THE BEST K-DRAMA EVER!! ☀️✨
Wow! I can't believe that was the ending of such an amazing drama. The chemistry between the characters was so sweet and overflowing, I just want to eat them up their are so cute, words can't literally describe how much I love them. Watching this drama was an emotional rollercoaster for me. One moment I was crying, the next laughing, then swooning over the actors, and then shocked and crying again. Despite being a mess of emotions, I enjoyed every second of it. This is now my top favorite drama☀️.As a long-time fan of Hyeyoon since "Extraordinary You" and Wooseok from "Record of Youth", I was excited to hear that they were cast together. My anticipation grew so much that I even read the webtoon "Tomorrow's #1", which I thoroughly enjoyed. I watched as the title changed from "Time to Walk Through Memory" to "Carry Sunjae and Run", and every time they attended award shows to promote the drama or posted teaser photos, I constantly checked for updates and eagerly awaited the premiere. Like many others, I didn't anticipate its immense popularity. Seeing them reach this level of success feels incredibly rewarding and I am truly proud of their achievements. They say opportunity comes to those who are ready, and they truly deserve this success!!
The anticipation for each episode was like no other show, except maybe “Queen of Tears” and “Twinkling Watermelon”. But even then, I was more excited for this one. The chemistry between Sunjae and Im Sol is incredibly insane, it got me kicking my feet and punching my pillow. Their journey from sweet first love moments to intense, angsty scenes was incredibly portrayed, and their love story is so heart-wrenching that it transcends every time line. Kudos to the actors for executing all these shifts flawlessly🦋✨. Ugh, and the comedy aspect of this drama, I was laughing so hard lol. Whether it was Im Sol embarrassing herself in front of Sunjae, Sunjae's peak loser moments (which was my favorite), Sunjae’s dad and Im Sol’s mom moments, Inhyuk being stuck in between the 2 leads, or the interactions between the other characters, they made me laugh with tears🤣.
The cinematography was breathtaking. Each scene made my heart flutter or drew me deeper into the drama, especially when paired with the beautiful OST’s and BGM. I appreciate the hard work and attention to detail from everyone involved in making these captivating scenes possible, including the director, writers, Hair/makeup artists, staff and everyone else that was involved. Thank you for your tireless work and attention to detail you made this all happen, I really appreciate you guys. THANK YOU LOVELY RUNNER TEAM AND CAST 🫶🏻.
Oh my gosshh!! Don't even get me started with the OST’s every single one was so emotional that made me cry a river or enjoyable to listen to. A shout-out to the composers and musicians who made these beautiful pieces. And the Original classic timeless BGM where so good too. My top favorite songs right now have to be “Sudden Shower”, “I Think I Did” (Original and Cover), “I’ll Be There”, “Star” (both ver.), “A Day”, “Spring Now”, and “Run Run”🎶💽✨.
Kim Hyeyoon and Byeon Wooseok deserve an award for their impressive performances. Watching the behind-the-scenes and interviews, I saw how hard they worked in the cold weather, pouring out their emotions to create beautiful scenes every day for 10 months. I'm glad they had each other for support and had fun while filming. I hope they maintain their wonderful friendship, and I look forward to seeing more of their work in the future💗☀️✨.
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Best Drama of 2024
It would seem like your regular romcom but Lovely Runner actually has so many layers to it that will make you want to watch more.Kim Hyeyoon has always been one of the best actresses of her generation and her portrayal of Sol was perfect. She was definitely meant for the role.
No dull moments, perfect soundtrack, amazing chemistry. Definitely will come back to it in the future whenever I need a pick-me-up.
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Highly recommended and this is my first time writing a review!
This drama deserves its high ratings! Trust it because I didn't and proceeded to watch without much expectation but OMG.... So yeah, I almost regret not watching this drama due to the low ratings given by some commenters here labeled with "Most Helpful Reviews" which didn't help at all because that discouraged me from watching it instead. I first watched Twinkling Watermelon before this one and I loved it! I would rate that one 8/10 but nothing prepared me for all the emotions I would feel from Lovely Runner which has a similar storyline. I laughed a lot, cried a lot, and fell in love again and again. The main leads both gave justice to their characters and they have such strong chemistry! Kudos to the cast, writers, and directors of this drama because it's very well executed. I'm a certified K-drama and C-drama fan and for me, this one is hard to surpass. I've seen more dramas after watching this but I find them lacking and bland.Was this review helpful to you?
SolJae is the best ever
Now this I'll add this as my one of my favorite series ever. The story, the character, music and all was perfect. I want to thank the writer in this series your so so so superb ever. Every episode were not predicted every episode I'm was crying but thank you because there had a happy ending. From now on I don't know how to move on every time I heard the song (sonaki) I'm crying again. And I want to thank every character superb every character was fitted on it. And Sol you always make me cry since 1st episode. Love you a lot lovely runner 😘Was this review helpful to you?
Lovely runner has become one of my favourite kdrama of all time . Sunjae and imsol has one of the best chemistry i have ever seen in a kdrama series❣️ and i really love all the ost in the series. my personal fav is sudden showers, 10cm spring snow and like a dream.
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Overhyped and not worth to watch.
The beginning episodes brought out a different and unique plotline but the further you watch, the stupid decisions that female lead makes, make me mad for some reason. The script or the directions could have been much better. I feel like the female lead is over acting that does not suit the drama (no offense, as i liked her in extrodinary you). She either smiles brightly or gives a shocking expression.Was this review helpful to you?
A heartwarming story
What an emotional rollercoaster. I don't usually write reviews, but this masterpiece deserves one. If you're still hesitating whether to watch Lovely Runner or not, please do haha.This might be my favorite show of all times. The love story, the acting, the cast, the music... everything is perfect (my opinion). Will watch this show multiple times for sure.
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This review may contain spoilers
Overdid the time travel
To my surprise there wasn’t much to the story. It was quite plain. The writer didn’t overcomplicate the time travel theme which is good but it doesn’t mean there can’t be interesting factors in the plot. The writer didn’t think out of the box much Simply put I lost interest several times while watching the show.I don’t care about how the time travel(the watch) worked. I liked the simplicity of it but story was too monotonous. There were no “wow” moments. Sol could time travel many times as she wanted so what’s the catch here? Time travel lost the charm simply by overdoing it and coming back with the same problems. Why drag the show for that long! It could’ve easily been a 12 episode drama. Too many filler episodes.
The 2nd lead guy didn’t had much relevance in the story or on sol’s choices same as many other characters !! The comedy had off timing. One moment something serious was happening and the next moment something totally lame. Sol herself wasn’t serious. As the main character she was lacking and wasn’t doing anything sensible that will make you support her.
Sunjae on the other hand was portraying a “boy in love” and we loved him. Mostly bcz he was unaware of what was going on. He was loveable character. But I can’t say that about Sol. Overall it was okay but bit boring.
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Some stories do manage that suspension of disbelief just a bit more smoothly than others. And Lovely Runners seem to be able to introduce us to the logics of their little fluffy, rom-com universe quite seamlessly and therefor making the more unbelievable moments feel both earnest and earned enough that is just might work. Or you are willing to forgive it despite how much of a fan fiction this story feels like it is.
The drama has a tendency to use excessive amount of tropes in it's storytelling, like the clumsy heroine, noble idiocy, miscommunication and so forth. The amount of times the two leads fell into each other arms was way to excessive to become endearing after a certain point. It also does have a tendency to drag out the plot and the twists on a bit too long as we get further into the story resulting in some pacing issues.
Towards the end the story, the convoluted timelines and the murder mystery subplot does becomes more of a burden to the drama, causing it to lose some momentum - I feel like episode one and until around 10 is this dramas sweet spot. Things just seem to be happening to the characters without too much depth but the character have such a good emotional core within them, despite me wanting a bit more development from them as the timelines become more messy and annoyed as things are just happening to keep the plot going, no matter what you are rooting for them to get together in the end.
The actors certainly add more spunk and feelings into these characters than they have on paper and really sell the earnest of the story and keep you coming back for more. It's a fluff, it's tropy, but it's fun and bubbly and compelling enough and you never really get the sense that the drama is trying too hard to be something more than it is. It's a breezy, cute watch with very likeable leads and characters that you enjoy spending times with despite it's flaws - I just wish we could have gotten more scenes with the second male lead.
The drama manages to blending humor and cliché with heartfelt moments and I do think the drama does a good job making you feel very at home in it's world and therefor invested in it and so light and airy that you just enjoy these moments with the characters. The drama creates a narrative that is light-hearted yet earnest, as it finds the most absurd situations and gives the characters enough stakes that you want to cheer them on and make sure that they finally get their happy ever after.
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Just Go and Watch it!
Initially, I was contemplating whether to watch it or not. And I am glad that I watched it.I think rather than the storyline, the chemistry between leads hooked me till the end. Gosh.
My single soul craves such love.
If you're in the drama slum and nothing's catching your interest, this drama may be a good choice as it was for me.
HIGHLY Recommended!! <3
But be ready to cry your eye out because it is worth it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Lovely Runner - #1 out of 417 KDramas
Contains Spoilers!!Lovely Runner Review and why it has become my #1 KDrama out of 417 seen (so far).
This will contain a review of Lovely Runner (LR), and giving a few spoilers as possible, but will also provide data showing the uniqueness of this show, and its bombshell effect on the global audience which resulted in a first leading role catapulting ML Byeon Woo Seok (BWS) into a global superstar.
Other than seeing posts of excited fans on KDrama pages, I had no information on Lovely Runner (LR) when I started watching.
It still had several weeks of airing when I “thought” I would just pop in and check out Episode 1 to see what all the stir was about and then wait for it to finish to see straight through.
Ah…NO!
From the concert to the scene on the bridge, I was HOOKED
https://youtu.be/T_uVy8v9-S8?si=onMuDs1mn1vgy039
When we got to the time-travel back to 2008 and her run to “Sun Jae-ah!!”, I was enthralled.
The story is fascinating and fabulously executed by the cast and directors who all went far beyond the norm to make this 3 years in-the-making-story come to life.
https://youtu.be/76CbAftjgRQ?si=_1FDZmxSW5-8p0L4
Due to a challenge to her perspective in the darkest time of her life, Im Sol is Eclipse lead singer Ryu Sun Jae’s longest and most dedicated fan. Through a series of events. when devastating news about him hits, she is transported from 2023 to 2008 where she attempts to change his path to avoid the catastrophe.
This leads to a hilarious intersection of 30-year-old Sol with teenage Sol’s life, much of which she doesn’t remember, as she acts bizarrely for the teenage Sol in order to save Sun Jae.
What she learns is that what is done differently in 2008 has an effect on 2023, some unforeseen.
Since it involves multiple trips as she goes back-and-forth, she begins to understand the patterns of what is transferring between 2008 and 2023, and make adjustments accordingly, with her eye on the goal of saving Sun Jae.
However, Sun Jae has his own thoughts on the new Sol in each timeline.
This brings us laughter, joy, frustration, deep concern for their safety, desperately wishing for things to work out for the future, and ultimately a fabulous romance.
I am a retired professional singer and actress, so music with theatre is my bag. Anytime those two are put together with excellence, I’m in, and that was certainly the case for this show with BWS actually singing the lead for the five Eclipse songs, the majority of which ended up on real life professional music charts, one of which so resonated with the global audience that it broke and set records.
Hearing the behind the scenes footage between the actors and main director lets us appreciate the beauty of KDramas in building depth in a relationship through a directorial fine hand to make the romance heart-grabbing while specifically avoiding pushing it into being explicit.
https://youtu.be/IuF53Sw21UQ?si=zQmSpPiGr21qkkys
Result:
https://youtu.be/vY7AEc7OljY?si=dwM6cp7pPDCqA10q
I applaud that the villain propelled the story forward without overpowering the leads’ story and romance. Even as a very real threat, he was written as the impetus behind their story vs the leading couple’s story being back-burnered as disappointingly happened in the much anticipated KDrama Queen of Tears earlier this year.
I love a story that is intriguing, that makes you stay glued to the screen to keep up with the events happening to put the puzzle pieces in place instead of spelling everything out as it goes, one that requires some effort from the viewer and this one DOES - though in case you missed the clues, everything is put in place for you by the end.
We have comedy, time-travel with multiple trips back and forth, sports, music/idols - and a romance for the ages.
(Spoilers):
https://youtu.be/G273OX8r-bQ?si=FNrP06eer5G7GqAe
Sun Jae’s faithful and sacrificial love for Sol and her faithful and sacrificial love for “Sun Jae-ah” are exemplary of what true love should be. Each repeatedly put their lives and happiness on the line to protect the other.
https://youtu.be/Eh-ImBhwg7E?si=fOzOlHVzzb2Zvf-A
All KDrama fans quickly learn that S. Korea has some pretty phenomenal actors, even with K-Poppers turned actors.
Kim Hye Yoon (Im Sol) is well established as a FL and known for several roles including Extraordinary You which is set in high school (as is part of LR) where she had an even taller ML than BWS.
However for a first lead role, LR was a very ambitious and risky undertaking for novice ML Byeon Woo Seok. LR made Ryu Sun Jae a sink or swim career role for BWS’s first lead, which was a risky “make it or break it” move. The role covers swimming, singing, acting - and portraying the ML from ages 19 to 34, and he made the transitions beautifully.
In many scenes, his emotions are pouring out of his eyes, if you look. I refer you to the scene in Episode 8 right after he dumps his best friend in the bathtub and walks out to see Sol holding what he wanted to remain hidden.
As a retired actress and former university faculty in Theatre, I have to say that I pegged BWS for global stardom some time back from his appearance in another show
I am very impressed with him - not just his acting ability and talent, but also his tenacity and dedication to his craft.
Not only did he tackle a difficult and complex role as his first lead role and bear the responsibility of carrying the weight of the show as the ML, but he also had to learned to swim (he said he previously could only dog-paddle!) well enough to portray an Olympic level swimmer AND swim credibly against South Korea’s own real-life Olympic Gold Medalist in swimming Park Tae Hwan, which he DID.
Additionally, BWS mastered singing five songs to play an idol, with the majority of his songs placing on real life professional music charts, especially Sudden Shower (Sonagi).
Additionally, we have a wonderful second lead in Sun Jae’s rival for Im Sol, 2nd ML Kim Tae Sung (played by Song Geon Hee), who honorably steps aside when he realizes that it is not himself, but Sun Jae who holds Sol’s heart.
Sol’s goofy brother and her best friend provide many instances of comedic relief (as do the rest of the cast), as their awareness of each other and romance plays out.
We also have other great supporting characters in Sun Jae’s best friend played by real life S. Korean band N. Flying's Lee Seung Hyun, Sol’s not-so-out-of-it G’ma (Sung Byung Sook), Sol’s Mom played by veteran actress Jung Young Joo, Sun Jae’s Dad played by veteran character actor Kim Won Hae.
I shared LR with both of my adult daughters who are also KDrama fans, and for them it has also become the #1 KDrama they have seen, and we have all seen MANY.
Those who may not like LR will probably be those who love depressing, angst driven shows such as My Mister, My Dearest, Moon Lovers, etc.
However, those who liked positive, cute, comedic, music filled, uplifting shows with a happy ending, this one should be your bag.
LR has a great script, including a love for all time, incredibly talented actors, excellent direction, a fabulous OST, much of which was sung by the ML, award winning cinematography, comedy, pathos, intrigue, celebrity, off-beat families and a happy ending - what’s not to love?
_____________
Some of the awards and global response:
The Eclipse band (in the show not a real life band) has won numerous real life awards!
(To hear their #1 song, Sudden Shower’s Official Music Video - no English my subtitles):
https://youtu.be/fBB4MaBybyg?si=id6uGjBiKJaburq7
With English (no video):
https://youtu.be/Rx-R_qIYAiA?si=VCDuztOf02t5vkFL
The complete Lovely Runner OST is so well done it’s worth purchasing as well as being one-of-a-kind with the addition of fictitious band Eclipse’s songs sung by non-professional singer, ML Byeon Woo Seok as Idol Ryu Sun Jae. The OST has released Eclipse’s songs as a Bonus album to the show’s OST.
One of the unique qualities of Lovely Runner among 2024 KDramas showing it’s global fandom is that it brings a compilation of record-breaking and record making accolades including:
• LR script book becoming a #1 best seller BEFORE it hit the market
• LR OST recorded the all-time highest pre-release sales of any KDrama OST
• Sudden Shower sung by Byeon Woo Seok placed on the U.S. Billboard chart which has never before happened for a Korean actor
• Being the #1 show in over 130 countries on its original streaming platform Rakuten Viki
• Being Netflix’s highest rated KDrama to air in 2024 - even though it only aired for NF after the show ended airing on Viki and only aired on NF in limited parts of the world
• Its Fundex/Gooddata numbers showing that even not being originally aired on NF (for which NF viewers gave them major grief), tvN‘s OTT platform’s airing of LR beat NF in streaming viewership for the first time and LR (95,789,84) even beat NF’s Queen of Tears (71,412,39), which had just beaten the record held by Crash Landing on You a month before
• BWS and KHY won many unique awards including multiple fan voted popularity awards for their roles in LR
• And several more, listed below.
• Sudden Shower/Sonagi reached #3 on S. Korea’s professional music chart (Melon) AND placed on the US Billboard professional music chart at #199, ultimately reaching #167 where it beat Taylor Swift and even BTS. Currently, Sudden Shower has over 100 million plays on Spotify, alone.
Now add in the astounding number of awards Byeon Woo Seok and LR have racked up.
We’ve seen K-Pop singers turn into actors plenty of times, but BWS is the first actor to become a real-life professional music Idol - through a KDrama.
He is the first actor who by playing an Idol received:
.• A real life Global Music Award at the professional MAMA Music Awards (which upon winning, he acknowledged his Eclipse band members by their LR names).
• The first actor to sing at MAMA before 55,000 people - LIVE
• AND BWS’s Sudden Shower/Sonagi (소나기) just won S. Korea’s Melon professional music award for Best OST song
- All of which has never happened before.
And believe it or not, LR and its beloved leading couple have received even more awards, attention, applause, mentions and imitations than I have listed here, with even S. Korean celebrities taking selfies with BWS’s life-sized ad cutouts as the industry clamors to cast him or hire him for endorsements.
Obviously, LR hit a record breaking home run with S. Korean and the global audience.
Hats off to Byeon Woo Seok and Lovely Runner for giving us a great show with a love story for all time, fabulous music and for climbing new mountains in the industry and with the global KDrama fandom. 🫡
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This review may contain spoilers
He may be the most successful Stan in history
This started off pretty depressing. Based on the massive amount of love and fluff posted in socials, I was taken a back by the first scenes with our leads. While it was unexpected, I do wish they would have leaned more into that plotline. The first episode was a great foundation to open up the depth of the characters, especially Sol. I was disappointed by the lack of development in her character. Her logic matched that of her teenage self more than the 'grown woman' who was traveling back and forth in time. I think we were all annoyed at her attempts to help Seon Jae but push that poor guy away.Seon Jae. The newest tree in the forest of green men. A cinnamon roll. As stated in the above title, he is the most successful Stan in history. This man not only pined after her as teens but held onto her (mentally) in just about every timeline. I would have loved to see more about his side of the world as things changed. He really provided the community with unrealistic bf expectations. From the hand scene in E4 to the apologizing to her when he couldn't remember, when SHE removed herself from the narrative.
The side characters didn't add much but I really enjoyed them. I would have loved some more screen time for Tea Sung, In Hyuk, and Hyun Joo (minus the husband, he was aggravating as all hell.)
I see a lot of people ranking this at a 4/5 or a 10. I'm somewhere in the middle. I liked the storyline and characters but they took an interesting idea and watered it down.
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