traded depth for swoon, and logic for vibes. The writers seemed so focused on making Sun Jae the ultimate simp that they forgot to build a believable love story—or a plot that made sense.

Despite the setup, the romance never felt earned, the villain was more plot device than person, and the side characters took up way too much screen time for how little they contributed. Honestly, if it weren’t for the cast, I doubt this show would’ve made half the noise it did.

By the final stretch, the endless loop of tragedy and reset got exhausting. And let’s be real—just because a drama can be 16 episodes doesn’t mean it should be. In the end, Lovely Runner wasn’t a sprint or a marathon—it was more of a scenic detour with great visuals, killer tracks, and way too many slow-mo stares

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Best drama of 2024

This was an amazing drama which brought out all the butterflies of kdramas 🥰🥰🥰. love the main leads and the music. loved the story as well even though there were some loopholes. I rewatched this like thrice already and can’t recommend this more!

whatever I was missing in the recent kdramas, I got it all on this one. this was the first drama of both the leads that I watched and it didn’t disappoint. this had everything - story, romance, laughs, heartbreaks… u name it…

What I don’t understand is the comparison between LR and one other drama which was a totally different story altogether! I guess some fans are salty because of the success of LR!

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Good Enough

Korean Drama '' Lovely Runner '' is a fantasy romantic melodrama.

The story has a light mood throughout its length, though there is a lot of drama and tragedy in the story. However, the comedy parts were plenty and just enough to keep things entertaining, and the main character was fun and energetic which aided a lot.

Also, the romance was cute and it worked well with the nostalgia that the school and youthful past storyline had to offer.

In addition, the drama did a good job handling the fantasy element and blending it well with the criminal case.

Finally, the performances were all great by every actor and actress in the cast.

So, overall, nine out of ten.

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They are so adorable but what the fuck is going on with that killer!

Lets talk about the positive cause the ROMANCE is ROMANCING! I love the couple so much and everything about them! I was blushing and kicking my feet every scene the ml and fl showed up!!! The back in time thing was so interesting as well, filled with comedy and romance was so fun to watch!

HOWEVER what the fuck was going on with the mystery side cause it would have been interesting if we actually found out the motive behind the killer/kidnapper! Cause we know nothing about him apart from the fact that he is a killer on the lose... It really ruined the show cause the whole purpose of the show was to catch the killer and live happily ever after but we got nothing out of him apart from plot. It felt really dry and annoying and the ending irritated me and lowkey ruined the whole show for me...

BUT the ml and fl are so adorable and definitely raised my standards!

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emotional rollercoaster

firstly, I rlly liked how they capture the moment very well. I could experience how the characters felt, in certain heartfelt moments. this drama felt like I could just turn off my brain and just absorb all the emotions. there were a few loopholes, but I don't rlly care too much about them as it is to be expected. their explanation on the concept about time travel felt a little ambiguous, I think they purposely did so , so that they would be able to make certain scenes happen. the story felt long winded and sometimes predictable. I hated how at the end of like ep 3 ( I can't remember whether is it 2 3 or 4) they used time travel as the excused to Im sol not hearing seon jae's confession on the recording. couldn't u at least make up a better excuse? it was quite frustrating. the chemistry between the leads... um I am a sucker for romance so my opinion is very biased. the acting to the create the different characters was done well. what do y'all think?

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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. The primary leads are Im Sol and Ryu Sun-jae. Sol is paralyzed from the waist down yet she is still a positive thinker thanks to her idol Sun-jae. Sun-jae is the lead vocalist for the band Eclipse. Sol and Sun-jae perfectly played their roles, I loved the relationship and chemistry both leads had. The supporting cast was phenomenal especially Kim Tae-sung and Baek In-hyuk. Tae-sung was Sol's initial crush in high school whereas In-hyuk is a fellow band member of Eclipse. Both families among the lead cast members were phenomenal and always entertained. 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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The story quickly ran in numerous circles...Should have been shorter.

This rom-com started very well : interesting concept, an intriguing fantasy twist, a very attractive male lead and adorable heroine. The fated mates aspect of the main couple relationship was so good...But the plot itself got so repetitive with a lot of dumb choices, noble idiocy that really made the drama lost its appeal to me.

The series clearly would have benefited from a shorter length (8-12 episodes), this would have prevented a lot of the filler moments with a bunch of rather boring secondary characters, that never really got attaching to me (with the sole exception maybe of the grandma).

Having said that, I quite enjoyed the soundtrack and I was pretty impressed with the production and the making. The skillful framing of the leads and the way they played on their height difference, was super smart and butterflies inducing.

I would recommend this to people that love fated mates stories. It has a solid start and the production value as well as the chemistry between main leads is worth it (especially if you are a fan of Byeon Woo Seok and/or Kim Hye Yoon).

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